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The Veteran's Voice
| News of the Post Vol IV, Issue 1 January 2004 |
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Post 27 Adopts F Company 131st Aviation
(Jan 20th, Hunter AAF, Ga) The troops of F Company, 131st Aviation, (Georgia Army National Guard) became F Company, 131st Aviation, United States Army; as they were federalized Sunday 21 January 2004. They will be activated for up to 18 months to perform Aviation Support duties in Afghanistan in the coming year. The Company then deployed to their Mobilization Station at Fort Benning on Wednesday 24 January. In the process of adoption by our Post, Adjutant Ellis and Commander Helms attend the first Family Resource Group meeting held at Hunter AAF on 17 January to let the families and troops attending know that we stand with them and offer our help and assistance not just to the soldiers deploying, but to the family members as well. On January 20th Commander Helms and Sr Vice Commander James presented the Company with our Certificate of Adoption, and spoke to the soldiers and families. On 24 January Cdr Helms handed out a small American flag to each departing troop as they left for Ft Benning and wished them good luck and Godspeed on their journey.
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Post 27 Honors a 2003 Blue Star Business
(Savannah, Ga) Commander Bill Helms recently presented a Certificate of Designation as a Blue Star Business to the Employees of the United States Postal Service Oglethorpe Station in Savannah. Accepting the Certificate Station Supervisor Ernest Warden (USA, ret) said, “I don’t think we can do enough for our guys over there.” The employees of Oglethorpe Station donated over a hundred Christmas greeting cards, and over 50 lbs of Troop Support items. In addition the window service employees collected donations of calling cards valued at $185.00. Calling and greeting cards were shipped to all of our deployed units and the wounded soldiers at Walter Reed AMC.
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Post 27 to Honor 3rd ID KIA’s in March
Post 27 will honor the soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division who have given their lives for us on Saturday, the 20th of March at our Flag Retirement Ceremony. Preceding the 7:30 pm Ceremony will be the 3rd Annual Bottomless Bowl of Chili Cook-off and dinner. Proceeds from this event will go to oour Non-Profit Programs including The Veterans Children Scholarship Fund, Boys and Girls State, our Troop Support Program and The Purple Heart Fund. We need members to sign up to help with the ceremony. If you would like to be a part of the ceremony and have a military style weapon that can fire blanks we need at least 3 and up to seven members. We also need designated help at the Flag table. Etc We are planning practices on Sunday 29 February and 14 March. If you’d like to help Contact the Adj at (912) 695-0735 or (912) 756-3038. We also need each of you to sell the tickets that you will receive soon. Price is $5.00 (Children under 12 are Free) Ticket entitles bearer to One Hot Dog, Chips, and All the Chili you can eat. We will be Selling tickets in front of the Richmond Hill Kroger on 5.6.&7 March from 11AM – 7 PM each day, If you want to take on Commander Helms’ “Smart Bomb Chili”, the Adj’s “Special Ops Brew” or Last years Winning Entry, Carla Gardner’s’ “Secret Recipe”. Enter the Contest by Sending the following information to PO Box 2767, Richmond Hill, 31324 Be sure to Include your $10.00 Entry Fee Name Address Phone Name of your Chili
Rules 1. Must make at least enough to serve 12- 8oz servings 2. Must enter before 15 March
Winner will receive Bragging Rights for one year, the Traveling Trophy, and all of the Entry Fees as a prize. The more who enter, the more you can win.
