Can anyone point Remmel out to me?  LOL

SGT Joshua Brennan was a beloved son, brother, nephew and cousin who is missed by all who knew him and loved him.  SGT Brennan was shot multiple times on 25 October 2007 in an ambush during Operation Rock Avalanche.  He succumbed to his wounds the following day.

Josh's father, Mike Brennan, has told me about the day Josh and his Battle Buddies were ambushed.  It is one of the most harrowing stories I've heard.  During the ambush the Taliban attempted to drag Josh away.  His fellow Soldiers immediately came to his rescue.  SPC Hugo "DOC" Mendoza gave his life attempting to save Josh from the enemy.  Others on his team continued to fight the enemy and were successful in getting Josh back.  One of those men has been nominated for the Medal of Honor for his actions that day.

A family member made this incredibly moving video to honor Josh.  You'll need tissues to watch this.

 

My heart is very heavy today, on this second anniversary of Josh's death.  Please take a minute to pray for Josh and his family.  And say a special prayer for his cousin, PVT Joseph Brennan and his family, too.  Joseph recently completed basic training and Airborne School.  His family took him to the airport this morning (talk about timing) to board a flight to Italy where he will join Josh's unit, 173rd, 2-503, Battle Company and will deploy before the end of the year to Afghanistan.

So on this day of remembrance I send my love to the Brennan family.  They are some of the greatest people I have ever had the privilege to know.  Josh's father, Mike, and his mother, Janice, both served in the Army.  Their son, Josh, gave his life defending our freedom.  Now Joseph proudly wears the uniform of the US Army.

Rest in Peace Josh.  Keep Joseph safe.

  

 

Read more about Josh here, here, here and on his mother's MySpace page here

There is a story about his dad and one of his uncles here. 

And go here to read about and see photos of Joseph Brennan's graduation from Airborne School.

SPC Hugo "DOC" Mendoza died of wounds sustained when he came in contact with enemy forces using RPG, machine gun and small arms fire during Operation Rock Avalanche combat operations on Oct 25,2007 in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan.

SPC Mendoza's family recalls him as a very giving person; a man who treated everyone the way he wanted to be treated.  SPC Mendoza planned to become a firefighter once he left the Army.

He was laid to rest at Fort Bliss, TX.

We will NEVER forget you "DOC".  Rest in Peace brave warrior.

 

23 March 1978 – 25 October 2007

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

SPC Hugo Victor Mendoza was born on 23 March 1978 in California and spent most of his childhood in El Paso, Texas.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army on 31 May 2005.

During his time in service, SPC Hugo Victor Mendoza completed Basic Infantry Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Medical Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia.  On 6 March 2006, SPC Mendoza reported to his first duty station at Caserma, Ederle, Vicenza, Italy.  He was assigned to the 173d Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry – The ROCK.  SPC Mendoza was then assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company with duty as a combat medic in Battle Company.  He immediately found his home among the combat warriors of 1st Platoon – The Celts.  SPC Mendoza trained, deployed and fought side by side with his band of brothers in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM VIII.  SPC Mendoza distinguished himself in The ROCK as a heroic medic, charismatic Paratrooper, and an overall altruistic human being. 

SPC Mendoza’s awards include: The Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Medical Badge, and Basic Parachutist Badge.  SPC Mendoza has been submitted for the Bronze Star Medal for Service in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM VIII.

Please go here and read more about what SPC Mendoza's family and friends had to say about this great American Hero.

SSG Larry Rouge was a husband, father, son, brother, nephew and friend to many.  His father, Ismael Rougle is a Vietnam Veteran who served 25 years in the Army.  SSG Rougle joined the Army in 1999 at age 17.  He was killed by insurgent small arms fire on 23 October 2007 at age 25 during Operation Rock Avalanche.  He was on his sixth deployment since joining the Army.

SSG Rouge was laid to rest on 8 November 2007 at Arlington National Cemetery.  I encourage you to click on the link for Arlington National Cemetery to read more about SSG Rougle.  A great American Hero who left those who loved him way too soon.

We will NEVER forget you SSG Rougle.

Additional links about SSG Rougle here and here.

Last night, on the second anniversary of his death, several of SSG Rougle's battle buddies joined together to remember him, SPC Hugo Mendoza and SGT Joshua Brennan (who I will post about tomorrow and Monday)

It's no secret to those of you who know me that I've become very close to many of the Sky Soldiers and their families.  And I hope it's no secret to them that I could not be more honored to have had the opportunities to get to share in their lives.  I have never been so PROUD of a group of men in my life and for so many reasons.

