I am truly blessed

To have such fine men leading my son while deployed over in Afghanistan. I woke up this morning and in opening my email account I see an email in my inbox from my sons platoon leader. Now I know that this fine young man has one hell of a job on his hands with his platoon stretched throughout the area of operations supporting the other companies. Jason mentioned that the men are all doing well and that they continue to improve their bases of operation. Summer is coming to a close and they will be breaking out their cold weather gear very soon.

I just find it simply amazing that this fine young man takes the time to email me under such spartan conditions. I mean, he must travel over the roads (that alone must be gut wrenching because of the dangers of I.E.D's) to visit with his various sections to make sure they have what they need to continue to take the battle to the enemy and he still takes time out to communicate with a parent. I am just blown away by this. The men and women that serve our Nation today are a much different breed than when I served.

So to all the parents and family of those reading this today, be it known that your soldier is being lead by some of the finest leaders. Many will be returning over the next several months on R&R. Take the time to get to know the new man that comes home. Most will have changed because of their experiences over in Afghanistan and the leadership they have found themselves under. Character can be contagious. God Bless Them All!

Larry Arnone

AKA Bluestardad (and I want to keep it that way)

San Francisco

Sometimes when we think we will never

hear from them, the phone rings. "Hi dad, how are you doing?" I will always cherish those words for the rest of my life. I am sure you now know Alex has called home again since that awful day that I last posted that is no longer visible due to the fact I was concerned about opsec. I promise to re post it once they all safely return home. I must admit that I felt very proud of my son's actions and was not thinking of requests made from above, Those of you reading this will understand.

So my son has been at his VPB for three weeks and he made sure to let me know that his Oder is unpleasant...lol He sounded upbeat, happy and really looking forward to returning home for R&R. I will meet him at the Airport with a slew of people, I can guarantee you that. He asked me to purchase more satellite time as I guess the minutes are now dwindling. I told him no problem and the minutes Will be added as of tomorrow.

My postings will be kept to a minimal from now on as I want to be sure our guys are safe. I do enjoy chatting with all the parents and do not want us all disconnected. Thanks for everything you do and more importantly, I pray for each of your soldiers return through prayer each and every day.

I have been reading Kite Runner and it has been helping me a lot. I have been trying to understand the culture of Afghanistan from the moment my son was notified that he will be deploying to this country. It has been a great help. Thanks to all that have suggested it.
A Fathers Love,

Larry Arnone
San Francisco, Ca

(Abluestaredad)( And I want to keep it that way)

A Partial account of July 31, 2007

Seen through the eyes of a young 20 year old Infantryman located in Chowkay Valley, Kunar Province, Afghanistan manning a VPB. For those of you that have the map that I do, that would be the Valley of number 11. Alex was speaking with a young 1st Lt about things in general like Ranger school and how he wanted to get accepted to the course once he finishes his deployment. He and Alex has had many conversations on this topic and Lt. Hall has always had words of encouragement. Alex told me that he has always felt comfortable speaking with this young man.

After their conversation Alex wondered up to a Humvee where a friend of his was pulling over watch duty. Alex climbed up next to the gunners turret. It was a sweltering day so they both left their personal armour off. "Dad you are going to be mad because I didn't have it on, I know" the heat is crazy here. So when we were talking I heard a very familiar sound except that it sounded we were on the receiving end of it. All of a sudden an 107mm round goes off about 5 meters away. I rolled off the Humvee and Bea lined it to my hooch to get my armour on and then up to the Mortar pit all the while rounds and small arms fire hitting us from several directions. "I think they were attacking from three sides" I was running to the pit and I noticed that the ammo bunker had collapsed and there was no way were going to get suppressive fire down range unless we excavated the rounds from under all the sand bags. I looked around for help but everyone was either returning small arms or were in bunkers. I knew I needed to get the mortar rounds uncovered so I ran to the collapsed bunker and started to toss sand bags while the 107mm were raining down everywhere. I just knew we needed those rounds in order to lay down suppressive fire. "It was crazy Dad, all that mayhem" I finally was able to get the rounds exposed and hang a round. Now the whoosh was on my side of the battle line and started hearing a lull in the incoming.

When the smoke cleared and the small arms dwindled, I looked around at the VPB and I saw a group of men around one of our men. When I was able to go over to that spot and see who it was, it was of the young 1st Lt. that I felt very comfortable talking too. "That was the hardest part of the attack Dad, seeing someone that I feel I bonded with gone" May the lord watch over this young man.

It was very tough and Alex"s fire team leader pulled Alex aside asking if he was ok? Alex stated he was but that this attack really freaked him out. His leader told him to keep it together and stay tight that he was needed. Alex did and was recommended for the Bronze Star Medal . Alex mentioned that the snipers attached to his team helped greatly. They supplied direction and range.

As many of you know, I have been away on a cruise and was not able to update the blog. I just spent an hour or so doing just that. It was all on K.I.A's the brigade has suffered. It was very difficult to do, so many. I can't say how much I feel for you all. I can only imagine what you feel. May all our soldier makes it home in whole as well as mind and spirit.

A Fathers Love

Larry Arnone
AKA Bluestardad ( I want to keep it that way)
San Francisco, Ca

Important Information from an Army Mom

Hi to each of you,

I am addressing all of you so that you can help spread the word without causing panic or anything like that.

I got a call from Christopher's Dad this afternoon. He has a team of medics doing some research to see if there is something that could be happening to Christopher that could be causing this sickness.

