Remarks as Prepared by Secretary Napolitano to New York City First Responders

New York, New York
NYC Emergency Operations Center
(Remarks as Prepared)
“Rebuilding the Foundations for America's Hometown Security”

A New Framework for Security

Good morning. And thank you, Commissioner Bruno, for that introduction. It’s always great to be back in New York City. And thank you NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly; FDNY Commissioner Salvatore Cassano; FDNY Chief of Counterterrorism Joseph Pfeifer; FDNY Chief of Operations Robert Sweeney; and also NYC Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan.

In addition to being born here, coming to New York at this time, on this date, and having the honor of speaking with first responders and law enforcement officials such as yourselves, has a special significance for me. And of course, this Office of Emergency Management, built after the old one was destroyed on 9/11, is a good example of the kind of resilience and determination that New Yorkers are known for.

This date and this place are also vivid reminders of why we have a Department of Homeland Security. Tomorrow, each of us in our own way will remember that day – the heroism of the first responders like you – and the thousands of lives lost when we were attacked.

I know that for some of you here this morning, these memories are all too real. You were among the policemen, firemen, and emergency personnel who ran toward the Towers as they were burning so that you could save others. Some of you stayed in the days and weeks ahead, working on the pile – memorializing those who were gone. All of you lost colleagues, friends, loved ones. Every American joins you in mourning those we lost – here in New York, at the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania.

So tomorrow is also a reminder that each of us bears a unique sense of responsibility to one another, to our communities, to our states, and to our nation. Whether you are a police officer on the street, a firefighter, a doctor, a businessman, a student, or a stay-at-home parent, you – we – are the very backbone of our nation’s homeland security. We are all interconnected in the effort to protect this country.

Right around this time last year, I gave a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations here in New York where I described a new framework for how we’re approaching homeland security. It didn’t involve a complex restructuring of DHS or big, flashy new programs. In fact, we streamlined operations, prioritized efficiency, and organized ourselves around our core missions.

Our starting point was the idea of interconnectedness and mutual responsibility. The question we kept asking was: “how can we do a smarter and better job of broadening the collective mission of protecting the homeland?” And our answer was this: we do it by seizing every opportunity to build a bigger and stronger security team and then equipping that team to succeed.

Therefore, over the past year and a half, I have made one of my very top priorities for DHS to get information, to get tools, and to get resources out of Washington, DC, and into the hands of the men and women serving on the front lines. That includes you – the first responders – but it also includes citizens, community groups, and our partners in the private sector.

This may not generate big headlines. But this hometown-centric approach has a big impact on our ability to be effective – and more important – to support you in the field.

The approach I outlined last year is bigger than just one Federal department, even a huge one like DHS. And putting into practice the notion that homeland security begins with hometown security, frankly, has implications for us all.

I said in that speech last year that we had an “urgent need to refocus our counter-terror approach to make it a shared endeavor to make it more layered, networked, and resilient – to make it smarter and more adaptive.” I said we needed to enlist a broader societal response to the evolving threats we’re facing – and that requires strengthening partnerships, and focusing on values like resilience and shared responsibility. And I said that individuals, families, communities, and businesses all have important roles to play.

This represents a shift for our country. In a sense, this harkens back to when we drew on the tradition of civil defense and preparedness that predated today’s concerns. In another way, however, it makes all of us responsible for being informed about the kinds of Twenty-First Century threats we face today.

Building a culture of preparedness and resilience across the country is a significant endeavor. And it is, indeed, still a work in progress. But I'm here today – a year later – to say that we have made progress. And we need to be making progress because the myriad threats against our nation have not gone away.

Indeed, they have grown even more dynamic. So, I want to share that progress with you, and let you know what I see coming down the road for us.

Supporting the Front-Lines: Law Enforcement, First Responders

As first responders, you are the critical link in our nation’s security and preparedness. You are often the first to identify a potential threat or recognize a larger trend that you’re seeing in your communities. In a way, you are “first preventers” as well as first responders. And we have a responsibility get you the kind of tools and training you want and need to do your job.

The old view that “if we fight the terrorists abroad, we won’t have to fight them here” is just that – the old view. It is abundantly clear that we have to fight them abroad, we have to fight them at home. We have to fight them, period. And you are as squarely in that fight as I am.

Accordingly, I felt that the Department needed to do more to support you, and also to do more to engage the private sector as partners in this effort. And, indeed, I felt we needed to do more to inform and empower citizens and communities to be the enormous assets they can be before, and during, a crisis or emergency.

Fusion Centers

We are doing exactly that, starting with strengthening the networks and relationships needed to get information where it should to be, when it should be there, and in the most useful format. And we’re backing it up with historic deployments of personnel, technology, and resources.

At the heart of this are fusion centers. Starting with just one in 2006, there are now 72 fusion centers nationwide, serving as focal points for information-sharing among federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial partners.

By the end of this year, all 72 fusion centers should be able to analyze information and spot trends in order to effectively share timely intelligence – with local law enforcement, and with DHS, so the information can also be used by others within the Intelligence Community.

To support this vision: we’re prioritizing fusion centers in our FY2011 grants, and looking for ways to support them through additional technology and personnel, including the deployment of highly-trained experts in critical infrastructure; we’re deploying experienced DHS analysts to every one of these centers – 64 at last count – and we won’t stop until we have them in every one; and we're linking them together, and with DHS headquarters, through the classified Homeland Security Data Network.

During the last two years, we’ve seen numerous threat streams, and we’ve also seen the increased role of Westerners, including U.S. citizens, engaged in terrorist training, planning, and attempted attacks. We’re seeing more – and more sophisticated – use of violent extremist messages by U.S.-born, English speakers who are operating abroad, and exploiting the Internet and social media tools. And in some of the domestic plots we’ve uncovered, such as the case of Najibullah Zazi, we’re seeing the kind of planning – like purchasing pre-cursor chemicals from beauty supply stores for making bombs – that rely on alert citizens and local authorities to detect.

Given this kind of threat environment, we believe strongly in the importance of strong partnerships at the local level. Indeed, in the Zazi plot to bomb the New York Subway, it was a fusion center near Denver that played the key role in “fusing” information that came from the public with evidence that came in following the suspects’ arrest by the FBI.

Grants

There’s another important way we are pushing tools and resources out of Washington, D.C., and into local hands. Since 2003, DHS has awarded more than $31 billion in grants, including $3.8 billion for FY2010 for states, cities, law enforcement, and first responders.

This Administration is also directing almost $3 billion in Recovery Act funds to critical security efforts, including major increases in explosive detection and checkpoint screening equipment, as well as grants to rebuild fire stations, port, and other security facilities, and creating good jobs along the way.

