Buy a book and send a Battle Company paratrooper to Arlington for Veterans Day.

Update. 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 ONE copies COPY NONE left.

UPDATE x2: Books are gone. There will be another opportunity I suspect in the near future.

I’ll give the bottom line up front: we need to raise about $900 like yesterday to send two paratroopers from the 173rd to DC for remembrances at Arlington National Cemetery. (See longer version below from Tankerbabe). Sal Giunta (who needs no introduction) is donating 25 copies of his book, hardcover, autographed. That means the books come out to $36 in order to get out desired endstate, plus $4 shipping roughly, for a total of $40. Anything over that (if you want to donate $50 for instance) will go to either a third ticket (he’s not sure if he can attend yet) or offsetting the hotel costs for the guys attending.

We’re running it all through The American Legion once I get it set up, as my awesome National Adjutant just told me to “Make it happen.” But Sal is signing the books and shipping them to me today. As soon as I get them, I will try to get them out. There are only 25 copies, and I am guessing it will take a VERY short period of time to run through those. So here’s how it works, if you want a copy, email me at mseavey@legion.org. Tell me you want a reserve on one of the books. First 25 to email me, you get the books. I’ll update when we hit 25, but you might want to move quick.

My editor already bought one, and one of my lawyers bought one. We’re down to 23 copies. I’ll let you know when we run out. If you just want to pledge a smaller or larger amount towards these guys without getting a book, just email me and let me know that as well, so I can get rough estimates.

One of our beneficent readers already pledges the $900 for the tickets and such, but I don’t want to raise 20k for 2 dudes to go to Washington. As fun as the idea of two 173rd guys roaming the streets with 10k each is, I’d have to hire a videographer and sell the video to “Troops Gone Wild.” So, email now, be sure to put “Sal’s Book” in the subject line.

I don’t have the back stuff set up to actually pay yet, but your pledge is good with me, but I need to know who the 25 are allotted to.

THIS IS FROM Tankerbabe who is spearheading the effort:

Mark,

For years and years and years the Vietnam Veterans of 173rd, 2-503rd, Bravo Company, have met at Arlington Cemetery on both Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day weekends to pay homage to their brothers in arms and their legacy. When the 173rd was reflagged in Italy, Bravo Company became known as Battle Company. I’ve been privileged to be invited to participate in these events over the past years.

In the few short years that I have attended these events the numbers of the Vietnam Bravo “Bulls” has decreased in pretty dramatic form. Last year five of them passed away. This year several are unable to attend due to significant health reasons.

The Bravo Bulls are concerned about being sure that the tradition is passed on to the modern day Battle Company men. The events are open to ANY member of The Herd, any family members and friends. Each Memorial Day and Veterans Day they gather at Arlington National Cemetery at MG Ellis Williamson’s grave first. MG Williamson was in Command of the 173rd when it was activated on Okinawa in July 1963. AMAZING MAN – read more here http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/ewwilliamson.htm

After laying a wreath at MG Williamson’s grave and saying a few words of remembrance/telling tales remembered of him, the group moves to the 173rd Memorial Stone at Arlington. The 82nd Airborne always sends a Color Guard and bugler to Arlington on Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day. The Color Guard and bugler go from Memorial to Memorial providing the colors and TAPS for each group that requests them.

After the colors are posted, LTC (r) Lombardo, Jr. (who was the Bravo Company Commander – CPT Lombardo, Jr. in Vietnam) says a few words and places a wreath. One or more of the Bravo Bulls in attendance says a few words. Then LTC (r) Lombardo, Jr.(who is in the Ranger Hall of Fame) begins to read names of the Fallen from Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. As each name is read, someone from the assembled group places an American flag around the base of the Memorial Stone in memory of that Hero. It is incredibly moving and poignant. I have had the privilege over the years of placing flags for SFC Matthew Blaskowski, SGT Joshua Brennan, SSG Larry Rougle and a myriad of Vietnam Heroes I never had the honor to know.

So, to get to the point…the Bravo Bulls have become increasingly concerned that this tradition may go by the wayside because the younger Battle Company men (most of whom are either still active duty or are in college and cannot either get time off to be there or afford the trip) haven’t been able to attend to be a part of the tradition or to learn about how it is conducted. This year I am determined to do whatever possible to have some of those men there. But…money is an issue. I’ve gotten a couple of airline tickets donated by some great Americans. I need about $800 more for airfare.

Medal of Honor recipient, SSG Sal Giunta, who was serving in Battle Company during 2007 when the ambush occurred during which his actions earned him the Medal of Honor, has offered to donate 25 autographed copies of his book, “Living With Honor, A Memoir” to be sold to raise these funds. These are hardcover copies. The book is now in paperback. This is where you (I hope) come in. Help me sell this books ASAP!!!

Any funds raised over the cost of the remaining airfare ($800 as of today) will be given to the men to help with meals and lodging.

Thanks in advance.
—
Tankerbabe
Honorary Member of 2-503d Infantry Regiment
http://fromcowpasturestokosovo.blogspot.com/

Category: Politics