Archive for Remember the Fallen

Nov
06

5th of November

Posted by: Tammy | Comments (2)

Thanks for coming back to visit! If you would like to be a guest blogger at ArmyHousehold6.com - please let Tammy know!

Image courtesy of Momlogic.com and Getty Images

Image courtesy of Momlogic.com and Getty Images

November 5th, 2009 will be one of those days that I never will forget where I was or what I was doing. In ways, it reminded me a lot of my thoughts and fears of September 11, 2001. It brought back images of desperately searching for information, hoping it wasn’t what you thought it was, and praying for those families affected.

I first heard of the shooting at Fort Hood on Twitter, I immediately thought, “Well, Fort Hood is certainly no stranger to violence.” There have been numerous shootings and murders in and around Fort Hood over the last several years. It must be something along those lines.

But as information began to emerge on Twitter, Facebook and the major news channels, my thoughts went to: “Oh my goodness, this is actually happening.” I felt an immediate heaviness in my heart and wondered if we knew anyone directly who was there. I began searching for those that we know in Texas and luckily none of them were any of the families directly impacted by the horrific tragedy at Fort Hood.

It was also a role reversal as well. Usually, it is my deployed husband telling me what is going on over there where he is stationed in Afghanistan so I won’t worry. Yesterday,  he was calling me to find out what happened so he wouldn’t worry. It was the middle of the night for them, and there wasn’t a whole lot of information

As the information and speculation began to explode all over the internet, I found myself glued to the internet and television just like I was on September 11th. I was not only worrying about those who were getting that knock on their door from official military personal, but about our own personal safety.

One of the reasons so many families live on a military installation is the safety factor. It is so much safer to live on “post.” You feel safe here. You see the MP’s patrolling the streets on foot and in their vehicles. You have security at the gates, so you must have a Dept. of Defense sticker and an ID to gain access. One man, an Officer in the US Army, took that feeling of being protected and safe away from us.

Of course I’m not paralyzed with fear or anything, but it does make you stop and think. Are we really “safer” here on post? Was that something we tell ourselves so that we can make it through the various deployments? I don’t think any of us will be that naive any more. If it can happen at Fort Hood, it can happen at just about anywhere.

The horrific tragedy that occurred yesterday was magnified I believe by many in the mainstream media and others. There was ton of speculation and assuming of unproven facts. I thought that they were supposed to report the FACTS. But I know that mainstream media has a long history of sensationalizing stories to make things more news-worthy.

This was not the time to do that. Family members of Fort Hood soldiers were desperately searching for information about their loved ones and what they were finding was lots of speculation and “talking heads” jumping to conclusions. They needed fact and truth.

All in all, the people of the United States did what we do best. We rallied around those who were affected by tragedy and we will continue to be there for them until they no longer need our love, prayers and support.

Originally posted  at http://www.momlogic.com/2009/11/the_fort_hood_tragedy_through.php#ixzz0W88nMOJ5

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Oct
12

Military Monday – Moment of Silence

Posted by: Tammy | Comments (0)

fallensoldiers - MIlitary MondayWhen you were born, an angel smiled,
As you became a child, an angel sat on your shoulder.
When you became a teen, an angel held your hand.
As you went to war, an angel walked down the road with you,
And, when you died, another angel got their wings.

Please take time to reflect upon the names and the lives of these heroes. RIP– it is time to rest heroes.

Sgt. Aaron M. Smith, 25, of Manhattan, Kan. died Oct. 2 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.

Pfc. Brandon A. Owens, 21, of Memphis, Tenn. died Oct. 2 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, He was assigned to the 118th Military Police Company, 503rd Military Police Battalion, 16th Military Police Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, N.C

Sgt. Thomas D. Rabjohn, 39, of Litchfield Park, Ariz., died Oct. 3 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated during an attempt to disarm it. He was assigned to the 363rd Explosive Ordnance Detachment, Coolidge, Ariz.

Spc. Paul E. Andersen, 49, of Dowagiac, Mich., died Oct. 1 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his camp using indirect fire. He was assigned to the 855th Quartermaster Company, South Bend, Ind.