There was an awards ceremony at Camp Ederle, Vicenza, Italy on March 20, 2009 to both honor the lives of the nine Sky Soldiers killed in action at the Battle of Wanat on July 13, 2008 as well as to present awards for Valor to six of the Soldiers who survived that awful attack.  The awards ceremony in Italy on March 20th was the beginning of a series of awards ceremonies that will be held over the next couple of weeks for those who were a part of this battle.  While most awards will be presented to the Soldiers there will be others presented posthumously. 

Next weekend Uncle Jimbo of Blackfive  and I will be traveling to Georgia to attend two ceremonies related to Wanat.  The focus is going to be on honoring the lives of those who died as heroes that day.  The Soldiers are insisting on that - no surprise to me.  It will be a bittersweet time.

From Stars and Stripes is the following article about the award ceremony in Italy. 

Six Vicenza soldiers honored for acts of valor in Afghan battle

 

From Wisconsin State Journal

I realize this post is long over due and I apologize for that.  We didn't get the photos until November.  Then the holidays rolled around and one thing after another kept popping up and had to be dealt with.  But...FINALLY....a narrative and some photos.  There are, literally, thousands of photos so I'll try to select a representative sampling.  The narrative in BLACK ink was written by the Blaskowskis.  The narrative in the BLUE ink was written by Leta.  Mike Brennan is out of the country doing some great humanitarian work.  When he returns, if he wants to add to this, I will update it and move it to the top of any posts entered since this one.

After months of fund raising events and planning it was finally time to head eastward to Italy for the Welcome Home events for the 173rd, 20503.  Terry and Cheryl Blaskowski were the first to leave the USA and had some of the Wounded Warriors on their flight from Atlanta to Venice.  We are thankful to so many great Americans for donating so generously in order that all of the Wounded Warriors who were cleared for travel could return to Italy and Germany to be with their brothers in arms for the Welcome Home and Memorial events.  I cannot tell you how many times the Wounded Warriors and their Battle Buddies told us how much it meant to them to be together again.  Some had not seen each other for a year.   It was incredibly touching to witness their bond.

The official ceremonies were special and emotional for us.  Terry and I attended the Memorial, or as the 173^rd Airborne planners called it, the Honors ceremony, at Hoekstra field the day after we arrived.  Although very emotional for us, we were so intensely proud to be there to witness so many brave soldiers pay tribute to men they lived and fought alongside.  They truly are brothers, family.  We are humbled to be able to say that we are a part of the family of one of the most impressive group of individuals of our country, daresay I, in the world.

The men and women of the 173^rd were so welcoming, so appreciative.  They are a humble group of soldiers.

 

Kevan (thank you for going kev - I could not have endured this trip without you there for me) and I arrived in Italy a week after Terry and Cheryl.  We hated to have missed the Honor Ceremony but, due to a family illness in my family, we were not able to travel with Terry and Cheryl.  On the day that Kevan and I arrived we were picked up at the airport by 1SG Beeson (Chosen Company) and his wonderful wife, Giselle.  That night they hosted a cookout at their home.  I was both shocked and so pleased when 1SG Beeson pulled up to the hotel to pick up Kevan and me for the trip out to his house.  His vehicle was loaded with the Wounded Warriors from 2-503 Chosen Company.  Kevan and I squeezed in for the ride out to 1SG Beeson’s home and spent hours with his family, his neighbors and the Wounded Warriors enjoying great food and conversation.  1SG Beeson and the Soldiers even treated us to a little “Guitar Hero” performance.  I was humbled and honored to be included in this evening.  Watching the respect between the 1SG and his men was beyond explanation for me as a civilian.  And witnessing the pride 1SG had in his men was emotional and touching.

 

Throughout the week leading up to the actual 2-503 Welcome Home Party we were all invited to the Change of Command for the various Companies.  I attended the Change of Command for 2-503 Battle and 2-503 Chosen Companies.  It was an honor to be an observer to these traditions.

 

Without a doubt the most moving ceremony I attended was the Awards Ceremony for 2-503 Chosen Company.  I sat on the sidelines and watched as the Company formed up for the ceremony and then watched as seven of the Wounded Warriors from Walter Reed Army Medical Center and one other Soldier were awarded their medals for valor and bravery.  It was impossible not to be emotional knowing the stories of how and when these Warriors were wounded.  I’m not sure if the other Companies had ceremonies like this while we were in Italy.  They may have had them before Kevan and I arrived.  Suffice to say it was more than an honor to be allowed the privilege of witnessing this important event.

