Go forth and fill your libraries with media.
Seriously, thanks to everyone for being so amazing and patient. You are the reason I love Vox.
I was just told that the Amazon Conduit will be fixed by tomorrow. I will post here as soon as I get word that it's back up and running.
I know this has been frustrating and I am sorry there wasn't more I could do to make it less so. I really appreciate your patience though.
Cheers,
Bad news. As many of you have probably noticed, the Amazon Conduit was not fixed in the last week's release. Unfortunately, there was an undetected bug that is preventing the conduit from working.
We are working on this bug fix and hope to have the Conduit back up and running this week.
I will keep you posted.
Thank you for being so patient.
Blog Action Day is every October 15th, when blogger are asked to post something about a single issue to show our strength and conviction as an online community. It's a great way to feel connected to the greater good, and the participation of so many bloggers to support the world's leading non-profit organizations is something you can do to help, right now. By blogging today, you're supporting some of the world's leading non-profits and sharing your voice for change.
This year's topic is climate change, and we'd love to read your thoughts on the topic. If you participate, leave us a link to your post in the comments, so we know to check out your post!
Go to www.blogactionday.org to learn more, get a badge for your blog showing your participation, and see some ideas for your post on climate change.
Can't wait to read your posts!
~ daisy
The Amazon Conduit will be working again on October 15, 2009. Thank you to everyone for your patience.
Have a great weekend,
daisy, Team Vox
Fort Hood ceremony honors Blue Spaders
Posted On: Friday, Sep. 4 2009 04:56 AM
By Amanda Kim Stairrett
Killeen Daily Herald
FORT HOOD – It was a hellish year of fighting in Afghanistan's Kunar Province.
The 1st Infantry Division's 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, saw the toughest year of combat for any U.S. Army battalion since the 10th Mountain Division fought in the Italian Alps during World War II, its commander said.
Lt. Col. Brett Jenkinson brought his battalion – the Blue Spaders – together Thursday to recognize and honor those who stepped up during 12 months in Afghanistan and defined "hero." Battalion soldiers who are getting treatment at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio also attended the ceremony.
The brigade returned to Fort Hood this summer and is preparing to relocate to Fort Knox, Ky.
Jenkinson and the brigade's commander, Col. John Spiszer, handed out 254 Silver Stars, Bronze Star Medals with Valor, Army Commendation Medals with Valor and Purple Hearts Thursday morning and afternoon at Fort Hood's Community Events Center.
What happened Thursday was historical, Jenkinson said.
"I promise you that you are about to witness the awarding of more awards for valor than any unit on active duty today and more valorous awards than you will ever see in one place again during your time in the service and probably in your lifetime," he said to the families and soldiers before him.
The battalion has two pending Valorous Unit Awards. The awards are given to units for gallantry, determination and esprit de corps that goes above and beyond other units in the same conflict, Jenkinson said.
Thursday's ceremony was about sharing the Spader story, he told the soldiers.
"I mostly want to let your families know what happened to you in Afghanistan, to do some proper bragging in front of your families, the ones you all believe won't understand," he added.
The Spaders racked up impressive numbers of awards, but the battalion also paid a heavy price, claiming a dubious honor: It suffered the higher number of wounded and killed troops of any Army or Marine Corps unit last year, Jenkinson said. Twenty soldiers lost their lives and 150 were wounded in more than 500 firefights.
There would have been more deaths were it not for medical advances, daring ground and air evacuations and numerous acts of gallantry by the men who filled the Community Events Center, Jenkinson said.
Combat was intense. Soldiers fired more than 26,000 rounds of artillery and mortars and dropped more than 400 bombs. In the first 45 days in Afghanistan, 90 percent of the Spaders earned Combat Infantry Badges, Jenkinson said.
Some say that bravery is instinctual or reflexive, the lieutenant colonel went on to say, though almost every soldier honored Thursday would admit they had time to think about their actions. That's heroism.
"They had time to stop, to look the other way, to do nothing, to give up," he said. "Yet, they didn't. They took action to save the life of a buddy or to take the life of an enemy."
The brigade's 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment is set to host a similar ceremony Tuesday at Fort Hood.
Contact Amanda Kim Stairrett at astair@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7547.
Soldiers recognized
The 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment handed out 254 awards Thursday. Three Silver Stars with Valor, 36 Bronze Stars with Valor, 117 Army Commendations with Valor and 97 Purple Hearts were given.
