HEADS UP The Official Newsletter of the Georgia State Defense Force

P A R A T I S E R V I R E • R E A D Y T O S E R V EVOL.5 • ISSUE 2 JUNE 2009

GSDF HONORS FALLEN HEROES

INSIDE THE JUNE ISSUE PLEASE SUBMIT NEWS FROM YOUR BATTALION TO MAJOR EDDIE WILLIAMS. SEE PAGE 10.

MEMORIAL DAY PHOTOS ON PAGE 3

State Defense Force troops stand up statewide for those who have fallen

By MAJ Rich Elwell GSDF Command Historian, PAO

Several hours before the first visitors began to arrive at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, 28 members of the Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) were on duty to assist. Men and women from the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions of 1BDE, and the Medical Detachment, were there to direct traffic and parking, assist guests to their seats, and provide medical assistance for this Memorial Day ceremony.

Officer-in-Charge of the mission, 1LT Pittman, described it as a team effort, “Along with the GSDF, the Young Marines, Boy Scouts, and member of the motorcycle Patriot Guard area are also here.”

NCO-in-Charge, SFC Glen Kelley said, “The GSDF did this same mission when the Georgia National Cemetery was dedicated in 2006, and we have been here every year since.”

Always an emotional and moving experience, the memorial service began with VIP introductions. GSDF

Commander, BG Jerry Bradford was introduced and the GSDF recognized. Mr. Brion Moore, Director of the Georgia National Cemetery, stated that a recent survey revealed that only 28% of Americans know the true meaning of Memorial Day, that is, to honor and remember those Americans who died in service to their country, as well as all veterans no longer with us.

Guest speaker, retired Navy Captain Ted Daywalt reminded attendees of our duty to defend the Constitution and urged our leaders not to take lightly their

sacred trust to those in uniform when deciding to put them in harm’s way. His inspiring remarks drew a standing ovation from several hundred in attendance.

Memorial wreaths were placed by volunteers from Wreaths Across America and taps played by three members of Bugles Across America. The closing benediction prayer asked for travel safeties for all returning home, and the GSDF helped insure that happened.

STONE CO-WINS C130 TAIL FLASH COMPETITION

PAGE 4

ANCOC CLASS OF 2009 PAGE 2

SARSPEC II CERTIFICATION BEGINS PAGE 5

INSIDE THE 201 FILE OF MAJ PENG PAGE 7

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SLEW OF MISSING PARENTS KEEP GSDF BUSY AT BIG SHANTY ’09 BY MAJ Robert Petersen First Brigade PAO

The Big Shanty Festival is host to one of the larges arts and crafts shows in north Georgia. Perhaps one of the biggest draw of the festival was the elite drill team of the U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon.

Great weather and large crowds was present at the 33rd annual Big Shanty Festival in downtown Kennesaw, GA. The crowd estimate was just over 60,000 for the two-day event. There were a record number of booths and participating organizations. The booth exhibits were just over 200. The streets were blocked off and elements of the GSDF directed traffic and crowds control. GSDF was well represented with over 70 troops. This was a comprised elements of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th battalions and a significant number of 1-BDE staff. The medical unit (MEDDET) was also present.

The mission became more than controlling traffic and crowd control. Lost children became the theme of this mission. There were at least 8 lost kids during the festival. All were found and GSDF was in the middle of the search efforts.

A four-year-old little boy wandered off and the parents were understandably panicked. PFC Corey Ranic and PFC Gregory Hanthorn, both from 1BN/1BDE, started looking for the boy and found him about 5 or 10 minutes later. Everything turned out fine and the boy and parents were reunited.

Another little girl was lost and found by GSDF. However, the little girl was instructed by her mother never to go with a male guide. Therefore, one of our female troopers (CPL Kelly McGraw) took her back to her mother. Again, a great reunion with parent and child.

PFC Corey Ranic and the GSDF get a thumbs up from one of the Big Shanty participants

READ LETTER FROM GRATEFUL PARENT ON PAGE 10

ANCOC GRADUATES CLASS OF 2009 Ulmer and Harrell take top honors at Advanced NCO Course

BY 1LT Arni Katz HQ/PAO Staff Writer/Photographer

Four outstanding members of the Georgia State Defense Force’s Non­commissioned Officer Corps graduated from ANCOC (Advanced NCO Course) on 17 May 2009.

