Charlie Battery Soldiers visit Alexandria

By Captain Nathan Minott
Charlie Battery Commander,
2-44th ADA

Soldiers from Charlie Battery, 2nd Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery from Fort Campbell, Kentucky visited their benefactors in Alexandria, Kentucky to thank them for their continued support of the Battery. Fourteen Soldiers were selected to represent the battery in this second visit to a city that adopted the unit in 2005. Since the relationship began, the city has sponsored individual soldiers through two deployments in support of OIF. Business owners, teachers, students and staunch supporters from Alexandria make up the group know in Alexandria as “Charlie’s Angel’s.” These were the supporters that Charlie Battery Troops thanked.
The Day started with a visit to the Ft. Thomas VA medical center. The hospital houses veterans from Ohio and Kentucky who have fought in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Veterans, workers and volunteers alike received thanks from Charlie Battery Soldiers for their service to the nation. The Soldiers then proceeded to visit five surrounding schools, K-12 to meet with students and discuss what it is like to serve in the Army. The elementary schools held special assemblies with a question and answer session and one even had Soldiers sing Christmas carols with the students. The trip ended with a steak dinner at the local VFW with 25 hand selected students from across the city. Gifts for each of these children and others were collected in a battalion wide toy drive. Each student received a personalized gift from Soldiers, returning the feeling that our Soldiers felt when they received care packages and letters addressed to them in Iraq. An additional 150 toys were given to the organizers of the event to hand out to needy children in the city.
The event is just one more in a long line of planned interactions between the city and Charlie Battery. Plans have been made to begin a letter writing campaign with one of the elementary schools, while the unit remains at fort Campbell, Kentucky. This will foster a closer relationship with the students, allowing children to place a face to a Soldier’s name in future support activities.

"Lifeliners" brings holiday joy to families

Teams up with Operation Homefront for toy giveaway
By Private 1st Class Shawn Denham
101st Sustainment Brigade

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. November 4 – The 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division volunteered with Operation Homefront and Oak Grove, Kentucky, Wal-Mart to provide toys to children of deployed Soldiers.
About 40 soldiers volunteered to assist the project, and about 750 family members attended the event. The Soldiers handed out toys and maintained the displays, while spouses of deployed Soldiers selected from hundreds of name brand toys for their children.
The Fort Campbell chapter of Operation Homefront provides services to Soldiers and their families during deployment.
The group worked with Wal-Mart to plan the event to show support for the Soldiers while Operation Homefront coordinated the volunteers, said Tina Englen, chapter president of Operation Homefront
The event was a huge success, Englen said.“It was non-stop all day. Incredibly busy,” she said.
“Oak Grove Wal-Mart has been incredible. They supplied anything needed,” Englen said. “We didn't know how many volunteers we were getting,” said Englen, “We're volunteer heavy. Red Cross supplied volunteers too.”
This is the first time Operation Homefront has sponsored such an event. Englen said they hope to have more in the future.
Englen said Operation Homefront was thankful to the United Korean Church of Oak Grove, Kentucky, for donating their building for the event and to Oak Grove Wal-Mart for the donating of the toys. “It was definitely not possible without them,” she said.
Sergeant Ty M. Peasley and Specialist Jonathan C. Leroy, motor transportation for the 594th Rear Detachment, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division teamed up to hand out toys at the event.
“I'm here to help other people out, make sure they enjoy the holidays because I know how it is, being away from family members,” Leroy said, “I’d come back if another program was done,”
The turnout was good, Leroy said, with a steady stream of families coming through.
“It's nice knowing your family is being taken care of,” said Peasley,
“It's working out well,” Afreeca A. Blackwell, wife of a deployed Soldier said, “I think it’s cool. We don't really have the money so this helps out.”
The children would love the toys, she said. “It's lonely, and just the absence of your husband around the holidays makes it a difficult time of year.”
“This is telling them over there a big 'Thank you',” Peasley said, “Everyone taking care of each other. That’s what families do.”
Only a few toys were left over from the hundreds on display, she said, the remainder would be transported to Fort Campbell and donated to Soldiers on base.

