This post will stay on top for a while so scroll down for new posts. And if you'd like to make a donation via PayPal use the email address airborne173rdskyangelsfund@yahoo.com. UPDATE: Paypal is not working yet due to PayPal requiring paperwork to confirm this is a legitimate cause. Until further notice please mail all donations to the address below. Unfortunately Vox doesn't work with PayPal or if it does I haven't figured it out.
So many of you have been integral in providing literally TONS and TONS of support to the 2-503 while they are deployed for 15 months to eastern Afghanistan. These Warriors and their fellow Battalions in the Brigade have endured so much and still have a few months to go before they redeploy to Europe. As one last "Thank You" and to stamp our seal of appreciation on their deployment we are planning a Fourth of July "style" welcome home party for the 2-503. Of course there is just one tiny little detail or two...1) They are home based in Vicenza, Italy and have no American community to provide a proper welcome home and 2) We need to raise the funds to send over there for some good old American hot dogs, hamburgers, trimmings and BEER!
There's more detail in the letter below from Terry and Cheryl Blaskowski but we are just asking everyone to take an envelope to work, church, civic meetings, local base ball games, the bowling alley, local pubs, etc and ask everyone to toss in a dollar or two or five. The drop the envelope in the mail to the address below. Together we CAN do this. And as we all know it's really the least we can do to thank these Soldiers for all they have given on our behalf.
So now I give you Terry and Cheryl Blaskowski:
Patriotism: “What do we mean by patriotism in the context of our times?… (A) sense of national responsibility… a patriotism which is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but a tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.” – President Abraham Lincoln
We would like to thank the people of Northern Michigan for their support and encouragement during the difficult period of the past six months since the tragedy of Matthew’s death.
The communities that have shown support have been a real blessing to us and our extended families and friends. Words do NO justice for our gratitude.
In the past, when Matthew left for deployment, the only thing to bring peace in our hearts was to think about his safe return. We know that won’t be happening now. However, Matthew and us have an extended family that reaches far beyond this place.
We recently learned that there are no plans for any welcome home celebrations for the 173rd, 2-503 Army Airborne Battalion when they return to their home base at Camp Ederle in Vicenza Italy after at least 15 months in Afghanistan, where they lived and fought in horrendous conditions. There is not a local American community in Italy to step up and put on a Heroes welcome for them, as so many would do here in the states. Very few of the soldiers will be returning to family or loved ones there in Italy. By far the majority of soldiers are single, with no family to welcome them back or home support to assist them in transitioning from war and death to peace and recuperation.
Cheryl and I, together with others, have been supporting the 173rd 2-503 Battalion troops, who continue to endure a tenacious tour of duty in Afghanistan that is not yet over, are asking that you join us in raising funds for a proper WELCOME HOME CELEBRATION when they arrive back in Italy. There will be approximately 2000 troops returning and we believe a GRAND CELEBRATION is well deserved. We would love to have banners flying there to show the support from communities throughout this nation in honor of our Sky Soldiers returning as well in memory of our Sky Angels of the 173rd Airborne Brigade.
If we all pitch in, it is no great sacrifice for a few. A minimum of $125,000, is a small amount to do so much for so many soldiers; when added to other amounts raised by other communities around the U. S. of A.. It is hard to imagine the transition of so many Sky Soldiers who, we are sure, think it is “JUST THEIR JOB”.
Please join us in donating for the WELCOME HOME CELEBRATION for the 173rd 2-503 SKY SOLDIERS.
Checks can also be made payable to: 173rd Sky Angels Fund. The funds (100%) will be reserved for that purpose only (Sky Angels are our fallen soldiers of the 173rd Airborne).
Checks can also be made payable to any of the following Family Readiness Groups at Camp Ederle in Vicenza, Italy:
HHC Co 2-503 FRG
Able Co 2-503 FRG
Battle Co 2-503 FRG
Chosen Co 2-503 FRG
Destin Co 2-503 FRG
Fusion Co 2-503 FRG
The Army has rules, no one person or organization is allowed to donate more than $1,000 to any single FRG. So if a person or organization wants to donate more than $1000, (that would be fantastic) they would have to write one check to one FRG and another to a different FRG. The FRG’s are going to pool all the funds designated for the “WELCOME HOME CELEBRATION”.
Please mail all checks to: 173rd Sky Angels Fund
c/o Terry and Cheryl Blaskowski
PO BOX 164
CHEBOYGAN MI 49721
If you have any questions do not hesitate to call us at 231-627-9732, 231-818-2560 or email us at candtb@triton.net .