I know this is a difficult time for a lot of communities across America. We’re slowly emerging from the worst recession we’ve seen in decades. And our cities, states, and counties are dealing with some really tough budgets. As a former two-term Governor, I know what these hard choices look like. So to help ease that burden, we're approaching grants in a whole new way, focusing on how states and locals can stretch these dollars further.

Over the past year, I eliminated red tape by streamlining the grant process and expanded what grants can be used for, such as maintenance and sustainability, which enables local jurisdictions to continue to support previous investments rather than buying new equipment or technology each year.

We’ve also supported fire departments across the country by making it easier to put these security dollars to work quickly, to rehire laid-off firefighters and to retain current forces. And we waived the local match requirement, the salary cap, and retention requirements to give fire departments – like the Fire Department of New York – more flexibility to protect the jobs of veteran firefighters.

Countering Violent Extremism

To counter violent extremism right here at home, I announced a series of initiatives last month to support state and local law enforcement and community groups across the country in identifying and reducing threats from violent crime and terrorism.

These include: a new community-oriented policing curriculum for state and local law enforcement, focused on enabling frontline personnel to identify indicators of terrorism and other threats; unclassified case studies examining recent incidents involving violent crime and terrorism to educate and inform state and local law enforcement personnel and about common behaviors and indicators exhibited by suspects; and intelligence products focused on the tactics, techniques and plans of international and domestic terrorist organizations to better inform state and local law enforcement personnel about threats facing the homeland and their local communities.

I recognize that no Cabinet Secretary or Federal department has a monopoly on good ideas. That’s why I based these efforts on recommendations from my Homeland Security Advisory Council, and its “Countering Violent Extremism” Working Group, comprised of chiefs of police, sheriffs, community leaders and homeland security experts.

Throughout this work, we are involving, and working closely with, religious, ethnic, and community organizations, including leaders from the Muslim, Arab, Sikh, and South Asian communities, many of whom have already been critical in thwarting violence. Members of these communities play enormously positive roles in enriching our national life. And like all Americans, they seek to protect and defend our nation, and our way of life.

Fielding a Bigger Team: Individuals, Communities, Private Sector

We’re taking other steps to support individuals and families, citizens and communities. Recall that it was a New York street vendor who tipped off a policeman about the bombing attempt in Times Square. It was a group of passengers on Flight 253 who intervened to stop the bombing attempt on Christmas Day.

Making individuals and citizens better informed and empowered is crucial, and DHS has therefore launched, and is expanding, a national campaign around a slogan you probably know well: “If You See Something, Say Something.” This campaign was first implemented by New York City's Metropolitan Transit Authority, with support from DHS. The MTA has achieved some real success with the campaign, and they have been very generous in working with us to bring it to a wide range of venues.

We’re producing new signs, PSAs, videos, and other materials that you'll see in a number of different settings. We’ve expanded the campaign to additional transit systems, starting with Amtrak, and you can see posters in train stations across the country, and in trains along the Northeast Corridor. We’ve just launched the campaign in the National Capital Region. And I was recently in Nashville to announce its expansion to six southern states.

We’re also working with professional and collegiate sports leagues, launching this effort at stadiums across the country this fall. As a matter of fact, we have “If You See Something, Say Something” posters and banners hanging at the U.S. Open. The goal of the “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign is making people more aware, but also providing them with the tools they need to take action if they see something suspicious.

Through this campaign, we’re raising awareness of potential terrorist tactics, and emphasizing the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement. But that’s just one side of the equation. We also see it as a partnership between citizens and local police.

To that end, we’re also expanding the National Suspicious Activity Reporting, or SAR, initiative into a greater resource for front-line security personnel. The National SAR initiative creates a standard process for law enforcement in over two dozen states and cities to identify and report suspicious activity so it can be shared nationally to identify broader trends. We’re working with our partners in the Department of Justice, which runs SAR, and widening it to include fusion centers, transit police, and other groups.

I should say that increasing awareness among the general public is not limited to countering terrorism. We’re in the middle of National Preparedness Month, and, of course, it’s also Hurricane season. Our FEMA colleagues are busy educating people about all kinds of natural disasters, as well as responding to floods, hurricanes, and other crises.

So, in addition to our security efforts, we’re urging all Americans to visit Ready.gov – and the Spanish-language listo.gov – to take basic steps to prepare for any kind of a crisis. We’re talking with Americans using the tools that they already use in their everyday lives. Across DHS, we’re sharing information via blogs, Twitter feeds, and other social media tools.

In fact, FEMA has jumped to the fore by launching a highly-touted mobile site for smartphones and other hand-held devices. Through this mobile FEMA application, you can track the latest weather forecasts in your area, and if you live in an area prone to wildfires, hurricanes, floods, or other natural disasters, you can get information on how to prepare, and what to do in a crisis. You can even apply for assistance from FEMA right from your smartphone.

All of these tools are designed to get information into the hands of individuals so they can help build stronger, more resilient communities. On this last point, businesses big and small really can be a strong partner in our nation's security.

Here's one example: I just mentioned sports, and in addition to expanding the “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign to large public events, I’ve met with the commissioners and security directors for all the major sports leagues, and asked them to work with us to help make their arenas and stadiums more secure.

This is leading to some very promising joint efforts. For instance, DHS has a team with expertise on protection and resilience that, since May, has been visiting with owners and operators of all the big sports venues, and we're closing in on 300 sites.

Fostering Greater Resilience

We’re also taking important steps to help our state and local partners strengthen the resilience of their infrastructure, computer networks, and of their communities and citizens – and strengthening the ability for our systems, our cities, our towns, and our country to bounce back quickly from an attack or a natural disaster, and to be even stronger than before.

We’ve been looking at a number of ways to create incentives to foster this kind of resilience. In the coming days, we’ll be releasing details of a new national award that will recognize people, organizations, or communities who have exhibited an extraordinary commitment to resilience.

We have produced what we call a Community Resilience Registry where communities can input information on roughly a hundred different data points to develop a “resilience profile” of their community.

We’re also prioritizing resilience in some of our key FY2011 grant programs, including inserting language into our grant guidance to encourage applicants to consider strategies for increasing resilience at the local level.

Conclusion: Strength

America is a strong nation. And we are a resilient nation. But that doesn't mean that we don’t have to examine and recommit to the sources of that strength and resilience from time to time.

As I’ve said before, we can’t guarantee there won’t be another successful terrorist attack. The threats we face are evolving, and enemies like al Qaeda and its affiliates are determined. We can’t seal our country under a glass dome.

But if that attack comes, our enemies will still not have succeeded, because our nation is too strong, and too resilient, to ever cower before a small group of violent extremists. We have always rebounded from hardships and challenges, and come together as a people to overcome disasters, attacks, and war. And we will do so again.