The Adj
Blue Star Support
For 2004 The Following Have Been Designated as Blue Star Supporters. We hope you will Support Them
Blue Star Schools George Washington Carver Upper Elementary School Richmond Hill Middle School
Blue Star Businesses
Richmond Hill Kroger US Postal Service Richmond Hill 3J’s Steakhouse, Richmond Hill Plums Restaurant, Richmond Hill Richmond Hill Florist Wyndens Hair Resort, Savannah Richmond Hill, Sporting Goods
The Above Businesses have collection Boxes available to drop off Items on the troop support list; if you can’t make it to a meeting, or over to my house. If you can’t make that then send a phone card or two to PO Box 2767, Richmond Hill, Ga 31324
The Adj
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Commanders’ Corner The month of Jan. has been a busy month. We’ve adopted, a National Guard unit, F CO.131st Aviation, a Chinook helicopter company. The company was federalized on 21 January and is in Ft Benning training for deployment to Afghanistan. Post 27 promised the Family Resource Group (FRG), that we would watch over and help out in emergencies. Emergencies such as car problems, Emergency Appliance repair, Carpentry, and other tasks in general. Legionnaire Craig Wheeler has taken on the responsibility for car repairs, Legionnaire Paul Waltz will handle the appliances, (he owns an appliance repair shop if you need help), we are in need of a plumber, and carpenter, and I can assist in the carpenter work. Adjutant Ellis, and I went to meet the soldiers and their families, spoke to them, giving them the word of our post that we will help. Sr-Vice James and I visited the Unit Saturday the 20th and gave them our resolution for adoption. We received many thanks from them; it is a major comfort for the deploying soldiers to know we are there for them and their families if needed. If anyone wants to participate in our assistance registry, contact Adj Ellis at (912) 695-0735 or me at (912) 756-2649. We recently formalized the collection effort and recognition of those who help by creating the Troop Support Committee and the Blue Star Banner recognition Program. Legionnaire Johnnie Miracle has agreed to be the Troop Support Committee Chairman His duty is to ask for assistance in obtaining goods and money. Businesses, individuals, and schools that provide help will be designated a Blue Star Business, School, Organization, or Supporter, and be given a certificate of recognition for the same. The children in the George Washington Carver Upper Elementary School and the Richmond Hill Middle School made over 1,000 valentine cards and letters for us to send to our soldiers. We in turn are designating them "Blue Star" schools. These students make me so proud, so proud that they do care they do want to help, God Bless them all. Richmond Hill is in the process of erecting a Veterans Monument in Gregory Park, they need money to build this for us Vets. We may purchase a brick with our names, duty dates, for the price of $50.00, so dig in your pockets and send it in. You can send it to me if you wish or take to city courthouse, my address is William Helms, 85 Bailey Plantation Dr, Richmond Hill GA 31324, make the check out to Richmond Hill Veterans Monument. Post 27 has 4 members on the monument committee. I am looking forward to a very productive year; our post is #1 again in Dist 1 for membership, that’s a lot of work, thanks to your endless efforts. Don’t stop now, keep on recruiting new members. God Bless America and our soldiers in harms way.
For God and Country… William B Helms Jr Commander
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The Post is taking orders for a Post 27 Legion Hat. We need a minimum of 12 hats pre-ordered and prepaid the hat will be a baseball style with the legion emblem and Post 27 embroidered on the crown. If you want to pick up your hat at a meeting, Cost will be $20.00 per hat; profits will be added to the building fund. If you want me to mail it to you add $5.00 shipping and handling. You can order your hat through the donations button on the left side of this page, in the donation category enter Post Hat This is a members only offer. The Adj
