Heads Up December 2008

HEADS UP The Official Newsletter of the Georgia State Defense Force PARATI SERVIRE • READY TO SERVE

VOL.4 • ISSUE 4

DECEMBER

2008

CHANGE OF COMMAND FOR THE GSDF BG Michael McGuinn retires after 66 years of military service.

BG Jerry Bradford takes charge of the Georgia State Defense Force.

Public Affairs Office Brigadier General Michael McGuinn was born and raised in Spartanburg, SC. In 1940, after graduating from High School, he enrolled in Clemson University as an ROTC cadet at age 16. Drafted at age 18, he served in U.S. Navy

Brigadier General (Ret.) Michael McGuinn

Amphibious and Mine Sweeping forces during WWII in the Pacific Theatre of Operations. He returned to Clemson after the war, then re-entered military service by joining the National Guard. In 1948, he was sent to FT Riley, Kansas to attend the Army Ground General OCS Course and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Transportation Corps, in 1949.

After fulfilling the usual platoon leader type duties at FT. Eustis and FT Story, Virginia, he successfully competed in 1950-51 for a Regular Army commission while on assignment to the U.S. Army Port of Embarkation facility in New York. During this same period, a significant highlight in his personal life occurred in that he also competed for and successfully won the heart of his future bride, Miss Phyllis Fryer of Newport News, Virginia. They were married in the summer of 1952 and almost immediately shipped to California to join the newly activated National Guard 44th Infantry Division, where he served as Order of Battle Officer with the G2 Staff.

Orders came through on Christmas Eve of 1952 for transfer to the Korean War Theatre of Operations, where he was assigned to 7th Infantry Division and saw

SEE BG MCGUINN ON PAGE 2

Public Affairs Office Brigadier General Jerry J. Bradford of Suwanee has been appointed Commander of the 600-member Georgia State Defense Force. The announcement was made recently by Major General Terry Nesbitt, Adjutant General for Georgia .

Bradford is a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Army and a six year member of the State Defense Force. Georgia’s State Defense Force is the third leg of the Georgia Department of Defense which also includes the Georgia Army National Guard and the Georgia Air National Guard. An all-volunteer, professional and uniformed force, Georgia’s SDF is composed of well trained and highly motivated military units, capable of responding immediately to the needs of local communities and civil authorities.

During Bradford’s 30 years of combined active duty and reserve service, including two tours in Vietnam, a tour in central America, and extended tour in Europe and a Pentagon assignment , he has commanded battalion and brigadesized units and also served multiple battalion and brigade staff positions including Operations and Training Officer (G-3) for the 95th Division.

Bradford is bi-lingual and earned his

masters degree in Business Administration. He is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College. Among his numerous awards and decorations, Bradford holds the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star and the Purple

SEE BG BRADFORD ON PAGE 5

Brigadier General Jerry Bradford

GSDF reorganized from 5 to 2 Field Brigades Organizational changes make it more effective for GSDF to respond to joint GaDOD missions.

By MAJ Eddie Williams Public Affairs Officer The Georgia State Defense Force recently underwent some reorganization and realignment during their Annual Training at FT Stewart.

In order to be a more responsive, uniformed volunteer organization, the SDF reorganized from five (5) field brigades, to two (2)

INSIDE THE DECEMBER ISSUE

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ANNUAL TRAINING 2008 PAGE 3

field brigades; 1st Brigade (with operational area serving I-20 north) and 5th Brigade (with operational area serving I-20 south).

Members of the former 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Brigades were realigned into the 5th Brigade.

MG Terry Nesbitt, the Adjutant General, presided over the ceremony. He added his own supportive comments that, “a few years ago we (the GaDOD) didn't

CLARK’S CHRISTMAS KIDS PAGE 4

quite know how to best utilize the SDF, now we cannot conduct our missions without you.”

Other recent organizational changes in the SDF were the establishment of a Headquarters and Headquarters Company, commanded by MAJ Maureen Jurgelas.

5th Brigade’s new commander is LTC Bobby Anderson, and 911th Support Command’s new commander is MAJ Sam Peng.

