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River Falls mourns loss of a hero
September 18, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sgt. Gordon’s loved ones:
Army officials say a Stryker Brigade soldier who fell ill in southern Afghanistan has died at a military hospital in Germany.
According to an Army statement, 22-year-old Sgt. Robert David Gordon II of River Falls, Ala., got sick last Friday and died Wednesday at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. His illness was not disclosed but is described as not related to combat.
Gordon enlisted in the Army more than four years ago in Montgomery. He was assigned to the 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, which was sent to Afghanistan in July.
Patriot Guard holds Welcome Home celebration for Vietnam Vets
September 8, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
I received this email from Paul Reynolds, Alabama PGR State Captain:
Greetings my friends,
As you know a Welcome Home celebration is long overdue for all of our Vietnam Veterans. The heroes have always deserved this, and I am so proud to announce their day has finally come in the great state of Alabama. Last year I was selected to lead a committee for our State fair in Montgomery doing a kickoff for the fair honoring our World War II Veterans, and having a tribute to our men and women of our Armed Forces. The PGR proudly escorted these heroes to the Fair, and stood proudly as all of them were Honored. Shortly after this event I was asked how to follow up this wonderful event, and I simply stated it is time to do what should of been done over 30 years ago. So my friends the day has come to say Thank You for all they have done, to finally give them the Welcome Home they earned and deserved, and to ensure them “NEVER AGAIN. This was accepted and now we have began the motion to make their dreams come true.
On October 9th in Montgomery Alabama we will kick off the Alabama State Fair with a Welcome Home Celebration for our Vietnam Veterans. This will include a parade into the fair grounds, and a wonderful tribute inside the coliseum. We have secured General Hal Moore as our key note speaker. I have also secured a most fitting tribute, a fly over by a group of Huey Helicopters. The PGR will ride into the Parade staging, and then will continue onto the fair grounds. Let me say, only our Vietnam Vets will be riding in this parade, as it is their day, and it is the rest of our duties to stand and cheer for our Heroes. Our Vietnam Veterans that are members will be seated, and the rest of us will line the Coliseum with our most proud Flag Line ever. This will be open to all that served during this era, so please get the word out to your friends and community.
I will be updating this thread as we receive more details. We are also in the planning stages of having an event after the Fair, so please mark this day on your calendar, and making this a weekend event. We will contact Motels and try and receive a discounted rate for those of you who may want to attend.
Remember this day is very special, and all of us should be proud to attend. If you are a Vietnam Veteran, Thank You and Welcome Home, if you are not please join me on the side of the road, and help me cheer our true American heroes.
Again Thank You and excuse me if I sound a little proud, because I am, I am very proud of each and everyone of you. We have stood beside many of them as they Welcomed Home many of our Heroes, this time we will stand for them “Welcoming them home”.
Jim “Dinky Dau” Lorenzo has secured a great Hotel rate for this event, as many of his Vietnam Veterans will be staying here, this rate will also apply to everyone. Make sure when you reserve your room please advise them, you are either VFW of PGR to secure the quoted rate of 49.00.
Americas Best Inn and Suites
5135 Carmichael Road
Montgomery Alabama334-270-9199
We will be updating staging times later through the PGR thread and another Statewide. Please get this word out to everyone, the streets of Montgomery need to be lined with Americans showing their appreciation to our Heroes. This will be late afternoon of the 9th.
That’s wonderful!!!
In the news this weekend
August 11, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
The following announcements were printed in the Montgomery Advertiser and Times Daily:
Air Force Airman Aleisha Golson graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. She is the daughter of Murphy and Stella Golson, both of Prattville. Golson is a 2008 graduate of Autaugaville High School.
Congratulations, Aleisha!
Forrest C. Hull has been promoted to Army sergeant. Hull is the son of Bob and Jannah Bailey of Montgomery. He is a 2004 graduate of St. James High School and attended Auburn University before enlisting in the Army.
He is attached to the 1-25 Stryker Brigade, K-9 Division and is stationed at Ft. Wainwright, Alaska. Hull and his dog Flopper have been assisting the brigade in searching out bombs and hidden weapons during their deployment to Baq Qu Bah, Iraq. Hull will return in September from his second Iraq deployment.
