I know some of you haven't signed up on CaringBridge to get updates about Evan so I'll post them here.  One thing before I do.  A couple of you have inquired about donating blood in Evan's name via the Red Cross.  I've checked with Evan's mom who also checked with the staff at St. Jude.  Unfortunately it's not possible to do that.  I guess the Red Cross doesn't have the program anymore where you can donate "in the name" of someone else.

Now the two updates.  The most recent one on the top.

Friday, May 29, 2009 10:28 PM, CDT

I've spent a lot of time the past week or so thinking about what to post for Memorial Day.  I did a lot of research.  I found a lot of stories about great men and women who gave their lives for this nation.  I also found stories about great men and women who served this nation and died after they retired.  All of their stories and the stories of legions I didn't read about matter.  The stories matter to the families of those who have past on and they are such an integral part of our great nation and why it continues to be so great.  No matter what I attempted to write it seemed so inadequate.

I was struck by what MCQ at Blackfive wrote

"Memorial Day is about those who gave up their tomorrows for our today. They’re the men and women who forever gave up the chance to see and hold the child born while they were at war. The chance to again caress their husband or wife and tell them they love them. The chance to hold their mother's hand and bask in her sweet smile one last time. Or to stare in pure awe at their first grandchild.

They gave it all in the service of their country, and it is our job as citizens of this great land to remember them and their sacrifice. So the next time you are near a national cemetery, take some time and stop in with your family and spend a moment with the heroes who are buried there.

They are all someone you should know."

There are many Fallen Heroes and their families I have been thinking about more than usual the past few days.  I've also been thinking about their Battles Buddies.  I wish I knew how to do more, say more and write more than I am here.  More to comfort them.  More to honor the lives of those given for this great nation.  I'm not how it's ever possible to do that.  They all know who they are.  I just hope they know how much I genuinely care about all of them and that the memory of their loved ones will always be in my thoughts.

I'll be attending Memorial Day Services at the West Tennessee National Cemetery on Monday.  I've decided that while I will be thinking of many this year I want to specifically remember SFC Matthew Blaskowski and SGT Joshua Brennan whose families I have become very close to.  Both of these men made a tremendous impact on all they met and all they served with.  They, like so many, are sorely missed.

SFC Matthew Blaskowski - KIA 23 Sept 07 - Fire Base Vegas

Battle Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment

SFC Matthew D. Blaskowski was born on 5 March 1980 in Levering, Michigan.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army on 17 November 1998. 

After SFC Blaskowski completed Basic Infantry Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia, he reported to his first duty station at Fort Drum, New York.  Assigned to 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry, 10th Mountain Division (Light) as a Rifleman and Scout, he was later assigned as a Team Leader in 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry in the same Division.  After completing Airborne School in 2002, he reported to the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vicenza, Italy and was assigned to 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry – The ROCK.  

SFC Blaskowski served in multiple green tab leadership positions in The ROCK – Battle Company as a Team Leader, HHC as the Battalion Assistant Operations Sergeant, Chosen Company as a Rifle and Weapons Squad Leader during OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM VI where he was awarded for Valor, and most recently as the Platoon Sergeant of 1st Platoon, Battle Company during OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM VIII.   

SFC Blaskowski awards include: Silver Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal (4), Army Achievement Medal (3), Army Good Conduct Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Pathfinder Badge and Basic Parachutist Badge.  SFC Blaskoski has been submitted for the Bronze Star Medal for Service and the Purple Heart, Second Award.

SGT Joshua C Brennan

Battle Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment

SGT Joshua Charles Brennan was born on 30 May 1985 in El Paso, Texas.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army on 25 September 2003.

During his time in service SGT Joshua Brennan completed Basic Infantry Training, Advanced Individual Training and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia.  On 15 March 2004, he reported to Vicenza, Italy where he became a Paratrooper in the 173rd Airborne Brigade.  Assigned to Battle Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry – The ROCK – SGT  Brennan was first a rifleman and then an Assistant M240 Machine Gunner in 1st Platoon.  Promoted to Team Leader, SGT Brennan deployed and served with distinction during bothVI and VIII.  SGT Brennan was undoubtely one of the finest Noncommissioned Officers in Battle Company.  He always led from the front. 

SGT Brennan’s awards include: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart(2), Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Basic Parachutist Badge, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.  Prior to his death, SGT Brennan was submitted for the Bronze Star Medal for Valor for his actions on 07 August 2007.  For his service during OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM VIII, SGT Brennan has been submitted for the Bronze Star Medal for Service.

