Monthly Archives: September 2011

Photo of the Day – Get Some

Posted on September 9, 2011 by CJ| 1 Comment

You DON’T want to be on the receiving end of these guys in Aghanistan!


Spc. Dan White, native of Coventry, R.I. and team leader attached to the Laghman Provincial Reconstruction Team, fires the M24 sniper rifle at the off-base firing range near forward operating base Mehtar Lam Sept. 3. Members from the PRT traveled to the range to practice with crew serve, primary and secondary weapons along with M-203 grenade launchers and the M24 sniper rifle.


Sgt. 1st Class Brian Lancey, a native of Norwich, Conn., and platoon sergeant attached to the Laghman Provincial Reconstruction Team, fires the M249 squad automatic weapon at the off-base firing range near Forward Operating Base Mehtar Lam Sept. 3. Members from the PRT traveled to the range to practice with crew serve, primary and secondary weapons along with M203 grenade launchers and the M24 sniper rifle. Photos by Staff Sgt. Ryan Crane.

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Remembering 9/11- Have you forgotten?

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Troy| Leave a comment

This video was put together by someone as a tribute to those who lost their lives on 9/11 and our military and leaders back then. Darryl Worley is a big troop supporter and a huge patriot. This video was put to his song, Have You Forgotten, which is very appropriate as we approach the ten year anniversary.

 

 

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Posted in Patriotism, Video, Why We Serve

Charity Donates Computers To Soldiers’ Families

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Troy| Leave a comment

I have never heard of this organization or of this happening last year. What an awesome thing to happen in order to help keep these families connected during deployments.

For the second year in a row, the Armed Forces Foundation is helping 50 Army families in Fayetteville get 100 computers to help them stay in touch with their Soldiers during military deployments.  During the August 17 event each family received a desktop for their home and a laptop for the Soldier to take on deployments for the lengthy separation from their families.  The HP computer firm and Aaron’s Inc. helped make the equipment available as these computers were presented at a reception at the Airborne & Special Operations Museum. To read this entire article, please go to: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2011/08/ap-foundation-donates-computers-soldiers-families-081711/

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Posted in Charities/Contests, Patriotism, Spouse and Family

Remembering 9/11- Street Footage

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Troy| Leave a comment

This news clip is from ABC on the morning of 9/11/01 as they started to collect up “on the street” footage of the towers falling and the people running from the towers. There is also candid footage of (then) Mayor Guliani trying to assess the footage and make his way to the World Trade Center.

 

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Posted in Patriotism, Video, Why We Serve

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Photo of the Day – The Day That Changed My Life For the Better

Posted on September 8, 2011 by CJ| 3 Comments


I’ve done a lot of cool stuff in my life. I’ve done things that I’ve been really proud of and things that made others proud of me. I’ve been to the White House, traveled the world (including 5 continents), served in two wars, overcome alcoholism, and hiked the Grand Canyon. I’ve met important people from politicians to actors and singers to Medal of Honor recipients. I’ve visited Wounded Warriors at Walter Reed, school children that adopted troops at an elementary school in Georgia, and disabled veterans who fought in WWII and Vietnam. I’ve hosted my own radio show (three different shows), penned my own column in a weekly paper, and authored a popular military blog. I’ve fought schools systems, toxic military leaders, anti-war activists, and religious bigots who also hate troops.

But, none of these compare to the one thing I’ve done in my life that changed me the most for the better. One things stands above all else as the single most important event ever. It involves the ONE person that is more important than all other to me.

On this day in 1995, I married the woman of my dreams. Over the years, I’ve become more than just close to her; I don’t know where I end and she begins (to paraphrase Leo Tolstoy). 16 years later, she still makes my heart quicken when I see her glowing face. Her gentle voice eases back into comfort and serenity. The very touch of her hand sends invisible shockwaves through my body that mimic what touching an angel must feel like. The touch of her face would make even the finest silk maker envious. She’s a habit I don’t want to break.

16 years later, I’m more in love with my wife than ever before. For some, love appears in moments and is gone just as quickly as it came. For me, love appeared for eternity.

I want to wish my wife a very Happy Anniversary! While I wish I could be there with her (especially after the disaster that last year was), but I’m blessed with a wife that understands the sacrifices I feel the need to make. I couldn’t be who I am without her undying love and support. I look forward to the next 16 years and beyond with the love of my life and after. I love you, Emily.

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Message From the 38th Chief of Staff of the Army

Posted on September 7, 2011 by CJ| Leave a comment


Gen. Raymond Odierno hands a coin to Spc. Aaron Smith of the 17th Fires Brigade. Odierno was visiting COB Basra to present coins to the Soldiers of the 17th FB after attending briefings at its headquarters as part of a battlefield circulation. Photo by SSG Adam Stone.