INSIDE THE 201 FILE OF CPT COLLINS PAGE 6

GSDF LEADS SEARCH FOR VET PAGE 7

NEWS FROM YOUR BATTALION TO MAJOR EDDIE WILLIAMS. SEE PAGE 10.

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BG MCGUINN CONT. FROM PAGE 1

combat service as a tank platoon leader and then as an armored reconnaissance unit company commander. was HEADS U P • DThis ECE MBER 2008 followed by a tour of duty as an Instructor at the Army Transportation School at Fort Eustis and then off to Washington, DC for Strategic Intelligence School and language training to prepare for duty as a Military Attaché with the American Embassy in Denmark. This proved a most demanding and interesting assignment, 4 With COL John Harvey at the Justin Gaines search occurring during the height of the Cold War years when Copenhagen served as the covert swap point for captured espionage followed by a trip to the Vietnam War agents. The second big highlight of his Theatre of Operations to serve as Port personal life, the birth of his son Michael, Operations Officer and Battalion Commander at Cam Rahn Bay. The HEADS UP • DECEMBE R 2 for 0 0that 8 experience was a “Joint reward Command” assignment on the J4 Staff of

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Brigadier General (Ret.) McGuinn at a General Staff meeting conferring with CSM George Garrett

You’ve made a commitment to serve as a uniformed soldier.

HEADS 6 That already puts you among a very special, very select few of your fellow citizens. Make HEADS UP • DECEMBER 2008 a determination to be firm in that commitment, even in times when it may seem boring or HEADS 8 tedious. Take the training courses open to you and serve on missions as they become available. Grow with the Serving with the Navy during World War II HEADS UP • DECEMBER 2008 organization so that you will IV in 1959, also occurred during this tour of duty in Denmark.

The third, big personal highlight, the be prepared, at the forefront arrival of a little angel, took place in 1961 while attending Command and General and ready to lead if necessary Staff College with the birth of their second child, his daughter Carol. Graduation when we are called to a real from C&GSC was followed by an HEADS 10 assignment as assistant to the Chief of world crisis or emergency Staff of Headquarters, Continental Army Command, another stressful assignment that included the nuclear brinkmanship response duty. period of the Cuban Missile Crisis and the tense days following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.Next up was a two year posting to serve as an integrated officer in the British Army; living on a British Army Camp in South England, with responsibility for performance evaluation testing of proposed new equipments.

Return to the USA meant a two plus year assignment to the Department of Army General Staff at the Pentagon,

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Corrections for overhaul of the State’s Prison Industries program.

After this, and under succeeding Governors, he served as Deputy U P Commissioner R 2newly 0 0 8created • DECEMB ofE the Department of Community Affairs and finally, before leaving state service and at the request of the federal government, on a three year loan to the Federal Regional

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At the Jason Roark search, September 2008 UP • DECEMBER 2008 Council for the eight state Southeastern Region.

It was during these years of state government service that a co-worker during the fall of 1986 talked COL McGuinn into joining the newly reBrigadier General (Ret.) Michael McGuinn established Georgia State Defense Force.

The co-worker left after a few months but McGuinn entered Georgia State COL McGuinn believed in the purpose of Headquarters, U.S. Readiness Command GSDF, saw its potential and has stayed Government service under Governor at Tampa, Florida from 1969 through Jimmy Carter. The Governor used him as with it for 21 years, serving as Assistant 1972. Promotion to the rank of Colonel G3, as G3 and as Chief of Staff, reaching an administrative trouble shooter in tasks came during this period such as State Emergency Fuel Allocation the position of Commanding General in Upon retirement from the Army in the Officer during the Arab Embargo Fuel 2005. grade of Colonel in 1972, COL (Retired) Crisis, as Assistant Commissioner of

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200H8E A D S G N I N I AL TRA RGIA

ANNU

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RT, GEO FORT STEWA

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HEADS UP • DECEMBER 2008 B.F.S.

The GSDF discovers the Second Amendment

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Medic CPL Amanda Newton employs what she calls Face Slap First Aid

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HEADS UP • DECEMBER 2008 PVT Fletcher! No sax before form

ation!

