To Afghanistan.....

[Chas]

In 4 weeks or so, our son Ben will be off to the sandbox again. This will be his 3rd tour but this time he will be flying his Blackhawk. His duty will focus on the exodus home for our soldiers. Bringing the small camps into a larger one. Moving equipment/supplies and soldiers into a staging area for the trip back to America. He is pumped up and can't wait to go. Currently in Kansas with his family at his in laws until this weekend , then they come home to Michigan.
Airborne!

 

[kpic]

Airborne!

All The Way

 

[Hib Halverson]

Tell Ben thank you so much for serving!

What does a Taliban bad guy say when a Blackhawk pops up over the top of a hill with door gunners firing?

"Uh-oh"

 

[Mac]

Thanks for the update, Chas. All the best to Ben and the family.

Mac

 

[Baldie88]

Good luck to Ben and thank him for his service. We have a good friend who works as a civilian with the Army Corps of Engineers that is going back over about the same time. I'm glad that Ben will be there to protect him.

Ron
"Baldie88"
USAF Retired

 

[Chas]

Thanks guys....

Lookin forward to their arrival this weekend. Our grandson is growing up so fast it's amazing.
As his parents we will go thru mental hell until he is safe at home again. Knowing his attitude and skill set makes it better, its difficult still.
So many soldiers are there waiting to come home and I am sure that the thump of his chopper approaching will be a most welcome sound.. homeward bound!
Again thank you for your continued support of my son and our nations soldiers.

Charlie &Theresa

 

[catbert]

My future son-in- law ( marriage is next month) is a young airborne ranger Captain at Ft. Riley. We are wondering when the next deployment will happen. Good luck to your Son.

 

[kpic]

For those who weren't on jump status, my Airborne All the way might have sounded odd. To be honest, I don't know if the tradition still exists.

"Airborne All The Way"
By: Unknown Author

What separates them from the rest
These men with silver wings
Troopers from the sky above
In whom devotion springs
What spirit so unites them
In brotherhood they say
Their answer loud and clear,
"Airborne All The Way"

These are the men of danger
As in open door they stand
With static line above them
And ripcord in their hand
While earthbound they are falling
A silent prayer they say
"Lord be with us forever,
Airborne All The Way"

One day they'll make their final jump
Saint Mike will tap them out
The good Lord will be waiting
He knows what they are about
And answering in cadence,
He'll hear the troopers say
"We're glad to be aboard, Sir,
Airborne All The Way"


AIRBORNE / ALL THE WAY
GRADUATION DAY / THE BEGINNING

A CLASS OF NEW TROOPERS…ALL STAND ABREAST
JUMP WINGS PROUDLY…UPON OUR CHEST
MAN TO MAN…ALL DOWN THE LINE
STANDING STRAIGHT…AND TALL AND FINE

WE MADE THE JUMPS…AND WE QUALIFIED
TO WEAR THE BADGE…OF COURAGE AND PRIDE
JUMP SCHOOL FINALLY…CAME TO AN END
NOW WE JOIN…THE RANKS OF MEN

OTHERS WILL FOLLOW…AS WE BEFORE
TO EARN THE RIGHT…TO STAND IN THE DOOR
TO MAKE THE JUMP…TO FEEL THE BLAST
TO ABSORB THE SHOCK…AIRBORNE AT LAST

WEEKS OF TRAINING…PUSH-UPS AND SWEAT
PROUD TO BE…A JUMP SCHOOL VET
AN EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME…WE LEAVE BEHIND
AS WE NOW MOVE ON…TO STATION ASSIGNED

THERE WE'LL SERVE…THERE WE'LL TRAIN
AND THERE WE'LL JUMP…AGAIN AND AGAIN
MAN TO MAN…ALL DOWN THE LINE
STANDING STRAIGHT…AND TALL AND FINE

MEN OF VALOR…MEN OF STRENGTH
THE BADGE OF HONOR…IS OUR DEFENSE
GUTS AND GLORY…WE ARE TOLD
BUT COURAGE AND HONOR…IS OUR GOAL

TO SERVE OUR COUNTRY…IN PEACE AND WAR
ALWAYS READY…TO STAND IN THE DOOR
TO MAKE THE JUMP…TO KEEP MEN FREE
THAT IS THE GLORY…THAT'S MEANT TO BE
AIRBORNE AT LAST…AIRBORNE AT LAST

Author: John David Correll
My Beginning / August 1948

 

[Chas]

Still a tradition kpic.....

Your reply was perfect and made me smile that someone here knew and understood what I was saying.

Every time we passed through the gates at Ft.Bragg, the guards would always salute my son and say it and Ben always replied.
Very cool.
Did you know that the 82nd Airborne was named All Americans by General George Patton himself?
We are so very proud of our son and the man he has become.

Hooahh!

 

[kpic]

I wasn't sure if it was or not; times change. When I earned the right to wear those silver wings; I was quite proud to join an elite fraternity.

Yes, I knew Patton named the 82nd. The Nazis named them, devils in baggy pants. I enjoy history and the internet is a great resource. Although I have learned by being there, the internet is not always entirely accurate.

America and Americans share your pride in him. Every Right and freedom we have and enjoy, they bought and paid for.

Ken

 

[Chas]

the party is over

My son is home with his wife and new baby preparing for his next tour.
To the handful of supporters he has here, thank you so much for your time to make a note here. He read it and it made him smile as I expected.
Take care y'all.
Charlie and Theresa

 

[Chas]

At Bagram....

He is in place and contributing to the effort.
7 hours flying is the daily norm I guess but he is loving every minute of it. His bunk is less than a mile from his aircraft and he likes the setup. No photos yet and communication is limited. 12 days to get a package to him. Homeward bound in May at this point.
Airborne
Chas

 

[Chas]

Back in America. .......

Ben did a year in Afghanistan logging just under 500 hours as pilot in charge. He was kept busy and had little down time. What little time he had was spent online with his wife and son.
He is currently setting up house in Elpaso at Ft.Bliss.
2 tours of Iraq and one in Afghanistan.
My son bleeds red white and blue!
Photos to follow....... Chas
Airborne

 

[navy2kcoupe]

Tell Ben thank you so much for serving!

What does a Taliban bad guy say when a Blackhawk pops up over the top of a hill with door gunners firing?

"Uh-oh"

Hib, how do you empty out a Taliban bingo hall???????
Call "B-52"

Charlie & Theresa, tell your son I said "Thanks for serving, and WELCOME HOME BROTHER"!
Gotta be damn proud of that young'n.

Andy

Charlie &Theresa


Charlie &Theresa

Charlie &Theresa

 

[82ColEd]

Hib, how do you empty out a Taliban bingo hall???????
Call "B-52"

otfl

Chas-Bro..

Thank Ben for what he is doing please. I am glad he is back home with his family, safe and sound..
If he ever goes through Germany and needs anything, you know how to get me.


-Stefan

 

[Chas]

Thanks guys, it's great to have him home. Elpaso is a long ways away from us so we are planning a flight to visit.

Again thanks for your thoughts and support of my son.

Stephan, I haven't been called Chasbro since I was a kid