COL Bill Ostlund Takes Command of 3rd Brigade 1st ID at Fort Knox, KY

As I mentioned in my previous post, last week was a busy week.  Apologies for taking so long to get this posted.

On Thursday 21 June 2012 COL Bill Ostlund assumed Command of the Duke Brigade (3rd BDE, 1st ID) from COL Chris Toner at Brooks Field, Fort Knox, KY.  It was a long time coming for a man who has more than earned a Brigade Command.  It was a privilege and a pleasure to be at Fort Knox to witness the Change of Command ceremony.

As we began to assemble around 9:30 for the 10:00 ceremony, the sun was already beating down and the temperature was sweltering.  I was happy to have a seat out of the sun.  I was even more happy to be, literally, surrounded by several Soldiers who have previously served under COL Ostlund in the 173d, 2-503d, the ROCK. 

Front row l to r - Meredith, Lemon, Griffith & Andy Varner (Rudy Varner's granddad)

Back row l to r - Terry, Barberet (decked out in lifeguard clothes) & Varner

At 10:00 we were asked to direct our attention across Brooks Field (which is HUGE) as the Brigade began to march onto the field for the Change of Command Ceremony.  Impressive is an understatement to what it was like to watch 2-2 Infantry "Ramrods", 1-26 Infantry "Blue Spaders", 8-4 Cavalry "Raiders", 1-6 Field Artillery "Centaurs", 3-1 Special Troops Battalion "Valiant Warriors" and 201st Brigade Support Battalion "Thor" march in formation onto the field.  The 113th Army Band "Dragoons" did an exceptional job.  I had chills watching and listening.

Here they come!

After the Introduction, Invocation and Introduction of Special Guests, one of the horses and riders came forward with a basket of red roses for Mrs. Toner and yellow roses for Mrs. Ostlund.

Roses for the outgoing and incoming Commander's wives

Then Mrs. Toner fed a carrot to the horse and gave the rider a basket full for all of the horses.  Just so cool in my opinion!

Mrs. Toner feeding a carrot to one of the horses (sorry my angle was so bad but better view in the video below)

Just after the horse rode away the sound of "BOOM", "BOOM", "BOOM" filled the air as did the smoke from the artillery salute.  Very impressive.

Artillery Salute

The Official Party arrived and began an Inspection of the Troops.

Inspecting the Troops - COL Ostlund on left

Paying respects to Old Glory during inspection of the troops

Inspection almost complete - COL Ostlund on left

After the inspection of the troops was complete the color guard (on horseback) came forward for the National Anthem.  Those horses are amazing!  I highly commend their trainers, riders and support personnel.

Then it was time for the actual Change of Command.  The color guard moved forward.  CSM Brad Meyer received the Battalion flag from them.

CSM Meyer with the Battalion Flag

CSM Meyer handed the flag off to the out going Battalion Commander, COL Toner, who, in turn, handed it off to the Reviewing Officer, Brigadier General Donald M. MacWillie.

CSM Meyer handing the flag over to COL Toner

BG MacWillie then handed the flag over to COL Ostlund the new Commander of 3rd CBT, 1st ID.

BG MacWillie handing the flag to COL Ostlund

COL Toner, BG MacWillie and COL Ostlund then each gave their remarks followed by the troops passing in review.

Passing in Review

COL Ostlund during the Pass In Review.  Not gonna lie - I got teary eyed over this.

CHARGE!!!

After the Change of Command ceremony we were invited to attend the reception which was very nicely done.

Rudy Varner, Cameron Meredith, COL Ostlund, Rob Lemon

and Heather Ostlund

Rudy Varner, Cameron Meredith, me, COL Ostlund, Rob Lemon

Lucky me with Soldiers who formerly served in the ROCK

Me and Heather Ostlund - I love that lady!

I am honored to know Bill, Heather and their sons.  I am grateful for their friendship and couldn't possibly be more proud of or happy for them as they take their place in the history of 3rd BDE, 1st ID.  They have endured way more than necessary to have finally arrived at this more than earned and well deserved assignment.  Congratulations!!!

RESTREPO Screening at the Little Rock Film Festival with SGT Misha Pemble-Belkin & COL Bill Ostlund

...AND THE WINNER OF GOLDEN ROCK (Yes ROCK Paratroopers, that's actually the name of the award) FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY AT THE LITTLE ROCK FILM FESTIVAL IS....

