Archive for May, 2009
May 26, 2009 By CJ
Posted in Patriotism, Spouse and Family, Why We Serve
Below is a special article written by Col. David Sutherland, the Middle East Region Division Chief on the Joint Staff who served as the commander of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, deployed to Diyala province, Iraq from October 2006 to December 2007. It’s about remembering our Gold Star families, a very important topic as we prepare to honor our fallen Soldiers this Memorial Day weekend. I apologize I didn’t get this in prior to yesterday.
While immense honor is paid to our men and women who have died in combat, I was recently reminded of a void where we, as citizens of this brave nation, often fall short.
A mother of one of my fallen Soldiers recently expressed sadness at how unfamiliar most American’s are with the concept of Gold Star families, those who have lost loved ones in a time of war. They bravely remain at home with a silent fear, constantly praying they never receive that dreaded knock on their doors.
Unfortunately, Memorial Day has been embedded with the myriad of holidays we often forget the true meaning of and take for granted. Unless directly affected, it often becomes a reason to sleep in, party or shop, rather than the day of remembrance and tribute it was declared to be.
However, this amazing American, like many Gold Star mothers before her, turned her sacrifice and loss into inspiration for service—leaving a lucrative position at a consulting firm to serve in a Contractor Team in Iraq. Other Gold Star families have started non-profits focused on serving those that protect and harness our freedom. They devote their lives to the service of our service men and women, shipping supplies to schools in Iraq, forming support groups for others mourning loss, or by becoming politically active to advocate veterans’ causes.
Through all of their difficulties, the dedication of our military families remains. It is, after all, their support that allows us to remain the greatest fighting force in the world. As our servicemembers raise their right hand to enlist or re-enlist, our families are right there with them. These families are the cornerstone of our strength – their sacrifices are great.
I recently had the honor of presenting General David Petraeus, U.S. Central Command commander, with the No Greater Sacrifice Foundation’s Freedom Award. During the ceremony, which honors the children of our fallen men and women, there were many Gold Star families in attendance. It was an honor to be amongst such strength and perseverance.
I asked one of the spouses what she would want the world to know about her husband, Staff Sgt. Donnie Dixon. With a moment of reflection, she boldly said, “Donnie was not just known for his sacrifice in the Army, but also for his family.
The love for his wife and four children – Shabria, Donnie Jr., Ta’Mya, and D’Andre, was his strength. “When we did our video teleconference [just before he was killed], I remember asking him why was he back out on patrol after [having been wounded in a recent suicide bombing]. His response was, ‘Ma, this is my job.’
“Right then I knew that after serving 17 years in the military, his heart was much bigger than I realized. Donnie not only lived his life Army Strong, but left us with a smile that would last a lifetime.”
Donnie and countless others unselfishly left their Gold Star families behind to continue the struggle in their absence. These families have lost their father, brother, sister, mother, son, daughter and the love of their lives while serving a cause far greater than most can imagine.
As I reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day, I humbly honor those members of the military I had the pleasure of serving with, most importantly my fallen and wounded Soldiers, who fought as true warriors and ultimately paid the greatest sacrifice. They are my heroes – their sacrifices are great.
Today, extensive security tasks remain before us as we achieve our objectives in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, defeat the al Qaeda network, and build greater partnership capacity. We execute this mission with the support of a great cadre of Veterans looking forward to a Middle East region of secure, stable, independent, peaceful and responsibly governed states, where the freedom and dignity of the peoples of the region are protected.
So this Memorial Day I ask you to join me. Recommit yourselves to not only remember our fallen service members, but the other half of our fallen who quietly serve, and often continue serving on their Soldiers’ behalf after their loved ones are gone. Never forget that this day is not only a symbol of our Soldiers’ sacrifices, but the sacrifices of their families, friends and comrades in arms.
