Our Heroes
Avis Sanchez
I am a 26-year old; wife, mother, college student, federal employee, and a Soldier. My husband, SGT Andy Sanchez Sr., is on his second deployment in Afghanistan. We have a two year old son, Andy Sanchez Jr.
Each day has been challenging since Andy left for his deployment. This deployment has been harder than the last because we have a son now. I couldn’t have made it without my parents and my friends from work. It’s important to have a support system when your spouse leaves. If you don’t have a support system, find one! You will go crazy without one.
It has been difficult managing my time with work, school, managing my home, and taking care of my son. The only way I could manage everything is to have a fluid system. My parents have helped me out a great deal with taking care of my son during drills and on some weekends so I can get some things done. [read more]
Father and Son Together Again!
There was a time that you could not separate my husband and son. There actually came a point where I was jealous of their relationship. Then once again, my husband was deployed. This time that he was deployed, I was left with a child who has just turned 1 and a half. What do you tell a child of this age about their daddy being deployed? I found myself in a difficult situation. He was the age of one and a half and already knew who daddy was, what was I to do? How was I going to explain this?
After daddy had been gone for a couple of days, the questions already started coming in from my little one, “Where is daddy?” What was I supposed to tell that adorable little face? I had to tell him the truth. I told him that daddy would be away for a long time but then he will be back again. Everyday I continued to show him pictures of daddy. I also set up a webcam so he could see his daddy. It gave my son comfort being able to see his daddy every once in awhile. That was not the difficult part though.
[read more]
Captain Elizabeth Condon
22 September 2005
TF Freedom - SGS
FOB Courage
APO AE 09334
While I truly love my new position, it is not without heartache. I attend each memorial service for every fallen comrade within Task Force Freedom (TFF) and those working in our operating area. In less than six weeks I have been present to honor thirteen heroes at their memorial ceremonies. I have not written because I had always written about the lighter side of being here and it was difficult to focus on those things. Finally I decided that I missed being in contact with you all so I better write, even if it is not pleasant.
The Public Affairs office records every memorial ceremony that takes place within TFF’s area of operation, I take the notes. I write down the details of the ceremony; what was said about each hero then send it to the family support network back in the United States along with a copy of the their biography. This information is important because someone from the TFF family network attends every burial throughout the United States regardless of where it is located. The notes provide the attendee with the particulars of the memorial ceremony and it helps when trying to connect with the grieving family.
New York Army National Guard Aviation Unit Returns Home To Long Island Unit completes Iraq tour
WHAT: New York Army National Guard Soldiers return home to the Army Aviation Support Facility at Long Island MacArthur Airport after completing their one-year of active duty for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Soldiers return by bus from their demobilization at Fort Dix, N.J.
WHO: Approx. 24 Soldiers. The remainder of the Long Island troops, 35 Soldiers, returned directly home from Fort Dix with family members.
WHEN: Approximately 8:30 a.m., Saturday, May 30, 2009. Bus arrival expected at 9 a.m.
WHERE: New York Army National Guard Aviation Support Facility, 201 Schaefer Drive, Long Island MacArthur Airport, Ronkonkoma, N.Y. 11779
Media Opportunities:
News media will view the homecoming of National Guard Soldiers with their families. Media must contact the Long Island MacArthur Airport Communications Director for access to the airport facilities. Contact Catherine Green, cgreen@townofislip-ny.gov or (631) 467 - 3300; cell: (516) 749 - 8696.
BACKROUND:
More than 135 members of the New York Army National Guard's 3rd Battalion, 142nd Assault Helicopter Battalion who served in Iraq for nine months returned to the United States last weekend and completed demobilization tasks. Long Island welcomes home more than 50 Soldiers this weekend.
The battalion, headquartered near Long Island's Islip MacArthur Airport at the New York Army National Guard's Ronkonkoma Army Aviation Support Facility, also has a flight company near Albany International Airport in Latham, N.Y.
Known in Iraq as Task Force Jester, the aircrews and Soldiers of the 3-142nd conducted aviation operations throughout central and southern Iraq to support coalition and Iraqi forces movements of troops and supplies.
The battalion of more than 320 Soldiers conducted split based operations with a company located in Basra and the remainder of the battalion at Baghdad International Airport.
By May of 2009, Task Force Jester had oversight of 62 aircraft (55 UH-60 Blackhawks and seven AH-64 Apaches), more than double the unit's normal complement of helicopters without additional staffing.
Over the course of the deployment, the aircrews from the task force flew more than 15,000 flight hours, moving more than 50,000 personnel and 1,000,000 lbs. of cargo.
This event marks the homecoming for the remainder of the battalion's troops. The unit will come back together in approximately one month to begin their Yellow Ribbon reintegration program to offer Soldiers and their families information and services prior to returning to a regular National Guard drill status.
© NYS DMNA: Media Advisory: New York Army National Guard Aviation Unit Returns Home To Long Island
http://www.dmna.state.ny.us/pressroom/presindx.php?id=1243622250
Page Last Modified: May 29, 2009