I’ve recently had the pleasure of getting to know a great American patriot by the name of George Samek. George is a Vietnam Veteran. He recently had the idea of raising a few dollars to purchase a few laptops for wounded troops. The project evolved into something even beyond what he thought it would become. Not long after starting the project, he had enough money to purchase more than 25 laptops.
Instead of just shipping off the laptops to the abyss of the postal service, Samek got together a band of patriotic misfits to deliver them in person on September 11, 2009. Hear this great warrior talk about this experience from WECT:
And not only is his idea gaining recognition here, it’s going international. The Canada Free Press recently the Laptops for Wounded Warriors program.
For some of America’s wounded warriors who have risked all in the defence of freedom, the recovery may be swift. For others who have lost precious limbs or endured near death burns at the hands of terrorists and insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan, their challenging recovery may span months, to years, to a lifetime. The donated laptops serve not only as a window to the world but will also enable America’s wounded warriors to do something most take for granted—and that is to be able to say “goodnight” to their loved ones and keep in close touch with their families who often live in different states.
After contacting Walter Reed, Samek learned that laptops are the one item that the wounded warriors really wanted and truly needed and he began seeking donations to fulfill this need. As a veteran, his heart lies with America’s armed forces and for years he has been apart of the troop support organization, The Gathering of Eagles. “As a simple old soldier I wish to say thanks to each of you for joining in to make this happen,” Samek said, “I work for smiles from my military and those smiles become a good reason for them to know they know we care and they are not alone.”
The mighty band of patriots at Walter Reed included Captain Larry Bailey, Chairman of The Gathering of Eagles. Among the remarkable special mothers who attended, were Gold Star Mother, Muriel Pederson whose son, Sgt Ken Pederson USMC was killed in action in Vietnam and Gold Star Mother, Debbie Lee whose son, Marc Alan Lee, US Navy was the first Navy SEAL killed in Iraq.
To donate to this most worthy endeavor please contact samek.george@gmail.com or send your donation to:
Gathering of Eagles/George Samek
1105 Copas Road
Shallotte, NC 28470
Among those who have donated laptops were Band of Brother and currently deployed fellow soldier Chad Longell, The Band of Mothers, Electric Motor and Contracting in Chesapeake Virginia, and Muriel Pederson, Gold Star Mother. A special thanks to the efforts of GOE Chairman Capt Larry Bailey, the Concerned Citizens of Chocowinity North Carolina (donated 14 laptops) and Best Buy, North Carolina. Donations were also received from many other troop supporters across America and Canada.
Friday, Sept.18, 2009 is National POW/MIA Recognition Day. The United States’ National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed across the nation on the third Friday of September each year. Many Americans take the time to remember those who were prisoners of war (POW) and those who are missing in action (MIA), as well as their families.
The President is expected to issue a proclamation commemorating the observances and reminding the nation of those Americans who have sacrificed so much for their country.
Observances of National POW/MIA Recognition Day are held across the country on military installations, ships at sea, state capitols, schools and veterans’ facilities. This observance is one of six days throughout the year that Congress has mandated the flying of the National League of Families’ POW/MIA flag. The others are Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day. The flag is to be flown at major military installations, national cemeteries, all post offices, VA medical facilities, the World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the official offices of the secretaries of state, defense and veterans affairs, the director of the selective service system and the White House.
What do people do?
Many Americans across the United States pause to remember the sacrifices and service of those who were prisoners of war (POW), as well as those who are missing in action (MIA), and their families. All military installations fly the National League of Families’ POW/MIA flag, which symbolizes the nation’s remembrance of those who were imprisoned while serving in conflicts and those who remain missing.
Veteran rallies take place in many states, such as Wisconsin, in the United States on National POW/MIA Recognition Day. United States flags and POW/MIA flags are flown on this day and joint prayers are made for POWs and those missing in action. National POW/MIA Recognition Day posters are also displayed at college or university campuses and public buildings to promote the day. Remembrance ceremonies and other events to observe the day are also held in places such as the Pentagon, war memorials and museums.