Maj. Tad T. Hervas, 48, of Coon Rapids, Minn., died Oct. 6 at Contingency Operating Base Basra, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 34th Infantry Regiment, Rosemont, Minn.

Staff Sgt. Vernon W. Martin, 25 of Savannah, Ga. died Oct. 3 in Kamdesh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked contingency outpost with small arms, rocket-propelled grenade and indirect fires. Assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

Sgt. Justin T. Gallegos, 27, of Tucson, Ariz. died Oct. 3 in Kamdesh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked contingency outpost with small arms, rocket-propelled grenade and indirect fires. Assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

Sgt. Joshua M. Hardt, 24, of Applegate, Calif. died Oct. 3 in Kamdesh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked contingency outpost with small arms, rocket-propelled grenade and indirect fires. Assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

Sgt. Joshua J. Kirk, 30, of South Portland, Maine. died Oct. 3 in Kamdesh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked contingency outpost with small arms, rocket-propelled grenade and indirect fires. Assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

Sgt. Michael P. Scusa, 22, of Villas, N.J. died Oct. 3 in Kamdesh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked contingency outpost with small arms, rocket-propelled grenade and indirect fires. Assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

Spc. Christopher T. Griffin, 24, of Kincheloe, Mich. died Oct. 3 in Kamdesh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked contingency outpost with small arms, rocket-propelled grenade and indirect fires. Assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

Spc. Stephan L. Mace, 21, of Lovettsville, Va. died Oct. 3 in Kamdesh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked contingency outpost with small arms, rocket-propelled grenade and indirect fires. Assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

Pfc. Kevin C. Thomson, 22, of Reno, Nev. died Oct. 3 in Kamdesh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked contingency outpost with small arms, rocket-propelled grenade and indirect fires. Assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

Spc. Kevin O. Hill, 23, of Brooklyn, N.Y., died Oct. 4 at Contingency Outpost Dehanna, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit using small arms and indirect fires. He was assigned to the 576th Mobility Augmentation Company, Fort Carson, Colo.

Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth W. Westbrook, 41, of Shiprock, N.M., died Oct. 7 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., of wounds suffered Sept. 8 when insurgents attacked his unit in the Ganjigal Valley, Afghanistan, using small arms and indirect fire. He was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

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Oct
07

How did you spend your day?

Posted by: Tammy | Comments (2)
Me, Kiersten and James Jarman at the KOAA (NBC) Studio

Me, Kiersten and James Jarman at the KOAA (NBC) Studio

As usual in Casa de Munson… nothing EVER goes as planned. I had the day planned for homeschooling Kiersten, getting some client work done and working on a volunteer project at Beck’s school.

I spoke with SGT Daddy this morning and he is doing well. Although, he scared me a little today while we were talking when he said “Be quiet .. I think I hear a disturbance” I immediately thought WHAT?!?! He then told me it was nothing . (jeez, talk about trying to give me a heart attack)

After I got done talking to him, the local news station called and requested an interview with me TODAY! I looked at Kiersten and said guess what — we are taking a field trip to the news station! Yep I was interviewed by Channel 5 again.. even Kiersten was in the video this time!  : )

You can see the video HERE

If you are are interested in supporting a service member, I would HIGHLY suggest Soldiers Angels.com. They have over 1400 service-members waiting to be adopted.

If you need more information or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me

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Oct
06

SGT Daddy’s Story

Posted by: Tammy | Comments (53)
AMEDD

AMEDD - to conserve fighting strength

This is a REALLY LONG POST — this came directly from my husband, SGT Daddy (with some minor edits from me for OPSEC reasons). This account describes what my husband went through over a 9 hour period.

The morning began with the siren signaling incoming. I ignored it. I hate putting on my gear and besides the big boy voice had dutifully reminded me that I should remain in hard shelter. I didn’t argue by deed or word. In the meantime the 155’s began to blaze away in support of some action that did not affect me. Later I was called out of my room to help in the aid station. Two of the COB (combat operations base )  were in the midst of a full on assault by the Taliban.

Rumor had it they had made it inside the wire signaled by claymores just outside the gate exploding in response to encroachment. Later some treated would say that some of the Afghan Army had turned their weapons on them.