To read about support that many great Americans have been joining together to provide to these soldiers go to www.tankerbabelc985.vox.com . Leta Carruth (she adopted Matt’s platoon and sent so much support to them) has been a driving force in providing support to our troops in Afghanistan.
With much gratitude,
Terry and Cheryl Blaskowski and family
Parents of SFC Matthew Blaskowski
Platoon Leader, Battle Company 1st Platoon
KIA 23 September 2007, FOB Vegas, Afghanistan
From Stars and Stripes
Soldiers in Afghanistan settle in at 6,000 feet
By Drew Brown, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Thursday, April 24, 2008
NURISTAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan — Building a combat outpost from scratch on the side of a mountain in Afghanistan means flying everything in by helicopter.
For the troops of Task Force Saber, here in northeastern Afghanistan, the process starts at night as two CH-47 Chinooks drop them and their equipment on a small knoll overlooking a thin, gray ribbon of a river 2,000 feet below.
A few dozen soldiers get off the birds. For the next three days or so, their job will be to carve a small fortress out of the hard-packed stony earth of the mountain, less than a kilometer from the border with Pakistan. The purpose of the outpost is to guard a key bridge and help Afghan security forces re-establish control of a border crossing.
Roughly half the troops remain with the supply pallet at the landing zone, while the rest begin trudging uphill to set up the command post, a listening station and the rear pickets.
It’s only a 200-meter climb, but the going is steep and rocky, and the soldiers resemble pack mules under the bright glare of the full moon. Many of them carry rucksacks that weigh 100 pounds or more, not including their body armor, helmets, weapons and ammunition, which easily add another 40 to 50 pounds.
The altitude is nearly 6,000 feet. The peaks of the high mountains in the distance are covered with snow. As Lt. Col. Chris Kolenda, commander of 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, also known as Task Force Saber, puts it, hiking up and down hill at that altitude, under that much weight, can be “a significant emotional experience.”
The colonel has a talent for understatement. The short trek uphill quickly turns into a slog. Most of these soldiers are infantry troops and are in top shape, but even the best can only take a few steps before they have to stop and catch their breath.
The column reaches a level spot. Capt. Jason Pieri, 30, of Buffalo, N.Y., Capt. Matthew Kikta, 27, of Lake Forest, Calif., and Command Sgt. Maj. Victor Pedraza, 44, of McAllen, Texas, set up their command post under a clump of trees.
Click here to read the rest of the story and view photos.
I received a rare email today from a friend of mine who is a Marine and who recently volunteered to return to Iraq. I'd like to share a part of it with you:
So we got a break from the 110 temps. Last night a kick in the butt sandstorm hit and visibility was slim. The enemy is frustrated and can't stand that every time they turn around there is a Marine there. We thwarted a complex ambush last week as we patrolled with the Iraqi's. They are getting stronger by the day and before you know it, they will ask us to leave. They have become so much stronger since my last deployment here it would truly astonish you. We had a young Marine get informed that he is now a dad. Proud and a bit different now that he knows he is a dad shows the true caliber of these studs overhear. They too should make you proud.
They continue to put in long days, bear the difficult environment and continue to accomplish the mission. All are in good spirits because they see first hand the difference they are making. I bet you haven't heard any crap story's on the news lately have ya?? Nope because all of the armed forces are kicking butt here. Thank you for all of our support and although you may not hear it in the news, you should be proud to be an American, by witnessing these Marines kick butt, I know I am. Semper Fi-Time for a cigar.
Just as I seem to stay annoyed with the media for not reporting about Afghanistan OR reporting via sensational methods, I stay as annoyed with the media for refusing to report ALL of the news out of Iraq. It's always nice to get the news "from the horses mouth." I'm sure the naysayers will discount this first hand report. But I know this Marine. He has little access to email and, more importantly, NO TIME to write stories like the one above unless it's the TRUTH. Furthermore he's definitely not the type to report anything other than the truth.
On March 28, 2007 at a ceremony held at Walter Reed Army Medical Center two of the Wounded Heroes from the 17r3rd ABCT were presented Purple Hearts. Army Pfc. Justin Kalenits, 24, of Geneva, Ohio 2-503, Chosen Company was one of those Soldiers. I have met Pfc Kalentis. He is a firey young man with a great spirit and an infectious smile.
Justin was wounded at the battle at the Ranch House near Aranus, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan on August 22, 2007. I wrote about another of the 25 Sky Soldiers, Sgt Kyle Dirkintis who was in that battle. He, too, was wounded and was awarded the Bronze Star with V Device for his actions that day. On the morning of August 22, 2007 the Sky Soldiers were attacked from all sides by a company size insurgent force. The battle raged on for an estimated three hours. Air support was called in to strafe the areas from which the insurgents were attacking. When the Battle at the Ranch House was over 11 of the 25 Sky Soldiers had sustained wounds but none, thankfully, had been killed.