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By myheroesathome
Posted in Guest Blogger, Life in the Military, Patriotism, Spouse and Family, Why We Serve
Since I became part of a military family, Memorial Day – along with Veteran’s Day, and Armed Forces Day – has taken on a special meaning. I am privileged to know, through my husband’s service and my own work with Heroes At Home, many soldiers and their families and I have seen the sacrifices they make. Last Memorial Day, as my husband served in Afghanistan, I stood at a cemetery service and listened to the bugler play Taps for our fallen troops, wondering if Paul would someday be among them. He came home. But today, as I watched the parade and drove past the row of flags erected along Main Street in our small town, I though of his best friend from college, his Army buddy of more than 10 years, who served bravely with him in Afghanistan, but didn’t return.
Bruno DeSolenni
Captain Bruno DeSolenni, a member of the Oregon Army National Guard, was killed when his convoy hit an IED last September. He was 32. Bruno and Paul went to college together and received their commissions in the same class. They worked together in the Guard for a decade, stationed in different cities, but connected thoroughly daily phone calls. When the mission to Afghanistan was offered, they made the decision to go together.
Paul wasn’t there when Bruno was killed. He was in Australia with me for R&R. When we got the news, Paul returned immediately to grieve with the rest of his team in Afghanistan and I went home to attend Bruno’s funeral.
I only met Bruno once, a couple of years ago. He and Paul passed through town on the way from one training to another and I met them for dinner. He was handsome, charming, and mischievous.
“Do you have any single friends with kids?” he asked.
“No, why?”
“That’s what I’m looking for,” he answered. “Instant family – just add Bruno!”
We spent no more than two hours together before the guys had to leave town. But I know Bruno better than that brief meeting could ever allow. I spent four days in California with his family after his death. I attended his rosary service and funeral and burial. I met his high school friends and his brothers, sister and parents. I spent time with his fiancée and the men who had served alongside him. I saw pictures and heard stories. I laughed, and cried, and prayed, and celebrated him.
And here’s what I know about Bruno: He was brave, and genuine and caring. He loved kids and hoped to have a big family. He was the peacemaker among those around him, always helping to heal rifts and bring people together again. He had tremendous faith, even in the most difficult situations. He prayed daily in Afghanistan and didn’t hesitate to share his beliefs with others. He was funny; always providing comic relief for his fellow soldiers. Women loved him, and he enjoyed the attention from ladies young and old alike. He was a good soldier. He was a good leader. While most of the Afghan army called their mentors Capt. Smith and Sgt. Jones, Bruno was just ‘Bruno.’ And the men he served with – both American and Afghan – adored him. Most importantly, what I know about Bruno is that he believed in the work he died doing.
Always making us laugh
As Memorial Day draws to a close, I hope you will take a moment to remember Bruno, and all the others who have given their lives for our freedom. I hope you will lift your thoughts to all of those who are still in harm’s way, and their families who wait at home, hoping that by next Memorial Day, they will all be together again. No one forced them to serve. They do it because they believe in freedom. They believe in us. Today – and everyday – I hope we can show them that we believe in them, too.
Read more from Katie Dyer at Heroes At Home
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May 25, 2009 By CJ
Posted in Uncategorized
President Obama gave a speech today at Arlington National Cemetery after the wreath-laying ceremony. In the speech, he urged all Americans to stop what they are doing at 3pm and honor those brave troops. Here is his speech in its entirety:
Thank you, Admiral Mullen, for that generous introduction and for your sterling service to our country. To members of our armed forces, to our veterans, to honored guests, and families of the fallen — I am deeply honored to be with you on Memorial Day.
Thank you to the superintendent, John Metzler, Jr., who cares for these grounds just as his father did before him; to the Third Infantry Regiment who, regardless of weather or hour, guard the sanctity of this hallowed ground with the reverence it deserves — we are grateful to you; to service members from every branch of the military who, each Memorial Day, place an American flag before every single stone in this cemetery — we thank you as well. We are indebted — we are indebted to all who tend to this sacred place.
