10th Mountain Division News Roundup

AAFES rewards those who ‘made the grade’
Military children, especially those with deployed parents, face unique stresses that often result in higher rates of school absenteeism and failure, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Keeping these challenges in mind, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service established an educational rewards program that continues to receive high marks from students and parents alike.

Now in its 10th year, the “You Made the Grade” program recognizes Fort Polk students who achieve a “B” average or better with a benefits-filled booklet. Exclusive offers include a free Burger King kids meal, video rental and $2 off any new release DVD at the Power Zone and more.

News: Enabling Intelligence Collection Success in Northern Afghanistan
The Operational Management Team of the 10th Mountain Division's 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion provides support and oversight to Intelligence Collection Teams operating in Northern Afghanistan - consistently operating behind the scenes to provide team leaders the resources needed to complete their missions.

Special Film Screening For Redding Soldier
A Redding soldier returns home for a military salute and special film screening. Army Sergeant Tad Donoho was one of the soldiers featured in the award-winning documentary "Restrepo".

Drum spouses relax at craft fair

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Enjoy FallFest, holiday shopping Saturday
Are you ready to sample some of the best chili Fort Polk has to offer?

Stop by the chili booths at Fort Polk’s fifth annual FallFest Saturday and vote for your favorite to win the people’s choice award.

Fort Polk News briefs Nov 11-12

Explosion at Drum heard in wide area

Purple Heart recipient on way home to Oglesby
U.S. Army Spec. Seth Holmes will be coming home to Oglesby soon — and wearing the Purple Heart.
Holmes, 28, was wounded in Afghanistan in May 2009 and was awarded the Purple Heart on Oct. 27.

10th Mountain Aviation Takes over Afghan Skies

TF Dagger uncases colors, rolls up sleeves
After training for more than a year to prepare for the mission in Afghanistan, the 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion uncased its colors during a brief ceremony on Forward Operating Base Shank Nov. 4.

The battalion, dubbed Task Force Dagger, is part of Task Force Patriot, the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, which cased the brigade and six battalion colors during a deployment ceremony at Fort Polk Sept. 30.

Vets on Campus: CNY colleges extend support to returning veterans

Fort Drum Observes Veterans Day

Care packages to benefit deployed service members

Vets of all ages honored at Expo Center ceremony
Last year, Army Spc. Adam Richardson spent Veterans Day in Iraq.

This year, the 2005 West York Area High School graduate was among nearly 1,000 veterans at the York County Veterans Affairs Office's annual Veterans Day breakfast ceremony Thursday morning at the York Expo Center.

Richardson, an active duty soldier stationed in Fort Drum, N.Y., heard about the ceremony from his father and came home to be honored among hometown veterans of all ages and conflicts.

For veterans, leaving family is the hardest part
10th Mountain division soldier, Spc Jessica Dorans, is focus of story.

‘If it goes ‘boom,’ we’re trained for it,’ says EOD Soldier, 705th cases colors, prepares for OEF deployment
Two stories on upcoming deployment of Ft Polk based unit.

Gillibrand among senators visiting Afghanistan, Pakistan

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Graduate students attempt to present Afghan culture to public schools near Fort Drum

Chaplain aids Drum soldiers after loss

Psych study to focus on children of soldiers
SACKETS FAMILIES: Survey aims to gauge social, emotional impact of parents'

SPC Blake D. Whipple

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Spc. Blake D. Whipple, 21, of Williamsville, N.Y., died Nov. 5 in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 7th Engineering Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

Family of Fallen Soldier in Delaware to Receive His Body

Fort Drum soldier's remains return home today

Former student, fallen soldier
SBU remembers Blake Whipple

In memory of a devoted soldier
Mourners honor life, ultimate sacrifice of a special young man

NY soldier remembered as 'fearless,' 'loving'

See Also

waronterrornews.typepad.com

buffalonews.com

wben.com

Sgt Michael F. Paranzino

A soldier from Middletown has lost his life in Afghanistan.

