Hi my name is Keila and I am 27yrs old. I joined the Army because my father was a proud Vietnam Veteran and when I was little he would to sit me down and tell me his war stories. I knew since then that this is what I was meant to do. I tried to join right out of high school, but in my last month of school I found out that I was going to have a child. Eight years later I am now married and have someone I trust to look after my son once I leave. It's taken me a long time to do this and Im so EXCITED that I now am able to!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
The 150th Anniversary Celebrating the Medal of Honor
The 150th anniversary celebrating Medal of Honor recipients took place in Louisville, KY. On September 26, 2011, MOH recipients arrived in Louisville. They were greeted by Patriot Guard members and civilians wanting to show support for these national heroes.
On September 29, 2011 the MOH ceremony was held. The show was hosted by Dennis Haysbert and Tony Orlando. There were musical performances by Military acts such as 4Troops and Ladies for Liberty. Darryl Worley was there to perform, “Have You Forgotten” as well as some of his other hits. There were also special appearances by local artists.
During the ceremony, Sammy Davis, one of the Medal of Honor recipients, told a story about how he did not write home for a few months and his mother began to worry. She contacted Red Cross and Red Cross contacted the Pentagon who in turn contacted Sammy’s Chain of Command in Vietnam. Sammy was in his foxhole when his NCOI (Noncommissioned Officer In Charge) came to his foxhole and asked Sammy if he had been writing home to his mother. Sammy said he hadn’t. His Captain instructed him to write home every day. Sammy, not wanting his mother to worry about him in Vietnam wrote to her about the mud, bugs and anything else he could find to write about other than the war. He even went so far as to draw one of the millipedes across three MRE boxes and drawing all TEN THOUSAND legs on it. After a month or so of doing this, Sammy received a package from his mother and it had a harmonica and a note that said, ‘Maybe this will keep you from being so bored.’ Sammy was in his foxhole when his NCO came over and asked him if he had gotten a harmonica in the mail. Sammy said yes and the Sergeant asked him to play the song Shenandoah for him. Sammy told him he had never played the harmonica before. The Sergeant went on to tell Sammy that back home he was a college student and worked full time before the draft. He said when things got hectic, he would take a ride to the Shenandoah River, let his feet dangle in the water and when he would return to town that night, he would feel at peace. He then taught Sammy a few chords of the song and would teach him more every time he would see him until Sammy knew the whole song.
His NCOIC was later killed in Vietnam. When Sammy went to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, (dressed in his blues and wearing his MOH) he found his NCO’s name on the wall, reached out and touched it, grabbed his harmonica from his pocket and said, “Sergeant Dunlop, may you be at peace now.” He then played Shenandoah for him one last time.
There have been a total of 3,458 MOH recipients since 1861 when initiated by President Abraham Lincoln. There are a total of 85 MOH recipients living today and 52 of them attended the ceremony in Louisville, KY.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Future Soldier Michael David
I have wanted to join the military since I was 18, but something always ended up coming up that made me change my mind. I recently enlisted in the Army and I am shipping out in November of this year, and will be the Army's next great Combat Medic. When I first walked into the recruiting command none of the recruiters there believed that I was serious about joining because of my appearance. I weighed 265 lbs and was 42% body fat, but I knew that it was something that I was absolutely determined to do. Since April 1st of this year I have lost 70 lbs and 27% body fat. I cannot wait to ship and I know that this is the best decision of my life.
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| Ready for BCT! |
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Future Soldier Stephannie Martinez
My name is Stephannie Martinez , my MOS is 31B Military Police. I decided to join the ARMY because ever since I was in JROTC I could tell that I was a born leader and this is what I wanted to do. Now I leave in about 5 months or so and I'm super excited to start my career as an active duty soldier. This is something that I have been working so hard to get and now that I'm so close to it just makes me even more motivated to go into basic and kick some butt!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Future Soldier Naomi Hernandez Bristol
Name: SPC Bristol
MOS: 68X (Behavorial Health Specialist)
I decided to join the Army because my grandfather was in the Army, my father was in the Army, and my husband is in the Army; I wanted to continue that tradition because of personal pride and to give back service to my country.
I'm most excited about beginning this new chapter in my life....to experience something and do things that never in my life I would have ever thought of doing. I'm nervous about BCT, but I know with the right attitude and mindset going into it, I, as well as many others, will accomplish that stage and become US Army Soldiers. HOOAH!!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Future Soldier Erin Ellison
Erin Ellison
11X Airborne
I joined the Army to better myself and to better my future and to protect the American way of life like all those before me have. It will be an honor to wear the uniform and serve America. God bless!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Future Soldier Allyson Scott
Name: Allyson Scott
MOS: OCS, then 31A
I joined the Army to be part of something bigger than myself where I am able to help my fellow Soldiers. Also, joining felt right to me because I am able to give back to my Community and Country.
I am excited to start my journey in the Army through BCT, and then OCS. I am a little nervous for OCS, but I know the experience I will get from OCS will help me better lead and teach my fellow Soldiers.
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