Here lie Presidents and privates; Supreme Court justices and slaves; generals familiar to history, and unknown soldiers known only to God.
A few moments ago, I laid a wreath at their tomb to pay tribute to all who have given their lives for this country. As a nation, we have gathered here to repeat this ritual in moments of peace, when we pay our respects to the fallen and give thanks for their sacrifice. And we’ve gathered here in moments of war, when the somber notes of Taps echo through the trees, and fresh grief lingers in the air.
Today is one of those moments, where we pay tribute to those who forged our history, but hold closely the memory of those so recently lost. And even as we gather here this morning, all across America, people are pausing to remember, to mourn, and to pray.
Old soldiers are pulling themselves a little straighter to salute brothers lost a long time ago. Children are running their fingers over colorful ribbons that they know signify something of great consequence, even if they don’t know exactly why. Mothers are re-reading final letters home and clutching photos of smiling sons or daughters, as youthful and vibrant as they always will be.
They, and we, are the legacies of an unbroken chain of proud men and women who served their country with honor; who waged war so that we might know peace; who braved hardship so that we might know opportunity; who paid the ultimate price so we might know freedom.
Those who rest in these fields fought in every American war. They overthrew an empire and gave birth to revolution. They strained to hold a young union together. They rolled back the creeping tide of tyranny, and stood post through a long twilight struggle. And they took on the terror and extremism that threatens our world’s stability.
Their stories are the American story. More than seven generations of them are chronicled here at Arlington. They’re etched into stone, recounted by family and friends, and silently observed by the mighty oaks that have stood over burial after burial.
To walk these grounds then is to walk through that history. Not far from here, appropriately just across a bridge connecting Lincoln to Lee, Union and Confederate soldiers share the same land in perpetuity.
Just down the sweeping hill behind me rest those we lost in World War II, fresh-faced GIs who rose to the moment by unleashing a fury that saved the world. Next week, I’ll visit Normandy, the place where our fate hung on an operation unlike any ever attempted, where it will be my tremendous honor to address some of the brave men who stormed those beaches 65 years ago.
And tucked in a quiet corner to our north are thousands of those we lost in Vietnam. We know for many the casualties of that war endure — right now, there are veterans suffering and families tracing their fingers over black granite not two miles from here. They are why we pledge anew to remember their service and revere their sacrifice, and honor them as they deserve.
This cemetery is in and of itself a testament to the price our nation has paid for freedom. A quarter of a million marble headstones dot these rolling hills in perfect military order, worthy of the dignity of those who rest here. It can seem overwhelming. But for the families of the fallen, just one stone stands out — one stone that requires no map to find.
Today, some of those stones are found at the bottom of this hill in Section 60, where the fallen from Iraq and Afghanistan rest. The wounds of war are fresh in Section 60. A steady stream of visitors leaves reminders of life: photos, teddy bears, favorite magazines. Friends place small stones as a sign they stopped by. Combat units leave bottles of beer or stamp cigarettes into the ground as a salute to those they rode in battle with. Perfect strangers visit in their free time, compelled to tend to these heroes, to leave flowers, to read poetry — to make sure they don’t get lonely.
If the fallen could speak to us, what would they say? Would they console us? Perhaps they might say that while they could not know they’d be called upon to storm a beach through a hail of gunfire, they were willing to give up everything for the defense of our freedom; that while they could not know they’d be called upon to jump into the mountains of Afghanistan and seek an elusive enemy, they were willing to sacrifice all for their country; that while they couldn’t possibly know they would be called to leave this world for another, they were willing to take that chance to save the lives of their brothers and sisters in arms.
What is thing, this sense of duty? What tugs at a person until he or she says “Send me”? Why, in an age when so many have acted only in pursuit of the narrowest self-interest, have the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines of this generation volunteered all that they have on behalf of others? Why have they been willing to bear the heaviest burden?