Jeffery L. Ulmer, SFC, HQ/1st MEDCO received the “Honor Graduate” and Luke Harrell, 1SG, 1BN/1BDE received the “Leadership Award”. The Honor graduate is the person that achieved the highest academic grade. The Leadership Award recipient is selected by

the students. It goes to the person that has demonstrated leadership abilities and helped lead the class through the ANCOC course.

The ANCOC course of instruction is designed for senior non-commissioned officers (E-7, E-8 and E-9). This course assumes that the students enrolled have had a variety of GSDF assignments and thus builds on this foundation. The subjects learned are very broad and focus on the role of senior NCO at all levels of command. The students are expected to contribute their input in the form and manner of case studies. This program is

five weekends in length beginning usually at the start of every other calendar year and was conducted by the NCO Academy cadre, at the GA Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC) in Forsyth, GA.

This year’s ANCOC graduating class members are: 1SG Luke Harrell, 1BN/1BDE, SFC Keven Leasure, 3BN/5BDE, SFC Lamorah L. Stephens, HQ/1BDE, and SFC Jeffery L. Ulmer, HQ/1st MEDCO.

Instructors were; CSM Richard Parmenter, SFC Warren S. Langley, SSG Jay M. Lancaster, SSG Jimmy W. Gaines, and SSG Chris Brierley.

Front Row, Left to Right: SFC Keven Leasure, SFC Jeffery L. Ulmer, 1SG Luke Harrell, SFC Lamorah L. Stephens. Back Row, Left to Right: ANCOC INSTRUCTORS SSG Jimmy W. Gaines, SSG Jay M. Lancaster, CSM Richard Parmenter, SSG Chris Brierley, SFC Warren S. Langley

ANCOC students in front of their deluxe accomodations ANCOC students paying close attention to high speed, low drag instruction

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GSDF Commander BG Jerry Bradford addresses the crowd at the National Cemetary in Canton 1LT Debra Bright, 2LT Mike O'Rear and CPL David Litts 0are ready for any emergency.

COL Lou Coroso shakes the hand of a veteran COL Lou Coroso at the Fairburn Memorial Day event

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4BN/5BDE soldiers presenting Memorial Day wreath in Fitzgerald, GA Fitzergerald, GA Memorial Day

MEMORIAL DAY 2009

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PAO Staff

On Saturday, April 4, 2009, the Georgia State Defense Force Band, augmented by auxiliary musicians and members of the 116th Army National Guard and 530th Air National Guard Bands, participated in the dedication of the new American Legion Post 160 building in Smyrna, Georgia.

Under the direction of CW3 Glenn R. Moore, the band presented a rousing pre-ceremony patrioticseveral popular marches, patriotic tunes, and ended with an instrumental version of

a song dear to Georgia citizens, “Georgia on My Mind” by Hoagy Carmichael. During the ceremony, the band performed the National Anthem and a medley of the Armed Forces CW3 Glenn R. Moore

GSDF Band helps dedicate new America Legion post in Smyrna

By CPT William Pamplin,

concert that featured

Service Songs, to honor our nation and veterans and their families who were present.

Several prominent dignitaries attended the event, including several elected officials, Smyrna's Mayor Max Bacon, Mayor Pro-Tem Wade S. Lnenicka, Cobb County Commission Chairman Sam Olens, and Georgia House Senator George Stoner. American Legion dignitaries attending and participating in the ceremony were Keith Hardman, American Legion Post 160 Commander; past National Commander, Robert “Bob” Turner; and American Legion Senior Vice Commander, Hal Reeves.

Keith Hardman, American Legion Post 160 Commander, recognized the band during the festivities, expressing his pleasure for the band supporting this special event and asked for several rounds of applause from those in attendance, which numbered at over 200. He

later noted the band’s performance “was one of the finest ever at the old and new posts, in the American Legion’s history.”

