for the fallen -...
TRANSCRIPT
Marchfor the
Fallen
Summer 2012 / GUARDIANS / 1
This unofficial magazine is an authorized publication for members of the PennsylvaniaNational Guard. Contents of the magazine are not necessarily the official view of, orendorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, Department of the Armyand/or the Air Force or the Pennsylvania National Guard. The appearance of advertising inthis publication does not constitute endorsement by the State of Pennsylvania, PennsylvaniaNational Guard, DoD, AQP Publishing Inc., the Department of the Army and/or the Air Forceor the publisher of this magazine of the firms, products or services advertised.
Pennsylvania Guardians magazine is published by the Pennsylvania National Guard tokeep its members, the Guard command and public officials, better informed on the issuesand events affecting the Pennsylvania National Guard.
Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Office of Public Affairs,JFHQ-PA. All photographs and graphic devices are copyrighted to the Pennsylvania NationalGuard, unless otherwise indicated.
GovernorTom Corbett
Bob Ulin, PublisherMarie Lundstrom, Editor
Gloria Schein,Graphic ArtistChris Kersbergen & Darrell George,Advertising Sales
GovernorTom Corbett
Adjutant GeneralMaj. Gen. Wesley E. Craig
Executive Editor/State Public Affairs OfficerMaj. Edward Shank
Managing EditorSgt. Matthew E. Jones
State Public Affairs StaffStaff Sgt. Ted NicholsSgt. Damian Smith
Joan Nissley
State Public Affairs OfficePennsylvania National Guard
Fort Indiantown GapBuilding 8-41
Annville, PA 17003
www.dmva.state.pa.us
Adjutant GeneralMaj. Gen.
Wesley E. Craig
www.pa.ng.mil
Keystone Newsmakers . . . . . . . . . . 22
Curator’s Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Features:
Departments:
ON THE COVER: A member of the Pennsylvania NationalGuard marches in honor of Sgt. Edward Koehler duringthe Bataan Memorial Death March in White Sands, N.M.,March 25, 2012, as part of the three-day March for theFallen. Photo: Col. Colleen Dickinson
Partnering for peace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Three wings change command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
A fitting memorial for a fallen militiaman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Delaware Valley Salute to Troops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Training Center receives “Accreditation with Excellence” . . . . . . 11
Marching for the memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Vietnam volunteer tops off his career . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Gunslingers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Flying, fighting and winning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
New Armed Forces Reserve Center officially unveiled . . . . . . . . 20
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Quarterly Magazine for the Pennsylvania National Guard – Summer 2012
Summer 2012 / GUARDIANS / 3
The ongoing, groundbreaking partner-ship between Lithuanian forces and thePennsylvania National Guard has givenbirth to a new partnership in Afghanistan.Members of the Afghan National
Police and Afghan National Army havestarted conducting joint operations withthe help of the State Partnership Programpartners serving in one of the policeoperational mentor and liaison teams.The Afghan policemen and soldiers
teamed up with Pennsylvania Army andAir Guard members, under the commandof Lithuanian forces, in the Ghor
Province in April for training and subse-quent operations.The Afghan National Police and
Afghan National Army have made majorstrides in training and conducting areaoperations. According to 1st Lt. JamesCurrey, deputy commander for the 3rdPolice Liaison Team, they are ready toput that training to the test together.“This was the first joint patrol with the
ANA and the ANP in the Ghor province,”said Currey, a member of the PennsylvaniaArmy National Guard. “It was prettysignificant seeing the ANA and ANP
working together, taking the lead on ajoint patrol.”This patrol is a significant step in
strengthening the relationship betweenthe policemen and soldiers in Ghor forthe security of the people in Afghanistan.“This is helping them take the next
step forward,” Currey said, “toward theAfghan Forces Security Forces takingover security from coalition forces.”During one patrol, they traveled to a
village to get a sense of issues and con-cerns of the people and how the Afghanand coalition forces can assist. They quicklyfound a problem in dire need of fixing.Flooding from melting snow had put
many homes in danger of being damagedor even swept away. The ANA and ANPsuccessfully took the lead and helped thevillages create a waterway to divert theflooding from the homes.“For the first time, they’re doing very
well,” Currey said. “Naturally, we willcontinue to work with them and helpthem self-sustain in this area.”This ongoing partnership is intended
to help accomplish the mission, buteveryone benefits, Currey explained.“Working with multiple elements is a
good experience, I think, for everybody,”Currey said. “It shows that you can bringdifferent experiences to the table and allwork toward the same goal.” �
Information from a field report by Spc. FredBrown of the American Forces Network inAfghanistan was used in this story.
