Category Archives: Top Posts

WWII Veteran to Turn 100

Mario Launi, a WWII veteran who served in the Pacific, will be turning 100 years old on January 26, 2012. He is currently at the Hollidaysburg Lutheran Home, 915 Hickory Street, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648. His family and caregiver have requested the community and all veterans to come together and shower him with cards. So what I am requesting that every patriotic and freedom-loving American in the area join in thanking him for his sacrifices. This will be a small token by letting him know how much we appreciate his selfless and dedicated service.

Thank You so Very Much.

Buick Achievers Scholarship Program Dedicates $4.5 Million Annually to 1,100 Motivated Students; Preference For Veterans

A new $4.5 million-a-year scholarship was announced today, titled the Buick Achievers Scholarship Program. It will be awarded to 1,100 college-bound students nationwide and is renewable for four years, which could bring the total individual scholarship to as much as $100,000. The scholarship will recognize those that have excelled in the classroom and community, but also consideration will be given to a first-generation college student, a military veteran or dependent of military personnel, and those from a diverse background.

The GM Foundation plans to start a new group of 100 students on the renewable scholarships of up to $25,000 each year. In total, the annual funding could reach $18 million annually after four years.

“As a company, and as a nation, we have a responsibility to support opportunities for higher education,” said Dan Akerson, GM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “The Buick Achievers scholarship will help foster the next generation of leaders destined to develop future innovative solutions to global issues.”

According to the College Board, college tuitions rose at least 6 percent last year, making it increasingly difficult for students to pay for their education. The Buick Achievers Scholarship Program was developed to help address this need.

“The Buick Achievers Scholarship Program is one of the premiere scholarship programs in the country,” said Donald E. Lassere, senior vice president, Scholarship America, the nation’s largest nonprofit, private sector scholarship and educational support organization. “The high-dollar value and renewability of the awards will provide recipients with a tremendous benefit throughout their college careers.”

To be eligible for the Buick Achievers scholarship, applicants must be high school seniors or high school graduates entering college for the first time in the fall of 2011; plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited four-year college or university for the entire 2011-12 academic year; and demonstrate an interest in the automotive industry. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have permanent residence in the United States. Other criteria include being a first-generation college student, female, minority, military veteran or a dependent of military personnel.

Information and applications are available at www.buickachievers.com. Applications will be accepted through March 31, 2011, and scholarships will be awarded for the 2011-2012 academic year.

Because of the Brave

You Served wants to wish ALL our veterans, both serving and served, a happy and wonderful Veterans Day. This day is set aside to honor your sacrifices in both times of peace and war. To honor your commitment to this nation. And to honor your dedication to keeping us all safe. I want to share this video from Chelsea Chris just for you:

Chelsea Chris

Soldier of the Week – SSG Loren Gernandt

Maneuvering through navigation courses, ensuring weapon accuracy, providing combat first aid, identifying unexploded ordnances and responding to unforeseen circumstances are all part of a typical deployment – but this week those same skills will be put to the test as part of the Army’s Best Warrior competition.

Commonly referred to as the “Super Bowl” of Army competitions, Best Warrior brings together 24 of the Army’s finest, each of whom have won the title of Soldier or Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) of the Year within their own command.

Representing the Army’s Forces Command (FORSCOM), Staff Sgt. Loren Gernandt is one of the competitors vying to be named NCO of the Year. As he battles for the honor of being named the Army’s best, Gernandt is confident that the lessons he learned in Iraq will give him an advantage in the competition this week at Fort Lee, Va.

“Being in a combat zone with a rapid operational tempo and high stress levels made me realize the importance of good preparation and outstanding leadership,” he said. “Since my deployment, I have made it my goal to teach, coach and prepare as many Soldiers as I can affect, so they will be ready to execute any mission at any time with superb results.”