RESTREPO - One Platoon, One Year, One Valley

One of the Little Rock Film Festival's Founders, Craig Renaud and COL Bill Ostlund (OEF VIII Commander of 173rd, 2-503 "The ROCK") look on as SGT Misha Pemble-Belkin, who was featured in the film, accepts the Golden Rock award for Best Documentary

When I got an email from my friend Kanani telling me that Restrepo was going to be screened at the Little Rock Film Festival I knew it was my best opportunity to see the film.  So I made plans to drive to Little Rock for the screening.  Kanani had access to a small block of complimentary tickets thanks to Laura and National Geographic's film/documentary division and was kind enough to give me one.  Also attending the screening were COL Bill Ostlund, his wife, mom, brother, sister in law and a handful of family friends.

Prior to the screening it was announced that "a Soldier" was present in the audience and would be available for Q and A immediately following the presentation.  SGT Misha Pemble-Belkin and his wife, Amanda, had traveled to Little Rock for the Friday afternoon screening and SGT Pemble-Belkin had participated in the Q and A after that showing.  He and Amanda were invited to stay the weekend by the festival organizers who treated them like royalty.  I appreciate the organizers for doing that.  It means SO much!  But the "Soldier" they were referring to for the Sunday Q and A was COL Bill Ostlund who was the Battalion Commander of the 173rd, 2-503 which included Battle Co, 2nd Platoon featured in Restrepo.

Ostlund family and friends awaiting the screen of Restrepo

COL Ostlund doing the Q and A following the screening on Sunday. 

We were all invited to attend the Gala hosted on Sunday night (the last night of the Film Festival).  I didn't feel at all properly dressed for the occassion but wouldn't have missed it for ANYTHING.  It was held at the Clinton Presidential Library on the bank of the Arkansas River in Little Rock.  The room was incredibly well decorated and the hors d'oeuvres were scrumptious!  We had a bit of a laugh at one point because during the film there was an interview with Misha (SGT Pemble-Belkin) and he commented that he wasn't allowed to eat sugar until he was a teenager.  When asked "why?" he replied, "because my mom is a hippie."  It was hilarious.  So there we were enjoying the food, drinking wine and beer and Heather noticed Misha had a nice array of mini cheesecakes on his plate.  We figured he was just making up for lost time.  It certainly provided a another laugh.

At the Gala after the screening

Misha and Amanda at the Gala.  They are a lovely couple in every possible way.  It was more than a pleasure to meet them and share this day/night with them.  I'm not sure a better representative of 2nd Platoon, Battle Company, 2-503, the 173rd or the Army could have been selected.  He was poised, professional, engaging and humble.

Members of the Film Festival staff, local and state dignitaries made a few speeches.  I'm absolutely AMAZED this is only the fourth year of this festival.  It ran seamlessly, professionally and as if it had a much longer history than four years.  KUDOS to the founders, volunteers, participants and attendees.

The process of handing out awards began.  I had never attended a film festival so it didn't cross my mind that Restrepo might win an award. They began handing out scholarships to high school students who had films in the festival.  They handed out an award for a film in the category made in Arkansas (again, sorry for not taking notes).  When they began announcing the nominees for Best Documentary "Restrepo" was the first nominee.  NOW they had my attention.  When "Restrepo" was announced as the winner and Misha and COL Ostlund were asked to come forward to accept the Golden Rock award everyone at our table jumped up yelling, screaming, clapping and carrying on like crazy.  WOW!  WOW!  WOW!

COL Ostlund motioned for Misha to go ahead of him.  As they got to the front of the room the festival staff handed the award to Misha.  He was smiling from ear to ear!  It was a great moment.  I'm so glad he and Amanda were there.

SGT Pemble-Belkin with the Golden Rock award for Best Documentary and COL Ostlund receiving congratulations from one of the festival founders

COL Ostlund stepped back to let Misha accept the award. I was so busy trying to take a decent picture (among all of the professional photographers) that I have no idea what he said. Sorry.

SGT Pemble-Belkin accepting the award on behalf of 2nd Platoon, Sebastian Junger and Tim Hetherington

Then the staff asked COL Ostlund to say a few remarks.  Again I have no idea what he said.  I was too excited and too focused on trying to take a decent photo of the moment with my dime store camera.

UPDATE:  I just received information about what COL Ostlund said during his remarks:

"No one can say it better than a Soldier, an American Paratrooper. As I look out across this eclectic group I'm reminded how many seek to identify a rift between the military and Hollywood-types. But in fact it is men like Misha that readily ensure the freedoms that allow for expression and the ability to tell our collective stories. I can assure you we, in the military, respect those who accept and share risk to tell our story. Thanks for all you do - God Bless America."