Today’s performance supports the band’s mission of providing music in support of public affairs and community relations to foster support of Georgia citizens. Those in attendance clapped along and tapped their feet with the music. American Legion veterans and family members proudly stood and many sang along when the band played their respective service song. Considering the audience's applause, the band successfully completed its mission in Smyrna, Georgia during this well-received performance.

Future performances will include concerts in town squares in the metro Atlanta area and for the Fabulous 4th Celebration at the International Horse Park in Conyers, Georgia on July 4th, 2009.

GSDF Soldier co-wins C-130 Tail Flash Design Competition

Photo by Taylor Stone SGT Jeffrey Stone of the G.S.D.F. and SGT Seth Richards of the U.S. Air Force

By SGT Jeffrey Stone HQ PAO, Heads Up Designer

A good friend of mine, MAJ Jim Martin, a flight nurse in the Air Force Reserve, told me about a competition the 94th Airlift Wing was having to redesign

the tail flash

on their C-130’s. He thought I had a good chance of winning so I decided to enter.

My idea was to design an eye-catching flash that also displayed the pride of the Georgia based unit. To achieve this, I used elements and colors from the Georgia state flag along with adding stylized gold wings on the back of the flash to signify flight and the US Air Force.

A few weeks after I submitted my entry, I got an email from a Senior Master SGT Joseph Brown. He told me that I had “co-won” the competition with SSG Seth Richards of the 94th Airlift Wing. He invited me to Dobbins Air Reserve Base to discuss some changes they wanted to

make to my design, and also show me around the hangar and explain how the

flash would be applied to the tail. I was told the voting was nearly a tie

so the decision was made to have co-winners. COL Heath J.

Knuckolls, Commander of the 94th Airlift Wing, had the

final say on the design. My original design

was a red bar in the middle with only the

gold crest of the GA state flag on a

b l u e b a c k g r o u n d

on the end. They decided to change it to a blue bar with the entire state flag on the end. In my line of work as a graphic designer for The Home Depot, I’m used to having my ideas changed so I didn’t have a problem with their suggested changes.

My family and I were invited to the 94th Airlift Wing’s Family Day in early May 2009 for the unveiling of the new flash. It was a huge event. There were display booths, rides for the kids, military demonstrations and of course, plenty of food. They had a dunking booth and the first person on the booth was COL Knuckolls. Several people attempted to dunk him in the water but failed. Next, Taylor, my 10-year-old daughter and avid

softball player, stepped

up and dunked the COL after two throws. Because my daughter was the first to dunk him, COL Knuckolls jokingly threatened to take away my award that he had just presented to me.

Afterward were given a quick tour of the hangar and of a C-130 that was parked inside. My girls were thrilled to explore the cargo bay and to sit in the pilot and co­pilot’s seat. Of course, my 6-year-old daughter, Jacie started pushing buttons and was quickly but kindly told by SSG Richards to please refrain from pushing any more buttons. That’s my girl.

We had a great time and I greatly appreciated the Air Force’s kindness to my family and gracious hospitality.

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By PVT Mike Carey HQ/PAO Staff Writer/Photographer

Forty-four outstanding members of the Georgia State Defense Force participated in SAR training, with twelve graduating from SAR School (Search and Rescue) in Toccoa on 17 May 2009 and the remainder at HQ 7 June 2009.

GEN Bradford officiated at the James A. Neal Public Safety Training Center in Toccoa. The graduates at both locations were presented with certificates and the privilege to wear the SAR tab on their uniforms. The graduates are considered to be SARSPEC II certified and will return to their respective units in order to train other members of the GSDF.

SARSPEC certifications are given at three levels of proficiency; III, II and I, with I being the highest. GEN Bradford has made it mandatory that all members of GSDF achieve at least the SARSPEC III certification prior to calendar year end, with some continuing to reach the more difficult levels II and I. “We will become the premier SAR unit in Georgia. SAR is mandatory for all soldiers at level III by the end of the year. SAR levels II and I are encouraged but can be difficult.” said GEN Bradford. This train-the­trainers graduation event marks a major jump-start toward that goal.