Whatever it is, they felt some tug; they answered a call; they said “I’ll go.” That is why they are the best of America, and that is what separates them from those of us who have not served in uniform — their extraordinary willingness to risk their lives for people they never met.
My grandfather served in Patton’s Army in World War II. But I cannot know what it is like to walk into battle. I’m the father of two young girls — but I can’t imagine what it’s like to lose a child. These are things I cannot know. But I do know this: I am humbled to be the Commander-in-Chief of the finest fighting force in the history of the world.
I know that there is nothing I will not do to keep our country safe, even as I face no harder decision than sending our men and women to war — and no moment more difficult than writing a letter to the families of the fallen. And that’s why as long as I am President, I will only send our troops into harm’s way when it is absolutely necessary, and I will always provide them with the equipment and support they need to get the job done.
I know that military families sacrifice more than we can understand, and feel an absence greater than we can comprehend. And that’s why Michelle and I are committed to easing their burden.
And I know what a grateful nation owes to those who serve under its proud flag. And that’s why I promise all our servicemen and women that when the guns fall silent, and you do return home, it will be to an America that is forever here for you, just as you’ve been there for us.
With each death, we are heartbroken. With each death, we grow more determined. This bustling graveyard can be a restless place for the living, where solace sometimes comes only from meeting others who know similar grief. But it reminds us all the meaning of valor; it reminds us all of our own obligations to one another; it recounts that most precious aspect of our history, and tells us that we will only rise or fall together.
So on this day of silent remembrance and solemn prayer I ask all Americans, wherever you are, whoever you’re with, whatever you’re doing, to pause in national unity at 3:00 this afternoon. I ask you to ring a bell, or offer a prayer, say a silent “thank you.” And commit to give something back to this nation — something lasting — in their memory; to affirm in our own lives and advance around the world those enduring ideals of justice, equality, and opportunity for which they and so many generations of Americans have given that last full measure of devotion.
God bless you, God bless the fallen, and God bless the United States of America.
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May 24, 2009 By CJ
Posted in Military News
First of all, I’m glad that everyone has left such moving comments for 1LT Roslyn Shulte. As a fellow intelligence professional, her skills will be sorely missed as well as her friendship and smiles to her family and friends. The Saint Louis Beacon sent me the following link to Shulte’s obituary and I wanted to share portions of it and direct you to the rest.
When Air Force 1st Lt. Roslyn Schulte, a member of the U.S. intelligence team in Afghanistan, traversed the dangerous roads of a mountainous, she usually did so side by side with a Navy colleague, Lt. Shivan Sivalingam.
“Roz and I usually traveled together on longer trips. We were almost always paired off together in the same vehicle,” Lt. Sivalingam wrote recently. “That’s how we wanted it, and how the mission planners did it.”
On Saturday, Lt. Sivalingam was making one of the longest trips of her life, and she was doing it alone. She was on her way back to the U.S. for the funeral of her friend, Roz Schulte, 25, the first female U.S. Air Force Academy graduate to be killed in action.
The Defense Department reported that Lt. Schulte, a Ladue native, was killed May 20 by a roadside bomb near Kabul in Afghanistan, where the U.S. has been fighting al Qaeda since October 2001. She was part of a convoy, without Lt. Sivalingam, traveling from Camp Eggers, Kabul, to Bagram Airfield to participate in a Joint Task Force Intelligence Sharing Conference.
Read the rest of this well-written piece by Gloria Ross HERE.
1 Comment »
May 23, 2009 By Claire
Posted in Patriotism, Podcast, Spouse and Family
Join me Monday, Memorial Day (observed), at 1:00pm EST, for a special You Served Blog Talk Radio show.
Bob Parks, a Navy Veteran, owner of the website Black & Right.com, an “African American leader” according to the Washington Times, conservative activist, and co-founder of New Media Alliance Television will join us Monday to talk about Memorial Day, what it means to him and any how we can observe it respectfully.
