From Cow Pastures to Kosovo

While the Blaskowskis were in Saute Ste Marie, Michigan at a fund rasier we (kev, Uncle Jimbo and I) had the most wonderful evening in Madison last Saturday night (19 July 2008).  We met some fantastic people and raised money for the Welcome Home party for the 2/503.  kev won't tell me yet how much we raised because he is still raffling off items at local bars around town and soliciting donations.  What a guy!  I love you kev!

The following businesses and individuals in Madison, WI really stepped up to the plate to help out:

Banner announcing fundraiser

Crowd 2

Kev and Tom B modeling the t shirts

Leta showing Ken modeling the Maj Pain t shirt

Kev, Leta and Mike B

Uncle Jimbo "Dancing" LOL!

Amy, Mike and Kerry

Two of Madison's finest and Leta

Tracy and Leta

Judy and the Bs

Ken and Karen

And...what we did a LOT of aside from raising money - raising toasts to the Sky Soldiers:

Gold Star Parents Mike and Michelle B and Larry 1-503 Blue Star Dad

From CJTF - 101

Task Force Eagle Officially Heads Home

Written by SFC Jacob Caldwell 173rd ABCT Public Affairs Office

Tuesday 22 July 2008

LTC Michael Fenzel and CSM Richard Weik Case the Colors. July 2008

PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan (July 22, 2008) – The last remaining Soldiers of Task Force Eagle conducted a transfer-of-authority ceremony with the Soldiers of the incoming TF White Currahee July 17 at Forward Operating Base Orgun-E.

Task Force Eagle was comprised of five companies from the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne) and Alpha Troop from 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment (Airborne).

Lt. Col. Michael Fenzel commanded the task force during their 15-month deployment to Paktika province where they worked closely with the provincial government and the Afghan National Security Forces.

“Both the American and Afghan Soldiers fought bravely against the insurgents, side-by-side,” said Fenzel.

The cost to both TF Eagle and Afghan forces was high.

“Sixty-one Afghan Soldiers, police and security guards, and 14 American Soldiers were killed in action,” said Fenzel. “Above all, it’s the sacrifices of our brothers that have strengthened our resolve over these many months and throughout the operation. Success in our continued mission will be your legacy.”

Lt. Col. John Allred, commander of 2nd Battalion (Air Assault), 506th Infantry Regiment and TF White Currahee was thankful for the efforts made by TF Eagle for a smooth transition of authority, he said.

“The 1-503rd has given us everything they could in terms of preparing us for this fight,” said Allred during the ceremony. “In our future endeavours, we will attempt to emulate the 1-503rd in terms of their good works, their bravery, and their partnership with the people, the government and the security forces of Afghanistan.”

Prior to the transfer-of-authority ceremony, the 2-506th was based at Kandahar Air Field for nearly four months as the International Security Assistance Force theater tactical force.

And a special "Welcome Home" to SSG Kyle Seitze of Battle Company 1/503 whose wonderful family we met and spent great time with at the fund raiser in Madison, WI last Saturday.  Below is a photo (one of many) proving what great fun we had!

Mike B, Leta and 1-503 Blue Star Family of SSG Seitz 1

I received this email from Tracy at Tanker Brothers

I  was shopping at Sam's Club yesterday and came across this coffee: Newhall Coffee

They have a "Patriot Blend" where if you buy that blend, for every bag you buy they send a bag to the troops!!  I bought some and I'm drinking it now.  It's pretty good stuff!

Not sure if you can get this coffee by you or not, but I thought I'd pass it along!

Tracy

Winter in Afghanistan and many parts of Iraq will be cold and the hot coffee will be appreciated by our troops.  Great to have another wonderful company on board to help out.  Give 'em some business.

So there I was in Madison, WI for the fund raiser for the Welcome Home Party for the 2/503 when kev from Blackfive says we need to drop by a few places to pick up some gift cards for the fund raiser.  kev, Uncle Jimbo and I hopped in the car and stopped at a couple of bars - no big deal.  Uncle Jimbo and I sat tight in the car while kev ran in and picked up the gift certificates.

THEN - we had one more stop and we'd be done.  Just one more stop.  How harmless can that be?  UNTIL - I find out it was at a strip club.  Yes, kev had contacted the owner requesting a "donation".  We drove up and parked.  Uncle Jimbo decided he needed to "help" kev with this one so he was going in, too.  Uh oh!  NOT an area of town I felt comfortable waiting alone in the car.  So......................in we go.  Dear Lord.  I was INSIDE a strip club.

The manager handed kev a lifetime membership card.  The first one they have ever given.  kev decided we couldn't just take it and run.  Oh no!  We needed to "hang out" for a little while and be neighborly.  ONE HOUR later and after seeing things I really didn't need or want to see I was finally back outside and running for the car.