Two Tours of Duty in Vietnam, 6 Combat Stars and still scared of a little shot

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Encounter with a B.F.S.

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Walk softly and carry a little stick

No time to catch up on the lates

t news

”It says, LIVE...ROUND!...VERY

...DANGEROUS!...

DO...NOT...STAND...WITHIN...FI VE...FEET!“ PHOTO CREDITS: SGT JEFFREY STONE, CPL LEONARD GOODELMAN, 1LT ROGER SHADDICK

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$2,250 raised for Clark’s Christmas Kids GSDF Headquarters Soldiers chow down and dig deep at Annual Christmas Luncheon5 HEADS UP • DECEMBER 2008

By MAJ Eddie Williams Public Affairs Officer The GSDF Headquarters Public Affairs Office (PAO) team traditionally hosts a Christmas Luncheon for GSDF personnel during the December drill weekend. This year was no exception.

Commanders and staff served over 130

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soldiers a wonderful bounty of turkey, ham and all of the trimmings. 1LT Sandra Kinney coordinated all of the details, from getting organizations to donate the food, to arrange for the food preparation, and she coordinated the event.

An added treat this year was a HEADS UP voluntary request to support CPT Clark Howard’s charity, Clark’s Christmas Kids.

GSDF members donated $2,250.00 to purchase toys for Foster Children of the Georgia Department of Family and Children’s Services. It was amazing to see GSDF soldiers – who already volunteer their time and talents within the GSDF – also dug deep in their pockets to help out CEMBER 2008 • D Ekids.

Clark’s

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HQ Public Affairs Officer MAJ Eddie Williams H E A Dthat S heUwillPbe •firstD announcing in E line.C E M B E R 2 0 0 8On the far right, BG Jerry Bradford and CPT Clark Howard...ready to serve.

9 Presentation of $2,250 check raised for foster kids

Large GSDF turnout at Marietta Wal-Mart helps Georgia foster kids have a Merry Christmas

By PFC Jim Zegers Public Affairs Office

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BG Jerry Bradford making a purchase.

Even though it was a chilly morning, hearts were warmed by the amount of people that came to help foster children at Clark’s Christmas Kids event in Cobb County. This is the 18th year that Clark Howard and News/Talk 750 WSB have joined together with the Georgia Department of Family and Children’s Services to provide gifts for children in foster care across Georgia. Shopping cart after shopping cart filled with toys flooded the collection tables and kept Clark’s elves busy all afternoon.

Ten soldiers from the GSDF, including BG Bradford, joined CPT Howard at the Wal-Mart in East Cobb to spend the $2,250 that was collected at this year’s Christmas luncheon. As always, the soldiers of the GSDF proved they were “Ready to Serve”.

Because of the generosity of Clark’s listeners, the Christmas Kids Campaign collected about half of all the gifts DFACs will give to children in foster care and because of CPT Howard’s hard work, every foster child in the state will receive a gift for Christmas this year.

HEADS UP • DECEMBER 2008

CPT Clark Howard broadcasting from the Marietta Walmart

9 Georgia State Defense Force elves were kept busy all afternoon

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27 Soldiers graduate 2008 Soldier Leadership Course

By CPL Glenn Schley 2BN/1BDE Georgia State Defense Force

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Twenty-seven soldiers from units throughout the 1st Brigade graduated from the Soldier Leadership Course Sunday October 26th at a ceremony held

at the Acworth GA City Hall. The course also known as SLC, was conducted over four weekends where training focused on fundamentals of being a Noncommissioned Officer in the GSDF. The training teaches self-discipline, professional ethics, leadership, development and disciplining of Soldiers, and the planning and execution of

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105th Band plays the Dome HEADS UP • DECEMBER 2008

Drum Corp International invites GSDF Band open event

By CPL Diane Hawkins-Cox 105th GSDF Band The 105th Georgia State Defense Force Band in July played at its largest venue to date 10– the Georgia Dome.

The band performed the National Anthem during the July 26 opening ceremony of the Drum Corps International Southeastern Championship.

