Video of the Day, honoring CPL Jon Ayers (RIP Warrior)

March 31, 2009 By Troy
Posted in Life in the Military, Military History, Video

The video below is of a ceremony honoring CPL Ayers and his brothers in arms for their performance and sacrifices at the Battle of Wanat

CPL Jon Ayers Ceremony

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Best Milblog you have Never heard of

By Troy
Posted in Charities/Contests

Head over to Blackfive at http://www.blackfive.net/main/2009/03/contest-best-milblog-youve-never-heard-of.html and check out a new contest. They are trying to spotlight some of the best blogs you have ever read, but may not be widely popular.

This contest is open to everyone; however, nominations can not include the major milblogs and/or any milblog nominated for a Weblog award in 2007 or 2008.

Just to clarify, this blog was not a nominee in 2006 or 2007.

By commenting on Blackfive with your recommendation, your name will go “into the hat” for a drawing to be held later.

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Attention You Served Readers – Check out VAMCnews

March 30, 2009 By You Served Editorial Staff
Posted in Military News, News, Uncategorized

A few months back, VAMC (who brings you You Served’s blog and podcast) launched a new military news syndicate at VAMCnews.  VAMCnews is a new initiative by our company to employ young journalists who are passionate about the military community and issues affecting Veterans Benefits.

We produce uniquely researched articles and news briefs each week related to news coming out of Washington and the surrouding military community.  The focus is on breaking news and also supplementing news from major media outlets.  Through VAMCnews, we hope to both broaden the content we are able to provide our current readers and earn new readers time and again.

With the current state of the traditional media in upheaval, massive layoffs and papers shutting down, VAMC hopes to provide an outlet for professional journalism in our space.  Please check it out at www.VAMCnews.com !

Here’s a sneak peek -

VAMC Military News

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Trace Adkins To Honor Wounded Warriors

March 28, 2009 By CJ
Posted in Uncategorized

Trace Adkins will sing “Til the Last Shot’s Fired” with the West Point Glee Club during the ACM Awards in Las Vegas on April 5. The performance is in support of the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), which is the charity selected by the ACM’s charitable fund. The song appears on Adkins’ newest album, X. Profits from digital downloads of the song on iTunes will benefit the WWP. “It’s a privilege to perform this song with such a distinguished choir for the great servicemen and women in whose honor it was written,” said Adkins. “We should always let our military know how much we appreciate them putting their lives on the line for us every day. The WWP provides an incredible service to those wounded in combat, so it’s an honor to donate proceeds of the performance downloads to support this important and worthy charity.”

H/T

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Photo of the Day – 27 Mar 09

March 27, 2009 By CJ
Posted in Uncategorized

There’s just something cool about this photo. It almost seems surreal. Click on photo for hi-res, unpixelated view.

The Los Angeles-class submarine USS Annapolis (SSN 760) rests in the Arctic Ocean March 21, 2009, after surfacing through three feet of ice during Ice Exercise 2009. The two-week training exercise, which is used to test submarine operability and war-fighting capability in Arctic conditions, involves two Los Angeles-class submarines, USS Helena (SSN 725) and USS Annapolis (SSN 760), the University of Washington and personnel from the Navy Arctic Submarine Laboratory. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tiffini M. Jones, U.S. Navy)

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Coming Home: Military Families Cope with Change

By Claire
Posted in Spouse and Family

Sesame Street continues to reach out to Military families through their “Talk, Listen, Connect” program. The following is from their website:

Coming Home: Military Families Cope with Change

Tune in to PBS on April 1, 2009 at 8 p.m. to join Queen Latifah, John Mayer, and your Sesame Street friends for “Coming Home: Military Families Cope With Change.” This family television special tells the stories of military families coping with the challenges and impact of combat-related injuries—both visible (such as the loss of a limb) and invisible (such as post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury). Join these families as they recount their heroic struggles and discover the remarkable resiliency that sets them on the path to finding a “new normal.” With help from Elmo, Rosita, and the Sesame Street friends, “Coming Home” gives voice to children as they play a central role in the family’s adjustment process, and encourages them to be what they are: kids. The program also features coping strategies and powerful real stories aimed to help these families and others find ways to be there for each other.

Join us as we salute the extraordinary courage of children, offer the general public ways to support service members in their communities, and provide a powerful glimpse into the lives of military families. We encourage children to watch “Coming Home” with a parent or caregiver so they can ask an adult any questions they might have.

Coming Home” is part of Sesame Workshop’s “Talk, Listen, Connect” initiative, providing support and resources for families experiencing deployment, multiple deployments, or changes due to combat-related injury. “Talk, Listen, Connect” kits include DVDs and print materials for children and parents.

If you are interested in receiving a kit, please visit Talk, Listen, Connect.