Background
There are 1,741 American personnel listed by the Defense Department’s POW/MIA Office as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War, as of April 2009. The number of United States personnel accounted for since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 is 841. About 90 percent of the 1,741 people still missing were lost in Vietnam or areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam’s wartime control, according to the National League of Families website (cited in the United States Army website).
The United States Congress passed a resolution authorizing National POW/MIA Recognition Day to be observed on July 18, 1979. It was observed on the same date in 1980 and was held on July 17 in 1981 and 1982. It was then observed on April 9 in 1983 and July 20 in 1984. The event was observed on July 19 in 1985, and then from 1986 onwards the date moved to the third Friday of September. The United States president each year proclaims National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Many states in the USA also proclaim POW/MIA Recognition Day together with the national effort.
Symbols
The National League of Families’ POW/MIA flag symbolizes the United States’ resolve to never forget POWs or those who served their country in conflicts and are still missing. Newt Heisley designed the flag. The flag’s design features a silhouette of a young man, which is based on Mr Heisley’s son, who was medically discharged from the military. As Mr Heisley looked at his returning son’s gaunt features, he imagined what life was for those behind barbed wire fences on foreign shores. He then sketched the profile of his son as the new flag’s design was created in his mind.
Mr. Heisley with the flag
The flag features a white disk bearing in black silhouette a man’s bust, a watch tower with a guard on patrol, and a strand of barbed wire. White letters “POW” and “MIA”, with a white five-pointed star in between, are typed above the disk. Below the disk is a black and white wreath above the motto “You Are Not Forgotten” written in white, capital letters.
Found this story buried in the obituaries and didn’t want this going unknown. This hero served his country in WWII, Korea and Vietnam! He was awarded numerous medals for valor. May God bless our combat veterans.
Colonel Richard D. Humphreys, 85, retired U.S. Marine, attorney-at-law, and real estate agent, of Forsyth Place, died Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009, at 8:10 a.m. at the Stone Pear Pavilion at the Fox Nursing Home in Chester.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pa., March 13, 1924, a son of the late Harry W. and Helen V. Davidson, he was a 1944 graduate of Franklin & Marshall College. He furthered his education in 1949 at the Dickinson School of Law where he earned a J.D. in Law. A Distinguished Graduate of the Naval War College in 1967 and a holder of the Certified Commercial Investment Member designation (CCIM) from the Realtors National Marketing Institute of the National Association of Realtors. He was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, the United States Supreme Court, and the United States Court of Military Appeals.
He is past president of the Rotary Club of East Liverpool, and the Columbiana County Board of Realtors, and a former member of the Ohio Job Training Partnership, Inc., the Realtors National Marketing Institute, and the National Association of Realtors. He is a former member of and past chairperson of the Private Industry Council of Mahoning-Columbiana Counties, the Southern Columbiana County Joint Services Employers Committee, and of the Ohio Small Business Council Coordinating Board. He was formerly a member of the Ohio Governor’s Human Resources Advisory Council, the Business Advisory Council of the National Alliance of Business, the Advisory Committee for the Columbiana County Incubator, and a member of the Steering Committee of the Mahoning Valley Incubator. He is a member of the First United Methodist Church of East Liverpool, a member of Chapter No. 126 of the Korean War Veterans Association, a life member of the Korean War Veterans Association, a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, a member of the Dog Company 2nd Battalion Seventh Marines Association, and a member of the American Legion Post No. 374. He is the author of “Triumph on 1240″ the history of the Marines of D Company 2nd Battalion 7th Marines 1st Marine Division in Korea.
Colonel Humphreys’ active military service began with his enlistment as a Private in the U.S. Marine Corps on Dec. 14, 1942, and ended with his retirement on April 30, 1970, as a Colonel of Marines on duty as the Director of Legislative Plans and Coordination, Office of the Secretary of Defense. He joined the Second Battalion 7th Marines in Korea on Dec. 6, 1950, and was a Platoon Commander of the 3rd Platoon and later the company Executive Officer until June 6, 1951, when he was wounded and evacuated to the hospital in Japan. During his active service he received the following decorations and awards: The Silver Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal with Combat V, the Purple Heart Medal with one Star, the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the Victory Medal (WWII), the Navy Occupation Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with one Star, the Korean Service Medal with three Stars, the United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Navy Letter of Commendation, the Vietnam Service Medal with one Star, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, and the Navy Commendation Medal with combat V.