ARTNERINGPEACEfor
The Pennsylvania National Guard members in the police operational mentor and liaison team, underthe command of Lithuanian forces, have been fostering a partnership between the Afghan NationalArmy and Afghan National Police as part of their mission. Photo: Spc. Fred Brown
The Pennsylvania National Guard members in the police operational mentor and liaison team, underthe command of Lithuanian forces, have been fostering a partnership between the Afghan NationalArmy and Afghan National Police as part of their mission. Photo: Spc. Fred Brown
First Lt. James Currey, deputy commander of the3rd Police Operational Mentor and Liaison Team,has been helping to foster a partnership betweenthe Afghan National Army and Afghan NationalPolice as part of their mission.Photo: Spc. Fred Brown
By Sgt. Matt Jones _______________________________________________________________________________________________
4 / GUARDIANS / Summer 2012
Col. Gerald Otterbein accepts command of the 193rd SpecialOperations Wing in a ceremonyin Middletown, Feb. 12, 2012.Photo: Tech. Sgt. Mariko Bender
In early 2012, the three wings of thePennsylvania National Guard experienceda simultaneous change of leadership.
Two of the commanders moved on topositions elsewhere, while the third movedfrom one wing to another.
Col. Anthony Carrelli, the former commander of the 111th Fighter Wing,assumed command of the 171st Air
The 171st Air Refueling Wing hosts a change-of-command ceremony Feb. 5, 2012. Photo: Master Sgt. Ann Young
Three wings change command
Summer 2012 / GUARDIANS / 5
Refueling Wing from Brig. Gen. RoyUptegraff, who served as the unit’s wingcommander since 2006. Uptegraff willbecome the Air National Guard assistantto commander, Air Mobility Command,Scott Air Force Base, Ill.Carrelli commanded the 111th Fighter
Wing from 2009 to 2012, the 111thMaintenance Group from 2006 to 2009,and the 111th Aircraft MaintenanceSquadron from 2003 to 2006. He is a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Col. Gerald Otterbein assumedcommand of the 193rd Special OperationsWing from Brig. Gen. Eric Weller. Welleris transitioning into the position of deputycommander for Mobilization and ReserveAffairs, U.S. Special Operations Command,MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.Otterbein is a full-time commercial
airline pilot who has served as the vicewing commander since 2003. He hasdeployed in numerous operations includ-ing Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Uphold
Democracy, Joint Guard, Flowing Pen,Noble Anvil, Desert Thunder, and mostrecently, Operations Enduring Freedomand Iraqi Freedom. Col. Chip Eissler assumed command
of the 111th Wing from Carrelli.Eissler commanded the 103rd Fighter
Squadron from 2003 to 2005, the 111thOperations Group from 2005 to 2011, andthe 111th Air Operations Group from2011 to 2012. He also has served in Iraqand Afghanistan. �
Col. Anthony Carrelli assumed commandof the 171st Air Refueling Wing.
Col. Gerald Otterbein assumed commandof the 193rd Special Operations Wing.
Col. Chip Eissler assumed commandof the 111th Wing.
6 / GUARDIANS / Summer 2012
A fitting memorial for a fallen militiamanStory and photos by Sgt. Matt Jones
The Pennsylvania National Guard markedBlack History Month in a special way this year.In a ceremony at the Union League of
Philadelphia on Feb. 25, state Adjutant General,Maj. Gen. Wesley Craig, presented a new statemedal named in honor of a Civil War-era civil rights
leader and state militiaman, Maj. Octavius V. Catto.Catto was killed in Philadelphia in 1871 while on duty
defending African-Americans at polling places by those whoopposed their right to vote. He was a professor at the Institutefor Colored Youth and a community leader who led desegrega-tion efforts in Philadelphia in the 1860s.“It was my privilege to be able to honor the memory of a
great Pennsylvania military officer who was killed while defendingliberty,” said Craig. “The spirit of Major Catto is alive in today’sGuard members, and this new state medal allows us to formallyrecognize our Soldiers and Airmen for their outstanding community service and support.”The first Pennsylvania Army National Guard recipient was
1st Sgt. Kevin Bittenbender of Lewisburg, Pa. The first sergeantof Company A, 55th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, was recognized for volunteering a modestly estimated 500 hours ofhis time for various organizations since 2005.Bittenbender is a board member of the Lewisburg Fourth of
July Committee and the organizer of last year’s Freedom BikeRide, which is a three-day, 120-mile ride through north centralPennsylvania, with multiple stops at armories, veterans’ hospitalsand veterans’ homes along the way.
Maj. Gen. Wesley Craig, Pennsylvania Adjutant General, speaks at the UnionLeague of Philadelphia, Feb. 25, during the presentation of the Octavius V.Catto Medal. The medal is a new state award presented to PennsylvaniaGuard members who distinguish themselves through sustained communityleadership.
Summer 2012 / GUARDIANS / 7
A fitting memorial for a fallen militiaman
Maj. Gen. Wesley Craig, Pennsylvania Adjutant General, left, pinned the new state Octavius V. Catto Medal on Maj. Jonathan Bell and 1st Sgt. KevinBittenbender at the Union League of Philadelphia, Feb. 25. The medal is a new state award presented to Pennsylvania Guard members distinguished bysustained community leadership.