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Auxiliary NewsThe Auxiliary will meet at the Sr Citizens Center at its normal time on 19 February 2004
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Adjutant’s Call
As always, I hope this finds all of you in good health and cheer. The Post has once again hit the ground running hard in the New Year. With the Adoption of F Company, Setting up the Troop Support Committee and getting the Ball rolling on our Blue Star Program. Keep your eye on the local Papers for more Banner Presentations to the Schools and Local Businesses. I am proud to announce our Membership has now tied an all time high for Post 27. Back in 1955, right after the Korean War, Post 27 had 121 members. As of this writing we have tied that mark and need one more new member or renewal to break that record. Every member adds to the voice of our National Organization for the defense of Veterans Benefits and the continuation of Legion Programs. We have some activities in the planning stage right now and we need your local voice and help to ensure their success, come to the meeting on 19 Feb and see what you can do to help. Some very good news on the Adopted Units front, the 549th MP Company will be home soon. We do not yet have a firm date but we are expecting them in early March. We are working with their Family Resource Group (FRG), putting together a comfort bag for the single soldiers for their return. We will include their Blue Star placard that has been hanging in my office window, and would like the members to sign it at the next meeting (Feb 19th) as a welcome home card. With the return of the 549th we also have the Planned Departure of the 293rd MP Company to Iraq soon. The Executive committee approved the adoption of the 293rd at our meeting on 12 February, so the Blue Star Banner program looms even larger in providing support for our troops. This will give us Adopted units in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and the wounded soldiers at Walter Reed AMC. Finally, Zena and I hope all of you had a happy Valentines Day, God Bless each of you, our Troops, and our Great Nation. For God & Country…
John H Ellis Sr Adjutant
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KIA’sCurrentOperations It is my sad duty to report the following named individuals have given their lives for us and the free peoples of the world since our last publication. Please keep them and their families in your thoughts and prayers. The Adj
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Operation Iraqi FreedomUS ArmySgt. Glenn R. Allison, 24, Dec. 18, 2003, Iraq Spc. Solomon C. Bangayan, 24, Jan. 2, 2004, Iraq Spc. Todd M. Bates, 20, Dec. 10, 2003, Iraq Sgt. Benjamin W. Biskie, 27,.Dec. 24, Iraq Spc. Joseph M. Blickenstaff, 23, Dec. 8, 2003, Iraq CWO Clarence E. Boone, 50, Texas, Dec. 2, 2003, Kuwait Pfc. Jeffrey F. Braun, 19, Dec. 12, 2003, Iraq Pfc. Charles E. Bush Jr., 43Dec. 19, 2003, Iraq SSG. Thomas W. Christensen, 42, Dec. 25, 2003, Iraq CSM Eric F. Cooke, 43, Dec. 24, 2003, Iraq Staff Sgt. Ricky L. Crockett, 37, Jan. 12, Iraq SSG. Craig Davis, 37, Jan. 8, 2004, Iraq Spc. Michael A. Diraimondo, 22, Jan. 8, 2004, Iraq Spc. Rian C. Ferguson, 22, Dec. 14, 2003, Iraq Spc. Luke P. Frist, 20, Jan. 5, 2004, Fort Sam Houston, Texas (of injuries sustained in Iraq) Spc. Christopher A. Golby, 26, Jan. 8, 2004, Iraq Spc. Charles G. Haight, 23, Dec. 26, 2003, Iraq Capt. Kimberly N. Hampton, 27, Jan. 2, 2004, Iraq SSG. Stephen C. Hattamer, 43, Dec. 25, 2003, Iraq SFC Gregory B. Hicks, 35, Jan. 8, 2004, Iraq Spc. Nathaniel H. Johnson, 22, Jan. 8, 2004, Iraq CWO Philip A. Johnson, Jr., 31, Jan. 8, 2004, Iraq Sgt. Curt E. Jordan, Jr., 25, Dec. 28, 2003, Iraq Spc. Michael G. Mihalakis, 18, Dec. 26, 2003, Iraq Pfc. Jesse D. Mizener, 24, Jan. 7, 2004, Iraq Spc. Nathan W. Nakis, 19, Dec. 16, 2003, Iraq Pfc. Cody J. Orr, 21, Jan. 17, 2004, Iraq Capt. Eric T. Paliwoda, 28, Jan. 2, 