The Herd WordThe Herd Word -...

Sigholtz-Capital Chapter One 173d Airborne Brigade Association; P.O. Box 15133; Arlington, VA 22215-0133 December 2010

In This Issue Chapter‟s Veterans Day

The President‟s Corner Page 2

Photo Gallery Page 3

Photo Gallery Page 4

Chapter Annual Calendar Page 5

Chapter Officers Page 6

Chapter Website/Facebook Page Page 6

Sky Soldier Prayer Page 6

New Look: Airborne Museum Page 7

Ladies of the Herd Page 7

Vice President‟s Corner Page 8

Updating the Brigade Marker Page 8

2011 Chapter Budget Page 9

Annual Chapter Meeting Page 10

Sky Soldier Added to Memorial Page 10

Serving Sky Soldiers Past, Present and Future

The Herd WordThe Herd Word

On Thursday, 11 November, more than 50 Sky Soldiers, family members, and friends of Sky Soldiers placed a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to honor of the Brigade’s KIAs. This annual activity has become an informal reunion and, this year, four E Company, 4/503 joined the usual attendees. Old friends greeted each other warmly and newcomers were welcomed with equal courtesy. There were Sky Soldiers

from Tennessee, Alabama, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New York, Maine, and North Carolina. This made the event a truly national gathering. Sky Soldier, Bobby Ybarra of San Antonio, Texas, and his wife, Pat, and grandson, Derek, had traveled the farthest. MG (Ret.) Lee Surut was among the most welcome attendees. Before marching to the Wall, the group heard updates on Chapter 1 activities from Chapter President Terry Modglin and Chapter Vice President Mike Belenky. Their presentations highlighted support for the Ladies of the Herd who ran in the Army 10-Miler, support to Wounded Warriors at Walter Reed, and other Chapter projects.

Mark Your Calendar!!Mark Your Calendar!!

Chapter

Annual Meeting

9 January 2011

See Page 10See Page 10

ALL THE WAYALL THE WAY AIRBORNE AIRBORNE

Major Mike Adamski updated the assembly on the Brigade’s current deployment, including the return from Afghanistan. The official Brigade welcome home celebrations on De-cember 7 – 9, in Vicenza, Italy, and Bamberg, Germany, was reported to have been a rousing success. Mack Brooks delivered an eloquent

Soldier’s Prayer, which is reproduced

in this newsletter. The 36 current and

former Brigade members, 18

friends, spouses, and grandchildren

lined up in the traditional column of

twos to march to the apex of The

Wall.

As in past years, the Herd’s colors

were recognized and appreciated by

the many veterans visiting The Wall.

Following the solemn ceremony,

twenty-five of the attendees gathered

for lunch at the Key Bridge Marriott,

where conversation flowed freely and

a good time was had by all.

The Chapter‟s Veterans Day The Chapter‟s Veterans Day

www.173dAbnChap1.orgwww.173dAbnChap1.org

http://www.173dAbnChap1.org

The President’s Corner The President’s Corner

E ight years ago Sal Giunta was a 17 year old “sandwich artist” at Subway, in Iowa City. He heard about getting a free T-shirt for visiting the local Army recruiting station and soon he was in the Army. Giunta wanted to respond to the 9-11 attack and liked getting

paid for shooting at the enemy and jumping out of planes. He was eventually assigned to the 173

d Airborne Brigade Combat Team, in Italy, and did two tours in Afghanistan with Battle

Company, 2-503d.

On the moonlit night of October 25, 2007, Giunta’s patrol was ambushed by the Taliban. The point man, SGT Joshua Brennan went down, as did SPC Franklin Eckrode, who was behind him. SGT Erick Gallardo was stunned by a bullet that hit him squarely in the helmet. While aiding Gallardo, Giunta was hit in the body armor and a bullet grazed a second weapon on his back. Throwing grenades, against the barrage of enemy fire, Giunta advanced alone. When he saw two Taliban fighters carrying off SGT Brennan, Giunta’s best friend, Giunta killed one of the enemy Soldiers and at least wounded the other. Afterwards, Giunta administered first aid to Brennan until he was medivaced. Brennan later died of his wounds. Three years later, on November 16, Giunta stood next to the President of the United States, most of his platoon mates from the Korengal Valley, his wife, Jen, and dozens of family members and dignitaries. Giunta said he did what any American Soldier would do when confronted with the same circumstances and that in accepting the Medal of Honor he did so on behalf of all American Soldiers who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. The day after the White House ceremony, Giunta was inducted into the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes. Army Chief of Staff, General George Casey, quoted George Washington’s description of a hero as a “man of principle activated by honor.” Army Secretary Matthew McHugh cited the definition by a British Soldier that a hero is “a man of principle in peace is a man of courage in war.” Defense Secretary Gates told the group that Giunta’s heroism provides “enduring hope for the future of our country.” A member of our own Sigholtz Capital Chapter came to SSG Giunta’s ceremony, COL Al Rascon. Rascon received the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam 34 years after his initial paperwork was lost. At the Pentagon ceremony, SSG Giunta called the Medal of Honor moment

