tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80962339331372059632009-02-21T11:48:55.690-05:00The American Heritage Dictionary defines a patriot as "One who loves, supports, and defends one's country." There are no greater patriots than the men and women putting their lives at risk and serving around the world. This blog is dedicated to the warriors deployed in America's Army Forces and their families. The information, chats and web links are our way of building a stronger connection with servicemen and servicewomen from the District, Maryland and Virginia.My Biohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11283878581844385761noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096233933137205963.post-42363838958085771972008-04-29T18:54:00.002-04:002008-04-29T19:18:08.047-04:00

Any news about efforts to do more to help military families is good news to me. 9 NEWS NOW aired two stories today about two very different sources for potential assistance -- the new GI Bill and a Sesame Street program.Many veterans who have served our country since 9/11 are struggling to go to college on their GI benefits. Unlike the World War II vets, the education assistance available today

Phyllis Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14391790011313625891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096233933137205963.post-46962809229140504102008-04-29T17:07:00.004-04:002008-05-22T19:13:10.346-04:00

I don't know about you, but I sometimes find the e-mails that ask you to not break a chain somewhat annoying. Sometimes they are very nice. However, I either don't have the time or a dozen people I want to send them to in order to get what is promised (good luck, a surprise, etc.).The prayer below is an exception. My sister sent it to me from California. I remembered Matt from a previous story I

Phyllis Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14391790011313625891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096233933137205963.post-87532075977024547922008-04-29T13:13:00.004-04:002008-04-29T17:07:02.411-04:00

Most of us have seen the joyous hugs and enthusiastic applause that often greet the men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. For the men and women returning from the challenges of serving far from home and in harm's way, I can't imagine anything better than having their families and friends their to greet them when they get back to their communities. I wonder how much different this

Phyllis Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14391790011313625891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096233933137205963.post-31505410468908931262008-04-29T12:37:00.002-04:002008-04-29T13:10:24.818-04:00

The political campaigns, sky-high gas prices and mortgage crisis are keeping our minds focused on surviving the economic downturn in our country. The suffering of our fellow Americans who have lost jobs or homes as well as the poor populations struggling to get food are worthy of our attention. Yet, men and women who served and came home wounded are battling to overcome challenges most of us

Phyllis Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14391790011313625891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096233933137205963.post-75760033344679127622008-04-15T19:21:00.006-04:002008-04-16T11:26:01.044-04:00

There are times when many of us think our jobs or lives are demanding and stressful. That is, until you meet someone as impressive as Capt. Marissa Alexander. She is a single Mom with twins, who lost the love of her life in Afghanistan, and still serves her country.I found out about Marissa from TAPS, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. Ami Neiberger-Miller helped me out in finding

Phyllis Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14391790011313625891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096233933137205963.post-47906934760947868602008-04-06T11:34:00.003-04:002008-04-06T11:51:25.068-04:00

There are some folks in St. Mary's County who would like to offer get-aways to local vets.I received this e-mail on the program. The Greenwell Foundation is also looking for volunteers and donations. Contact information is listed.This is information on a program in St. Mary's Countyfor wounded veterans and their families. If you know a service memberwho might like to participate in the Vacations

Phyllis Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14391790011313625891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096233933137205963.post-84738905300964525472008-04-06T11:03:00.002-04:002008-04-06T11:34:15.698-04:00

This weekend marked the 5th anniversary of the loss of Capt. James Adamouski. The Lee High School graduate was the first person from Northern Virginia killed in combat during the war in Iraq.He was remembered Saturday by his family and friends with a visit to Arlington National Cemetery. His father, Frank Adamouski, let me know that about two dozen of classmates from West Point came to town to

Phyllis Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14391790011313625891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096233933137205963.post-38353980272438478362008-03-25T20:57:00.012-04:002008-03-26T10:33:43.245-04:00

When I opened my newspaper on March 16th and saw a story about another soldier who had given his life for our country, I started to post a link to that article. I'm glad I waited because today I learned so much more about Sgt. 1st Class Collin Bowen.His story came to life as I sat inside of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Landover Hills. Rev. Samuel Giese talked about how hard it was to say goodbye