I quickly changed and found the Aid Station in the midst of preparations. The toll was 12 casualties coming in with 5 KIA. This would later be amended to 15 counting Afghan forces. I was in the way and ill prepared to offer much assistance but did whatever I was instructed to.

I was asked if I could be a recorder, that is to record the ongoing medical treatment of a casualty at a specific bed, I dutifully answered yes. I had reservations. The only MasCal I’d ever experienced was in JRTC, did this make me ready? I would find out but not for hours.

The fighting was ongoing and in answer of support the 155’s ceased only to be replaced by jet after jet as well as rotary support. I knew it must be bad just seeing the amount of firepower flying in to make defense of our troops. The area had to be secured in order to enable evacuation of the wounded by Blackhawk.

Later SGT S would relay to me that he had word of a billion dollars worth of munitions being dropped to that end. Familiar faces showed up in support of the effort as well. Tom, an Army Doc with some other providers arrived in support.

When word finally came that the first to be evacuated were on the way over 9 hours had passed. The number of wounded remained the same meaning that these guys had held on all day, some with horrible injuries. All day soldiers had been waiting dutifully outside to help the ambulatory patients while the litter of patients would brought directly to the aid station. The big boy voiced beckoned those that were a specific blood type report to the aid station.

Later those that were CLS (combat life support)  certified were called in support of those we would soon be treating. Finally word came that the first medevac had come in. I was asked to tag the casualties as they came in order to track them.

The first litter patient came in and there was no time to affix the wrist band so I followed him back. My heart was racing. I put the bracelet on quickly and got the hell out of the way as the FST began quickly in a measured fashion working on the patient. I think he was American. I hurried back to the door as the next patient was coming in. It was an Afghan Army Soldier. I again followed the casualty to affix his bracelet. I again met the next patient at the door. It was another Afghan soldier. He could walk but he had to be guided in as his was face bandaged up. With shaking hands I put on the bracelet. The medics got him on a stretcher and began assessing his wounds.

PFC H would later recount how a soldier had taken shrapnel to the face and eyes, his nose and some of his lip. The next casualties coming in were to be all ambulatory. Some of us had 5 minutes to collect ourselves. For most it meant cleaning up and resetting for the due in casualties. For the FST,  it continued to be a fight to save a soldiers life.

The next casualties arrived and I was tasked to record. SGT A would treat and I would try to relay in shorthand what he was doing and what the soldier had suffered.

Throughout the night it shocked me how calm these patients were. Had I sustained these injuries I would have been beside myself. I reminded myself that they had had hours to reconcile to some degree what had happened to them. Our patient had been peppered by shrapnel on his left side, from is face down to his thigh. His left arm had been fractured as well. His response to all of this was calm and information. He told us that he’d been shot in the forearm a previous deployment. Once he was appropriately cared for I remember the call coming for people to perform CPR.

SGT M told me later the First American brought in went into cardiac arrest. He’d gone back to perform CPR to no avail. The docs cracked his chest and began massaging his heart. He didn’t make it. The next patient to come through that I saw was another Afghan Army. He had major damage to his right arm. They removed his bandages and they immediately wept blood. He had chunks missing from his arm. The closest I can approximate the injury to is the effect a melon baller has on a cantaloupe. That is was his arm looked like.

I was then called by name to my surprise to assist with a new situation. Wow I was needed specifically. To my dread, Capt P was having issues with the X-Ray plate reader. I secretly hoped was a simple problem with a simple solution. At first it appeared that way. The CPT explained that that the plate was not being brought into the machine for exposure. When I went to grab the plate it fell into the machine and naturally the x-ray was spoiled due to it’s high velocity delivery. The plate had not been fed in correctly and my hands had dislodged it allowing gravity to deliver the plate unceremoniously onto the carriage. A grinding noise ensued and what might’ve been a simple problem was exacerbated. A grinding motor came in response to the melee that had just ensued.

I grabbed my tools and began disassembling the unit while fielding questions of the unit’s operability. It was out of commission until I could resolve the issue. This scared the hell out of me. Up to this point I knew all I had to do was my best but that ultimately the lives of the injured rested squarely on the shoulders of the medics and doctors. I was flustered and had no idea if I could remedy the situation; after all I had worked on such a machine only once previously. I stopped and thought, long enough to realize I was taking apart the backside. The motor is to front left, this is where I needed to be!