Today, Army General Ray Odierno was sworn in as the 38th Chief of Staff of the Army in a ceremony at the Pentagon. Odierno is a 1976 graduate of West Point and has served in the army for more than 34 years. He also served as the Commanding General of US forces in Iraq. Today, he released the following statement to Soldiers:

I am honored and humbled to be your 38th Chief of Staff. Over the last 10 years our Army has proven itself in arguably the most difficult environment we have ever faced. Our leaders at every level have displayed unparalleled ingenuity, flexibility and adaptability. Our Soldiers have displayed mental and physical toughness and courage under fire. They have transformed the Army into the most versatile, agile, rapidly deployable and sustainable strategic land force in the world. Our Army is the Nation’s force of decisive action, extremely relevant and highly effective for a wide range of missions. Trust is the bedrock of our honored Profession – trust between each other, trust between Soldiers and Leaders, trust between Soldiers and their Families and the Army, and trust with the American people.

Today is like no other time in our history. We remain at war, and our top priority is to win the current fight. It is also a time of uncertainty and historic change. We face a multitude of security challenges, such as transnational and regional terrorism in places like Yemen, Somalia, North Africa and Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas. We have the uncertainty of the Arab Spring, the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and challenges of rising powers. All of this is underpinned by fiscal constraint.

Despite the challenges, we confront the future from a position of great strength. Our Army will continue to be the best equipped, best trained, and best led force in the world. The strength of our Nation is our Army; the strength of our Army is our Soldiers; the strength of our Soldiers is our Families. This is what makes us Army Strong.

Along with the Secretary of the Army, in the coming weeks I will share thoughts on our way forward. This includes sustaining our All-Volunteer Army, providing depth and versatility to the Joint Force, and ensuring flexibility for defense of our interests at home and abroad.

I am proud to serve in your ranks, filled by great men and women that willingly serve our country. You are courageous, confident, competent, and compassionate. You live our Army Values 24/7 in all you do. Discipline, high standards, and fitness are your watch words. You are the best our country has to offer. I look forward to seeing you as I visit your camps, posts, stations, and operating bases. Thank you for your steadfast dedication and loyal service to our Nation.

//Original Signed//
Raymond T. Odierno
Chief of Staff, U.S. Army

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Posted in Military News

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WE NEED YOU for the 9/11 Memorial Show

Posted on September 7, 2011 by Troy| Leave a comment

Next week on You Served Radio we will be having a 9/11 Memorial Show. Because of the calendar this year, our show will actually happen on Tuesday Sept. 13th. Our first guest of the evening is former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Needless to say we are very excited about this show and of course this interview.

Later on in the show we will have our good friend Nick Palmisciano, who is CEO of Ranger-UP (www.rangerup.com). However between those two great guests and maybe after the interview with Nick, we are looking to hear from you, our readers and listeners of this blog and the radio show.

We would like you to take a few minutes and record us a short audio recording telling us and our listeners answers to any of these questions:

  1. What does this 10th anniversary mean to you?
  2. What were you doing that day 10 years ago and what emotions and memories do you have from that time.
  3. Any reflections of feelings on our country since that time 10 years ago.
  4. Or any other thoughts, opinions or reflections you may have related to the terrible attacks on our country.

You can say your name or not. It is up to you. If you have a personal connection to a family member or friend that was personally affected by the attacks or any of the wars since the attack and would like to recognize them, feel free to mention it in the recording.

After you follow the instructions below, I ask that you email the recording to troy@youserved.com. I will take it from there. I also ask that you send these absolutely no later 5PM EDT on Sept. 12th. The sooner the better so I can make the adjustments I need to in order to merge the files together. Lastly if you don’t have time or don’t want to do this, but would still like to share your feelings, you can call in live next week to our show from 8-10PM EDT at 866-696-9150 and say it live on the air as we get time.

Now there are several ways to do this. If you have a digital audio recorder then you probably know how to use that. I will provide instructions here in case you don’t. Since you are reading this blog, I know you have a computer. Here is how you can use a computer to record yourself talking about one of the above topics. 

Windows Vista:

  1. Click START
  2. Click ALL PROGRAMS
  3. Click ACCESSORIES folder
  4. Click on SOUND RECORDER
  5. When you are ready (assuming you have either a microphone plugged into your computer or you are using an internal one), click START RECORDING.
  6. Record your audio.
  7. When you are done, click Stop Recording.
  8. Save the file somewhere easy to find it, like your desktop. Please name it 911_YOURNAME.wma.
  9. Then you can email it to me at troy@youserved.com

Windows XP/2000:

  1. Click START
  2. Click ALL PROGRAMS
  3. Click ACCESSORIES folder
  4. Click on ENTERTAINMENT
  5. Click on SOUND RECORDER
  6. When you are ready (assuming you have either a microphone plugged into your computer or you are using an internal one), click START RECORDING.
  7. Record your audio.
  8. When you are done, click Stop Recording.
  9. Click FILE, SAVE AS..
  10. Save the file somewhere easy to find it, like your desktop. Please name it 911_YOURNAME.wav
  11. Then you can email it to me at troy@youserved.com
If you are on a Mac
  1. Open your APPLICATIONS folder
  2. Click on QuickTime Player.
  3. On the Menu, click FILE, NEW AUDIO RECORDING
  4. Click the down arrow on the right side of the QuickTime player and select where you want the file saved (Desktop is recommended for quickly finding it).
  5. Click the red record button and record your file.
  6. Click the stop button when complete.
  7. Email the file (from where you saved it in step #4) to troy@youserved.com.
We look forward to hearing from you.