This is what he found which may not have to do with what Christopher has or not, but this information is still important.
The powdered drink mixes that we are sending our sons could be deadly! They have found that if they are drinking any of these mixtures that have NutraSweet in them when the temperature is over 102 degrees and it gets that hot inside the bottle, it causes the chemicals that are in them to be just like drinking Formaldehyde.

This is very bad! So I hope that you can let the soldiers know that if they drink any of these types like, Crystal light, Propel, Gatorade, etc. they should throw anything away that has been sitting for a period of time that would make the bottle of liquid to get that hot.
This can lead to death, it will shut down their livers and do all kinds of damage.

Just thought I would pass this on to you and maybe one of you can call the hospital in Germany and talk with the doctors and tell them this. I don't know if this would be creating Christopher to be experiencing what he has been, but it is worth passing this along.

Thank you for your time. I would hate to be sending something to my son, which I have been that would cause him to die if he indeed was doing this.

I appreciate each of you. Thank you for everything.
Have a blessed day..

Susan

New adventures and New thoughts

I just returned from my cruise on the Gulf of California where we visited ports such as Puerto Vallarta, Mazzatlan and my favorite Cabo San Lucas. We did have a grand time and I even got to speak with my son Alex. Many of you reading this blog already know that Alex spends most of his time at location 11 on the map that has been put out by the best support site a parent or relative could hope for. They now charge equipment because of the effort of the special troops. He informed me that he will re-fit soon at his FOB at which time he will call me again.

Some of you have requested a sunset shot while I was cruising and do I have one for you. I hope to have it up by tomorrow evening. It will be on this posting in the header.

Now to my title, I really want to take both my children on a cruise when Alex returns for R&R. I think it would really afford him a true piece of mind. One of the readers has already sent me a great discount sight. I'm going to check it out! Maybe you will want to use it as well at http://www.vacationstogo.com/ticker.cfm?t=y&u=n&sp=y&id=zz10833118

Enjoy All!

Larry Arnone
AKA Bluestardad (I want to keep that way)
A Fathers Love
San Francisco, Ca

A Bartenders Tip

I have survived yet another full day of cruising. This being my third night at sea I have made friends with my bartender Kris D. We have had some great conversations and he has helped me pass the time away while the rest of our group is in the Casino. I do not gamble as much as some of the folks in our group does. I would rather use the money to send Alex things that he needs or wants. I was talking to Kris last night about Alex and what he is doing. Kris loaned me his ear for a portion of the evening and naturally Alex was the topic of conversation. Kris did have this to offer "If you are going ashore to buy C cigars (for the guy's) be sure to make an effort to find out if they are knockoffs" so that they do get the real deal.

Alex had made mention that he is on track to return home in October for R&R of 18 days. I was thinking a cruise would be perfect for us to go on. It will allow him to truly relax and just unwind. Perhaps I will run this by him the next time he calls. I wonder if the Cruise Line offers discounts to the Military? Something I will have to look into. Anyone ever checked before?

Tomorrow I will be tearing it up on an ATV. I'll let you know how that adventure turns out.

Until then, Have a great night,

Larry Arnone
AKA Bluestardad (I want to keep it that way)
San Francisco, Ca

Update for the friends of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Downrange.

I am currently cruising the waters of The Gulf of Mexico and I must say this is a vacation that I have been needing for a couple of years. The seas have been calm for the most part until I have had a cocktail or two. We still have another full day at sea before we reach our Port of Call in Mexico. Today I pretty much passed the day wondering the decks and looking over the ocean and thinking of my son. It was during one of my many ventures across the decks (Going to lunch) that my cell phone rang. Now, before I share with you who called , let me explain the protocols and cost of all cell phone traffic (inbound and out) while on board this ship called Carnival Pride.

Cell phone use is prohibited during meals and shows. I guess it is a big no no at sea. Secondly, each call cost $4.99 per minute plus long distance charges (what ever what they may be) and roaming charges. Well you can imagine my thoughts on this. All I had to do is think about my son and all those rules and charges went out over the port side of Sun Deck (10th level) of the ship. I thank my lucky stars for sticking to my guns.

I was sitting on the deck having lunch with a few family and friends when all of a sudden, my cell phone chirps. I look at the caller ID and with out no doubt I was going to take this call, it was Alex checking in with me. I haven't heard from him in over two weeks and was beginning to feel a little down.

When the phone rang and it was Alex my spirits rose and had all smiles. Alex informed me hat he is well as well as all other members of his OP. He did mention that they had a huge attack yesterday but they were fought off with no injuries. "The fight continues dad" They now have electricity as well as an Xbox to kill down time. I guess I will finally get him the lap top out in the mail once I return.

Many of you will understand when I say this " it is truly music to ones ears when they hear from their young one in the fight" some may not. For those that do not I ask that you think of waking up one morning knowing that your family name will never be carried forward because the one and only son you have has died protecting your freedoms. This is what I think of as well as my father. My only son has decided to serve, so that we all have options in our lives.

Sorry I may have gotten a little heavy here but it really burns me that my cell phone carrier doesn't see it the way I do. They should be able to call anyone at no cost. They are protecting their profits, right?

Lastly, I want to wish Vickie a Happy Birthday and I would say you have the dog in the lap.
(Sorry, Insider humor)

A Fathers Love,

Larry Arnone
AKA A Bluestardad ( I want to keep it that way)
San Francisco, Ca