Congratulations, Forrest!
Air Force Airman Shaun L. Norman graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Shannon Norman of Montgomery and Patrick Norman of Tallassee. Norman is a 2007 graduate of Tallassee High School.
Congratulations, Shaun!
Coast Guard Seaman Denver C. Moore, a 2009 graduate of Chapman Christian Academy, Millbrook, recently graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May, N.J.
Congratulations, Denver!
Emily T. Carl has graduated from the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) Leader’s Training Course at Fort Knox, Ky. The cadet is a student at Florida State University, Tallahassee. Carl is the daughter of Col. John W. and Jennifer S. Carl of Montgomery.
Congratulations, Emily!
Air Force Airman Matthew S. Lathan graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Tracey and Shirley Lathan of Montgomery. Lathan is a 2005 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School, Montgomery.
Congratulations, Matthew!
Air Force Reserve Airman Amanda N. Harris graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. She is the daughter of Jeff Harris of Millbrook, and Peggy Smothers of Dahlonega, Ga. Harris is a 2008 graduate of Forsyth Central High School, Forsyth County, Ga.
Congratulations, Amanda!
Air Force Airman 1st Class Daniel O. Ochoa graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Nancy Ochoa and Oscar Ochoa, both of Florence. He graduated in 2004 from Bradshaw High School, Florence, and received a bachelor’s degree in 2008 from Faulkner University, Montgomery.
Congratulations, Daniel!
Army Pvt. Matthew H. Butler has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. He is the son of Sonya Wallace, of Lexington, and is a 2001 graduate of Lexington High School.
Congratulations, Matthew!
Department of the Army Civilian Joan Poma has received the Superior Civilian Service Award while serving as a member of the 402nd Army Field Support Brigade Headquarters at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The Superior Civilian Service Award is the third highest award presented to civilians, and is comparable to the military’s Meritorious Service Medal. She received the award for exceptionally meritorious performance of duty as an information technology supervisor from May 5, 2008 to April 17, 2009. She has 15 years of federal service. She is the sister of Beverly D. Waldran, of Rogersville, Ala.
Congratulations, Joan!
Army Pfc. Austin W. Grissom has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. He is a 2003 graduate of Lauderdale County High School, Rogersville.
Congratulations, Austin!
Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Phillip D. Brown graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Jackie Brown of Millbrook. Brown is a 1993 graduate of Stanhope Elmore High School.
Congratulations, Phillip!
Air Force Airman Jasmine D. Logan graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. She is the daughter of Sofia Griffith of Montgomery.
Congratulations, Jasmine!
Army Capt. Terry L. Joiner has arrived for duty in Richmond, Va. Joiner is a commander for Richmond Company, U.S. Army Recruiting Command. He is assigned to the Command’s Beckley Battalion. Joiner has served in the military for 14 years. He is the son of Delois Joiner Montgomery.
Joiner graduated in 1996 from G.W. Carver High School, Montgomery, and received a bachelor’s degree in 2003 from Morgan State University, Baltimore, Md. He earned a master’s degree in 2006 from Webster University, St. Louis, Mo.
Way to go, Terry!
Air Force Reserve Airman Michael R. Holmes graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Charlotte Gentry of Millbrook.
Congratulations, Michael!
Air Force Airman Derrick C. Franklin graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of David Franklin of Greensboro, and brother of David Franklin Jr. of Montgomery. Franklin is a 2006 graduate of Greensboro West High School.
Congratulations, Derrick!
Navy Seaman Apprentice Shericka L. Brantley, a 2008 graduate of Luverne High School, Luverne, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
Congratulations, Shericka!
Navy Reserve Seaman Amanda Billups, a 1998 graduate of Holtville High School, Deatsville, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
Congratulations, Amanda!
Army Pvt. Juan C. Sifuentez has graduated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. Sifuentez is the brother of Juan Sifuentez Jr., and Elisa Washburn, both of Millbrook.
Congratulations, Juan!
Army Pfc. Cassini Wiley has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. He is the son of Nora Wiley of Montgomery. Wiley is a 2004 graduate of Brantley High School.
Congratulations, Cassini!
