Odierno Visits Soldiers in Afghanistan

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Stephanie L. Carl
Army News Service

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan  – Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno today visited with soldiers deployed to Afghanistan to share a holiday message and convey his gratitude to troops deployed overseas during the holiday season.

Odierno began his visit here with a tour of Mustang Ramp, which is the temporary home to the 101st Airborne Division’s 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, the rotary-wing aviation asset for Regional Command South.

Odierno told soldiers from the 159th CAB about the role aviation has played in Afghanistan and Iraq.

"It's because your experience, your expertise, what you bring to the table in ensuring that we have the capability to support everyone in the area of operations, no matter what it might be,” Odierno said. “It's your professionalism and attention to detail that's allowed us to do that.”

In addition to touring the aviation brigade's facilities, Odierno ate lunch with a few of the soldiers and fielded questions. The questions covered everything from international affairs to retirement benefits.

"There will be some changes," Odierno said on the topic of retirement. "We don't know what they will be yet; there's a lot of work to be done."

He reassured the soldiers, however, that both the commander in chief and the Joint Chiefs of Staff are intent on grandfathering current service members into the changes whenever they occur.

Odierno also presented awards to nearly 100 soldiers, and he administered the oath of enlistment to several soldiers from various units who were reenlisting, an event near and dear to his heart.

"I'm very proud that we have good men and women who are willing to stand up and raise their right hand and say, 'I want to be part of something that is bigger than myself -- I want to contribute, and I want to make a difference,'" the general said.

One of the soldiers Odierno reenlisted was Spc. David Ponce, a human resources specialist with the 159th CAB who reenlisted for four years and an assignment at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.

"Being in the Army pushes you to do more," Ponce said. "It pushes you to do your best and then some. It was a huge honor tohave General Odierno reenlist me. Not many people can say they were reenlisted by the Chief of Staff of the Army."

Odierno said the honor was all his.

"No matter how many times you've been deployed, whether this is your first deployment or your last deployment,” he said, “you have made a huge difference and contributed to stability, whether it be in Iraq or Afghanistan, and you've given them a chance for a future.”

Odierno closed his remarks to the soldiers with a reminder to stay safe and have a happy holiday season. He also reminded them of the importance to look out for one another, particularly in those units like the 159th CAB that are preparing to redeploy.

"Remember that as you get ready to deploy home to your family, you've got to continue to take care of each other," he said. "Be there for one another.

"The bonds you've formed on this deployment and other deployments you've had you'll remember for the rest of your life -- I guarantee it," Odierno added. "Part of that is being part of a team, part of a unit, and that you were able to achieve something together that very few people get a chance to achieve."

Face of Defense: Marine’s Christmas Song Salutes Families

By Marine Corps Cpl. Brian Adam Jones
2nd Marine Aircraft Wing

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan, Dec. 5, 2011 – During an earlier deployment to Iraq, Marine Corps Master Sgt. Robert Allen wrote and recorded a song for his wife, Carla, and sent it to her on Christmas Eve.

 “She said she bawled her eyes out when she heard it,” Allen said. “My wife can’t stand it at all when I leave, but she understands what I do. She understands being a Marine is not just my job, it’s my passion.”

Allen can be seen playing his guitar and singing, “A Marine’s Christmas Song,” on YouTube. He said his song salutes military members and their families who endure separations during the holidays.

This year, Allen is serving in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He’s the aircraft rescue firefighting chief for Marine Wing Support Squadron 371, based out of Camp Leatherneck.

Allen’s squadron, deployed from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., provides aviation ground support for 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), the aviation combat element for the southwestern regional command of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force, which encompasses Helmand and Nimruz provinces, where the Marines have centered their counterinsurgency operations.

“I joined the Marine Corps to make a difference and to be part of a force that protects my country,” said Allen, a native of Pawnee, Okla. The son of an Air Force mechanic, Allen enlisted in 1996 at age 22.

“I just wanted to be in the military, and I always knew that as a young man,” Allen said. “As I grew older, seeing Marines and hearing the stories about [the Marine Corps], the honor that came with being a United States Marine, that appealed to me.”

