2009 october, the dispatch

4 Vans to Help Veteran-Students Go The Distance Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Eric K. Shinseki, today announced further outreach to Veteran-students eligible for a special emergency payment of their education benefits. Veterans can now apply online beginning Oct. 2. Veteran-students can also request courtesy transportation to VA regional benefits offices.

6 36th Sustainment Brigade Takes Command Soldiers and Shieks alike gathered at Contingency Operating Base Adder for a Transfer of Authority between Texas National Guard’s 36th Sustainment Brigade and Kansas National Guard’s 287th Sustainment Brigade on September 19th in Tallil, Iraq.

10 36th Inf. Div, British Train Together The 3rd Battalion, 144th Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, welcomed British troops of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Anglian Regiment (1R Anglian) in support of Operation Glow Worm for two weeks of vigorous and intense training.

12 TXANG Talks Shop with Armenia Counterpart Texas Air National Guard Public Affairs specialist Master Sgt. Gregory Ripps interviews Col. Daniel Balayan, commander of the Military Aviation Institute during a visit to Armenia.

13 36th Inf. Div. Remembers the Fallen in Italy

This May a 65th Anniversary Ceremony took place in Sant’ Angelo to honor those who sacri-ficed their lives during the Rapido River attack and the Italian Campaign. Veterans came to-gether from each allied army to commemorate those men who defended the freedom of Italy.

2 THE DISPATCH October 2009

Cover- Texas Army National Guard Sgt. Hoa Pham, of Haltom City, runs for cover during ur-ban operations tactics training in England. He is a member of Dallas-based Company C, 3rd Battalion, 144th Infantry. (Photo by Master Sgt. Brenda Benner, Texas Military Forces Public Affairs)

Vol. 4, No. 10 October 2009

Col. William Meehan Public Affairs Officer

Chief Master Sgt. Gonda Moncada

Public Affairs Chief

Public Affairs Staff Staff Sgt. Eric Wilson Sgt. Jennifer Atkinson

Sgt. Malcolm McClendon Spc. Maria Moy Cheryl Barbeau John Thibodeau

Managing Editor Chief Master Sgt. Gonda Moncada

Design and Copy Editor Sgt. Jennifer D. Atkinson

Contributing Writers and Photographers Col. William Meehan

Chief Master Sgt. Gonda Moncada Master Sgt. Brenda Benner

Sgt. 1st Class Tad Browning Master Sgt. Gregory Ripps Spc. Mary B. McDonald

Gov. Rick Perry Commander in Chief

Maj. Gen. Jose S. Mayorga

Adjutant General of Texas

The Dispatch is a funded monthly newsletter published in the interest of the members of the Texas Military Forces. Contents of The Dispatch are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the Department of De-fense, the National Guard Bureau, the State of Texas or the Adjutant Gen-eral’s Department of Texas. Content is edited, prepared and provided by the Texas Joint Military Forces Public Affairs Office, Bldg. 10, 2200 W. 35th Street, Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas. 78703.

Articles and photography are welcome and may be submitted to JFTX-PAO, P.O. Box 5218, Austin TX 78763-5218, or by e-mail to [email protected]. Deadline for submissions is the 10th day of the month for the issue of the following month.

October 2009 THE DISPATCH 3

New Army Wounded Warrior Website The U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program launched a redesigned website and blog as part of the program's realignment under the Army's Warrior Transition Command. The new U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program website at http://www.aw2.army.mil/ and the AW2 Blog at http://aw2.armylive.dodlive.mil/ are designed to provide robust information and updates on how AW2 is fulfilling its mission of providing personalized support to severely wounded, injured, and ill Soldiers, veterans, and their families. For more information about the Army Wounded Warrior Program, visit the Army Wounded Warrior Program website or call 1-800-237-1336 toll-free.

New 'Real Warriors' Message Board The Real Warriors Campaign, sponsored by the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psycho-logical Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE), recently launched its new Real Warriors Message Boards live on the Real Warriors Campaign website at http://www.realwarriors.net/. Servicemembers, veterans, military families, and health care profes-sional are encouraged to use the campaign's message boards to connect with one another and share news, information, and insights on psychological health concerns and traumatic brain injury. For more information, visit the Real Warriors Campaign site.

Call for Veterans' Photographs The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and FedEx Office recently hosted the launch of The National Call for Photos campaign. This campaign will gather images of the more than 58,000 men and women whose names are on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The FedEx Office will use its locations across the country to help in gathering photos. The fund's latest initiative is The Education Center at The Wall whose exhibits will photographs of people whose names are on The Wall, a selection of the more than 100,000 items that have been left at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a timeline of key military events of the Vietnam War, and a history of the memorial. For more information, visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund website at http://www.vvmf.org/ or telephone 1-866-990-WALL (9255).

Operation Paperback Operation Paperback collects gently used books and sends them to American troops deployed overseas. Since 1999, they have shipped over 950,000 books to locations around the globe. Operation Paperback is a non-profit organization incorporated in the State of Pennsylvania. As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, donations to the organization are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. For more information, go to www.operationpaperback.org.

Army Warns Against Scams Officials with the Army Continuing Education System caution that some civilian organiza-tions are taking advantage of uninformed Soldiers. In fact, some civilian companies use the Veterans Affairs logo and military images on their websites to induce Soldiers to pay up front for education counseling or advocacy. The Army's Continuing Education System sponsors Army education centers worldwide, providing education-counseling services free-of-charge to Soldiers and their families. To find the nearest AEC, visit www.goarmyed.com.

