Friday, December 7, 2012

Afghanistan Through My Eyes - Frank Buckles

Do you know why the flag is being flown at half mast today?

Do you know who Frank  Buckles is?

He was the last surviving American veteran of WWI.

Frank W. Buckles
Sepia-color photo of a young man in military uniform
Frank Buckles Signature.svg
Picture of Buckles in 1917 (age 16) and his signature in 2000
BornFebruary 1, 1901
Bethany, Missouri, U.S.
DiedFebruary 27, 2011
(aged 110 years, 26 days)
Charles Town, West Virginia, U.S.

During WWI he drove ambulances and motorcycles neat the front lines.
In WWII he was captured by Japanese forces while working in the shipping business and spent three years in the Philippines as a civilian prisoner.
Buckles was awarded the WWI Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation of Germany Medal as well as the French Legion of Honor. He was buried at Arlington Cemetery with full honors.

But the reason the flag is being flown today is in remembrance of Pearl Harbor. Today is the 71st Anniversary of Pearl Harbor!


Pearl Harbor dead remembered on 71st anniversary


                     
              FILE - In this U.S. Navy file photo, a small boat rescues a USS West Virginia crew member from the water after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941 during World War II. Two men can be seen on the superstructure, upper center. The mast of the USS Tennessee is beyond the burning West Virginia. On Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese Imperial Navy navigator Takeshi Maeda guided his Kate bomber to Pearl Harbor and fired a torpedo that helped sink the USS West Virginia. President Barack Obama on Thursday Dec. 6, 2012 issued a proclamation declaring Dec. 7 a day of remembrance in honor of the 2,400 Americans who died at Pearl Harbor. He urged federal agencies, organizations and others to fly their flags at half-staff. (AP Photo, File)
            
                  FILE - In this U.S. Navy file photo, a small boat rescues a USS West Virginia crew member from the water after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941 during World War II. Two men can be seen on the superstructure, upper center. The mast of the USS Tennessee is beyond the burning West Virginia. On Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese Imperial Navy navigator Takeshi Maeda guided his Kate bomber to Pearl Harbor and fired a torpedo that helped sink the USS West Virginia. President Barack Obama on Thursday Dec. 6, 2012 issued a proclamation declaring Dec. 7 a day of remembrance in honor of the 2,400 Americans who died at Pearl Harbor. He urged federal agencies, organizations and others to fly their flags at half-staff. (AP Photo, File)

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Afghanistan Through My Eyes:

Today on NPR I heard of the deaths of troops and civilians from two suicide bombers trying to gain entrance to the base at Jalalabad. The Taliban did not gain entrance.

My heart goes out to the men and women deployed in Afghanistan. It is questionable. The thought of extending our mission there turns my stomach. It is a fight for government control of nightmare proportions. Why are we doing the brunt of the fighting when the only country to gain from our victory is Russia?

But right now the men and women serving our country are fulfilling their contracts. They are fighting and dying everyday. The holidays are arriving soon and they will be there physically, but their hearts and minds with their loved ones.

Do not forsake them. They are our warriors.


Afghan security forces inspect the site of an attack in Jalalabad December 2, 2012. REUTERS- Parwiz


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Afghanistan Through My Eyes:

While I am no longer in Afghanistan I think about it every day; especially when I am visiting a military installation as I am today.

I am at Ft. Benning Georgia home of the US Army Armor School, US Army Infantry School, the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security cooperation, elements of the 75th Ranger Regiment, 3rd, Brigade 3rd Infantry Division. It was also home to Sgt. Maj. Basil Plumley who was laid to rest October 16 in the Main Post Cemetery.

Who is Sgt. Maj. Plumley you may ask? He was the hero played by Sam Elliot in the film, We Were Soldiers.

