The Herd Word. Serving Sky Soldiers Past, Present and Future

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1 Serving Sky Soldiers Past, Present and Future The Herd Word Herd Lieutenant Killed in Afghanistan First Lieutenant Stephen Chase Prasnicki was the first casualty of the Brigade s latest deployment to the Middle East. He was killed while conducting combat operations in Wardak Province, Afghanistan on 27 June Lieutenant Prasnicki was assigned to B Battery, Task Force th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, Bamberg, Germany. He volunteered for a patrol which struck an explosive device. He had only been in Afghanistan for three days before he was killed. Prasnicki was a highly recruited high school athlete and played football at West Point, serving as a backup quarterback and playing at free safety as a senior. Prasnicki graduated from West Point in See page 6 for funeral and burial arrangements. 30 th ANNIVERSARY OF THE WALL READING OF THE NAMES AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY In This Issue Lieutenant Killed in Afghanistan Page 1 Reading of the Names at The Wall Page 1 The President s Corner Page 2 Reading of the Names Prayer 2012 Page 3 The Spartan Club Needs Your Page 3 Chapter Tours Corcoran Page 3 Chapter Calendar Page 4 Chapter Officers Page 5 Chapter Webpage & Facebook Page Page 5 Photo Gallery Page 5 Sky Soldier Funeral and Burial Page 6 Chapter to Tour Fort McHenry Page 6 ANZAC Photo Gallery Page 7 ANZAC 2012 at Brigade Memorial Page 8 Chapter 2011 Financial Report Page 9 Sky Soldier Magazine as You Like it Page 10 Reading of Names Readers Needed Page 10 The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is hosting the Reading of the Names of the 58,272 service members inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC. This activity is planned as part of this November s commemoration of The Wall's 30 th Anniversary. The Reading of the Names will take place at The Wall for 65 hours over a four-day period beginning with an opening ceremony on Wednesday, 7 Nov 2012 at 3:00 PM. Volunteers will read names for approximately eight hours from 4 PM on Nov 7 to 12 AM on 8 Nov. Participants will then read the names for 19 hours daily from 5 AM until 12 AM on 8, 9, and 10 Nov. Chapter One Fort McHenry Tour See Page 6 If you are interested in participating in the Reading of the Names, you must fill out the online form at Sigholtz-Capital Chapter One 173 d Airborne Brigade Association; P.O. Box 15133; Arlington, VA June 2012

2 The President s Corner Herd Grazes in the Bluegrass State The 173 d Airborne Brigade Association rumbled into Chapter 17's territory in Kentucky for this year s reunion. Chapter members can read more in the forthcoming Sky Soldier magazine. National Leadership - Terry Aubrey of Kentucky was elected the to be the new Association Vice President. Tim Austin from Oklahoma was re-elected Secretary. The 2013 and 2014 National Reunions - The 2013 Reunion will be held in Las Vegas at the Orleans Hotel from August 25 to 29. See for more information. The vote to decide the location of the 2014 reunion was close. Fort Bragg prevailed over San Diego by a margin. The 2014 Reunion headquarters will be the Holiday Inn Bordeaux in Fayetteville, NC. Survivors from The Rock attended the Lexington Reunion - This year s reunion featured five of the remaining 2/503d survivors of Corregidor. These survivors suggested that they have gettogethers with Herd reunions. Spartan Club National Memorial Maintenance Fund - National Memorial President Ken Smith reported that 189 Spartan Club Members have pledged $300,000 to maintain the Memorial. Because of the age of our Vietnam War Members, an additional $30,000 goal has been set to supplement the pledges of those who go the Great Jumpmaster in the sky before fulfilling their pledges. Remembrance at Kentucky Vietnam Memorial - A major highlight of the reunion was dedication of the Commonwealth of Kentucky Vietnam War Memorial in the state capitol, Frankfort. The Memorial's design has the gnomon (sundial) shadow falling on the names of each of the Kentucky Fallen at noon on the date of their supreme sacrifice. From the hill on which the Memorial stands, one can see the state capitol dome. Gold Star Leadership - Gold Star Families Chair Deb Yashinski, mother of Michael Yashinski (KIA 2003), will step down at the end of the173d current deployment. She will be replaced by Bob Lehmiller, father of Michael Lehmiller (KIA 2005). Many thanks to Deb Yashinski, who has dealt with Vietnam and GWOT families with empathy and grace. She built the Association s list of Gold Star relatives to more than 1,500. Scholarships Awarded by the Herd Foundation - The 173d Airborne Brigade Foundation provided eight $1,073 scholarships this year. See eligibility rules for Vietnam and Global War on Terrorismera Sky Soldiers on the Skysoldier website. The Foundation also provided computers that are available for Vicenza Herd wives. Sky Soldier Magazine Available by - A new printer for the Sky Soldier Magazine and distribution to those who want it will save the Association approximately $30,000 each year. Sky Soldier Association Members can elect to receive the magazine by and save money for the Association and space in their homes. Wounded Warrior Watch - With the Brigade's recent deployment, Chapter 1 will ramp up support to Sky Soldier Wounded Warriors who come to the Bethesda/Walter Reed Medical Center. John Smith, Jr. and Gene Weeks, are leading the Chapter s efforts. Others, who wish to assist, are welcome. John recently visited Specialist Alex Tabor, who is improving after sustaining significant injuries in an off-duty rock-climbing expedition in Croatia. New Brigade Sky Soldiers Mark Iraq Jump - On the 9th anniversary of the Brigade's combat jump into the Kirkuk, Iraq-area, participants and their families gathered in Colorado Springs in March. The group hopes to establish a Colorado Chapter. A Montana Chapter is also a possibility. Association s New Membership Management Responds within 24 Hours - Peter Klausner and Dennis Hill of Chapter 9, the New England Chapter, have been working 12 hours a day, seven days a week to respond to membership requests. The Association has 4,751 members, of which 2,300 are at-large members. At-large members are being assigned to local Chapters. Terry Modglin Chapter President Sigholtz-Capital Chapter 1 Page 2