Today, on the eve of the ninth anniversary of the worst terrorist attack in our nation’s history, I can pledge to you this: we will do everything in our power to prevent attacks, and to prepare ourselves. At DHS, a fundamental part of that obligation is to get information, tools, and resources into the hands of people who can use them to help all of us be more secure.

To field that bigger team – to enlist individuals, local communities, businesses, law enforcement and first responders in a network of shared responsibility – to enlist the nation in its own collective security. It’s the American way: because we all face the threats of today’s world, as well as the opportunities it brings, we’re all in this together.

With your help, DHS will keep supporting those of you on the front lines, and keep strengthening the networks that will keep us secure. We’ll all build, and be part, of a bigger, smarter, stronger team. And that’s how we'll keep America safe.

Academy for struggling teens now accepting applications

A no-cost alternative program for "at-risk" youth, the Wisconsin Challenge Academy is now accepting applications for its next class of cadets entering on Jan. 13, 2011. Located at Fort McCoy, Wis., the Academy offers teens that are at risk of not graduating a chance to earn their High School Equivalency Diploma, learn essential job and life-coping skills and, most importantly, develop the strength of character to become responsible citizens.

To qualify for this program, which is no cost to families, applicants must be at least 16 years and nine months old but not yet 19, have dropped out of school, been expelled, or become at least a year behind in credits. Candidates must not have been convicted of a felony and cannot be on adult parole or probation at time of entry.

"Before the Challenge Academy, I was the kid with no future," said Cadet Brett Hrdlicka, a current Challenge Academy participant. "Now I have a future in the making. If I wasn't attending the Academy, I would still be going down the wrong road instead of the right."

For someone who has the desire to get his or her life back on the right path, the Challenge Academy may be a step in the right direction. Call the Admissions Department toll free at (866) 968-8422 or (608) 269- 4605 for an application, or visit the Challenge Academy's website at http://www.challengeacademy.org/.

Guardian of the Week – AST2 Lake Downham

Written by: LTJG Stephanie Young

What would your best day look like?

For the hundreds of special needs children along the New Jersey coastline, their “best day” is spent with Aviation Survival Technician Second Class David “Lake” Downham and the dozens of volunteers of Best Day New Jersey.

Best Day is a non-profit organization that provides a safe means to involve children with physical and developmental challenges in outdoor and water activities. The New Jersey chapter, founded in March of 2008, is Co-Chaired by Downham and his wife, Alexis.

As an avid surfer, Downham was doing research into tandem surfing when he found out about the Ride a Wave organization and was drawn to the idea of helping special needs children. He and Alexis contacted the foundation and flew out to Santa Cruz, Calif., to see how Ride a Wave camps were run.

After extensive coordination, fundraising and recruitment for volunteers, Best Day, and its first chapter, New Jersey, hosted two day-long camps in the summer of 2008. In the following years, the success of the program took off, and hundreds of children have experienced their “best day.”

Each Best Day camp starts out with group stretches led by Spider-Man. After their stretches – super hero style – they are led through an obstacle course in the sand. From there the kids are taken out on the water where they are taught to surf, boogie board and kayak.

“My favorite thing to teach them is surfing,” says Downham. “A lot of the kids are afraid of the water and don’t want to get in, and then by the end of the day they don’t want to leave the water.”

This past summer there were six camps, but the fun doesn’t end when the weather cools down. Downham and the Best Day volunteers now look forward to the winter season, where they have added Best Day in the Snow, helping children learn to snow tube.

All of his community service and dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. On August 31, Downham, currently stationed at Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, received the American Legion’s Spirit of Service Award in recognition of his extensive volunteer efforts in the community.

“Our nation is fortunate to have such dedicated service personnel as Lake Downham who represents the very finest our nation has to offer,” said Commander Hill, of the American Legion. “For both his military service and his community service, Petty Officer Downham is a credit to his uniform and to our country. He makes me, and all the other men and women of The American Legion, very proud.”

As a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, Downham has performed dramatic rescues and saved countless lives, but for him, seeing the children on their “best day” brings a different sense of satisfaction.

“To see someone who is so scared and encountering such a new experience and by the end of the day they have confidence, and they trust you – it’s amazing,” said Downham.

Government Invites Public to Solve Challenges

By Ian Graham
Emerging Media, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9, 2010 – The federal government has a lot of problems to solve, and a new website it launched this week will give average citizens a forum to discuss and potentially solve those problems while vying for rewards for the best solutions.

Bev Godwin, director of the U.S. General Services Administration’s Center for New Media and Citizen Engagement; Brandon Kessler, founder and CEO of ChallengePost; and Tami Griffith, science and technology manager for the U.S. Army Research Laboratory’s Simulation and Training Technology Center, discussed the new site -- Challenge.gov -- during a “DoD Live” bloggers roundtable yesterday.

Godwin oversees the site for the government. Kessler’s company designs and builds “challenge” sites for different clients.

Challenge.gov is an extension of President Barack Obama’s Strategy for American Innovation, which opens government solutions to the general public.

“Challenges and prizes can really change the way government in our country works, as it allows the government to bring new players to the table, to look at new ways to solve problems that can lead to new discoveries or new industries,” Godwin said. “It also provides the government a way to only pay for results. It also allows government a way to set forth a goal and let others decide how best to reach that goal.”

Entrepreneurs, leading innovators and citizen solvers can compete for prizes on Challenge.gov by providing solutions to tough problems.

“The whole concept behind the platform is that if you have a centralized network around challenges, more people will interact with multiple challenges,” Kessler said. “We see, in fact, that people who engage in one challenge tend to engage in multiple challenges, because they’re connected to a network.”

The site works pretty simply – an agency or office can post a “challenge” to which people can provide a “solution.” It also allows participants to blog, interact on discussion boards, and easily share items via different social media.

Griffith’s Federal Virtual Worlds Challenge, which asks the public to submit ideas for innovative and interactive training and analysis solutions in virtual worlds, is an Army initiative to better understand different social environments on the Web.

“We’re using this challenge as a way to let the public teach us in the government how to use these tools better,” Griffith said.

Challenges have been posted so far by government agencies including NASA; the Environmental Protection Agency; the Social Security Administration; and the Defense, Education, Energy, Treasury, Agriculture, State, Interior and Labor departments.

“I haven’t seen any laggards,” Godwin said. “Many agencies are working on challenges. Some take longer to ramp up than others, so you’ll see more coming out over the next few months.”

GMC Tom Morrison – Hope in the Journey

Written by: LT Connie Braesch
This is an excerpt from a feature story written by Petty Officer 3rd Class Casey J. Ranel.

As the train approaches the station in Slidell, La., it is obvious how large it is, strong and powerful. It has a take-charge, noticeable presence, much like a Coast Guardsman, but even more so, like a father.