Since his retirement from the service, he served in several positions in the East Liverpool Area Chamber of Commerce including that of Executive Vice President and Secretary from 1982 to 1987. He was also a member of the Riverview Cemetery Association Board.
His wife, Ann Louise Stewart Kerr Humphreys, survives at home. The couple married June 1, 1980.
There is a daughter, Paula Humphreys Land, and her husband Richard, of St. Jo, Texas; along with two sons, David S. Kerr, and his wife Victoria of Ellicott City, Md., and James R. Kerr, and his wife Marguerite of Medina.
Other survivors include six grandchildren: Catherine Gay, and her husband Matthew, Kenton Hutcherson, Allison Land, Virginia Land, Amy Kerr and Nicholas Kerr; and two great-grandchildren, Taylor and Lauren Gay; one sister, Jane Agriesti, and her husband Carl, of Johnson City, Tenn.; as well as a brother, David Humphreys, and his wife Loretta, of Pittsburgh.
He was preceded in death by a son, Richard D. Humphreys Jr., on July 10, 2009, a sister Marjorie Bright, and a brother Howard Humphreys.
Friends may call Tuesday afternoon and evening at the Dawson Funeral Home where the family will be present from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. The Rev. Dale Sutton of the First United Methodist Church will conduct a funeral service at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Burial will be at Riverview Cemetery where full military honors will be conducted.
Following the service, family and friends will gather at the Dawson Family Center for further remembrance.
In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may take the form of contributions in care of the First United Methodist Church, 200 West Fifth Street, East Liverpool, Ohio 43920 or the Beaver Local High School Marine Corps JROTC, 13187 State Route 7, Lisbon, Ohio 44432.
View this obituary and send condolences online at www.dawsonfuneralhome.com
Sgt. 1st Class Sean Bennett and Sgt. Daniel Jens are Soldiers and storytellers. Both are gifted musically, and have teamed up to use their talents to share their experiences through music. Both Soldiers recently participated in reality television music competitions, and are now participating in musical tours across the country. Their families, who supported them unconditionally during their deployments, continue to support them as they take to the road and share their stories with audiences who leave with a view on what it means to be a Soldier and what their families go through to support them.
As a member of the 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, Army Airborne Regiment, Bennett deployed to Iraq in September 2006. While serving as the Noncommissioned Officer-In-Charge, he was responsible for helping provide humanitarian aid and medical support to locals in Karbala, Iraq. He remained focused on the mission at hand, even after his unit was ambushed on Jan. 20, 2007. For continuing to lead his fellow Soldiers even after being wounded, Bennett was awarded the Silver Star Medal and the Purple Heart.
Jens completed a 15-month deployment in Iraq from 2006-2008 with the 82nd Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Calvary Division. While deployed, he primarily served as a convoy escort driver and gunner in Baghdad. However, he also served on a four-month special duty with the Criminal Investigation Division guarding family members of a kidnapped Iraqi-American Soldier. Jens was awarded a Certificate of Achievement for volunteering his time to perform for Soldiers while deployed to Iraq.
After returning home, both Bennett and Jens turned to music to help them express the emotional realities of war and provide an outlet for others to understand their experiences overseas. In 2008, just a year after receiving the Silver Star Medal, Bennett was a top-ten finalist on NBC’s “Nashville Star” show, and had the opportunity to sing with Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus. Jens also found the national spotlight when he made it to the Top 20 on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” in the summer of 2008, after winning the Army’s Blackjack Idol contest while he was deployed.
More than just performers, Bennett and Jens teamed up to collaborate on the song, “Life of a Soldier.” Wanting to provide a glimpse into Army live, the lyrics speak to topics such as leaving one’s family and missing holidays or special occasions. The Soldiers will perform a concert at the Grand Strand Freedom Fest on Sept. 11 in Myrtle Beach, S.C., in support of Military Family Appreciation Month.