New Sesame St. Military Family Website Sesame Street Workshop launched a user-friendly website for military families called Sesame Street Family Connections. It's like a Facebook site for kids, offering families and friends a child-centered, online space to foster communication. With a Web cam, families and friends can record video messages to share with their loved one, and, of course, their loved one can send a video message back. Elmo and Rosita occupy the website to offer a free, child-friendly, 24/7 way for separated families to stay in touch. The Connections site is part of Ses-ame Street's "Talk, Listen, Connect" initiative for military families. For more information, visit Sesame Street's Talk, Listen, Connect webpage at http://www.sesameworkshop.org/initiatives/emotion/tlc

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki today announced further outreach to Veteran-students eligible for a special emergency payment of their education benefits. Veter-ans can now apply online beginning Oct. 2. Veteran-students can also request courtesy transportation to VA regional benefits of-fices. “Our Veterans went the extra mile for their country,” Shinseki said. “One of our top priorities in transforming VA is to be, first and foremost, the advocate for Veterans.” Last week Shinseki announced that on Friday, Oct. 2, VA’s 57 regional benefits offices will begin providing on-the-spot emer-gency payments up to $3,000 to students who have applied for their education benefits but who have not yet received a govern-ment payment. Citing the distance many Veterans would have to travel to apply in person at a VA benefits office, Shinseki announced Veterans can also apply online at www.va.gov, starting Oct. 2. The online application will guide Veterans through the process to supply needed information. Shinseki noted that online applicants will receive their emergency payments through the mail after process-ing. “VA is adapting to meet the financial needs of our Veteran-students who are on campus,” Shinseki said. “They should be focusing on their studies, not worrying about financial difficul-ties.” Students without their own transportation can also request free van service, provided by volunteers, to carry them to the nearest benefits office. To obtain this service, Veterans would have to call their nearest VA medical center and ask for the “Volunteer Transportation Coordinator.” Transportation will be on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis. Veterans can find a map and list of medical centers at http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/division_flsh.asp?dnum=1. Whether traveling by personal vehicle or volunteer van, VA offi-

cials suggest students check their mail boxes and banking ac-counts before leaving home, since some Veterans will find their checks have already arrived. VA would like to recognize the volunteers and Veterans Service Organizations for partnering with the Department to ensure that Veterans’ needs are met. The emergency checks are an advance on each student’s educa-tion benefits, and the amount will be deducted from future bene-fits payments. Checks will be written at the regional offices for Veterans who bring a photo ID and evidence of their enroll-ment. VA officials emphasize that $3,000 is the maximum pay-ment, with many Veterans receiving smaller payments based upon their likely monthly education benefits. A map and list of the participating VA regional benefits offices is available on the Internet at http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/division_flsh.asp?dnum=3. The most updated information regarding VA issuing emergency checks will be available at VA’s web site www.va.gov starting Oct. 1. Applications from approximately 25,000 Veterans are currently being processed for Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefit payments to students or schools.


Vans to Help Veteran-Students Go the Distance Department of Veterans Affairs Press Release


Contingency Operating Base Ad-der, Tallil, Iraq – Soldiers and Shieks alike gathered at Contingency Operating Base Adder for a Transfer of Authority between Texas National Guard’s 36th Sustainment Brigade and Kansas National Guard’s 287th Sustainment Brigade on September 19th in Tallil, Iraq. The transfer started months ago for the 36th SB as they trained for the mission

ahead. The ceremony is a culmination of events leading to the successful completion of the 287th SB mission and the transfer to the 36th SB to continue with the mission and to begin a responsi-ble drawdown of forces in Iraq. “It’s a ceremony that represents the casing of the colors for one unit for doing a successful mission and going home,” stated 36th SB commander, Col. Sean Ryan. “We uncased our colors to show that we are here ready to support the mission. We now control all logistics for the southern half of Iraq. It’s been a long road to get here. Today we actually take charge and we own the mission to support the customers,” Colonel Ryan added. The 287th SB departed having accomplished their logis-tics mission through team-work and close ties with the local Iraqis. Col. Robert Schmitt, 287th SB commander commented during the ceremony about the significance that his unit has had during its deployment. “We have a lot to be proud of in the 287th. The Soldiers that have worked for us have done an awe-some job”, said Colonel Schmitt. “We had an immense logistics mission which covered basically from Kuwait all the way north to Baghdad. Eighty percent of the fuel and eighty percent of our rations basically come through our brigade and through our hubs at Cedar and Adder, he added.” The 287th SB was responsible for more than 30 nightly convoys, delivering more than three million gallons of fuel, 15 million bottles of water, and drove over three million miles in support of the warfighter and contractors throughout southern Iraq. “Every Soldier in our brigade and in the brigade head-quarters has a right to be very proud for all of these achievements because we were a team. A great team, all the way from the cook in the mess hall to the signal soldier repairing the crew system,” said Colonel Schmitt. Key leaders from around southern Iraq were in atten-dance to support the change in military leadership. “Through our relationship with the local community I think that we can have a pretty good understanding,” said Colonel Schmitt, “I believe that they have more freedoms than they have ever had before. As I travel the roads of Southern Iraq, I see construction everywhere, going up route TAMPA I see schools being built, some of which we helped with and some which are being done by Iraqis. Lots of construction, lots of commerce. The country is coming back and coming back well and I think that is something we should be proud of.”

The 36th Sustainment Brigade’s mission will follow what the 287th has done over the course of the last 9 months as coalition forces continue to draw down and the Iraqi people con-tinue to manage their own affairs. “As we begin our responsible drawdown we need to understand how to withdraw our forces and our equipment in a responsible manner while still partnering with the Iraqi popula-tion,” said Colonel Ryan. Now on his second deployment, Colonel Ryan knows that the road ahead will be a challenge and is confident that the mission will be a success. “I see the Iraqi security forces meeting our convoys, they're on time and they're leading us through the cities,” said Colonel Ryan. “The Iraqi police have taken charge and actually have not asked us back into the cities. The progress is there. The local tribes are able to begin to have stability,” he added. With the Transfer of Authority complete, Colonel Ryan ended his speech by ensuring Brig. Gen. Paul Wentz, 13th Expe-ditionary Support Command commander, that the unit is ready to perform its mission. “The 36th SB is equipped, manned, trained, and ready to provide a relenting sustainment operation, distribu-tion management, life support activities, human resource and financial management to our supported customers in the entire Multi-National Division South area of operations. Never losing focus on partnering, by, with, and through the Iraqi people. We have studied and fully comprehend the challenges and end-state requirements for responsible drawdown and force re-posturing, we are ready,” said Colonel Ryan. “To all present, Task Force Rawhide has entered the net, we are prepared, and motivated to "Head 'em Up and Move 'em Out". Thank you, shukran,” said Ryan.

36th Sustainment Brigade Takes Command 13th Sustainment Cmd. (Expeditionary) Public Affairs

Command Sgt. Major Elizabeth Shockley and Col. Sean Ryan with the 36th Sustainment Brigade uncase the bri-gade's colors during a transfer of authority ceremony with the 287th SB on September 19th in COB Adder, Iraq (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Tad Browning)

YEREVAN, Armenia (Aug. 10, 2009) — The task is one of many here for the 149th Civil Engineer Squadron.