“bittersweet” because two of his 173d family -- Hugo Mendoza and Joshua

Brennan – could not be there. “I’m just a middle man, representing all those

who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. I’m nothing compared to those who gave

their lives.” His words stand as a eulogy for the service and sacrifice that

marks the best tradition of Sky Soldiers.

Sigholtz-Capital Chapter 1

Ceremonies for Sky Soldier Sal Giunta

Photo GalleryPhoto Gallery

Sigholtz-Capital Chapter 1 Page 2 Sigholtz-Capital Chapter 1

Chapter Veterans Day Activities

Sky Soldier SPC Matthew George Funeral

Sigholtz-Capital Chapter 1 Sigholtz-Capital Chapter 1 Page 5

Photo GalleryPhoto Gallery

The Bravo Bulls & A Walk to Wall


SigholtzSigholtz--Capital Chapter 1 Capital Chapter 1

Calendar 2010Calendar 2010

Chapter Event Date Time Day Project Officer

Remarks

Newsletter Dec 2009 N/A TBD Mack Brooks

Chapter Annual Meeting 10 Jan 2010 1300 Sunday Terry Modglin Marina Towers Condominium (Party Room; 501 Slaters Lane; Alexandria, VA 22314

Valentine's Day Brunch 14 Feb 2010 1100 Sunday Mack Brooks Spates Hall, Fort Myer, VA

Newsletter Mar 2010 N/A Saturday Mack Brooks

Reading of the Names 1 May 2010 1100 Saturday Terry Modglin Brigade Marker; Arlington Cemetery

173d Memorial

Dedication 1 Jun 2010 1000 Tuesday

Ken Smith 173d Abn Bde Memorial Fund

“Walk of Honor” at National Infantry Mu-

seum, Adjacent to Fort Benning

173d Airborne

Brigade Reunion

2 Jun 2010 -

6 Jun 2010

N/A

Wed -

Sunday

Hal Nobles President

SC Chapter North Myrtle Beach, SC

Newsletter Jun 2010 N/A TBD Mack Brooks

Brunch with Archbishop Edwin O’Brien

24 Jul 2010 1100 Sunday Mack Brooks Spates Hall, Fort Myer, VA

Fort Meade Brunch 25 Sep 2010 1100 Sunday Mike Belenky Guest Speaker: John D. Chapla

Newsletter Sep 2010 N/A Saturday Mack Brooks

Veterans Day Ceremony 10 Nov 2010 1100 Monday Roy Lombardo Brigade Marker & Gen Williamson Gravesite

Walk to the Wall 11 Nov 2010 1100 Tuesday Terry Modglin Vietnam Memorial

Annual Holiday Dinner 11 Dec 2010 1830 Saturday Terry Modglin Venue TBD

Newsletter Dec 2010 N/A TBD Mack Brooks

Chapter Annual Meeting 9 Jan 2011 TBD Sunday Terry Modglin

Visit Walter Reed Army Medical Center

Monthly TBD TBD Gene Weeks


President

Terry Modglin

202-270-3083 [email protected]

Vice President

Michael Belenky

410-974-4674 [email protected]

Treasurer

Ken Smith 252-478-9359

[email protected]

Secretary

Mack Brooks 703-971-1917

[email protected]

SigholtzSigholtz--Capital 1 Capital 1

Chapter OfficersChapter Officers

Chapter Facebook PageChapter Facebook Page

T he Chapter Facebook page can be found at

http://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Capital-Region-Chapter-173rd-Airborne-Brigade-Association/159307410781194

Chapter Webpage PageChapter Webpage Page

www.173dAbnChap1.org

Heavenly Father, Whenever life seems like them night patrols, be there when I call for flares, to light my way and to dispel my fear. Whenever evil is in the wire, send forth your reinforcements to shore up my defenses. Whenever I leap into harm's way, be there as my safety chute and cushion my fall. When confronted by the legions of the devil, let me not turn to the dark side, but appeal to my better angels.

