Honoring the California Fallen

Army Private First Class Conrado D. Javier Jr., 19, of Marina, CA, was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany. PFC Javier died in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

First Snow of the Season

Our first snow this year here in DC. It wasn't much to speak of but I loved waking up to a fresh blanket of snowy goodness!!! Plus my new car looked like an amazing Christmas present to myself!!!

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Specialist Kenneth E. Necochea Jr., 21, of San Diego, CA was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY. SPC Necochea died Dec. 12 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

Army Specialist Derek T. Simonetta, 21, of Redwood City, CA was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY. SPC Simonetta died Dec. 12 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

Also killed were CPL. Sean M. Collins, CPL Willie A. McLawhorn Jr., SPC Patrick D. Deans, and SPC Jorge E. Villacis.

Strong Enough

Happy Engagement!!!

Happy engagement to my amazing cousin Allison and her wonderful fiance Ben!

Allison ~ There are not words to express how excited I am for you and Ben. I love you and am so proud to call you family and friend! Enjoy every moment. You and Ben deserve all the happiness that you have and that will continue your way!

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Staff Sergeant Vincent W. Ashlock, 45, of Seaside, CA was assigned to 890th Engineer Battalion, 168th Engineer Brigade, Mississippi National Guard, Lucedale, MS. SSG Ashlock died in the Khost province, Afghanistan, in a non-combat incident.

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Specialist Matthew W. Ramsey, 20, of Quartz Hill, CA was assigned to 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY. SPC Rasey died Nov. 29 in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when an insurgent attacked his unit with small-arms fire.

Also killed were SFC Class Barry E. Jarvis, SSG Curtis A. Oakes, PFC Jacob A. Gassen, Pfc. Austin G. Staggs and PVT Buddy W. McLain.

Charlotte Motor Speedway

Heading into the tunnel at Charlotte Motor Speedway and introducing the "Team"!

The Pit Crew

Victory Lane

Honoring the California Fallen

Marine Lance Corporal Arden J. Buenagua,19, of San Jose, CA, was assigned to the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. Lance Corporal Buenagua died in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations.

CCC "Graduation"

Today was my last day in San Antonio, TX...well, at least for a while. I completed the 9-week Army Medical Department's Captain's Career Course (AMEDD CCC). It was an administrative type class setting (insert my bored face here) but we managed to make it fun.

We had our last PT (physical training) session the week before on a cold, cold, cold Texas desert morning at 0'dark 30. Crossfit while different and fun at first didn't really inspire me...

Then came time for graduation. My Aunt Tammi flew in from North Carolina to attend my graduation and to help me drive to her house for Thanksgiving. We hit up the Alamo and Riverwalk when she first got in. Then came early Tuesday morning: packing the car at 0615, breakfast at 0630, drive to Ft Sam Houston 0700, and graduation rehearsal at 0730. Graduation itself was only about 45 minutes long so we were able to hit the road about an hour earlier than we had anticipated...

Graduation Speaker: COL Whitaker, Dean AMEDD C&S

Small Group 1 Instructor CPT Doug Herrmann with myself and my suite-mate CPT Elena Sequeira.

And of course my own Flat Stanley along with CPT Christina Lunsford, adorable me, and CPT Elena Sequeira by the AMEDD Crest.

Classwork

Yup, that's right!

I have been taking this class really seriously...

Today I successfully completed my oral presentation of my small group's medical planning brief in relation to stability operations. Translation: how we would set up medical assets during a stability operation (like in Iraq) in a make believe area supporting make believe troops and host nation civilians. My presentation, to include the instructor's questions, took less than 20 minutes! It was interesting to learn how to think big Army and not just my little bubble of the ICU...

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Staff Sergeant David P. Senft, 27, of Grass Valley, CA, was assigned to 5th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY. SSG Senft died at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained in a non-combat related incident.

Weekend in Houston

Started out my weekend in Houston by seeing Cirque du Soleil at the Toyota Center.


Then went to NASA Space Center just south of Houston.
Toured the facility and then met a retired astronaut.

My last evening in Houston was spent at 9 to 5 The Musical.

So much fun!!!


I finished ff my weekend with a 22.9 mile ride for local Wounded Warriors. There were roughly 250 riders there. While was a pretty cold and wet morning but once we got going life was good!

Honoring Our Veterans

Frederick Lyall Lambing, 60, died peacefully Oct. 24, 2010, with his family by his side.