While deployed to Iraq from 2006 to 2008, Gernandt served as a geospatial squad leader and provided supervision to the Soldiers in his unit responsible for creating maps in preparation for convoy missions. He also ensured the accuracy of all topographic operations, while leading and mentoring the younger Soldiers on the squad.

To qualify for this week’s competition, Gernandt won the preliminary contest for FORSCOM that was held in April at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. There, he competed against seven NCOs in a series of military knowledge, skills and tactical contests to determine who would be named FORSCOM’s NCO of the Year.

“I was pleased enough representing the XVIII Airborne Corps and being one of the finalists to compete in the FORSCOM NCO of the Year competition, but being selected as the winner was a huge surprise because of the caliber of elite NCO’s I was competing against. Any one of us could have walked away as the victor,” he said.

Among Gernandt’s biggest supporters are his family – his wife, Sgt. Alanna Gernandt, also a member of the 20th Engineer Brigade. Although she won’t be able to travel to Fort Lee to watch her husband compete, she and their children, Adrian (6), Madison (4) and Anneliese (1), will be cheering him on at home.

Gernandt is grateful for the opportunity he has to compete.

“No matter what the outcome of the competition is, I will put forth my best effort and take the valuable feedback and experience from these competitions back to my Soldiers and peers,” He said.

SMA Names Soldier/NCO of the Year

Each year, Soldiers and NCOs across the force battle it out against each other in a test of knowledge, competence, and stamina to earn titles as NCO/Soldier of the Month, Quarter and Year. Competitions usually begin at the Company and work themselves up to the Army level. To make it to the Army level – for the benefit of my non-military readers – a Soldier must win a Company, Battalion, Brigade, Division, Corps, and MACOM board. But, that’s not all. Once they win the Soldier/NCO of the Month board, they compete for the Soldier/NCO of the Quarter against other Soldiers/NCOs of the Month for that period. Once they win the Quarter board, they move along to the Year board. The winners of those boards then compete at the Army level.

At each board, Soldiers/NCOs are quizzed and challenged on Army knowledge, Warrior Tasks (such as first aid, drill and ceremony, Army programs, etc), physical fitness and marksmanship. They each have sponsors that are usually their first line supervisors. These sponsors are crucial to their success as they keep them on task and help them by questioning and challenging them.

This year’s Army NCO of the Year is Staff Sergeant Christopher McDougall. The Army Soldier of the Year is Sergeant Sherri Gallagher.

SSG Christopher McDougall, a military policeman with HHC, US Army Garrison in Stuttgartl, Germany said his first emotion was “disbelief” when he was named NCO of the Year.

“I have to first and foremost thank my wife in Germany,” he said. “Throughout this process there were times when she had to take care of our kids alone” while he studied and traveled to the various boards. McDougall said his wife would sit up late at night after the kids were all in bed and grill him from the Army Study Guide on topics ranging from Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical training to uniform regulations and current events.

McDougall began the process eight months ago and never imagined he would eventually be named NCO of the Year. He credits his family, NCO Support Channel, and sponsor for his success and noted he wouldn’t be there without them.

SGT Sherri Gallagher was not only honored as the Army’s Soldier of the Year, but earned the distinction of being the first ever female to earn that title. However, she remains humble about it.

“We’re all a team, so it doesn’t matter gender or race,” she said. “I just tried to stay upbeat and motivated and do the best I could.”

SGT Gallagher said she has a very optimistic outlook on life and just took each challenge as they came. The competition was very tough and she was excited just to be among so many great Soldiers. She is a member of the Army’s Marksmanship Unit and is training to be an Olympic shooter. She is currently one of the unit’s instructor’s, training Soldiers on proper marksmanship.

Both outstanding troops Soldiers agree that the key to their success lies in remaining motivated and setting small, attainable goals and building on them.

McDougall says he did “a lot of cardio, warrior tasks, and drills.” He also kept his “nose in the books” studying every aspect of Soldiering to prepare.

“Establish the right mentality going into these things,” he counseled Soldiers who may be thinking about competing next year. “You can get ridiculously nervous. I learned to stop stressing and have fun with it. Do your best and don’t worry about each little event.”