A Sky Soldier's PrayerA Sky Soldier's Prayer

Whether I am lost in the jungle or stranded in the desert, be my landmark, be my compass, show me the way. Let us be ever mindful that we who have fought the VC, the NVA, Al Qaeda, and the Taliban, that our greatest enemy is the struggle within. Be there to pass the ammunition, to direct the gun ships, and to call in that last great medivac in the sky. And lastly, Heavenly Father, let my name and the name of my brothers and sisters-in-arms be on the roster of that last roll call to be with You. Amen

Request from Down Under Chapter 23 (Australia) received a request from David Gist, Assistant Curator of Mili-tary Heraldry and Technology at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Australia, hopefully someone assist him. Recently Chapter 11 donated some items to the War Memorial, one of those items is a Zippo lighter bearing the name “Sgt Rick”, the dates on the lighter presumably reflect two tours of duty, the badge of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, and the name „KAREN‟ engraved across the top of the lid.

The two attached images show both sides of the lighter.

The War Memorial is interested in trying to locate “Sgt Rick” or at least identifying him. The name “KAREN” on the lid will hopefully help narrow the field. If any member can be of any assistance, it would be which you are able to provide.

Secretary - Chapter 23

Ray Payne OAM 2 Flemington St

BANORA POINT NSW 2486 +61 7 5524 7742

mailto:[email protected]





http://www.173dAbnChap1.org


New Look at the Airborne Museum

A LITTLE BIT OF AIRBORNE HISTORY

If you have not recently visited the Airborne and Special Opera-tions Museum in Fayetteville, NC, you will probably not recog-nize its entrance. Thanks to the Airborne and Special Operations Museum Foundation and the City of Fayetteville, the museum has a new look that every para-trooper can be proud. As you exit from the museum‟s front door, there are two new statues and, surrounding the area, there is a new Veterans Park. This new look is part of a local initiative to “spruce up” Fayetteville. The park is part of a major face lift to the area. Anyone who has been stationed or visited Fort Bragg should easily recognize the first statue:

Iron Mike. This icon has been moved from Post to the front of the museum. A little farther in Veterans Park is a rendering of General Hugh Shelton, donated by Ross Perot. General Shelton, a former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is one of our own, having served with the Herd in Vietnam. Engraved pavers similar to those located on the front and rear patios of the Museum may be purchased through the museum gift shop. The gift shop also has a wide array of airborne items, suitable for gifts year round. A trip to the Airborne Museum is not complete without seeing the Herd‟s Vietnam-era diorama and

Sky Soldier artifacts from Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghani-stan. The Museum itself is a remarkable structure that will be enjoyed by Sky Sol-diers and family members of all generations.

Kris Johnson, wife of 173d Airborne Brigade

Commander James Johnson, and a bevy of

other wives of deployed Sky Soldiers,

completed the Army 10-Miler, on Sunday, 24

October.

The Chapter President, Terry Modglin, and

Jean O‟Neil were among Chapter members

cheering the wives along the route.

Chapter Secretary, Mack Brooks, also com-

pleted the Army 10-Miler and made the

Chapter proud. Way to go, Ladies!!!

Cheers for Ladies of the HerdCheers for Ladies of the Herd

General Hugh Shelton


Recently, the National Asso-ciation approved updating the Brigade Marker in Ar-lington National Cemetery that was dedicated in 1999. Updating the marker poses both an opportunity and a challenge. It is an opportu-nity to recognize the contin-ued accomplishments and history of our Brigade and the challenge of raising the $3,000 required to complete the project. Our two brothers-in-arms Chapters Down Under have pledged $800. The Florida Chapter has indicated that they will make a pledge to-

ward this worthwhile goal. Individual Sigholtz-Capital Chapter I members have contributed more than $900, but there is still much work to be done to raise the needed amount. During the week of 6 - 10 December, I will be contact-ing the other Chapters to support this project. This is a difficult economic time. However, individual dona-tions of $10 to $20 would do much to move us toward our goal. Money in excess of what is needed for the Brigade

Marker will be donated to the 173

d Airborne Brigade Memo-

rial Foundation. The Chapter plans to dedicate the new Brigade Marker on Saturday, May 7, 2011, in conjunction with the Annual Reading of the Names. Infor-mation regarding the rededi-cation will be posted on our