Mr. Lambing enlisted in the Air Force in January 1970 and was stationed at Misawa Air Base, Japan. After 18 months in Japan, Mr. Lambing was stationed at Altus Air Force Base, OK. After leaving the Air Force in May 1976 he enlisted in the Idaho Army National Guard in the fall of 1978. June 1993 brought another move, this time to Wasilla, AK. While serving in the Alaska Army National Guard full time, Mr. Lamming worked as an instructor at the Alaska Military Academy, readiness NCO for 297th support BN and Intelligence Sergeant for 207th Group. In 1997, Mr. Lambing was named as the Alaska Senior NCO of the Year. After 33 years, Mr Lambing retired from military service.

He is survived by his wife, Marie; son, Shane Lambing (Kristi) of Portland, Ore.; daughter, Carrie Lambing of Wasilla; son, Wade Lambing (Annadeidra) of Wasilla; daughter, Misty Neisen (Peter) of Boise, Idaho; his mother, Joy Lambing of El Dorado, Kansas; and father- and mother-in-law, Hugh and Eleanor Ingalls of Mud Butte; his sisters, Cynthia Ketcham (Phil) of Brazil, South America, and Sandra Borne (Rodney) of El Dorado; grandchildren, Kelli, Kyrstin, Elizabeth, Daniel, Joseph, Katherine, Ashton, Dakota and Seth.

Thank you for your leadership.

I promise to continue striving to meet the standard you have set.

From the Anchorage Daily News

Moving!!!

It is official!!! I am moving to Ft Lewis in Tacoma, WA this winter!!!

I am still in TX finishing up some training but will soon be returning to Walter Reed AMC to finish a few shifts in the ICU before packing up and heading out. If all goes well I should be officially signed out of Walter Reed mid-January. It will be a bumpy road as I start the process of leaving Walter Reed but I will have to try to stay calm and just get everything done.

There is finally a light at the end of the tunnel...and this time it is not an oncoming train!

Combatives

My suite-mate took me down!!!

Well, only sort of. During combatives training this morning we did all-out 90 seconds all out bouts. We were roughly matched up by skill level and then went at it. I can toot my own horn just at little as I got pretty close to choking her out but she did get the final laugh when we got back to the hotel and I saw the cut on my face from her sleeve.

Honor The Fallen

Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Earl R. Scott III

CWO Scott from Jacksonville, FL died November 8, 2009 in Tikrit, Iraq of injuries sustained when his OH-58D helicopter crashed.

CWO was assigned to 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, HI.

CWO Scott is survived by his mother Sandra, brother William, and girlfriend Tara.

Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Matthew C. Heffelfinger

CWO Heffelfinger dieg November 8, 2009 in Tikrit, Iraq from injuries sustained when his OH-58D helicopter crashed.

CWO Heffelfinger from Kimberly, ID, was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, HI.

CWO Heffelfinger is survived by his wife Tanya and their two children.

Komen Race for the Cure

Today my suite-mate and I ran in the Komen for the Cure 5K in Austin, TX. We were just two of over 25,000 people there with hopes of making a differene. We had a blast talking with fellow runners and some of the Survivors. Breast Cancer Survivors are AMAZING!!!! Thank you for the courage you have shown in your fight.

Thank YOU for being my daily inspiration!!!

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Corporal Brett W. Land, 24, of Wasco, Calif.; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died Oct. 30 in Zhari district, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Specialist Diego A. Solorzano-Valdovinos, 24, of Huntington Park, Calif.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 506nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died Oct. 29 in Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit on Oct. 27 with small arms fire in Yahya Khel district, Afghanistan.

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Specialist Ronnie J. Pallares, 19, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.; assigned to 27th Engineer Battalion, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died Oct. 23 in Andar district, Ghazni province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Staff Sergeant Aracely Gonzalez O’Malley, 31, of Brawley, CA, was assigned to 307th Integrated Theater Signal Battalion, 516th Signal Brigade, 311th Signal Command, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. SSG O'Malley died Oct. 22 in Homburg, Germany, of injuries sustained in a non-combat incident Oct. 12 in Mazar-e Sharif, Afghanistan.

TX Drivers...

First pictures of my new-to-me car were finally taken today. The downside...they were taken at the scene of an MVA. Yup, I have only had my car for a week and she has already been violated. Thankfully we all walked away and both cars are driveable, but it sure is frusterating. Looks like a new bumper and a new trailer hitch for me...

Lesson to be learned: STOP TEXTING WHILE DRIVING!!!

Weapons Training

This afternoon was a nice break from the monotony of the classroom. Most days here at the Captain's Career Course are spent in group lecture or in our small groups with PowerPoint after PowerPoint after PowerPoint...(get the picture?) Our afternoon was spent in one of the skills labs firing simulated M-4s. I loved it!!! And I was the second best shooter there! We are getting ready for an Army Skills style PT event which will include a "react to fire" event. Did I mention that I loved this?!?