“The training was comprehensive and rewarding, consisting of a combination of individual survival, search and rescue skills”, said SGT Gillham, one of the graduates. Some examples of skills covered are: night land navigation, shelter building, signaling, water purification, man tracking, repelling, knot tying and deployment of smoke grenades.

For those wishing to achieve the more advanced level of SARSPEC II, SGT Gillham recommends training two to three times per week carrying at least 25lbs., with the goal of covering 2 miles in 30 minutes or less. SARSPEC I candidates should increase that to 45 lbs, with the goal of 3 miles in 45 minutes or less.

Instructors were MAJ Bryant, 1LT Szendel, WO1 Roberts and SSG Brown.

Becoming the premier SAR unit in Georgia will make GSDF even more “Ready to Serve”.

GSDF

SARSPEC II

CERTIFICATION

BEGINS

CPL Tom Biondolillo and MSG Jim Grizzle of 1BN/1BDE

GSDF

SARSPEC II

CERTIFICATION

BEGINS

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Awardees await their SAR tabs BG Bradford and cadre issue SAR orders

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GSDF Commander BG Jerry Bradford Guest Speaker COL (Retired) Lee Ellis 1SG Marc Morris was the event Emcee

GSDF BIRTHDAY

CELEBRATION MAJ Eddie Williams HQ Public Affairs Officer

The Georgia State Defense Force celebrated it’s Birthday Ball June 20, 2009, at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia.

The GSDF was named the “Georgia State Defense Corps” by governor Ed Rivers in June 1940, then named the “State Defense Corps of Georgia” by Governor Eugene Talmadge in June 1941. Most recently, Governor Zell Miller signed a resolution renaming our organization the “Georgia State Defense Force”.

About 225 GSDF members and guests attended this wonderful evening of fun, food, dancing and numerous special recognitions. The GSDF traces its roots to General James Oglethore’s Georgia colonial militia of 1733. Through all of America’s battles, wars and skirmished, we’ve been “always ready, always there”.

BG Jerry Bradford, GSDF Commander, praised the organization in his comments to the group. Guest Speaker, COL (Ret) Lee Ellis, a retired former USAF fighter pilot, Vietnam veteran, and 5-year POW, also shared poignant words of praise and recognition of service of GSDF soldiers.

HHC 1SG Marc Morris served as Emcee for the event. Others guests recognized were, Ms. Condace Pressley, WSB TV/Radio for her community support of GSDF.

Event sponsors were; The Talmadge Group, IBM Southeast Employees’ Federal Credit Union, Army Navy Discount Center, The Brain & Spine Institute at Gwinnett Medical Center, Premier Benefit Consultants, Northside Hospital, Holland Shipes Vann, PC, and LeeMartinBooks.com.

911 SUPCOM will host the event in 2010.

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INSIDE THE 201 FILE OF MAJ SAMUEL PENG

GSDF Soldier Leadership Course prepares future NCO’s PFC Jim Zegers HQ, GSDF PAO

Throughout the history of the Army the NCO has been there, leading and training soldiers, guiding by example and always being out in front. The same holds true in the Georgia State Defense Force.

The Soldier Leader Course (SLC) is the first course of study in the SDF Non-Commissioned Officer Education System. SLC covers the basics of leadership skills, individual training, drill and ceremony, land navigation, and search and rescue. The course ends with a situational training exercise.

After five months of classroom and field training, five soldiers from GSDF HQs, graduated from SLC after finishing a final three day training session at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC) in Forsyth. The graduates include SGT Alan Baker, SGT Cheryl

Barley, CPL Leonard Goodelman, CPL Jim Lemay and CPL Gary Smith.

The course was taught by SGM Betty Ryan and SSG David Maple. They taught their students about the history of NCO's, duties and responsibilities, leadership, training, counseling, and what it means to be a soldier leader. The final weekend was concluded with a search and rescue, and night land navigation exercises at GPSTC.

CPL Jim Lemay was the Honor Graduate in the class and special honors went to SGT Cheryl Barley for Most Improved and CPL Gary Smith for Academic Achievement. The graduates are now prepared to help train other soldiers.