COL Ostlund making remarks

Standing ovation as SGT Pemble-Belkin and COL Ostlund return to their seats with the award

As Misha and COL Ostlund returned to our table with the award they received a standing ovation.  A LOUD and LONG one.  People were shaking their hands, thanking them for their service and congratulating them as they worked their way through the crowd.  I cannot tell you how happy I was to be there.  I kept thinking about so many others I wish who could have been there too.  Many who are deployed back to Afghanistan.  Others who we continue to remember and honor - who gave their lives in service to our nation.  So bittersweet.

I hope Sebastian and Tim know where to find Misha because we are convinced he is NOT going to share this with them.  Couldn't pry it out of his hands! Rightly so.

See?  He's still holding it.  (I love this shot!  Wonder who/what he's thinking.  I have a little bit of an idea.)

SGT Pemble-Belkin and COL Ostlund

Film festival founders, SGT Pemble-Beklin and COL Ostlund (sorry about the lighting)

I was fortunate to meet Carol Dysinger the director of Camp Victory Afghanistan.  When I first saw the name of her film I was confused because I thought Camp Victory was in Iraq.  Turns out there is a Camp Victory in both Iraq and Afghanistan.  The one in Afghansitan is an Afghan Army Camp.  Unfortunately her film was screened on Friday and Saturday so I didn't get the opportunity to view it and I regret that.

Finally please go check out the work the Renaud brothers have done with respect to military related films.  They are two of the four founders of the Little Rock Film Festival.

A MILLION thank yous to Sebastian and Tim for the film, to the Little Rock Film Festival for screening it and being so hospitable, to Kanani for the ticket and to all of the ROCK Paratroopers and their families.

173rd, 2-503 Bravo Bulls (Vietnam 1965-66) Memorial Punch Bowl Ceremony

The Memorial Punch Bowl and Cups.  One cup for each "B" Company (Bravo = Vietnam, Battle = Iraq and Afghanistan) Hero who was Killed in Action and one for each surviving member of the Bravo Bulls.

As if the day hadn't been special enough I was invited to attend a dinner and Memorial Punch Bowl Ceremony with the Bravo Bulls.  Earlier in the day I had attended their Memorial wreath laying ceremonies at the Ranger Memorial and Airborne Walk.  After the first two events I dashed back to my hotel room to freshen up.  The wreath laying ceremonies were held in the morning but the hot Georgia sun coupled with the humidity were already pretty fierce.  I swung by to pick up COL Ostlund and off to the National Infantry Museum we went.

The National Infantry Museum

The National Infantry Museum, Patriot Park and the 173rd Memorial are a must see!

Bravo Bulls and wives

Bravo Bulls and wives

Bravo Bulls and wives

Bravo Bulls and wives

Bravo Bulls and wives

Cheryl, Terry, Daniela, Stan and Becky Blaskowski - Gold Star parents, widow, brother and sister in law of SFC Matthew Blaskowski, KIA Afghanistan 23 Sept 2007

Carol and LTC Roy Lombardo (Vietnam) and COL Bill Ostlund (2-503 Commander OEF VIII)

BG James Yarbrough, Former Commander of 173rd Airborne Brigade (2000-2002) and COL Bill Ostlund Deputy Commander 75th Ranger Regiment

As we were eating dinner COL Ostlund, who had been with us earlier but had to leave for the 173rd Memorial dinner, came into the room with a gentlemen.  LTC Lombardo went forward to greet them then introduced to us Brigadier General James Yarbrough.  BG Yarbrough was the Commander of the 173rd ABCT when it was reactivated in Vicenza, Italy in 2000.  He commented that it was almost 10 years to the day that the Brigade was reactivated in Italy.  He shared several stories with us about the events surrounding the day of the official ceremonies.

One story he shared was that on the day they uncased the colors and attached all of the ribbons there was a point when Major General Ellis Williamson (you really should go to that link and read about MG Williamson) was to pass the colors to BG Yarbrough but didn't seem to want to let go of them.  BG Yarbrough said he told MG Williamson that he would make sure that the history and the traditions of the Sky Soldiers were maintained.  It was only then that MG Ellis relinquished his grip on the colors.  (You can read a prior post of mine regarding MG Williamson here.