Phyllis Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14391790011313625891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096233933137205963.post-60652272040916245702008-03-20T17:20:00.005-04:002008-03-20T18:34:53.862-04:00

This week our nation marked the 5th anniversary of the war in Iraq. While the debate over what needs to be done rages on, I have been reaching out to people and agencies involved in the lives of military families.I have more than a few things to mention to you that might be of interest to those who are serving, who have loved ones serving or who want to assist military families.TAPS VOLUNTEERSThe

Phyllis Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14391790011313625891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096233933137205963.post-74573720044446949802008-03-13T15:43:00.002-04:002008-03-13T17:33:04.698-04:00

How much responsibility does our nation have to support Americans who have volunteered to serve and go off to war? It is a question I've often wondered about as I have seen and heard references to "Support Our Troops."Most of us who read or watch the news are aware that our nation sometimes falls short of providing the services and benefits that many believe our veterans deserve. Whether it is

Phyllis Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14391790011313625891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096233933137205963.post-14310840342303876842008-03-05T12:22:00.002-05:002008-03-05T15:07:53.390-05:00

The 2008 Presidential Race grabs our attention and the headlines. It is an interesting time in America as voters try to figure out who should be our next Commander-in-Chief. While we debate and speculate, the people directly affected by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continue to face the challenges of having loved ones deployed, wounded or killed.I received this news release and photo from Amy

Phyllis Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14391790011313625891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096233933137205963.post-85314069679247499442008-02-27T11:54:00.006-05:002008-03-05T15:17:44.785-05:00

I opened my e-mail last Thursday and was glad to see a note from a Fairfax County police detective who is deployed in Iraq.Sgt. James Sparks and I met when I did stories on his family and other Fairfax County police officers serving their country. He is on the right in this photo and Tyler Butterworth is on the left.Covering the deployment of his unit stirred a lot of feelings about the people

Phyllis Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14391790011313625891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096233933137205963.post-43174407415187543112008-02-27T11:42:00.003-05:002008-02-27T12:17:14.735-05:00

The origional terminal of Reagan National Airport became a celebration of history on Monday. That is where the Washington Metropolitan Airports Authority held a panel discussion with five Tuskegee Airmen.The event planned as the opening of a photo exhibit, "Tribute to Our National Heroes/The Tuskegee Airmen," drew a large and diverse crowd of area students, military personnel and airport

Phyllis Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14391790011313625891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096233933137205963.post-15706288412814653612008-02-20T18:29:00.011-05:002008-02-21T18:50:52.354-05:00

This was one of those days when I truly loved being a news reporter. What I witnessed in a kindergarten class in Centreville, Virginia made me smile, laugh and almost cry.It started with Suzette Haywood reading her class a book called "The Impossible Patriotism Project." It is a story about a little boy whose father is in Iraq and cannot be home for his son's presentation on parents' night.From

Phyllis Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14391790011313625891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096233933137205963.post-91411482149122256182008-02-14T18:50:00.008-05:002008-03-05T15:36:50.634-05:00

When you are putting your life on the line in a war zone, I can only imagine how difficult it must be to keep comforting reminders of home close.Perhaps, that is why some servicemen and women show kindness to stray dogs and cats they find. I hear military regulations make it extremely difficult for those pets to go home with the Americans who care for them in Iraq and Afghanistan.Well, the mascot

Phyllis Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14391790011313625891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096233933137205963.post-11017784966693311872008-02-07T14:39:00.001-05:002008-03-05T15:30:52.463-05:00

Anyone seeing those devastating pictures of the tornado destruction in the South has to question how the communities will recover from so much loss of people and property. That is why it is encouraging to know some National Guard troops are going to be there for those families.Hopefully, the nation has gained knowledge and wisdom from the Katrina disaster and the California wildfires. In a

Phyllis Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14391790011313625891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096233933137205963.post-10734383257736347702008-01-30T20:24:00.001-05:002008-01-30T20:37:19.049-05:00

A new military study on traumatic brain injury offers hope at the same time it creates controversy. U.S. military doctors have concluded tht many cases of post-traumatic stress and depression could be the cause for the symptoms thousands of soldiers are experiencing.The Associated Press reports the study was led by Dr. Charles Hoge, psychiatry chief at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. It

My Biohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11283878581844385761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096233933137205963.post-26862208467464491792008-01-28T18:59:00.000-05:002008-01-28T19:39:23.438-05:00

Back in June, I met the father of two soldiers at the deployment ceremony for Virginia Army National Guard troops. Ed Lovell's twin sons, Eli and Seth, were headed for Iraq with the 3rd Battalion, 116th Brigade, 29th Infantry Division.Eli is a medic and was previously deployed in Afghanistan. Seth and Eli are together in Iraq. Their father has been blogging about American Soldiers since October

Phyllis Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14391790011313625891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096233933137205963.post-3595760804218261912008-01-28T18:26:00.000-05:002008-01-28T19:56:13.352-05:00

As you might have noticed, blogging is a new experience for me. A week or more goes by and I suddenly realize it's been too long since my last posting. I owe a thank you to my co-workers Emily Cyr and Stephanie Wilson for being on the look out for stories related to our patriots and their loved ones. They keep the e-mails coming while I am out covering news reports on other subjects.Of course, if

Phyllis Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14391790011313625891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096233933137205963.post-40382925309234087092008-01-17T19:45:00.000-05:002008-01-17T20:14:22.109-05:00

I made one of those phone calls today that most journalists dread. Word had come through a 9NEWS NOW co-worker that another local soldier had died in Iraq.The mother of Pfc. David Sharrett II answered the phone in Oakton, Va. I suddenly felt myself at a loss for words. Knowing that the official Department of Defense press release had not yet come out, I was reluctant to ask about her son.I told

Phyllis Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14391790011313625891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096233933137205963.post-40751956455021015892008-01-09T21:44:00.000-05:002008-01-10T18:28:36.418-05:00

The moment I saw the Belle's home, I knew the loss of their son was an enormous rip in the fabric of their lives. The presence of Nicholas Kirven goes straight to your heart as you approach J. Michael and Beth Belle's front door.Photographs of Nicholas greet you near the entrance. American flags wave in the wind on the lawn and above the garage. His beloved BMW sits in the driveway. A Gold Star

Phyllis Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14391790011313625891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096233933137205963.post-52478211763107771702008-01-07T11:29:00.000-05:002008-01-07T11:57:40.142-05:00

Another unit of Marine Reservists from our are is heading for Iraq. This article from January 4th is a moving story about the Marines saying goodbye to loved ones. It appeared in the Fredericksburg NewsMy co-worker, Emily Cyr, also passed on this article about a Stafford County soldier's memories of his first combat mission in Afghanistan and the wounds that sidelined him. Click here for the

Phyllis Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14391790011313625891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096233933137205963.post-21579647595602216852008-01-06T17:02:00.000-05:002008-01-08T12:32:55.996-05:00

Recognition of the service given by men and women in America's military often comes after they have sacraficed their lives. Medals are important, but they are not enough to show our appreciation for those who serve and sacrafice.Some people are trying to do more to recognize the Fallen from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Maryland Army National Guard plans to build a Fallen Soldiers

Phyllis Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14391790011313625891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096233933137205963.post-88203715881467884152008-01-02T11:20:00.000-05:002008-01-07T10:41:27.001-05:00

I'm back in the work world after a long Christmas break. I hope you had a chance to do something for our troops during the holidays.Although we are turning our attention to other things as the New Year begins, we should make the effort to keep America's military men and women in our thoughts. Some organizations you might want to check out are listed in previous posts.Another group you might want

Phyllis Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14391790011313625891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096233933137205963.post-61613270355732994502007-12-20T19:12:00.000-05:002008-01-06T17:40:15.321-05:00

It was a cold and windy Saturday when hundreds of volunteers got together at Arlington National Cemetery to place wreaths on the headstones of veterans buried there.I met three people who walked to Section 60 to lay wreaths for the men and women killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Juan Casiano's fiancee, Maria Ortiz, is buried there. Amy Neiberger-Miller's brother, Christopher, also lost his life in

Phyllis Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14391790011313625891noreply@blogger.com1