Sgt. Maj. Plumley fought in more than 20 military operations during his 32-year career. Enlisting on March 31, 1942 as a private after two years of high school, he fought during WWII at Salerno and the D Day invasion at Normandy, he made four combat jumps with the 320th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, he made another combat jump in Korea with the 187th Airborne Infantry and while it can't be proven, he may be the only man to claim five combat jumps behind enemy lines. He should not have survived all of that, but there is more.

In the book on page 220 is a brief account of an incident that happened on the second day of the bloody battle with the North Vietnamese in the Ia Drang Valley in November 1965. "In the midst of this bedlam a blazing flare...streaked across the sky and plunged into the ammunition dump near the battalion command post. It lodged in a box of hand grenades, burning fiercely. Without hesitation, Sergeant Major Plumley ran to the stacks and with his bare hands reached into the grenade boxes and grabbed the flare. (He) jerked the flare free, reared back, and heaved it out into the open clearing. He then stomped out the grass fires touched off by the flares in and around the ammo crates."

The refrain, "God may look like Sgt. Maj. Plumley, but he isn't nearly as tough on sins small or large," in some version is used in most discussions involving the Sergeant Major.

He retired from the Army on December 31, 1974.

RIP Sgt. Maj Plumley

click here



Monday, August 13, 2012

Afghanistan Through My Eyes - RIP CSM Griffin



Last week I heard the sad news that CSM Kevin J. Griffin had been KIA. It was hard for me to hear. CSM Griffin was larger than life. He was the kind of soldier they emulate in the movies, full of bravado, tough, fair and always quick with a smile. He embraced his service and loved his job. I flew with him a few times on our way to different COP's and always felt like he was taking the bull by the horns, wrastleing it and putting it down. I loved his energy.

He was a great leader and he will be missed by all.

CSM Spano, CSM Vimoto, CSM Griffin

CSM Griffin watches as a soldier gets a medal from SMA Chandler 
Col Kim, CSM Chandler, CSM Spano, Col Mingus

R.I.P. CSM Griffin

Maj. Thomas Kennedy the brigade Fire Support Coordinator, Maj. Walter D. Gray, USAF and Mr. Ragaei Abdelfattah, USAID were also killed during a suicide attack in Kunar  Province. Col. Mingus was unharmed.


Thursday, July 5, 2012

Afghanistan Through My Eyes - Home

Hurry up and wait. This phrase was coined in the military. I think it has to do with learning patience, restraint and composure. Good traits to have in combat...but really hard when you're on US soil and you just want to be in the arms of loved ones.


After we landed in Hawaii we were bused up to Schofield Base. 



First everyone is checked in and weapons surrendered. The soldiers were treated to an escort from the Veteran's Who Ride Harley Chapter of Hawaii. Veterans and USO came out to greet them. Then follows a briefing and snacks for the soldiers while their loved ones wait as patiently as possible on the other side of the partitioned building. 



Finally after a film created by the PAO office of the 25th's Division year in Afghanistan the soldiers march in!


After the Start Spangled Banner played and there were thanks for the safe return the soldiers they were released. 


Then we just had to find our gear and we were home.

HOME!











Friday, June 8, 2012

Afghanistan Through My Eyes - re-deployment


As always the day finally arrives when the division gets to go home! The joy one feels on this day is about the most joy a soul can take.

The way it works from Afghanistan is that everyone in the division has to somehow get to Manus Airbase and then take a wide-bird back to their home base. In this case it was Schofield, on Oahu in Hawaii. Not to shabby.

This is complicated by all kinds of factors. First of all your replacements from the new division must have arrived. Depending upon where you are in country, a large base, FOB or small COP this can take days of travel and waiting until you arrive at Manus.

Lastly, there's the RIP/TOA where the commanders leave. The commanders are the last to leave, but generally get to go straight to Manus and skip any interim bases on the way.