Also joining me on the show is Jim Spiri. Jim and his wife of 35-years, Candi, are both Gold and Blue star parents. The Spiri’s lost their beloved son, 2nd Lieutenant Jesse James Spiri to a brain tumor. Lt. Spiri served in the USMC.
A battle with Tri-Care followed the death of their son that led them to Congress and the passing of the “2nd Lt. Jesse James Spiri Military Medical Coverage Act of 2004″ signed by former President George W. Bush, on November 25, 2003.
The Spiri’s youngest son joined the Army in 2000 and is currently serving in his 5th deployment. He is an Army Aviator flying CH47 helicopters. Jim and Candi have joined their son in Iraq on several occasions filling various jobs and roles. Jim traveled with the USMC Infantry and US Army Infantry as a combat photographer during the Surge.
Jim will join us and talk about the trips he has been on to Iraq, his love for America’s sons and daughters who are in harms way in that war zone, and what he is doing to try and go back again.
I also have a few Memorial Day write ups submitted by listeners and readers that I will read off at the end of the show.
It’s sure to be a great show! Please join us if you can. I will have the chat room open right before the show. I hope to see you there!
3 Comments »
May 22, 2009 By Troy
Posted in Charities/Contests, Video
Joint Forces Command HQ in Brunssum, Netherlands is sponsoring a video contest called “Why Afghanistan Matters”. The intent is to provide a "boots on the ground" perspective of the military mission in Afghanistan from the point of view of those most closely involved.
They will not edit clips for content, but will exclude contest submissions that jeopardize troop security, or show objectionable, disturbing or offensive material.
The contest is open to military personnel who are serving, or have served the mission in Afghanistan. You can follow progress by subscribing to RSS updates. or checking out our Twitter feed.
The contest will be open for submissions during June, July and August. They will post your videos once approved as a qualifying submission. From 1 to 30 September, they will allow further video rating, and winners will be selected on 1 October.
Winners determined by highest average rating. One (1) winner will receive a digital camcorder, valued at approximately $600 US; three (3) winners will receive digital camcorders valued at approximately $150 US each.
So make your video, upload it and tell NATO and the World, why Afghanistan Matters. Go to their website at contest.afghanistanmatters.com/ to learn more, see the official rules and upload your video.
1 Comment »
By Troy
Posted in Life in the Military, Patriotism, Spouse and Family, Why We Serve
by Army Col. David Sutherland, Middle East Region Division Chief – Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.
While immense honor is paid to our men and women who have died in combat, I was recently reminded of a void where we, as citizens of this brave nation, often fall short.
A mother of one of my fallen Soldiers recently expressed sadness at how unfamiliar most American’s are with the concept of Gold Star families, those who have lost loved ones in a time of war. They bravely remain at home with a silent fear, constantly praying they never receive that dreaded knock on their doors.
Unfortunately, Memorial Day has been embedded with the myriad of holidays we often forget the true meaning of and take for granted. Unless directly affected, it often becomes a reason to sleep in, party or shop, rather than the day of remembrance and tribute it was declared to be.
However, this amazing American, like many Gold Star mothers before her, turned her sacrifice and loss into inspiration for service—leaving a lucrative position at a consulting firm to serve in a Contractor Team in Iraq. Other Gold Star families have started non-profits focused on serving those that protect and harness our freedom. They devote their lives to the service of our service men and women, shipping supplies to schools in Iraq, forming support groups for others mourning loss, or by becoming politically active to advocate veterans’ causes.
Through all of their difficulties, the dedication of our military families remains. It is, after all, their support that allows us to remain the greatest fighting force in the world. As our servicemembers raise their right hand to enlist or re-enlist, our families are right there with them. These families are the cornerstone of our strength – their sacrifices are great.