For both Soldiers, who have families of their own, the lyrics about leaving behind loved ones hit close to home. Bennett’s daughter, who has watched her father deploy three times, has provided him with support and encouragement throughout his deployments and injuries. He is currently serving with the 320th Field Artillery at Fort Campbell, Ky. Similarly, Jens, a father of three, knows his deployment was hard on his wife, Caroline. However, after he returned home, she found the strength to help other military wives and is currently working on a book about challenges families and marriages face during deployments. The Jens family currently resides at Fort Hood, Texas.
I know CJ normally posts the Hero of the Week, but I have been in contact with someone close to this young man and I thought it would be nice to recognize him. He is connected to some incidents that I wrote about on my main blog at Bouhammer.com which is how I came into contact with these people that know PV2 Lansing.
The Counterinsurgency Academy is located in Kabul, Afghanistan at the base of the ruins of the Queens castle. The purpose of the Academy is to teach and expand the doctrine of population centric concepts for operations in Afghanistan, and beyond. The contributions the Academy is making to Gen. McChrystal’s strategy can not be understated, nor can the challenges of implementing an expanded doctrine of population centric operations.
In an attempt to support the operations of the Academy, as well as the many soldiers that attend and instruct here, I have developed a "wish list" on Amazon.com of books in hopes of creating an Honorary Counterinsurgency Learning Library made up entirely of donations from our communities back home. The intent is to further expand the awareness of culture, methods and operations that promote the end goal of national unity, governance and security for the people of Afghanistan.
To find the list, all you need to do is log into Amazon.com, click on "Wish Lists" and then on the right side of the page in the search window for "Wish Lists" type in: counterinsurgency.institute@gmail.com The name of the wish list is: COIN Library – Kabul.
I am continually being asked about donations for soldiers and items of need. This list, though only in the initial phases of development, is something that will have a lasting use and impact on the soldiers here at the Academy and the students of the Academy who eventually take what is learned here and apply the concepts downrange. If the interest is there to support the soldiers by way of donations, I would encourage you become involved in this effort through Amazon.com. The shipping address is listed through the "Wish List." If you wish to donate another book for the library not listed on the list, or wish to purchase a book from another source other than Amazon.com, the same mailing address applies. For reference, the mailing address here at the academy is listed below:
Scott Kesterson COIN Academy Camp Phoenix APO AE 09320
North Shore Journal has a post up of another great band that visited deployed troops. I’m a Flyleaf fan as well, so it’s good to see that they support our troops. And if any bands out there wonder if visiting the troops will make any difference, just read this:
“We spend so much time worrying about what we don’t have and struggling to forget how dangerous our line of work is,” said Sgt. Megg Streva, 1-12 INF mechanic. “Then a band like Flyleaf comes all the way out here to give us a part of normalcy back and thank us for what we’re doing…it reminds us why we’re here and who were fighting for.”
Everyday Soldiers of the U.S. Army fight to protect our country, our families and our lives. Many have given the ultimate sacrifice. Many, even after suffering traumatic injuries of war, continue to serve.
Captain Darby Boudreaux, 225th Engineer Brigade, was severely injured by an improvised explosive device on May 25, 2005 in a route clearance mission near Ghazaliya in western Baghdad. A minor artery was severed in his right leg and he lost a significant amount of blood.
Boudreaux spent the next three months recovering and going through painful rehabilitation.
Even with life threatening injuries, Bourdreauz says that the most traumatic part of the whole ordeal was not the impact of the blast or how close he came to death, but the fact he had to leave his Soldiers behind.
So four years later, he convinced his command to allow him to return to Iraq.
Currently, Boudreaux is the officer in charge and an instructor at the 225th Engineer Brigade Task Force Iron Claw Academy. He uses his near death experience to give Soldiers a chance at success and a better chance to stay alive by teaching Improvised Explosive Device identification.
Even with pieces of metal still lodged inside his body, Cpt. Boudreaux is satisfied that he was able to finally complete his mission on the battlefield.
For his heroism on the battlefield and his commitment to his Soldiers, Cpt. Darby Boudreaux is this week’s Warrior-Soldier of the Week.