Allen said he began playing the guitar as a corporal stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., when his wife bought her father’s guitar.

“I started writing my own music right away, because I didn’t know anyone else’s music. I didn’t have anyone to teach me how to play, except an old music book,” Allen said. “When I was a young Marine and didn’t have money for gifts, I used to write my wife songs for anniversaries.”

There are now 12 guitars in the Allen household. His two sons -- Aaron, 17, and Aidan, 15 -- also are avid guitarists.

“My daughter is really good at playing the maracas or the tambourine,” Allen said of his 8-year-old daughter, Lainie. “She loves to jump in there, and she sings beautifully.”

Allen’s story of family awaiting his return resounds with many men and women who wear a uniform in Afghanistan.

“The Marines don’t need anything to help remind them of what they miss from back home,” Allen said. “For the spouses, they should know we’re constantly thinking about them.

“Even though we’re busy throughout the day,” he continued, “there are many times where we stop and think about home and how much we miss them -- just miss the little things that we share with them or the stuff we’re missing out on.

“Having them in our arms to hold is one of the most important things that you miss while you’re out here,” he added.

Allen said he hopes his Christmas song “will help people understand that though we’re willing to do it, it’s still heartbreaking.”

“For a military that’s willing and ready to leave their families to serve their fellow Americans, it’s all those little things that are hardest to deal with when you leave home,” Allen said.

Afghanistan: Delaware Governor Markell visits deployed Guard members

By Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Matwey
Delaware National Guard

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (11/22/11) -- As part of the Governor's Delegation Program, a 2004 initiative which allows state governors to visit deployed service members overseas, the Governor of Delaware embarked on a world wind trip to spend time with deployed Guard members from his state.

Meeting a Delawarean recovering from war wounds at a military hospital in Maryland, getting a tour of several expansive military facilities in Southwest Asia, seeing massive human trauma in a military hospital in Afghanistan and meeting Delaware National Guard members serving in combat zones has filled the week for Gov. Jack Markell.

The trip which started on Nov. 14 had Markell, along with Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, visiting the Pentagon to meet with Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta for briefings, the initiation to their Pentagon-sponsored trip to Southwest Asia.

After leaving the Pentagon, Markell visited with wounded soldiers getting physical and occupational therapy at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.

There he met three Delawareans whom he called "impressive and inspiring," and observed the amputee center. Markell said that one Delawarean he met, a Soldier, had undergone 31 surgeries to his arm. "He is so devoted to his service," Markell said.

Adding, he saw troops courageously doing the therapy and learning to walk. "It is certainly a reminder to all of us of the danger to all who are serving."

By Nov. 15 the governors were at a military camp in Southwest Asia, where Markell dined with a couple Delawareans then headed off to visit the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing at another location.

On Nov.16 the governors flew to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, and spent the day visiting the base and talking with people. That evening Markell participated in a video interview via satellite, talking about his experiences, conversations and impressions after his first two days overseas.

"I've met, literally, people from all over the country. The morale is high. They are proud to be here. They are proud to show off their capability, they are proud to show off what they're doing," he said.

“They are very clear and cognizant of the dangers but they take their work so proudly." He added, "Members of the military from Delaware and from around the country are doing a spectacular job."

The main impression I have here is just one of incredible devotion, capability, skill, loyalty and patriotism on the part of the folks who are here from all over the United States."

The first stop at Bagram Air Base was a visit to the military hospital, where the governor said he had an incredible experience. "A few hours earlier a Soldier came in who had lost both legs. And it just made it all so real, to see the dedication of the people in the field and the dedication of the people in the hospital," Markell said, adding he would not forget the scene of the injured Soldier.

The governor then visited Delaware service members deployed in support of U.S. military operations. He met several with several Airman, including Air Force Colonel Mike Feeley, deputy operations group commander, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, who is deployed from his home station position where he is commander of the 166th Operations Group of the 166th Airlift Wing, in the Delaware Air National Guard.