The 105th, led by the band’s First Sergeant, Drum Major SGT Calvin Waldroup, marched to the center of the field for the performance. A color guard from the 911 Support Command, led by SGT Chris Brierley, presented the colors.

Drum Corps International is the country’s premier drum and bugle corps organization for high school and college students. Each year millions of people across the country watch groups of musicians and dancers perform complicated maneuvers in competition for the DCI World Championship.

“The band has come a long way since

its humble beginnings four years ago, when we had five members,” SGT Waldroup said. “We are proud to have been invited to perform before such a distinguished organization as DCI.” The band secured the invitation through the connections of SGT Alecia Rider, who plays trumpet with the 105th.

While in college, SGT Rider competed in DCI with the Colts of Dubuque, Iowa.

Her efforts in procuring this invitation exemplify the reasons SGT Rider was chosen the 2007 GSDF Enlisted Person of the Year.

After the competition began, the 105th’s recruiting NCO, SFC Larry Carey, handed out brochures publicizing the band and GSDF. This year the band, under the direction of 1LT John Miller, also appeared in the Lilburn Daze festival, the Duluth Fall Festival and Atlanta’s Veterans Day parade. It’s hoped that not only will these performances raise the profile of GSDF, but will help attract new members to the band and the Force.

GSDF 105th Band playing the National Anthem at the Drum Corp International opening ceremony

missions assigned to team sized units. In addition the training concluded with a 12hour situational training exercise in which these skills are put into action.

HEADS UP Four Soldiers received the distinction of “Commandant’s List Graduates” for exceeding course standards. They are PFC Tim Richardson from BDE HQ, CPL James Dempsey, CPL Travis Weeks, and

CPL Brian Wilson all from 2BN. PFC Jay Tavares, also from 2BN, received both “Distinguished Honor Graduate”, for highest average, C E Macademic BER 2 0 0 8and the • D Eoverall “Distinguished Leadership Award” for receiving superior leadership ratings and selection by his peers.

2008 SOLDIER LEADERSHIP COURSE GRADUATES 7 (NOT IN ORDER) 1BDE HQ: CPL Walter Malham, CPL Kelly McGraw, CPL Lynn McGraw, PFC Albina Wingate. 1BN/1BDE: SSG Robert Fleming, CPL Russell Samples, CPL Douglas Skinner 2BN/1BDE: CPL Marcus Blackwood, CPL Steven Bray, CPL Greg Brett, CPL James Dempsey, CPL Todd Gaw, PFC Jay Tavares, CPL Travis Weeks, CPL Brian Wilson H E A D S U P 3BN/1BDE: M Lorton, B E RPFC2 0 0 Martinez, 8 CPLEMatt Samuel • DEC CPL Jeffrey Smith. 4BN/1BDE: CPL William Baldwin, CPL Charles Craver, PFC Michael Doyle, CPL Eric Garland, PFC Wes Palmer, PFC Chris Perryman, PFC John Wagemaker. MEDDET/1BDE: CPL Dollie Best-Samuel

BG JERRY BRADFORD CONT. FROM PAGE 1 Heart. He also has earned the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Vietnam

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Cross of Gallantry, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal with six combat stars.

HEADS UP • DECEMBER 2008

COL Bradford promoted to Brigadier General by Georgia’s AdjutantGeneral Major General William Nesbitt

BG Bradford, MG Nesbitt and BG (Ret.) McGuinn

BG Bradford kisses his primary commander

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INSIDE THE 201 FILE OF CPT HAYDEN T. COLLINS 7

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GSDF leads second search for Iraq War Veteran “This won’t be the last time we call on that organization for it’s expertise.” said Sheriff Robert Neasmith referring to the GSDF said.

According to Chuck Jarrell, chief of Morgan County’s Fire Station No. 4, the initial search was a hasty one, just within MORGAN COUNTY – More than two the immediate area years after an initial search by local of the rest stop.

This time more authorities for a missing two-time Iraq than 200 GSDF War veteran turned up nothing, members along of the Georgia State Defense Force lead a members, with search dog second effort, Sept. 20 and 21, in an teams A D S UJason P •Roark’s D E Cfate.