Kelli and Chet's Wedding

Kelli and Chet said "I do" today at the Monrovia Historical Museum surrounded my friends and family. The ceremony and reception were awesome! Probably one of the most fun celebrations I have ever attended. And the food was the BEST reception food ever!!! In N Out Burger!!!!! Amazing!!!!!!

An added bonus was getting to see friends I had not seen in a while. Amy and Kristi were gracious enough to allow me to crash in their home. A mini KKYM reunion at the wedding itself. I had not seen most of my college roommates since just before deploying. It was nice to get to swap stories face to face and not on facebook.

Honoring the California Fallen

Marine Lance Corporal James D. Boelk, 24, of Oceanside, Calif.; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died Oct. 15 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Saying Farewell

I said goodbye to a trusted friend today.

We have been through sand, snow, and a lot of miles of open road.

After a great 6 years together she is ready to go out to pasture.

And sadly, we said goodbye...

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Specialist Rafael Martinez Jr, 36, of Spring Valley, Calif.; assigned to the 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.; died Oct. 14 while conducting combat operations between Moqur and Darreh-Ye-Bum, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. Also killed were Sgt. Carlos A. Benitez and Pfc. Tramaine J. Billingsley.

Honoring the California Fallen

Marine Lance Corporal Joseph C. Lopez, 26, of Rosamond, Calif.; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died Oct. 14 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Honoring the California Fallen

Marine Private First Class Victor A. Dew, 20, of Granite Bay, Calif.; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died Oct. 13 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations. Also killed were Marines Cpl. Justin J. Cain, Lance Cpl. Joseph E. Rodewald and Lance Cpl. Phillip D. Vinnedge.

Horseback Riding on the Beach

Having a 4-day weekend away from my normal life in DC is awesome!!! Today was spent working out, doing laundry, and horseback riding on the beach. Yup, that's right! We went to Corpus Christi to see some of the sights and decided to see the beach via horseback. It was so much fun!

I know, you are jealous. Well, just jump in the car and head to Corpus Christi and South Padre Island. The weather is perfect for a little vacation from reality...

Sea World San Antonio

I love Sea World!!! I am convinced that every little kid at one point in their life has wanted to grow up to be an animal trainer.

Sea World is great as they allow each member of the US Military one free admission a year and since I am here in San Antonio with a Sea World just miles away I had to take advantage of the offer! My classmate Elena and I even got to tour behind the Azul show with the Beluga Whales.

A great day spent away from the Army world!

Kayaking

Today was spent enjoying more of Texas, specifically Austin. If I had to live in Texas and could pick what part I would choose Austin. It felt like a mixture between Santa Cruz and Seattle.

I spent the morning kayaking with friends from the Captian's Career Course and even found a rope swing. My attempts to climb high on the tree failed so my jumps into the river are pretty funny.

After a morning of kayaking we headed to a local weekknd street fair for a rattle snake and rabbit sausage/hot dog. It was delicious!!! The next time you are in Austin you should give it a try...

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Sergeant Brian J. Pedro, 27, of Rosamond, Calif.; assigned to 2nd Engineer Battalion, U.S. Army Reserve, White Sands Missile Range, N.M.; died Oct. 2 in Pol-e-Khumri, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades.

Staff Ride

Today's class time was spent walking the actual site of a battle that we have been studying. We were just outside of Sisterville, TX where we furthered studied the battle of Walker Creek. It was the first time the Comanche Warriors experienced the harsh reality of the Colt Revolver, a weapon that changed everyone's method of attack.

After walking and discussing the battle our instructors allowed us to fire weapons that were replicas of those used during the battle itself and some older ones. I chose to fire the flintlock rifle. I lined up with the watermelon that was placed the furthest away and was just high right. In fact I was the closest shot to that particular watermelon. Yeah me!!!

Haircut

I had not had a haircut since I first got to Iraq and had let it grow really, really, really long. Last week I decided it was time for a change and made an appointment at one of the local institutes. I left work today with super long hair and will show up tomorrow for combatives training at 0630 with 10 inches off. It is so short that won't need to put it up when in uniform...weird!!! I will get a picture in uniform tomorrow to show the full difference.

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Specialist John Carillo Jr, 20, of Stockton, CA was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, GA. SPC Carillo died in Fallujah, Iarq from injuries sustained on 23SEPT2010 from non-combat-related injuries.

Also killed was Private First Class Gebrah P. Noonan.