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Fellowship Program Aims to Train Milspouses as Financial Counselors

By Claire
Posted in Spouse and Family

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is offering a fellowship program that will help military spouses become accredited as financial counselors.

The spots are limited and it’s competitive, so now’s the time to mark your calendars. The application window opens on March 30th.

From the FINRA Website:

Applications for the FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship Will Be Available March 30 – April 30, 2009

The FINRA Investor Education Foundation, in partnership with the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education® (AFCPE®) and the National Military Family Association, is pleased to announce that applications will be accepted for the FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Accredited Financial Counselor® Fellowship beginning March 30, 2009. This program will provide up to 200 military spouses with the education necessary to enter the financial counseling career field.

The fellowship covers the costs associated with completing the Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC®) training and the first two attempts at both exams. Upon successful completion of the program and required practicum, the participant will be awarded the Accredited Financial Counselor® designation from AFCPE®.

Many employers such as credit unions, financial aid offices, and community housing agencies need well-trained, ethical and caring financial counselors to meet the increasing demand for financial counseling services. Military spouses can fill this need while building a rewarding career that is flexible to the demands of the military family lifestyle.

More details—and links to application materials—will be available on SaveAndInvest.org/Military on March 30th.

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03/26/09 You Served Radio

March 26, 2009 By Troy
Posted in Podcast, Why We Serve

Tonight on You Served Radio we will be talking with freelance and war-front embedded journalist P.J. Tobia. P.J. wrote the Washington Post Article (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/12/AR2008121203291.html) exposing the article-32 hearing and the grave injustices being imposed on CPT Hill and 1SG Scott.

We are also talking with NY National Guard SGM, Dave Oliver. Dave joined the regular army in 1985 as an Infantryman. He served four years, two in Germany and two in Georgia. After he left active duty, he joined the New York Army National Guard. Dave has served as a infantry team leader, squad leader, scout platoon section leader, scout platoon sergeant, infantry platoon sergeant, first sergeant and operations sergeant major. Since 9-11 he has deployed for six homeland security missions to include Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Jump Start. In addition Dave has served two tours of duty for Operation Enduring Freedom. This last deployment he served as the Afghan National Police Development Sergeant Major for the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan.

In addition to talking with all these tough guys we will be talking with one soft lady, who supports tough guys. Gina Elise from www.pinupsforvets.com will talk to CJ and Troy about what great things she is doing to benefit our troops with the gifts God has given her.

It is not a show to miss, so be sure to tell your friends, family and co-workers to tune in to www.blogtalkradio.com/youserved at 8PM EST.

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Queensrÿche Honors the “American Soldier”

March 25, 2009 By CJ
Posted in Blogroll, Uncategorized

Back in 1989, when I was a wee tot of about 15 years old, I went to my first concert alone with my sister and friends. I paid for the tickets with my own cash and felt the true rocker. The concert was the Damaged Justice Tour and the headliners were Metallica and Queensrÿche.

I can still hear the pounding drums and sweet guitar licks of the opening chords of “Revolution Calling”. Then, Geoff Tate’s sonic pipes would kick in and you were in another world entirely, hanging on every word of the lyrical stories he would tell. In my mind, Operation Mindcrime is the one of the best albums in history! Even today the lyrics to Revolution Calling speak to me:

Got no love for politicians
Or that crazy scene in D.C.
It’s just a power mad town
But the time is ripe for changes
There’s a growing feeling
That taking a chance on a new kind of vision is due

I used to trust the media
To tell me the truth, tell us the truth
But now I’ve seen the payoffs
Everywhere I look
Who do you trust when everyone’s a crook?

It was my first foray into politics and I was listening closely. When I lived with my father in Texas, I’ll crank up the LP (that’s a vinyl record to you yung’uns) while my father was at work. I just can’t get tired of Mindcrime and Empire!! Who doesn’t love “Silent Lucidity”? They recently released Mindcrime: Live and I was 15 again.

The band is about to release its next full-length album honorably titled “American Soldier” on March 31st. The band is teaming up with Jamsbio.com to celebrate the strength and courage of those who serve our country. Interviews with troops are laced throughout the well-produced album.

Probably the most emotional song on the album for me is the song “Unafraid”, the second track on the new album, that pretty much epitomizes the American Soldier!

I’m unafraid,
I fear nothing.
I’m unafraid,
I hope for nothing.
I’m unafraid,
I fear nothing.
I’m free! I’m free!
I’m unafraid,
I hope for nothing.
I’m free – you can believe in me.

The song will give you goosebumps of pride from start to finish. The problem with it is that you won’t want to continue on and listen to the rest of the songs on the album!! It’s that good. But, if you succumb to that temptation, you miss out on the rest of the gems from “American Soldier”.

