Comfort for America’s Uniformed Services provides recreational and entertainment programs for wounded warriors recuperating from injuries suffered while serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and other military theaters.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Hero: Staff Sgt. Edward Albietz
Staff Sgt. Albietz’s job often sounds more like the script from an episode of 24 than the everyday occurrence that it is: Rush into enemy territory, oftentimes under fire, locate bombs, and defuse them before they can go off and harm troops or civilians.Albietz was the leader of an explosives team at Kirkuk Regional Air Base in Iraq, and was tasked with locating and disarming or destroying homemade bombs throughout a 42,000-square-kilometer area. As a result, Albietz was often caught in dangerous situations, with insurgent attacks always looming. In total, he was involved in more than 110 combat missions.In one such mission, Albietz and his team were called in to disarm a bomb that was blocking a logistical convoy trying to pass through the area. As the enemy fired from multiple locations, Albietz’s team successfully disabled the bomb. In a different mission, his team was sent to the city of Sulayman Bak to look for four pressure-switch-activated bombs that were hidden within a six-block area. Insurgents were trying to blow up Iraqi security and government buildings, but Albietz and his team of experts located each explosive and defused them before any harm could be done.During his time in Iraq, Albietz contributed to the recovery and destruction of more than 40,000 explosives, most of which were roadside bombs of the type that have inflicted numerous casualties on Coalition forces.For his work and leadership, Albietz received the Bronze Star on March 2, 2007.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Fighting the Financial Crisis, One Challenge at a Time
Gee, you almost think he knows what is happnin
Wounded Warrior Project: Project Odyssey
Project Odyssey
Program Description
Project Odyssey began with the idea to bring together warriors dealing with combat stress to offer them a chance to spend time with fellow warriors and start the healing process. Not all wounds from combat are visible. Combat stress, or post-traumatic stress disorder as it's more commonly known, has become the largest disability today's warriors are facing.
Combat stress presents unique challenges for warriors recovering in their home communities. Too often, individuals with combat stress issues feel isolated and worry they will face public censure if they share their struggles with others. This fear creates a barrier that makes it difficult for warriors to recover alone. Project Odyssey gives warriors a safe location to come together to acknowledge and understand the issues they are all facing. Together, they can openly discuss problems without being judged and take the first steps forward toward healing.
WWP's Project Odyssey became a reality in 2007. Since then, three groups of warriors have taken part in an Odyssey. During each session, warriors participate in an incredible lineup of outdoor activities, each designed with a therapeutic aspect to further the healing process. The VA's Outreach Program under Dr. Alfonso Batres has joined the cause to provide mental health specialists from the VA Vet Centers. Odyssey has also gained the support of Secretary Peake of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
On April 13, 2008, the first all-female Odyssey began in Miami, Florida. This Odyssey brought together ten warriors from across the country who share a common bond. They all proudly served their country during a time of war and were dealing with combat stress. To assist the warriors in their recovery, the Department of Veterans Affairs provided two doctors from VA Vet Centers, one Global War on Terror Readjustment Counselor, and one VBA specialist who assisted with their concerns about VA claim issues and benefits.
The event was conducted in partnership with Shake-A-Leg Miami and centered around water-related events like sailing, kayaking, and swimming with dolphins. When not on the water, the warriors participated in team-building exercises to help them recognize and adapt to stressful situations. During the evenings, the group met with mental health professionals to discuss issues each of them was facing in recovery from combat stress. The participants quickly discovered they were not alone, and there were other warriors with similar struggles. Over the week, they found they were not just individuals, but had grown into a cohesive group where they could openly discuss their concerns without being judged.
Most importantly, this group of warriors forged a bond of friendship and found others they could trust and call upon when times get tough. The healing process was started during the week, and for many, Odyssey was the first time they shared their pain with anyone.
This Odyssey was an overwhelming success, and all of the women who participated are incredible warriors who served their country honorably. During the week, they took steps together toward reclaiming life from combat stress.
WWP will continue to offer Odysseys for both male and female warriors. In many cases, women warriors react differently than men. They have their own concerns they often do not feel comfortable discussing with strangers, and especially men. As an organization, we want all warriors, male or female, to have their voices heard. Together, we will be working to help all warriors overcome the challenges of combat stress.
Home Front Heroes: Building Homes For Heroes
Building Homes for Heroes provides individuals, corporations and others with an opportunity to help our severely wounded and disabled veterans and their families rebuild their lives.
Many of these young men and women are coming home badly burned, with permanent and unsightly body disfigurements, missing limbs, the loss of sight or ability to walk, psychiatric conditions or paralysis.