3 Chapter Tours Corcoran May 5, 2012 Reading of the Names Prayer On Sunday, April 22, 2012, Chapter 1 members and their guests had the unique opportunity to take a private photo tour of two exhibitions at the Corcoran Museum. Shadows of History, a Civil War photography exhibit, highlighted the first wartime use of the camera. USCT (United States Colored Troops) Conducting artillery drill during the Civil War. On display at the Corcoran s Shadows of History exhibit. Sleeping Soldiers featured the photography of the late Tim Hetherington, who with Sebastian Junger, created Restrepo, a movie on The Herd in the Korengal Valley in Hetherington, the movie s cinema- tographer, was killed in Libya in Image from the Corcoran s Tim Hetherington exhibit Sleeping Soldiers shows U.S. soldiers stationed in Afghanistan s Kunar Province. The free, docent-led private tour brackets two conflicts separated by 150 years. The Civil War marked the first significant use of photography in wartime. The Iraq and Afghanistan conflict marked the advent of cell phone cameras and electronic transmissions almost instantaneously via Internet. After the tour, many of the participants had lunch at the Cosi Restaurant, near the Corcoran. Much thanks to Jean O Neil for organizing this event. Heavenly Father: We are here again: here to give to give homage to those who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of others, here to honor those whose wounds are borne in their memories yet whose scars still remain, here to recognize those who yet brave the perils of war for our nation s sake, here to appreciate the cost to their spouses and their children who share in their sacrifice. We ask that You bless them all: all who have seen the face of terror yet remained steadfast, all who have borne the burden of selfless service yet remained erect, all who suffered privation so that those they protect do not. Grant that we take up sword and shield as our better angels do us implore: not for profit, not for glory, not for mean spiritedness but for their brothers and sisters in arms and the values we hold dear. We ask that you forgive us for our transgressions large and small, we ask that you grant us the peace that we have fought for others and allow us to be with you when we respond to our own last retreat. Amen The Spartan Club Needs You!!! To ensure perpetual care for the Memorial, the Foundation established a Spartan Club endowment fund goal of a minimum of $300,000, raised over ten years. That primary goal has been reached! Two Hundred Spartans came forward to ensure that the 173 d Airborne Brigade National Memorial your Memorial is maintained in a condition that reflects the pride and heritage of our Brigade. Actuarial tables suggest that some from our ranks will fall before their ten-year pledges are complete and others will drop out because of personal challenges. One hundred more Spartans are needed to round out our Club. If one hundred warriors step forward and pledge $25.00 a year for ten years, the $25,000 cushion needed will be achieved. $25.00 a year fifty cents a week is that too much to ask? As with the 300 Spartans at Thermopylae, the burden of preserving our memorial and heritage is shared equally regardless of position, title or rank. Membership in the Spartan Club is open to all Sky Soldiers, their families, and military and patriotic organizations. For more information, visit our Website at or send an to kvsmith173@gmail.com. Checks may be mailed to the Memorial Foundation at 1160 Lake Royale, Louisburg NC Sigholtz-Capital Chapter 1 Page 3