He also volunteers as the shooting coach for the U.S.Paralympics biathlon team. In this role, he travels to events acrossthe nation and the world. He further donates his time and talents by customizing the athletes’ rifles, developing individualtraining curriculums and recruiting injured service members intothe program through his visits to Walter Reed Army MedicalCenter and Bethesda Naval Hospital.“Despite the demands of being a traditional Guardsman,
father and husband, he gives very generously of his free time –hundreds of hours every year – to help coach the U.S. Paralympicsbiathlon team,” said Col. George Schwartz, commander of thePennsylvania Guard’s 55th Heavy Brigade. “First Sgt. Bittenbenderand his wife, Molly, even host athletes in their home duringtraining periods. He is also very proud of the fact that several ofthe athletes he works with are disabled veterans.”The first Pennsylvania Air National Guard recipient was
Maj. Jonathan Bell, a chaplain in the Pittsburgh-based 171st AirRefueling Wing. A Johnstown, Pa., resident, Bell was recentlyrecognized as the Chaplain of the Quarter for U.S. CentralCommand and was nominated as 2011 Air National GuardChaplain of the Year for his service overseas.“We are so proud and humbled to have Chaplain Bell in our
unit,” said Col. Steven Painter, vice commander of the 171st AirRefueling Wing. “He epitomizes what the Catto medal standsfor and really puts light on the term Citizen-Soldier.” In addition to being recognized as an outstanding military
chaplain, Bell is a leader in his community as well. He personallystepped up with personal funds and elbow grease when an elderlyneighbor’s roof sprang a leak. For another local woman, hereplaced her rickety porch with a new ramp so she could leavethe house for her medical appointments. He has volunteeredtime in support of hunting education programs, the
Rails-to-Trails project and the Wounded Warrior Foundation.“He just returned from a seven-month deployment, and yet
he remains a constant figurehead in the community,” Painterpointed out. “He is always helping out the community in anyway he can.”Craig, who spoke at the ceremony and pinned the recipients,
praised the men and what they have accomplished in their communities and in uniform.“There is no doubt that these individuals are deserving of
the honor bestowed upon them,” said Craig. “They have distin-guished themselves from among their peers and – through theiracts of military and civic leadership – exemplify the best thatour National Guardsmen have to offer.”The medal was originally created shortly after Catto’s death,
but no records show that it had ever been awarded before it disappeared.It was approved for re-introduction into the commonwealth’s
military decorations system in December 2011 and is awardedto members of the Pennsylvania National Guard who distinguishthemselves as leaders through their community support andpublic service. Any Pennsylvania National Guard member canbe recommended for the award at any time, but the AdjutantGeneral must approve before it is awarded.As this year’s Black History Month officially came to an
end, the Pennsylvania National Guard had created a new wayfor its members to honor the memory and legacy of civil rightsleader and Citizen-Soldier, Maj. Octavius V. Catto. �
The Octavius V. Catto Medal is a new Pennsylvania National Guardaward presented to state Soldiers and Airmen who distinguish them-selves through sustained community leadership. It is named in honorof a Civil War-era civil rights leader and militiaman who was killedwhile defending African-Americans’ right to vote.
8 / GUARDIANS / Summer 2012
Several posters signed by Delaware Valley residents were on display at the Salute to the Troops eventhosted by radio station 1210 AM WPHT, Feb. 20, 2012.
Capt. Stefan Wieszczynski speaks with a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars at theSalute to the Troops event hosted by radio station 1210 AM WPHT, Feb. 20, 2012.
Maj. Gen. Wesley Craig, Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, speaks with radio personality Dom Giordanoat the Salute to the Troops event hosted by radio station 1210 AM WPHT, Feb. 20, 2012.
DelawareValley
Saluteto TroopsBy Sgt. Matt Jones
In February, members of DelawareValley-based National Guard unitsreceived something they may have gottenbefore, but which their predecessors oftennever had – a formal “Welcome Home.”Radio station 1210 AM’s Dom
Giordano hosted the ceremony in con-junction with a live broadcast and freelunch for representatives of several localunits. Members of the 131st TransportationCompany, the 111th Fighter Wing, the104th Cavalry Regiment, and the 1stBattalion of the 111th Infantry gatheredat the Radisson Philadelphia NortheastHotel in Trevose to represent the thousands of local men and woman whohave deployed in recent years.Many members of the community,
many of whom have served in uniform,
Summer 2012 / GUARDIANS / 9
came out to show their support. Severallarge panels were displayed for people tosign as part of the “world’s largest thank-you card.”Giordano said that the event was not
a celebration of war, but a way to honorthose who volunteer to fight it.“It’s not about saying we endorse
going to war in Iraq or anything else,”Giordano told a reporter at the event.“It’s about saying these people did anoutstanding job. They put their liveson hold to go, and they put themselves inharm’s way.”Master Sgt. Mark Frohm of the 131st
Transportation Company was one of thosepeople. He said the reception at the event,as well as the unit’s official homecomingceremony late in 2011, was appreciatedby him and others.“For us to come back and get this –
the United States of America welcomingtheir people back home – it’s just out-standing,” said Frohm, whose unit lostthree Soldiers during their deployment toAfghanistan.Military veterans, including Maj. Gen.
