Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Boston Marathon Tragedy

In the city known as the Cradle of Liberty two bombs exploded near the finish line of the historic Boston Marathon.  Three people were killed, to include an 8 year old boy, and injuring at least 140 more people.

Windows were shattered as the explosions, nearly simultaneous,went off; sending runners and spectators fleeing through a chaos full of smoke, and debris.  Emergency workers and the police quickly ran to the aid of the those lying on the blood covered cement.

  

"This is something I've never seen in my 25 years here...this amount of carnage in the civilian population.  This is what we expect from war," stated Dr Alasdair Conn, chief of emergency services at Mass General.

Fears of this being a terrorist attack ran rapid through the great city of Boston, and rippled through the country.  There are reports that stated 5 additional bombs were found prior to exploding.  The characteristics of the way the bombing occurred, a smaller one first sending people back from the explosion followed by a larger one where people had moved to, indicates it was professionally done.  However, as of now, there is still no claim from any groups for the bombing.  There are still no suspects or motives reported by the authorities.  Last night, a "person of interest" was being watched at a local hospital.

Whatever the motive, or whomever did this should know this.... These acts of terrorism on the United States does not pull our country apart, but does the opposite.  We become stronger, we unite, our patriotism will wave strong and will rock those who did this.  "United we Stand".

My prayers go out to all of those who were injured or killed, and to their families.  Now that America stands behind you, and our eyes are focused on the tragedy there in Boston.

If you feel compelled to help, contact the American Red Cross - the hospitals will be low on blood, and a simple blood donation can save a life.

www.redcross.org

God Bless America!!!!


Friday, April 12, 2013

A1C William H. Pitsenbarger

Airman First Class William H. Pitsenbarger, of Piqua, Ohio, was apart of the USAF Det 6, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery unit in Bien Hoa Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, assigned with them as a Pararescue Crew Member.

On April 11, 1966 (Yes I'm a day late...) his rescue team responded to an evac approximately 35 miles east of Saigon.  The infantry unit was under fire and their were casualties that needed to be evacuated out.  A1C Pitsenbarger volunteered to take down a hoist through the jungle, over a hundred feet to the ground.   Once on the ground his rescue efforts started immediately.  He professionally cared for and evacuated nine casualties, ensuring them to safety.

During one of the pick-ups, one of the rescue helicopters had taken on some enemy fire and was forced to an emergency landing....Instead of leaving, A1C Pitsenberger courageously elected to stay on the ground and continue providing medical treatment to the wounded.

Quickly the area was hit hard with enemy fire and mortars.  After several evacuation attempts the area was attacked by large Viet Cong forces, thus causing any additional attempts of evacuation to be held off.  A1C Pitsenberger took up arms and helped in the fight alongside the infantry men he was there to rescue.  Continually, he pulled the wounded out of further harms way and treated them, thus putting himself in the line of fire, becoming wounded three times himself, but never stopped caring for the others.  As the line was breached, nearly 80 percent of the American soldiers had become casualties and A1C Pittsenberger finally succumbed to fatal wounds.

On December 17, 2000, A1C William H. Pittsenberger received the Medal of Honor Posthumously, and was received by his father by the Secretary of State.

www.pararescue.com/history.aspx?id=452

Medal of Honor - A1C William H. Pitsenbarger



Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Help Raise Money for Chief McCaskill's Family

There are two great ways we can show our love and gratitude toward Chief McCaskill's family.  Below you will find two groups that are currently raising money for his family, please check them out, and help honor our lost "Guardian Angel".  Thank you!

www.thatothersmaylive.org

https://www.facebook.com/GreenFeetBrewing?fref=ts

During Angel Thunder, now through 20 April, Green Feet Brewing is donating all profits from sales of their sand T-shirts to a fund for CMSgt Nick McCaskill's family.
Shirts are $20, and shipping is $3.50 if you are not in the Tucson area. Sizes currently on hand M / L/ XL, backorders will be available as long as the order is placed by the 20th. (Women's tan fitted T's will not be available.
For further ordering information message Green Feet Brewing on Facebook and use the subject "XX Sand" for priority shipping.


CMSgt McCaskill - RIP

CMSgt Nick McCaskill - Watching diligently over those he loves, always and forever!  Rest in Peace Chief you will be deeply missed!

Photo: RIP PJ CMSgt Nick McCaskill.  Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.



Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Rest In Peace...

