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9-11 Remembrance & Memorial events this week
September 8, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
The Patriot Guard Riders are having a Memorial Ride Thursday:
The PGR (Patriot Guard Riders) will be hosting an honor ride on Thursday Sept 10. The escorted ride will start at the front of Bryant Denny Stadium and proceed to the quad where we will park and line up for a ceremony Honoring America’s Heroes. You do not have to be a PGR member to participate in this ride. Simply loving America is all that’s required. We are standing in honor of those Military and uniformed personnel that serve us while remembering 911. Come on out and enjoy a short escorted ride and ceremony that should last about 30-45 minutes. I will have some flags available, but if you have a flag please bring it and “Show your colors” in support of America’s heroes.
http://www.patriotguard.org/ALLForums/tabid/61/forumid/53/view/topic/postid/1234338/Default.aspx
Please be at the front of Denny Stadium by 5:20 PM KSU (kick stands up) at 5:50. Ceremony starts at 6pm.
Speakers will include UA President Robert Witt, Colonel Duane Lamb USAF (retired), Tuscaloosa Fire Chief Alan Martin and others.
Mission Coordinator: Eddie Fulmer 205-242-0950
Courtesy of The Birmingham News, there is a 9-11 remembrance Friday in Birmingham:
9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at 9 a.m. Friday at Homewood City Hall. The fourth annual 9/11 ceremony in the Homewood City Hall courtyard with the cities of Homewood, Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills participating.
Note: If your city or organization is having a memorial event, please email me and I’ll post the details here!
Libraries use Skype to keep military families connected
July 8, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
Published today by the Tuscaloosa News:
Military personnel fighting overseas face more than struggles on the battlefield. Being away from family and loved ones can be one of their most difficult battles. In previous wars, soldiers could only hope to hear from family at home via letters. But in today’s technology world, soldiers can blog, e-mail friends and call their families.
To help make communication easier for the families of soldiers overseas, the Tuscaloosa Public Library is participating in Connecting Families, a project that connects Alabama military families with their loved ones serving overseas or across the nation. Three new Apple Macintosh computers, loaded with Skype software, have been installed in the library to allow military families to communicate visually and verbally with family members in the U.S. armed forces, said Vince Bellofatto, the library’s public relations coordinator.
‘I hope it’s a way to comfort military families and people overseas,’ he said. ‘Families can visually see their loved ones and see changes in them if they’ve been away for six or eight months. A parent overseas can see changes in a child if they have grown taller or their hair has grown out.’
Skype is free downloadable software that allows users to make calls around the world via the Internet. Skype members can call other Skype users for free, as well as get discounted rates for calls to international land lines and mobile phones.
The Connecting Families program, a partnership between the Alabama Public Library Service and Gov. Bob Riley’s Alabama Broadband Initiative, will be in 100 libraries across the state. Alabama so far is the only state providing the service, which is funded by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
‘We’re not only for our troops but also for the families who serve by their side, even though thousands of miles often separate them,’ Gov. Bob Riley said in a press release. ‘Like our soldiers, the families sacrifice so much. Anytime we have an opportunity to help our brave troops and their families back home, we must take it.’
On Monday, Tuscaloosa set up two of the Connecting Families computers at its main branch and one at the Brown branch in the Bobby Miller Center. Skype service is available to all library patrons, but only military families are allowed to reserve time by appointment and their calls will take precedence over public use of the Skype-loaded computers. Bellofatto said he has talked with colleagues around the state and the program so far has been hit or miss.
‘I hope the word gets out so military families utilize it,’ Bellofatto said. ‘We hope we’re a site where people know about it and use it.’
In the news this weekend
June 8, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
Printed in this weekend’s Tuscaloosa News:
Navy Seaman Shanna D. Grover, daughter of Carolyn L. Grover of Livingston, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. Grover is a 2004 graduate of Livingston High School
Congratulations, Shanna!
Air Force Airman Tiffany N. Spencer graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. She is the daughter of Reginald Spencer of Tuscaloosa. The airman is a 2007 graduate of Northridge High School.
Congratulations, Tiffany!
Air Force Airman 1st Class Christopher G. Taylor graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Celeste Williams of Tuscaloosa.
Congratulations, Christopher!
Air Force Airman LaDarren M. Banks graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Banks is the son of Sandra Banks of Tuscaloosa and Sherwin Prior of Rochester Hills, Mich. The airman is a 2007 graduate of Central High School.
Congratulations, LaDarren!
Russell W. Stone, son of Opal and Wayne Stone, was promoted to command sergeant major at Camp Shelby, Miss., on June 1. He is married to the former Sherry Capps and has two daughters and one grandson. Command Sgt. Maj. Stone’s military and civilian education include all levels of the noncommissioned officer’s education system. He has an honorary doctorate of humanities, a bachelor’s degree of specialized training in military science and bachelor’s degree of specialized training in emergency disaster preparedness and response management, all from the National Consortium Staff College. Stone is the recipient of the Army Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal Fourth award, Army Achievement Medal third award, Good Conduct Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Ribbon second award, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Humanitarian Service award second award, and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medial second award.
Congratulations, Russell!