I had the honor today to participate in placing flags in front of headstones at the more than 14,000 graves at the West Tennessee Veteran's Cemetery in preparation Monday's Memorial Day Service there.  I was pleasantly stunned at the number of people who attended.  I have no idea how may Boy Scout, Cub Scout and Girl Scout troops were there but there were many.  Additionally there were at least as many citizens who came to assist.  The crowd was estimated at around 700.

We all gathered together for a few minutes and were addressed by the organizer of the event, the Air Force pilot with the group out of Columbus, MS who will perform a fly over with missing man on Monday and were given our instructions.

Receiving Our Instructions

  Then we headed over to the area where we picked up the flags to begin placing the flags.  I was happy to hear the organizer encourage everyone to take a minute to read the headstones of those in front of whose graves we were placing each flag.  He asked us to take a minute to think about them and their service. 

We were dismissed and all headed over to get out flags

Crowd Making Their Way To Pick Up Flags

Picking Up The Flags and Disbursing Throughout The Cemetery

Then we began the honor of placing the flags.

CIMG1592

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It was such an honor to participate and I look forward to Monday's Memorial Ceremonies with American's who want to spend time remembering and honoring those who gave their lives for this nation and those who have served in so many wars. 

Composed by a very special lady and someone I'm honored to call friend, Joanne Lombardi:

Watch this video

Now please go to the Warrior Legacy Foundation website to join.  Believe me when I tell you that you do not want to miss out on all of the great things coming our way from the Warrior Legacy Foundation. 

David Bellavia, Matthew "Blackfive" Burden, Jim "Uncle Jimbo" Hanson, LTC Steve Russell, John Wagner and others have been working tirelessly for months in order to establish and organization that will give honor and a voice to all past, present and future military personnel as well as Veterans of  all wars in our nation's history. 

This is the organization our nation, our Veterans and our active duty personnel have needed for a long, long time.  I urge you to sign up and become involved.  I'm aware of several projects in the works.  Believe me when I tell you they are exciting. 

During the past coupla weeks I've written about St Jude Children's Research Hospital patient COL Evan Pertile here.  Blackfive wrote about him here and here and my bud TSO from This Ain't Hell wrote about him here and here.  And we all fell in love with Evan.

Last weekend when SSG Pitts and I went to visit Evan I/we noticed that his mens small ACU blouse was just a bit too big (not that Evan cared) and that he only had Air Force pants.  Um....nothing against the Air Force but...can't have our Colonel out of uniform, ya know.  Especially when I found out he's got some visitors scheduled on Thursday coming all the way from the Pentagon.  Yeah, Colonel Pertile has the Pentagon come to him.  That's MY kind of Colonel.  Maybe they are coming to promote him to General?

Well, a few Soldiers (who wish to remain anonymous) had a set of ACUs Evan's size delivered to my door step yesterday morning.  Name tape and US Army tape weren't sewn on and I don't sew.  AT ALL.  But my sweet little neighbor lady does so I hopped across the street and within minutes - DONE!

Rachel (Evan's mom) opened the door to their apartment at Target House when I knocked.  I'd heard Evan on the other side of the door as I knocked.  When the door opened - no Evan.  OK, he was there but he was "hiding" beneath a TV table.  Of course I saw him but his mom, aunt and I carried on and on about Evan being gone on some mission.  He kept giggling at us the entire time.  I finally poked my head under the table and went eye to eye with him.  BUSTED!

I sat on the couch and Evan sat right next to me.  Yep, my heart melted even more.  He is just the CUTEST little guy.  I told him that I had something for him.  I told him who it was from and his face beamed.  We opened the box together and pulled out the ACU blouse, pants and t shirt.  Their was a cap inside the box, too but Evan never pulled it out.  After a little cajoling Evan went to his room and put the ACUs on.  (Evan was really tired yesterday but was such a trooper!  He was on intravenious IVs the entire time I was there.  Yep, a real trooper.)  When he came out he had his ACUs on AND his paratrooper beret.  WAY COOL!

He scooted up on the couch next to me (thanks to photo shop I'm no longer in the photo. Wanted this to be about Evan)

Colonel Evan Pertile in new ACUs

Evan in ACUs 3 May 19, 2009

So there you have it.  COL Pertile is all squared away for his big visit on Thursday and for any other missions that come his way.  His mom has promised photos and an AAR.  I'm gonna hold her to it.

Oh, and just one more thing...I got TONS of hugs and LOTS of couch time with Evan.  Yep...you're all jealous.  I would be too if the tables were turned.

From DefenseLink.com

Please check out this great opportunity.  There are links below to register as a runner, walker, sponsor, etc. 