Asked why he came to the combat zone, Markell said, "There is no more pressing issue first of all than to make sure that all Americans thank the members of the military who are working so hard and so bravely on our behalf, and also important that when they come home, we not just thank them, but that we also hire them in jobs because we certainly want to put our veterans to work."

"I really appreciate the opportunity to be here, especially to thank the people from Delaware and certainly including the people from the Delaware National Guard.

"I've said often that the proudest part of being governor is to be the commander-in-chief of the Delaware National Guard. All of us back home should be so proud. We've got a couple hundred people in Afghanistan now and of course there are other Delawareans here as well."

Markell said he wanted people "to realize how real this is every single day," and talked about families. "A lot of these people are leaving spouses and kids for many months on end, not just from Delaware, but across the country." The governor said via satellite, "It seems so far away, but these are our neighbors, our coworkers who are literally putting themselves at risk on our behalf."

He spoke of the members of the Delaware National Guard who have deployed. "We've had hundreds and hundreds and hundreds over the last several years and while everybody back at home goes about their work, they're living under very difficult conditions, putting themselves at risk, really fighting on our behalf and on behalf of the country."

Addressing the conflict in Afghanistan, Markell said, "Obviously this is a mission that started 10 years ago after 9/11. It's one that obviously the president has indicated an interest, as have others, to wind down, when possible," and the governor added that troops are being withdrawn.

He also talked about the work of the Connecticut troops whose job it is to operate entry control for many vehicles coming onto the Bagram Air Base to keep the population safe from harm, and all of the U.S. forces on duty he saw in Southwest Asia and in particular in Afghanistan. "Every single person I talked to in [Southwest Asia] and Afghanistan has very much believed in what they are doing.

"They are focused on doing their job in an excellent fashion every minute of every day. You know, these men and women, there isn't much of a social life here. They're basically working all the time," he said. "A lot of times they'll have an opportunity to go to the gym on a daily basis, but otherwise they're working. They take it seriously, they're proud of it, and they're going to keep doing it until they are told otherwise."

Seeing Delawareans was a highlight for the governor.

"They had maybe a couple hours notice that I was coming. They asked me to get in touch with family back home which I certainly look forward to doing. Most importantly, it is important for them to know that they are remembered -- that people back home are thinking about them or praying for them," he said. "I bring them, especially the folks in the National Guard, the greetings and good wishes of [Maj.] General [Frank] Vavala, [the adjutant general, Delaware National Guard], who is just thinking about them and advocating for them every single day."

"I can't wait until they come home, safely, that's what it's all about.

"These are not just great Soldiers, and Airmen, and folks from the Navy and other forces. These people have amazing skills," Markell said. "One of the things I love about visiting the people of the National Guard - 2,500 of them from Delaware - their skills are tremendous and we can do so much with them back home building the economy, building jobs, helping them build careers. That's of course what I'd love to see them doing. In the meantime they have a mission to do and they're doing it incredibly well."

A Thank You Letter to Our Troops

By Elaine Sanchez
Nov. 23, 2011

Dear deployed service member:

Last night, I packed my suitcase for a trip to see my family. The last time you packed your bags, it was for a yearlong trip away from yours.

We’ll soon crowd into our car and head to my parents’ house at the shore. You’ll step into a Humvee and convoy through a combat zone.

Tomorrow I’ll sit down for a Thanksgiving feast at a table surrounded by my loved ones. You’ll join your battle buddies in a dining facility.

At night, I’ll lay my son down in his bed for the night. You’ll lay down your rifle to catch some sleep in between missions.

I’ll check on my children one last time before I head to bed. You’ll blow a kiss to yours through a computer screen.

This Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for your service. For being among the 1 percent of Americans willing to part from your family for up to a year and put yourself in harm’s way for me and my family.

Even though you’re thousands of miles away, rest assured your sacrifices don’t go unnoticed. It’s my family’s tradition to say what we’re thankful for at our holiday dinner. This year, I’ll be sure to say how thankful I am for you.