I took my queue from the medics and began working at a measured pace. Once I opened the unit up seeing what I needed to see I quickly diagnosed the problem and fixed the unit. While still reassembling the unit the reader was again back in use. One patient had to be sent back out to another facility with the x-ray down. The Afghan Army soldier with the injured arm needed immediate attention.

I was relieved at my success and also that all eyes were no longer on me. I had never been in such a situation and came out no worse for wear.

In the end, it had become more of a group effort than I had anticipated. I had counted on the medical folks to handle everything. While I know I by no means saved the day -  it was gratifying to see a real need for my skills. In the end I don’t think I’d have managed so well if I had not witnessed the controlled chaos. Throughout everything, I witnessed a synergy between all those present. All of the things every one of us learned came in to play and the theoretical use during training came to fruition via an actual event wonderfully successful.

It was an altogether exhausting day, both gratifying and heart wrenching. For my part I will never forget it. For others present it will be perhaps yet another tragedy marked by heartfelt effort.

- written by SGT Daddy (6 Oct 2009 @ 1310 hours)

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Oct
04

We lost 8 of our own

Posted by: Tammy | Comments (12)

fallensoldierI wanted to post really quick about this weekend’s deadly attack in Afghanistan as I’ve received lots of phone calls, emails and IM’s asking about SGT Daddy.

As you probably have heard, this weekend 8 of our 4th ID , 4th Brigade soldiers gave the ultimate sacrifice in an attack from the Taliban(along with other groups) in Eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistan Border.

I do not believe that SGT Daddy was one of the 8 (i would have heard by now), I haven’t heard from him yet either since the attack. In these types of situations, there is usually a communication blackout so that the families of our fallen warriors can be notified. I’m sure that is the reason for not hearing from him.

As the details get released about the 8 soldiers, I will of course update as much as I can. I will make sure to let everyone know if there is anything you can do. Of course, in the meantime, please pray for our soldiers and comfort for their families.

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Sep
11

9.11.01

Posted by: Tammy | Comments (1)

Today is the 8th anniversary of the day that stood still.

It’s hard to believe that it has been 8 years since that fateful day. I remember it today as clearly as that day. I had just gotten Kiersten off to preschool and I was almost 7 months pregnant with Rebecca.

Even though I was nowhere near NYC, I felt fear and anger like never before. I know that I will always remember and never forget.

Do you remember where you were that day?

911

“WE WILL NOT WAVER,

WE WILL NOT TIRE,

WE WILL NOT FALTER,

AND WE WILL NOT FAIL.

PEACE AND FREEDOM

WILL PREVAIL.”

George W Bush

Please remember all those who lost their lives in New York, Washington DC
and on Flight 93!
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Jun
27

Let’s Honor the REAL Heroes!

Posted by: Tammy | Comments (10)

Boy ,what a couple of day huh? First Ed McMahon, former Marine and longtime sidekick of Johnny Carson passed away on Wednesday. Then yesterday I hear that Farrah Fawcett passed away as well as Michael Jackson.

When any celebrity passes away, you normally get a lot of “chatter” about them, their movies, what they did,etc. The posts about Michael Jackson were one after another glorifying this man who obsessed with plastic surgery and little boys. I actually had to turn off Twitter and Facebook because I just couldn’t stand it anymore.

I’m not saying he did not contribute to pop culture… he did. He was someone’s son, brother and father. It was just the amount of coverage this person got was seriously above and beyond. All of sudden Michael Jackson’s classic songs were the top songs downloaded on Itunes, Facebook apps were being created (“What M.J. song are you “) . Congress even went so far as to have a moment of silence in MJ’s honor. (this just sickens me) The list goes on and on ….troopcelebrity

It got me thinking … why in the world does our society mourn our celebrities (especially a pedaphile in my opinion) but we don’t honor our troops who provide the ultimate sacrifice in the same manner. Why don’t we honor there lives like we saw yesterday?? Our troops are the real heroes that deserve that honor.

It really says a lot about our society and the media when we forgot about the people that are truly make a difference for ourselves and our children, our freedoms and our future.

