Replay - January 25, 2010 6ABC News Video Clip and our Iraqi Freedom III Combat Video

I thought it would be great to post these two videos again. We've made so much progress in the last few months bringing the writing and editing team together. The last hurdle is to secure a publishing deal and get this 1st edition printed!

6ABC News Video from January 25, 2010
Veterans History Project the Healing Power of Writing

UPENN Center for Public Health seminar on January 25, 2010. 1LT Sam Console provided an interview to 6-ABC evening news about his recent work on a manuscript about his combat experience in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom III. Writing about combat experiences had helped mitigate the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Nightmares. The intent of the book when published is to help service men, women and their families deal with deployment stress and the various combat related health problems that are common to the two ongoing wars.

Charlie Company, 103rd Engineers in Iraq: Video compilation from September of 2005
Charlie Company 103rd Engineers in Bayji Iraq

This video was compiled from the videos and pictures I took along with those my men shared with me. It is dedicated to a great Soldier and friend of mine, Sergeant Dale Hardiman who was tragically killed while home on leave, September 10, 2005. Rest in Peace Dale! God Bless the Engineers.
ESSAYONS

After Shock - Humanities Perspectives on Trauma, November 11 - 13

What a great honor! I have been invited to speak on a panel with two trusted friends at the annual conference of the Maine Humanities Council in Washington, D.C. The is a wonderful opportunity for me to continue Dr. Gala True's discussion thread "Wounded Warriors and the Healing Power of Stories". I will also have an opportunity to take part in a commentary panel after a presentation of Theater of War. Please visit the conference web site and consider donating to this worthy cause. Again, this is a great honor for myself and my family and a tribute to Veterans of all wars. I hope to see you there!

http://www.mainehumanities.org/programs/litandmed/aftershock-2010.html

"Join us to explore ways in which the humanities—including literature, theater and writing—can support the personal and professional development of health care professionals who work with war veterans and others who have experienced trauma. Discover literature’s ability to provide new insights into trauma's effects on your patients—and to sustain you as you care for them. Learn about a range of innovative programs, best practices, and how to implement a humanities-based program in your own facility."

Another good friend is on his way to Afghanistan

I would like to post this message in honor of my former battalion commander, Colonel James P Wong as he is about to depart for a tour in Afghanistan. He hired me as a Platoon Leader with Alpha Company, the 103rd Engineers, 28th ID of PA back in 2002. Thank you Sir for the job of a lifetime! Godspeed and I will pray for your safe return.

Anyone wishing to get in touch with COL Wong, I have his contact information and email. I will forward your well wishes to him, no problem. Anyone wishing to post deployment news or other information in support of our troops in harms way, please click here to email me: Email Sam.

A clip from his email today, "ALL, This is my last day assigned to the Joint Staff and will be on leave for a few weeks before reporting to CRC at FT Benning, GA."

ESSAYONS,
Sam Console
1LT, EN (Inactive, DAV)

The Hidden Home Front, The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 6th

I am honored to share a link to a wonderful article and story written by Carolyn Davis of The Philadelphia Inquirer. She has spotlighted the needs of Veterans' families as well as the harsh realities of long combat tours. I'm also honored my family had the opportunity to be part of this story. My wife, children, mother and many other family members worried about me for over a year. They suffered horribly most days without any information on my location or condition. I hid my wounds from my children in a failed effort to protect them. Please read this article and share it with your friends. Thank you Carolyn for capturing our experience. To my wife Dawn, and my children Mark and Amanda, God Bless you for tolerating and surviving our Iraq experience.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/magazine/20100706_Wounds_of_a_modern_war_-_amputations__brain_trauma_-_harm_troops__families_too.html?viewAll=y

Update from SFC David Broderick - Afghanistan Fatalities and Progress

Everyone, please remember our troops wherever they are around the world. I had the honor of serving with David in Iraq 2004/2005. His team has suffered a horrible loss, but they are bouncing back. Please read this message and keep them in your prayers. Thank you!

Sam Console
1LT, Combat Engineers, Disabled American Veteran

News link: http://www.wpxi.com/news/23883213/detail.html

Email from SFC Broderick today:
Hello there folks,
Sorry it's been so long since my last update. June was a pretty busy (& crazy month). We started assisting with Shuras in some of our villages, trying to help the government legitimize itself, and also help the villages start to fix their own problems (and hopefully keep the Taliban out). A Shura is the Afghan tradition of the Elders sitting down and discussing issues & coming to a decision that everyone lives by. In this case, we are bringing the government official to the "table", and allowing the Elders to express their concerns, and diagram their needs. For the U.S., this would be a step towards the people taking ownership of their problems and not waiting for the Americans to fix it for them. In turn, allowing us to exit this country because we know that they have a handle on changing & securing their land.
As some of my Pittsburgh friends already know, I was back in the States for a short time from June 15-24 for less than excitable reasons. On June 11th I had 2 of my NCOs, and two damn fine leaders, killed in the Northen part of our province. SFC Robert J. Fike and SSG Bryan A. Hoover. They were murdered by a male dressed up in a Burqa (female dress) in the middle of the local Bazaar. It was a great and horrible shock for us, but we have recovered and are going to move on...to honor our brothers' commitment & sacrifice. I came home as a representative of my PRT, to speak with the families, and be present at the funerals. Needless to say, it was a rough time all around. They will be sorely missed and their contributions not forgotten or taken for granted. I intend to make the district they worked so hard in earn my men's sacrifices.
All of that being said, I am, and my guys are, doing well. We are half way through, and we look forward to seeing our wonderful country again, even if there is 4 ft of snow. LOL I hope this message finds you well, and I wish you all a wonderful July 4th holiday.

All of my best

David


Accept what it is that you cannot change, and change what it is that you cannot accept

SFC Broderick update from Afghanistan - fatalities

I hope to post more details soon, but please pray for my former colleague and platoon sergeant SFC David Broderick and his team in Afghanistan. They had two of their men murdered by a suicide bomber while on patrol. News link below.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/23883213/detail.html
PITTSBURGH -- Two Pittsburgh-area Army National Guard members were killed (June 13th) in a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan, officials said. The attack happened last Sunday.
Sgt. First Class Robert Fike, of Conneautville in Crawford County, and Staff Sgt. Bryan Hoover, of West Elizabeth in Allegheny County, were on a foot patrol in the Bullard Bazaar in Zabul province of southeastern Afghanistan when they were killed in the 10:25 a.m. Friday blast, guard spokesman Cory Angell said Sunday.

Philadelphia WMGK Radio Veterans Radiothon

http://www.wmgk.com/news/story.aspx?id=1232490

Please listen to John Debella on Friday, June 11th from 6 AM to 6 PM and please support his 4th Annual Veterans Radiothon. Proceeds from the Radiothon are designated to benefit The Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service & Education Center (PVMSEC).

I've been listening to John since the mid-1980's and I know his work comes from the heart. Please donate or consider posting his event poster in your office to collect some money for the cause. God Bless our Troops and God Bless John Debella and WMGK!