EMBE R 2and 0 0Morgan 8 attemptHtoEdetermine Sergeant Robert Neasmith with the County firefighters,

By SFC Roy Henry Georgia National Guard 8 Public Affairs Office

sheriff’s office investigations division said this second search was conducted at the request of the Dallas resident’s parents. It was also at their request that the State Defense Force became involved.

“Contact with the SDF was made by our office through someone in that 10 organization that the family knows, and that lead to the operation that occurred,” Neasmith said.

It’s the first time any emergency response agency in Morgan County has asked the GSDF for help.

Roark, who would now be 27, disappeared Nov. 9, 2006. He was last seen at a Lilburn hotel, previous news reports show. His 2001 Honda Accord was found a month later, abandoned, at an Interstate 20 rest stop east of Madison by an Atlanta private investigator, Neasmith

this time around,” Jarrell said. “Having the State Defense Force is a great asset H Eto AD S UP that improves our efforts provide Jason’s family with some kind of closure.”

During the t w o - d a y investigation, searchers closed to travelers while teams of six to 12 SDF members, along with county fire and rescue personnel spent the days walking a 13,000 feet long scoured and 2,500 feet deep the heavily wooded area that extended area along Interstate just west of Exit 20 just West of Exit 101HtoEjust of P A Deast S U No.101.

Teams the rest stop. searched in and At times, it around the was slow going as unmanned rest stop the teams where Roark’s encountered thick abandoned vehicle underbrush and was found about a heavily wooded mile east of the exit areas said CSM SFC Marion Harrell of 1BN/1BDE points the way and a mile or more Randy Garrett, beyond that.

State Defense “We just don’t have the people to Force command sergeant major. Coupled conduct as intense a search as was done with steep gullies, creeks and ponds, the

terrain made it difficult for anyone to find anything.

E Cour E folks MBE Rno2stone 0 0 unturned, 8 • D “Yet, left no path not walked,” Garrett said. “This, among many other missions, is what they train for, each and every time they come together for drill.”

The GSDF has, because of that training, been involved in such operations before. In January, more than 60 personnel helped Union and Lumpkin authorities 9 search for missing hiker Meredith Emerson.

“And we all are unpaid volunteers, and we certainly don’t do it for the prestige,” he added. “We all, do it because it’s our way of serving our communities and our state, and for the pride of knowing we’re doing some good in this world.”

When E C Ethe M Bsearch E R 2finally 0 0 8 ended, • D Roark’s whereabouts still remained a mystery. Yet, that didn’t keep Neasmith, and others, from singing the GSDF’s praises.

“We’re one hundred percent satisfied that everything was done to determine whether Jason was still here,” he said.

“After what I and our sheriff Robert Markley experienced in our first contact with the Georgia State Defense Force, this won’t be the last time we call on that organization for its expertise.”

GANG trains GSDF for MFH 911th Support troops to participate in Military Funeral Honors

By CSM Barbara Meek 911 Support Command 911th Support Command Troops are being trained by personnel from the Georgia Army National Guard to participate in the Military Funeral Honors Program (MFH). These troops are being trained to Army standards, specifically following the same training standards that the Old Guard at Arlington Cemetery receives.

Phase 1 of the training was presented by 1SG Bryan Hise, NCOIC for the MFH in Georgia, and SGT Kilburg, Instructor, MFH, GANG, on 12 - 13 April 2008. This phase has prepared the troops to participate in the Basic (Veteran) Honors ceremony where 3 troops attend the funeral and are responsible for conducting military flag folding, presentation of the flag to next of kin, and the sounding of TAPS. Phase 2 training will be conducted 6 - 7 June 2008 and will prepare the troops to participate in a 7 member Funeral Honors ceremony (used for retired service members and non-KIA service members) and the 21 member Funeral Honors ceremony (reserved for service members KIA, Medal Honor recipients, General Officers, and E-9s.).

This duty is above and beyond the regular duties of the troops who have volunteered for the training, and they must commit to spending additional time on their own for frequent training. At present we have approximately 12 troops from 911th SUPCOM participating in this training including SGT Alecia Rider, bugler from the 105th Band.