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Posted in Patriotism, Podcast, Wall of Honor, You Served Radio

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Photo of the Day – Sand Boogers

Posted on September 7, 2011 by CJ| Leave a comment

I haven’t stopped sneezing since I got here. Even though I have minor allergies back home to cats, I still don’t sneeze much around them. I get a little itchy, but sneezing isn’t something I’m confounded by very often. However, the dust in this part of Afghanistan is terrible.

You wake up to it, you suffer through it all day, and you go to sleep to it. The speed limits around Kandahar are kept artificially low to try and minimize the amount of dust kicked into the atmosphere by the heavy vehicular traffic on the FOB. Water trucks spend the entire day dousing the roads with water to cut down on more, but it dries quite quickly in the 100+ degree temperatures.

Even being indoors doesn’t help much. The dust gets through the nooks, cracks, and crannies and fly in every time a door is opened. It travels through the air conditioning in the buildings and settles on everything. And then…there’s the sandstorms!


U.S. Army Pfc. Johnny Nguyen, rifleman, prepares for a sandstorm on Forward Operating Base Smart, Afghanistan, Sept. 3. Nguyen is a member of Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul’s security force and is deployed from the Massachusetts National Guard.

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Remembering 9/11- The Jumpers

Posted on September 7, 2011 by Troy| Leave a comment

No introduction really needed for this one. Just advice to maybe grab a tissue as I am sure the feelings of that morning, the sadness, the helplessness may come back to you as you watch this video.

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Posted in Video, Wall of Honor

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Tonight on Episode #158 of You Served Radio

Posted on September 6, 2011 by Troy| Leave a comment

We have a jam-packed show tonight on You Served Radio that you don’t want to miss. First up is Mr. Koby J. Langley from the National Resource Directory. Mr. Langley is the senior adviser for strategic planning and outreach in the Office of Wounded Warrior Care and Transition Policy. In that role, he is responsible for the development of strategic plans related to wounded, ill, injured and transitioning Service members and interagency and public/private collaboration.

Next up are Adrian & Ryan Patrick from the band Otherwise (http://weareotherwise.com/site/). Adrian & Ryan Patrick are first generation American rockers, descendants of Indian/Irish gypsies. After years of fighting for the All-American dream, they are finally embarking on their first major national tour…by guest appearing with In This Moment on THE ROCKSTAR MAYHEM FEST 2010! Being born and raised in Sin City, the Brothers Patrick sharpened their skills under the harsh neon glare of the infamous Las Vegas Strip.

OTHERWISE, released their new single, “SOLDIERS,” a tribute to 9/11 victims and their families and fallen or injured soldiers and their families. The band will donate proceeds from the single to two nationally recognized charitable organizations, after the live premiere on Saturday, September 10, 2011 at The Toxic Airborne Event at the 2011 Extreme Thing Concert.
On Sunday, September 11, 2011, OTHERWISE will donate all proceeds from iTunes sales of the single to the Families of September 11, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the effects of terrorism, and championing domestic policies to prevent terrorist acts. All proceeds from September 12 – September 19 will be donated directly to the Wounded Warriors Project, a project that provides programs and services to severely injured service members during the time between active duty and transition to civilian life.
Brothers, Adrian and Ryan Patrick of OTHERWISE wrote the single as a tribute to those affected by the terrorist acts of 9/11 and to the soldiers of the world, and are looking forward to giving back to them with the release of their single. The single is a prelude to their full length debut album, due to be released in early 2012.

Our last guest for the night is Mr. Joe Caley. Joe served in Vietnam with the 25th Infantry Platoon Scout Dog, 1st Cavalry, U.S. Army. He is also a wounded warrior and a spokesperson for WWP.

About Wounded Warrior Project
Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is a national, non-partisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida and was created to honor and empower wounded warriors. The purpose of WWP is to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members; to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other; and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs.

WWP assists wounded warriors and their families through a holistic approach to their recovery. Whether through caregiver retreats, combat stress programs, career and education services, or adaptive sporting opportunities, WWP empowers warriors with the tools essential to not just survive their injuries but to thrive and achieve personal and professional success.

WWP was founded in Roanoke, Virginia in 2003 by a group of veterans and friends who took action to help the injured service men and women of this generation. WWP has a field staff across the country and maintain offices in Chicago, IL; Jacksonville, FL; New York, NY; San Diego, CA; San Antonio, TX and Washington, DC. To get involved and learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org.

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Posted in You Served Radio