Tech. Sgt. Michael Meras slides the two by six-inch boards into place, aligns a straight edge and with a pencil scores the boards where they will be cut.

“I’m mostly eye-balling it,” he says, answering my un-asked question. The objective is to make new bench seats along a zig-zagging brick wall in an area next to the nursery where other civil engineers (CEs) are extensively rehabilitating some rooms. The original benches have rotted or broken away, leaving only traces. Rusty iron bolts and nuts remain in their brownish brack-ets, silent guardians to a shady spot along an irregular walkway. The brackets are bent and must be straightened.

The task to replace the benches is among a myriad of tasks the nursery’s principal, Nelly Mixailovna, wants com-pleted. She speaks through Anush Ghaxaryan, a young, striking university student. She says she was asked to serve as interpreter because “they heard I could speak English.” She tells me she found English easy to learn and likes to write short stories in English.

“Why don’t Americans learn Armenian?” she asks. “Because we are lazy,” I answer. “We always expect to

find someone who can understand English wherever we go.” Anush soon returns to translating between the principal

and the site project officer, Capt. Vince Salazar. Anush’s eyes become big when she listens to what is being said. Her job isn’t easy. She must relay the principal’s wishes to the captain and then relay his explanations of what can be done and how, if it can be done. The bench work is one item on the “can do” list. Sergeant Meras jumped right into this one.

I am trying to help. Not having the skills or training of the other CEs, I can’t do much to help most of them in their tasks. But today I brought my gloves and steel-toed boots and borrowed a hard hat. So following reasonable safety precautions, I can at least hold and carry boards. After all, it’s for the kids.

Consideration for the children who are brought to this nursery (which Americans would probably call a day-care cen-ter) is what drives Sergeant Meras and the other CEs on this site, I dare say, more than the training experience or wider Armenian-American relations.

The children here range in age from 18 months to 6-1/2 years. Their parents bring them early in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon. They are confined to parts of the build-ing where the CEs aren’t working, but when their parents’ escort them past us, they catch peeks of us and what we are doing. While adults eye us guardedly, the children’s eyes dance when they see us.

Sergeant Meras works fast. Measuring. Marking. Car-rying. Cutting. Carrying back. Checking the fit. He seems wound up tighter than most of us; he is always moving. We have to carry the boards to the generator that powers the saw. He can be talkative at other times, but with the noise from the generator and the power saw and our own ear protection, he directs me with signals that indicate put those boards there, hold this board here, etc. I feel like I am racing to keep up.

Then our bus arrives. It’s time to put things away and pack our own things to take back to where we are billeted at night. My duties take me elsewhere the next morning. Later, when I return to the site, the new benches by the wall are fin-ished. Others have helped.

I take it upon myself to pick up small pieces of metal, glass and sharp stones I notice in the immediate area. More items keep appearing, and I find my little job is bigger than I thought. I sift the dirt, gravel and patches of grass with gloved fingers. I end up also pulling a few weeds and sweeping the walkways … for the kids.

Sergeant Meras surveys the bench work and the setting with silent satisfaction. Few people know or are likely to know who fixed up this tiny piece of the world. The 149th CEs don’t brand their work like many units do. We don’t get to see the re-action of the children the results of this particular task. We can only imagine children climbing on the benches more than sitting on them. We know they will less likely hurt themselves – except that children always find a way to hurt themselves. And we hope some of tem will think kindly of Texans and Americans. As with all the other tasks the CEs complete on this deployment, they leave things better than they found them.


By Master Sgt. Gregory Ripps 149th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Tech. Sgt. Michael Meras of the 149th Civil Engineer (CEs) Squadron checks measurements on a two-by-six that will become part of a bench seat. He and others refurbished benches along a garden wall at a nursery in Yerevan, Arme-nia, during the first two weeks of August. Forty-five CEs and four other Air National Guardsmen from the 149th Fighter Wing, at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas deployed to Yerevan to complete an Expeditionary Medical Service facility and work on humanitarian assis-tance projects. (Texas Military Forces photo by Tech. Sgt. Rene Castillo)

149th Civil Engineering Squadron: Rebuilding in Armenia 149th Civil Engineering Squadron: Rebuilding in Armenia

Austin, Texas (Sep. 15, 2009) – “Runner”! The call came from out of the dark, 13 rows back, warning the rest of us to keep the path open. It was 5:30 in the morning when the 26 Soldiers, Air-men and a lone, tough civilian employee of the Texas Military Forces assembled on the north bank of Austin’s Lady Bird Lake to “ruck march” 4.87 miles. Chaplain (Col.) Rob Ewing prepared our way with a prayer for a safe training event. I found myself praying to keep up with the pace set by MG Jose S. Mayorga, the Adjutant General of Texas. “We do this to keep fit, to be deployable and to be healthy for our families”, Maj. Gen. Jose S. Mayorga said, just before he led the column on its mission. We crossed over the dark lake on wooden bridge, with the Austin downtown cityscape illuminating our way. Blinking red lights on the prows of team rowing boats marked them as they glided over the lake like long narrow water bugs. Our col-umn turned east at a brisk clip, each of us aware that a misstep could jostle the person following or even worse, twist an ankle and have to be carried out. We marched on, startling joggers who called out “you rock” and “thanks for your service”. I’m betting that having a military column appear out of the gloom in downtown Austin must have been a surprise to the many who run this trail. As we crossed over the Congress Avenue Bridge, blazing spotlights on the Texas Capitol Dome speared the darkness.

No bats to be seen at this pre-dawn moment, just our column grinding out another mile. Heading into the home stretch now, cutting past the rail thin fellow at the Texas Rowing Center who yelled “hey dudes, doing 20 miles today”? We’re seeing highway lights now and know we’ve marched nearly five miles before most folks have had their second cup of coffee. Here in the back of the column, we hear rumors 12 miles are in our fu-ture.


The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis. If you need help, please dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You will be routed to the closest possible crisis center in your area. With more than 130 crisis centers across the country, our mission is to provide immediate assistance to any-one seeking mental health services. Call for yourself, or someone you care about. Your call is free and confidential.