Every effort is being made by the National Guard to provide Dress Blue uniforms for our personnel.

It is anticipated that over the next 8 years Georgia will lose approximately 12,000 veterans a year. The National Guard has been given the duty to ensure that these deceased veterans receive appropriate military honors at his/her funeral. Thus, the National Guard is reaching out to the GaSDF for assistance in providing these honors to our veterans.

It is anticipated that this will be an ongoing training program and will soon be open to the other Brigades and handled through the GaSDF, G-3 shop. In the meantime, CSM Barbara Meek is the NCOIC for the MFH program for 911th SUPCOM and the OIC is CPT David Adams. If you have questions, please contact CSM Meek at 404-276-7898.

GSDF 911th Soldiers train to same standards as Old Guard at Arlington Cemetery

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HEADS UP • DECEMBER 2008

Dunkirk veteran’s memories live on with GSDF son talked about family, his war experiences, other things and I took care of him the best I could. I also got a great compliment when I made soda bread for him and was HEADS UP • DECEMBER 2008 My father, Edmund O’Dwyer, passed told it was as good as my mother’s bread.

He was probably being kind because my away on December 12th, one week before mother makes the best soda bread as far as I was scheduled to travel to California to visit him. Each year I spend a week I am concerned. However, it was a high compliment from someone who knew his around Christmas with my parents soda bread. knowing that it could be the last one.

These later years were far different than Now I know that last Christmas was to be those of my youth when my father was the last one with my father. working long hours to earn So, how is my father’s 10 enough to put us through passing related to the private school and keep soda theme of this web site, bread on the table. His soda bread? Well, my positive cultural attitude father loved soda bread towards learning had a vast and my mother made it influence on me and I owe about once a week for him everything I have and that I and the rest of the family. am to my father’s support and And so, I grew up eating guidance in my high school real soda bread to the point years. Respect for learning that I knew a slice of soda has always been both a bread when I saw one. If traditional and cultural part of Edmund O’Dwyer my father had not being Irish. Ireland wasn’t maintained his 89 years of called the land of Saints and eating soda bread, the traditional Irish Scholars for nothing. soda bread knowledge would not have We are losing WWII veterans at an been passed on to me and my family. And alarming rate per day and my father has then through the web site to thousands of joined those ranks. He was in the British others.

Army at Dunkirk and later served with the Two years ago I spent the Christmas RAF in South Africa. At Dunkirk he week with my father while my mother went to Ireland to see her family. We wound up in the fog of war as an

By 2LT Ed O’Dwyer S1 First Brigade Headquarters Georgia State Defense Force

I will miss my father and always think of him when I see birds outside my window (he loved birds), when I see someone playing the accordion (he played until arthritis set in), when I celebrate9 St. Patrick’s Day, and so many other little things that will remind me of him and keep his memory alive.

And I will think of him when I have a piece of soda bread with breakfast.

When I was four-years-old I remember my father getting into a car in Nenagh, CO Tipperary, Ireland and leaving for H E A D S U P America.

M B E Rit vividly 2 0 0 because 8 • D E CI E remember I thought I would never see him again.

Such is the world of four-year-olds. Now my father has left on another journey to a different “America”. And just like that four-year-old of long ago, it seems like I will never see him again. I know some day, just like before, I will take that same journey to join him. Even so, I still feel the same loss as I did when he got into that car back in Nenagh a long time ago.

God Bless him and all the other veterans who we owe much more than we can ever repay!

Goodbye, Dad! I’ll see you when I get using the Red Cross emblems as a target. to “America.”

Like so many brave men I have met in my LOOK ONLINE TO LEARN life, you couldn’t tell they were heroes MORE ABOUT DUNKIRK AND just by looking at them. And he never WHAT 2LT O’DWYER’S FATHER spoke a word about it until he was in his AND THE BRITISH FORCES later years. ambulance driver tasked with taking wounded soldiers down to the beach for evacuation and then going back towards enemy lines to pick up another load. All the time under fire with German fighters

WENT THROUGH IN 1940.

