War and the Media and a Tad of Politics

I never like to discus my political views but I am sure by the end of this posting you will understand my views fully. Right now Defense Secretary Gates is bringing the battle to the EU for more support for Afghanistan in terms of more troops. Some of our own potential Presidents for the next election are speaking of total withdrawal from the battle zones. Yeah, our sons and daughters would have fought in vain and have fallen for nothing. Is this what we do as a Democratic society? My son was born on 9/11/86 and when the towers fell he wanted to fight these animals who brought terror upon us. He is not alone in this endeavor as all our soldiers serving me and you do so as a volunteer Army. Some of them have had to make choices and some have chose what is in their hearts. They are our children and deserve to have us stand by them. They deserve much more than they receive not only in pay but services. Looks like the General was right in regards to a surge in Iraq. Why wouldn't a surge in Afghanistan work? Please join me in writing your Congress person in requesting that the effort in Afghanistan is stepped up. In closing I want to share a passage from General Giap of North Vietnam.

Giap's memoirs...

(Gen. Giap was a very famous and knowledgeable

General in the North Vietnamese Army.)

General Vo Nguyen Giap.

General Giap was a brilliant, highly respected leader of the North Vietnam military. The following quote is from his memoirs currently found in the Vietnam war memorial in Hanoi:

"What we still don't understand is why you Americans stopped the bombing of Hanoi. You had us on the ropes. If you had pressed us a little harder, just for another day or two, we were ready to surrender! It was the same at the battles of TET. You defeated us! We knew it, and we thought you knew it. But we were elated to notice your media was definitely helping us. They were causing more disruption in America than we could in the battlefields. We were ready to surrender. You had won!"

General Giap has published his memoirs and confirmed what most Americans knew. The Vietnam war was not lost in Vietnam -- it was lost at home. The exact same slippery slope, sponsored by the US media, is currently well underway. It exposes the enormous power of a biased media to cut out the heart and will of the American public.

A truism worthy of note: Do not fear the enemy, for they can take only your life. Fear the media far more, for they will destroy your honor.

When placing your vote, do so thinking of your trooper. I apologize in advance if I have offended any one with this post. I do love all the Paratroopers with the 173rd and want them to come home proud of their sacrifices.

Larry Arnone

San Francisco

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

Combat and Pleasures

I write this today not because there is pleasure in combat. I write this for the people who send packages not only to my son but other Paratroopers as well. I believe a good soldier has the ability to watch out for his brothers that serve on their right, left and all around. They can not look out for their brothers if they are receiving anything in the mail that would alter their judgment. Please, I value my sons life as I am sure you all value your soldier or friend so please refrain from sending them anything that would make them impaired in judgment or duty. I am going to cut and paste a note from my son's commander in hopes that my son's friends and any body else that reads this, it is so important as they are well past the half way mark of their deployment. This may well be the most important post I ever make. Thank you Diana for the idea to post the Rock 6 letter.

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

From the Commander –

To our Families–

The holidays have passed and we are focused on the spring then summer, which includes our redeployment. Contact with the enemy has dropped to less than 20% of what we experienced in the summer/fall – and of that 20% we are initiating 1/3 of all contacts on our terms. Many things contribute to the decline in activity and the initiation on our part – namely the efforts (and sacrifice) of our Paratroopers. We know our area and those who challenge us in this area. We know the vast capabilities of our equipment. Most importantly we know ourselves and everything we can accomplish in this area.

We are maximizing our time. We retrain ourselves, we train our Afghan security partners, we mentor our government officials, and we work with our population. We take time to “refit” (conduct maintenance) on ourselves and on our equipment. Most are not working as many hours in as trying conditions as they once were and most have better access to phones and email. In addition to the above, we are also using this time to reposition some units as we prepare for our spring and summer effort.

A trend at this time of year is to recover – on the battlefield and on the home front. Recover from the holiday season, pack the holiday decorations, and prepare for spring. All become busy and in short order it has been weeks if not months since the last package or note was sent.

In AO ROCK we have a similar lull, which for some manifests into an issue – idle hands and idle minds. Some Paratroopers request packages and items that are prohibited in Afghanistan and thus in AO ROCK. Some loved ones opt to demonstrate a lapse in judgment and tempt their Paratrooper. Let me be frank – like I routinely promise and always deliver. An ongoing investigation has revealed loved ones have sent mind altering substances – alcohol and perhaps other substances – into our battle space. I could be very animated in my delivery but instead I will remain professional – that is exceptionally poor judgment and life threatening - STOP! We have a very real challenge and spend incredible effort ensuring we do everything in our power to keep our Paratroopers – your loved ones – safe. Contributing ANYTHING to our battle space that impairs judgment and/or reflexes, for even a moment, puts the using Paratrooper and the many men who rely on that Paratrooper at greater risk. Your loved ones don’t have off time – nearly all have been called out on no notice to assist other Paratroopers or to deliver effects on the enemy, which directly or indirectly saves Paratroopers lives. If this is a game – it is called LIFE AND DEATH; no alibis and few second chances. If Paratroopers are not physically hurt their careers could be hurt by their poor judgment. As an aside, like when we have casualties, when investigations begin – connectivity is cut off.