Sheesh!

But...the gift card was a real money maker so...........I'd do it all again if it meant raising money for these Soldiers and their Welcome Home.

Soldiers Recount Deadly Attack on Afghanistan Outpost

And

COL Preysler Reports on Afghanistan Outpost Battle

From CJTF 101

Combat Engineer Will Not Be Forgotten

Written by Staff Sgt. Adora Medina 3rd BCT, 1st ID Public Affairs

Thursday, 17 July 2008 Memorial for SGT Douglas J Bull BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (July 17, 2008) — The sound of gunshots broke the silence on July 13 at Forward Operating Base Khogyani, Afghanistan, as the rifle team rendered a gun salute in honor of their fallen comrade. The American flag wavered in the wind beside a pair of empty boots that no one would ever be able to fill, those of a great leader, husband, father and friend. These boots belonged to Sgt. Douglas J. Bull, a combat engineer with Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. “I’d like to try and remember Sergeant Bull for the animated, spirited, unique individual that he became known for,” said Spc. Dean Gannon, a fellow Soldier paying tribute to Bull during his memorial. “I give a resounding heart-felt thank you for the many gifts of insight and tear-inducing laughs. There will only ever be one Sergeant Bull; it’s just a shame [he] left us so soon.” Bull was conducting a route-clearing mission in the Konar province of Afghanistan when he was killed by an IED, July 8. He is survived by his wife Tera, daughter Arianna, son Jaden, and parents Christopher Bull and Mary Rambus. “It was enlightening to hear a young man like you express how deeply you cared for your family. I know that you are their hero,” fellow Soldier Spc. Anthony Slaughter said to his fallen comrade during the memorial. “I didn’t realize it then but I realize it now, how special every single moment with your family was to you. They love you and so do I.” A 29 year-old native of Wilkes Barre, Pa., Bull joined the Army in February 1999. His first assignment was with the 54th Engineer Battalion in Bamberg, Germany, where, during a previous deployment to Iraq in 2005, he helped develop the current doctrine used today for route-clearing missions. When he arrived to 3-1 in November 2007, his leadership skills and engineer expertise were put to work and proved an asset to his newly-established company. While serving with the unit in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Bull was called to perform one of the toughest engineer missions in one of the most dangerous areas in Afghanistan. Despite the risks he embraced the challenge and courageously led his crew into the combat zone. “I remember that when I spoke with Sergeant Bull about being in the route-clearance platoon he stepped up and took this mission with pride.” said Capt. Brian Corbin, Bull’s company commander. “I can’t remember Sergeant Bull without a smile on his face. He was always positive about his missions, portrayed a can-do attitude and cared deeply for his Soldiers and fellow Aces.” At the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif., Bull was named ‘Hero of the Battle’ for his hard work and dedication, but those who knew him well remember him more for his positive outlook and humorous nature. “Through all the tasks that were placed on you, you always maintained your sense of humor, and had fun performing your job, I want to say thank you,” Slaughter said. “You made being a squad leader fun and exciting, you performed exceptionally and it reflected how good our team could be.” Bull’s memory will not be forgotten as the unit continues on with the mission he began with them. “It was an honor to serve with you then and it is an honor to serve with you watching over me now,” Slaughter said. Through choked-up words, Slaughter ended his tribute with a prayer. “By the way Lord, thank you for putting another angel around us named Sergeant Douglas John Bull, amen,” he said. Memorial for SGT Douglas J Bull 2 My deepest condolences to SGT Bull's family. Rest in Peace Brave Warrior.

It is impossible to express my sadness for the loss of nine American Warrior Heroes on Sunday in Kunar Province, Afghanistan.  Nine more Sky Angels joined the thirty three who have gone before them to heaven during this deployment.

May God give comfort to their families.  May he wrap them all in his love and care.  Rest in Peace men of 173rd, 2/503 Chosen Company, 2nd Platoon.  Your lives and memories will forever be in our hearts and minds.

1Lt Jonathan Brostrom
Sgt Israel Garcia
Spc Matthew Phillips
Spc Pruitt Rainey
Spc Jonathan Ayers
Spc Jason Bogar
Spc Sergio Abad
Spc Jason Hovater
Spc Gunnar Zwilling

I’m going to break my own rule in this post because I am about as pissed off as I’ve been in a LONG time!  I’m probably going to use some profanity in this post.

As I sit here waiting to find out which unit or units were involved in the devastating attack on one of our Outposts and one of our Firebases in Kunar Province, Afghanistan my blood pressure just keeps rising.  Why?  There are many reasons and I’m not sure I can put them in any particular order.