Another story BG Yarbrough told was about the day they were to jump the colors into Italy at Aviano airfield about an hour or so from Vicenza.  It was a stormy day.  Windy.  Rainy.  Low ceiling.  Everyone was geared up and ready to board the Air Force jets for the jump.  The Air Force personnel kept checking the weather data and it remained sketchy at best.  BG Yarbrough and his Paratroopers were determined to jump those colors in.  They loaded up and took off with the intent of flying out some distance in hopes the storm would pass the field and allow them acceptable weather for the jump.  (I apologize for my lack of specific details.  BG Yarbrough certainly told the story much better than I am).  Anyway, not long after they took off the ground personnel reported and opening in the weather and almost calm winds.  Apparently the Air Force personnel were skeptical that they could turn all of the jets around in such close proximity to the jump zone.  But they did.  The paratroopers jumped the colors in and all hell broke loose with the weather again.

It was quite a treat to have BG Yarbrough stop by to say hello and relate his stories to those of us at the dinner.

BG Yarbrough, COL Ostlund, LTC Lombardo (Former 173rd Brigade Commander, Battalion Commander and "B" Company Commander)

As a "sidebar" the following photo was taken in Vicenza, Italy in September 2008 at a Welcome Home party for the 2-503 after their deployment in OEF VIII.  LTC Lombardo flew to Italy to present the punch bowl shown below to then LTC Ostlund.  The punch bowl was owned by MG Ellis "Butch" Williamson and his wife.  Their daughter Nan asked LTC Lombardo to take it to Italy and present it to the ROCK.  Quite by coincidence the welcome home party and LTC Lombardo's trip were in the same window of time.  Definitely a "meant to be" moment.

After dinner LTC Lombardo approached the Bravo Bull's Memorial punch bowl.  With the assistance of one of the Bravo bulls he began to make the punch:

From each of three vials he added to the punch bowl soil from Landing zone Zulu, Zulu in Vietnam, soil from Iraq (location unknown) and soil from Afghanistan

He then added one bottle of cold beer - the designated beverage of the Paratrooper he said

Next he added a bottle of vodka.   This, he said, was the designated beverage of the NCOs

A bottle of Brandy was added to symbolize the affiliation between our Army and other affiliated Armies such as the Australians, New Zealanders, the Iraqi forces that have been stood up and the ongoing work to stand up the Afghan Army.

Three bottles of champagne were added.  One to symbolize WWII, one for Vietnam and one for the service of the 173rd Paratroopers in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.

Finally he added a bottle of red wine to symbolize the blood shed by the Sky Soldiers.

The turning over of the cups of those who were KIA and whose cups will never be used in honor of their memory

After the punch was made LTC Lombardo begain to read the list of names of all "B" Company (Bravo and Battle) who have been Killed in Action.  As each name was read one of the Bravo Bulls would come forward and turn that cup over symbolizing that no one would ever drink from it since the man (whose name is engraved on the cup) will never be there to use the cup.

Incredibly moving.

LTC Lombardo pouring the punch for each Bravo Bull in attendance.

After all of the names were read for those KIA in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistand LTC Lombardo then read the names of all of the Bravo Bulls in attendance and announced that it is the largest group of Bravo Bulls to be together in many years.

LTC Lombardo giving a cup of punch to the Bravo Bull we had accidentally "found" just after the Memorial ceremony at the Airborne Walk earlier today

The toast by the Bravo Bulls to the fallen "B" Company Paratroopers

Once each of the man had their cup of punch they toasted the fallen "B" Company brothers and drank to their memory.

The Blaskowskis

After the formal toasting was complete they graciously (and I think for the first time) invited the wives and the rest of us to join them by bringing our glasses forward for punch.  They proposed a toast to their wives and family members.  The Blaskowskis and I had our own toast for Matt.

Here's to you Matt.  We miss you like hell!

Cheryl Blaskowski and me toasting the fallen including SFC Matthew Blaskowski and SGT Joshua Brennan and well as all Sky Soldiers from Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan

I have said it before and I will say it over and over again, I have been blessed and am incredibly fortunate for the opportunities I have had to participate in remembering, honoring and supporting the Sky Soldiers.  I am forever grateful to LTC Lombardo for including me in the events this Memorial Day weekend and on Veterans Day at Arlington in years passed.  I am also indebted to COL Bill Ostlund for allowing me to support his Paratroopers forward as well as the wounded.  Above all I am thankful, grateful and honored beyone words for the Gold Star families such as the Blaskowskis and Brennans for allowing me to be a part of their lives.  I love you all.

In the next few days I will write my final post about the weekend at Fort Benning.  On Tuesday 1 June I was present for the dedication of the 173rd Memorial.  Another exceptional day and memory.