The 2-503 Welcome Home Party was GREAT.  This was not only our comprehension of the event; it was the sentiment of many, many soldiers attending.  One doesn’t realize what it takes for something like this to go off without a hitch in a foreign country.  The event was held off base at a beautiful restaurant called Dia Gelose about 10 minutes from base.  There were 16 busses that were used to transport our soldiers and their families to and from the party.  When they first started arriving, it seemed they were apprehensive of what this might be.  I can imagine some of their thoughts, “great another stuffy appeasing event that we show up for, how long will we need to stay not to be rude?”.

Well the first crowd shuffled in and started signing one of the several banners that were strewn throughout the grounds with messages of welcome and gratitude from multiple groups throughout our great nation. 

 

However, another item caught their eye, to the left, on an open patio with a thatched covered hut and a beautiful old wine barrel holding lots of ice to keep the wonderful, beautiful American beer, Budweiser (and bottled water, nice but not as significant) cold.  Once they spotted that, it was like a swarm as they made their way to the left…to the left (isn’t that in a song). 

 

We promptly shared with them there were 3 banquet rooms that also held the same liquid gold as well as another outside seating area and a very very LARGE party tent.  The party had begun.  There was a great DJ playing music.  The three banquet rooms (which I must say were beautiful) had tables along three walls of the room, that held good old’ American fashioned Hamburgers, hot dogs (German wieners), and all the fixins for a deluxe cheese burger along with mini pizzas, corn on the cob, potato salad, baked beans (an Italian rendition, similar to what Matthew’s Italian mother in law, Ernesta, lovingly made for him), and a few other side dishes.  One very large table there was fresh fruit for the taking, watermelon, strawberries, grapes, etc. as well as a cake that was decorated to honor our 173^rd Airborne, 2-503^rd Battalion.

 

 

Within half an hour, prosecco; the house wine, was flowing freely, along with an ever-replenished barrel of Budweiser variety of beer.  At one point, a soldier came to us to advise that the beer was all gone, and it was only 7:30pm, we couldn’t believe it, 6000 cans of beer, GONE?????  During those fleeting moments several soldiers decided to leave. Well, the beer wasn’t gone, the staff of waiters just couldn’t keep up with the demand for a few moments.  Within no time it was flowing again. The following day we heard that when those several soldiers found out that the party and beer continued to flow freely, they were very very very upset with the decision they had made to leave.

This was about the time that some “official and not so official” business was taken care of.  First, Major Beckno alerted everyone that there was a very special person in attendance whose birthday was that day.  Daniela Blaskowski, wife of the late SFC Matthew Blaskowski turned 27 that very day.  Everyone in attendance sang Happy Birthday to her.  Her family, Matthews’ Italian family, was there in attendance to represent and express their gratitude as well.

There were presentations to several folks in appreciation of hosting this event.  However, I must say another of the great moments of the evening was when a couple Vietnam veterans, who happened to be visiting the Battalion during this time, wanted to present the soldiers and the Command with a silver punch bowl (the "Butch Bowl" presented on behalf of MG Ellis Willamson's daughter), a tradition that I hope to find more about soon.  It was decided by LTC Ostlund that it would done at the Welcome Home Party that evening.  After the presentation LTC Ostlund asked the West Point graduates to come forward and keep the “Butch” bowl filled and passed around for everyone to drink from in honor of the Fallen.  They filled it with Budweiser and the punch bowl was passed around  to the 1100+ in attendance to honor the Fallen Sky Soldiers from all wars.

 

Leta Carruth, SGT Josh Brennan’s family and SFC Matthew Blaskowski’s family were each presented with a beautiful framed, signed and numbered limited edition Dietz print of “Rock and a Hard Place”,  This was another meaningful moment.  But remember, that is not why we were there.  We were there to ensure those troops and their families knew how much we, and all of those who contributed to the Welcome Home Party, appreciated them.  This party was our little way of showing the gratitude that we each (everyone who supported) carry in our hearts for their service and sacrifices.

 

 

The band started to play after this, there was dancing and many, many wonderful conversations with great American heroes.  We learned more about who our son Matthew was as a soldier and a person.  As most soldiers are, he as well as those we spoke to and learned about, never bragged about their accomplishments or the harrowing experiences he and they had while serving our country.  However we had intimate conversations with Matthew’s soldiers who were proud to have known him.

Our hope is that those impressive amazing Sky Soldiers and families that we met and spoke with there truly know how much America cares about them and how special each of them are in their own right!!!!!! 

Many thanks to so many people who helped make this happen for our troops. 