Para obtener asistencia en español durante las 24 horas, llame al 1-888-628-9454.

From immediate suicidal crisis to information about mental health, crisis centers in our network are equiped to take a wide range of calls. Some of the reasons to call 1-800-273-TALK are listed below.

• Call to speak with someone who cares. • Call if you feel you might be in danger of hurting yourself. • Call to find referrals to mental health services in your area. • Call to speak to a crisis worker about someone you're concerned

about.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Why should I call the Lifeline?

Story and photo by Col. William Meehan Texas Military Forces Public Affairs

WHAT’S ALL THE “RUCK-US” ABOUT?

Maj. Gen. Jose S. Mayorga leads the way through early morn-ing darkness during the ruck march through Austin.

LAREDO, Texas – While the country paid tribute to the men and women who lost their lives on that fateful day in September, others assembled here, to un-veil training equipment that has become essential to Soldiers and Law Enforcement Officers in the aftermath.

“What a great day, good morning ladies and gentlemen, Congressman Cuellar,” said Brig. Gen. Joyce Stevens, Commander Texas Army National Guard. “What a fitting day on the 8th anniversary of 9/11 to be here at the Texas Army Na-tional Guard Laredo Armory with Con-gressman Cuellar and our distinguished guests to unveil a combat simulator and mobile firing range that will enable our great Texas warriors and our law enforce-ment partners to hone their weapon skills and become more proficient in their duties.

The events of September 11, 2001,” she continued: “forever changed our Nation. No one knows that better than the Citizen Soldiers and families of the Texas Army National Guard who have willingly stepped forward to protect our freedom and secure our safety. Long gone

are the days that the Guard served as a strate-gic reserve.

The Soldiers of the 436th Chemi-cal Company here in Laredo typify an op-erational National Guard unit as they re-cently served well and returned from Af-ghanistan. More than half of these Sol-diers have served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. The combat simulator which we will unveil here today is a tremendous resource to our Soldiers and area law en-forcement partners.”

She then introduced U.S. Con-gressman Henry Cuellar: “It is with great pleasure that I introduce the man who made this simulator and training facility possible. Congressman Cuellar has served the state of Texas for over 20 years as a Texas State Legislator, Texas Secretary of State and now U.S. Congressman.

Congressman Cuellar has traveled to Iraq, Afghanistan and Germany visiting our troops and has fought his own cam-paign to provide tools and support for Texas Soldiers.”

The Congressman who is known for bringing the most important food group - tortillas - to the troops in Iraq received a hearty applause from the audience.

Congressman Cuellar thanked the Soldiers for their service and joked, “Some of these Soldiers may have taken more tortillas than they were supposed to,” but soon became serious and said: “To our state and local law enforcement – Thank you! It is so important that we all work together. I am excited about what we will start doing here and what we will continue to do here.

We brought in an $ 800,000 state-of-the-art simulator because while it is appropriate to honor our men and women in uniform and thank them for their service we also have to make sure that they re-ceive the right equipment.

Today’s unveiling of the mobile firing range unit is a testament to what we want to do which is to work as teams so that we may provide better security during an act of violence or even an act of terror-ism. This self-contained mobile firing range allows for our Soldiers and law en-forcement officers to train for the different scenarios. Equally important is that our local Soldiers and local law enforcement officers do not have to travel long dis-tances to practice their target shooting. The time saved is what otherwise would have been time away from their families. This is just the first step. We want to bring in much more equipment. Thanks again to all men and women in uniform and God Bless you. This is your equipment.”

When it was time for show-and-tell, there was no need for arm twisting as officials from the various represented agencies got their hands on a laser equipped weapon firing down a simulated range at simulated bad guys in simulated landscapes. While the mobile unit looks and sounds like the ultimate video arcade, the sobering reality is that the skills learned in this environment will be applied on the battle field and in the streets of Anytown , United States.

In attendance and specials re-marks were given by: Border Patrol Chief Rosendo Hinojosa; Laredo Police Chief Carlos Maldonado; Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar; Texas D.P.S. Capt. Mario Lopez; Texas Parks and Wildlife Depart-ment Capt. David Murray and United I.S.D Police Chief Ray Garner.


Story and photo by Chief Master Sgt. Gonda Moncada Texas Military Forces Public Affairs

Attendees get some hands-on time with the virtual trainer in Laredo.

In Laredo: Virtual Training for Future Combat

British Allies once again joined forces with American Soldiers of the Texas Army National Guard. The 3rd Battalion, 144th Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, wel-comed British troops of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Anglian Regiment (1R Anglian) in support of Operation Glow Worm for two weeks of vigorous and intense train-ing. The main focus for this year’s annual training is familiarizing British troops with: U.S tactics, conducting operations on urban terrain and squadron building sweep, U.S weapons systems and fire operations along with other various infantry skills. The training took place, here, at Fort Hood, Texas and Camp, Bowie, Texas. According to Commander Lt. Colonel Michael K. Houston, this program is used to integrate units, training infantry-men on U.S military tactics and weapons systems while experiencing culture aware-ness. Programs like this one are con-ducted worldwide, and allow soldiers the natural window of opportunity to gain knowledge from other Soldiers while building unity among nations. For both infantry units it is the desire to learn that earned their reputation for being well- trained, disciplined and highly motivated Soldiers. Operation Patrol Safety, Sgt. Dar-

riff Dones, A Troop, 1-124th Cavalry, said the intensity of the exercises will eventu-ally permit the British and Americans to become fully trained and ready for any-thing. “Our goal is for the Army Na-tional Guard and the British Military to become fully scaled tactical forces,” he said. Sergeant Dones was not able to par-ticipate when Great Britain’s Soldiers were in the U.S during the last annual training two years ago. Yet, he feels being a part of this type of experience enables him to learn from other cultures and their way of life.