Cape Cod Canal 14.2 Mile Run & 2.5 Mile Fun Run/Walk

TO BENEFIT CAPE COD CARES FOR OUR TROOPS

and the  2^nd 503^rd 173rd Airborne Brigade

Date: 15, August, 2009

Start: 9:00 AM = 14.2 Mile Run

Start: 9:30 AM = 2.5 Mile Fun Run/Walk

Starts/finishes at the Buzzards Bay Recreation Area by the train bridge.

WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO A GREAT TIME. PLEASE FORWARD TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS

Where we are today:

We have worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and have received the permit granting us the use of the Buzzards Bay Recreation Area for the start and finish

The event is up and running!

On-line registration is available at the following sites: http://www.runreg.com/RacersResource/events/register.asp?eventid=1857

www.racersresource.com

www.capecod4thetroops.com

www.nerunner.com

www.coolrunning.com

For those wishing to volunteer or sponsor, please contact:

Race Directors:  Harry (HAP) & Frances Pratt  40 Walcott Rd. Beverly, MA 01915

E-mail: raceinfo@nii.net          Phone: (978) 921-RUNN

Army Airborne Parent:  Tom Lynch 8 Bunker Circle, Sandwich, MA 02563

E-mail:  tlynch02563@yahoo.com Phone: (508) 328-0726

I know I promised this post a few days ago but I've been so focused on COL Evan getting better that I just haven't wanted to post until today.  I am so thankful Evan IS feeling better.  I'm also thankful for all of the prayers that you all have been saying for him.

Now on to this post.

In October 2007 I wrote this post about Lakeland Elementary School donating socks for the Sky Soldiers of the 173rd, 2-503 who were deployed to northeastern Afghanistan.  I urge you to take the time to read the post and to learn about the amazing students, faculty and staff at Lakeland Elementary School.

For several months we've been attempting to put together a weekend when several of the 173rd, 2-503 Soldiers could come to Memphis to visit Lakeland Elementary School to say "thank you."  While I missed not getting to have a whole "Herd" of the guys here I was thrilled when SSG Ryan Pitts was able to come from Walter Reed Army Medical Center this past weekend.

Ryan arrived on Saturday.  That afternoon Frank and Nancy Rouse came over to meet Ryan and visit with him.  Frank is a Vietnam Veteran who served in the 173rd, 2-503.  If you don't know the history of the 173rd you can get a "taste" of the Brigade's storied past here.  Nancy is the principal of Lakeland Elementary School.  I won't bore you with the details of how I came to know Nancy and Frank but this is one tiny little world my friends.  Frank and Nancy are members of both the Patriot Guard Riders and Rolling Thunder.  They are wonderful, wonderful people and great Americans.

After a few hours of visiting, eating and hoisting a few beers Frank received a call from a Veteran friend of his.  Long story short it was soon after that call that Frank and Nancy loaded Ryan up in their truck for a quick 40 minute ride to Mississippi to "attend" a Hooters swimsuit competition.  I was invited but scantily clad young ladies prancing about isn't my idea of a fun evening.  I know, I'm old.  Seems a fine time was had by all.

One Sunday Ryan and I went to visit St. Jude patient Evan Pertile, his mom, Nana and some of their family friends.  We had such a wonderful visit with them.

Monday morning rolled around and we were off to Lakeland Elementary School.  We arrived in time for the morning Pledge of Allegiance, thought for the day and announcements which are done via the PA system from the principal's office.  Mrs. Rouse has students come to her office each morning to lead the pledge and to give the thought for the day.

Principal Nancy Rouse and students leading the pledge of Allegiance

The students did an EXCELLENT job!

After that was over Nancy escorted Ryan and me to the cafeteria where Ryan was scheduled to address and thank all of the fifth grade classes.  The reason for selecting that group is that one of the fifth graders (fourth grade last school year) raised the most money and/or collected the most socks for the paratroopers.  (More on that later in the post).  As we walked into the cafeteria I immediately noticed this:

Lakeland Elementary School Banner for Ryan

I got a big lump in my throat.  Many thanks to the students and to the art department for such a wonderful "welcome" to Ryan.  Made me damn proud to be from this area.  There were other colorings and drawings on the walls surrounding the opening to the stage area:

Drawings by students 2

Patriotic drawing by student

After the students were settled in Mrs. Rouse introduced SSG Pitts

Principal Nancy Rouse introducing SSG Pitts

SSG Pitts spent a few minutes telling the students a little about himself. 

SSG Pitts talking to 5th graders 1

Then he told them how much he and his paratroopers appreciated the socks.  He explained about how they were in a location where they didn't have a way to wash their socks; how they hiked many days for miles at a time.  He even told them about one day when they hiked 15 miles up and down the mountains of Afghanistan. 

