Today I attended a veterans' town hall meeting hosted by Rep. Martin Heinrich where veterans were given the opportunity to speak before Heinrich and a panel of state veterans' affairs representatives.
Topics addressed included retirement compensation, health care, education benefits and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
I was urged to go before the panel by a member in the audience to speak of the issues I have faced after returning from Iraq. I told the panel that veterans of the most recent conflicts have had it better than the older vets in terms of the services we receive, but I told them I had a couple complaints.
After speaking my mind about vocational rehabilitation entitlements and dental care I asked NM Secretary of Veterans' Affairs John Garcia where the state stood in the creation of a veterans' court.
He told me what I already knew: that a committee had been formed to study the possibility of creating such a court.
Afterward I was approached by someone from the state veterans' affairs who asked me if I would schedule an appointment with him to discuss my ideas about what a veterans' court should consist of.
I agreed to his proposition and will call next week. I have a few ideas about how such a court should work, but I would like a few suggestions from other veterans. Anyone who reads this please comment about what you think a veterans' court should offer.
This is a great opportunity that I will not waste, so please pass this message to any veterans you know so that I can provide more input to the state.
Thanks All,
Scott
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Three Marines Remembered This Memorial Day
I was guarding the gates of Babylon when I heard over the radio that a helicopter had gone down in the nearby river. Soon after a voice came over the radio saying Sgt. Ski was amongst those that had been killed in the accident.
At first I couldn’t believe it. What was he doing on the helicopter I asked myself? Something didn’t seem right. This wasn’t how Sgt. Ski was supposed to go. He was the type that would die jumping on a grenade to save his Marines.
I was soon relieved from my post, but I stayed around the radio waiting to hear more information. I found out later that Ski had not been on the helicopter, but had jumped in the river to try to rescue the downed crew. He ended up getting swallowed in the river as well.
So my intuition was right: Ski died trying to save someone, not by a freak accident.
Sgt. Kirk Allen Straseskie died May 19, 2003 serving his country the only way he knew how. I will always remember Ski as a real hero. Ski’s actions that day were unselfish and valiant. Ski will be remembered long past this Memorial Day and the one’s to follow. He is in the heart and soul of this country, and lives on in the spirit of democracy and freedom.
I didn’t know Sgt. Parkerson had been killed right away because I was already out of the Marines and was going to college. When the word got to me of his death I not only felt sorrow, but I felt guilty as well. Guilty because I wasn’t there fighting next to this Marine that had been there for me and the other “boots” he whipped into shape.
Parkerson was a martial arts instructor and taught many of us grappling moves and crowd control maneuvers we often used in Iraq and on each other. Parkerson was the type that would party hard with his younger Marines, but still quick to remind us who was boss.
Sgt. Harvey E. Parkerson III died at age 27 from enemy action in Al Anbar province. I’m sure many beers were poured out in his memory this Memorial Day. Parkerson’s fury and good will lives in the battle flags we raise each morning and his fighting spirit flows through the men and women who watch over the land while the rest of us sleep at night.
Carter was the type you wanted to have your back during a firefight in Iraq or in a bar brawl Stateside. Carter was the type of Marine you didn’t want to make mad. He had so much piss and vinegar in him people you could see it on the sweat on his forehead.
I remember bringing him from Camp Pendleton to Albuquerque while on leave. We partied like there was no tomorrow when we got here. I remember being one of the first people to arrive at a party we found down the street from where we were at. By the time the sun was coming up Carter was clearing out the rooms in traditional Marine Corps urban warfare style. Even on leave he couldn’t stop being a hard ass leatherneck.
He slept in the bunk below me on ship, he lived in the room next to me on base, he fought from a couple Amtracks over during the invasion of Iraq and the memories I have of him will rest forever in a special place in my mind.
Joshua M. Carter passed away March 26, 2009 after a long battle with post traumatic stress disorder. Josh was especially with me this Memorial Day.
May all the servicemen and women who passed away in the name of the red, white and blue rest in peace. And may you forever be remember and honored for the sacrifices you made on behalf of the United States of America.
At first I couldn’t believe it. What was he doing on the helicopter I asked myself? Something didn’t seem right. This wasn’t how Sgt. Ski was supposed to go. He was the type that would die jumping on a grenade to save his Marines.
I was soon relieved from my post, but I stayed around the radio waiting to hear more information. I found out later that Ski had not been on the helicopter, but had jumped in the river to try to rescue the downed crew. He ended up getting swallowed in the river as well.
So my intuition was right: Ski died trying to save someone, not by a freak accident.
Sgt. Kirk Allen Straseskie died May 19, 2003 serving his country the only way he knew how. I will always remember Ski as a real hero. Ski’s actions that day were unselfish and valiant. Ski will be remembered long past this Memorial Day and the one’s to follow. He is in the heart and soul of this country, and lives on in the spirit of democracy and freedom.