Wreath laying ceremony remembers fallen veterans

By MAJ George Geiger 1st BN/1ST BDE GSDF Saturday, December 13, there was a ceremony held at the new National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia.

This ceremony was being held all over the United States at every National Cemetery. Christmas wreaths were being placed on all grave stones of all the veterans laid to rest there. Every year thousands of Christmas wreaths are bought and donated to each cemetery to be placed on the graves. At the Canton National Cemetery there were over 1800 wreathes placed by individuals, the Boy Scouts, the Civil Air Patrol and this year, I represented the Georgia State Defense Force. The wreathes are placed in rememberance of each veteran who gave their all.

It is this time of year that these brave souls are missed the most, as their families gather to celebrate this great holiday. The wreaths are made of greens from fir or spruce with a large red bow. They are placed in front of the headstone just below the name of the veteran.

As I placed several wreaths, I looked at each name and wondered about their families and how they were this Christmas

without their loved one. I am sure their spirits are with their families and they are missed by their families at this time of year. At the main Corp Wall, a large wreath was placed by a representative of that Corp on a stand in front of each Corp Seal. A three star Air Force general gave a short speech on how we would not be able to have such a wonderful and memorable event if it had not been for these brave men and women. At the end of the speech, a C-130 Hercules aircraft made a very low pass over the site, circled around and came back for another low pass, tilting his wings as a salute to the veterans there.

I looked at all the white headstones with all the green wreathes and red bows.

I saluted the grave of a close friend of mine as his wife set his wreath in from of his head stone. This event should be well known to all, but unfortunately it is not.

The wreathes are bought with donations from every source available. Sadly, there were only 1800 wreathes and there are over 2000 graves. Hopefully, there will be an over flow from other National Cemeteries in Georgia so the remaining graves can have wreathes placed in from of them. Freedom is not free, and we must remember those who gave us this freedom.

MAJ George Geiger places a Christmas Wreath at the grave of a fallen soldier at the Canton National Cemetery

HEADS UP • DECEMBER 2008

A DIFFERENT NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

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he embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.

My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, 10 Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve. My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.

In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn’t loud, and it wasn’t too near, But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.

Perhaps just a cough, I didn’t quite know, Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old, Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.

Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

“What are you doing?” I asked without fear, “Come in this moment, it’s freezing out here!

Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve, You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!” For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts...

To the window that danced with a warm fire’s light Then he sighed and he said, “Its really all right, I’m out here by choice. I’m here every night.”

“It’s my duty to stand at the front of the line, That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me, I’m proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at Pearl on a day in December,” Then he sighed, “That’s a Christmas ’Gram always remembers..”

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ’Nam, And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I’ve not seen my own son in more than a while, But my wife sends me pictures, he’s sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, The red, white, and blue...an American flag.

“I can live through the cold and the being alone, Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another, Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..

Who stand at the front against any and all, To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.”

“So go back inside,” he said, “harbor no fright, Your family is waiting and I’ll be all right.”

“But isn’t there something I can do, at the least, “Give you money,” I asked, “or prepare you a feast?

It seems all too little for all that you’ve done, For being away from your wife and your son.”

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, “Just tell us you love us, and never forget.

To fight for our rights back at home while we’re gone, To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead, To know you remember we fought and we bled.

Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.”

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN 30th Naval Construction Regiment OIC, Logistics Cell One

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A WORD FROM THE CHAPLAIN CH (MAJ) Jim Crutchfield • Command Chaplain HQ GSDF Here we are at the beginning of a New Year of service together. Ahead of us are the many opportunities that will arise and that we will faithfully H respond to U as P EADS soldiers in the Georgia State Defense Force. We have been trained, we are seasoned by the missions that we have already completed, and we feel confident that when the call comes from our Commander, our response will echo the motto that is emblazoned upon our shoulder patch, “Ready To Serve.”

If you are anything like me, the first thing that I do before I embark on any mission of perform any special service, religious or otherwise, is to stop and pray.

That helps me to begin right by placing everything that occurs into the hands of the Almighty. It also empowers me for service as I acknowledge my deep dependence upon Him for everything.