“Hundred Mile Stare” encapsulates the essence of the combat Soldier trying make sense of what he’s just survived. “Middle of Hell” starts you on the edge of your seat with the whispered “wake up” and then gets your heart pounding as you experience combat through the eyes of a hero who at first thinks he’s dreaming only to find out he really is in the middle of hell. The reassuring “you’re gonna be alright” almost sounds ironic to the backdrop of a Soldier “just trying to hold on to whatever is left” of himself. “Man Down” is the musical version of the opening scenes of “Saving Private Ryan”, with heart pounding drum beats and combat hardened guitars piercing your soul as chaos reigns. “Home Again” will bring tears to your eyes. That’s all I’m going to say about that one.

JamsBio.com is hosting dozens of touching memories and dedications to soldiers, from servicemen and women and their loved ones about service, sacrifice, life on the frontlines and home front.

The project doesn’t officially kick off until next week. But, you can now enjoy early access to HONORING THE AMERICAN SOLDIER. As an important member of the military community, they’re letting us know first about this exciting opportunity to contribute to this unique project and pay tribute to our servicemen and woman by sharing music memories, song dedications and top-5 lists.

JamsBio.com is already host to dozens of touching memories and dedications to soldiers, from servicemen and women and their loved ones about service, sacrifice, life on the frontlines and home front. Here are just a few:

* My Soldier, a memory from armywife704 of Fort Bragg, NC
* My Brother Comes Home, a memory from kwalz of Kansas City, MO
* Radar Love, a memory from wedge of Redmond, WA
* 3-9-66, a dedication from Dave030966 of Inverness, FL
* Far Away in Korea, a dedication from lovelogan of Olney, IL
* Songs about Soldiers & Service, a JamsBio user-generated top-5 list
* Songs about Freedom, a JamsBio user-generated top-5 list

You too can leave dedications or leave behind your memories of how you tie service to music. As you all know, I’ve done many interviews about how music played a huge role in my combat time and throughout my military career. I can almost make a soundtrack of my life in the military.

Tomorrow, I will be interviewing Geoff Tate for a special edition of the You Served Radio Show and Podcast. The interview will be live at 1200 CST. If you miss the live interview, you’re out of luck for about a week. The show will not be listed as a podcast until next week. We’ll talk about the new album, their connections to the military, and this new Honoring the American Soldiers project.

Also, next week we’ll be talking to Matt Williams, co-founder of Jamsbio.com during our regular Thursday evening You Served Podcast. So, don’t miss it! We’ll also air our interview with Queensrÿche frontman Geoff Tate during the show for those that miss the live interview.

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Extraordinary Results from Ordinary People

By CJ
Posted in Uncategorized

Below is an op-ed submission from Army Colonel Robert Howard (ret.), a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his heroism in Vietnam. It’s about how challenging times ask us to act selflessly and with courage – much like our veterans have done. Today is National Medal of Honor Day.

By COL Robert Howard (USA Ret.)

Medal of Honor Recipient

When I joined the military in 1956, I was like many young men my age who enlisted; I wanted to protect the ideals of this country and also build a career. Little did I know that my experiences would lead to a Medal of Honor, and how poignant those lessons would be even now—53 years later—during our current national hardship.

Just after Christmas in 1968, I was on a mission to rescue a missing American soldier in enemy controlled Vietnam. We had just left the landing zone when we were attacked and many of us critically wounded, including me. For the next three and half hours, I had one choice: to lay and wait, or keep fighting for my men.

If I waited, I gambled that things would get better while I did nothing. If I kept fighting, no matter how painful, I could stack the odds that recovery for my men and a safe exodus was achievable.

Today on National Medal of Honor Day (3/25) —an annual tribute that I and other recipients humbly appreciate—I encourage Americans to recognize that in untenable situations, selfless people make the difference.

The Medal of Honor has been awarded only 3,448 times since the Civil War, and I’m reminded regularly by my fellow recipients (only 98 are living today) that extraordinary things can be accomplished by ordinary people from all parts of America.

Hard times ask us to put a greater good before our own interests. It is sometimes physically or emotionally painful. Yet throughout history, you will find common men and women who fought selflessly in a variety of ways for something so much larger than just their own benefit.

Today, we’re fighting terrorism and the spread of tyranny. We’re challenged by market upheaval, joblessness and perhaps hunger. But the human spirit is resilient and can withstand more than sometimes we are able to immediately comprehend.

It’s up to each of us to not lay and wait for better days, but instead look for opportunities to make the lives of those around us better. National Medal of Honor Day is not a celebration. It is a solemn time to reflect on the freedom we enjoy, its price, and how our own bravery can improve the world around us.

COL Robert Howard (USA Ret.) is president of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

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