What do you think ?

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Mar
19

A different type of Veteran

Posted by: Tammy | Comments (0)

dogvet

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Mar
17

Haven’t our Veterans paid enough?

Posted by: Tammy | Comments (8)

armyfamilyAs usual I perusing Twitter today, looking to see what was being talked about, who was doing what, etc…Then I saw a article headline that made me do a double take! Here is what I saw:

Obama’s idea of supporting our military… Wants Wounded Soldiers To Pay For Treatment

At first, I thought it was something from The Onion, but no it wasn’t. Here are the links about them that  I found on my favorite political blog, Little Green Footballs, about the topic: Article 1 and Article 2

So, basically the story is that Obama is putting a plan together that would bill our veterans for treatment for service-related injuries. “Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki confirmed Tuesday that the Obama administration is considering a controversial plan to make veterans pay for treatment of service-related injuries with private insurance, according to CNN.Com

I mean, seriously?? He’s actually considering this! This is so wrong on so many levels. I mean this is just anti-American in my book. We’ve been hearing from the liberals for the last couple of years– “I don’t support the war but I do support the troops”! Is this part of that support??

When  men and women join the military, they give up so much. If they are deployed, they are asked to give up even more. Some of our servicemembers pay a really high price (injured) or sometimes even the ultimate price! Is this how our President wants to repay them for their service?

Even beyond that, these veterans and/or wounded warriors didn’t receive these injuries because of their own fault. They received these injuries serving in the United States Armed Forces. The least our government should be doing is making sure these injuries are covered by the VA.

I think the Leader of the American legion, Commander David K. Rehbein, said it best!

“This reimbursement plan would be inconsistent with the mandate ‘ … to care for him who shall have borne the battle … ’ given that the United States government sent members of the armed forces into harm’s way, and not private insurance companies.”

Several senators said that they were outraged and would kill the proposal. (Republicans & Democrats) I sure do hope so. I’m just angered and furious (and a couple other emotions too) that the President of the United States Barack Obama would even suggest this. I expect more out of OUR President. I expect him to protect us, do things in the best interest of America  and make sure that members of our Armed Forces are given the best care available to them, not to be billed for that care! I could only imagine what my grandfather , MSGT  Joseph Maltese, (30+ years US Army – Enlisted) would say if he were alive today.

If you disagree with this plan of the Obama Administration, make sure to blog, email, call , phone everyone you know and make them aware of it .

What do you think about all this? I’m curious to know.

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My friend LAW talked about this over at Parents Zone

As you may have read, the Secretary of Defense is reviewing the policy of taking photographs of coffins of the recently fallen soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan arriving at Dover AFB. This is one of those subjects that makes those of us who have family members serving – think, twitch and wonder what would we do.

As you know my husband will be deploying soon so of course something happening to him weighs heavily on my mind. We have talked extensively about if something were to happen… what he would want, what I would do, who to call,etc.

When I saw this post, I thought what??? How could Secretary Gates even consider this as an option. As a social media consultant, I understand the need to be authentic and transparent.It helps to answer the questions of the purposes behind the actions and the statements being said. I know that new media and social media is quickly becoming the trend for communicating.

This is one of those situations where I don’t think we need to be transparent. If a service member dies, that is a private moment between that service member who already give the ultimate sacrifice and their family, loved ones,etc.  Should they have to sacrifice their final goodbyes too?

I think that President Obama and  Secretary Gates  should ask US the military families… the ones it will effect of what we want to do. Let us decide if we want the media present to take pictures, video ,etc. First Lady Michelle Obama has said she wants to do more for military families… is this it? I certainly hope not.

I know for a fact that if my husband, SGT Daddy, has to make the ultimate sacrifice, I will not want to share my last moments with my husband and my children’s father with a bunch of journalists, photographers, etc.

I ultimately will share my husband’s story with the rest of the world. All I ask ….. Secretary Gates,  let that be on MY terms, not yours or the Obama Administration.

Let’s make sure that Secretary Gates hear our voice … share this story, post on your blog, post on your social media profiles,etc. Make sure to use the hashtag #notomedia so we can track things. More to come on this I promise!!

Feel free to comment here as well …

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