The Department of Defense says 22-year-old Sgt. Michael F. Paranzino was killed in Kandahar on November fifth, when insurgents attacked his unit.

Paranzino was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.

Department of Defense officials have not released any additional details on Paranzino's death at this time.

Paranzino's family tells Eyewitness News Michael leaves behind a wife and two children.

Middletown Soldier Remembered During Veterans Day Ceremony in Newport

A short life, a large loss: R.I. honors Sgt. Michael F. Paranzino

A Community and Nation Honor Fallen Middletown Soldier
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waronterrornews.typepad.com

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newsblog.projo.com

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9wsyr.com

Sergeant First Class Todd M. Harris

A Soldier from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division was killed in Badghis province, Afghanistan, on Wednesday November 3rd , from wounds sustained in a small arms attack.

Killed is Sergeant First Class Todd M. Harris, age 37, of Tucson, Arizona. He was an indirect fire infantryman with the 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment. He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with the 1st Brigade Combat Team in March 2010.

Harris joined the Army in February 1998. His previous duty assignments include Fort Campbell and Fort Bragg. He arrived at Fort Drum in August 2009. Harris previously deployed to Afghanistan in 2002, Iraq in 2003 and 2006 and Suriname in 2008.

Harris’s awards and decorations include five Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, five Army Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the NATO Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, two Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbons, the Army Service Ribbon, the Special Forces Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge. He also completed the basic Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape training, and again with the High Risk component, the Infantry Mortar Platoon Officer training, the Advance Leadership Course, the Warrior Leadership Course, the Airborne School, the Air Assault School and the Combat Lifesavers Course.

Harris is survived by his wife, two children, mother and father.

Cary Clack: Veterans Day is bittersweet for granddad


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10th Mountain Division News Roundup

The beginning of our year long journey

CNY Veterans Parade

Crane School of Music to Hold Concert for Fort Drum Therapy Pool

Army puts off training in Forest Preserve

Mount Pleasant honors its veterans with parade

Dunkin' Donuts Veterans Day promotion to provide coffee for troops

Syracuse parade honors veterans

Spouses train for deployments, too
MOUNTAIN RESILIENCE CONFERENCE: Fort Drum event aims to help families through adversity

Kandahar offensive has Taliban feeling the heat, outgoing NATO commander says

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Sorry for the lack of recent updates, life being a pain.

Winter weather 101
SAFETY DAY: Fort Drum families bone up on snow survival strategies

Keuka College adopts Fort Drum troops in Afghanistan
Keuka College has “adopted‚“ two platoons from Fort Drum’s 10th Mountain Division.

Both platoons — the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) S-3 and the Division of Public Affairs are being deployed to Afghanistan this month.

News: 10th Mountain Division takes command of Regional Command South during transfer of authority

DEC Gives Conservationist Magazines to USO at Fort Drum

CASA begins recruiting on Fort Polk
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), are trained citizens who are appointed by a judge to represent the best interest of a child in court.
Some of these children are those for whom home placement is being determined by the court, but all of them are victims of abuse and/or neglect.
Gayle Hodnett, Executive Director of CASA of West Central Louisiana, has recently been afforded the opportunity to go into Fort Polk with her quest for volunteers.

Mobilizing the Balkh Government
Sixteen keys to vehicles were given to the Balkh Provincial Governor, Usted Mohammad Noor Atta, by Col. Bill Burleson, the Commander of 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, during a ceremony in Mazar-e Sharif, Oct. 26.

Drum's natural resources chief balances needs of ecosystem, troops

Two soldiers remembered at Fort Drum

82nd's Chinn tapped for Fort Polk assignment

A Call to 'Salute A Soldier'

Syracuse Athletics, in conjunction with the 'Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV) and the EBV Foundation, has launched a ‘Salute a Soldier’ campaign for the Orange football game against Louisville on November 6. As part of ‘Courage Day’, for every ticket purchased between today and November 5, the athletics department will donate a ticket to soldiers and their families to attend the game. The tickets will be distributed to Fort Drum, the 174th Fighter Wing and other local military units.