If you would like to learn more about SLC or any other courses offered to GSDF soldiers, contact your unit chain of command. Keep and eye out for a new feature in Heads Up called The NCO Corner and learn more about the role of the NCO.

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MAJ Primm speaks at FT Eustis Women’s History event First female Assistant Staff Judge Advocate for GSDF honored as keynote speaker

By Beverly Joyner

“Women Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet’ was the theme as the Fort Eustis community gathered to observe Women's

Keynot speaker MAJ Edith Primm

History Month at Jacobs Theater Monday morning, hosted by the U.S. Army Aviation Logistics School.

The event included a symbolic homage to fallen female Soldiers and Sisters in Arms heart disease and breast cancer

awareness presentations. Gayle Braley, wife of Col. William W.

Braley, Sr., USAALS commander, provided a warm “southern style” welcome to the Soldiers, distinguished guests, family members and friends.

Braley spoke of how Women’s History Month began in New York City March 8, 1857, when female textile workers marched to protest poor working conditions and the unequal treatment of women. This was one of the first organized strikes by working women where they also demanded shorter work week and decent wages.

On March 8, 1910, International Women's Day became an annual observance and in 1978, Women's History Week was commemorated on the second week in March. In 1987, a congressional resolution changed the week to a month to celebrate the economic, political and socia contributions of women.

A presidential proclamation elevated Women’s History Month to a national and international observance in 1992. “Today, the important contributions of women are recognized all over the world,” said Braley.

Hampton City Councilwoman Angela L. Leary, who was recently elected to serve a second term, introduced the keynote speaker, MAJ Edith B. Primm. Primm is the first female Assistant Staff Judge Advocate for the Georgia State Defense Force, an agency that performs a variety of missions for the National Guard

including family and medical support and legal and technical assistance. She also serves as a contract mediator for the Atlanta District Office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and has held key positions with the Justice Center of Atlanta including executive director, senior advisor and director of

WHAT I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT TODAY IS ABOUT SOME AMAZING WOMEN, WHO THROUGH THE POWER OF POLITICS,

CHANGED THE WORLD AND CHANGED OUR

COUNTRY. research and development.

“It's a great honor to be here today,” said Primm. “What I want to talk to you about today is about some amazing women, who through the power of politics, changed the world and changed our country. I’m going to cover 1,000 years of history in about 10 minutes,” she added.

Starting her women’s history journey during the biblical times, Primm said Esther, the favorite wife of Xerxes, King of Persia, risked her life in saving her people [the Jewish people] from extinction.

Primm talked about how, many years later, Joan of Arc played a major part in keeping the English out of France by training an army, even though she was

illiterate and just 19 years old. Queen Elizabeth of England kept the

Spanish from becoming dominant in Europe and helped England to become a great global power. Also, Catherine the Great, well-educated and a great diplomat, helped to make Russia a great power, said Primm.

She described Golda Meir, one of the founders of Israel, as one of the most revered women in the world who, in 1947, was tasked to raise 24 million dollars to help support the war efforts for independence. Meir was so successful at fundraising and networking that she helped to raise 48 million dollars.

Primm mentioned how Margaret Thatcher, the first woman prime minister of England, was elected three times and helped to restore her country as a major power.

She spoke of women’s rights activists Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott. Primm also highlighted the contributions of “Rosie the Riveter,” the Women’s Auxiliary Corps, Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks.

Primm concluded her remarks by saying, “These women have made such a difference in our lives and we stand on their shoulders. I hope you’ll be able to go on the Internet and look up some of them. I hope those of you in this room, male and female, will stop for a moment sometime this week and think about the unknown women in your lives who’ve made such a difference.”

PFC Jim Russell gets chance to serve country in GSDF “For what we ask him to do, he is not limited at all.” says BG Bradford of Russell

By Rana L. Cash from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Thursday, May 28, 2009

Don’t make him go left. He’ll pass and shoot all day on the right, but Jim Russell doesn’t try to hide his aversion to using his left foot.“You know I don’t like it,” he chides sports coordinator Shannon Reeves.

