Saturday, November 13, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Read the Service and Sacrifice manuscript Foreword by MAJOR GENERAL WESLEY E. CRAIG JR. (Retired)
MG Craig was my Division Commander during the time the Keystone Task Force Dragoon was in Iraq. He is also an associate of mine and was quite courteous to author such a well written and considerate Foreword to the manuscript "Service and Sacrifice" which should be published some time in March 2011. Thank you General Craig!
Foreword:
This is a gripping story of men in combat – combat against rarely seen terrorists who do not abide by the Geneva Convention, who kill military, civilians and children indiscriminately. This story is written by First Lieutenant Sam Console, a platoon leader in Charlie Company, 103rd Engineers. He and his men were mobilized in 2004 by the 28th Infantry Division and assigned as part of Task Force Dragoon; a battalion sized task force of close to 800 troops made up of Infantry, Armor and Engineers. TF Dragoon was further assigned to reinforce the 116th Brigade Combat Team of the Idaho National Guard in their deployment to northern Iraq 2004/2005. This intrepid and brave group of combat engineers performed route clearance work for a solid year in Bayji, Iraq. They discovered, defused or destroyed hundreds of IEDs, saving countless lives of the US Armed Forces, Iraqi military and civilians. They performed some of the most dangerous work in Iraq at that time. Their Battalion Commander, LTC Phil Logan, told me personally that the Charlie Company Sappers (combat engineers) were relentless, indispensable, and some of the bravest soldiers in the entire task force. He wished he had twice as many!
1LT Console weaves his own personal story into the tales of combat action. He describes the heavy burdens of responsibility felt by the front line supervisors of troops conducting daily combat operations. He graphically explains the effects of Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder on those around him and himself as the men of Charlie Company deal with the death of comrades and allies alike. His stories of flashbacks, second guessing of decisions made in combat, the feelings of guilt about “why was he killed and not me?” will be very familiar to all combat veterans. The help given by the American Legion and the Veterans Administration Hospital are reassuring to those who still need assistance but have not asked for it.
Finally, this is a story of the personal triumph of the men that made up C Company, 103rd Engineers. They trained and worked together in very trying and dangerous circumstances. They formed a close brotherhood that saw them through hundreds of IED hunting missions. This story will explain the great inner strength among the men of this company that developed in the crucible of combat. They tackled all challenges head on, following the Engineers motto, Essayons…”Let us try!”
Our country is blessed with the service and dedication of the soldiers who are written about in this book.
Also, please feel free to take a look at the photos I took on Veterans Day 2010 in Washington, D.C. at the Facebook Public Site below.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=42602&id=100000016944708&l=10022c6cd2
God Bless America and as always, Our Troops no matter where they are in the world.
Sam Console
1LT, Combat Engineers (DAV)
Foreword:
This is a gripping story of men in combat – combat against rarely seen terrorists who do not abide by the Geneva Convention, who kill military, civilians and children indiscriminately. This story is written by First Lieutenant Sam Console, a platoon leader in Charlie Company, 103rd Engineers. He and his men were mobilized in 2004 by the 28th Infantry Division and assigned as part of Task Force Dragoon; a battalion sized task force of close to 800 troops made up of Infantry, Armor and Engineers. TF Dragoon was further assigned to reinforce the 116th Brigade Combat Team of the Idaho National Guard in their deployment to northern Iraq 2004/2005. This intrepid and brave group of combat engineers performed route clearance work for a solid year in Bayji, Iraq. They discovered, defused or destroyed hundreds of IEDs, saving countless lives of the US Armed Forces, Iraqi military and civilians. They performed some of the most dangerous work in Iraq at that time. Their Battalion Commander, LTC Phil Logan, told me personally that the Charlie Company Sappers (combat engineers) were relentless, indispensable, and some of the bravest soldiers in the entire task force. He wished he had twice as many!
1LT Console weaves his own personal story into the tales of combat action. He describes the heavy burdens of responsibility felt by the front line supervisors of troops conducting daily combat operations. He graphically explains the effects of Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder on those around him and himself as the men of Charlie Company deal with the death of comrades and allies alike. His stories of flashbacks, second guessing of decisions made in combat, the feelings of guilt about “why was he killed and not me?” will be very familiar to all combat veterans. The help given by the American Legion and the Veterans Administration Hospital are reassuring to those who still need assistance but have not asked for it.
Finally, this is a story of the personal triumph of the men that made up C Company, 103rd Engineers. They trained and worked together in very trying and dangerous circumstances. They formed a close brotherhood that saw them through hundreds of IED hunting missions. This story will explain the great inner strength among the men of this company that developed in the crucible of combat. They tackled all challenges head on, following the Engineers motto, Essayons…”Let us try!”