Real test of Kandahar progress may be in June

Michael D. Kirspel Jr.

A Soldier from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division was killed near Khwaja Kinti, Afghanistan, October 27, from wounds sustained in an improvised explosive device attack.

Killed is Sergeant Michael D. Kirspel Jr., age 23, of Hopatcong, New Jersey. He was a cannon crewmember with the 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery. He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with the 1st Brigade Combat Team in the spring of this year.

Kirspel joined the Army in July 2006. Kirspel's previous duty assignments include Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He arrived at Fort Drum in September 2009. Kirspel had previously deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from October 2007 through November 2008.

Kirspel's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal with Valor device, three Army Commendation Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the NATO Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Action Badge, the Marksmanship Qualification Badge and the Driver Mechanic Badge. Krispel was also a graduate of the Combat Lifesavers Course.

Kirspel is survived by his mother and father.

Funeral set for fallen Hopatcong soldier Sgt. Michael D. Kirspel Jr.
Hundreds attend funeral of N.J. soldier killed in Afghanistan
Wharton, NJ, says farewell to hero soldier killed in Afghanistan

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War On Terror News

nj.com

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10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Decorated former Drum officer dives into community service

Fort Drum Father and Son Team Run in Army 10-Miler

Army service rifles getting significant upgrades

Army to cut wattage

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

a little good news today.

Six Former Pitt Letterwinners to be Honored at 50th Annual Awards Dinner
Sergeant Major Maria Perez of the 10th Mountain Division's Combat Aviation Brigade will be honored for her athletic achievements while a student at Pitt on Friday, Oct. 29.

FORT DRUM — Families can listen to scary stories at "Campfire Tales" at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at McEwen Library at the Pine Plains Activity Center, Conway Road. For more information, call 772-9099.

Charles M. Sadell

Updated with several links.

Fort Drum, NY - Sergeant First Class Charles M. Sadell died Sunday, October 24th, at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland of wounds sustained in a October 5th improvised explosive device attack near Arif Kala, Afghanistan.

Sadell, age 34, of Columbia, Missouri, was an intelligence analyst with the 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. Sadell deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in spring of this year.

Sadell joined the U.S. Army in 1995. Previous duty stations include Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Dexheim, Germany, Fort Huachuca, Arizona, and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Sadell came to Fort Drum in March 2010. Sadell's previous deployments include a 4 month tour in Saudi Arabia in 1997, a 6 month tour in Kosovo in 2001, and a 12 month deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005-2006.

Sadell's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Superior Unit Award, the Kosovo Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer's Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, Driver and Mechanic Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and the Basic Marksman Qualification Badge. Sadell had completed the Warrior
Leaders Course and the Combat Life Savers Course.

Sadell is survived by his wife, two children and mother.

Service in Weston today for soldier who died from wounds suffered in Afghanistan

Coming home

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waronterrornews blog

columbiamissourian.com

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watertowndailytimes.com

Governor David A. Paterson has directed that flags on State government buildings be flown at half-staff on Wednesday, October 27, in honor of a Fort Drum soldier who died of wounds suffered in Afghanistan on October 24 at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

examiner.com

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Due to the Press Release on Sgt. 1st Class Sadell, I will not be posting any other news today.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

NSU assists area veterans


Schools: Drum liaison officers are positive addition

10th Mountain Division Band to lead CNY Veterans Parade

BPPJ gets update on Fort Polk affairs

Drum Soldiers Train Afghan Mountain Warriors

Don't Abandon COIN

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Hunting at Fort Polk WMA closed Oct. 30-31
State wildlife and fisheries officials say hunting at the Fort Polk Wildlife Management Area will be closed Oct. 30-31 because of military training operations.