On 10 November, on Arlington National Cemetery’s hallowed grounds, at the Brigade’s Memorial Marker, with the 82

nd Airborne Division’s Color Guard and the sound of Taps in

the background, Sigholtz Capital Chapter 1 remembered our fallen heroes. A somber walk among the graves of those killed in the Global War on Terror followed. Our 11 November Walk to the Wall, with so many of Chapter members and other veterans,

reminded me of what began as Armistice Day to honor the end of World War I hostilities continues today as a time when we honor those who gave all in defense of freedom. Those whose names adorn the Wall continue to be honored and remembered by a grateful nation, for no monument of tribute and remembrance in the Nation’s capital receives so many visitors annually. It stands as a symbol of the sacrifice and service of the American soldier. Lest we forget. It is the soldier, not the reporter who has given us freedom of the press, It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech, It is the soldier, not the campus organizers, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate, It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves under the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag Mike Belenky

Vice President‟s CornerVice President‟s Corner

Updating the Brigade MarkerUpdating the Brigade Marker

Chapter I Officers propose the budget below to Chapter members at the January 2011 Annual Meeting.

To meet anticipated expenditures of $3,150 needed to accomplish the Chapter‟s activities for

next year, the Chapter must charge an activity fee of $20 per member. This is the same

amount as the 2010 assessment.

Shortly, we will begin collecting dues and activity fees for annual members and activity fees from Life Association members. It would save the Chapter postage and effort, if Life members would mail their $20 Chapter fees and Annual members would send their $24.00 Association dues and $20 Chapter fees directly to our Chapter mail box. Sigholtz-Capital Chapter One

173d Airborne Brigade Association

P.O. Box 15133 Arlington, VA 22215-0133

If you have a question regarding what you owe, please e-mail me at [email protected] or call me at 252-478-9359. New England Chapter IX is scheduled to take over Association membership activities some-time in January 2012. Their goal is to overcome problems associated with membership ef-forts. Your Chapter officers have started an audit and reconciliation to facilitate this transi-tion. Best Wishes for a wonderful holiday. Ken Smith Treasurer

2010 Sigholtz Chapter 1 Budget2010 Sigholtz Chapter 1 Budget


Cost Item Cost

Newsletter Printing and Mailing $750

Web Page/Server Operation $150

Social Events $800

Veterans Day/Funeral Expenses $600

Projects & Donations $700

Postage/Administration $150

$3,150


AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY!!!

173d

Airborne Brigade Association

Address Label

Sigholtz Capital Chapter 1

P.O. Box 15133

Arlington, VA 22215-0133

Stamp

Sigholtz-Capital Chapter 1

Chapter by-laws require that there be at least one meeting annually to review Chapter events, plan for the future, and elect officers. This year, the Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, 9 January 2010, from 1 – 3 PM, at 501 Sla-ter's Lane, Alexandria, VA 22314-1118.

Refreshments will be provided. There are two Chapter officer positions that need to be filled: the Chapter President and Secretary. We‟re looking for a few good troopers to serve. If you have questions contact Mack Brooks (cell) 703-971-1917.

Chapter Annual Meeting

In early August 2010, the 173d Air-

borne Brigade Memorial Foundation identified a Vietnam-era trooper who was not listed on the many Associa-tion rosters of fallen warriors gener-ated over the past forty-plus years. Frank Denryter, who served with D/4/503

d from 1970 to 1971, kept a

log of Sky Soldiers in his company who died during his tour of duty. When reviewing the names of fallen warriors inscribed on the recently dedicated 173

d Airborne Brigade

Memorial, Denryter realized one of

his comrades was not included. SGT Clinton A. Cook, who was killed on 28 April 1970 by a booby trapped 105mm round, was missing! Frank informed the Foundation of Sgt Cook’s omission. His name will be engraved on the Memorial in 2011, with the names of those killed during the Brigade’s most recent deployment. The 173

d Airborne Brigade Memorial

was designed to accommodate addi-tional Vietnam-era fallen, if some of

the names our brothers were omit-ted from the panels. The Foundation encourages all Sky Soldier veterans and family members to go to the KIA link on the 173

d Airborne Brigade

Memorial Website (www.173dairbornememorial.org) to ensure that your lost comrades/loved ones are listed. Should you find an omission, contact the Memorial Foundation’s Director of Heraldry, Bob Wolfgang, at [email protected] .

KIA Sky Soldier‟s Name to be Added to Memorial


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