Here are a few of those who were awarded:
Capt. Thomas Gearhart, 26
Hometown: Stockton, Calif.
Job during deployment: Rifle platoon leader in Bravo Company
Honors received: Purple Heart Medal and Army Commendation Medal with Valor
What are they? The Purple Heart is given to those who were wounded or killed in action. The Army Commendation Medal with Valor "is awarded for valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy force, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bonze Star," according to information from the Army.
Gearhart was a first lieutenant when leading his platoon back to their combat outpost after a routine patrol on Sept. 6, 2008, when it was attacked with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire.
Gearhart received 30 shrapnel wounds to his left leg and army. His left ring finger was amputated and reattached during two surgeries in Afghanistan and Texas. The lieutenant called his then-fiancée, Lynn, from his hospital bed in Afghanistan to say, "I might lose my ring finger."
The college sweethearts were married Aug. 8 in California. Gearhart proudly wears his wedding band on his left ring finger.
Spc. Philip Wiersema, 22
Hometown: Willow Springs, Mo.
Job during deployment: Mortarman in Headquarters Company, attached to Delta Company
Honors received: Bronze Star Medal with Valor
What is it? Awarded for bravery, the medal is the fourth-highest combat award given by the U.S. Armed Forces, according to information from the Army.
Wiersema just finished a guard shift and was in his room Nov. 1, 2008, when Combat Outpost Seray came under attack by Taliban fighters using mortars, gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades. He threw on his helmet and ran outside, spending the next four hours firing 84 rounds of mortar rounds at the attacking forces. He and his fellow mortarmen's "accurate and responsive fires directly affect the engagement," according to the award narrative.
No U.S. soldiers died during the attack.
"We were just extremely lucky," Wiersema said.
He estimated he fought in 130 separate engagements during his seven months at Seray.
Sgt. Joshua Sheeran, 23
Hometown: Lake Villa, Ill.
Job during deployment: Infantryman in Able Company
Honors received: Bronze Star Medal with Valor
Sheeran was one of the brigade's first soldiers to arrive at Fort Hood in January 2007. The then-specialist was part of a humanitarian mission Jan. 29 to give medical aid to local residents when bullets and rocket fire pinned the patrol in a valley. He ran out of his vehicle and attempted to fire rockets at the attacking forces, according to his award narrative. The weapon misfired shortly before two rocket-propelled detonated six feet away, nearly killing him and his team leader. He dodged fire and drove his disabled vehicle to provide cover for fellow soldiers attempting to launch mortars. He later replaced a machine gunner and fired at the enemy to stop attacks on his six-man patrol.
It was the most intense fight Sheeran has ever been in, he said. He's proud of what he did during the yearlong deployment and will soon head to his next duty station in Hawaii.
"We went over there and did a hell of a job," he said.
Capt. Loren Crowe, 26
Hometown: Escondido, Calif.
Job during deployment: Platoon leader in Able Company
Honors received: Silver Star Medal
What is it? The third-highest award given for valor in combat.
Then-1st Lt. Crowe was a freshman with two weeks of experience as a New Yorker at Columbia University when the Sept. 11 attacks occurred. He graduated with a political science degree and began his Army service.
His platoon was returning from a mission Sept. 17, 2008, when it was attacked from all sides by Taliban forces. Crowe watched the three vehicles in front of him get hit with rocket-propelled grenades. The first two vehicles were able to drive away from direct fire, but the third was heavily hit and its gunner, Sgt. Brandon Farley, began aggressively firing back, according to the narrative. Farley was killed shortly after. Crowe directed his driver to ram the third vehicle and push it out of harm's way. He and several soldiers got out of the vehicles and exchanged fire with enemy forces before he ran between several vehicles to relay orders after his radio was knocked out and coordinating return fire. Crowe remained calm and controlled a "horrific ambush" that wounded six and killed one.
"His actions of 17 September 2008 not only prevented further casualties, but killed approximately 20 Anti-Afghan Forces," the narrative reads.
More than 12 valorous awards and seven Purple Hearts were awarded to the men in the two platoons.
"My guys were incredible," he said. "None of us had any business surviving that."
Crowe hopes to attend Stanford Law School next year.