4 Sigholtz-Capital Chapter 1 Calendar Year 2012 Chapter Event Date Time Day Project Officer Remarks Chapter Annual Meeting 19 Feb Sun Terry Modglin Blob's Park, Jessup, Maryland Newsletter Mar 2012 N/A TBD Mack Brooks Corcoran Tour 22 Apr Sun Jean O Neil Lunch in the Corcoran Muse Restaurant Article in March Herd Word Reading of the Names 5 May Saturday Terry Modglin Brigade Marker, Arlington Cemetery Newsletter Jun 2012 N/A TBD Mack Brooks 173 d Airborne Brigade Reunion 6 Jun Jun 2012 N/A Wed - Sunday Roy Scott 173d Association President Newsletter Sep 2012 N/A TBD Mack Brooks Fort McHenry Tour 15 Sep Sat Terry Modglin Lexington, KY Admission is $7 per person Active Duty service member are free Brigade Marker and Sky Soldier Honors 10 Nov Saturday Terry Modglin Brief Ceremony following 82d Airborne Color Guard Honors. Visit to MG Williamson's gravesite and Sky Soldier graves in Section 60. Visit Chaplain's Hill (near Brigade Marker) Walk to the Wall 11 Nov Sunday Terry Modglin Vietnam Memorial No-host lunch: Revival Restaurant, Key Bridge Marriott Wreaths Across America 15 Dec Saturday Terry Modglin Arlington National Cemetery Newsletter Dec 2012 N/A TBD Mack Brooks Visit Wounded Warriors National Naval Medical Center Periodic TBD TBD John Smith Sigholtz-Capital Chapter 1 Page 4

5 Sigholtz-Capital 1 Chapter Officers President Terry Modglin terry.modglin@gmail.com Vice President Michael Belenky mmbelenky@comcast.net Chapter Webpage Treasurer Ken Smith kvsmith173@gmail.com Secretary Dave Fultz davecf2004@gmail.com Chapter Facebook Page Chapter-173rd-Airborne-Brigade- Association/ Photo Gallery 2012 Reading of the Names Memorial Day at The Wall Image from Sleeping Soldiers Exhibition at the Corcoran Museum Sigholtz-Capital Chapter 1 Page 5

6 Fallen Sky Soldier Funeral and Burial The funeral for First Lieutenant Stephen Chase Prasnicki, who killed in Afghanistan, on 27 June 2012, took place on Tuesday, July 10 in Lexington, VA. A contingent of Sky Soldiers traveled to Lexington to represent the Brigade past and present and honor and console his wife and parents. The brigade colors were present at all observances honoring LT Prasnicki. The requiem Mass was held at St. Patrick s Roman Catholic Church in Lexington. LT Prasnicki was buried next to his beloved grandparents. The family hosted a celebration of LT Prasnicki s life at Moody Hall, on the Virginia Military Institute campus. Thanks to all those able to attend and support this event. Chapter to Tour Fort McHenry Ever see the site of the rockets red glare or the bombs bursting in air? You ll get a chance to see the site of our nation s first victory over Great Britain as the United States of America two hundred years ago: Fort McHenry. Ft. McHenry was fired upon by the British fleet which had come up the Chesapeake Bay to disembark troops at North Point, from the northern side of the entrance of the Bay into the Patapsco River. It was during this battle, from the deck of a British Man of War, that Francis Scott Key wrote the stirring strains of the Star Spangled Banner. Sigholtz-Capital Chapter members and their guests will be able to tour the fort, hear a presentation by a Park Ranger, and enjoy Baltimore cuisine on Saturday, September 15. The tour will start at 10:15 AM at the Visitors Center with an orientation film. Afterwards, we will meet with a Park Ranger who will talk to us about the historic event, followed by a visit to various parts of the Fort. Chapter 1 members will have an opportunity to ask that the Park Ranger to address specific topics about the Fort and the nature of the British attack. Admission is $7 per person. Those who are 62 or older, may qualify for a special seniors pass, good for the rest of your life, for $ With this pass, you may bring three more people into the park. The Senior Pass is good for ANY National Park and many National Forests and other historic sites. Active Duty service member are free. Tentative Coordinating Instructions: Event: Fort McHenry Tour Saturday, September 15, 2012 Arrive: 10:15 a.m. Visitors Center Orientation: 10:30 AM Park Ranger Briefing: 11:00 AM Tour of Fort and exhibits: 11:30 12:30 Lunch: 1:00 or 1:30 PM Post-lunch: Sightseeing as desired We plan to assemble for lunch at either the Rusty Scupper or Hall Street Blues and head home or sightseeing, on your own, at the Inner Harbor, at North Point or at the National Aquarium. Please let us know of your interest as soon as possible. We will follow up to confirm in mid-august but need to know the level of interest ASAP. Please contact Terry Modglin know at terry.modglin@gmail.com or call at Sigholtz-Capital Chapter 1 Page 6

7 photos of the marker s temporary resting place, pending the completion of the new Veterans cemetery. This cemetery is being con- Photo Gallery structed in Spanish Fort, Alabama, just a few miles from the marker s present location. photos of the marker s temporary resting place, pending the completion of the new Veterans cem- etery. This cemetery is being constructed in Spanish Fort, Alabama, just a few miles from the marker s present location ANZAC Day Cerebration Sigholtz-Capital Chapter 1 Page 7