When it comes to running through buildings and jumping through windows, it is hard work and dedication , and the Sol-diers distinctly give 100 percent too, Commander Colonel Houston said. “It is very obvious that seeing them going through the routines that they are very motivated.” British Platoon Sergeant Wayne Shields said it was an honor for him to be a part of this experience and being in the Texas heat made it all worthwhile. Sgt. Shields ensured his men that staying hy-drated was an important factor when train-ing in certain weather conditions. “Everything has its advantages and its disadvantages,” Sgt. Shields said regarding the weather. “But it is enjoyable and we love doing it.” Each year, the training is different for every Soldier. Brig. Gen. Jim Richard-son, Commander, Royal Anglian Regi-ment, said it is always a pleasure to come together with other military forces to train, especially in the U.S because of the great training facilities. General Richardson said that training should be demanding but fun and fundamental to the life of a soldier, “I think that is what keeps volunteers coming back to the army,” the general said. He believes keeping training fun increases morale of soldiers and the development of both armies. General Richardson feels that


Story by Spc. Mary B. McDaniel 36th Infantry Div. Public Affairs

36 Inf. Div., British Soldiers join together in 2009

See TRAINING, next page

the important thing for Soldiers to get out of the program most of all, is attitude. “They really put together a great program that allows the National Guard and the British army to integrate while working together,” the general said. To him that has a big impact on the military as a whole. “Other than a training event it is Soldiers understanding the way other military forces deal with everyday issues affiliated with the military, relating to Soldiers, knowing that they are not the only army that goes through these issues and being competent in building within another army,” the general said. American Servicemembers will participate in the recip-rocal program in England. The participating U.S. troops will ac-company the British for two weeks of training that will allow them to learn British military tactics and weapons systems. The training conducted will be similar to the exercises performed in the U.S. There will be more hills and terrain, compared to the training sites at Fort Hood, Texas. Weather conditions during the time will be wet and cool, but these soldiers are trained and ready for any type of condition that comes their way. “No matter what the conditions are,” General Richard-son said, “one of the great things we learned as soldiers is to fight in any environment.”


Above- Cutline: Infantrymen from the 36th Inf. Div. ambush the British army during their military urban operations exer-cise. (Photos by: Spc, Mary McDaniel, 36 Inf. Div. Public Af-fairs). Opposite page, top- A 36th Inf. Div. service member jumps through a window to avoid British military attack. Opposite page, bottom– British Soldiers on patrol through the training site.

TRAINING, cont. from previous page

36th Sustainment Bde. Combat Patch Ceremony in Iraq

Above- Soldiers of the 36th Sustainment Brigade and 36th Special Troops Battalion stand ready after re-ceiving their new combat patcheson September 23rd on COB Adder, Iraq. The patch, showing a pheonix over a field of red, white, and blue is being worn for the first time. (U.S. Army photos by Sgt. 1st Class Tad Browning) Right- Texas National Guardsman, Master Sgt. Jeffrey Scott with 36th Sustainment Brigade from Temple, Texas, places a combat patch on the sleeve of Sgt. Edgardo Matossaez during a patch ceremony on Sep-tember 23rd on COB Adder, Iraq.


(Author’s note: This interview was conducted informally through an in-terpreter.)

YEREVAN, Armenia (Aug. 9, 2009) – Col. Daniel Balayan, commander of the Military Aviation Institute here, greeted his two public affairs visitors cor-dially and gestured for them to sit down at a narrow table that formed a “T” with his desk. The desk was modest, but the man who sat down behind it left no doubt that he was comfortable – comfortable in a leadership position.

Colonel Balayan said he had been in a leadership position for 26 years, the last 17 as commander of the institute, where the 149th Civil Engineers billeted for most of the first two weeks of August. He said that whether U.S. military incre-ments would billet at the institute in the future was a decision made “higher up,” but that the institute had a tradition of host-ing military from other nations.

The institute, which is situated on a city block in southeast Yerevan, was built in the early 1980s as a training facil-ity for high school students and included trade shops, but according to Colonel Ba-layan, it fell into neglect during the early 1990s, during a period of national educa-tional restructuring.

When the institute first opened in another location in 1993, Colonel Balayan was appointed commander. In years prior to that, he was director of the national Aero Club, founded during the Soviet era when each of the “republics” had such an organization. Colonel Balayan explained that the Armenian Aero Club, which con-trolled its own airfield, trained young men in piloting skills and parachute jumping.

“It helped young people find their lives, and it also developed a reserve force for the Soviet Union,” said Colonel Ba-layan.

Some of the Aero Club pilots developed aerobatic skills. He was espe-cially proud of one who became a world champion. He said he was sharing this to show that Armenia had accumulated valu-able aviation experience before the insti-tute was established.

When the Union of Soviet Social-

ist Republics broke apart, “We were in a tough situation,” said Colonel Balayan. “Armenia had no air training.”

He outlined the options Armenia faced:

--- It could train pilots in another country for three or four years -- which would be very expensive; or

--- It could establish a national base with a pool of expert knowledge, drawn from the Aero Club and accumu-lated over many years , and keep that knowledge in Armenia.

Colonel Balayan said that when he made the recommendation for a military aviation institute, the Ministry of Defense immediately approved it.

“Since the institute was estab-lished, it has continued smoothly,” he said, noting that 99 percent of the pilots in Ar-menia are Armenian.

Colonel Balayan said military cooperation with the United States of America began in 2000.

“When the Soviet Union’s [breakup-related] problems settled down, we developed more and more events [with the United States],” he said. “We started with only one or two annually, but recently we had 1,000 professional events. We also have contact with the U.S. European Com-mand, U.S. Air Forces Europe, and NATO and European countries.

“A lot has changed,” he contin-ued. “Twenty or 25 years ago, we would not be [sitting] here together.”

Previous to the deployment of the Texans here a few days earlier, Colonel Balayan’s contact with the National Guard was with Kansans, in a relationship that goes back several years. He pointed to a 2006 exercise as an excellent example of military cooperation among Armenia, the United States and several European coun-tries.

“We were very excited … to par-ticipate,” he said. “It was a big success, and it won high praise by the government.”

Most importantly, in his eyes, “It made links closer not only militarily but from a man’s [individual’s] viewpoint.

The key point is that we are all military,” he continued. “That makes us close to each other…. We have a lot in common. First we have to know each other

as human beings – the most important part of relations.”

Colonel Balayan added that with-out personal relations, professional rela-tions are nothing.

“During the Cold War, we could-n’t even talk,” he said. “Through human relations, the Cold War ended, and we started doing things together … on the highest levels of mutual trust.

He noted as evidence of that trust that Armenia was sending troops to Af-ghanistan and has a force in Kosovo now. Furthermore, he was “100 percent sure” the Armenian military will fully integrate into any mission in which they participate.

