Armed Forces Day for wounded warriors celebrated in Cen-Tex
May/20/2010 08:00 Filed in: News Article
Armed Forces Day for wounded warriors celebrated in Cen-Tex
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By Heather Graham, Sentinel News Editor
MAY 20, 2010 | LIVING
Former medic Tim Bredberg kneels in front of a Soldier’s tribute with his son Peyton at Lake Travis High School during the Armed Forces Day ceremony. Heather Graham, Sentinel News Editor
Vietnam veterans wearing era-appropriate uniforms stand in front of the AVTT Price of Freedom’s Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Wall May 12 in Lakeway. Heather Graham, Sentinel News Editor
Armed Forces Day included tributes to veterans from all U.S. conflicts. Heather Graham, Sentinel News Editor
LAKEWAY – Lakeway, a small community of about 9,000 residents that sits just west of Austin, loves servicemembers. To mark Armed Forces Day last weekend, the residents of Lakeway feted five servicemembers who were wounded during their service in Iraq. The four Soldiers and one Marine stayed at the Lakeway Resort and Spa, were honored at Lake Travis High School as well as at a private party and participated in a fishing tournament.
James Wilson, a former sergeant with the 1st Cavalry Division, was floored by the support he saw for the military.
Wilson deployed to Iraq two weeks after he got to his 1st Cavalry Division unit in 2004. He was wounded on June 6 but returned to duty until his truck caught fire Sept. 28 and he was medically evacuated home to recover from his burns.
Wilson has attended several wounded warrior events and said they are therapeutic for him.
“I get some camaraderie back,” he said. “It’s great to get away from my ordinary life for a while.”
Former 10th Mountain Division medic Tim Bredberg, who was wounded in Iraq in 2004, came to Lakeway with his wife Stacey and son Peyton for the weekend and did not want to go home.
“It was amazing and relaxing,” Tim said. “It was almost a mistake to come here because I realize how much I don’t want to be in New York.”
The couple is hoping to move to Texas, a decision they reached after attending several wounded warrior events.
“Texas is the most patriotic state I’ve been in,” Stacey said.
The families shared stories and experiences and got a little friendly competition with a fishing tournament on Sunday. During the tournament, wounded veterans were paired with professional fisherman, including retired Fort Hood Chaplain Bill Shellnut and Chief Warrant Officer Carl Fox, who returned a few weeks ago from his latest deployment to Iraq.
Wilson said his favorite type of event includes outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing.
“That’s therapeutic for me,” Wilson said.
The weekend closed out a weeklong observance which centered around the American Veterans Traveling Tribute Price of Freedom monument, a series of displays that include a 3/4-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, a global war on terror wall, a tribute to those lost on Sept. 11, 2001, and a memorial to those killed at Fort Hood on Nov. 5, as well as other memorials to World War II and Korea veterans, which was set up at Lake Travis High School and visited by area students.
The weekend closed with a ceremony that included Stolen Valor author B.G. Burkett and performances by Heather Wiley and Granger Smith. On Sunday, five members of 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cav. Div., attended to show their support. Many of the group deployed with their former battalion commander, Lt. Col. Tim Karcher, who lost both of his legs in an attack last June, a tough blow for the unit.
“If it could happen to him, it could happen to any of us,” Spc. Nicolai Coombs said.
The weekend was not only to pay tribute to fallen and wounded troops, but to teach others about the price of freedom.
It all started at a city council meeting last fall when former Navy Capt. Mike Boston and others mulled ways to honor troops and educate children about the price of freedom.
Stacey was touched by how the community not only thanked and honored the troops, but included their families as well.
“These are good people,” she said. “They show so much appreciation not just to the wounded, but to their families and children, and active-duty and veterans.”
Although observed throughout the world, Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May in the U.S. The day marks the end of Armed Forces Week, which begins on the second Saturday of May and ends on the third Sunday of May and was created in 1949 to honor Americans serving in the five U.S. military branches following the consolidation of the military services under the Department of Defense. The first Armed Forces Day was celebrated by parades, open houses, receptions and air shows. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy established Armed Forces Day as an official holiday.
“Honor them, thank them, support them,” Burkett told the crowd on Sunday.
EMAIL PRINT SHARE
By Heather Graham, Sentinel News Editor
MAY 20, 2010 | LIVING
Former medic Tim Bredberg kneels in front of a Soldier’s tribute with his son Peyton at Lake Travis High School during the Armed Forces Day ceremony. Heather Graham, Sentinel News Editor
Vietnam veterans wearing era-appropriate uniforms stand in front of the AVTT Price of Freedom’s Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Wall May 12 in Lakeway. Heather Graham, Sentinel News Editor
Armed Forces Day included tributes to veterans from all U.S. conflicts. Heather Graham, Sentinel News Editor
LAKEWAY – Lakeway, a small community of about 9,000 residents that sits just west of Austin, loves servicemembers. To mark Armed Forces Day last weekend, the residents of Lakeway feted five servicemembers who were wounded during their service in Iraq. The four Soldiers and one Marine stayed at the Lakeway Resort and Spa, were honored at Lake Travis High School as well as at a private party and participated in a fishing tournament.