SGT Gallagher agrees.

“Stay motivated no matter what. Take one step at a time”, she says. “Set small goals and keep working at them.”

SGT Gallagher serves as an instructor for the Army Marksmanship Unit. SSG McDougall is the Senior Desk Sergeant in Stuttgart, Germany.

Our congratulations go out to both outstanding Soldiers for a job well done!

Honoring Our Military

The American Veterans Center” is hosting their annual Veterans Day conference November 4th – 6th in Washington, D.C., honoring America’s most distinguished veterans and active duty service members and providing them a forum to share their experiences and memories of the defining moments in American military history.

Some attendee highlights are:

Baseball Heroes of WWII, including Yogi Berra and Bob Feller (will be filmed for broadcast on MLB Network taping on Veterans Day)
The Doolittle Raiders
The Tuskegee Airmen
The Band of Brothers (including a few of the actors who portrayed the vets in the miniseries)
Recipients of the Medal of Honor
Some of the greatest heroes of Afghanistan and Iraq
A program honoring our Wounded Warriors to be televised on the Pentagon Channel on Veterans Day

For more information or to register for this event, please visit http://www.americanveteranscenter.org/events/conference.

“The mission of the American Veterans Center is to preserve and promote the legacy of America’s servicemen and women from World War II through Operation Iraqi Freedom.”

Here is the schedule of events:

Thursday, November 4
6:00 – “Honoring Our Wounded Warriors”, Featuring young service members who have been wounded in the line of duty, sharing their inspiring stories of recovery and determination. Participants TBA
6:00 – Reception
7:30 – Discussion. Location: United States Navy Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Ave., NW. Bus transportation available from the Renaissance Washington Hotel. Bus departs at 5:45 PM.

Friday, November 5Speaker Sessions at the U.S. Navy Memorial – Sessions begin at 8:30 AM. Buses from Renaissance Washington Hotel depart at 7:45 AM.
Year of Navy Supply: Boots on the Ground, featuring active duty sailors from the Navy Supply Corps who have served in operations around the world. Participants TBA

Behind Enemy Lines, featuring Major General John K. Singlaub, highly decorated veteran of OSS operations during World War II and founding member of the CIA.

All American, All the Way!, featuring Lt. Colonel James Megellas, the most highly decorated officer in the history of the 82nd Airborne Division, receiving the Distinguished Service Cross and Silver Star for heroism during World War II.

World War II: The Atlantic Theater – Combat stories from men who fought on the front lines against Hitler’s Third Reich. Featuring: Colonel Ed Shames – Veteran of 3rd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry, 101st Airborne Division in WWII. Became the first enlisted man to receive a battlefield commission in the 506th, subsequently being transferred to 2nd Battalion where he served as leader of 3rd Platoon, E Company – the “Band of Brothers.” H. Newcomb “Newc” Eldredge – Veteran of the 10th Mountain Division in the Italian Campaign, and recipient of two Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart for actions during the battle for Mount Belvedere. Additional participants TBA. Moderated by Jon Guttman, Editor, Military History magazine and Senior Editor, World War II and Aviation History magazines.

The Battle of Iwo Jima: 65 Years Later – Veterans of the Marine Corps’ most legendary battle. Featuring: Jack Cole, Orrie Morgan, Donald Mates, James White.

Lunch
Film (TBA) will be screened in the Navy Memorial Theater

The Medal of Honor: Recipients of the U.S. Military’s Highest Award featuring: SFC Ronald Rosser – U.S. Army soldier awarded the Medal of Honor for leading an assault on a fortified hill near Ponggilli during the Korean War. Captain Thomas J. Hudner, Jr. – U.S. Navy pilot who received the Medal for his effort in trying to save the life of the Navy’s first black pilot, Ensign Jesse Brown, who was shot down during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in the Korean War. Colonel Harvey C. “Barney” Barnum – Marine Corps officer awarded the Medal of Honor for directing a counterattack against enemy positions in Quang Tin Province during the Vietnam War. Colonel Jack Jacobs – U.S. Army officer awarded the Medal of Honor for personally rescuing more than a dozen allied soldiers pinned down by enemy fire during operations in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. Currently a military analyst for MSNBC.