In my last Team Vox post, I let you know that we're aware that the Amazon conduit is broken and that we're working to fix it. Many of you want to know when it's going to be fixed and I'm so sorry I haven't gotten back to you about that sooner.
Unfortunately, I don't have an exact date to give you, but rest assured, the Amazon conduit will be fixed in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, I'm about to finish my latest book and I could use a few suggestions as to what to read next, so... if you don't mind, let me know in the comments what's on your nightstand and/or what book you think I absolutely must read next.
Thanks! :)
Some of you may have noticed that right now you cannot add books from Amazon to your Vox library. Giving people a glimpse into what's on your night stand is important to many of you, so I just wanted to reassure you that we are doing our best to get this bug fixed. I'll keep you posted.
So sorry for the inconvenience.
Hope you have a great weekend!
daisy
Update:
Paul Bradshaw reads from a paper his late son 1st Lt. Brian Bradshaw wrote in high school following a memorial service July 14, 2009
http://www.adn.com/slideshows/v-swf/story/864536.html
H/T Troy Stewart. It is worth the 51 seconds to watch.
***********************************************************************************************************************
1st Lt. BRIAN BRADSHAW
Brian
Bradshaw On 25 June 2009 1st Lt. Brian Bradshaw was killed in action in
Afghanistan. Brian was born at Madigan Army Medical Center on 8 October
1984 to Paul and Mary Bradshaw. From Steilacoom and Visitation schools,
Brian went on to Bellarmine High School and then graduated from Pacific
Lutheran University in 2007. His community service started with
participation in the March of Dimes and continued with Pierce County
Search and Rescue, as leader and counselor at CYO Camps, as well as
many other community projects. Love of backcountry sports and
activities led him through the ROTC program and into the US Army.
Having completed Airborne training, Brian received Infantry Officer
training and earned his Ranger qualification at Ft. Benning, GA. His
service to his country continued at Fort Richardson, AK and in
Afghanistan. His many friends, his love of others, and his sense of
humor lead us to a celebration of Brian's life on Sunday afternoon. A
Mass of Christian Burial and reception will be held on July 6th at 11
A.M. at Saint John Bosco Church in Lakewood. Brian will be laid to rest
at Tahoma National Cemetery. Brian is survived by his parents, Paul and
Mary (Gillis) Bradshaw; his brother, Robert Bradshaw; his grandmothers,
Nancy Gillis of Hudson, Massachusetts, and Virginia Bradshaw of
Parsons, Kansas; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Preceded in
death by his grandfathers, Charles Bradshaw and John Gillis, and his
aunt, Cathy Gillis and uncle, John Bradshaw.**************************************************************************************************************************
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/04/AR2009070402024.html
A Life of Worth, Overlooked
Sunday, July 5, 2009
My nephew, Brian Bradshaw, was killed by an explosive device in Afghanistan on June 25, the same day that Michael Jackson died. Mr. Jackson received days of wall-to-wall coverage in the media. Where was the coverage of my nephew or the other soldiers who died that week? There were several of them, and our family crossed paths with the family of another fallen soldier at Dover Air Force Base, where the bodies come "home." Only the media in Brian's hometown and where he was stationed before his deployment covered his death.
I remember Brian as a toddler wandering around in cowboy boots and hat, not seeing the need for any other clothing. He grew into a thoroughly decent person with a wry sense of humor. He loved wolves and history. Most Christmases, I gave him a biography or some analysis of the Civil War. He read such things for pleasure.
He had old-fashioned values and believed that military service was patriotic and that actions counted more than talk. He wasn't much for talking, although he could communicate volumes with a raised eyebrow.
He was a search-and-rescue volunteer, an altar boy, a camp counselor. He carried the hopes and dreams of his parents willingly on his shoulders. What more than that did Michael Jackson do or represent that earned him memorial "shrines," while this soldier's death goes unheralded?
It makes me want to scream.
MARTHA GILLIS
Springfield
*******************************************************************************
A Soldier Comes Home
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/04/AR2009070402024.html
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
On July 5, The Post published a letter from Martha Gillis of Springfield, whose nephew, Lt. Brian Bradshaw, was killed in Afghanistan on June 25, the day that Michael Jackson died. The letter criticized the extensive media coverage of Jackson's death compared with the brief coverage of Lt. Bradshaw's death. Among the responses was the following letter, written July 9 by an Air National Guard pilot and a fellow member of the crew that flew Lt. Bradshaw's body from a forward base in Afghanistan to Bagram Air Base. Capt. James Adair, one of the plane's pilots, asked the editorial page staff to forward the letter to the Bradshaw family. He and Brian Bradshaw's parents then agreed to publication of these excerpts.