Casing the flag for it's journey home back to Schofield Base in Hawaii
Waiting at the PAX Terminal on FOB Fenty

Down comes the Welcome to the 25th Divison FOB Fenty Sign
Marching out of FOB Fenty to the awaiting C-130


Heading to Manus Airbase on our C130


Monday, May 28, 2012

Afghanistan Through My Eyes - Memorial Day


It's easy to ignore what today is all about. But while your scarfing your bar-b-que and slamming down your beer I want you to think about the warriors who have died today.

The latest fallen hero:

Army 2nd Lt. Travis A. Morgado May 23, 2010 OEF

There have been 25 deaths in Afghanistan in the month of May alone.

Click here to read about the fallen.

I ask you to take the time to click and read about each and every warrior that is posted on this site. It lists all of the fallen heroes from Operation New Dawn, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Even if you just go to this site and scroll through until your heart hurts I know that the next time you look at the American Flag flying you'll have a different perspective.

When it flies in the air free and in it's glory be proud, those red stripes are equal to blood and the stars could be souls.


Sunday, May 27, 2012

Afghanistan Through My Eyes - Memorial Day 2012


The journey of writing this book is only half over. I began it almost two years ago with a simple idea. I wanted to let our troops know that average, everyday people appreciate them for who they are.

I've met and talked with so many warriors, in the hundreds, and each one has been unique, yet the same. They all are part of a unit, a platoon, a battalion, a division and will take a bullet for whomever is standing next to them and for you and me here at home.

Memorial Day is a special day set aside to honor those that give service to their country. But like any day you can always thank a Veteran or a warrior in uniform. It's pretty easy, you just walk up and say thank you. You'd be surprised at what a smile it puts on their face, just to know a stranger has taken the time...a mere moment to thank them.

"“He is fighting for his life, and killing now for him is as much a profession as writing is for me.”
Ernie Pyle


Thursday, May 3, 2012

Afghanistan Through My Eyes: Memorial Wall

At the end of a division's deployment a plaque is placed on the wall of the quadrants FOB. At least it is here at FOB Fenty.

It's a day of remembrance and a day to remember the fallen heroes, those that gave their lives for our country. It is the ultimate sacrifice. I remind you, this is not a political statement. It's a reality. A job in service to your country, can end in death.

FOB Fenty

Each soldier has the opportunity to salute and honor the fallen.

The Fallen of the 3BCT 25th Division, Broncos.

All of the memorial plaques from all the divisions who have fought out of FOB Fenty in OEF.

SSG Vimoto stands next to the plaque of his son's division, 173rd Airborne BCT. His son, gave his life for service to his country.



















I often wonder at the decision young soldier's make while in high school or out of high school believing this is the only opportunity that affords them...if they really understand the sacrifice involved. 

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Afghanistan Through My Eyes: Signs Signs Everywhere A Sign

The signs on FOB Fenty are all hand painted by the artist Youseff. I didn't get a chance to meet him, but I as impressed with his work.  All the signage is replaced with each division.

Here are some of the signs I found along my way in the past year and a 1/2.


Kabul

Camp Leatherneck

Camp Geronimo: all bases recycle!

Camp Leatherneck

Aid Station: FOB Joyce

The Spa on FOB Fenty

Private Internet

Aid Station FOB Fenty

All uniforms must be burned.

FOB Fenty Broncos

FOB Fenty Gym

FOB Bostick

DFAC

COP Penich

Aid Station FOB Fenty

Mortuary Affairs FOB Fenty

New Chapel: FOB Fenty

Occupation Therapy: FOB Fenty

FOB Fenty

FOB Fenty

FOB Fenty

Take Your Malaria Medication

FOB Fenty

FOB Fenty

THE place to get your hair cut!

FOB Art


Trauma Center FOB Fenty

FOB Joyce

FOB Joyce

DEFAC FOB Fenty

New Signage FOB Fenty

Me with CSM Spano FOB Fenty

It is VERY active!

All Divisions get a stone in the walkway.






The NEW sign for Mountain Warriors

FOB Finley Shields
All Bases, FOB's and COP's are named in memoriam. It is a sad, but powerful tribute to those that gave their life for their country.