Aunty Brat has a Valour IT Update.......

as always, Aunty Brat says it much better than I could.....please go check out
Valour IT Update

Time for Stars & Stripes Holdiay Message!

Stars and Stripes is now accepting personal Holiday messages for

publication in worldwide editions of our daily newspaper. To get your
message to a loved one in print, visit our Stripes Holiday Messages

Messages received by November 29 will be printed in the Stars and Stripes on December 18 in
its Middle East, European and Pacific editions.

Online: Messages received after the Nov. 29 print deadline will appear online only. We will accept online only messages until Dec. 17.

Soldiers Angels Valour IT Fundraiser starts today.....Go,Team Army!

The 2010 Soldiers Angels Valour IT Fundraising competition begins today and runs through Veteran's Day.


Project Valour-IT, in memory of SFC William V. Ziegenfuss, helps provide voice-controlled/adaptive laptop computers and other technology to support Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from hand wounds and other severe injuries. Technology supplied includes:



Voice-controlled Laptops - Operated by speaking into a microphone or using other adaptive technologies, they allow the wounded to maintain connections with the rest of the world during recovery.

Wii Video Game Systems - Whole-body game systems increase motivation and speed recovery when used under the guidance of physical therapists in therapy sessions (donated only to medical facilities).


Personal GPS - Handheld GPS devices build self-confidence and independence by compensating for short-term memory loss and organizational challenges related to severe TBI and severe PTSD.

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While this blog, of course, is  Army All the Way  :)  we don't really care Which 'Team' competing in the fundraiser you choose.....please just give what you can, and spread the word!!!

Wednesday Hero

GySgt. Carlos Hathcock
May 20, 1942 – February 23, 1999


Carlos Hathcock was a United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant sniper with a service record of 93 confirmed kills. Hathcock's record and the extraordinary details of the missions he undertook made him a legend in the Marine Corps. His fame as a sniper and his dedication to long distance shooting led him to become a major developer of the United States Marine Corps Sniper training program. He was honored by having a rifle named after him: a variant of the M21 dubbed the Springfield Armory M25 White Feather.

You Can Read More About GySgt. Hathcock Here

You can watch an interview with Gunny Hathcock
Here
Here
and Here

I have to say that it's kind of sad that the best source of info I could find on Gunny Hathcock was on Wikipedia. There should be a lot more sites honoring this man.


These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Sadly, Controversy Surrounds a Memorial for a Local Fallen Hero

UPDATE: Dec.3.2010: Interesting, in checking out the links on my post here, it seems that now some of the things they linked to have totally disappeared.
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Local Fallen Hero,  Army Spc. Brian M. ('Bucky') Anderson  died  June 12, 2010  in service to our country.

On June 26, I linked in this post to a blog post by a local graphic artist, about a memorial for Bucky Anderson....(the link now says "Page not found")

In the past few days, our local newspaper and local TV station have broken stories with questions about the memorial and controversy over it......see HERE for the latest WHSV TV story and  HERE for the beginning of the article in The Daily News-Record (the rest is behind a subscription wall)

In the Daily News-Record story, the attorney for the graphic artist is quoted as saying this memorial was "not intended to specifically honor" Bucky.

Yet, I found this June 20th WHSV TV story
Local Artist to Memorialize Soldier's Sacrifice


(Update:Dec.3,2010: The discussion thread on the Sean Hannity forums now seems to have completely disappeared, so I have struck-through the original posted item)
On the Sean Hannity Discussion forums, I found this thread  HERE  and this was posted at the end of the thread:
"Help us Erect a Memorial in Honor of SPC Brian Bucky Anderson



Heroes Fallen Studios Inc. a 501-c3 (still awaiting tax exempt status from IRS) along with Florida Fallen Heroes.org & VFW Post 9660 in Broadway VAis seeking donations for Memorial Statue to be erected in Broadwayy VA . for SPC Brian "Bucky" Anderson KIA June 12th 2010. If interested please contact me at cmerwin6@gmail.com . Thank you! Here is a link to the information on SPC Anderson http://heroesfallen.blogspot.com/2010/06/r.html "

From the Shenandoah Journal comes this July 13th story
Carwash helps fund soldier's memorial

(Update:Dec.3,2010: the link here has also disappeared, so again, I struck-through the original posted item)

and on this cached Google page  Here  is a snapshot of a page from the aforementioned  graphic artist's blog as it appeared on Aug.10,2010....with one of the pertinent (now disappeared ) links as below:


Celebrity Car-wash Fundraiser for SPC Brian Bucky Anderson July 10th Timberville VA



Jul 2, 2010


We have raised so far $4,050.00 of the $6,800.00 needed for the memorial for Bucky. We hope this event will push us over the top. Once we have reached the goal amount We will post it here and on our main website that donations will no longer be...

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I also found the web page for Florida Fallen Heroes ,which was  the company that Mr. Merwin stated was going to provide the memorial?
UPDATE:
After posting information about Florida Fallen Heroes a few days ago, I was contacted by the President of Florida Fallen Heroes, who wished to clarify that Florida Fallen Heroes "in no way raised any monies for the monument"

(It appears that they were simply a company that was contacted BY Mr.Murwin, and they would refer any further questions About Mr. Murwin's involvement with them, to Mr. Murwin himself)
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In closing........I don't know where this story will end up heading? but it makes me incredibly sad for the Anderson family, that this whole controversy has arisen.