On a wide open soccer field at East Roswell Park, Russell is at ease. He leads his teammates, drives the ball with authority from his backfield position and breaks into a smile in a snap.

He hasn’t always been this carefree, though.

Russell’s fear of people forced him into seclusion. It is one symptom of Asperger syndrome, a mental health disability characterized in part by social awkwardness and obsessive behavior.

It wasn’t that Russell opposed interacting; he just didn’t know how to do it.

“I never played with other kids,” said

Russell, 26. “I’d play with toy soldiers and video games. I didn’t notice something was wrong until I was in high school. I couldn’t accept it.”

Although the disorder persists, the halting impact on his life is behind him, as Russell prepares for the soccer competition in the Special Olympics Georgia State Summer Games this weekend at Emory University. His progress is measured in ways small and large, most noticeably by his induction in August into the Georgia State Defense Force, which has a primary mission of supporting the National Guard.

In that world, he is PFC Russell, charged with duties such as crowd management, meal packing, escort assistance and serving as a parking assistant. It is a crowning achievement.

“For what we ask him to do, he is not limited at all,” Brig. Gen. Jerry Bradford said. “We are proud to give him an opportunity to serve. He does an outstanding job.”

And it came after years of futile tries to get into all branches of the armed services.

At Centennial High School in Roswell, Russell was a member of the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. But that, it seemed, would be the extent of his military involvement.

“It’s what I’ve always wanted. People don’t understand how the people before us fought for our freedom in this country,” Russell said. “I want to preserve it.”

The induction ceremony was at Just People, a program that supports adults with disabilities. It’s also the community where Russell blossomed four years ago. His success stories disguise past struggles with aggression and frequent outbursts. They hide continued battles with paranoia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The steps he has made put in the background the multiple boarding schools he attended in search for acceptance and answers.

“People with Asperger’s tend to want to do a lot of individual stuff,” Just People director Becky Dowling said. “We had to get Jim more involved, be social and be a part of the group. He had to become more comfortable with who he is and more comfortable in the ‘real world.’ ”

That he is. Russell bags groceries at Kroger. He

has dated in and outside of the group. He is a talented photographer and cook, as well. He takes on challenges and doesn’t stop until he’s mastered them. His strength remains sports. For the second time, he’ll represent the Special Olympics team in Bicycle Ride Across Georgia, which covers about 420 miles in seven days. There is floor hockey and fishing, and of course, soccer.

“Out of the 20 people I have, he’s in the upper echelon,” Reeves said. “He’s a little stubborn on the field, but he has an understanding of the game. He plays defense for us because he has such a strong leg.”

Social anxieties still prevent him from playing in recreational leagues. But here, Russell is on top.

“Drop down and give me 50, soldier,” one of his teammates yells jokingly.

Russell can laugh out loud now, no longer frightened.

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Georgia Militia repels Spain in Battle of Bloody Marsh MAJ Rich Elwell “interviews” GEN James Oglethorpe on importance of militia in our history

By MAJ Rich Elwell GSDF Command Historian

Historians rarely get to talk to the great people of the past who have made our history. One such great man in Georgia's history was General James Oglethorpe. He showed up at the Southern Museum in Kennesaw during the Military Time Line last fall.

GEN Oglethorpe and MAJ Elwell converse at the Kennesaw Military Time Line

As the Command Historian for the Georgia State Defense Force, MAJ Rich Elwell had some questions for the good general:

MAJ Elwell: “General Oglethorpe, when did you come to Georgia?” GEN Oglethorpe: “I sailed from England with my settlers and militia and landed here in 1733.”

MAJ Elwell: “Tell me about your militia.” GEN Oglethorpe: “We were not sure what to expect from the natives, therefore, I had all my able-bodied men trained by the Sergeants of the Guard in London. They would then be able to protect us, if necessary, as we settled the 13th American colony to be named Georgia, after our King George.”

MAJ Elwell: “What was the militia called upon to do?” GEN Oglethorpe: “They guarded our perimeter while we built the town called Savannah. There were few hostile incidents with the Indians and the time was peaceful for the first nine years.”