Today’s Heroes – Several of the most highly decorated service members from Afghanistan and Iraq featuring: Staff Sergeant David Bellavia – Recipient of the Silver Star and recommended for the Medal of Honor for valor during the Second Battle of Fallujah. Author of House to House. Sergeant First Class Ed Malone – Recipient of the Bronze Star with Valor for actions in Tal’Afar, Iraq. Sergeant Marco Martinez – Recipient of the Navy Cross for valor during the Battle of Al Tarmiya. Author of the book Hard Corps. Staff Sergeant Jeremiah Workman – Recipient of the Navy Cross for valor during the Second Battle of Fallujah. Author of Shadow of the Sword.

Special Evening Event! – “Baseball Heroes of World War II” featuring Major League Baseball players who put their careers aside to serve in World War II. Conference attendees will make up the studio audience for a television program to be recorded for MLB Network, airing on Veterans Day. Special guests include several dozen Wounded Warriors from Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda. Participants include Bob Feller, Cleveland Indians – U.S. Navy, Yogi Berra, New York Yankees – U.S. Navy, Jerry Coleman, New York Yankees – U.S. Marine Corps, Lou Brissie, Philadelphia Athletics – U.S. Army, Ralph Kiner, Pittsburgh Pirates – U.S. Navy. Moderated by Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated and MLB Network. Additional invitees TBA.
Time: Evening (start time TBA)
Location: PNC Diamond Club, Washington Nationals Park
Post-event reception in the Lexus Presidents Club

Saturday, November 6
Speaker Sessions at the U.S. Navy Memorial – Sessions begin at 8:30 AM
Buses from Renaissance Washington Hotel depart at 7:45 AM

Flying Against the Rising Sun featuring Colonel James Morehead, ace pilot and recipient of two Distinguished Service Crosses, who was one of the first American fighter pilots to fly in the Pacific during the dark early days of World War II.

Most Honorable Son – featuring Ben Kuroki, the only Japanese American allowed to take part in combat missions over Japan during World War II.

The Doolittle Raiders – Veterans of Jimmy Doolittle’s legendary attack on Tokyo, April 18,
1942 featuring: Lt. Colonel Richard Cole – Co-pilot, Plane #1 (Jimmy Doolittle’s co-pilot), SSgt. David Thatcher – Engineer Gunner, Plane #7, Major Thomas Griffin – Navigator, Plane #9, Lt. Colonel Robert Hite – Co-pilot, Plane #16. Moderated by Colonel C.V. Glines, Official Historian of the Doolittle Raid.

The Band of Brothers – Veterans of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry portrayed in the famed HBO television series. Featuring Ed “Babe” Heffron, Ed Pepping, Don Malarkey, plus James Madio, actor who portrayed Frank Perconte in the series. Additional veterans and actors TBA.

The Tuskegee Airmen: Pilots from the legendary first unit of all-African American airmen
during World War II featuring Dr. Roscoe Brown, Calvin Spann, Shelby Westbrook. Additional participants TBA.

The Korean War: 60 Years Later: Participants TBA

The Real A-Team – Featuring veterans of the elite U.S. Army Special Forces, tasked with unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense, special reconnaissance, direct action, hostage rescue, and counter-terrorism. Participants TBA.

The Last Ace – Featuring Brigadier General R. Steve Ritchie, the only Air Force “ace” pilot of the Vietnam War and recipient of the Air Force Cross.

SEAL of Honor: The Life of the first Medal of Honor recipient from Afghanistan , Lt. Michael P. Murphy featuring Dan, Maureen, and John Murphy – Lt. Murphy’s family. Gary Williams – Author of the book SEAL of Honor: Operation Red Wings and the Life of Lt. Michael P. Murphy, USN.