SSG Pitts talking to 5th graders 3

He told them the socks were a huge help to them when they were deployed and that all of the Soldiers with him were very grateful for the student's generous donation.  He then asked for Harper Wagner to come forward. 

SSG Pitt and Harper Wagner 1

SSG Pitts reminded the group that Harper had raised the most money/pairs of socks and had won a pizza party for his class by doing so.  Then he gave Harper a 173rd Brigade coin

SSG Pitts and Harper Wagner giving him 173rd coin

Harper Wagner looking at coin just received from SSG Pitts

And a 173rd Brigade flag

Harper Wagner with SSG Pitts and 173rd Airborne Flag

After Harper sat down SSG Pitts asked the students if they had any questions.  Boy did they have questions.  GREAT questions.  Question such as, "Did you get much sleep"  Ryan's answer was something along the lines of "somedays yes, somedays not so much."

SSG Pitts answering questions 1

"Did you see any cool animals?"  Ryan had to mention the Camel Spider.  He explained that it's not really a spider and showed (with his hands) how big they can get.  He also mentioned that he had seen a baby snow leopard. That brought ooohs and aaaaahs from the crowd

SSG Pitts answering questions 3

One student asked about whether Ryan and his buddies had survival training.  The student used the proper terminology.  I, of course, have no idea what that term is.  I don't remember what Ryan's answer was because I was still processing that a fifth grader would know that terminology.  Smart kids!

SSG Pitts answering questions 5

One question to SSG Pitts was if he had ever been shot.  Ryan told them he hadn't but that he had been blown up by RPGs and hand grenades.  Golly it seems so weird to type that.  I'm just amazed at how far along Ryan has come in his recuperation.

SSG Pitts answering questions 7

The most poplular questions were about jumping.  How high were you when you jumped?  What do you do if the chute doesn't open?  What happens if the reserve chute doesn't open?  Were you afraid to jump?  And there were questions about the food, why Ryan joined the Army, etc.  Really, really good questions all around.

After about 20 or so minutes Mrs Rouse wrapped things up and thanked Ryan for coming.  Ryan did an excellent job.  There were still probably 20 hands in the air for questions.  I'm sure they were good ones, too.  Mrs. Rouse then gave Ryan a huge bag of letters that the students had written to him and his buddies.

Principal Nancy Rouse giving SSG Pitts letters from the kids

I had to snag a photo of Nancy, Ryan and Frank.  It was really nice of Frank to come out to support Ryan. 

Nancy, Ryan and Frank

Frank and Ryan did some of that man/Warrior/Paratrooper/Herd/Sky Soldier talk for a few minutes before Frank had to leave

Ryan and Frank

After Frank left Nancy, Ryan and I were standing near the stage chatting.  The students were still in the cafeteria and were signing each others yearbooks.  One of the students approached Ryan and asked if he would mind signing the yearbook.  Ryan, of course, said he would

Ryan signing yearbooks 1

And then...............the line formed

Ryan signing yearbooks 2

Ryan signed and signed

Ryan signing yearbooks 4

And signed.  The line was from the stage all the way to the back of the cafeteria.  For the longest time it never seemed to get any shorter. 

Ryan signing yearbooks 5

After 30 minutes or so I told Ryan I would go stand at the back of the line and not let anyone else get in the line.  I tried.  I REALLY, REALLY tried.  But those kids are SO cute and I kept letting "just one more" get in line in front of me.  At one point Ryan looked up and asked, "is the line getting shorter or longer?"  So I only let two more in and then I finally said, "sorry, we have to go."  As we were walking out a little girl came up to Ryan and asked him to sign her yearbook.  Ryan looked at me and I grinned.  Of course he signed it!

I couldn't help but think to myself that those kids have no idea about the Soldier who signed their books.  I know that's just perfectly fine with Ryan. 

So we left the school and went back to my house.  Frank came over a couple of hours later and the two Sky Soldiers drank beer, told war stories and visited all afternoon.  What an incredible treat for me to be able to listen in.  Very few people can tell a story the way Frank Rouse can.  At one point Frank asked if I didn't have something to do.  I'm crazy about Frank so I took the hint and left "the boys" alone for a while.  After school was out Nancy came over and had dinner with us then I took Ryan to the airport.  I really appreciate Nancy and Frank spending so much time with Ryan during his visit.  I had to giggle to myself when they exchanged phone numbers. 

What a wonderful weekend.  God has given me more blessings than any one human deserves.  I am so thankful.