Army Pvt. Jesse R. Richards has graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. The training consists of Basic Infantry Training and Advanced Individual Training. Richards is the son of Bert Richards of Prattville. The private is a 2007 graduate of Prattville High School.
Congratulations, Jesse!
Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Nicole L. Williams graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. She is the daughter of Haywood L. and Elizabeth S. Williams of Montgomery. Williams is a 2004 graduate of Taylor Road Academy High School.
Congratulations, Nicole!
Army National Guard Pvt. Wesley Gilbert has graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. The training consists of Basic Infantry Training and Advanced Individual Training. He earned distinction as an honor graduate. Gilbert is the son of Virginia Gilbert of Elmore.
Congratulations, Wesley!
In the news this weekend
March 16, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
Courtesy of the Montgomery Advertiser:
Air Force Airman Andrew Williams has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. He is the son of James Williams of Prattville.
The airman is a 2008 graduate of Prattville High School.
Congratulations, Airman Williams!
Air National Guard Airman 1st Class LaDarius J. Reed has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. Reed is the son of Allison Gandy and Terry Essex, both of Montgomery.
The airman graduated in 2008 from Jefferson Davis High School in Montgomery.
Congratulations, AFC Reed!
Air Force Airman Jeremiah L. Hand has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. He is the son of Tommy and Rose Hand of Pine Level.
The airman is a 2008 graduate of Marbury High School in Pine Level.
Congratulations, Airman Hand!
Air Force Airman Tommy J. Giles has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. He is the son of Kimberly and Tommy Giles of Deatsville.
The airman is a 2008 graduate of Holtville High School in Deatsville.
Congratulations, Airman Giles!
Coast Guard Seaman Corey S. Campbell recently graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May, N.J. Campbell is the son of Rita W. and Scott E. Campbell of Eclectic.
The seaman is a 2007 graduate of Elmore County High School in Eclectic.
Congratulations, Seaman Campbell!
Coast Guard Seaman Zackery B. Cooley recently graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May, N.J. Cooley is the son of Lisa R. and Vonzie E. Cooley of Montgomery.
Congratulations, Seaman Cooley!
Air National Guard Airman John W. Pitch ford has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. He is the grandson of Lamar Pitchford of Tallassee.
The airman is a 2007 graduate of Tallassee High School.
Congratulations, Airman Pitch!
In the news this weekend
February 22, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
Courtesy of The Anniston Star:
Army Reserve Col. Roy A. Hall recently graduated from the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks in Carlisle, Pa. He is the son of Thomas D. Hall of Weaver. He graduated in 1980 from Anniston High School and received an associate degree in 1982 from Marion Military Institute. He received a bachelor’s degree in 1984 from the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa.
Congratulations, Col. Hall!
Air Force Staff Sgt. Shane Law was recently decorated with the Air Force Commendation Medal. He is the son of Larry and Connie Downey of Piedmont. He graduated in 1993 from Piedmont High School and received an associate degree in 2006 from the Community College of the Air Force in Montgomery.
Congratulations, Sgt. Law!
Air Force Airman 1st Class Nicholas W. Byars recently arrived for duty at Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, N.M. He is the son of Christopher W. and Sherry D. Byars of Jacksonville. He graduated in 2007 from Jacksonville High School.
Congratulations, Airman 1st Class Byars!
Army Pvt. Jesse D. Harper recently graduated from the Land Combat Electrician Advanced Individual Training course at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. He is the son of Timothy L. and Karen D. Harper of Anniston.
Congratulations, Pvt. Harper!
Army Pfc. Corbett L. Futral was one of more than 300 Army soldiers who participated in the “Spirit of America 2008″ performance for the residents of Rochester, N.Y., and Worcester, Mass., on Sept. 12 and 13, respectively. Futral, an infantryman with two years of military service, is assigned to the 4th Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C. He is the son of Harry Futral of Oxford and Shannon Moreira of Gulf Shores. The private is a 2004 graduate of Gulf Shores High School.
Congratulations, PFC Futral!
In the news this weekend
February 14, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
According to the Shelby County Reporter, the Pelham Public Library is one of the latest to participate in Connecting Families, a partnership between the Alabama Public Library Service and the Alabama Broadband Initiative that allows military families to see and talk to each other via Web conferencing.