When the train hisses to a stop, Chief Gunner’s Mate Tom Morrison, a 28-year Coast Guardsman stationed at Sector New Orleans, gathers his luggage, and prepares himself for a journey 23 years in the making. It is a journey that will span 29 hours and 13 states. This odyssey is a reflection of his life and of his accomplishments, especially when it concerns his single source of pride, his son.

Most people would ask, why are you taking a train all the way to New York? And Morrison would say, “I’m going to enjoy the hand that was dealt to me and go see my son play baseball.”

Morrison was diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma lung cancer in April, and was recently cleared by his physician to travel to see his only son play baseball for the Florida Marlins. This is the first chance that Morrison had to see his son play in the major leagues since he was drafted in July.

It wasn’t long after Logan was born that Morrison showed his son what would be the single most defining moment of his life; how to throw a baseball.

“He could throw the ball across the room, he was three!” said Morrison. “I saw this as a good opportunity to teach him a great sport, and the opportunity to be a good dad.”

Morrison taught him how to hold the ball, how to stand, and tried to convince him to switch-hit, a task which proved to be more of a challenge considering Logan was left-handed and insisted on batting that way.

He would tell Logan, “make every bat count!” Today, Logan’s batting average is .299, which considering another famous lefty named Mickey Mantle whose batting average was .353, makes it apparent that his dad’s commitment to Logan’s growth as a player made a positive impact.

Through hitting off the tee, throwing pitches in high school and now playing in the major leagues, Morrison has watched his son grow into an accomplished baseball player and a respectable young man. Now he gets to witness, first hand, the culmination of their effort, dedication and hard work.

Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2010, Morrison and his family, sat in section 129 at Citi Field, just feet away from Logan’s left field position. That night Logan had five at bat, one run and one hit. Though the Marlins ultimately lost to the Mets, 6 -5, it was a win for Morrison.

Logan played in two other games that week against the Mets, and also celebrated his 23rd birthday with his father and his family.

Statistics show that close to one percent of baseball players make it to the major leagues. Morrison contemplates that fact and how it applies to his life.

With a smile on his face, Morrison exclaims, “there’s no cure for what I have. The chances of me going into remission is two percent, Logan had a one percent chance and he made it.”

He sees hope in the journey.

Face of Defense: Ammo Tech Earns Inaugural Award

By Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kentavist P. Brackin
Marine Corps Bases Japan

CAMP SCHWAB, Japan, Sept. 9, 2010 – An ammunition technician with Ammunition Company, 3rd Supply Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force, is the first Marine selected to receive the Marine Corps Ammunition Technician of the Year Award.

"I was kind of shocked really when I heard I was receiving this award,” Lance Cpl. Brent A. Smith said. “I kind of felt like I was up there with ‘Chesty’ Puller." The late Lt. Gen. Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller was a combat veteran of World War II and the Korean War, and the most-decorated U.S. Marine in history.

The Ammunition Technician of the Year Award is designed to recognize Marine Corps ammunition technicians, private through sergeant, who have set themselves apart from the rest of their peers through hard work, dedication and sound decision making, officials said.

"It is a great honor to have an ammo tech from 3rd Supply Battalion represent the company here on Okinawa," said Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christopher Deering, officer in charge of Ammunition Company, who recommended Smith for the award.

Smith works with several other ammunition technician Marines to issue ammo to units across Okinawa, giving out anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 rounds of various types of ammunition in a day.

"Ammunition technicians seem to be overlooked sometimes," Smith said. "No one notices when their ammunition is delivered on time, but they sure notice when they are on the gun line and there is nothing to put downrange. You can go a few days without food, maybe a couple of days without water, but you wouldn't last a minute without ammunition."

Deering said the new award is good for the ammunition community in the Marine Corps. "I am excited to see how this award will transform our community in the future," he said. "It is a great program, and I think that through recognition, Marines may become more competitive. We all like bragging rights."

Smith said he’s proud to be the first Marine to receive the award. “I know that I have set the bar for myself and for other Marines who push for this award in the future," he said.

Firefighter Fatality

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality:


Name: Edward Eckert
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 71
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 30+

Date of Incident: 06/01/2010
Time of Incident:
Date of Death: 06/06/2010

Fire Department: Stafford Township Fire Department
Address: PO Box 171, Manahawkin, NJ 08050
Fire Department Chief: Dean Cleland

Incident Description: Stafford Township Fire Department was dispatched to a fire call. Upon his pager alerting FF Eckert walked across his living room to go to his vehicle to respond to the call. At this point, he fell to the floor. He was reported to be disoriented. EMS responded and he was transported to the local hospital. His condition deteriorated and he passed away on June 6, 2010 from what was discovered to have been a brain hemorrhage.

Tribute is being paid to Firefighter Edward Eckert at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/

To date, 57 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2010; 55 from incidents that occurred in 2010 and 2 from previous year incidents. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online @ http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/statistics/ff_stats.shtm

NAVFAC Engineer Recognized for Superior Civilian Service as IA in Afghanistan

By Annalisa Cachin, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- A Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic civilian electrical engineer returned Aug. 30 from a six-month Individual Augmentee (IA) assignment having received the Army's Superior Civilian Service Award.

John Puvogel was assigned to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Afghan Engineer District North (USACE-AED-N) and received the award from Col. Thomas Magness, Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Kabul District, for outstanding service throughout his IA.

While collaborating with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Puvogel made significant contributions to establishing policy for Task Force Power, whose mission is to protect warfighters and electrical resources by increasing electrical and fire safety awareness.

"John displayed an energy in tackling the most difficult designs and design reviews," said Mark Hogue, engineering branch chief, USACE-AED-N. "He went on to develop a spreadsheet that became a design requirement for all contracts that basically led contractors through load calculations to come up with non-debatable generator selection."

Puvogel was in charge of the planning and repair of electrical systems for existing buildings in Afghanistan that were not completed according to code.

"In construction work in the states (United States), we take for granted that contractors understand design concepts, codes, etc.," said Puvogel. "It is a little different in an environment where you are teaching the concept and basics of electricity to the engineers and contractors performing the work."

According to his supervisors, Puvogel's ingenuity and insight increased quality and safety standards, requiring contractors to design safer and more efficient places to work. He demonstrated a high level of initiative and skill in devising new work methods and procedures. During his time in Afghanistan, he brought many new ideas to USACE. His positive influence was a key element to keeping his colleagues motivated given their intense work environment.

The Superior Civilian Service Award is the third highest award granted by any commander (brigadier general and above) or civilian equivalent organizational heads. Its purpose is to recognize superior service of major significance to a subordinate command or staff element.

"It is a pleasure to have people with outstanding technical abilities that also become friends and come together to get huge amounts of work done," said Hogue. "It is a real career highlight for me to be here and have folks like John to lead design and construction for the Global War on Terror."