“The objective of the military is to maintain peace – to guarantee peace and security of their country,” he said. “The stronger you are, the more confident you are.” He also said military people are the first not to want war to happen.

“I’d like to wish peace to all my colleagues – the military people, [especially those] who travel to other countries…. Don’t forget they have left behind families and friends. I wish that they return safely home. That is my big-gest wish.”

With that, the commander rose from his seat, and so did his visitors. As he walked them to the door, he pointed out, through the interpreter, that he originally trained as a pilot instructor.

“To train a person, you must know him,” said Colonel Balayan. “You must train him psychologically as well as technically.”

Col. Daniel Balayan, commander of the Military Aviation Institute, Yerevan, Ar-menia, Aug. 5, 2009. (Texas Military Forces photo by Tech. Sgt. Rene Casti-llo)

By Master Sgt. Gregory Ripps 149th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

TXANG Talks Shop with Armenian Counterpart

CASSINO, ITALY- In December, 1944 the 1-141st and 1-143rd regiments of the 36th Infantry Division began a journey that would never be forgotten. It was cold and frigid that night and 200 yards of flooding river, that once flowed peacefully, was covered in sheets of ice. The Germans occupied the majority of the North side of Liri Valley, and were poised to attack with heavy artillery forces. The bridge connected to the town of Sant’ Angelo was destroyed. The 36th Inf. Div. came upon the Rapido River intent on repelling their attackers and claiming victory. After the battle only 1000 men made it across. There were over 1600 casualties, 143 men were killed in action, and 500 men were captured. The 36th Inf. Div. and the allied forces would never forget the hardship and great heroism of those who died that day. This May, a 65th Anniversary Ceremony took place in Sant’ Angelo to honor those who sacrificed their lives during the Rapido River attack and the Italian Campaign. Veterans came together from each allied army to commemorate those men who defended the freedom of Italy. The 36th Inf. Div., Texas National Guard Commander, Maj. Gen. Eddy Spurgin and Command Sgt. Maj. Wilson Early, along with color guards and fellow soldiers, attended the laying of the wreath ceremony. “It’s an honor to be here to give tribute the soldiers of the 36th Infantry Division. Often times in the service, we remem-ber only the battles that we won; yet we usually learn the most from the battles we lost,” General Spurgin said in a speech to commemorate the Rapido River veterans. “On that day we learned, you may not win every fight, but you can always fight with honor and dignity, and never give up until the war is won.” Ray Wells along with Dan Greelan and Jack Wilson,

both World War II veterans of Texas, returned to pay their re-spects to their fellow comrades. Although memories that the vet-erans had of the war were not pleasant, they were glad to return and pay their respects. For Ray Wells, a former private in the 1-141st Regiment, it seemed like yesterday. “There were no good memories of the war, but one; that was when my platoon leader told the commander that he was not sending his men back into that battle to die. Other than that it was cold and muddy, bombs were going off everywhere and people were dying,” he said. Dan Greelan, a former staff sergeant of the 1-141st Regiment and a World War II Veteran, gave tribute at the cere-mony. “I just want to say that it is an honor to be standing here again. I have been coming to this ceremony for a number of years and I will continue to come until I am not able to come again.” A half mile from the battle site, in the city of Sant’ An-gelo, stands a monument to honor the 36th Inf. Div. Soldiers that fought at the Rapido River. The monument was restored eight months ago by the Tiseo family. Louie Tiseo represented his family at the ceremony. Mr. Tiseo’s father was a child living in San Angelo when the battle took place. His father left Italy for the United States in 1957 and started a family business that they still own today. “The veterans of the 36th Infantry Division sacrificed greatly for the people of Italy and my family,” Louie Tiseo said. “My father would have appreciated this day of the laying of the wreath. I wish he was here to see it.”


Story and photos by Spc. Mary B. McDaniel 36th Infantry Div. Public Affairs

36th Inf. Div. Remember The Fallen 65 Years Later

Top- Command Sgt. Maj. Wilson Early presents an award to WWII veteran, and Italy resident, Herman Chanowitz. Mr. Chanowitz served in the United States Air Force and spent part of the Italian campaign attached to the 36 Infantry Divi-sion. Left- 36 Inf. Div. Commanding General Eddie Spurgin pre-sents an award to Louie Tiseo in the city of Sant' Angelo in southern Italy. Mr. Tiseo was at the ceremony representing the Tiseo family who paid for the refurbishment of a 36 Infantry Division monument that stands at the edge of town. (photo by Specialist Mary McDaniel, 36 Infantry Divi-sion Public Affairs).


Until Every One Comes Home

Camp Victory, Iraq (Aug. 4, 2009). Inside a walled compound on East Liberty a group of senior officers and NCOs gathered around a flag pole for a small, but important, ceremony. With smiles and dusty Stetsons on command representatives of the 1-124th Cavalry Squadron from the Texas Army National Guard prepared to bring down a wind battered flag. Their squad-ron flag, now faded and rough on the edges, has flown proudly over their headquarters since their arrival to Iraq. Now they gath-ered around to lower their colors and return to their families back in Texas. On the other side of the flag pole stood the command representatives of the 1-82nd Cavalry Squadron, who were as-suming authority of the mission. Stetsons still packed in a con-nex en-route to Iraq, they stood wearing patrol caps as the two

Squadron Command Sergeants Major began the quiet ceremony. 1-124th Cavalry Squadron Command Sgt. Maj. John Hoxie, lowered his squadron flag as those assembled stood at attention. 1-82nd Cavalry Squadron Command Sergeant Major, Stanley Getz, provided assistance when the colors didn’t want to come off the line. Command Sgt. Maj. Getz then attached the bright clean 1-82nd colors and raised it above the new headquar-ters, signifying the transfer of authority from Texas to Oregon. Taking a moment to “cross the line” and shake hands, both Cavalry units enjoyed the moment pausing only to take pho-tos. Proudly carrying his unit colors, Sgt. Maj. Hoxie led his 1st sergeants out of the compound and set about preparing for the re-deployment of their Cavalrymen. Anyone passing by could easily tell that something had changed in the compound besides the new paint on the T-wall. The crisp, clean, 1-82nd Cavalry flag stood out against the dirty combat vehicles that lined the road.