8 ANZAC DAY d AIRBORNE BRIGADE NATIONAL MEMORIAL At precisely 0630h, on 25 April 2012, Australian and US active duty soldiers and retired veterans came to attention at the 173d Airborne Brigade National Memorial, as the 2012 ANZAC day celebration began. ANZAC Day commemorates the 1915 storming of the Turkish Gallipoli Peninsula by a combined Australian and New Zealand Army Corps in World War I. It is a National Day of Remembrance comparable to America s Memorial Day and is considered by many of our Allies as the birth of national consciousness in Australia and New Zealand. The Fort Benning 2012 ANZAC Day Remembrance ceremony was organized by LTC Michael Ahern, the Australian Army Liaison Officer at Fort Benning, and superbly executed by him and his staff. In addition to the Australian military contingent and their families, the Fort Benning military community and numerous Vietnam-era and current U.S. veterans and their families attended. The military forces of Australia, New Zealand and the United States have fought side by side since World War I. The relationship among these Allies warriors was strengthened when the 1st Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment Battle Group and the 161st Battery of the Royal New Zealand Artillery joined the 173d Airborne Brigade in the Republic of Vietnam. Australian and New Zealand military forces have continued to participate in military operations with the US since the Vietnam conflict and the special relationship between Sky Soldiers and our Australian and New Zealand brothers remains special. The 173d Airborne Brigade National Memorial Foundation Board of Directors, on behalf of all Sky Soldiers, was pleased to both host and participate in the 2012 ANZAC Remembrance celebration. Sigholtz-Capital Chapter 1 Page 8

9 Sigholtz Capital Chapter 1 173d Airborne Brigade Association 2011 Financial Report 1 January 2011 starting bank balance (Includes $3, in 503 d Infantry Regimental Fund) 2011 Income (all sources) $5, Expenses (all sources) $7, December 2011 ending bank Balance Liabilities as of 1/1/2011: $3, in 503d Infantry Regimental Fund $12, Unencumbered Chapter Assets as of 1 January 2012 $6, Budget Details Expenses Income Newsletter/Web Page $ Donations $ Assessments to Association $ Assessments $3, Funerals/Wreathes $ Arlington Marker Fund $1,323,00 Social Functions/Miscellaneous $1,640.90* Social Functions $ d Regimental Fund $ ** Administration $ Arlington Marker $3, TOTAL $7, $5, * Includes Spartan Club, Australian Relief, Running of the Herd ** $ from Regimental Fund to Australian Relief Kenneth V. Smith COL, USA (Ret) Chapter Treasurer Sigholtz-Capital Chapter 1 Page 9

10 Sky Soldier Magazine As You Like It The 173 d Brigade Airborne Association is in the process of analyzing their budget to minimize cost and maximize benefits. Part of that process is to reduce publication and mailing costs for the quarterly Sky Soldier magazine. This spring s edition of the Sky Soldier was the first attempt to the magazine. The Association s goal is to the magazine to active duty and as many in CONUS who want the electronic version. Hard copy of the Sky Soldier Magazine is available to those who want it or do not have an address. There is no change in cost. The Association would like to hear from you about how you d prefer to receiving the Sky Soldier Magazine. The options are hard copy mailed as in the past or an electronic copy sent via internet. I strongly encourage you to let Peter Klausner, Association Co-membership, know of your preference by ing him at webmaster@newenglandskysoldier.com or logging onto National's website verifying your personal data, and selecting how you want the magazine delivered. 173 d Airborne Brigade Association Sigholtz Capital Chapter 1 P.O. Box Arlington, VA Stamp Address Label AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY!!! Readers Needed for 50 th Anniversary Celebration A few months ago, The 173 d Airborne Brigade National Memorial Foundation announced the 50 th Anniversary Celebration of the activation of the 173 d Airborne Brigade and the 10 th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iraq jump. The ceremony will be held at the 173 d Airborne Brigade Memorial at the National Infantry Museum in Columbus, Georgia, from 21 March through 24 March A centerpiece of the celebration will include reading of the names of our American and Allied fallen. Each reader will be asked to read up to 25 names at the Saturday afternoon and evening ceremonies. Sixty-six readers are needed. If you would like to participate in the Reading of the Names and wish to reserve the opportunity to read a specific page of names, please visit the Memorial Foundation website at and sign up. The list of readers will be closed at the end of Each reader will receive confirmation of his/her selection. A small cadre of additional readers will be needed to fill in for scheduled readers who are unable to attend. For additional information, contact Bob Wolfgang at jrw173d@aol.com. Sigholtz-Capital Chapter 1 Page 10