MAJ Elwell: “What happened then?” GEN Oglethorpe: “War was brewing between England and Spain. Spain occupied Florida and coveted the very profitable South Carolina colony, and they would have to go through Georgia. They did invade the Georgia coast in July 1742.”

MAJ Elwell: “Did you use your militia, and were they prepared?” GEN Oglethorpe: “Yes, and yes, . . . most definitely. I had just brought over a

regiment of British regulars, but many of them were sick from exposure. My militia, who consisted mostly of Scot Highlanders and Rangers, performed admirably. They were more unconventional fighters, and we set up an ambush in the marshes as the Spanish troop came ashore.”

MAJ Elwell: “What happened then?” GEN Oglethorpe: The ambush worked perfectly. My militia, along with some Creek Indian allies and the few healthy British soldiers, drove the Spanish invaders back to their ships. They never again attempted to invade Georgia after that Battle of Bloody Marsh.”

MAJ Elwell: General, we are indebted to you. We ourselves are an all-volunteer defense force for Georgia that partners with the Georgia Army and Air National Guard, and are proud of the heritage you have given us. As volunteer citizen-soldiers we will do our best to maintain Georgia’s strong militia tradition.

Kennesaw’s Southern Museum will again host some special guests at the next Military Time Line, October 9, 10 and 11, 2009. Visitors will be able to chat, not only with General James Oglethorpe as portrayed by historian Scott Hodges, but also with interpreters of General Andy Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, and even Queen Elizabeth I. Guests can learn from living history reenactors about the Civil Way 12 pound Napoleon cannon and the

Roman Ballista, a catapult that accurately projects an arrow over 400 meters. The fall 2008 event drew nearly 500 visitors, and Major Elwell and SSG Alan Klein, from GSDF’s Recruiting Command, answered questions and handed out recruiting brochures.

The Military Time Line has some 70 living history interpreters representing Knights, Roman Legionnaires, Caribbean Pirates, and Scot Highlanders. There are infantry soldiers from the War of 1812, Civil War, Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, and Vietnam. The Georgia National Guard is present with a variety of vehicles and weapons representing the current War on Terror. For information visit www.southernmuseum.org.

Some of the Confederate living history reenactors.

MG Nesbitt needs online survey completed Gives GSDF a deadline of August 31, 2009 to complete GaDOD survey

To the Employees of the Georgia Department of Defense,

The mission of The Georgia Department of Defense is to provide ready and relevant military forces to the Combatant Commanders; and with the

consent of the Governor provides command and control, and capabilities to support Homeland Defense and Defense Support to Civil Authorities. During the last few years, we have seen substantial growth in the demand for our services.Our soldiers, airman and civilians are at their best and busiest: fulfilling dual roles as citizens and soldiers/airman responding frequently to the “call to duty”.

Our reputation as a best-in-class service provider in providing ready units gave our customers the confidence and trust to call upon us time and time again over the past years. We have an obligation to continue to meet or exceed our customer expectations for the coming years.

The number one element in our ability to deliver our services is our people: the right people with the right skill sets to accomplish our jobs.

In order to continue to build an effective and supportive workforce

environment, our senior leaders and I depend on feedback from you to fully manage your capability and capacity to accomplish the work of the organization and to maintain a safe, secure, and supportive work climate.

We have partnered with an independent agency, Summit Consultants, to design and manage a web base employee survey to encourage frank discussion from you on the performance of our workforce. We are seeking your comments and recommendations on this survey to provide an earnest assessment of our workplace climate.

I would ask that you take a few minutes to complete this short and confidential survey no later than 31 August 2009 by following the URL link...

http://tiny.cc/GADOD_Employee_Survey

Employee survey results will be provided to the senior leadership team to drive corrective action and improve

employee satisfaction during our strategic management process. Your answers will assist the senior leadership team’s understanding of potential impacts and changes required in the workforce that will allow us to better serve our customer and satisfy our employees.

Maintaining a customer/employee­focused organization requires total commitment from everyone in the organization. By providing candid feedback on this survey you provide information that is vital to our success.

Thank you for your time and service to the Georgia Department of Defense and continuing the tradition of being “America's Citizen Airmen and Soldiers.”