I didn’t know Sgt. Parkerson had been killed right away because I was already out of the Marines and was going to college. When the word got to me of his death I not only felt sorrow, but I felt guilty as well. Guilty because I wasn’t there fighting next to this Marine that had been there for me and the other “boots” he whipped into shape.
Parkerson was a martial arts instructor and taught many of us grappling moves and crowd control maneuvers we often used in Iraq and on each other. Parkerson was the type that would party hard with his younger Marines, but still quick to remind us who was boss.
Sgt. Harvey E. Parkerson III died at age 27 from enemy action in Al Anbar province. I’m sure many beers were poured out in his memory this Memorial Day. Parkerson’s fury and good will lives in the battle flags we raise each morning and his fighting spirit flows through the men and women who watch over the land while the rest of us sleep at night.
Carter was the type you wanted to have your back during a firefight in Iraq or in a bar brawl Stateside. Carter was the type of Marine you didn’t want to make mad. He had so much piss and vinegar in him people you could see it on the sweat on his forehead.
I remember bringing him from Camp Pendleton to Albuquerque while on leave. We partied like there was no tomorrow when we got here. I remember being one of the first people to arrive at a party we found down the street from where we were at. By the time the sun was coming up Carter was clearing out the rooms in traditional Marine Corps urban warfare style. Even on leave he couldn’t stop being a hard ass leatherneck.
He slept in the bunk below me on ship, he lived in the room next to me on base, he fought from a couple Amtracks over during the invasion of Iraq and the memories I have of him will rest forever in a special place in my mind.
Joshua M. Carter passed away March 26, 2009 after a long battle with post traumatic stress disorder. Josh was especially with me this Memorial Day.
May all the servicemen and women who passed away in the name of the red, white and blue rest in peace. And may you forever be remember and honored for the sacrifices you made on behalf of the United States of America.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Obama Reminds Country of the Meaning of Memorial Day
"That is what Memorial Day is all about. It is about doing all we can to repay the debt we owe to those men and women who have answered our nation's call by fighting under its flag. It is about recognizing that we, as a people, did not get here by accident or good fortune alone. It's about remembering the hard winter of 1776, when our fragile American experiment seemed doomed to fail; and the early battles of 1861 when a union victory was anything but certain; and the summer of 1944, when the fate of a world rested on a perilous landing unlike any ever attempted.""It's about remembering each and every one of those moments when our survival as a nation came down not simply to the wisdom of our leaders or the resilience of our people, but to the courage and valor of our fighting men and women."
-President Barack Obama in his weekly address, Saturday, May 23, 2009-
Martin Heinrich to Host Veteran's Townhall
U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich will host a veteran's townhall meeting Wednesday, May 27, 2009 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the New Mexico Veterans' Memorial, 1100 Louisiana Blvd. SE, Albuquerque, N.M.
Heinrich will listen to veterans as they speak about the issues facing them and their families.
Heinrich will also be a guest speaker at the 2009 Memorial Day & Fallen Warrior Ceremony on Monday, May 25, 2009 at the New Mexico Veterans' Memorial Park in Albuquerque.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
KAFB Captain to Receive Bronze Star
Capt. Shane Frith, Kirtland Air Force Base airmen, will receive the Bronze Star Medal May 15 at 1 p.m. for his work as an explosive ordinance disposal flight commander during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Frith led 391 combat missions that destroyed 126 IEDs, he was involved in operations that led to the kill or capture of 6 insurgents and 11 other "high -value" targets.
Frith was responsible for integrating his EOD team with the local Iraqi Police Counter Explosives Team.
The Bronze Star is awarded to any person who distinguishes themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement or service while engaged in military operations involving armed conflict with an enemy.
I don't know Frith, but it sounds like he sure deserves the medal. Anyone willing to risk getting themselves blown up to help provide a safer environment deserves my vote. Hopefully the Iraqi Police he worked with learned something and are succesful in reducing the amount of IEDs in Iraq.
It seems like IEDs are the weapon of choice in Iraq and they sure as hell are nasty. Every month someone gets killed by one of these things, and it's usually civilians that get taken out.
Frith led 391 combat missions that destroyed 126 IEDs, he was involved in operations that led to the kill or capture of 6 insurgents and 11 other "high -value" targets.
Frith was responsible for integrating his EOD team with the local Iraqi Police Counter Explosives Team.
The Bronze Star is awarded to any person who distinguishes themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement or service while engaged in military operations involving armed conflict with an enemy.
I don't know Frith, but it sounds like he sure deserves the medal. Anyone willing to risk getting themselves blown up to help provide a safer environment deserves my vote. Hopefully the Iraqi Police he worked with learned something and are succesful in reducing the amount of IEDs in Iraq.
It seems like IEDs are the weapon of choice in Iraq and they sure as hell are nasty. Every month someone gets killed by one of these things, and it's usually civilians that get taken out.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
NM Guardsman Prepare to Deploy
Estancia - “I heard some of you joking about how I’m going to go over there and kill someone,” Capt. Michael Calhoon said. “I hope I don’t have to. We’re there to help the Iraqi government sustain themselves.”