I have never met Sgt Jesse Murphree but have heard and read many stories about him. Jesse was so severely wounded in an IED attack on December 28,2007 that both of his legs were amputated. In this story you will read that Jesse, an avid snowboarded prior to joining the Army, still has many of the same goals in life with respect to his love of skiing. He's just altering the methods and his pathways to realize his dreams of competitive skiing. What an inspiration!
You can read more about these great Warriors here, here and here. I don't think I have to tell anyone who has been reading this blog how much it angers me (because so many Americans either don't care or are completely ignorant) to read Sgt Murphee's words from "Afghanistan: It's a Battle" by John Rutherford":
Every day we were getting shot at," he said in an interview after receiving his Purple Heart on Friday. "And you hear about other people in Iraq, they got shot at a couple of times. We're like, we've been shot at every day.
"You start thinking you're fighting a forgotten war, like no one's paying attention. I went home on R&R before I got hurt and people were coming up to me, they're like, at least you're not in Iraq and stuff, and I was looking at them, and I was like, what? And they'd say, you don't do, they called it battle, they're like, you don't do battle anymore? And I'm like, are you kidding me? Like, yeah, I do," Spc. Murphree said.
NONE of our Brave Warriors must ever feel forgotten. NONE OF THEM! No, Sgt. Murphree, you and all of the Soldiers, Marines, Airman and Sailors in Afghanistan are NOT and will NOT be forgotten. We think of you, appreciate you and support you EVERY day.
From The Times Online UK
May 5, 2008
Now Americans attempt to take up The Great Game in Afghanistan
By Richard Beeston in Naray
Chris Kolenda does not own a pith helmet or a red tunic, never carries a swagger stick and is forbidden from growing a moustache and sideburns. In almost every other respect the American army officer could be a character straight from the annals of the British Raj.
In his home on a rocky outcrop in the foothills of the breathtaking Hindu Kush mountain range, Lieutenant-Colonel Kolenda is a modern-day “Man Who Would Be King”. He is master of a remote corner of eastern Afghanistan, the region that his British colonial predecessors fought to control more than a century ago.
The fresh-faced, 42-year-old historian turned soldier laughs at the comparison, but admits there are similarities. Back then, young officers in the Indian Army devoted their careers to taming this frontier region in a struggle known as The Great Game. American troops have notched up seven years in the same pursuit. Many believe that the endeavour will last a generation or more.
When Colonel Kolenda's unit of paratroopers arrived here last summer for a 15-month tour, they were at once embroiled in a fierce battle with local fighters. The Americans, armed with artillery and air power, won each engagement but at a toll of four dead soldiers and thirty-one injured. Even today the mountain gorges echo to the rumble of US artillery fire and the crack of rifle shot.
As he explains - and as the British learnt - firepower alone will not win this counter-insurgency battle. American soldiers have had to become tribal experts, linguists and aid workers in order to win over the local population and isolate the militant groups
“When you get development you see better security,” said the officer, whose men have brought 295 tonnes of aid into this province, where most villages do not have running water, electricity or access to basic services.
The Americans have also built 200km (124 miles) of roads, nine bridges, twenty clinics and sixteen schools. The transformation, in a region neglected during the 30 years of war, is dramatic. One clinic, built a few months ago for a local tribe, has had 9,000 visits in the few months since it opened. In recent days, Afghan workmen were busy building a bridge over the raging Kunar river, after locals had risked their lives to cross on a raft made of inner-tubes and planks.
Sometimes the economic battle against the Taleban and other militant Islamic groups is about the small details. “If the daily rate for a fighter is $5 a day, then I will pay $5.50 for someone to work on a construction site,” said Commander Dan Dwyer, who runs the reconstruction effort in Kunar province.
There is evidence that the US strategy is working. An apprentice school near the regional capital, Asadabad, which teaches carpentry, masonry and plumbing, is full of young men learning a trade who might otherwise have taken up a gun.
“People in my village told me not to work with the Americans, but I decided it was an opportunity I could not turn down,” said Abdul Khaliq, who is training to become a bricklayer. “This is for my future.”
But if America appears to be winning the battle here, it is far from winning the war. As we left a remote US base, the wreckage of a convoy of lorries ambushed by gunmen blocked the road on the valley below.
Britain spent much of a century trying to subdue this rugged land and failed. As the Americans admit, it is early days in their campaign.