I recently had the honor of presenting General David Petraeus, U.S. Central Command commander, with the No Greater Sacrifice Foundation’s Freedom Award. During the ceremony, which honors the children of our fallen men and women, there were many Gold Star families in attendance. It was an honor to be amongst such strength and perseverance.
I asked one of the spouses what she would want the world to know about her husband, Staff Sgt. Donnie Dixon. With a moment of reflection, she boldly said, “Donnie was not just known for his sacrifice in the Army, but also for his family.
The love for his wife and four children – Shabria, Donnie Jr., Ta’Mya, and D’Andre, was his strength. “When we did our video teleconference [just before he was killed], I remember asking him why was he back out on patrol after [having been wounded in a recent suicide bombing]. His response was, ‘Ma, this is my job.’
“Right then I knew that after serving 17 years in the military, his heart was much bigger than I realized. Donnie not only lived his life Army Strong, but left us with a smile that would last a lifetime.”
Donnie and countless others unselfishly left their Gold Star families behind to continue the struggle in their absence. These families have lost their father, brother, sister, mother, son, daughter and the love of their lives while serving a cause far greater than most can imagine.
As I reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day, I humbly honor those members of the military I had the pleasure of serving with, most importantly my fallen and wounded Soldiers, who fought as true warriors and ultimately paid the greatest sacrifice. They are my heroes – their sacrifices are great.
Today, extensive security tasks remain before us as we achieve our objectives in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, defeat the al Qaeda network, and build greater partnership capacity. We execute this mission with the support of a great cadre of Veterans looking forward to a Middle East region of secure, stable, independent, peaceful and responsibly governed states, where the freedom and dignity of the peoples of the region are protected.
So this Memorial Day I ask you to join me. Recommit yourselves to not only remember our fallen service members, but the other half of our fallen who quietly serve, and often continue serving on their Soldiers’ behalf after their loved ones are gone. Never forget that this day is not only a symbol of our Soldiers’ sacrifices, but the sacrifices of their families, friends and comrades in arms.
Col. David Sutherland is Middle East Region Division Chief on the Joint Staff and served as the commander of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, deployed to Diyala province, Iraq from October 2006 to December 2007.
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May 21, 2009 By CJ
Posted in Military News
I’m posting with permission from the author. This story was on her Facebook page and I wanted to share it with all of you:
From my friend~a Navy Lt serving in Afghanistan:
Yesterday, my closest friend for the last couple months, Roslyn Schulte, was killed in a roadside bombing halfway between here and Bagram. She is one of the most incredible people I have ever known, and I want to tell you about her. I had only known her about three months, but she was assigned to my unit, and so, she and I being the only two junior officers in the group, she had the unfortunate pleasure of having to hangout with me. I can probably count on one hand the number of times we did not eat at least one meal of the day together since she arrived here in early March.
Ros was truly an exceptional person. Usually when you hear that about someone who just died, it’s almost always exaggeration, if not pure BS. With Ros, it’s not. She passed up on the Ivy leagues to go to the Air Force Academy. She qualified for state in five different sports in high school, was an all-American in college, a qualified pilot. She was ALWAYS kind to others. She went out of her way to call her mom and dad two or three times a week every week she was here. Sorry I don’t do that, Mom and Dad. No one did, except for Ros. She dreamed of getting out of the air force to settle down and start a family. She didn’t drink. She didn’t like the lifestyle of the military — said it didn’t work well for family. She wanted to be a successful business owner (like her mom), but worried that would interfere with raising a family.
I’ve gotten good at bragging about her in the last 38 hours or so since we lost her. I’m generally recognized as her closest friend on base. It’s an honor. But with that comes great misery too. I don’t think there are too many people here who haven’t seen me sobbing or choked up at some point in the last couple days. It feels strange for me as well, given I’m usually a pretty emotionless person. What is this watery substance hat appears to be forming in my eyes??