Chaplain (Maj.) Charles Popov is a man answering two calls of duty: one from his country, and one from his faith. After serving as an enlisted Soldier for four years, Popov left the Army to pursue a degree in biblical studies and master’s degrees in seminary studies and counseling psychology. However, in 1999, when he learned that the Army was seeking chaplains, Popov decided it was a perfect way to combine his commitment to serve with his passion for spiritual leadership. Shortly after completing Chaplain Basic Officer Leadership Course at the U.S. Army Chaplain’s Center and School at Fort Jackson, S.C., Popov was commissioned to the Chaplain Corps.
Popov notes that there are both similarities and differences between the roles of chaplain and civilian pastor. While both positions require the minister to act as a shepherd, caregiver and counselor, a chaplain must also be prepared to address the spiritual needs of Soldiers from a variety of backgrounds. While Army Chaplains may personally subscribe to one particular religion, he or she must also possess a wide-ranging understanding of many faiths and practices.
A large part of Popov’s job as chaplain involves ministering to Soldiers in theater. During his deployments to Iraq in 2003-2004 and 2006-2007, Popov was responsible for conducting Bible studies, holding counseling sessions and ministering to the wounded and dying Soldiers. His mission didn’t end at base boundaries. Popov also conducted humanitarian missions, such as providing food, clothing and fuel to Iraqi citizens. One of his fondest memories from his deployment was the chance to work alongside religious and community leaders, known as imams, to build a bridge between Christianity and Islam, including assisting in the rebuilding of mosques that had been destroyed in battles.
During his most recent deployment with the 25th Infantry Division, Popov spent many hours praying alongside over 300 wounded Soldiers from his unit and preformed rites for deceased Soldiers. It was difficult for Popov to balance the Soldiers’ needs for emotional support with his personal mourning of the loss of friends and colleagues. However, knowing that his Soldiers were counting on him, Popov was able to move forward and was able help those within his unit process their emotional struggles through conversation and prayer.
Popov is currently serving as the chaplain for 192nd Brigade, and oversees five battalion chaplains, including one Jewish rabbi. He currently resides with his wife at Fort Benning, Ga., and is a proud father of three grown children and grandfather of two grandchildren.
If you missed last night’s 1 year anniversary special show of You Served Radio then you really missed out. Lucky for you that you can still catch it by going to www.blogtalkradio.com/youserved or via a podcast on iTunes. We had a mis-communication with Mac Eric Egland and missed him, but we have already worked up a re-schedule date. However we had SFC Mac who is in pretty bad health right now and really fighting with the VA to get that fixed. We also had author Gary Winkler on the show, who wrote the only authorized biography of PFC Lynndie England and his discussion with CJ was very intriguing.
However I think the highlight of the show was the last 45 minutes when we had Country recording-artist superstar Mark Wills on the show. We talked with Mark about how he started out in music, his dad’s service in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division, the USA Cares charity that he is a spokesperson for, shooting guns, and all sorts of other great things. Mark is as down to earth as your next-door neighbor. He is really a great guy. He was so great that he also did a pledge of allegiance for us near the end of the interview that we will use in the rotation of different pledges that we play at the start of every show. To demonstrate how down to earth and what a good person he is, we sort of had a “after the show” show (sorry Fox-n-Friends for borrowing your term). Mark called me five minutes after the show ended and he, I, CJ, and Marcus talked amongst ourselves for just shy of 30 more minutes. He has invited the three of us to Georgia to go shooting with him and we talked to him about some other great organizations that he can get involved with, our families (to include his), where we grew up, etc. I mean after five minutes you forgot you were talking to a guy that has released a dozen albums, and really felt like you were talking to your hunting or army buddy. I have a feeling that not only will we see more of Mark on the country music airwaves, but we will also see him again on You Served.
One thing that Mark told us about was the fun he had making his latest music video, “Crazy White Boy”. As he told us, all he did was get some friends together, head out to the farm and do some shooting. That has probably got to be the cheapest video to make in production costs, if you ask me. I mean his .50 cal bullets were probably the costliest thing in the video. Anyway, in honor of our one year anniversary guest and how kind he was to talk with us for so long not only on the show, but after the show I would like to give you a chance to watch Crazy White Boy here on the You Served Blog. Oh, in case your asking yourself, what does this have to do with the military? Uhhh, it has guns in it, big ones.