"One thing I will always remember is seeing Afghans, who now have electricity for the first time because of the work we are doing for them," said Puvogel.

Face of Defense: Soldier Strives for Excellence

By Army Sgt. Kimberly Johnson
U.S. Division Center

BAGHDAD, Sept. 8, 2010 – When Army Sgt. Asha Narayan digs her hands into something, she digs all the way. Her aspirations are as big as her personality, and she says it’s all because of strong values and people who have believed in her.

Narayan, a patient administrator with 1st Armored Division’s Company B, Division Special Troops Battalion, serving here with U.S. Division Center, said she aspires to be a general officer in the Army one day, as well as to earn a doctorate in chemistry. And those who know her have no doubt she’ll do everything she can to attain her goals.

“I love her fearlessness, motivation and willingness to learn new things and take on new challenges,” said Army Capt. Michele Kehrle, medical operations and patient administration officer in charge. “Sergeant Narayan shies away from nothing.”

While growing up in the South American nation of Guyana, Narayan said, she was given strong values from the start from her traditional Indian family.

“Respect for elders is held very high in my culture, so growing up, I knew my place,” Narayan said. “The greatest value I learned from my grandparents is honesty. Honesty is something I value a lot.”

Narayan, who now hails from Valley Stream, N.Y., said she has molded strength with military tact over the years to become the person she is today, noting that her strength came from overcoming obstacles such as having to support herself at 16. Still, she admitted she was full of attitude when she joined the Army.

“My attitude has improved drastically over the years,” she said. “I get told a lot about my attitude, and I appreciate the constructive criticism given to me. I love the person I am today because of a stern noncommissioned officer I once had. I am a lot nicer. I care about other people’s feelings, and I have more compassion.”

Kehrle agreed that Narayan has learned to benefit from constructive criticism.

“Her strongest qualities are her open-mindedness to recommendations and mentorship, and her motivation,” the captain said. “Personally, she is considerate, level-headed, introspective and reliable.”

Narayan said her strong personality is her strength, but her attitude is her weakness.

“That’s the only thing I would change about myself,” she said. “I have come a long way, but there is always room to improve. I work on it, and I change it all the time. I’m proud of myself for that.”

Still, Narayan said, attitude is as important as ability when it comes to success.

“I made [the] commandant’s list when I graduated [from the] Warrior Leaders Course,” she said. “I went there with the idea in my head that I was going to make that list. All my NCOs told me they knew I could do it. I think other people have a lot more confidence in me than I do in myself.”

Narayan said that while she’s proud of what she’s achieved in the Army so far, she has her sights set on even more.

“I think the enlisted side [of the Army] is amazing, but I think of myself as more of a leader, like on the officer’s side of the house,” she said. “I definitely want to retire from the Army. It’s a great organization, and in 20 years, I’ll be done. Too easy. I’ve always wanted to be a general someday.”

Narayan needs to finish her bachelor’s degree to be an officer in the Army, but she doesn’t plan to stop there. She sees a doctorate in chemistry in her future.

“It’s always been a goal in my life,” she said. “I love putting different pieces of information together and seeing what I come up with as the creation.”

Narayan said cultural awareness is another passion of hers. Upon arriving here in May during Asian-Pacific Heritage Month, she volunteered to put together cultural information for fellow soldiers to help them better understand cultural differences.

“It was interesting to be a part of the celebration and show people we are not all the same,” Narayan said. “It is important for me to show people there is more to a culture than what they think.” She added that she would like to be an equal opportunity advisor for her unit in the future.

“It is so important to reach out for a better understanding of cultures,” she said, “because in the Army, we all work so closely with each other.”

Narayan also organized a 10-mile combat medic run, open to anyone to honor the military medical occupations.

“What makes Sergeant Narayan stand out is [that] she is the kind of person and NCO who says ‘What can I do?’ versus ‘Why I cannot,’” Kehrle said. “That is a rare and invaluable trait.”

As Narayan continues to reach above places where others find limits, she said, she never forgets who helped her along the way.

“My biggest appreciation is that my NCOs never gave up on me,” she said. “Anything I wanted to do, they have always supported me. That to me made the biggest difference in my career. I appreciate my leaders for not giving up on me and helping me be the person I am today.”

George Washington Rugby Football Club Helps Raise More Than $20,000

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Devon Dow USS George Washington (CVN 73) Public Affairs

ANGELES CITY, Philippines (NNS) -- USS George Washington's (CVN 73) GW Rugby Football Club helped raise more than $20,000 at the Seventh Fat Boy 10's Invitational, an annual charity event held at Clark Airbase on Challenger Field, Sept. 4.

The Fat Boy 10's Invitational is a weekend-long golf and rugby tournament held in Angeles City, Republic of the Philippines, aiming to raise money for local orphanages. This event also helps develop the sport of rugby in the Philippines.

The invitational was hosted by a participating team based out of Hong Kong, The Pot Bellied Pigs. The Pigs are a social rugby club and charitable organization committed to expanding rugby in Asia.

This year, 14 social rugby clubs from around southeast Asia competed. Children from local orphanages attended the event participating as ball boys and playing their own games during intermissions during the tournament. GW's Rugby Football Club finished top in their division and were presented with a team trophy at the charity dinner held later that evening.

"This has been a once in a lifetime experience I will never forget," said Electrician's Mate 3rd Class Chris Ford, one of GW rugby's team captains. "It's been a great opportunity to come out and support a great cause while playing the sport we love."

The GW Rugby Football Club is comprised of enlisted Sailors and officers who in their personal time, practice, train and when in port, participate in rugby tournaments. The club has played rugby matches in South Korea and Singapore during GW's summer patrol. To make it to the tournament on time, the rugby club was flown off GW a day before the ship arrived in Manila.

"I am very proud the GW had the opportunity to have itself aligned with such an organization and event," said Lt. Cmdr. Sean Ricks. "Doing events like these only helps GW and the Navy as we continue strengthening our partnerships in the pacific."

The president of the Pot Bellied Pigs, Anson Bailey, said he was impressed by the quality of play from the GW rugby club and that their presence in the tournament was a great addition.

"It's very exciting for us to have the boys from the GW here today. They are truly ambassadors who have represented their ship and their country well," he said. "It's the first time we had a U.S. club in the tournament and it is the first time we have had a Navy ship take part in it as well, it's a first for us in many ways and we could not be happier."

During the tournament, the mayor of Angeles City, Edgardo D. Pamintuan, visited to say a few words to the teams and to show his appreciation for the charitable work being done at the event. While there, members of the GW rugby club got the opportunity to meet him and presented him with one of the ship's challenge coins.

"It was an honor and a privilege to see Sailors from the USS George Washington out here at this event today supporting a great cause," he said. "The annual event is surely a great way to help our youth and provides them with opportunities to excel. I hope to see the George Washington club return to take part in this event."