“Lifeliners” pay tribute to fallen comrades

By Sergeant 1st Class Pete Mayes
101st Sustainment Brigade

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky., November 16, 2009 – Heidi Nutt said she never thought she’d be a widow by the age of 32. Ed and Bonnie Brown said they never thought they’d bury one of their children.
“It’s just not natural,” Bonnie Hunt said.
The two families were drawn together Nov. 12 as the 101st Sustainment Brigade paid tribute to their fallen Soldiers at a special Memorial Ceremony conducted at the Brigade headquarters.
The Brown’s youngest son, Private First Class John E. Brown, was killed April 14, 2003, at the age of 21 in Iraq. Brown’s husband, Sergeant David T. Nutt, died exactly one month later at the age of 32.
“Ceremonies like this it’s good to know that after six years they’re still being remembered,” Bonnie Brown said. “We cry, but it’s still good to know they’re being remembered.”
Both families laid special memorial bricks at the brigade monument. In all, 14 bricks were placed there to honor the fallen Soldiers who’ve died since 9/11.
Sustainment Brigade Commander Colonel Michael Peterman in his speech reminded attendees of the importance the Veteran’s Day weekend.
“It takes an extraordinary person to say, ‘I will defend,’ and an equally important person to say, ‘I will support my spouse, child, friend, relative … in support of that defense,” Peterman said. “The families and friends gathered here today who no longer have their loved have our utmost respect, gratitude and appreciation.”
Both families agreed that the loss of their loved ones has not gotten easier with time.
“You’ve always got a hole in your heart, but you learn to deal with it day by day,” Bonnie Hunt said.
“You have good days, and you have bad days,” Ed Hunt said. “You might hear a song, or see somebody that resembles them or whatever, and it just brings everything back.”
For Heidi Nutt, she sees her deceased husband every time she looks at her 11-year-old daughter. And just sharing that brings her to tears.
Still, she said, she’s does not want sympathy. “That’s what I say, ‘don’t feel sorry for me,’ she said.
Bonnie Hunt said while ceremonies like this one make her feel good that people remember her son, she also wonders what might have been.
“He was my baby. He would have made a wonderful daddy,” she said.
The names of the fallen 101st Sustainment Brigade Soldiers since 9/11 include:
*Staff Sergeant Alicia Birchett
*Corporal Sean Grilley
*Private First Class John E. Brown
* Lieutenant Colonel Kim S. Orlando
* Sergeant David T. Nutt
* Private First Class Daniel R. Parker
*Sergeant Amanda N. Pinson
*Staff Sergeant Joseph P. Bellavia
*Corporal Jason J. Beadles
*Corporal Carlos M. Gonzalez
* Second Lieutenant Joshua C. Hurley
* Staff Sergeant Johnnie V. Mason
* Specialist Maurice J. Johnson
* Specialist Thomas A. Foley III

194th Military Police Company receives Eagle Award

En route to J. P. Holland award finals
By Private 1st Class Shawn Denham
101st Sustainment Brigade

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. November 12 – Reaching the top in the Army requires dedication, determination and hard work.
That concept paid off for the Soldiers of the 194th Military Police Company, 716th Military Police Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, when they received the Forces Command Eagle award Wednesday, November 4.
“We’re the best MP company under FORSCOM,” 1st Lt. Nathaniel Y. Han, executive officer of the 194th MP Company said, “It’s awesome, not only to the company but to the battalion.”
1st Lt. Christopher M. Gasser, 3rd Platoon leader, 194th MP Company, compiled a book of the 194th’s achievements, which ranged from physical fitness test results to shooting scorecards and field work.
Gasser said each MP Company submits a book of their yearly achievements for review by a board on their base. Only one book is chosen out of six from Fort Campbell, he said.
The 194th had multiple achievements, both in garrison and downrange over the past year, Han said. Every achievement is recorded in the book.
“It’s been a great learning experience to get to tell the story of the 194th,” Gasser said, “I hope that we win the J.P. Holland award for the entire Army.”
“It’s driven by these young sergeants, these young leaders,” Han said, “It’s just amazing, I’m just honored to be surrounded by professional people.”
Soldiers with the 194th MP Company are still aiming higher. The winner of the Brigadier General Jeremiah P. Holland award for the best MP Company in the Army will be announced November 15. The Eagle award places the 194th closer to overall victory.

Narowski: Teens not invincible

Calls driving while texting, “Ridiculous”

By Sergeant 1st Class Pete Mayes
101st Sustainment Brigade

FORT CAMPBELL, KY, November 8, 2009 – Army wife Kelly Narowski concluded her three-day visit to the 101st Sustainment Brigade Saturday with a presentation about At-Risk Behavior aimed specifically at teens.
She touched on some very familiar themes-speeding, drinking and driving, and wearing a seatbelt while operating a vehicle- but she also included a special message about the danger of driving while texting.
The main point she wanted to get across to teens: “You’re not invincible.”
“I hope they realize that …they can be disabled or hurt really badly from a car crash if they don’t think first,” Narowski said. “I’m a live, rolling example of why you should always wear your seatbelt, and why you should not drink and drive.”
Narowski, paralyzed from the chest down as a result of a driving accident 11 years ago, called driving while texting a “huge cognitive distraction.”
“It’s completely ridiculous to think that you can text and drive,” she said. “It’s important that we convince them not to do that because it’s extremely dangerous.”
She presented her final presentation at the Family Resource Center Saturday morning, complete with the graphic British Driving while Texting Public Service Announcement .
“I asked one of the students what they thought of the presentation, and they said it was much more effective than what they were shown in school,” she said. “I saw a girl in tears when she saw that piece.”
I asked one student what should I change about my presentation, and he said absolutely nothing.”
Students Against Driving Drunk (SADD) and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company in 2007 released results of a national survey conducted with more than 900 teens with driver’s licenses from 26 high schools across the country. The survey revealed 37 percent of those surveyed actually engaged in instant or texting while driving.
Narowski said Texting while Driving currently is illegal in 18 states and the District of Columbia in the U.S, and she believes it will be illegal in all 50 states.
Narowski said she believes there are several factors as to why teens text while driving, including decision-making skills and life experiences.
“A teen-ager doesn’t have the same decision-making skills as someone who’s older, and their judgement isn’t as good sometimes,” she said. “Secondly, when you’re young, you haven’t seen a lot of tragedy. So you feel invincible and that nothing bad can ever happen to you. It’s happens to other people, to other groups, but not me.”