1-124 Cav. Squadron: Handing It Over and Heading On Home 1st Sgt. Gavin L. McIlvenna 1-82nd Cavalry Squadron, Oregon Natl. Guard

Above- Commanders and 1st sergeants of the 1-124th Cavalry Squadron, Texas Army National Guard, pose beside their Squadron Commander and Command Sergeant Major after the Transfer of Authority Ceremony. Left- Members of the 1-82nd Cavalry Squadron from the Ore-gon Army National Guard (left), and the 1-124th Cavalry Squadron (right) of the Texas Army National Guard stand at attention as CSM John Hoxie (TX) lowers the faded and wind torn squadron flag outside their headquarters during the Transfer of Authority Ceremony.


Support the troops! Donate blood through the armed forces blood program. Www.militaryblood.dod.mil

Donation centers at ft. hood, ft. sam Houston and lackland air force base.

Donate today!

WASHINGTON – On the 69th anniversary of American Gold Star Mothers and Families Day, an an-nual remembrance of mothers who lost sons and daughters in military service, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki pledged to ensure the nation’s fallen heroes are remembered.

“In my capacity as Secretary of Veterans Affairs and as steward of 130 national cemeteries, I can promise you that your sons and your daughters will not be forgotten,” Shinseki said Sept. 27 during ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery.

The American Gold Star Mothers are a unique service organization, chartered by Congress on June 4, 1928, to honor deceased service members and their mothers. The group volunteers to help hospitalized Veterans in facilities operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). They also work with the families of military personnel killed on active duty.

On Sept. 14, 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a proclamation setting aside the last Sunday in September as American Gold Star Mothers and Families Day for “a public expression of the love, sorrow and reverence of the people of the United States for the American Gold Star Mothers.”

Shinseki praised the group for “your sacrifice, your service to each other and to Veterans, and the leg-acy of freedom your children have left to future generations of Americans.”

Arlington Ceremony for American Gold Star Mothers and Families Day Department of Veterans Affairs Press Release

WASHINGTON -- To strengthen the programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the survivors of the nation’s Veterans and military personnel, the Department has staffed an office to serve as their advocate, with a charter that includes creating or modifying programs, benefits and services.

“Taking care of survivors is as essential as taking care of our Veter-ans and military personnel,” Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki said. “By taking care of survivors, we are honoring a com-mitment made to our Veterans and military members.”

The office serves as the primary advisor to the secretary on all issues affecting the survivors and dependents of deceased Veterans and service members. It will monitor VA’s delivery of benefits to survi-vors, make appropriate referrals to VA offices for survivors seeking

benefits and explore innovative ways of reaching survivors who are not receiving the VA benefits for which they are eligible.

VA benefits for eligible survivors include educational assistance, home loan guaranties, health care insurance and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, a monthly payment to the survivors of some people who die on active duty and some seriously disabled Veterans.

More than 554,000 spouses, dependents and other survivors of Vet-erans are receiving VA benefits. That figure includes nearly 5,000 spouses of World War I Veterans, 90 spouses and 94 children of Spanish-American War Veterans, and two children of Civil War Veterans.

The establishment of this office was authorized in the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2008

Shinseki: “Voice of Survivors” Will Strengthen Existing Programs Department of Veterans Affairs Press Release

The rumors are true. The Texas Army National Guard is standing up an Airborne Infantry Battalion. The 1st Bat-talion, 143rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne) officially entered carrier status on Septem-ber 1, 2009. The 143rd Infantry Regiment last saw airborne service as G Co 143rd Infan-try (Long Range Surveillance) in 2001, and now the proud lineage of this regiment will be re-activated as the only Airborne Infantry Battalion in the Army National Guard. Like their active duty Army Air-borne counterparts, the mission of the 1-143rd Inf. Bn. will be to be capable of de-ploying world-wide to conduct Airborne forced entry operations into an objective in order to seize and hold terrain. This new force structure in the Texas Army National Guard will include Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), Rifle Company, (B Co) Weapons Company (D Co), and a Forward Support Company (FSC). The balance of the battalion will be located in Alaska and

Rhode Island. These units are being built from the ground up as opposed to trans-forming an existing force structure, so this unit presents vast opportunities for Texas Guardsmen who want to be part of the elite force of paratroopers. Every Soldier in this battalion is a para-chutist and many of the positions are coded as Ranger and Pathfinder. The Forward Support Company is a dual gender unit comprising of logistic, food service, main-tenance and supply occupation specialties, so female Soldiers who want opportunities to attend Airborne, Jumpmaster, Pathfinder School and Air Assault School will be eligible to do so in the FSC. All companies will be co-located in Gatesville, TX which gives ready access to training areas and the airfield at Fort Hood for airborne opera-tions. This unit will not be for everyone, as all Paratroopers must be mentally disci-plined and physically tough. It takes a spe-cial breed of person to be willing to exit an aircraft flying at 120 knots, 1500 feet above the ground in complete darkness wearing full combat equipment. Entry requirements for airborne school include

passing the Army Physical Fitness test at the 17-21 year old age group standard. Texas National Guard Soldiers who are airborne qualified or those who are inter-ested in accepting the challenge of becom-ing a Paratrooper in the most elite Battal-ion in the National Guard, they should contact the Battalion S-1 at 512-782-6757 or via email [email protected]


FALLS CHURCH, Va. – The U.S. Army, with oversight by TRI-CARE Management Activity (TMA), has created an interactive Web site that allows service members and their families to ex-plore behavioral health information. The site launched Aug. 5, 2008 at http://www.afterdeployment.org, and development continues. “Afterdeployment.org serves as an interactive, self-help solution to assist with behavioral health needs following deploy-ment,” said Army Maj. Gen. Elder Granger, deputy director, TMA. Authorized by legislation, the site is a pilot project to help service members deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other behavioral health conditions. Visitors to afterdeployment.org will notice the user-friendly environment. By clicking on a video link play button, users can watch veterans, spouses and other family members tell real-life stories about how war changed their lives and how they dealt with the demands of readjusting after combat deployment. In addition to these first-person accounts, a tool bar on the left side of the Web site links beneficiaries to educational topics that include: Getting Help, Check How You’re Doing, Staying Healthy Where You Live, Stories from Home and Far Away, and Links, Books, Blogs & Pods. In each of these areas, additional links offer detailed information on chosen subjects.