Building Homes for Heroes is committed to supporting these extraordinary men and women, with a goal to build homes for
families in dire need. We believe that it’s our responsibility to support those who have been called upon to make the ultimate personal sacrifice — to protect and safeguard our country by fighting America’s War on Terror.
Hero: Lance Corporal Christopher Adlesperger
When then-Pfc. Adlesperger and his squad approached a house on Nov. 10, 2004, in the treacherous city of Fallujah, they entered into one of the most difficult and dangerous battlefield situations: they faced an entrenched enemy in an urban setting – with an entrenched machine gun.
As they entered the house, a volley of insurgent fire and grenades rained down upon them, immediately killing Adlesperger’s point man and injuring two others. Without pause, Adlesperger took control and moved out front, despite receiving minor wounds. As Adlesperger began firing back from the point position, he became the main target of enemy fire – but, with most of his squad pinned down by insurgent fire, he had no choice but to push forward on his own.
Adlesperger single-handedly cleared the stairs to the rooftop, which allowed the unit to move injured Marines upstairs to receive medical attention. And as U.S. forces gathered for a major assault on the building, Adlesperger, still inside, began moving from one spot to another, eliminating enemies in close quarters or forcing them to move out of entrenched positions to areas where U.S. forces were waiting.
Finally, an assault vehicle broke through a wall on the main floor. Adlesperger rejoined his platoon and demanded to take point for the final attack on the entrenched machine gun. He entered the courtyard first, and eliminated the final enemy at close range. By the end of the battle, Adlesperger was credited with having killed at least 11 insurgents.
One month later, Adlesperger was killed while clearing other houses in Fallujah. For his actions on Nov. 10, 2004, Adlesperger will be posthumously awarded the Navy Cross on April 13, 2007.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Home Front Heroes: Back In The Saddle, Bit By Bits
It is our pleasure to introduce Back in the Saddle, Bit by Bit (B.I.T.S.), a non profit 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for combat injured men and women serving or having served in the Armed Services, their immediate families and families of deceased servicemen and women by providing physical and psychological health and overall well-being by utilizing equine facilitated therapy.
Wounded Warrior Project: North Albany Sons Squadron #1610, Thanksgiving Benefit
The North Albany Sons Squadron #1610, Thanksgiving Benefit for Wounded Warrior Project is happening Thursday, November 20th; 5:30pm - 7:30pm
35 North First Street, Albany, NY 12204
Who'll Cause Obama's First 3 a.m. Call?
"Mark my words. It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy. The world is looking."
This ominous warning was not issued by President-elect Obama's campaign adversary John McCain or any of his surrogates. It came from Joe Biden, Obama's running mate and the nation's next vice president - merely two weeks before Obama's election victory.
Obama transition adviser undermined Fannie Mae oversight as lobbyist
Thomas Donilon, named by Barack Obama as an adviser to his transition team, oversaw lobbyist efforts to undermine OFHEO’s regulatory efforts over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. ABC News reports on Donilon’s history and his participation in painting a much rosier picture than reality provided for Fannie Mae’s board. The Obama rebuttal will sound familiar to those who recall Jim Johnson’s involvement with Obama’s campaign
Change we can believe in!!!!
President-elect Obama, McCain vow to work closely
Ohhhhh goody, I had been very concerned about that
Hero: Sergeant Jarred Adams
The Story:
Then-Cpl. Adams and his squad were traveling toward Husaybah, Iraq, on Jan. 6, 2005, to provide cover for a Marine reconnaissance unit that was scouting the area. As the convoy was traveling toward a roadway in the city of Husaybah dubbed the “intersection of death,” insurgents attacked, using RPGs and machine guns.
Adams’ Humvee crashed, stranding its occupants in the line of fire. Adams immediately jumped out of the vehicle and took up a safer location to help the rest of the squad return fire as other Marines worked to dislodge the Humvee.
Once the vehicle was freed, Adams and his squad began searching the area for other broken-down Humvees and injured comrades as insurgents continued their attack. They spotted a disabled Humvee and went over to help.
Suddenly, a RPG struck Adams’ vehicle, killing one Marine and injuring others. Adams was also hit – his left arm and both hands had shrapnel wounds, his right arm was broken, and he had a sprained ankle. But Adams didn’t have time to think about his injuries or the pain; he had to quickly scramble out of the burning vehicle and assess the situation.
After leading his squad to a safer location, Adams realized he was missing a Marine. Adams took off running through the line of fire, back toward the burning vehicle. He located the missing Marine and realized he had died in the attack. Grabbing his body, he ran back through the hail of enemy gunfire with the recovered Marine’s body.
Adams refused medical attention for his injuries until he and all of his Marines had arrived safely back at headquarters. For his bravery, Adams was awarded the Silver Star on April 17, 2006.
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