I couldn’t agree more with what the Blaskowskis have said about the Welcome Home party but would like to add:

As the Blaskowskis mentioned, planning a party held in Italy from the USA could have been a logistical nightmare.  We could never have pulled this off without the help of CPT Matt Heimerle, 1LT Marshall Johnson and Cristin Pike (FRSA)  They all worked tireless hours to assist us in securing the venue, planning the menu (which wasn’t exactly what the venue would have done), picking up the donated beer and getting it to the venue in time to be ice cold, securing the buses for transporting the Soldiers and their spouses/significant others, hiring the band and DJ, setting up child care, getting the word out to the Soldiers and a myriad of other necessary details.  The party would NOT have been a success without them.  They left no detail unattended and were the reason the party went off without ANY issues.

THANK YOU MATT, MARSHALL AND CRISTIN!!!

I want to echo what the Blaskowskis have said about the attendees at the party telling us how much they appreciated it.  I cannot begin to tell you how many (and it was at least 200 or more) Soldiers came up to me to tell me things such as, “I’ve never had so much fun at a party EVER” or “I figured this would be like every other military celebration I have attended – stuffy and not so much fun” or “I had no idea that so many people knew about us or cared about us.”  The comments ran the gamut but were always positive.  I even had two wives approach me at different times to tell me that as long as they have been military wives they had never felt as appreciated as they did that night.  Even LTC Ostlund told me that he had more Soldiers tell him over and over how much they felt appreciated as a result of the party.

The Blaskowskis, Brennans and I had the opportunity to say a few words to the crowd.  We all told the Soldiers and their families about the legions of people who had come together to raise and donate the money.  We told them about the elderly lady who gave the Blaskowskis $2.00 and said she wished it could be more, about all of those who bought raffle tickets at various events and about those who opened their hearts and check books to make larger donations.  We told them over and over how this party for THEM was from AMERICA!  It is impossible to write about how loudly they cheered or about the looks on their faces.  But please know that the Sky Soldiers KNOW it was ALL of you who made this happen for them.

I would just like to add a few comments about the Wounded Warriors who were able to travel to Italy.  Some on crutches, some using canes, others more mobile.  As we walked around Camp Ederle while we were there we often ran into a Wounded Warrior from time to time.  Not one time did I encounter one of the Wounded that he or his buddies didn’t say “thank you” for helping to make the trip possible.  Several told me that it was exactly what they needed to help with their healing process – not the physical healing, but the emotional healing.  You just cannot put a price on that.  And it was evident in their demeanor and their smiles.  So to all of you who opened up your check books in a BIG WAY to help raise the money in such a short amount of time I thank you.  I don’t thank you for me.  I thank you on behalf of the Soldiers. 

Lastly I just want to comment that the Brennans, Blaskowskis and I spent our own money to travel to Italy to attend the Welcome Home Party.  The trip meant so much more for the Brennans and the Blaskowskis than it did for me because they were able to spend time with those who were with their sons when they were wounded and died.  But as a civilian I can never be thankful enough for the experience I had.  It was truly the most meaningful trip of my life and there are no words to express my thankfulness for being allowed to be a part of this healing and historic time.

A few random party pics:

 

 

I will post more party pics throughout the coming weeks. 

 

I snagged these two photos off of Facebook.  Hey Ilene - these are for you! 

 

Wounded Warriors (in civilian clothes) L to R - Denton, Pitts, Chavez, (all wounded in the Battle of Wanat) and Remmel and Schilling (wounded in the Battle at the Ranch House)

 

Wounded Warriors (in civilian clothes) L to R - Deloria, Albert, Denton, Pitts, Chavez, Remmel, Schilling and Kalenits

LOOKING GOOD MEN!

Today's good news? The majority of the 173rd Brigade Wounded Warriors who were given medical clearance to travel are on their way to Italy to join their fellow brothers in arms for the Memorial Services and Family Appreciation Days thanks to SO many great Americans who donated funds for that to happen. The remainder will be leaving for German in a few days to join their respective units for the Memorial Services and Family Appreciation Days there.

THANK YOU AMERICA for making this happen for these great Warriors! They have told us time and time again how important this is for them. And it is also something that the Brigade wanted for the Soldiers.  Unfortunately the Army doesn't have specific funding set aside for this type of travel so their hands were tied.  YOU, however, made it happen!  The Soldiers have ALL asked that you know how much they are grateful to each of you who donated for their tickets.

 

My dear friend, SFC Pointer, recently made this video.  I met SFC Pointer on one of my trips to Kosovo and had the honor and pleasure of working with him on a subsequent trip there.  I am constantly amazed at how our military look out for each other even when they've never met or served together.

 

Here are a couple of photoa of SFC Pointer and me in Kosovo