2004, Iraq Pfc. Jerrick M. Petty, 25, Dec. 10, 2003, Iraq Spc. Larry E. Polley, Jr., Jan. 17, 2004, Iraq Sgt. Edmond L. Randle, 26, Jan. 17, 2004, Iraq 1LT. Edward M. Saltz, 27, Dec. 22, 2003, Iraq Spc. Marc S. Seiden, 26, Jan. 2, 2004, Iraq Spc. Uday Singh, 21, Dec. 1, 2003, Iraq Capt. Christopher F. Soelzer, 26, Dec. 24, 2003, Iraq Pfc. Kenneth C. Souslin, 21, Dec. 15, 2003, Iraq SSG. Michael J. Sutter, 28, Dec. 26, 2003, Iraq SSG. Kimberly A. Voelz, 27, Dec. 14, 2003, Iraq CWO Aaron A. Weaver, 32, Jan. 8, 2004, Iraq Spc. Christopher J. Rivera Wesley, 26, Dec. 8, 2003, Iraq Pfc. Jason G. Wright, 19, Dec. 8, 2003, Iraq Sgt. Michael E. Yashinski, 24, Dec. 24, 2003, Iraq Sgt. Ryan C. Young, 21, Dec. 2, 2003, Washington, D.C., (of wounds sustained in Iraq)
Operation Enduring FreedomUS ArmySgt. Theodore L. Perreault, 33, Dec. 23, 2003, Cuba Sgt. Roy A. Wood, 47, Jan. 9, 2004, Afghanistan
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AN INVITATION TO GET MORE INVOLVED
I was privileged to be part of a small group that started up J.E. Lanier Post 27 back in 1998. Even more astounding, they entrusted the honor of Post Commander upon me that first two years when we struggled to get going. Since then we have had 3 more Post Commanders and numerous other members who have stepped forward to shoulder their share of the responsibilities at other Post Officer positions and on a variety of committees. After stepping aside as Post Commander, I have kept my hand in post business on the Executive Committee, various projects and as the Post Historian. At the January meeting I asked the Post Commander to accept my resignation as Post Historian. This presents an opportunity for one of you to step forward and place your name before Commander Helms for appointment to the vacant position. It is not a terribly difficult office to hold. If I can do it, and win the state 1st place honors the first year I did it, I believe most anyone else can do an excellent job at it. Let me tell you a little about the position of Post Historian. You should know how to use a computer and write in Word. A pc with a printer and scanner to download and insert photos is very helpful. The rest of the job is simply to gather information of post events (meetings, fundraisers, awards, parades, festivals etc.) and put these into a document. The document is called a post Historical Report. Criteria for its contents can be found in an officer’s manual, which the commander can provide. You may need to attend some events to gather photos or ensure that an officer attending gets some for you. The Adjutant gathers many of these for his newsletter. You can sometimes get them from him. Keep copies of his newsletter to extract narrative information of what has happened or what the post is planning. Obtain copies of minutes of meetings, committees and auxiliary activities as well. The Post Historical Report year is the same as the elected officers year and fiscal year. It runs from installation of the new officers in late July or early August to the election of new officers the following June and the State Convention in June or July. It must be ready prior to the summer convention at State if it is to be entered into the competition. Sometimes the competition can be quiet strong and at other times non-existent. I will be more than happy to help you get started and share with you existing file photos of key people and past officers. I know at least two potential candidates for this job mentioned it at the January Meeting. I ask them or anyone else interested to step forward now! Besides the position at Post level, there is also a vacancy at District 1. A Public Affairs Officer (PAO) position also needs to be filled. This person coordinates news releases to the local media and helps the Historian and newsletter editor. The PAO acts as the Chairman for Public Relations. Please contact myself Lee Brown at 756-2748 with any questions or Adjutant John Ellis Sr., Post Commander Bill Helms or District Commander Don Gardner. Thank you for your attention. ACT NOW!