Calhoon, an Estancia Middle School math teacher and National Guardsman about to deploy to Iraq, was talking to the Elementary and Middle School students at the school gym in Estancia on Tuesday, May 5. A special assembly was held for him and Specialist Jordan Brock, an Estancia high school graduate and Guardsman about to deploy to Afghanistan.
Calhoon may not want to have to use lethal force, but he told the students that, “there are people who don’t appreciate us being there.”
Calhoon had to finish the school year off early so he can take part in pre-deployment training before leaving for Mosul, Iraq. Calhoon is an infantryman deploying with the 515th Combat Service Support Batallion. He said his duties as a captain have changed and he is not sure exactly what role he will have in the batallion, but he did say he will be working out of forward operating bases’ headquarters.
Calhoon will spend 15 months away from family, friends, coworkers and students in a volatile and hostile region, but he is confident in the ability of his command saying, “We are the best trained, best equipped military on the planet.”
Although it will be difficult to leave his family, he said it is important for thing at home to be going smoothly.
“Our ability to do the job while deployed has a lot to do with what’s going on back home,” Calhoon said. “We have to have a clear mind.”
Brock, an engineer in the Guard’s 920th Engineering Company, said it is important for family and friends to write to the deployed soldiers. The unit, which is slated to help clear roads and minefields, will be on its first combat deployment. Brock will help with building and rebuilding the infrastructure in Afghanistan. He said because he will be back before Calhoon, also his former coach, he will have a dinner arranged upon his return.
The 920th was scheduled to deploy on Monday.
Captain Jason Pete, also a Guardsman, asked students who knew someone who had been deployed, is deployed or will be deployed. About a quarter of the students in the gym stood up.
He told the students how important of a job the military has in protecting their freedoms, but he also emphasized the importance of everyday heroes like teachers and nurses.
“We leave and fight on foreign soil if necessary to defend our way of life,” Pete said. “As soldiers we do what we do because of each one of you here today.
During the assembly students waved American flags and yelled hooahs in support of the soldiers. The high school quartet sang American Tears and the student council presented a gift to Calhoon. A tree will be planted in his honor and a group of students will record everything that goes on at the school while he is gone. Students and teachers will also where red shirts as a respect to the deployed soldiers.
County Commissioner Vanessa Chavez and Estancia Mayor Ted Barela attended the event at which Superintendent Carolyn Allen-Renteria introduced the guests.
“All of us in the crowd support you. We’re blessed to have you serving,” Renteria said. “We’ll miss you.”
Calhoon, an Estancia Middle School math teacher and National Guardsman about to deploy to Iraq, was talking to the Elementary and Middle School students at the school gym in Estancia on Tuesday, May 5. A special assembly was held for him and Specialist Jordan Brock, an Estancia high school graduate and Guardsman about to deploy to Afghanistan.
Calhoon may not want to have to use lethal force, but he told the students that, “there are people who don’t appreciate us being there.”
Calhoon had to finish the school year off early so he can take part in pre-deployment training before leaving for Mosul, Iraq. Calhoon is an infantryman deploying with the 515th Combat Service Support Batallion. He said his duties as a captain have changed and he is not sure exactly what role he will have in the batallion, but he did say he will be working out of forward operating bases’ headquarters.
Calhoon will spend 15 months away from family, friends, coworkers and students in a volatile and hostile region, but he is confident in the ability of his command saying, “We are the best trained, best equipped military on the planet.”
Although it will be difficult to leave his family, he said it is important for thing at home to be going smoothly.
“Our ability to do the job while deployed has a lot to do with what’s going on back home,” Calhoon said. “We have to have a clear mind.”
Brock, an engineer in the Guard’s 920th Engineering Company, said it is important for family and friends to write to the deployed soldiers. The unit, which is slated to help clear roads and minefields, will be on its first combat deployment. Brock will help with building and rebuilding the infrastructure in Afghanistan. He said because he will be back before Calhoon, also his former coach, he will have a dinner arranged upon his return.
The 920th was scheduled to deploy on Monday.
Captain Jason Pete, also a Guardsman, asked students who knew someone who had been deployed, is deployed or will be deployed. About a quarter of the students in the gym stood up.
He told the students how important of a job the military has in protecting their freedoms, but he also emphasized the importance of everyday heroes like teachers and nurses.
“We leave and fight on foreign soil if necessary to defend our way of life,” Pete said. “As soldiers we do what we do because of each one of you here today.
During the assembly students waved American flags and yelled hooahs in support of the soldiers. The high school quartet sang American Tears and the student council presented a gift to Calhoon. A tree will be planted in his honor and a group of students will record everything that goes on at the school while he is gone. Students and teachers will also where red shirts as a respect to the deployed soldiers.
County Commissioner Vanessa Chavez and Estancia Mayor Ted Barela attended the event at which Superintendent Carolyn Allen-Renteria introduced the guests.
“All of us in the crowd support you. We’re blessed to have you serving,” Renteria said. “We’ll miss you.”
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