As a team – I’d like all to recommit to getting through this deployment together. No individual players – no off the field coaches or fans that know best. We don’t need excuses or justifications from those who think/thought they know best – trust me, if you are impairing judgment or affecting reflexes of Paratroopers in AO ROCK you don’t know best… You’ve put their life and their career in jeopardy and put their buddies’ lives in jeopardy.

Please refer to the prohibited items list on the web – no alcohol or drugs. Please continue to send boxes, letters, and words of support – if you pray, throw a few our way… We need and appreciate your support. Your Paratroopers are truly honorable and remarkable Americans that are doing incredible things every day – they are a proud lot and you should be as well…

I remain very optimistic 2008 will be a great year for The ROCK and our families… Families of the ROCK thank you for your continued support and unparalleled sacrifices for The ROCK, the Army, and our great nation. I look forward to serving with you and our ROCK Paratroopers – anytime – anywhere.

The ROCK!

Ostlund – ROCK 6

Brotherhood and Valor

For the past two weeks I have been in communication via telephone with one of my sons best friends. PFC Chris Gross was injured one day by an RPG attack some months ago. In speaking with him I have a much better insight on what our men and women endure while deployed to Afghanistan. Chris was medivaced out and later found himself at Walter Reed where he is recovering from his wounds.

It was a bit weird really. I received a comment on the Blogg and then I received an email from Chris. In the subject line it read "Mr. Arnone Don't delete Alex's bud" and that got my attention. He went on to tell me who he was and he and Alex were pretty close back in Italy and Afghanistan. So I gave him my number and the next day he called me up. It almost seemed like we were in a room together, me listening to his stories and almost as if we knew each other from years back. We have been staying in touch with one another since. It's funny really, as a father of a son you think you know him. I found out that I may have known him but now he is a different person than the one that went off to war. I don't mean that in a negative by all means. The things that Chris has said my son has done just blows me away. I guess when you care about the soldier to your right and the one to the left you are capable of doing just about anything. In any case, Chris will be rejoining the 173rd back in Italy soon until he fully recovers. In case you are reading this Chris, always remember this "any man that calls my son his brother is a son to me" This page is dedicated to you PFC Chris Gross "Airborne!"

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

Gratitude

Is such a huge word that seems to have lost it's importance in todays society. In a previous posting you may remember I discussed how jumpy my son was when he arrived home on R&R with having so many civilians around him while he was walking through the airport terminal. I reflect on all the times that I would go out of my way when I see one of our countries soldiers out and about and approach them and shake their hand and thanking them for their service for our country not realizing that they themselves maybe just returning from a deployment in a combat zone. How they must feel having me violate their space and how jumpy they may be. You are probably scratching your head right about now what my point is right? Well after my son returned downrange to be his brothers of The 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, I felt awkward about about saying thank you, being concerned about how awkward they may feel.

Then last night a wonderful thing happened. One of the proud Grandmothers of one of our "Sky Soldiers" sent me an email about a fine organization that has made it a lot easier to express my gratitude to all men and women serving this nation. This organization is called "The Gratitude Campaign" which everyone can get involved with. Please take a moment and visit and learn how you can show your own gratitude to our soldiers. Before I do give you a link to the organizations website I need you to do me a favor, get a tissue out because you may need it. That was the advice that the proud Grandmother gave me and well, you always listen to Granny right? Thanks Cheri! I took your advice and did I need it. O.K. enough with my rant, here is the website link and please, share it with EVERYONE you know. You will have to cut and paste into your browser. http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/fullmovie.php

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

The best Christmas present, ever!

My son is on the left and his leader SFC Levy is on the right.

Ok, I must admit that I received the best Christmas present in my entire life. My son called me on Christmas morning. It was awesome, it was short but great. I also heard from his battle buddy who sustained wounds from an RPG round just a few days before the Holiday and he is doing well. My soldier has reenlisted so he can stay with his unit. He doesn't want to report to a reserve unit only to re-deploy with a different unit. He cares about the men he serves with and wants to stay in the fight with his Band of Brothers. I am very proud of my son and hope that he finds his true calling. I want to thank all of you for your support. I have not received one negative comment on this site and I truly appreciate that. I love my soldier but I also love the men and women that serve our Nation. Eight months to go and then they will return as a unit, as an Army of one, Army Strong. We will accept them as a family and watch over them. With your help, we can help, support and love them for what they do. May God bless them all! Stay in touch when you can. I can be reached at Larryarnone@gmail.com.

Larry Arnone
San Francisco

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

Another Night before Christmas with a Twist

Twas the nite before Christmas and all through my town,

no one was excited, we all felt so down

Our guard unit deployed, with many other guys too

we had no Christmas spirit, we all felt so blue

The children were crying, they all missed their Dads

Moms tried to be cheery but were simply to sad

At the mall when the kids sat on Santa's broad lap,

they didn't ask for toys, just please bring Daddy back

My own son was gone, on his second tour

to a third world country I'd never thought of before.