Bailey said with the success of this year's tournament he would love to see the GW rugby club return to participate in the future.

"It would be great to have the team come back every year and get even more involved if possible," he said. "We welcome rugby players from all over the globe and hopefully we will be welcoming the GW gentlemen back for the Eighth Fat Boy 10's Invitational."

GW is currently underway conducting its 2010 summer patrol in the Western Pacific Ocean. The GW Carrier Strike Group includes Carrier Airwing 5, Destroyer Squadron 15, and the guided-missile cruisers USS Shiloh (CG 67) and USS Cowpens (CG 63).

It Is about Core Values

Posted by Harry Hertz, the Baldrige Cheermudgeon

What do the recent brawl on the Washington, D.C. Metro, healthy communities, and Baldrige have in common? If I have intrigued you, please read on.

On the night of August 8, 2010 at about 11 PM at the L'Enfant Plaza Metro station in Washington, DC at least 70 youths were involved in a massive brawl, terrifying other riders and causing a stampede. Violence among young people has been an ongoing problem in DC, resulting in a midnight curfew for residents 17 and younger.

Are incidents like this preventable? The city of Coral Springs, Fl, a 2007 Baldrige award recipient, has over the last 10 years decreased its crime rate by nearly half. For cities with populations between 100,000-499,999, Coral Springs has the lowest crime rate in the state and the fourth lowest crime rate in the nation. Coral Springs has achieved this result, among others by bringing citizens and businesses together to create a strategy to build a better community.

Recently I have been having discussions with a very diverse group of people across the United States about the building of healthy communities. Healthy communities have not only healthy people but thriving social and economic systems. Obviously, components of a healthy community are low crime and an engaged, educated youth population. Columbia, Missouri is working toward this goal as it builds a community of excellence, based on all organizations using the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence as a common language for improvement. Lowell Kruse, former CEO of Heartland Health, has taken this on as his mission with support from the Heartland Foundation. In the Baldrige Program we are looking at ways to catalyze a national partnership of dissimilar communities to dialog around the concept of healthy communities, with the Baldrige framework as a basis for common understanding and goal setting.

Which brings me to core values! The Baldrige Criteria are based on 11 Core Values and Concepts. Among these are societal responsibility, visionary leadership, focus on the future, managing for innovation, and a systems perspective.What if we were to use these values as the foundation for a systems approach to building healthy communities using the Baldrige Criteria for assessing our progress? I think the concept is powerful. It needs visionary leaders to make it happen. Are you interested?

Please share your thoughts and your aspirations and willingness to build healthy communities across our country. Thanks on behalf of all uf us!

Firefighter Fatality

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality:


Name: Jonathan Lewis “Johnny” Littleton
Rank: Captain
Age: 40
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 5
Date of Incident: 08/19/2010
Time of Incident: 2045hrs
Date of Death: 08/20/2010
Fire Department: Pine Level Fire Department
Address: PO Box 609, 110 W Main ST, Pine Level, NC 27568
Fire Department Chief: Stephen Holloman

Incident Description: Captain Littleton was participating in fire department training when he started feeling ill and departed early for his residence. Captain Littleton was discovered the following day at his residence having passed away from a cause still to be determined.

Incident Location: 223 Davis Mill RD, Pine Level.
Funeral Arrangements: 08/24/2010

Memorial Fund Contact and Address: In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Pine Level Police Department, P. O. Box 128, Pine Level, NC 27568 or the Pine Level Fire Department, P. O. Box 609, Pine Level, NC 27568 for their respective benevolence funds.

Tribute is being paid to Captain Jonathan Lewis “Johnny” Littleton at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/

To date, 56 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2010; 54 from incidents that occurred in 2010 and 2 from previous year incidents. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online @ http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/statistics/ff_stats.shtm

Firefighter Fatality

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality:


Name: John Kelly
Rank: Firefighter - Chief Driver
Age: 51
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: Pending
Date of Incident: 09/06/2010
Time of Incident: 1837hrs
Date of Death: 09/06/2010
Fire Department: Tarrytown Fire Department
Address: PO Box 158, Tarrytown, NY 10591
Fire Department Chief: Peter Saracelli
Fire Department Website: http://tarrytownfd.org/

Incident Description: Firefighter Kelly died after being overcome by fumes while climbing down into an approximately 15-foot manhole attempting to rescue a village Department of Public Works employee, Anthony Ruggiero, also a volunteer firefighter with Hope Hose Company Engine 79. Ruggiero, who also died in the incident, had been investigating a reported sewer system problem in the area and was overcome by fumes as he descended into the manhole.

According to press reports, a hazardous materials team measured the oxygen level at 14 percent after the men were pulled out. An assistant fire chief for the fire department was quoted as saying he did not know if deadly gases were detected.

Investigation of the incident by local and State authorities continues.

Incident Location: Pending
Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending

Tribute is being paid to Firefighter - Chief Driver John Kelly at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/

To date, 55 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2010; 53 from incidents that occurred in 2010 and 2 from previous year incidents. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online @ http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/statistics/ff_stats.shtm

Firefighter Fatality

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality:


Name: Larry Suiter
Rank: Fire Chief
Age: 66
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 40
Date of Incident: 09/03/2010
Time of Incident: Pending
Date of Death: 09/04/2010
Fire Department: Lorraine Green Garden Fire Department
Address: PO Box 81, Lorraine, KS 67459-0081
Fire Department Chief: Pending

Incident Description: Fire Chief Suiter responded to an anhydrous ammonia leak at a grain elevator. After returning home from the incident, Chief Suiter passed away from a cause still to be reported.

Incident Location: Pending

Funeral Arrangements: Pending
Memorial Fund Contact and Address: Pending
Tribute is being paid to Fire Chief Larry Suiter at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/

To date, 54 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2010; 52 from incidents that occurred in 2010 and 2 from previous year incidents. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online @ http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/statistics/ff_stats.shtm

Face of Defense: Marine Strives for Stronger Stride

By Marine Corps Cpl. Andrew S. Avitt
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif., Sept. 7, 2010 – A self-proclaimed “average” runner from Bismarck, N.D., who has worked at it for 11 years has earned himself a spot on the Marine Corps running team.

And Marine Corps Cpl. Sage Koch doesn’t plan on slowing down any time soon.

“I was just a regular Joe like anybody else,” he said. “I started from the bottom and worked my way up.”

His competitive stride was first put to the test in middle school, as Koch began running for the school’s track and field team.

“The first event I ever ran was a mile,” Koch said. “For me, it was good for relaxation to help me with the daily stress.”

As he progressed to high school, he found that becoming a freshman meant not only tougher classes, but also a more serious attitude toward his running.