They Also Serve: The Contribution of Women to the Military – Featuring Colonel Susan Luz – The highest-ranking woman in the 399th Combat Support Hospital and recipient of the Bronze Star for service in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lt. Colonel Kate Van Auken and Major Lauralee Flannery – U.S. Army Reserve officers awarded the Bronze Star with Valor for actions during Operation Iraqi Freedom, two of the most highly decorated women of the war. Additional participants TBA.

Signature Event
The American Veterans Center’s 13th Annual Awards Gala Honoring American Heroes from the Greatest Generation to the Latest Generation
Registration and Reception: Begins at 6:00
Awards Gala & Banquet: 7:00
With Presentations of:
The Audie Murphy Award for Distinguished Service in the U.S. Military During World War II
The Raymond G. Davis Award for Distinguished Service in the U.S. Military During the Korean War
The Joe Ronnie Hooper Award for Distinguished Service in the U.S. Military During the Vietnam War
The Paul Ray Smith Award for Distinguished Service in the U.S. Military During Operation Iraqi Freedom
The Edward J. Herlihy Citizenship Award
And the inaugural Michael P. Murphy Award for Distinguished Service in the U.S. Military During Operation Enduring Freedom
Presented by Lt. Murphy’s parents, Dan and Marueen

Military Voters Disenfranchised


According to their website, the Military Voter Protection Project exists to protect our troops’ voting rights:

The right to vote is one of the most fundamental rights of American democracy. It has been defended for well over 200 years by the sacrifices our men and women in uniform. Yet, when it comes to their right to vote—our military members’ right to choose the next Commander in Chief or their elected representatives—their voices have long been silenced by an electoral process that has failed them. That silence was most evident in the 2008 when thousands of absentee military ballots never received by the military voter or received after the election. The MVP Project is here to defend our military members’ right to vote and to provide them with the very right that they defend.

Last week, the Military Voter Protection Project filed a lawsuit against the State of Maryland hoping to prevent widespread disenfranchisement of military voters. The national news mostly ignored the story, so you might not have heard about it yet. The MVP Project, which is led by a Navy Jag veteran, is trying to get the attention of the military community (specifically active duty military personnel who are at risk of being disenfranchised) and we think a mention on Blackfive would be a great way to do that. We hope that you can help.

A quick rundown of the problem:
In the 2008 elections, only 20% of eligible military voters were able to cast a ballot that counted. One of the reasons for this injustice was that absentee ballots were mailed too late to arrive in time to be returned. Congress attempted to correct the problem but some states have yet to comply with the law. Unless we do something, military voters may be disenfranchised yet again come November.

They need help with two things:

1) We need to get the attention of active duty military members from Maryland, Colorado, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Alaska, Alabama, and Hawaii. All active duty military members from those states are welcome to contact us at activeduty@mvpproject.org or via the form on our website for more information.
2) We need support from the general public and military community. We’re not trying to get you to ask for money, we just need people to know what is going on and stand behind us as we fight our uphill battle. The media is not helping us out on this one, but we figure military bloggers could probably reach our audience better anyway.

These days, the ones feeling the brunt of political decisions are the troops. We are the ones that are being sent to the four corners of the earth and put into dangerous situations, some of which we don’t come home from. It is absolutely inexcusable that the very people that are protecting and securing American rights are unable to exercise those same rights themselves. Not having military absentee ballots counted affects more than just who will be a Congressman or President. It affects national security policy, state policy, and local policy. It is imperative that these citizen Soldiers’ voices be heard, so I’m passing this site along to my readers.

A few quotes I’d like to share related to this:

“Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote.” – George Jean Nathan
“Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.” – John Quincy Adams

Soldier of the Week – SSG Jonathan Milburn

ssg jonathan milburn

Music has always been an important part of Jonathan Milburn’s life. From an early age, he saw its power to move and motivate people.