I sent all of his gifts by priority box

and hoped they'd arrive on time and not lost

His stocking I filled with a soldier needs mix

wet wipes, and jerky and tubes of chap stick

I put up a tree trimmed in blue red and white,

and prayed he'd be safe this Christmas eve night

I sat up all evening felling sorry and sad

remembering other family times that we'd had

Suddenly a voice whispered down from above

don't worry my child, for your son I too love

I'm with him each day, while he serves far from home

Trust me sweet mother, he's never alone

I know what it's like to have a son far away

in a small foreign village on Christmas day

No place to call home, or to lay down his head

no heat, no food not even a bed

the first Christmas gifts brought him from afar

also came late, as they followed the star

Dear mother as you sit in your Christmas eve sorrow

filled with such loneliness, dreading tomorrow

I beg you to remember the first Christmas day

The Christ child I sent to show you the way

so Please, smile this evening as you remember the birth,

of a child in a manger I sent down to earth

Though this year you are sad, your boys far apart

You can be assured they've kept Christ in their hearts

I promise I'm with them as they wander afar

a constant companion as the moon or a star

Christmas wishes dear Mother I send from above

and know you and your sons are surrounded by LOVE>

Author: Vickie C. Proud Mom of an American Paratrooper who serves alongside my son in Afghanistan

Larry Arnone
San Francisco, Ca

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

Fear, Anticipation,Jubilation and Trepidation

It has been a long time since I have posted my thoughts and I apologize to all that read my ranting. As many of you know from experience in one form or another, waiting on your soldier to come home on R&R can be a bit stressful. You are always asking the lord to let your soldier go one more day without injury so that he will in fact "make it home" and each day turns into another and then another until the night before he returns home to you. You lay in bed wide awake wondering just who your soldier will he be on return. It was only 6 months before that he was a Paratrooper serving in Italy and still for the most part a very unexperienced young man. Now,he has served in combat, been shot at and seen friends and fellow soldiers fall. You run all the different possibilities around in your head while you toss and turn trying to fall asleep. You start wondering if you have all the different foods he always enjoyed. Before you know it, its sunup and your feet hit the floor. You put fresh sheets on his bed making sure it is the way he left things. You check the flights to see if they are on time and make calls to all his friends and family to advise them that the plane will be arriving early. After cross checking your check list at least 100 times it is time to meet your soldier. I arrive at the airport and friends and family start gathering into a small group. We hold a banner that reads "welcome home soldier", you may ask why be so generic? Because we are not sure if there are other soldiers that will be returning on our soldiers flight and if so, then we want to send our sentiments to them as well. I know my son would understand this so its all good.

And then at first we see Army boots and ask ourselves is that him? Then the ACU digital pattern is clear and then in a distance you see a maroon beret that he has worked so hard to be able to wear. Is it him I ask myself and all of a sudden it is clear my soldier has returned home. I look at the others that are with me and I turn to my daughter to confirm it's him and she is all smiles. We let him approach us as we know that he is a bit jumpy from the crowds. We embrace and silently I thank the Lord for answering my prayers.

The first thing he wants to do is hit the mall to buy some cloths as he only came with the cloths on his back. I can't help noticing all the ladies that steal looks at him. Yep, my son has returned and we are so excited. We grab a bite to eat at a nearby cafe and have a couple of beers. When we get home and unpack his back pack he wants to go out and unwind. I take him to a local sports bar just down the street so we don't have to drive. We enter the place and it's packed but everything goes silent as everyone one is a aware that an American fighting man has just entered as he is in uniform. He turns to me and says "watch this" as he finds a place at the bar for the two of us. We order our preferred brand of beer and the good looking bartender smiles at my son and thanks him. Alex says to me that its on him. When he reaches into his pocket the bartender says not to worry that it's on the house because of his service to our country. Alex smiles back and says "my pleasure maim" and drinks his beer without taking his eyes off of her and she smiles. Alex looks over at me and says that we will not be spending a dime on drinks all night and I believe him. Sure enough every one in the bar buys drinks for us all night. Alex tells me that this bar was a good choice. At the end of the night Alex has both bartenders phone numbers and we call t a night at around 1 am.

I got to take Alex and his sister to Las Vegas where we make a killing at the casino. My daughter is able to pay off her credit card dept with her winnings and Alex makes a a lot more than when he walked in, me, I pay for the trip, hotel, meals and my pocket still has a lot more in it than when I arrived. The biggest payoff, I got to see my son have a great time.

R&R goes by so fast.It's not long before we must say our farewells. Yep, tears flow freely and we all hate to see him return to a land that I am not so sure appreciates our soldiers sacrifices. It's hard to let him go. He had just watched Night line the night before he was leave and found out a close friend he had lost his life and so many others. He is eager to return to his band of brothers and rejoin the fight.

I now find myself worrying about him all over again, waiting for that next phone call or letter. I check the FRG site at least a half dozen times a day hoping to hear some news or perhaps a picture in the download section.

Thanks for reading and I promise to post more.

A Bluestardad and I want to keep it that way

Larry Arnone
San Francisco