Brigade Fall Fest a “Frightfully” good time

By Sergeant 1st Class Pete Mayes
101st Sustainment Brigade

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky., November 2, 2009 – Rain didn’t stop the fun and festivities the 101st Brigade Troops Battalion had in store for the kiddies.
The BTB, part of the 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, had worked along with the 106th Transportation Battalion and the 129th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion for months on planning their outdoor “Fall Festival Block Party.”
The festival was scheduled to be held in the Brigade’s quad area, but was rained out. Instead of calling it a day, organizers moved the event inside between all three battalion headquarters.
“We did have skating, but that was the only event that got canceled because of the rain,” said BTB Commander Lt. Col. Rob Davis.
The battalions came up with a variety of age appropriate activities to entertain both the Soldiers and their families, ranging from arts and crafts, and “Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin” for children ages six and under, to X-Box competitions and movies for the older kids and teens.
“Fall Festival” was not only about celebrating Halloween; it was a way to celebrate families and team-building as well, Davis said. “It’s about building stronger bonds and getting to know each other better as we get ready to deploy.”
129th CSSB Family Readiness Group Advisor Paula Rickleff said the brigade wanted to do a big event, which led to the collaboration between the battalions to host the festival.
“As you can see, it’s chaotic,” she said. “We had planned for inclement weather, and the rain makes it extra busy.”
Rickleff agreed with Lt. Col. Davis’ assessment of the event’s impact and meaning to the families.
“I’ve run into several people that I had no idea they were part of the Sustainment Brigade outside of my battalion just by having a function like this,” she said.
Many of the Soldiers and their children really got into the Halloween spirit, wearing costumes that ranged from the simple to the elaborate.
“Some of these costumes look professionally done. It’s like they’ve been planning for this all year,” mused Sgt. Jermaine Brown, BTB S-6 Non-Commissioned Officer In-Charge.
Others just enjoyed spending time with their children. Sgt. Karl Lawrence, who is assigned to the 372nd Company, 106th Transportation Battalion, said he missed trick-or-treating with his children last year because he was deployed to Iraq.
“It’s just a treat to be here with family,” he said.
Brigade Commander Col. Michael Peterman said he was very impressed with the festivities.
“This is as neat an all-around event as I’ve ever seen,” he said. “We have to enjoy it while we can because the fact is, many of us won’t be here next year.”

“Lifeliners” validates “Rakkasans” weapons

Maintenance company ensures 3rd BCT’s weapons are functional for upcoming deployment

By Private 1st Class Shawn Denham
101st Sustainment Brigade

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. October 28 – Inspecting a disassembled M-249, Sgt. 1st Class Joseph W. Allen identifies a malfunction. He exposes the worn retaining spring by removing the gas cylinder assembly, and replaces it with a new spring.
“Springs are a main problem, nothing serious,” said Allen, non-commissioned officer in charge, 584th Maintenance Command Armament, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st. Airborne Division.
The unit assisted the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigade “Rakkasans” Infantry Brigade Combat Team in validating and repairing their machine gun weapons systems as they prepare for an upcoming deployment in January 2010.
The week-long validation process includes testing M-249s, M-240s and the M-2 Browning heavy machine guns assigned to the 3rd BCT.
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Andrew L. Johnson, the senior armament systems technician, 101st Sustainment Brigade, SPO Maintenance Branch, said each battalion has a day to validate their weapons systems.
The intent was to ensure the weapons were fully functional and flawless in performance, he said.
Johnson said this type of validation process was new to the unit. “The first time I did this was at Fort Bragg,” he said. “I’m the only person who’s done this before. Everyone else is new.”
Staff Sgt. Samuel C. Hookfin, the armament non-commissioned officer with the SPO Maintenance Branch, said the validation process was successful. “So far it’s going fine, one or two minor hiccups. Other than that, it’s good to go,” he said.
Hookfin’s job was handling parts requests, ensuring all weapons receive any necessary replacement hardware.
“I get my hands dirty every now and then,” Hoofkin said.
“Rakkasan” Soldiers, however, were the best gauge of the validation process.
“It’s fun being able to do stuff like this,” said Pvt. Donald J Lewis, Combat Medic with the 3rd BCT, “it’s my first time since basic training actually firing a live round.”