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UPDATE 11/7/10: I was kind of astonished, that my posting here (on what I  admit is a 'D' list type of blog in the scheme of blogging, I have no illusions about my blog :) would generate these 2 posts in response:

Bouhammer Steps in to the Merwin/Anderson Controversy

and

What Would Bucky Do?

Those 2 posts are by folks who freely admit that they are friends of Mr.Merwin(or Murwin,I'm unsure of the spelling?)( Update: apparently the correct spelling IS" Murwin.")

I have never met Mr. Murwin, nor have I met the Anderson family......some of my sons knew him, and my husband and I stood with the Patriot Guard Riders at Bucky's funeral

but I don't think the questions that the community is asking of Mr.Murwin:
1. where is the memorial?
2. or where is the money that was raised for the memorial?

are so 'slanderous and libelous' (as Anonymous posted in the comments), or such unreasonable questions, that the proper response to them would be to malign a grieving family and community for Asking those questions?

just my opinion......

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UPDATE 11/8/10     Wow, I'm speechless.......(and apparently,'ignorant' or at best 'uninformed'?)
In an effort to present all sides of this story? I direct you to this post over at A Soldiers Perspective
Hero Maker Under Fire

Oct.26: Soldiers Angels "DAY OF THE DEPLOYED"

Proclamation Day of the Deployed October 26




WHEREAS, this nation is kept strong and free by the loyal citizens who preserve our precious heritage through their positives declaration and actions; and



WHEREAS, our deployed service members have courageously answered their nation’s call to service by defending our freedoms on foreign lands; and



WHEREAS, Americans are encouraged to reaffirm their patriotism and allegiance to our flag and country, and honor the brave men and women currently deployed to protect and preserve our way of life; and



WHEREAS, since 2006 Soldiers' Angels has honored our deployed heroes with a day set aside in recognition of their hard work, dedication and commitment to the United States of America; and


NOW,THEREFORE, Soldiers’ Angels hereby proclaim October 26 as DAY OF THE DEPLOYED
throughout the United States of America and where ever our service members are serving.



Patti Patton-Bader, Founder


Shelle Michaels, National Comm. Officer

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Beth



SSgt. Robert J. Miller
24 years old from Wheaton, Illinois
Company A, Third Battalion, Third Special Forces Group
January 25, 2008


Staff Sgt. Robert J. Miller was awarded the Medal of Honor
posthumously in a Pentagon ceremony on Wednesday, October 6, 2010. He
died in Afghanistan saving his fellow soldiers in an act of heroism
that is honored as courage above and beyond the call of duty.

You can read the rest of SSgt. Miller's story  here. 

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men AndWomen Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go   here

Soldiers Angels Web Surfing

A 'surf' of the web for news or posts by, or about,
Soldiers Angels

Going all the way back to Sept.24th, Woot! SA makes the Army.mil page
Soldiers, Angels send letters, snacks overseas

Yum. From the Kennebunkport Post
Fudge that is fit for the troops

Great post from Girls Giving Back
Soldiers Angels-August 14,2010
(and great idea for a blog:)

Moving story from MLive.com
High school volleyball teams will honor coach's soldier husband, who died in Iraq


Lastly, From NorthJersey.com
Soldiers’ Angels service award presented to Dumont woman

That's the surf!

 Until next time........

Wednesday Hero

First Lieutenant Gregory F. Ambrosia
28 years old from Knoxville, Tennessee
2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade


The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Gregory F. Ambrosia, United States Army, for gallantry in actions while serving as Executive Officer, Company A, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade Combat Team, in action in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, in Afghanistan, on 25 - 26 September 2007. First Lieutenant Ambrosia's gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD: On 25 September 2007, Able Company, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry air assaulted into the village of Qowru and conducted a search and attack through the village and surrounding caves in order to disrupt Taliban and Al Qaeda forces in the Watapor Valley. The Company Executive Officer, First Lieutenant Ambrosia air assaulted into OP REDSKINS, one of two company observation posts (OP's) overlooking Qowru, in order to establish a command radio relay station and overwatch the mounted assault element in the valley with 60-mm. indirect fire. Upon occupation, ICOM intercepts informed the OP that the enemy was mobilizing and massing for an attack on both company OP's and the mounted maneuver element in the valley. Immediately upon insertion, the 22 Soldiers of 1st Platoon which assaulted OP REDSKINS linked up and moved towards their position overlooking the valley. There were explosions and shots fired across the valley during the night, but no fires were directed at OP REDSKINS. By morning the OP observed the rest of the Company move into position and begin their search and attack through the valley. A fire team plus-sized element of Anti-Coalition Militia was maneuvering to high ground to the east of the company when they made contact with the position at OP REDSKINS. The first individual that came close to the OP was an enemy scout. The individual was engaged immediately and within minutes several of the ACM fighters engaged the observation post with an intense volume of fire. Without any hesitation, First Lieutenant Ambrosia immediately assessed the situation and reported to the Company Commander who was located down in the valley and by this time under fire as well. He gave the enemy situation and without any concern for his own safety remained in place while exposed to heavy enemy fire from ACM forces advancing on his position to within hand grenade range. He continued directing fires and making critical radio transmissions using both FM and TACSAT communication. His timely and accurate calls for 40-mm. and 81-mm. danger close fire were the only effective defense for the OP. While the rest of the element were throwing hand grenades and engaged in close combat with a flanking ACM force, First Lieutenant Ambrosia held his position under heavy direct fire during the 4 hours of the engagement without deviating from his radio transmissions. He requested fire missions, using three different indirect fire assets and close air support simultaneously. First Lieutenant Ambrosia's strong character gave him the tools he needed to repel the enemy attack. First Lieutenant Ambrosia's indirect fire was able to hold the enemy front, which allowed the rest of the OP to fight back the enemy's attempt to turn their flank. First Lieutenant Ambrosia continued providing covering fire simultaneously as he had to make corrections on the 500 pound bombs dropped all within danger close. He gave the Battalion Commander updates of the enemy and friendly situations as they developed. He continued to hold his position even though he was constantly exposed to close heavy enemy fire. First Lieutenant Ambrosia kept keeping Close Combat Air updated on the enemy's location allowing the AH-64 (Apache) to effectively engage and kill three ACM fighters. Despite constant signal intercepts suggesting advancing and flanking maneuver forces, his ability to continue setting the tactical conditions gave the Non-Commissioned Officers and all junior leaders the ability to maneuver their Paratroopers. First Lieutenant Ambrosia's actions throughout the entire engagement were of the highest degree of valor. He performed honorably while under direct enemy fire and effectively engaged the enemy under the most difficult circumstances. First Lieutenant Ambrosia was a key leader during the battle, providing true leadership to the entire element. Even when events became dire, he kept his demeanor and without hesitation took the fight to the enemy. His actions are the true embodiment of the Infantry Warrior Ethos. 

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero

Sgt. 1st Class Brandon McGuire


The early morning April sky dawned clear over Forward Operating Base Iskandaryia, Iraq. Sgt. 1st Class Brandon McGuire, a platoon sergeant with 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment, whose home base was Fort Richardson, Alaska, and his spotter settled in for their third day of looking for insurgents.

"We were observing a stretch of road that had recently been cleared of IEDs (improvised explosive devices)," said McGuire, now first sergeant of Fort Polk's Alpha Troop, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 509th Infantry Regiment.

"The area had also seen a lot of mortar activity. We had several Soldiers killed and severely wounded along that stretch of road by IEDs and mortars."

As the two Soldiers gazed across the expanse between their hiding place - an abandoned shed - and their target area, they noticed a man in local garb sauntering up and down through a series of canals. When he dug into a canal bank and uncovered a mortar tube, McGuire said he knew this was a target.

You can read the rest of Sgt. 1st Class Brandon McGuire's story here.

Photo Courtesy Army.mil


These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Holiday Shipping dates for Deployed Troops, and "Holiday Mail For Heroes" for Wounded Troops

Blackfive  and   Assoluta Tranquillita  both have posts up about shipping dates for cards and packages to deployed troops, so wanted to link to those so you can check them out.....

and I also wanted to mention  Holiday Mail for Heroes  
The American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes are gearing up for this year’s Holiday Mail for Heroes program.

Beginning September 3rd you are invited to send holiday cards to our American service members, their families, and veterans. Please send all cards to:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD
20791-5456

The deadline for this year is December 10th.

(and go check out the  YouTube playlist for last years Holiday Mail for Heroes  )

Every year at Holiday Time, that unfortunate email starts circulating that incorrectly claims folks can send cards to 'any wounded soldier' at Walter Reed , and you can NOT do any such thing.

The only way that you CAN send such cards is through the
 Holiday Mail for Heroes Program from the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes

Spread the word, won't you?

"Soldiers to the Summit"

This is awesome........

 Eleven combat veterans who have suffered injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan will depart from Los Angeles International Airport on Friday, October 1 for a three-week expedition in Nepal, including an attempt to summit the 20,075 foot peak of Lobuche East, located just 8.7 miles from Mount Everest in the Himalayas. World T.E.A.M. Sports has organized the expedition, known as "Soldiers to the Summit," to demonstrate that people with disabilities can overcome any challenge.

The website is  HERE  

Contest at "Carol For A Cause"

There's a contest that just started at  Carol For A Cause

From the website:   Show us in a photo or video what the song "Christmas Time" means to you. Entries can be touching photos, a new rendition of the song, a completely new song – whatever you are inspired to share. One lucky winner will receive $2500; $1250 for them and $1250 for the charity of their choice.

Here is a video that the folks from Carol For A Cause posted themselves:



I hadn't heard of Carol for A Cause before, there's more about them  here

Beautiful song,  and I like the concept of "PLay it Forward".......so, go check out more about the contest
and Good Luck to all who Enter!