Sadnees sweeps across the Pararescue community - this past weekend in Afghanistan, as a result of a suicide bomber, USAF CMSgt Nick McCaskill, Pararescueman, was killed.  He is survivied by his wife and two young children. 

May you rest in Peace Chief!  Your sacrifices throughout your career as a Pararescueman will not be forgotten, but will live on in the lives that you have rescued and those around them.  A true hero, with no cape or emblem upon his chest.  Chief McCaskill lived by his PJ creed... and died by it. 

"9 Line" is dedicated to our fallen "Guardian Angels" - one more name, to be added...  show us your support so we can prove to the non-beievers how important this film truly is.

"That Others May Live"

If you would like to donate or help Chief McCaskill's family please visit the "That Others May Live" website at:

www.Thatothersmaylive.org

Saturday, April 6, 2013

That Others May Live

The Pararescuemen, PJ, creed reads:

"It is my duty as a Pararescueman to save lives and aid the injured.  I will be prepared at all times to perform my assigned duties quickly and efficiently, placing these duties before personal desires and comforts.  These things I do, that others may live."

This was written by the first commander of the Air Rescue Service, Lt Col Richard T. Kight.

Those few who have survived INDOC and traveled through the "Pipeline" to graduate as one of the elite to darn the beret, recite this code and live by it and also, die by it.  It is what they do.  They are not merely words that are spoken, they are what drives these young heroes to go into the combat zone and rescue whomever it may be who needs to be saved.

"That Others May Live"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Air_Force_Pararescue

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Jolly Green Giant...

The Jolly Green Giant?  No, it's not just on a can of vegetables, it's also the nickname of the Sikorsky MH-53 used during the #VietnamWar.  During this time the PJs utilized the MH-53 in their search and rescue missions.  It was the inspiration behind the PJs green foot print tattoo..


The story behind the tattoo is as follows:

And this is the abridged version, btw....  TSgt Wayne Fisk and SSgt Chuck Morrow, both PJs, were two friends who "found each other" in the "Jolly/Dusty Hootch Bar".  They shared a drink or two, or three, or maybe even four before heading down into the 'ville.  Once there, they enjoyed each others company; swapping rescue stories and retelling of stories, and more stories, and more retelling the stories as more of their sobriety decreased.  Then it hit them, BAM!  What would be more fitting then a tattoo of Combat Rescues prestigious symbol - the green footprints?!  But the question remained - where or where to place such an important tattoo?

Wayne went first - he took the prone position and the birth of the legendary tattoo began.  Soon after, once word was out all the PJs wanted one.  As generations have passed, it has become an icon among them - upon Pararescue graduation it's the mooning, and the honor and glory to call yourself one of the elite, the few the proud to forever have the footprints upon your arse..

For the full story visit: 

http://www.pararescue.com/history.aspx

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

I have be  gone for awhile - terribly sorry!  I wanted to share something that was recently told to me by an individual when he found out that I am associated with the Air Force Pararescue community:

"What I remember? I remember darkness, debris falling down upon my face, pressure in my chest so that I couldn't breathe, pain everywhere but yet, if this makes sense, numb. I felt as if I couldn't move any part of my body, my mind said to open my eyes but my eyes wouldn't listen and remained closed. My mind said to move my arms, yet my arms said no. My mind said to move my legs and they too refused. Excruciating pain, I remember the pain.... When I forced my mouth open to scream, I don't know if I did or not, but I remember the feel of fresh air going into my chest. Sounds? Yeah, sounds, footsteps, yelling, gunshots, yeah lots of sounds. I felt something touch my hand, and heard voices - God has come for me I thought, especially when i was lifted and carried away, the pain left sometime after that. I remember waking up in a hospital bed... found out that it wasn't God who removed me from my hell, but it was something very close. It was the Air Force guys, the PJs, I understand then why they are called the Guardian Angels..."

For those of you who don't know, the Air Force Pararescuers are called "The Guardian Angels", for reasons that I shouldn't have to explain.  Simply put, they, Pararescuemen (PJs) save lives of both military and civilian alike in combat zones as well as non combative areas.  

The Air Force Pararescueman is the only Department of Defense Special Operations elite that is specifically trained in both conventional and nonconventional rescue situations, making them the ideal group of individuals to perform combat search and rescue missions and personnel recovery.

For more information visit:

http://www.pararescue.com/default.aspx