Lee Brown, Past Commander
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Word From The Front
Enforcer 6
FROM THE MUDDY DESK OF ENFORCER 6. HELLO and Happy 2004 to all the Soldiers, family members and friends of the great 549th Military Police Company. With the holidays finally passed your great Enforcers have been busy continuing with their daily missions. These efforts mainly consist of developing Police Intelligence on criminals in Sadr City and then working with our friends in the Iraqi Police and US Law Enforcement Agencies to arrest the guilty parties. To date these operations have been a huge success that has resulted in large volumes of criminal activity being stopped in our area of responsibility. The unit is also slowly beginning to plan for our re-deployment back to Fort Stewart. Going home requires the same amount of effort that getting over here required. We will be cleaning (and re-cleaning!) all our equipment and personal bags until the folks at US Customs are satisfied. Another important final task for the company is ensuring our replacements are well versed in the intricacies of Operation Iraqi Freedom. We will be working closely with these units in all aspects of our mission. Operational, logistical, administrative and quality of life concerns and questions will be addressed with our follow-on units. Recently the 549th MP CO held its Soldier and NCO of the Quarter Board. I’m proud to report that every participant did a great job demonstrating their military knowledge before the distinguished panel of SFC Marciano and the Enforcer Platoon Sergeants. But as in all contests, there has to be winners. The NCO of the Quarter is SGT Taurus Hunter and the Soldier of the Quarter is PFC Shannon Spanton. Congratulations! For the past three months the mighty Ghost Riders of 3rd platoon have provided direct support military police support to the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment. Their duties have primarily consisted of escorting the Regimental Commander and Command Sergeant Major to and from many important meeting s and events. Recently Command Sergeant Major Blackwood presented his escort team with Army Commendation Medals for their outstanding support and dedication to his security. Deserving awards were presented to SPC Mariani, PFC Spanton and PFC Zambrana. Hoo-ah, GhostRiders. As many of you may know, the 3D Infantry Division (M) is transforming into a new unit of action concept. This means that the 549th MP CO will most likely cease to exist as we know it upon our return to Fort Stewart. While this will be a sad day in the storied history of the Enforcers it will be an exciting time for the Division and your Soldiers. I hope each Enforcer family joins me in realizing what a special company they are a part of. Simply, the best MP Company in our GREAT ARMY. HOO-AH!!
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Boys & Girls State Fellow Legionnaire & Auxiliary members it is time again to start the search for our 2004 Boys & Girls State Delegates. This is a week long program sponsored by the American Legion and Auxiliary at Georgia Southern University. While attending these separate but equal programs the students from all over Georgia create mock governments, where they in a practical setting run Local, County, and State governments. The students must meet the following criteria to be eligible to attend: A. They must be a Junior this year in High School and in Good Academic Standing B. There cumulative GPA must be 3.0 (Boys State only) C. Students must be available during the Week of June 13-18 (Girls) and June 13-19 (Boys) 2004. D. They can not have attended Boys or Girls State in the past
If you know of any student Boy or Girl who would be interested in attending this program please have them get in touch with our post or me for a Perspective Delegate Data Sheet, at my home 912-756-5155 or my mobile at 912-266-7029 or by email at cwc400@yahoo.com . Our post will be making a presentation to interested eligible students at Richmond Hill High School some time in early March 2004. For God and Country… Chad Carpenter Jr. Vice Commander/Boys State Chairman |
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The Following was sent to me by e-mail with the instructions to pass it on to people who might be interested THOUGHTS ON COMMAND IN COMBAT
A commander is responsible for everything his unit does or fails to do. The Army gave me the honor and the privilege of being a commander; then they asked me to lead thousands of soldiers in combat. As the Commander of the 18th Military Police Brigade for the first year of Operation Iraqi Freedom, I only wanted two things; accomplish all missions and send every soldier back home alive. From the initial invasion of Iraq in late March, until our one year deployment was over, we accomplished all missions. However, I failed to bring every soldier back home alive. I accept full responsibility for that and will have to live with this fact the rest of my life. The following are the names of the great Americans I failed to bring back home:
SPC Narson Sullivan 411th MP Co.
SGT Travis Burkhardt 170th MP Co.
SPC Eric Hull 307th MP Co.
SSG Bobby Franklin 210th MP Co
PFC Charles Sims 549th MP Co
LTC Kim Orlando HHD, 716th MP Bn.
SSG Joseph Bellavia 194th MP Co.
CPL Sean Grilley 194th MP Co.
PFC Rachel Bosveld 527th MP Co.