Wesley Craig, the Adjutant General ofPennsylvania, spent time on the air withGiordano as part of the broadcast. �
Sgt. Michael Gustin poses at the Salute to the Troops event hosted by radio station 1210 AM WPHT, Feb. 20, 2012.
Summer 2012 / GUARDIANS / 11
By Sgt. Matt Jones
The Northeast Counterdrug Training Center, headquarteredat Fort Indiantown Gap, recently received its third accreditationfrom the Commission on Accreditation for Law EnforcementAgencies, or CALEA.In addition, the center was awarded CALEA’s elite
“Accreditation with Excellence” status for its history of flawlesson-site assessments.The Lebanon County facility is one of only 24 accredited
Public Safety Training Centers across the nation. Not only is theNortheast Counterdrug Training Center one of the first to achievethe excellence accreditation, it is also CALEA’s sole example ofa military-operated, civilian law-enforcement training academy. During the accreditation process, the center was described
as a dynamic organization that remains vigilant about changingtrends and utilizes both the CALEA and military planningprocesses to meet client training needs. Since its first award in2006, the center has had annual student registrations rangingfrom 10,000 to 15,000 while maintaining a student satisfactionrating of more than 90 percent.Lt. Col. Gilbert Durand, the PA Counterdrug Joint Task
Force commander and Training Center executive director, saidreceiving the third accreditation and excellence status is a testa-ment to the hard work of task force members and the qualitytraining standards for public safety.“Everyone in the organization ensures that their particular
responsibilities in the accreditation process are executed efficiently and successfully,” Durand said. “This commitment tostandardization and unit cohesion is what ensures that theNortheast Counterdrug Training Center remains a center oftraining excellence.’’
Founded in 1999, the Northeast Counterdrug Training Centeris operated by the Pennsylvania National Guard. Its mission isto provide cost-effective training in law enforcement and drugprevention. It provides all necessary facilities, instruction andsupport to enhance the capabilities of law enforcement andhomeland security students. For more information, visit www.counterdrug.org. �
The Northeast Counterdrug Training Center was recognized March 24, 2012, by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies for its history of flawless on-site assessments. Courtesy photo
The Northeast Counterdrug Training Center hosted a methamphetamineawareness class on March 14 at Fort Indiantown Gap. The organizationwas recently recognized by the Commission on Accreditation for LawEnforcement Agencies for its history of flawless on-site assessments.Photo: Sgt. Matt Jones
Training Center receives“Accreditation with Excellence”
12 / GUARDIANS / Summer 2012
Marchingfor thememoryBy Maj. Ed Shank and Spc. Daniel Gardenier
Summer 2012 / GUARDIANS / 13
Prior to his assignment as thecommander of the 28th Infantry Division’s2nd Brigade Combat Team, Col. JohnGronski had never met Lt. Col. MikeMcLaughlin.Gronski, a career infantry officer
recently assigned from another brigadeinto the Pennsylvania National Guard,assumed his role just as the 2nd Brigadebegan its training for the “surge” of U.S.troops that would be sent to Iraq in 2005.McLaughlin, a field artillery officer
assigned to brigade staff, had a knack fordealing with people and worked well incomplex situations. Gronski took noticeof those skills and, when the need arose,selected McLaughlin to work with Iraqileaders in an effort to join forces againstthe terrorists that would eventually leadto a movement known as The SunniAwakening.As the two men spent countless hours
discussing and executing missions designedto bring communities together, emboldenthe local population, and recruit Iraqipolice forces, Gronski and McLaughlinbegan to form a bond.“We became close friends,” Gronski
said. “He was one of those guys who Iknew that, when we got back home, wewould continue to be good friends.”But that was not to be.On Jan. 5, 2006, a suicide bomber
killed McLaughlin and dozens of civilians
during a recruiting event for the IraqiPolice Department. Just minutes earlier,Gronski had been standing next to himas the two men admired the success ofthe event.Six years after the incident that took
his friend’s life, Gronski, now a brigadier
general assigned as the deputy adjutantgeneral of the Pennsylvania ArmyNational Guard, often thinks about MikeMcLaughlin and the 82 other Soldiers,Marines and Sailors that died whileassigned to 2nd Brigade during the unit’s12-month tour of duty in Ramadi, Iraq.