Now a staff sergeant, Milburn is using his music to bolster the spirits of Soldiers around the world through the Army’s bands. An accomplished clarinetist, Millburn has performed concerts from Korea to the remote areas of Iraq sharing the Army story through music.

During his deployment to Iraq last year, Milburn handled all of the logistical support for the GO-1 Underground, the division’s rock band ensemble. In addition to his responsibilities as a musician, he was also tasked with coordinating more than 200 musical missions.

Although Milburn has performed for audiences around the world, it was a special honor to encourage his fellow Soldiers serving far away from their families.

“They were always very receptive to having us perform, and grateful that we would be willing to travel to them. It was amazing to see the band’s ability to boost morale and lift the Soldiers’ spirits,” he said.

His experiences in Iraq coordinating logistics for the 1st Calvary Division band provided him a strong foundation and transition for his current role with The United States Army Field Band in Fort Meade, Md. Serving as the operational tour coordinator for The Volunteers, the Army’s touring rock music band, Milburn is responsible for handling all tour logistics, including making initial contact with sponsors, lining up concert sites and publicity and coordinating tour schedules.

“My main concern is to ensure that the tour is error free and everything goes smoothly,” he said.

In preparation for the Volunteers’ performance season, Milburn will travel the tour route several months in advance to survey venues, plan the travel route, confirm lodging and deter any logistical complications.

“The band is on such a tight schedule, I make sure that everything goes according to plan,” he said, adding that the tour often has last-minute changes due to road construction or other unforeseen obstacles. “The band is so versatile. Not only are they talented musicians but they are able to adapt easily.”

Originally from Devers, Texas, Milburn is a graduate of Liberty High School in Liberty, Texas. He’d originally planned to play in a college marching band, however, he found the Army’s Civilian Acquired Skills Program, which allows citizens with specific skills to join at a higher enlistment grade. For Milburn, the Army provided the perfect opportunity to combine his passion for music with the honor of serving his country in uniform.

“This was my first job, and it will be my only job,” he said. “I plan to make a career out of it because the work is so rewarding.”

“In the music community, there is very little job security, but with the Army, I have a guaranteed job, and it is a good job that I enjoy doing,” he said.

Milburn currently lives in Odenton, Md., and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree through the University of Maryland University College’s distance learning program.

Combined Operation Rescues 27 Prisoners

This edition features a story on how Afghan and coalition forces rescued 27 male Afghan prisoners from a makeshift Taliban prison. Produced by Tech. Sgt. Danielle Dull. Afghanistan

Combined Operation Rescues 27 Prisoners from You Served Radio & Blog on Vimeo.

Soldier Killed On Independence Day While On Leave

Here’s a name that I can’t recall seeing anywhere in the news, but thought you needed to know his name.

On July 4, 2010 – the 234th birthday of this great nation – PFC Ryan Buckles was stabbed to death while home on leave in Montana. Ryan was born on February 3, 1989 to Sheila Greybull and Morris Buckles in Williston, ND. In high school, he was voted Homecoming Prince and always had a smile on his face, according to family and friends.

PFC Buckles entered the U.S. Army in September 2008, stationed at Ft. Campbell, KY, and was preparing to be deployed to Afghanistan with the Headquarters Company 2nd Battalion of the 506th Infantry Regiment. Ryan was a fan of the North Carolina Tarheels, Denver Broncos, Oregon Ducks, and Portland Trailblazers and attended most sporting events with his cousin, Carlon.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, July 10, 2010 at the Poplar Cultural Center in Poplar, MT. Interment will follow at the Poplar City Cemetery in Poplar, MT.

Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer has ordered that the U.S. flag and the Montana flag be flown at half-staff on Saturday, July 10th, 2010. The alleged killer, Curtis Eder, has pleaded not guilty to murder and aggravated-assault charges in the case. His final post on Facebook was “on my way home to raise some hell.. chea”.