“As I became older, competition became more a part of the picture, and along with track, I also started running cross-country,” he said.

Although running was his passion, he said, not all running made him happy.

The closest he ever came to running in a sprint event was an 800-meter race, but it wasn’t by choice. “I hated that race,” he said. “The coach would always put me in it so that I could get my speed up, so that I could run that faster mile.”

After graduating from high school, Koch accepted a cross-country scholarship to a nearby community college. But after a year, he decided he needed something different and enlisted in the Marine Corps in March 2008. “I wanted to get out and see the world,” he said.

His three-mile time is 15:19, which has earned him the name “Smoke” from Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Thomas Russi of Company A, Headquarters Battalion, who unholsters the name every time he sees Koch in the gym. With a time like that, Koch said, he had trouble finding a running partner, until about six months ago.

Sarah Raschiatore, also a running enthusiast and a physical trainer at the Combat Center’s East Gym, began running with Koch and training for various running events.

“Sage is very passionate about running,” she said. “He loves it, and has a great positive attitude and mental strength for it.”

Although Koch is the best he has ever been, she noted, he continues to get stronger and has transferred his focus on running longer and longer races. “He’s building up his miles,” she said.

Since January, Koch has recorded the miles he has accumulated in base competitions such as the Road Runner Challenge and in his other training. He just passed the 2,000-mile mark.

The Road Runner challenge helps to keep track of his mileage, he said, and the competition always encourages him to give it his all.

“I want to run professionally, but I’ve got a long way to go,” he said. “But if I keep at it, I know good things will come.”

Although running professionally is the ultimate goal, Koch said, he sees himself back at college running competitively while he earns his degree.

“I’m running about 70 miles-a-week,” he said. “That’s a lot, [but] some professional runners run 130 or 140 miles-a-week.”

Koch identified persistence as his formula for success. “People always ask me how do I do it,” he said, “and I tell them, ‘You’ve just got to do it. You’ve got to push your body and your limits to get better. The only way for improvement is by practice, and the best time for practice is now.’ If everyone starts at the bottom, there’s only one way to go but up.”

LCDR Zeita Merchant: A Legend in Diversity

Written by: LT Connie Braesch

Trailblazer, ambassador, all-star, champion, leader, mentor, scholar, legend – all words used to embody U.S Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Zeita Merchant.

Yesterday, Merchant was recognized for her outstanding achievements and for her support of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) at ESPN’s Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and the Southwestern Athletic Conference Challenge Legends Reception.

The Legends Reception honors HBCU graduates who have had an impact on their respective career and community. Each of this year’s six honorees were presented with an HBCU Trailblazer Award.

“It’s indeed an honor and privilege to be a part of such an elite group of individuals,” said Merchant. “As the least-known out of the recipients, I think it is an honor to be personally recognized for my accomplishments; furthermore, it is a great opportunity to showcase the Coast Guard, our missions and the diversity of the service.”

Merchant, currently assigned as a Congressional Fellow to the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee in the U.S. House of Representatives, is a graduate of Tougaloo College and of the Coast Guard’s Minority Officer Recruit Effort (M.O.R.E.) program, now called the College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative (CSPI). It has been her career-long goal to continue to inform and educate student’s of the opportunities in the Coast Guard.

“I am a representative,” she said. “I make it a point to try to let people know about the Coast Guard in general and specifically the CSPI program.”

A Coast Guard advocate, Merchant participates in ongoing and extensive outreach with HBCUs. Most notably, her extraordinary work as a CSPI Ambassador at Spelman College helped the Coast Guard receive its first HBCU Top Supporter Award in 2010. One student she mentored at Spelman is well on her way to earning her commission and starting her Coast Guard career, a testament to Merchant’s commitment.

“I remember the time that I met her, until just recently she graduated from boot camp. It all came to fruition, from then until now,” said Merchant. “She is so excited about the program.”

A passionate volunteer, Merchant has organized numerous community-service initiatives with organizations such as The RIPPLE Institute Inc., whose mission is to offer youth an opportunity to learn the skills needed to compete in the 21-century workforce.

A community leader, she serves on the Executive Boards for two minority serving organizations: the National Council of Negro Women’s (NCNW) Women of Defense and the National Association of African Americans in the Department of Homeland Security (NAADHS).

A steadfast professional, she is a participant of the Congressional Black Caucus, the National Society of Black Engineers, and is a longtime member of the Coast Guard Commandant’s Diversity Advisory Council.

“My dictum is ‘True leadership is Servanthood’,” she noted. “Aristotle said our greatest virtues are those which are most useful to other persons.”

To add to her remarkable list of accomplishments, Merchant has earned both a Master of Quality Systems Management from the National Graduate School and a Master of Public Administration in Environmental and Emergency Management from George Washington University in Washington D.C. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration and is on track to earn the Ph.D. in Summer 2011.

Demonstrating exemplary leadership in achieving, valuing and managing diversity for the Coast Guard and her community, Merchant is a role model for public outreach and community service. While she dedicates the honors and awards to her mother and father as a way of paying her respects, her personal legacy will undoubtedly persevere in paving the way for future leaders.

History – CDR Juan del Castillo: Officer, Humanitarian and Self-Made Scientist

Written by: LT Connie Braesch
Post Written by William Thiesen, Coast Guard Atlantic Area Historian

In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, this month’s history post is in honor of Commander Juan del Castillo, the Coast Guard’s first officer of Hispanic American heritage. This story has a wonderful ending as a family tradition to serve in the U.S. Coast Guard continues.

The Coast Guard is a sea service with a variety of unique missions that attracts personnel with unique interests and experiences. A few examples of these individuals include Alex Haley, a journalist in the service whom later became a famous writer after leaving the service; and Dr. Olivia Hooker, the first African American women admitted to the service as a SPAR in 1945, who went on to have a distinguished career as a psychology professor at Fordham University.

Juan del Castillo is ranked among the many Coast Guard personnel who distinguished themselves within the service and then on into civilian life.

Born in New York in 1921, he attended La Salle Military Academy in Oakdale, New York, and graduated from Manhattan College in 1942. In June 1942, he began what became a forty-year career with the Coast Guard Reserve. After first enlisting in the service, he quickly earned an appointment to Reserve Officer Training at the Coast Guard Academy. He completed Reserve Officer Training in December 1942 becoming the first Coast Guardsmen of Hispanic heritage to receive a commission.

It was in the Coast Guard that del Castillo honed his leadership ability. During World War II, he served on PC 469, a heavily armed patrol craft responsible for escorting convoys in the Caribbean at a time when u-boat attacks there were a common occurrence. He was also selected for Naval Communications School at Harvard University and served the latter part of World War II in the treacherous North Pacific on board the Coast Guard-manned patrol frigate, USS Albuquerque.