Twenty Soldiers and Airmen participated in the firstleg of the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 28-mileMarch for the Fallen on March 24, 2012, at FortIndiantown Gap. Photo: Sgt. Matt Jones
Brig. Gen. John Gronski stays positive as he enters the final part of the first day of the PennsylvaniaNational Guard’s 28-mile March for the Fallen on March 24, 2012, at Fort Indiantown Gap.Photo: Staff Sgt. Ted Nichols
14 / GUARDIANS / Summer 2012
in his name at the Bataan Memorial DeathMarch in White Sands, N.M.“I think [a 26.2-mile ruck march is] a
great tribute to our fallen warriors,” saidGronski. “It takes a lot of physical andmental toughness for the average Soldierto put a 35-pound pack on their back andmarch such a long distance. There aremany ways to pay tribute to our fallen, buta ruck march is something mentally andphysically you have to immerse yourselfin. I wanted to honor Mike by marchingin his name.”When word of his plan began circu-
lating to his fellow Soldiers and Airmenon post, others began asking if they couldjoin Gronski while he trained. Soon thesmall group of Soldiers began to wonderif there would be enough interest thatthey could represent each of their fallenwarriors in the New Mexico march. With39 Soldiers killed in action in the GlobalWar on Terror, the Pennsylvania NationalGuard has the somber distinction of losing more Guardsmen than any of 54states or territories.By Christmas they got their answer. Gronski’s Friday morning training
sessions grew from a solo event to onethat included up to 30 participants, eachwith 35 pounds or more on their backs,often barely able to see through the snowor freezing rain in the predawn hours asthey traversed the slippery mountainroads. A separate group of Soldiers fromthe western part of the state also begantraining with the intent of marching in
the Bataan Memorial. Soon the state’stotal exceeded 50 participants.Lt. Col. Matthew Saracco, commander
of the Pennsylvania ArmyNational Guard’sRecruiting and Retention Battalion, was
Pennsylvania Guard Soldiers participate in the first leg of the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 28-mileMarch for the Fallen on March 24, 2012, at Fort Indiantown Gap. Photo: Sgt. Matt Jones
Pennsylvania Guard troops participate in the firstleg of the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 28-mileMarch for the Fallen on March 24, 2012, at FortIndiantown Gap. Photo: Sgt. Matt Jones
Twenty Soldiers and Airmen, including Brig. Gen.John Gronski, left, and Capt. Paolo Sica, right,participated in the first leg of the PennsylvaniaNational Guard’s 28-mile March for the Fallen onMarch 24, 2012, at Fort Indiantown Gap.Photo: Sgt. Matt Jones
Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Reilly, who marched inhonor of Staff Sgt. Brian Mowery, nears the fin-ish line during the Pennsylvania National Guard'sMarch for the Fallen on March 24, 2012, at FortIndiantown Gap. Photo: Staff Sgt. Ted Nichols
As someone who takes pride in stay-ing physically fit, Gronski often carriesthose thoughts with him as he runsthrough the winding, tree-lined roads ofFort Indiantown Gap, headquarters forthe Pennsylvania Guard. He also includedrucksack marches in his physical trainingregimen. It was during one of his outingsin the fall of 2011 that he decided toremember Mike McLaughlin by marching
Summer 2012 / GUARDIANS / 15
among the first to join the general on hishikes. He recalled the dedication it tookto train.“There were snow blizzards when we
first started preparing for it,” Saraccosaid. “You couldn’t move forward if youdidn’t put your hand in front of your eyes,and you’re trying to walk through thesnow coming sideways. I mean, it was nojoke – 27 degrees getting up at 4:30 in themorning and saying ‘it’s time to go get mywater and my ruck and get ready to goout there again.’“Some people say that we’re a little
sadistic,” he added. “My wife is one.She’s like, ‘Why do you have to go thisFriday? You can’t take a day off?’ I’d say,‘I guess I could, but this is just somethingI’ve got to do.’”Of those that trained, only nine
Pennsylvania Guard members actuallymade it to New Mexico for the march.Amazingly, three of them placed in the topnine in the ‘military heavy’ category ofthe event, including first and third places.Although financial restraints prevented
the other members of the team fromtraveling to the event in the Southwest,the Pennsylvania’s KIAs were not forgotten. More than 50 Soldiers andAirmen pulled together at the last minuteand conducted 28-mile marches in Erie
and Fort Indiantown Gap in memory ofthe fallen. ‘Gold Star Family’ memberstraveled from towns near and far tomeet the Guardsmen marching for theirloved ones.Though Gronski’s plans did not go
off as originally intended, he believes it’sall for the best.“Just from the history of how this
all developed, and the first one that we
did and what it’s going to mean tothose people in future years,” he said.“I think there’s no question that we willcontinue to conduct the 28-mile ruckmarch at Fort Indiantown Gap for yearsto come.”For more information on
Pennsylvania’s fallen Soldiers visit:http://www.milvet.state.pa.us/png_kia_narrative.pdf or http://j.mp/GSTIuk. �
Capt. Bryson Meczywor nears the finish line on the first leg of the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 28-mile March for the Fallen on March 24, 2012, at FortIndiantown Gap. Photo: Staff Sgt. Ted Nichols
Pennsylvania Guard troops participate in the first leg of the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 28-mileMarch for the Fallen on March 24, 2012, at Fort Indiantown Gap. Photo: Sgt. Matt Jones
16 / GUARDIANS / Summer 2012
By Sgt. Tom Bourke, 2nd Infantry Brigade
The first thing William D. Brown Jr.faced when he stepped off the transportplane onto the runway in Vietnam in 1970was an assault on his senses. The heatwas unbearable, and there was a terriblestench.Within a few months, the young Soldier
from Clairton, Pa., would learn there wereother ways to face assaults in Vietnam.Serving in every decade from the 1970sto today, Brown’s 35-year military careerrecently concluded.As the top enlisted Soldier in
Company A, 2nd Brigade Special TroopsBattalion, 1st Sgt. Brown’s Soldiers heldan informal retirement ceremony forhim at the end of his last PennsylvaniaNational Guard weekend drill on Feb. 12.