Hundreds expected at Polk's retiree appreciation activities
A host of activities are planned as hundreds of military retirees from throughout Louisiana and Southeast Texas descend on Fort Polk for the 35th annual Retiree Appreciation Day Oct. 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event is open to military retirees of all armed services, their families and survivors who live in Louisiana and Southeast Texas. Each year, more than 1,000 guests attend Retiree Appreciation Day activities.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

News: 10th Mtn. Soldiers train tomorrow’s leaders today
To help them achieve success, a group of nearly 40 soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division’s 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment spent the last nine months mentoring, instructing and assisting ANA leaders at the ANA’s basic training program at Camp Parsa.

A Year at War
Some 30,000 American soldiers are taking part in the Afghanistan surge. Here are the stories of the men and women of First Battalion, 87th Infantry of the 10th Mountain Division. Over the next year, The New York Times will follow their journey.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Cross Currents
PFC Mack is part of a story on local citizens in the military.

Soldier wins award for work with Hispanic community
Groups of people all around Frederick know Army Sgt. Jose Ramon.

He works at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases at Fort Detrick. He volunteers at the Trinity United Methodist Church's Hispanic ministry. He is a volunteer therapist at the Frederick County Health Department. And he is a part-time crisis worker at Frederick Memorial Hospital.

News: ANP Regional Medical Director visits Camp Mike Spann Clinic
Since their arrival to northern Afghanistan last March, the doctors and medical specialists assigned to Charlie Company, 10th Brigade Support Battalion, from the 10th Mountain Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team have taken on the role as mentors to the medical staff of the local Afghan National Police.

Taliban Influence Grows in North
Col. Bill Burleson, commander of the 1st Brigade of the 10th Mountain Division, is quoted in article.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Khowst PRT member promotes daughter at Kandahar
Capt. James Bennett promoted his daughter, Natasha Bennett, to first lieutenant during a promotion ceremony on Kandahar Airfield.

Capt. Bennett, a member of the Khowst Provincial Reconstruction Team deployed from Fort Polk, La., and a native of Natchitoches, La., was able to travel to Kandahar, where the younger Bennett is a member of the 1-4 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, to pin on her new rank.

News: ANSF, ISAF help construct local school
Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion from the 10th Mountain Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team helps build school for Afghan children.

Training Afghan to maintain the military vehicles given by ISAF
Soldiers of 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, taught Afghan National Border Police how to maintain the humvee, during a four day vehicle maintenance class at Camp Shaheen, Afghanistan, mid-October.

Nearly two dozen "Wounded Warriors" get taken to hunt deer with muzzleloaders in Oswego
The Salmon River Strutters and the Oswego River chapter of the Nation Wild Turkey Federation used the Albion Fish and Game Club clubhouse Saturday as a meeting point for a “Wounded Warriors” deer hunt with muzzleloaders in various sections of Oswego County.

The two turkey hunting clubs hosted 22 soldiers from Fort Drum for the event.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Drum brigade leaders learn from city tour

Fight-changing gear
10th Mountain Division troops part of drive to update equipment for deployed soldiers.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

41st Transportation Company prepares to move to Fort Polk

Government 101: Fort Drum Learns Local Governance from Community Leaders

Fort Polk Soldiers Deploy To Afghanistan

ANSF and ISAF Help Local School Ease Overcrowding

Afghan Security Forces Assists ISAF

A place of Rest: Local group breaks ground on monument to honor fallen soldiers

Active Army Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Train Together At Niagara Falls


Drive-in honors soldiers' request
'RESTREPO': GIs to be deployed to Afghan region ask film's showing

School Expands in N. Afghanistan
ANSF and ISAF Help Local School Ease Overcrowding
by Sgt. 1st Class John Queen 1/10th Mountain

Tellam: Finding accomplishment in Afghanistan

Chesapeake fundraiser to honor fallen Virginia Beach soldier

News: Citizen Airmen Provide Air Drop Training for Fort Drum-Based Soldiers

A place of comfort
A new outreach center will help Army families cope with their soldiers' deaths

Fort Drum part of New VA Campaign which Urges Vets to Use Benefits, Services