SGT Aubrey Bell 214th MP Co.
SGT Nicholas Tomko 307th MP Co.
SSG Aaron Reese 135th MP Co.
SPC Todd Bates 135th MP Co.
The heroes above are not just names but human beings that gave their lives because they believed in something greater than themselves. How many Americans can say that about what they do everyday? They gave their lives to accomplish the mission we were given, which was to liberate the Iraqi people and help create a safe and secure environment in a country that had been oppressed by a brutal regime for 30 years. Regardless of what their duty position was, everyday they went about accomplishing whatever mission they were given, regardless of the danger they faced. Today they are looking down on us, knowing they gave everything they had so people they didn't even know would have an opportunity for a better life; a quality of life that is just a small percentage of what most Americans enjoy everyday. We must continue the fight so the heroes listed above will not have died in vain. We gave each of our fallen comrades a fitting memorial and mourned their loss. Each time, I knew these heroes left wives, husbands, children and other loved ones behind. They were all volunteers and each had their reasons for joining the Army and defending their country. They all had great plans for the future, but none of them had planned on dieing in combat. These soldiers will never see their children graduate from high school, will never attend their weddings, will never coach their little league baseball teams During our one year we had contact with the enemy 395 times and we awarded 180 purple hearts as a result of wounds received during these attacks. Some of the surviving soldiers will never be physically the same and none of us will ever be emotionally the same. Things that were real important before the war just don't seem important any more. In the movies, combat sometimes seems glamorous. But in the movies, after the cameras are turned off, the actors get up, wipe away the fake blood and go home. In real combat, slain soldiers do not get up and do not go home. I will never forget the soldiers that perished while under my command and our nation will never be able to pay them or their families the debt they are owed. May they rest inpeace.
Freedom is not free!
Colonel Ted Spain February, 2004 |
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Troop Support Items The following is a list of items we are collecting every month at the meetings and throughout town to support our troops in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan and Walter Reed AMC. Please bring a donation of any of the listed goods to each meeting until further notice. Or drop off at The Adj’s House 27 Whippoorwill Ln RH Phone Cards Personal Hygine Baby Wipes Waterless Hand Soap Sunglasses Visine Female Specific products Morale Boosters Paperback Books Magazines DVD’s Music CD’s Food Dr’s Various Spices Tabasco Sauce Soy Sauce Lea & Perin’s
Powdered Drink Mix Koolaid Lemonade Sweet Tea Instant Coffee
High Temp Sweets Like: Jelly Beans LifeSavers Cookies
Snacks:
Fritos Chips Crackers Instant Oatmeal Ramen Cup o Noodles Cheese Dip/Spread (Non Refig)
The Members of The American Legion JE Lanier Post 27 Thank you for your help.
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The Following Article is From” Air Force Retiree News”
VA gets record budget for FY 2004 The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will receive a record budget of $64 billion for the current fiscal year, up $4.2 billion from the previous spending level. The budget for fiscal year 2004, which began Oct. 1, 2003, comes as VA is putting the finishing touches on the administration's proposed budget for fiscal year 2005, which will be formally unveiled Feb. 2. Among the major items in fiscal year 2004 budget are $28.4 billion (including $1.7 billion in collections) for health care, up $2.9 billion from the previous year, and $32.8 billion in benefits programs. Other budgetary categories include: * $143.4 million for the National Cemetery Administration, an $11 million hike over last year, plus nearly $32 million in grants for state cemeteries; * Full funding to expedite the handling of veterans' claims for disability compensation and pensions - a total of $1 billion for all programs; * Nearly $176 million for health care and other programs to assist homeless veterans, an increase of over $22 million from fiscal year 2003; * $101 million to support state extended-care facilities, $3 million more than last year; and
* $522 million for construction, plus the authority to transfer another $400 million to health care construction. "This budget will ensure VA is able to meet the needs of the latest generation of combat vets who are now returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan, while continuing to care for those from earlier conflicts," Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi said.
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