According to Barbara Roberts, library director:
Signing up is fast, free and easy. All one needs is an e-mail address and an account with Skype, a software program that allows telephone calls, instant messaging, file transfer and video conferencing over the Internet. Library aides are available to set up e-mail and Skype accounts for those interested. And the library is willing to arrange Web conferencing sessions after hours to accommodate families.
It’s great to see more libraries participating in this wonderful program!
For more information, call Roberts at [205] 620-6418.
The Montgomery Advertiser published news yesterday that the 926th Engineer Brigade, an Army Reserve unit headquartered in Montgomery, has returned from Iraq.
Welcome home, brave heroes!
WKRG 5 News reported earlier this week with a heartwarming story about Private First Class Marshall Joslin, a soldier stationed in Iraq who had received letters from 4th graders at Knollwood Christian School. He had stopped by to say thanks to the children who’d written to him.
Read the entire article and view the video here.
In the news this weekend
January 26, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
Courtesy of the Montgomery Advertiser:
Air Force Airman 1st Class Derrick T. Mooney graduated from the Utilities Systems Apprentice Course at Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas.
Mooney is assigned to the 187th Fighter Wing in Montgomery. He is the son of Barbara Jiles of Montgomery. The airman is a 2006 graduate of Jefferson Davis High School.
Congratulations, Derrick!
Army Reserve Pfc. Heather R. Attkisson has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
She is the daughter of Margo Riesco of Prattville.
Congratulations, Heather!
Army Reserve Pfc. Dana M. Allen has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
She is the daughter of Jimmy and Anita Allen of Prattville.
Congratulations, Dana!
Army Reserve Pfc. Kendrena L. Harris has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
She is the daughter of Laronda Harris of Montgomery. Harris is a 2005 graduate of Gadsden High School.
Congratulations, Kendrena!
In the news this weekend
January 4, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
The Montgomery Advertiser had several announcements this weekend:
Army National Guard Pvt. James L. Lambert III has graduated from Basic Combat training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. Lambert is the son of B.J. Lambert of Montgomery.
The private is a 1996 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School.
Congratulations, James!
Air Force Airman 1st Class Daniel C. Betz has graduated from the Air Traffic Control Operations Apprentice Course at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Miss. Betz will be assigned to the 325th Operations Support Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, Panama City, Fla.
He is the son of Steve T. Betz of Hope Hull.
Congratulations, Daniel!
Air Force Airman Jeremy C. Dauzat has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. Dauzat earned distinction as an honor graduate. He is the son of Craig and Annette Dauzat of Montgomery.
The airman is a 2007 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School.
Congratulations, Jeremy!
Air Force Airman David H. Patrick has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. Patrick is the son of Kim Patrick of Prattville.
In 2007, the airman graduated from Prattville High School.
Congratulations, David!
Air Force Airman Mark B. Stadlberger Jr. has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. Stadlberger earned distinction as an honor graduate. He is the son of Patricia Stadlberger of Prattville.
In 2007, the airman graduated from Prattville High School.
Congratulations, Mark!
Staff Sgt. Rodney Hall of Montgomery, a member of the 4-108th Chemical Battalion at Huntsville, graduated from the Army Basic Instructor Course at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
Congratulations, Rodney!
Army Pvt. Lawson W. McGlamery has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. McGlamery is a 2004 graduate of the Elmore County Adult Learning Center in Wetumpka.
Congratulations, Lawson!
Bama soldier is “Marine of the Year”
August 22, 2008 by Nicki Faulk
Courtesy of WSFA 12 in Montgomery, a Wetumpka native has been named “Marine of the Year.” Sgt. Peyton Williams was honored by Governor Bob Riley yesterday in a ceremony. Read the whole article here.
Congratulations, Peyton!
Tuscaloosa native graduates from basic training
June 15, 2008 by Nicki Faulk
Per the Tuscaloosa News:
Air National Guard Airman Andre A. Callaway has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. He is the son of Carrie Callaway of Tuscaloosa. Callaway received an associate degree in 2006 from Trenholm State Technical College in Montgomery.
Congratulations, Andre!
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