Ros and I usually traveled together on longer trips. We were almost always paired off together, in the same vehicle. That’s how we wanted it, and how the mission planners did. Yesterday however I had to go somewhere else. We saw each other briefly in the morning, just shy of 7am. She was walking from her room, my convoy was already staged and waiting. She saluted me, in typical jest. Junior officers usually don’t salute other junior officers, especially when they know each other. Without too much said, we each went our separate ways — I fully expected we would both be back having a meal together at Camp Eggers that evening. In fact, even though the day had just begun, I was already looking forward to that. She was my friend. My helicopter took off at 8am. By all accounts, Ros was killed halfway between Kabul and Bagram about 8:05. When my helicopter landed at the destination, around 9am, I got the news that there had been an attack along the route I knew she would be taking. Being a logical person, I quickly jumped to hope — that it was a well-traveled route for coalition forces, what are the chances that the one vehicle hit would be the one that Ros was driving? But something just didn’t seem right, and my worst fears were confirmed in the excruciating minutes and hours after that initial news. No news is clear, especially when spotty reports are coming over cell phones, etc. But I would guess around 10am or 10:30, we got a phone call that Ros was dead.
I’m writing this to you so you can know a little bit about this wonderful person, Ros Schulte. My friend. I think it’s ironic that this is happening just shy of Memorial Day, but I hope you will think of her this day. Fly a flag or something. I don’t know. I’ve never lost anyone who was this close to me in my life — someone who was a fixture, who I counted on to be there everyday — so I don’t know how to handle this stuff. But I do know that many of the people in my unit have been writing back to their family and friends about Ros. And I figured since she and I were the closest, I should do the same too. And you should honor her, because she was my friend.
39 Comments »
By Troy
Posted in MilBlogger Interviews
7:00:52 PM: We had a little intro problem
7:05:06 PM: New blog entry: 05/21/09 You Served Radio Live Blog http://bit.ly/qIN6t
7:11:37 PM: We are talking with Tim Holbert from National Memorial Day Parade
7:13:53 PM: Gary SInise, ADM Mullen, Ernest Borgnine will all be in the Parade
7:15:25 PM: The Memorial Day Parade will be available after the parade to watch on the web
7:16:20 PM: Lee Greenwood will be performing at 1:30 PM EST
7:18:49 PM: http://www.nationalmemorialdayparade.com is the website for the parade
7:19:06 PM: The parade starts at 2PM
7:27:31 PM: We are talking to Dom from http://www.hooahradio.com
7:27:59 PM: Dom is a 10 year, 2 war vet
7:29:15 PM: Dom has a son in the Army who is a war vet
7:32:11 PM: Hooah Radio started in October 2005
7:33:02 PM: No politics, race or religion to the airwaves
7:34:29 PM: Hooah Radio has had lots of music, TV and movie stars on the show
7:37:06 PM: Independent artist can email Dom@hooahradio.com and send him their music to be played on hooah radio
7:41:38 PM: listening to one strip, one star at a time
7:43:27 PM: Hooah Radio is getting 10 million hits a month
7:45:42 PM: You Served Radio starts broadcasting on Hooahradio.com on June 4th. Same time slot, 7-9PM EST
7:46:54 PM: HooahRadio.com reached over 200 countries last month
7:51:16 PM: This Sunday starts the Vision-strike-wear.com and hooahradio.com giveaway
7:53:37 PM: Hooah Radio lives off of donations and the few sponsors they have
7:54:13 PM: Vision Strike Wear is helping create a new HooahRadio logo and Hooah Radio store
7:59:01 PM: Dom is from Syracuse, NY
8:03:12 PM: Again, You Served radio will start broadcasting on HooahRadio.com (in addition to Blog Talk Radio). on June 4th, 2009
8:03:54 PM: Now listening to American Story Teller
8:05:31 PM: Next up on You Served is Mike Volkin
8:09:11 PM: Mike Volkin is a vet of OIF and OEF
8:12:14 PM: Mike was a Chemical Operations Spec. (NBC guy)
8:12:44 PM: Mike went into the Army after 9/11 as a lower enlisted soldier even though he had a Graduate degree