Our country is blessed with the service and dedication of the soldiers who are written about in this book.
Also, please feel free to take a look at the photos I took on Veterans Day 2010 in Washington, D.C. at the Facebook Public Site below.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=42602&id=100000016944708&l=10022c6cd2
God Bless America and as always, Our Troops no matter where they are in the world.
Sam Console
1LT, Combat Engineers (DAV)
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
The Next Steps
Greetings! I've returned safely from Japan and a much needed rest-bit. While away I had plenty of time to organize, update and expand the manuscript text. I've linked in and captioned the best digital photos from the Task Force Dragoon deployment. I have a complete print in-hand and am prepared to drop it off with my editor. She will need a week or two to mark up the work and get it back to me. Once these key professional editorial comments are incorporated, the manuscript will be sent to the publisher.
Xlibris has promised a 90-day turn around from manuscript receipt to publishing. I'm not sure if I'll be able to accept advance orders, but will be happy to announce this answer in the mid-November update. Please remember this work is being published to educate Veterans, their families, and the general public regarding key deployment and reintegration issues. It is in the greatest sense I can make it, a not-for-profit endeavor. However, I am not a chartered charitable organization. Therefore, the contributors to the work and I will be selecting a few worthy Philadelphia region certified 501 (c) 3 organizations to donate the lions share of the profits to. So, keep that in mind.
On October 25th, the first day back to work for my wife and I after Japan, our home was burglarized. The thieves took nearly everything of value including my primary laptop computer. Thankfully, I had saved a copy of the manuscript and supporting files to a back up machine. This blessing considered, I haven't been able to focus extensively on the work in the last week plus. Wish me the best pulling the final tasks together so I can share a publishing date with you all very soon! God Bless and as always, my prayers are with all of our military service members wherever they are in the world tonight.
Sam
Xlibris has promised a 90-day turn around from manuscript receipt to publishing. I'm not sure if I'll be able to accept advance orders, but will be happy to announce this answer in the mid-November update. Please remember this work is being published to educate Veterans, their families, and the general public regarding key deployment and reintegration issues. It is in the greatest sense I can make it, a not-for-profit endeavor. However, I am not a chartered charitable organization. Therefore, the contributors to the work and I will be selecting a few worthy Philadelphia region certified 501 (c) 3 organizations to donate the lions share of the profits to. So, keep that in mind.
On October 25th, the first day back to work for my wife and I after Japan, our home was burglarized. The thieves took nearly everything of value including my primary laptop computer. Thankfully, I had saved a copy of the manuscript and supporting files to a back up machine. This blessing considered, I haven't been able to focus extensively on the work in the last week plus. Wish me the best pulling the final tasks together so I can share a publishing date with you all very soon! God Bless and as always, my prayers are with all of our military service members wherever they are in the world tonight.
Sam
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Afghanistan Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team is coming home
I'm proud of my good friend Sergeant First Class David Broderick who just received a SecFor award for the work he and his team did protecting the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Zabul Province. These fine troops suffered a great loss on June 11, 2010 when two of their Soldiers were killed by a suicide bomber. The team responded by charging forward in the face of adversity to complete their work. God Bless them and I wish them a safe journey home to their families. David sent the main body (majority of his troops) home, but is still in country for a little while longer. Please keep him in your prayers!
Friday, October 8, 2010
A wealth of information about PTSD, please read about Michael Orban
I have a new connection for you to consider. I have spoken with Mr. Orban and understand his philosophy and approach to helping Veterans. Fundamentally, as a combat infantryman of the Vietnam era, he has the ability to speak our language. I am not promoting his individual work as I have yet to read it or listen to a complete radio broadcast. I'm simply asking that as a Veteran or family member of a Vet, you leverage all the resources available. The links alone from Mr. Orban's home page will enable you to learn much more than you've ever known about combat-induced PTSD.
PTSD has been debilitating for me and I currently have no end in sight. What is important to note here though is that I feel less alone about my suffering. There is something to say for a shared suffering, a shared sacrifice. Recently, Mr. Orban's web radio broadcast focused on the high rate of suicide among Veterans and especially Combat Vets. It is simply worth looking at.
After speaking with him, I immediately sensed brotherhood and comradery. This is one of the elements that has been missing in my life since I came home from Iraq. Please take the time to do the research. Contact me individually if there is any way I can help. Thank you and God Bless our troops!
Sam
Home page for more information about Michael Orban
PTSD has been debilitating for me and I currently have no end in sight. What is important to note here though is that I feel less alone about my suffering. There is something to say for a shared suffering, a shared sacrifice. Recently, Mr. Orban's web radio broadcast focused on the high rate of suicide among Veterans and especially Combat Vets. It is simply worth looking at.