“He’s been the first sergeant ever sinceI came to the unit as a private nine yearsago,” said Staff Sgt. Brad Fogle. “My firstimpressions of him were of intimidationand respect. When he walked down thehall, everyone got out of his way.”Fogle said that as his military career
progressed, Brown became both a sourceof guidance and a close friend. “His
example shows us the right way to beArmy noncommissioned officers. Whenhe leaves the unit, it will be like losing afamily member.”Brown believes that the number one
responsibility of being a company firstsergeant is taking care of the Soldiers.During his tenure, he strived to ensurethat they had everything they needed to
Vietnam volunteer tops off his careerFirst Sgt.William Brown of Company A, 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, recently retired from the National Guard after serving in every decade since 1970.
Staff Sgt. Brad Fogle met 1st Sgt. William Brownwhen Fogle first enlisted as a private.
First Sgt. William Brown stands with Capt. Adam Love in front of the 2nd Infantry Brigade FallenHeroes Memorial.
Summer 2012 / GUARDIANS / 17
complete their missions. Now that he isapproaching 60, he thinks it is finally timeto retire and end his long military career.“The neighborhood that I grew up in,
Clairton, was a patriotic town,” Brownsaid. “I originally enlisted because I saw alot of guys coming back from the war, andI knew it was something I wanted to do.”Returning to the firebase after com-
pleting a typical mission on Aug. 13, 1971,Brown and the rest of his unit werepreparing to board helicopters to go backinto the jungle. That was when the enemyassaulted his position with mortar fire.“As soon as the rounds exploded, I got
knocked back on my butt,” Brown said.“It felt like someone punched me in theside of the head.”Brown was evacuated by helicopter to
an aid station with shrapnel wounds inhis arm, hip and head. After medical personnel stitched him back up, he spentthree weeks in the hospital recoveringfrom his injuries.Once healed, he returned to his unit
to finish his tour of duty. However, thedoctors were not able to remove all ofthe shrapnel, and he still has a piece of itembedded in his body today.“It scared me a little bit,” said Brown.
“But I thought if that’s all they could doto me, it wasn’t too bad. It was actuallymotivating.”After his tour in Vietnam ended,
Brown returned to his home town, joinedthe Army Reserve and got a job at U.S.Steel’s Clairton Works, where he is stillemployed as a heater on the coke ovens.Exiting the military in 1973, he took a10-year hiatus before joining thePennsylvania National Guard in 1983.Trained as a combat engineer for
Vietnam, Brown helped clear booby traps,disable tripwires and build fighting posi-tions during his combat tour. He returnedto his engineering roots when he cameback into the Army a decade later.“As engineers, we deal with explosives,
field fortifications, heavy equipment,and we support the ground troops in anynumber of ways,” Brown said. “A lot ofguys who’ve recently deployed to Iraq andAfghanistan have had to act as infantry.We have a motto that says engineers cangrunt, but grunts can’t engineer.”Brown also explained that the military
has much better training and equipmenttoday than it did during the 1970s. Healso believes that today’s Soldiers, whoall volunteer to serve, are generally moremotivated compared to draftees who didnot seek out military service
“Most of our Soldiers are here becausethey want to serve their country,” Brownsaid. “The commonwealth of Pennsylvaniais in good hands with the young Guardmembers of today.”Capt. Adam T. Love, a Johnstown
resident, is Brown’s company commander.“I’ve known 1st Sgt. Brown since I was acadet training to be an officer in 2001,” hesaid. “He is fair, knowledgeable and easyto talk to. His Soldiers and NCOs hold himin high regard. We all strive to achievethat kind of respect from our Soldiers.”