In the news this weekend
April 13, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
Courtesy of the Tuscaloosa News:
Airman JaMarvin A. Wells has graduated from basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Barbara and Wyman Spencer and the late Marvin E. Sealey of Ralph. He is a 2007 graduate of Central High School.
Congratulations, Airman Wells!
Mitchell E. Baygents has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Randy and Sharon Baygents of Tuscaloosa. He is a 2005 graduate of Northridge High School.
Congratulations, Mr. Baygents!
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!
Tuscaloosa native to command brigade
January 10, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
Featured this weekend in the Tuscaloosa News:
Col. Charles H. Gailes Jr. will take command of the 31st Chemical Brigade from Northport during a ceremony Sunday at Fort McClellan Army National Guard Training Center.
Gailes, a Tuscaloosa native living in Huntsville, will receive the unit colors from Brig. Gen. Wendell B. McLain of Auburn. The Alabama National Guard brigade includes chemical and military police units across the state.
Congratulations, Colonel Gailes!
Disney’s vacation aid to soldiers, vets, and families
January 8, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
Featured today in the Tuscaloosa News:
U.S. military personnel are being welcomed to Disney’s U.S. theme parks. Complimentary, multi-day admission tickets are available for troops and additional offers for family members and friends.
Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” will allow our troops to create wonderful, magical memories with their family and friends. And Shades of Green, a resort hotel on Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla., is open exclusively to servicemembers, retirees, defense civilians, and their families. It is a safe haven for military families whether they’re reintegrating after an overseas deployment, having one last “family fling” before mom or dad deploys, or simply getting away for a weekend.
Shades of Green is an Armed Forces Recreation Center hotel run by the Army’s Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command based in Alexandria, Va. The command’s mission is to provide soldiers and their families with the same quality of life they are sworn to protect. Rates are set on a sliding scale, based on rank, and with no shareholders to answer to or profits to be made, the rates are kept remarkably low. Its manager, Brian Japak, is a retired soldier, and his son has survived two roadside-bomb attacks while serving in Iraq.
A personal note:
I have always loved Disney’s theme parks and services. My husband and I honeymooned there last year with our daughter and it was truly magical. In fact, we had such a wonderful time that we went back again this year for our anniversary.
This is just one more reason for me to love Disney! 
New web resource for wounded troops
November 20, 2008 by Nicki Faulk
Published yesterday in the Tuscaloosa News:
The Department of Defense launched on Tuesday the National Resource Directory, a collaborative effort between the departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs. The directory is a Web-based network of care coordinators, providers and support partners with resources for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families, families of the fallen and those who support them.
The directory offers more than 10,000 medical and non-medical services and resources to help service members and veterans achieve personal and professional goals along their journey from recovery through rehabilitation to community reintegration.
The directory is expected to be a valuable tool for wounded, ill, and injured service members and their families as they wind their way through the maze of benefits and services available to them in their transition to civilian life. It is organized into six major categories: Benefits and Compensation; Education, Training and Employment; Family and Caregiver Support; Health; Housing and Transportation; and Services and Resources. It also provides helpful checklists, Frequently Asked Questions, and connections to peer support groups.
This looks like a great tool! The link is: www.nationalresourcedirectory.org
Pentagon To Broadcast Iron Bowl To Troops
November 19, 2008 by Nicki Faulk
Courtesy of The Birmingham News:
U.S. troops deployed around the globe will be able to watch this year’s Iron Bowl live on the Armed Forces Network, Alabama U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions said today.
Responding to requests from Alabama service members, including some with the Alabama Air National Guard’s 117th Air Refueling Wing deployed in Kyrgyzstan, Sessions’ office asked the Pentagon to set up a live broadcast of this year’s game, and the request has been granted.
“I’ve had the opportunity to visit with our troops in the Middle East on numerous occasions, and I frequently see an Alabama or Auburn flag flying below the Stars and Stripes,” said Sessions, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “This is a huge game and it has huge national interest. I’m sure that all our military personnel who can will be glued to the television.”
The Iron Bowl, pitting top-ranked Alabama against archrival Auburn, is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. local time on Nov. 29 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. Auburn has won the last six contests.
Thank you, Senator Sessions!
In the News this weekend
August 17, 2008 by Nicki Faulk
Courtesy of the Tuscaloosa News:
Army National Guard Pfc. Teri L. Willis has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. Willis is the daughter of Linda Bender of Northport. She graduated in 1997 from Hillcrest High School and received an associate degree in 1999 from Faulkner State Community College in Bay Minette.
Congratulations, Teri!
The Birmingham News featured a piece this morning about an Alabama Guard unit that left yesterday to go back to Afghanistan:
The training team is the fifth that the state Army Guard has sent to Afghanistan since 9/11. It recently completed two months of pre-deployment training at Fort Riley.
Lt. Col. Jeff Thrower of Alabaster, a member of the team, said recently that the mission had not been fully defined.
“Right now, I know that one of our biggest pushes over there has been to get the Afghanistan police up to where they can do their jobs,” he said. “The Afghan army is in a lot better situation than they were three or four years ago, but the police have still got some issues out there. So we’re doing our best to help out across the board in both areas.”
Read the full article here.
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