After speaking with him, I immediately sensed brotherhood and comradery. This is one of the elements that has been missing in my life since I came home from Iraq. Please take the time to do the research. Contact me individually if there is any way I can help. Thank you and God Bless our troops!
Sam
Home page for more information about Michael Orban
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
I have recently been accepted for membership with IAVA. I applied based on feedback from a Vietnam era Veteran I am collaborating with. I highly recommend any Combat Veteran consider researching and joining this organization.
Link to the IAVA web site
IAVA Mission and HistoryOur Mission: IAVA’s mission is to improve the lives of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families.
The Need: The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are in their seventh and eighth years respectively. Nearly two million American troops have served in Iraq or Afghanistan, and thousands have been deployed multiple times.
IAVA addresses critical issues facing new veterans and their families, including mental health injuries, a stretched VA system, inadequate health care for female veterans, and GI Bill educational benefits.
IAVA also provides valuable resources and empowers veterans to connect with one another, fostering a strong and lasting community.
History: IAVA was founded in 2004 by current Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff and his fellow Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. After returning home from their tours, these veterans came together after quickly becoming concerned with the way the war in Iraq was being portrayed in the media and the overall plight of newly returned veterans. There were many policy experts and talking heads on TV, but very few people who had actually served on the ground in Iraq or Afghanistan. There was no one talking about what our wounded friends needed and the issues they faced. The creation of IAVA allowed thousands of veterans to join the national dialogue, and to explain what was really happening on the ground overseas and back home in the US.
Link to the IAVA web site
IAVA Mission and HistoryOur Mission: IAVA’s mission is to improve the lives of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families.
The Need: The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are in their seventh and eighth years respectively. Nearly two million American troops have served in Iraq or Afghanistan, and thousands have been deployed multiple times.
IAVA addresses critical issues facing new veterans and their families, including mental health injuries, a stretched VA system, inadequate health care for female veterans, and GI Bill educational benefits.
IAVA also provides valuable resources and empowers veterans to connect with one another, fostering a strong and lasting community.
History: IAVA was founded in 2004 by current Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff and his fellow Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. After returning home from their tours, these veterans came together after quickly becoming concerned with the way the war in Iraq was being portrayed in the media and the overall plight of newly returned veterans. There were many policy experts and talking heads on TV, but very few people who had actually served on the ground in Iraq or Afghanistan. There was no one talking about what our wounded friends needed and the issues they faced. The creation of IAVA allowed thousands of veterans to join the national dialogue, and to explain what was really happening on the ground overseas and back home in the US.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
How much can the Human Brain take
Hello again to my Veteran friends and to all of our families & friends who support caring for our troops. I am continuing my research on Traumatic Brain Injuries and their downstream effects. An article in today's Philadelphia proposes to link multiple head trauma, however slight, that may have contributed to a University of Pennsylvania college football players suicide. "Owen Thomas' condition could be linked to head trauma, researchers said."
UPENN Football player had brain disease
Many of our Veterans experienced concussions or have experienced multiple IED or related detonation exposure while in the combat zone. It may be insightful for you to read this article and consider the relationship between the multiple head trauma some of our Veterans experienced and their ability to "deal" with life back home. I have experienced multiple headaches and times when I feel like a computer that is 'locked-up'. I think my TBI has made it harder for me to mitigate my PTSD symptoms and the frequency of my nightmares.
I want to understand the relationships between these injuries and the high rates of suicide in our Veteran population. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) have been associated with exasperating the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, often making PTSD linger on for what seems like an indefinite period of time after combat.
If any of you can find related stories demonstrating the relationship between multiple head injuries and the signature injuries of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, please forward them to me. Thank you.
God Bless our Troops wherever they serve and God Bless America!
UPENN Football player had brain disease
Many of our Veterans experienced concussions or have experienced multiple IED or related detonation exposure while in the combat zone. It may be insightful for you to read this article and consider the relationship between the multiple head trauma some of our Veterans experienced and their ability to "deal" with life back home. I have experienced multiple headaches and times when I feel like a computer that is 'locked-up'. I think my TBI has made it harder for me to mitigate my PTSD symptoms and the frequency of my nightmares.
I want to understand the relationships between these injuries and the high rates of suicide in our Veteran population. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) have been associated with exasperating the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, often making PTSD linger on for what seems like an indefinite period of time after combat.
If any of you can find related stories demonstrating the relationship between multiple head injuries and the signature injuries of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, please forward them to me. Thank you.
God Bless our Troops wherever they serve and God Bless America!
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