James Wilson, a former sergeant with the 1st Cavalry Division, was floored by the support he saw for the military.
Wilson deployed to Iraq two weeks after he got to his 1st Cavalry Division unit in 2004. He was wounded on June 6 but returned to duty until his truck caught fire Sept. 28 and he was medically evacuated home to recover from his burns.
Wilson has attended several wounded warrior events and said they are therapeutic for him.
“I get some camaraderie back,” he said. “It’s great to get away from my ordinary life for a while.”
Former 10th Mountain Division medic Tim Bredberg, who was wounded in Iraq in 2004, came to Lakeway with his wife Stacey and son Peyton for the weekend and did not want to go home.
“It was amazing and relaxing,” Tim said. “It was almost a mistake to come here because I realize how much I don’t want to be in New York.”
The couple is hoping to move to Texas, a decision they reached after attending several wounded warrior events.
“Texas is the most patriotic state I’ve been in,” Stacey said.
The families shared stories and experiences and got a little friendly competition with a fishing tournament on Sunday. During the tournament, wounded veterans were paired with professional fisherman, including retired Fort Hood Chaplain Bill Shellnut and Chief Warrant Officer Carl Fox, who returned a few weeks ago from his latest deployment to Iraq.
Wilson said his favorite type of event includes outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing.
“That’s therapeutic for me,” Wilson said.
The weekend closed out a weeklong observance which centered around the American Veterans Traveling Tribute Price of Freedom monument, a series of displays that include a 3/4-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, a global war on terror wall, a tribute to those lost on Sept. 11, 2001, and a memorial to those killed at Fort Hood on Nov. 5, as well as other memorials to World War II and Korea veterans, which was set up at Lake Travis High School and visited by area students.
The weekend closed with a ceremony that included Stolen Valor author B.G. Burkett and performances by Heather Wiley and Granger Smith. On Sunday, five members of 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cav. Div., attended to show their support. Many of the group deployed with their former battalion commander, Lt. Col. Tim Karcher, who lost both of his legs in an attack last June, a tough blow for the unit.
“If it could happen to him, it could happen to any of us,” Spc. Nicolai Coombs said.
The weekend was not only to pay tribute to fallen and wounded troops, but to teach others about the price of freedom.
It all started at a city council meeting last fall when former Navy Capt. Mike Boston and others mulled ways to honor troops and educate children about the price of freedom.
Stacey was touched by how the community not only thanked and honored the troops, but included their families as well.
“These are good people,” she said. “They show so much appreciation not just to the wounded, but to their families and children, and active-duty and veterans.”
Although observed throughout the world, Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May in the U.S. The day marks the end of Armed Forces Week, which begins on the second Saturday of May and ends on the third Sunday of May and was created in 1949 to honor Americans serving in the five U.S. military branches following the consolidation of the military services under the Department of Defense. The first Armed Forces Day was celebrated by parades, open houses, receptions and air shows. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy established Armed Forces Day as an official holiday.
“Honor them, thank them, support them,” Burkett told the crowd on Sunday.
LAKE HAVASU CITY PATRIOT DAYS - SEPTEMBER 15 - 25, 2010
May/04/2010 08:00 Filed in: News Article
LAKE HAVASU CITY PATRIOT DAYS - SEPTEMBER 15 - 25, 2010
Greg Tryon, Executive Director-Lake Havasu Hospitality Association and Don Allen, American Veterans Traveling Tribute
September 15th Begins 10 days of events paying tribute to and honoring veterans who have made it possible to live free.
Greg Tryon, Executive Director, Lake Havasu City Hospitality and Don Allen, American Veterans Traveling Tribute will partner with Operation Gratitude, a non-profit that sends care packages to soldiers.
Expected Patriot Day Events will include a fireworks display each night of the event, an air show, entertainment acts, custom car shows, pineapple boat races, a BMX competition, golf tournaments Art Walk, a Native American Day and more. Event organizers are looking for the oldest living male and female veterans living in Lake Havasu to become Patriot Days' designated honorees.
Greg Tryon, Executive Director-Lake Havasu Hospitality Association and Don Allen, American Veterans Traveling Tribute
September 15th Begins 10 days of events paying tribute to and honoring veterans who have made it possible to live free.
Greg Tryon, Executive Director, Lake Havasu City Hospitality and Don Allen, American Veterans Traveling Tribute will partner with Operation Gratitude, a non-profit that sends care packages to soldiers.
Expected Patriot Day Events will include a fireworks display each night of the event, an air show, entertainment acts, custom car shows, pineapple boat races, a BMX competition, golf tournaments Art Walk, a Native American Day and more. Event organizers are looking for the oldest living male and female veterans living in Lake Havasu to become Patriot Days' designated honorees.