Sincerely,

WILLIAM T. NESBITT Major General The Adjutant General

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WHAT’S THE POOP? CAMARADERIE NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE GSDF "I now know why men who have been to war yearn to PARENT OF LOST CHILD EXTREMELY GRATEFUL

TO THE GSDF Dear Sir,

I wanted to express my gratitude for the help my family received from the Georgia State Defense Force while we were attending the Big Shanty Festival in Kennesaw on Sunday, the 19th.

Our church had a booth at the festival, and our family were there helping out for the afternoon. Just as we were getting ready to leave, we realized our four year old son Davis had wondered off from our booth. After a quick five minute search with several members from our church, we were unable to locate Davis. Just as I was becoming more nervous then I already was, I spotted two members of the Georgia State Defense Force in the crowd. I told them that I was unable to find my son who had wandered off. They quickly took some information from me, and then they broadcast that information on their radio to the other members of the GaSDF. I was impressed with how they handled themselves. They asked specific questions about his dress, his size, and features. Furthermore, they never seemed fazed by the fact that a boy was lost, they were all business!

As well, my wife told me later she too had found two members of the GaSDF and they had told her they

were aware of the situation, and that they were looking for him as well. One of the GaSDF members said, “Don’t worry, we will find your son, we train for situations like this.” What comforting words for my wife.

About five minutes after contacting your members, the GaSDF found our son not far from the railroad crossing. I did not think he would have gone that far. I believe that the two members of the GaSDF who were working the crossing gate were the ones who found him. What a relief. I don’t think I ever been more concerned for one of my children, then I was for the time he was lost on Sunday. It was the longest ten-fifteen minutes in my life. I don’t think he could have been found as quickly as he was if it had not been for the quick actions of the GaSDF.

Again, I want to say how much we appreciate the fine job everyone did in helping find our son. In all the excitement from Sunday afternoon, we just don’t remember the names of all the ones who helped find Davis. But, please know we will remember their efforts. If at all possible please relay our thanks to the men and women who volunteered at the Big Shanty Festival, we truly are grateful for all they did

Respectfully, Philip Dunn

reunite. Not to tell stories or look at old pictures. Not to laugh or weep. Comrades gather because they long to be with the men who once acted at their best; men who suffered and sacrificed, who were stripped of their humanity. I did not pick these men. They were delivered by fate and the military. But I know them in a way I know no other men. I have never given anyone such trust. They were willing to guard something more precious than my life. They would have carried my reputation, the memory of me. It was part of the bargain we all made, the reason we were so willing to die for one another. As long as I have memory, I will think of them all, every day. I am sure that when I leave this world, my last thought will be of my family and my comrades. Such good men."

Author Unknown

A WORD FROM THE CHAPLAIN CH (CPT) Johnny Ashburn • First Brigade

The old joke about where is a cop when you need one and the punchline is “At Dunkin’ Donuts” may be old and trite but the spirit of the words brings me to a thought; “Where is help when I need it?”

Many years ago in the US Army an appointed position was created to meet the spiritual needs of the soldiers on the battlefield as well as in the barracks. They called those men Chaplains. Primarily Christian at first the need grew to try to meet the needs of all people of faith.

The Chaplain is not only there for the troops for spiritual help, but they are also given the opportunity to help the troops in many other ways. They have advanced degrees and are aware of the need for education and can be, to the soldier, sailor, marine, airman, coast guardsman, national, air and state guardsmen, a great resource person to help in educational

reentry, adult lifelong education, career planning and so forth.

The Chaplain is also a counselor and may give clergy counseling to the troops and with their experience, guide the soldier to an other resource such as, psychologist, physician, psychologist as other sources of help.

The Chaplains truly want to be where you are, not in the doughnut shop.

At any time you may reach a Chaplain by calling these numbers or email 24/7. 716-216-2703 (Home) or 770-780-7877 (Cell) or email cptjashburn1bde@ yahoo.com.

When the message is received a Chaplain near you will be dispatched to help you in your hour of need. You can be certain, for the most part, that you will not find him or her in a doughnut shop.

May God Bless You and God Bless the United States of America.