8:21:34 PM: 80% of Mike’s book is about hot to prepare mentally and 20% is dedicated to phsyical prepararation
8:24:32 PM: Mike is still a serving member in the reserves
8:26:11 PM: Mike’s website is at http://www.UltimateBasicTraining.com and buy the book or try Amazon.com
8:26:29 PM: Mike signs every book that is ordered off of his site
8:27:28 PM: go to http://www.UltimateBasicTraining.com & order a book & put in the coupon code “youserved” and you will get $5 off the book for the next week
8:29:45 PM: Mike is on Blogtalkradio.com/michael-volkin radio show every Monday 9:30 AM PST
8:31:47 PM: playing Home Again from Queensryche
8:36:51 PM: We are not talking with our first “on loan” blogger
8:37:24 PM: http://www.myheroesathome.com/blog is Katie’s blog
8:39:10 PM: Katie started to write the blog to discuss the tough parts of deployment
8:42:52 PM: Katie’s husband was in Afghanistan as an ETT
8:43:42 PM: Katie talked about having a “Battle Buddy” which is someone that has been through a deployment
9:08:06 PM: Katie was a great guest a smart spouse and is helping a log of people.
9:09:37 PM: This ends the You Served Radio Live Blog. Be sure 2 tune in next week @ 7PM EST on Thur to listen to our special Enhanced Interrogation show
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By Troy
Posted in Uncategorized
We have a full show tonight talking a wide range of topics. First up we will have Tim Holbert who is the organizer for National Memorial Day Parade. It will take place on Monday, May 25, 2009 at 2:00PM on Constitution Avenue between 7th and 17th streets NW. The parade has been going on since it was re-established in 2005 after a 70 year hiatus in our nation’s capital. It is the largest Memorial Day Celebration in America and will have more the 250,000 in attendance honoring those who have served and sacrificed. There will be marching bands, veterans units, and uniformed military personnel from around the country. The parade will also feature a special tribute to the U.S. Navy, and include Navy vet and Oscar winner Ernest Borgnine, fellow actors and veterans’ supporters Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna, and music star Lee Greenwood. Also participating is Edith Shain, the nurse from the famous World War II “V-J Day in Times Square” kiss photograph. For more information, visit www.nationalmemorialdayparade.com.
Right after Tim, we will be talking with Dom who is the station owner and founder of Hooah Radio!!!, www.hooahradio.com. Dom will be on to talk about his military past, why he started Hooah Radio and how it has grown over the last four years. Hooah Radio gets millions of hits a month, is carried all over the world via the internet and is recognized by the Department of Defense. Hooah Radio is a non profit online radio station that is in the top 10% of all online radio stations based on the amount of listeners.
We will also be talking with Mike Volkin who is the author of The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook (www.UltimateBasicTraining.com). Michael Volkin is a U.S. Army veteran. He served in Operation Enduring/Iraqi Freedom as a Chemical Operations Specialist and received an Army Commendation Medal for his efforts and for the fitness programs he designed to help his fellow soldiers. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Science from Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas and also a Real Estate Brokers Degree. The Ultimate Basic Training Series is straightforward, easy to understand and applies to every branch of the military.
Last but not least we will be chatting with the first and current You Served “On Loan” Blogger, Katie Dyer. Katie writes her blog at www.myheroesathome.com/blog. This blog is part of her website and her LLC. Heroes At Home, LLC was created to help deployed military personnel celebrate, honor and stay in touch with their heroes at home.
Katie is the Founder of Heroes At Home, LLC. She spent 10 years as a news anchor, and now writes and speaks about deployment issues full-time, in addition to managing our gift services division. Katie’s other passion is animals. She volunteers in local shelters, and was a First Responder for the American Humane Association during Hurricane Katrina.
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