Brown credits his military longevityand success to having a supportive wife.Now that he is retiring, he plans to continue working at the mill and looks forward to spending more time with hisfamily.“During my military career, I have
done stuff that most people only dreamof,” Brown said. “Not too many guys atmy age are still wearing the uniform. Butjust because I’m retiring, it doesn’t meanI’m ready for the rocking chair yet.” �
18 / GUARDIANS / Summer 2012
Company B, 2-104th General Support Aviation Battalion, conducted slingload training using M-777A2 howitzers on April 14, 2012, at FortIndiantown Gap’s West Field. The Soldiers, part of the 28th Combat Aviation Brigade, can be called on to airlift artillery, vehicles, supplies, oreven downed aircraft during deployment or state active duty. Photos: Sgt. Neil Gussman
GUNSLINGERS
Summer 2012 / GUARDIANS / 19
By Sgt. Matt Jones
The Airman’s Creed says it is themission of all who wear the uniform to“fly, fight and win.” One PennsylvaniaAirman has not spent time on the battle-field yet, but she has certainly done allthree … on the racetrack.Airman 1st Class Emily Shertzer of
Jonestown, Pa., was recently named theFemale Athlete of the Year by the AirForce for her sustained success in militaryathletic competitions. Of Shertzer’s many athletic accom-
plishments in 2011, she had the fastestfemale time in the history of the All-GuardMarathon Team with a time of 2 hoursand 54 minutes, at the National GuardMarathon in Lincoln, Neb. She won thetop spot for National Guard females andsecond place among all female runners.It was her first marathon.In 2011, she also won the International
Biathlon Union’s summer biathlon andset the course record for the MissoulaHalf Marathon in Montana. Despite somany accomplishments, Shertzer managesto stay modest about her achievements.“I know there are many quality
athletes in the Air Force who are deserv-ing of this distinction, some of whom areteammates that I’ve had the pleasure ofcompeting with the past year,” she said.In November, Shertzer led the Air
Force at the 2011 Armed Forces MarathonChampionship and Marine CorpsMarathon when she finished with a U.S.Olympic Marathon Trials qualifying timeof 2:45, coming in second place for womenand less than 30 seconds behind first place.In January, she ran the U.S. OlympicMarathon Team Trials with a time of 2:49.This was not her first brush with the
Olympics. She tried out for the 2008 pentathlon team, but placed third at thequalifying trials in Beijing. Though a sig-nificant accomplishment, only two womenwent on to compete in the games. Aftertraining for this event for three years, shemoved on to other athletic endeavors.Shertzer continues to challenge
herself not only by running marathons, butby honoring her fellow service members.In March, she donned a 35-pound ruck-sack and joined other Soldiers and Airmenon a 26.2-mile march to honor the 39National Guardsmen killed in action sinceSept. 11, 2001.Shertzer is a full-time environmental
planner at Fort Indiantown Gap and a
Airman 1st Class Emily Shertzer of the 553rd Air Force Band of the Mid-Atlantic crosses the finish lineof the Missoula Half Marathon on July 10, 2011. The win was one of many accomplishments thatcontributed to her being named Air Force 2011 Female Athlete of the Year. Courtesy photo
member of the Air Guard Band of theMid-Atlantic. She performs with theLebanon Community Concert Band andhas played with the Central PennsylvaniaSymphony Orchestra. Shertzer graduated from Moravian
College in Bethlehem, where she receiveda bachelor’s degree in biology with aminor in music. She also holds a master’sdegree in environmental science from theUniversity of Texas in San Antonio. �
Flying, fighting and winning
20 / GUARDIANS / Summer 2012
New Armed Forces Reserve CentersOFFICIALLYunveiled
The Scranton Armed Forces Reserve Center was officially unveiled March 22, 2012. Photo: Tom Cherry
By Sgt. Matt Jones
Leaders from the United States ArmyReserve and Pennsylvania NationalGuard, along with elected officials, cutthe ribbon at the newly constructedDanville Armed Forces Reserve Centeron March 21 and the Scranton ArmedForces Reserve Center March 22, 2012.They were completed in 2011, but the
flooding resulting from Hurricane Ireneand Tropical Storm Lee pushed back thedate of the ceremony.The 122,003-square-foot facility in
Scranton consists of a shared trainingcenter, a shared heated storage building,a shared vehicle maintenance facility andtwo separate unheated storage buildings.Construction on the facility was startedMay 6, 2010. The Danville Armed Forces Reserve Center was officially unveiled on March 21, 2012. Photo: Tom Cherry
Summer 2012 / GUARDIANS / 21
New Armed Forces Reserve CentersOFFICIALLYunveiled
The facility will be home to approxi-mately 600 members of the PennsylvaniaNational Guard. Pennsylvania NationalGuard units calling the armory home willbe the 55th Heavy Brigade Combat TeamHeadquarters, the 55th Brigade SpecialTroops Battalion, the 228th BrigadeSupport Battalion, and the 1st Battalionof the 109th Infantry Regiment.Additionally, Army Reserve units
stationed at the facility will be the 80thSignal Battalion, the 412th EngineerCompany, the 858th Medical Company,the 233rd Quartermaster Platoon andthe 220th Military Police Detachment. The Danville facility is now home to