From Stars and Stripes (click on link to see more photos from Drew Brown).
Task Force Saber soldiers wonder if Afghan troops will stay at remote border crossing after they leave
By Drew Brown, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Friday, May 2, 2008
GOWARDESH VALLEY, Afghanistan — An operation by the 173rd Airborne Brigade to secure this key valley in eastern Afghanistan and rebuild a border police station destroyed by insurgents last year is nearing completion.
U.S. officers with the brigade’s Task Force Saber say they plan to begin pulling out the first U.S. troops in the coming days.
Nearly 200 U.S. and Afghan government troops have been in the Gowardesh Valley and in the surrounding mountains for the past two weeks.
U.S. officers hope that by rebuilding a small Afghan border police outpost at a bridge over the Kunar River they can maintain control over the Gowardesh and restart improvements on the main road into Nuristan province. They say a widened and improved road into Nuristan will bring jobs and badly needed economic development into the remote mountainous region and help undercut the insurgency there.
It’s a key strategic goal for U.S. forces in this remote province of Afghanistan, which has always remained largely beyond the authority of government control and whose people have fiercely resisted foreign incursions into their territory in the past.
Dubbed Operation Mountain Highway II, it is Task Force Saber’s largest operation to date.
Afghan border police abandoned the Gowardesh outpost last August after insurgents threatened to kill them if they did not leave.
With construction on the border station nearly complete, U.S. troops were supposed to start pulling out of the Gowardesh two days ago. But their departure has been postponed for a few days at least. The goal is to leave the Afghan border forces in control of the valley, with only a minimal U.S. presence in a couple of outposts in the mountains overlooking the valley.
The commander of Workhorse Troop, Capt. John Williams, who is overseeing the operation, said once U.S. troops begin leaving the Gowardesh, they will pull out in stages over a period of a couple of weeks, gradually handing over more responsibilities to the Afghan border police. The goal is that once most U.S. forces are gone, the Afghans will be confident enough at that point in their ability to hold the area that they will remain.
“The true test of this is going to be if these guys stay when we leave,” said Williams, 37, of Chickasha, Okla. “We’re trying to mitigate them packing up and following us when we pull out of here.”
On previous operations meant to secure the Gowardesh and nearby areas, Afghan border police have abandoned their positions as soon as U.S. soldiers pulled out, Williams said.
“We’ve had them beat us down the mountain,” he said.
Nuristan province is one of the most remote and inaccessible regions in eastern Afghanistan. Its rugged terrain consists of sweeping, razor-backed mountains and narrow, plunging valleys. There are few roads, and most of these are accessible only by small four-wheeled drive trucks.
Nuristan was the last province in Afghanistan to convert to Islam, doing so only in the late 1800s, and the region has always been considered wild and lawless. Afghan resistance to the Soviet occupation in the 1980s started in Nuristan province, and Soviet forces suffered horrendous losses in the region and in Kunar province to the south.
U.S. forces have been ambushed every other time they’ve come into the Gowardesh Valley and nearby areas of Nuristan, and they’ve suffered a number of soldiers killed and wounded here.
What’s different this time is that U.S. and Afghan government troops have the support of tribal elders throughout Nuristan, who’ve grown tired of the insurgency and want to see government control established and for economic development to take root, according to U.S. officers.
H/T to Long Island Girl
On April 22, 2008 I posted about four Soldiers from 173rd, 2-503 Chosen Company being awarded the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) with Valor. I mentioned in that post that many other Sky Soldiers had received various awards but that I didn't have the specific information.
Yesterday I received an email from the father of SPC Frank Eckrode, Jr informing me that SPC Eckrode, Jr. had received the Army Commendation Medal with V device for Valor for his actions on the night of 26 October 2007.
SPC Eckrode's father didn't have the wording regarding the award or a photo of when it was presented or I would share that with you. There is no doubt that SPC Eckrode executed acts of great heroism or he would not have been considered for nor awarded the ARCOM with V device.
SPC Eckrode was home on R & R recently and took the time to call me. It was a phone call I never expected and one that I will always cherish. It's been said before by many and should be said over and over again - I don't know where we get men such as SPC Eckrode, Jr.; men of such bravery, honor, duty, selflessness, courage, loyalty and comittment Our nation is richly blessed by them and they deserve more from us than we can ever give them. I look foward to the day when I can meet SPC Eckrode, Jr., shake his hand and thank him personally for all he has done on behalf of our nation.
A big HOOAH to SPC Frank Eckrode, Jr and may God watch over and keep you safe.