Our Nation is in the midst of change like we have never known in our lifetime and in our history. We have a new President and cabinet. We have social and economic issues to face that will demand courage and resolve as we navigate through the rapids of transition. If there were ever a time for prayer, it is now. If there were ever a time to pray for our leaders and ask God to shape their decision making, it is now. If there ever was a time for us to pick up a shovel and do the hard work of retrenching and shoring up, and in some cases to build new along side our fellow Americans, it is now. This new day in America gives us the opportunity, again, to begin right by praying. Let’s take a page out of our history to help us begin right. Our first President, George Washington, wrote a prayer for the United States on June 8, 1783 during a time of beginnings and transitions in America that I think we should echo as we begin right:

“Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in thy holy protection, that Thou wilt hearts to E C Ethe MB E R of2the 0 0citizens 8 • Dincline cultivate a spirit of subordination and

obedience to government and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou will most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplications, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Written at Newberg, June 8, 1783, and sent to the governors of the States.

In a season of making resolutions, let’s resolve together to begin right and finish well by praying daily during this New Year!

IN MEMORIAM

Warren S. McLendon, Sr., age 87, father of LTC Warren McLendon, Jr. passed away on Sunday, October 12, 2008. He was born in Biscoe, NC, on May 29, 1921.

Mr. McLendon was a U. S. Army Veteran of World War II.

Warren S. McClendon, Sr. during World War II

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poop WHAT’S THE POOP? ?

WHAT’S THE

NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE GSDF

officers that make up the First Brigade primary staff are the finest in the Defense Force. The honor belongs to the Battalion Commanders, Detachment Commanders, Company Commanders, their Senior NCO’s, Junior NCO’s and enlisted men and

STATE DEFENSE FORCE NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

NAVY SON NOW OUTRANKS GSDF FATHER

On 21SEP08 Richard Klein was promoted to Navy Chief Petty Officer (E-7) at a ceremony held at the Naval Air Station Willow Grove, PA. Chief Klein has served on active duty for 17 years as an Aviation Machinist Mate (AD) and is the son of SSG Alan Klein, HQ HHC / Recruiting. SSG Klein is a retired Naval Reservist who joined the GSDF in April 2008. Photo: SSG Alan Klein, ADC Richard Klein, wife Nancy, daughter Rebecca, and son Sam.

TOGNARELLI PROMOTED

1LT Denise Tognarelli was promoted to the rank of CPT by HHC Commander MAJ Maureen Jurgelas.

Congratulations CPT Tognarelli.

FIRST BRIGADE WINS COMMANDER’S AWARD

The First Brigade had the honor of winning the first Commander’s Award.

As I reflect on that honor, I realize that it is an honor that recognizes not necessarily the Senior Officers and Staff, even though I do feel that the

SIDEKICKS LOOK FORWARD TO 2009

HEADS UP • DECEMBER 2008

women of the Brigade. They are the heart and spirit of First Brigade. Many times I am amazed at what they accomplish and the great attitude they maintain while accomplishing any task given to them mission after mission. It is an honor to receive the Commander’s Award and I am honored to serve with those who won it.

COL RUSTY HIGHTOWER 1BDE COMMANDER

The Sidekicks organization consists of spouses, family members and friends of members of the GSDF 1st Brigade.

Our members enjoy providing support for our troop’s missions as a way of saying “thanks” for the dedication and participation that each and every person contributes to 1st Brigade.

Activities for 2008 included providing dinner at the April FTX in Clayton, sponsoring the Family Appreciation Day at Nash Farms, assisting with Dining Out in November, assisting with National Guard Family Day and assisting with registration at the IVET2 search mission. Activities for 2009 will include Family Appreciation Day and supporting the annual Dining Out event. We want to give a special thanks to outgoing President Susan Anderson, Vice-President Robin Hawkins, and 1st Brigade liaison LTC Anderson. They have done a lot of work to make each event successful!

For more information on how to join the Sidekicks please contact Kim Scruggs, President of Sidekicks at 404.387.2082 or email at kimscruggs@hotmail.com.