On May 2nd many of us heard or read news that one of our own had been listed as "Whereabouts Unknown".  Additionally there was news that two of our beloved Soldiers have been KIA.  There was very little information about what happened until the past day or two.  The following is an article I recently found that discusses the heorism and circumstances of that fateful day.

Rest in Peace brave warriors.  Our nation can never be grateful enough for all that you gave.

SSG William Vile

SSG Wiliam Vile, 27.  Philadelphia, PA.  Based out of Fort Riley, KS.

SPC Ryan King

Specialist Ryan C. King, 22, of Dallas, Ga., was based out of the 1st Infantry Division in Fort Hood, Texas.  Posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal. 

SGT James Pirtle

SGT James Pirtle, 21 from Colorado Springs, CO.  Based out of Fort Hood, TX.  Posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal. 

From FoxNews.com

U.S. Probes Whether Afghan Forces Colluded With Taliban in Deadly Attack

Thursday, May 14, 2009
By Wade Zirkle

LTC James Markert and Afghan Commander discuss POW recovery operation

Kunar River Valley, Afghanistan —  A pre-dawn attack by the Taliban that killed three American soldiers and six other coalition troops earlier this month is raising new questions about many of the Afghan soldiers who were supposed to be fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with them.

Officials are investigating whether the Afghan troops may have colluded with the Taliban in the brazen assault on the remote coalition outpost along the mountainous Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Their findings could complicate further the already difficult challenges U.S. trainers are having with the Afghan Army.

American officials have questioned 11 Afghan Army soldiers and one Afghan interpreter who were taken prisoner after the battle and later released. Many U.S. troops in the area suspect that the Afghan POWs may have passively helped their Taliban attackers by laying down their arms, or even actively colluded with the enemy in the attack.

Details of the battle have been sketchy, since all three Americans at Observation Post Bari Alai were killed in the fight. Of the four Latvian NATO soldiers who were also defending the post, two were killed and a third was badly wounded and evacuated to Landstuhl Army Medical Center in Germany. According to a U.S. official, the remaining Latvian soldier was “shellshocked” by the attack and has been flown back to Latvia for treatment.

Three Afghan National Army troops also were killed.

U.S. officials are declining to comment on specifics until their investigation is complete. But conversations with American troops familiar with the situation reveal that in the early morning hours of May 1, more than 100 Taliban fighters launched a coordinated uphill attack on Bari Alai, a tactically critical, fortified mountaintoop outpost that overlooks the convergence of the Hel Gal, Durin, Marin, and Kunar River Valleys, as well as a bridge that spans the Kunar River.

While Taliban fighters pinned down coalition troops with machine gun fire, their comrades scaled the mountainsides and advanced on the post. Coalition troops killed 19 Taliban fighters, according to U.S. officials.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. William D. Vile, 27, who was wounded, continued to return fire as he called on his radio for reinforcements and artillery support. He was killed by an explosion and has been posthumously recommended for the Silver Star Medal, the Army’s third highest decoration for battlefield valor.

The blast breached the perimeter of the post, and the Taliban poured inside. Sgt. James D. Pirtle, 21, and Specialist Ryan C. King, 22, were killed defending the base and were both posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

After overrunning the post, the Taliban fighters captured 11 Afghan soldiers and one Afghan interpreter and transported them into the Hel Gal Valley, where they were held captive.

In the days following, U.S., Afghan, and Latvian forces embarked on joint operations to recover the dozen POWs. On May 6, approximately 400 coalition troops made a forceful push toward the Hel Gal Valley, where the POWs were believed to be held. But the mission was halted two hours after it began when the Taliban freed all 12 POWs after coalition forces broadcast radio messages demanding their return.

When asked what kind of condition the freed Afghan troops were in, Marine Lt. Col. Ted Adams replied, “Good condition. Too good, actually,” -- a sentiment echoed by other officers, which has led many to suspect that the POWs were complicit in the enemy attack.

The 12 Afghans were questioned for six days by U.S. and Afghan officials before being returned to duty on Monday. U.S. officials are declining to comment on the conduct of the Afghan troops during the attack on Bari Alai, citing the ongoing investigation.

The incident highlights the increasing level of frustration U.S. trainers are having with the wildly inconsistent performance of their Afghan Army protégés.

Additionally, American officials are becoming increasingly concerned about more sophisticated enemy tactics and massed enemy formations as evidenced at the Bari Alai post. While most of Afghanistan remains relatively calm, the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region has seen larger and more brazen enemy operations accompanied by a marked increased violence.

Observation Post Bari Alai is now back in Coalition control.

Wade Zirkle was embedded for Fox News with U.S. and Afghan troops in the Kunar River Valley