I posted a few days ago about awards being presented to Sky Soldiers for Valor. I said in that post that many more than the four mentioned had been awarded medals and even more were in the pipeline. Here's one more award being presented to a Great American Soldier. These men are beyond amazing! May Goc keep them all safe until they return to their home bases in Europe later this summer.
From CJTF - 101
Airborne Soldier awarded Bronze Star for Valor
Written by Army PFC Christina Sinders TC East PAO
Monday 28 April, 2008
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan — A Bronze Star with “V” device for valor was awarded to Army Sgt. Ryan P. Inabnet, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 1-91 Cavalry Squadron, at Fire Base Naray, Kunar province, April 24.
Brig. Gen. Mark Milley, CJTF-101 deputy commanding general for operations, awarded the medal to Inabnet and presented him with a coin for excellence.
Inabnet was recognized for his actions in combat July 27, 2007, when he saved more than a dozen Soldier’s lives during a combat operation in Kunar province. The Quick Reaction Team he was on was called out to re-enforce International Security Assistance Forces engaged in combat with insurgents.
“We first set out after receiving word that four casualties on the ground were injured and two of them were serious,” said Inabnet, a wheeled vehicle mechanic. “Once we arrived we got the four injured in the vehicles and dropped them off at the medevac site.”
Shortly afterward, Inabnet provided first aid to a wounded Soldier from his QRT.
“Once we had all the equipment and personnel, we started to head back,” said Inabnet. “That’s when we started taking [rocket propelled grenades] and small-arms fire.”
As the group tried to break contact, several Soldiers were wounded and put into Inabnet’s vehicle.
“My main goal was to get these guys back to the helicopter landing zone so they could survive,” said Inabnet. “I ended up staying up for hours until we got all our guys back inside the [forward operating base].”
“That day will be with me for a long time,” he said. “I would like to thank the Lord above and all my brothers who were in that fight with me.”
From CJTF - 101
A dozen insurgents killed, dozen more wounded in failed Kunar attack
Written by Bagram Media Center
Monday 28 April, 2008
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (April 28. 2008) – A dozen insurgents were killed and a dozen more were wounded during a failed attack, Sunday, on Afghan National Army and U.S. bases in Kunar province’s Korengal Valley. An estimated 30 to 40 insurgents attacked five bases in the Korengal valley with small-arms fire, machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and indirect fire.
Afghan and U.S. forces repelled the enemy’s attack utilizing effective small-arms fire, machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades, mortar rounds, and artillery fire and close-air support.
No Afghan, U.S. Soldiers or civilians were killed or injured in the attack.
I'm at Ft. Hood for a few days. There were a couple of reasons for the trip. One reason was to meet some Soldiers and their families I had the privilege to support while deployed to Iraq for 15 months. For those of you who support our troops I'm sure you would agree that we do what we do because we feel it is our part of the "mission." We don't do what we do for public acknowledgement, thanks or any reason other than to let our Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, Sailors and Coasties know we care about them and their families and the sacrifices they make.
Well, yesterday I was with Master Gunner, his wife and Cav Tanker. Master Gunner had been in a meeting with me earlier with a group that is about to deploy. I was at the meeting with another dedicated troop supporter (who insists on a low profile) to talk about what we can do for this group that is about to deploy as part of the replacements for the 173rd Brigade. He clearly heard me say that we did not want ANY public acknowledgement for our support. So later in the day Master Gunner looks at me, reminds me of what I said in the meeting earlier then says BUT.....
He then began to say some very touching and kinds words and ended by reaching over a table and handing me this:
The tank was hand made by a man near Ft. Hood at the request of these Soldiers. The turret rotates 360 degrees. Each piece of the track is a separate piece of wood. The wheels and the track move although the tank itself is permanently affixed to the base piece of wood. I was completely caught off guard and speechless to say the least. I hope all of those who were involved in this most unexpected acknowlegement read this post because I know I didn't say anything I was thinking at the time.
Master Gunner, Cav Tanker and Ranger John - each of you and your wonderful families have been and continue to be such blessings in my life. I genuinely love you all. There are no words or actions to properly thank you. As I've told each of you time and again you owe me no thanks because each day that you put on that uniform you are giving me more than any American can - you give me security, freedom, peace and hope. Thank you for honoring me as you did and thank you for your friendship. Most of all thank you for your selfless service to our great nation.
Why? you might ask, am I posting this if I don't want any public acknowledgement? The answer is simple - I wanted to show this awesome tank!
Links
173rd Airborne-Father walks...
Thomas Lynch unfurls the Army Airborne flag in Kingston o...