Dear Bradshaw Family,
We were crew members on the C-130 that flew in to pick up Lt. Brian Bradshaw after he was killed. We are Georgia Air National Guardsmen deployed to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. We support the front-line troops by flying them food, water, fuel, ammunition and just about anything they need to fight. On occasion we have the privilege to begin the final journey home for our fallen troops. Below are the details to the best of our memory about what happened after Brian's death.
We landed using night-vision goggles. Because of the blackout conditions, it seemed as if it was the darkest part of the night. As we turned off the runway to position our plane, we saw what appeared to be hundreds of soldiers from Brian's company standing in formation in the darkness. Once we were parked, members of his unit asked us to shut down our engines. This is not normal operating procedure for that location. We are to keep the aircraft's power on in case of maintenance or concerns about the hostile environment. The plane has an extremely loud self-contained power unit. Again, we were asked whether there was any way to turn that off for the ceremony that was going to take place. We readily complied after one of our crew members was able to find a power cart nearby. Another aircraft that landed after us was asked to do the same. We were able to shut down and keep lighting in the back of the aircraft, which was the only light in the surrounding area. We configured the back of the plane to receive Brian and hurried off to stand in the formation as he was carried aboard.
Brian's whole company had marched to the site with their colors flying prior to our arrival. His platoon lined both sides of our aircraft's ramp while the rest were standing behind them. As the ambulance approached, the formation was called to attention. As Brian passed the formation, members shouted "Present arms" and everyone saluted. The salute was held until he was placed inside the aircraft and then the senior commanders, the sergeant major and the chaplain spoke a few words.
Afterward, we prepared to take off and head back to our base. His death was so sudden that there was no time to complete the paperwork needed to transfer him. We were only given his name, Lt. Brian Bradshaw. With that we accepted the transfer. Members of Brian's unit approached us and thanked us for coming to get him and helping with the ceremony. They explained what happened and how much his loss was felt. Everyone we talked to spoke well of him -- his character, his accomplishments and how well they liked him. Before closing up the back of the aircraft, one of Brian's men, with tears running down his face, said, "That's my platoon leader, please take care of him."
We taxied back on the runway, and, as we began rolling for takeoff, I looked to my right. Brian's platoon had not moved from where they were standing in the darkness. As we rolled past, his men saluted him one more time; their way to honor him one last time as best they could. We will never forget this.
We completed the short flight back to Bagram Air Base. After landing, we began to gather our things. As they carried Brian to the waiting vehicle, the people in the area, unaware of our mission, stopped what they were doing and snapped to attention. Those of us on the aircraft did the same. Four soldiers who had flown back with us lined the ramp once again and saluted as he passed by. We went back to post-flight duties only after he was driven out of sight.
Later that day, there was another ceremony. It was Bagram's way to pay tribute. Senior leadership and other personnel from all branches lined the path that Brian was to take to be placed on the airplane flying him out of Afghanistan. A detail of soldiers, with their weapons, lined either side of the ramp just as his platoon did hours before. A band played as he was carried past the formation and onto the waiting aircraft. Again, men and women stood at attention and saluted as Brian passed by. Another service was performed after he was placed on the aircraft.
For one brief moment, the war stopped to honor Lt. Brian Bradshaw. This is the case for all of the fallen in Afghanistan. It is our way of recognizing the sacrifice and loss of our brothers and sisters in arms. Though there may not have been any media coverage, Brian's death did not go unnoticed. You are not alone with your grief. We mourn Brian's loss and celebrate his life with you. Brian is a true hero, and he will not be forgotten by those who served with him.
We hope knowing the events that happened after Brian's death can provide you some comfort.
Sincerely,
Capt. James Adair
Master Sgt. Paul Riley
GA ANG 774 EAS Deployed
Today was an official and fun day for families of the 6-4 CAV. They were gathered as a unit, as a family to look back over their year of deployment, and have some fun getting back with family. Unfortunately, it was 106 degrees.
I will post more pictures as I get them, as I know there are some people out there just waiting.
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