For well over a year now several friends of mine and I have been jumping up and down trying to get people to realize that we have Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Sailors in Afghanistan in DANGER!  Men and women who have suffered through extreme weather conditions, thousands of fire fights, IEDs, ambushes, etc.  Men and women who have spent weeks at a time with no contact with family and friends; who have been wounded, gone without sleep, cooked meals, showers, electricity for WEEKS at a time; often engaged in multiple fire fights in one day.

We’ve been supporting troops in Iraq as well.  And I’ve listened to the egg heads in Washington and the media blabber and blubber on about “the surge” in Iraq – how it wasn’t working.  I’ve listened to those I was supporting in Iraq and others serving there that I wasn’t supporting report the successes and the frustrations.  I’ve watched grown men and women – elected officials – show total disrespect for our fighting Warriors and their leaders.  And I’ve wondered what nation I live in and what planet I live on.

Yesterday (Sunday July 13, 2008) nine American Soldiers gave their lives in Kunar Province the Hindu Kush Mountains of Afghanistan.  Where?  Huh?  I didn’t know Iraq had mountains.  I thought Iraq was desert.  OMG if I hear that ONE MORE TIME I’m probably NOT going to be able to physically control myself.  AFGHANISTAN – you know the “OTHER” war?  The “Forgotten War.”  Tell all the men and women who have served in Afghanistan that you have forgotten them.  I dare you!  Tell the nine families of the American Soldiers who died yesterday that.  Go ahead – tell them!  Tell all of the families whose son’s and daughters, husbands and wives, moms and dads have died in Afghanistan that you just “forgot” about them.

And for you “politicians” and so called “leaders” of our nation.  HOW DARE YOU?  To Senator Obama – WTF do you mean by calling for a surge in Afghanistan?  You couldn’t even spell surge when it was needed and when it WORKED in Iraq.  Scumbag.  So now you’re gonna take troops away from Iraq and send them to Afghanistan?  BRILLIANT! How many votes from the lemmings will that score for you?  To Sec Def Gates – you begrudgingly sent Marines into southern Afghanistan earlier this year.  You told us in no uncertain terms that it was a one time shot.  Now not only has their need been seen but you’ve extended them for 30 days.  Imagine that!  Just imagine!  Marines doing what Marines are trained to you.  But only a few Marines and only to southern Afghanistan.  We continue to send Marines to places in Iraq where they report they are bored shitless.   HELLO!  I’m a civilian; no military intelligence and I’ve been SCREAMING for both large numbers of Marines and more military PERIOD in Afghanistan.  Go figure.  BRILLIANT Mr. Gates.  Just Brilliant.  To President Bush – uh, has anyone briefed you lately about the Taliban and al Qaeda hiding out and operating from the Tribal regions of northwestern Pakistan?  The area that borders northeastern Afghanistan.  You know – Kunar, Nuristan…provinces in Afghanistan?  JUST curious.  In case you aren’t aware the Taliban and al Qaeda are using that ungoverned area to hide out and to plan attacks on OUR military personnel just across the border.  They are shelling at our military from just across the border.  HELLO!!!!

To the media.  You absolutely SUCK!  How inane of you to report “More Soldiers killed in Afghanistan in one day than in the entire month in Iraq.”  Bastards!  It’s all about numbers to you isn’t it?  Always has been.  Always will be.  You’re not worthy to have known ANY of the men who gave their lives on Sunday,  You just can’t stand it that you don’t have numbers fodder from Iraq so NOW you turn your disgusting “attention” to Afghanistan.  GO THE HELL AWAY!

And to John McCain – knock, knock.  Anyone home in there???

Nine brave and selfless Americans laid down their lives for us; for our country yesterday.  Nine men with NAMES; with families; with dreams of their lives for years to come.  Nine families will get the news that their loved one won’t come home the way they had planned.  And the best our “leaders” can do is to flap their jaws.  God help us!

So we wait.  We wait to find out which unit gave so much.  We wait to be able to say prayers in the names of those who perished.  And those of us who NEVER forgot those Soldiers and NEVER will forget WHO they were and what they did pray.  We pray thanks for who they were.  We pray for their souls.  We pray for comfort for their families.  And we thank God for men like them.

I'm sure anyone who reads this blog is aware that some of the 173rd ABCT are still in Kunar Province.  And I imagine you have heard about or read the news today.  The next few days are going to be incredibly difficult while their families and friends wait to find out who the American Heroes are and if they are part of the 173rd.  I'm asking all of you to pray harder than you ever have for the brave men who gave their all today.

My heart aches tonight for the families of whomever these Soldiers are a part of.  May God keep them all in his loving care.