Company A and the HeadquartersCompany of the 3rd Battalion of the103rd Armor, Pennsylvania ArmyNational Guard, and the Army Reserve’s542nd Quartermaster Company.The 77,904-square-foot facility
includes a shared training center, ashared vehicle maintenance facility andtwo separate unheated storage buildings.Construction on the facility was startedApril 27, 2010. �
The Scranton Armed Forces Reserve Center was officially unveiled March 22, 2012. Photo: Tom Cherry
The Danville Armed Forces Reserve Center was officially unveiled on March 21, 2012. Photo: Tom Cherry
22 / GUARDIANS / Summer 201222 / GUARDIANS / Summer 2012
KEYSTONE NEWSMAKERS
By Sgt. Matt Jones
Members of the Pennsylvania NationalGuard were called into service duringa standoff between a Lebanon residentand the Pennsylvania State Police onMarch 15, 2012.The resident, Samuel Snyder, had
locked himself in his home and was
Women’shistory monthBy Staff Sgt. Ted Nichols
The Pennsylvania National Guardhosted its annual Women’s History Monthluncheon on March 18, 2012, at FortIndiantown Gap.The luncheon featured guest speaker
Maria Montero, who serves as executivedirector for the Pennsylvania Commissionfor Women and executive director for theGovernor’s Advisory Commission onLatino Affairs.The annual event is organized by
the Joint Force Headquarters DiversityCommittee and honors the contributionsof women throughout history.Roughly 15 percent of Pennsylvania
National Guard members are women. �
Guardsmen called to state active duty for standoff violently preventing police officers fromentering. After a long, overnight stale-mate, in which shots were fired by Snyder,the incident site commander requestedthe use of a National Guard engineeringvehicle.The Guard crew loaded up a vehicle
from the combined support maintenance
shop at Fort Indiantown Gap and thenunloaded it near Snyder’s home, only afew miles from Fort Indiantown Gap.The 14-hour standoff ended abruptly
when Snyder exited his home carrying agrenade, which was later found to beinert. Snyder was struck by a single bulletand died. �
Pennsylvania National Guard members deploy an engineer vehicle in North Annville March 15, 2012.
A women’s history month celebration was held at Fort Indiantown Gap March 18, 2012.
Summer 2012 / GUARDIANS / 23
By Sgt. Matt Jones
Two Guard members rescued a driverfrom his truck after it caught fire in Marchon Interstate 95 in Philadelphia.Staff Sgt. Krystal Brown and Staff Sgt.
Angel Mendez acted instinctively whenthey passed a burning vehicle and noticedthe driver was still inside. After pulling to
Guard members step up during hot situationthe side of the road and jumping over thehighway barrier, the two Guard memberspulled the unconscious driver from theburning vehicle.“We just worked together as a team,”
Brown told reporters.“We stayed calm and assessed the
dangers around us,” Mendez added. “Iwasn’t sure how much time I had or how
fast the flame was going to move.”Eventually, the rescued driver regained
consciousness.“His eyes were open the whole time,
and I just kept talking to him,” saidBrown, recalling how she encouraged himto pull through. “I knew he heard me.”Both of the Guard members are
combat veterans. �
228th BSB FieldsNew Containerized KitchenMembers of the Pine Grove-based Company D, 228th Brigade
Support Battalion, used their new container kitchen, known as a CK,for the first time on April 21, 2012, at Fort Indiantown Gap.While their unit was busy firing their rifles on a nearby range, sever-
al food service specialists tried out their new gear. The new CK requiresfour Soldiers and one supervisor to prepare and serve the food.The CK is the first device of its kind to be fielded since the Mobile
Kitchen Trailer, or the MKT, was introduced in 1975. The MKT wasdesigned to feed about half as many Soldiers only one meal a day. TheCK can feed more than 500 troops three meals a day if needed.The kitchen is capable of operating in temperatures ranging from a
frigid 25 below zero to more than 120 degrees. �
24 / GUARDIANS / Summer 2012
CURATOR’S CORNERBy Charles Oellig
In the early days of the 20th century, our governor, the commander inchief of the National Guard of Pennsylvania, had his own military staff composed of lieutenant colonels and a few noncommissioned officers.Sgt. Charles A. Bair was the commissary sergeant on this staff. In 1912,
Commissary became part of the Quartermaster branch.Bair had formerly been a member of Company K, Fourth Regiment
Infantry, NGP of Lancaster. His hat insignia is a gold wreath and keystonewith a silver crescent, the insignia of the Commissary Corps. All enlistedmembers of the governor’s military staff wore crossed sabers on the collar.He is also wearing a 10-year rifle qualification badge and a revolver
qualification badge. This photograph first appeared in the February 1913issue of “Our State Army & Navy Journal.” �
This is the 33rd in a series of historical photographs of PennsylvaniaNational Guardsmen of the past, submitted by Charles Oellig, curatorof the Pennsylvania National Guard Military Museum at FortIndiantown Gap. The museum is open Mondays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to4:30 p.m., or other days by appointment. Call (717) 861-2402 or visitus online at www.pngmilitarymuseum.org for more information or toschedule an appointment. The museum is closed on major holidays.