A user-friendly environment is not all that matters to service members. Privacy is of paramount concern, and users don’t have to register to access the site. Afterdeployment.org provides confidential education on sensitive issues such as stress and triggers, conflict at work, reconnecting with family and friends, moods, anger, sleep, substance abuse, stress manage-ment, kids and deployment, spiritual guidance, living with physi-cal injuries and health and wellness.

afterdeployment.org Explores Behavioral Health Information

1st Lt. Deric Maruquin 1st Bn., 143rd Inf. Reg. (Airborne)

LOOK TO THE SKY! TXARNG Stands up Airborne Inf. Bn.

From November 7, 2009 through January 3, 2010, dur-ing the state of Texas regular hunting season , Texas Military Forces will open Camp Bowie Training Center for limited hunt-ing of whitetail doe and spike horn deer. Nuisance animals, such as feral hogs may also be hunted during the season. Slots are limited, and available on weekends and weekdays, although weekday slots are much more limited. Texas Military Forces personnel, their family members, Department of Defense civilians of all military services, Active and Reserve personnel, retired military and family members, and all other Adjutant General’s Department employees without a DOD ID card, are eligible to register for the 2009/2010 Hunting Season.

The following is a list of items that hunters need to bring with them in order to be allowed to hunt on Camp Bowie: Valid Texas Hunting License, proof of a State Approved Hunter Edu-cation Course (MANDATORY REGARDLESS OF AGE!), valid Military (DOD) and State ID (any hunters below 17 years old must have an escort that meets the first three criteria), cell phone, hunter orange / florescent vest, whistle, watch or time-keeping device, functional flashlight, functional firearm that is sighted-in, game processing equipment (knife, saw, cooler, bags, etc.) and a plan/equipment to transport game animal. Regular rifle season runs from Nov. 2, 2009, to Jan. 3, 2010. There is a special late rifle season from Jan. 4, 2010 to Jan. 17, 2010. Slots are available for both seasons. Date Available Slots Per Weekend

• 07-08 NOV 15

• 21-22 NOV 25

• 05-06 DEC 25

• 12-13 DEC 25

• 19-20 DEC 25

• 26-27 DEC 25

• 09-10 JAN 25

• 16-17 JAN 25 There are also five slots daily during the week, Monday thru Friday, for the duration the hunting season. Hunters will be contacted by the Camp Bowie Training Center personnel prior to the hunt in order to receive a copy of the safety briefing and con-firmation of hunting dates and times. Registration dates are 1-20 Oct. 1-20, 2009 on a first come, first served basis. To register, contact 1st Lt. William Willett at 512-782-1959, or through email at [email protected].


Remember to save the date for The 3rd An-nual Oktoberfest

Trail Run and Volksmarch!

Camp Swift, October 17, 2009

Hunting Season on Camp Bowie: Whitetail Doe and Spike


This Month in Military History: October The Battle of Gonzales The volunteer spirit that has now characterized the military forces of Texas for more than one hundred fifty years was first called upon during this crisis. It was against a deter-mined group of men that Santa Anna sent his dictator-controlled army. It was at Gonzales that the motto--"Come and Take It"--was born. When Santa Anna sent a Mexican commander to take a cannon from Gonzales, the Texans rallied forces from the Guadeloupe, the Colorado and the Brazos for aid, then told the Mexican commander to "Come and Take It." The latter re-treated six miles, and the Texans, tired of waiting for an attack charged the Mexicans on October 2, 1835, and the Mexicans retreated in full flight. It was immediately after the Battle of Gonzales that the First Army of Texas Volunteers was organized with Stephen F. Austin in command. This same army marched to San Antonio and gained a victory over General Cos, who had previously defeated Colonel Benjamin R. Milam. Thus began the campaign of 1835 which resulted in the securing of inde-pendence for Texas. With the birth of Texas was also recorded the birth of what is now the Texas National Guard. The storm-ing of the Bexar and the enforced retreat of Cos took place in December. Men who were found ready and willing to fight for their homes and the right to peace and security and independ-ence formed the first militia forces of Texas. Not only Texans but men from the United States who had come to love freedom and democracy rallied to the cause. To the many companies formed in the Lone Star State were added those that came from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and other sections of the United States. It was in these hastily formed but spirited or-ganizations that the Texas National Guard was born. Typical of the units that faced Santa Anna were the New Orleans Greys organized in front of the St. Louis Cathe-

dral in New Orleans in October, 1835. Two companies, aggre-gating well over 100 men and both calling themselves the New Orleans Greys, left the city within two days of each other. It was such help as these companies gave that encour-aged the Texans in their fight for independence. The New Or-leans Greys covered themselves with glory in the storming of San Antonio, as 33 of them were in the Alamo when it fell and others were among Fannin's men at the Battle of Coleto. It was under the banner of "God and Liberty" that the New Orleans Greys joined the Texans. It was this principle they also upheld at the Battle of San Jacinto. As Texas had no regular army, since its independence had just been declared, the armed might that beat back the Mexicans and established the Republic of Texas was strictly of the militia character--volunteers who left their homes in order that they might have protected homes to which to return. Their gallantry in defeat as well as in victory serves as one of the highest traditions which the present Texas National Guard has to uphold. Their choice of glorious death instead of ignoble defeat and surrender is an inspiration for those who don the uniform.

Brigadier General John C.L. Scribner Texas Military Forces Museum

Building 6, Camp Mabry,

Austin, Texas

Hours of Operation:

Wednesday-Sunday—10:00am to 4:00 pm

Monday and Tuesday - Closed

Article courtesy of the Texas Military Forces Museum


COPEHILL DOWN, England – Texas Army National Guard Pfc. Andrew Martin, bottom, of Paris, emerges from a street drainage system during a timed urban obsta-cle course competition in England. He is a member of Greenville-based Company A, 3rd Battalion, 144th Infantry.

He joins approximately 100 fellow T-Patch Soldiers from the 36th Infantry Divi-sion who are in Southern England during late September and early October for Op-eration Glow Worm, a training exchange program with their reserve British army counterparts from 3rd Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment. (Photo by Master Sgt. Brenda Benner, Texas Military Forces Public Affairs)

2009 october, the dispatch

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