After the war, del Castillo left active duty, but continued to serve as a reservist, and took a job with the family import business, Rafael del Castillo & Company. During this period in his career, he became interested in famine relief in the developing world. Armed with his bachelor’s degree in political science and his Coast Guard training, del Castillo became a self-taught authority on food science, famine relief and large-scale food aid distribution.

Over the following years, while serving in his role as a Coast Guard Reserve officer, del Castillo worked in executive positions with the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). During this time, he invented the formula for Corn Soy Milk, considered one of the most important high protein foods ever developed. Next, he invented a rice substitute out of sorghum for international food programs. Unlike large commercial food producers, del Castillo developed these highly nutritional food substitutes without a staff or a laboratory. Over four million men, women and children worldwide consume these food products and avoid malnutrition or starvation daily.

As if his important advances in food science were not enough, del Castillo also held positions at USDA responsible for the distribution of foods for the national school lunch program, elderly and family feeding programs and supplying food to Indian reservations. He also served as first director of the food stamp and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program. After his retirement from the Coast Guard Reserves in 1981, del Castillo continued his work on nutritious food for feeding the needy and starving and he took a leading role in the cause of improved survivor annuities for military widows.

Juan del Castillo, the Coast Guard Officer, war hero, self-taught scientist and humanitarian passed away in 2009. Before he passed, del Castillo was recognized for his important contributions to humanitarian food aid programs with the USAID Lifetime Achievement Award. Commander del Castillo left behind a wife of fifty-seven years, six children and nineteen grandchildren.

Carrying on the family tradition, one of his grandchildren began training as a cadet at the Coast Guard Academy in August, nearly seventy years after del Castillo did as a Reserve Officer Trainee. del Castillo serves as yet another example of the talented individuals who have served in the Coast Guard and embody the service’s core values of honor, respect and devotion to duty.

The author would like to thank David Henrickson, Coast Guard veteran and shipmate of Juan del Castillo on the USS Albuquerque, and Mrs. Joan del Castillo, wife of Juan del Castillo.

Former Louisiana officers celebrate 50th anniversary as new officers graduate

By Sgt. Rebekah Malone
Louisiana National Guard

PINEVILLE, La., (9/1/10) - For retired Army Maj. Gen. Joe Gary, the mingling of officers from the first class to graduate from the Louisiana National Guard’s officer candidate school after 50 years was memorable.

“It makes your heart jump. You can’t measure that,” he said.

In a weekend-long celebration, the old and new officers from the last half century gathered here at Camp Beauregard to reunite with previous classes and celebrate the graduation of 38 new officers on Aug. 28.

Festivities began Aug. 27 with a barbeque, which included 11 of the 20 officers from the first class. More than 1,600 officers have graduated from the course since it first began.

Silver-haired Guardsmen told stories of the difficult training they went through to earn their commissions to the young officers.

“It teaches you to operate under stress,” said former Army Capt. James E. McCarty of Madison, Miss., about the difficult journey of becoming an officer.

The sight of friends from long ago brought smiles to faces wrinkled with time.

“I haven’t seen some of these people in 50 years,” said McCarty. “Seeing them for the first time – it was amazing.”

Officer candidates may either attend the traditional officer candidate school one weekend a month and two annual training sessions over 18 months or attend the accelerated course.

Here, Guardsmen complete the training active-duty over three months. Classes 50 and 51A celebrated their graduation together with family and friends at Tioga High School in Tioga, La.

Second Lt. Jim Spurlin, the winner of the Leadership Award and an honor graduate for Class 50, said he felt relief during the graduation and looked forward to the future.

“I’m happy it’s finally over with a good outcome," he said. "And I can move on to a new step in my career.”

Army Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau, the adjutant general of the Louisiana National Guard, told the new officers they have remarkable opportunities to look forward to.

“You are embarking on a tremendous career,” he said. “You face a path full of exciting possibilities … you have the drive, you have the training, you have the heart and the leadership to step across the line and make a lasting impact on every Soldier you have the opportunity to lead.”

Guardian of the Week – LT Wayne Miller

Written by: LTJG Stephanie Young

“Other Coasties would have done the same,” said LT Kenneth “Wayne” Miller as he reflected on his rescue of a man trapped in a vehicle fire.

On July 16, Miller, one of the thousands of reservists who have been called to active duty for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response effort, was driving across the Dauphin Island Bridge off the coast of Alabama from a work site to a planning meeting when he noticed traffic slowing ahead.

He stopped, got out of his car and saw a vehicle on fire. From a distance, as the smoke and flames were building, it was hard to see if there were any passengers inside.

As he ran towards the car, he realized an unresponsive person was trapped inside with the windows up and the doors locked.

Immediately, he yelled out for someone to call 911 and then began working to free the trapped man with the help of other good Samaritans.

“I remember thinking I couldn’t get in, and I was running out of time, so I just had to give it one more shot,” said Miller.

Miller attempted to kick in the windows multiple times, but they wouldn’t break.

Racing against the clock, Miller ran to a pickup truck several cars ahead. Amongst the construction items in the truck, he found an aluminum pipe which easily shattered the windows. Miller along with the other good Samaritans began trying to figure out how to pull the unresponsive driver out of the car.

“It was so hot that you couldn’t reach in six inches to undo the door latches,” he said.

As Miller worked to rescue the man, other good Samaritans tried to put the fire out. They used fire extinguishers from nearby cars and poured coolers filed with ice onto the building flames.

Eventually, Miller was able to get a clear view of the driver and realized he was struggling to breathe.

Because the fire was so hot at the front of the car, Miller made several attempts to pull the trapped man out from the backseat unsuccessfully. At the risk of his own safety, he went to try the driver’s side door. Realizing the door would be too hot, another good Samaritan found a pair of leather gloves which Miller used to open the door.

Despite suffering mild burns of his own, Miller was able to release the driver from his seat belt, remove him from the seat, and carry him away from the burning car with the assistance of other good Samaritans.

“Seconds after we pulled the man out, the car was engulfed in flames bumper to bumper,” said Miller.

As local police and fire showed up, the once unresponsive driver became conscious and was able to speak.

Tragically, after being cared for at a local hospital, the man succumbed to his injuries one week later. Despite the sorrowful ending to a heroic tale, the man will forever be a part of Miller’s thoughts as the traumatic event left an indelible mark on his life.

“He inspired me for the rest of my life because he pushed through that pain, that incredible pain,” Miller said.

Submariner Receives Distinguished Community Service Award

By Missile Technician Seaman Grant Dauzat, Commander, Submarine Group 10 Public Affairs

KINGS BAY, Ga. (NNS) -- A crew member of the ballistic missile submarine, USS Maryland (SSBN 738) (Blue), received the American Legion Spirit of Service Award in Milwaukee, Wis., Aug. 31.

Missile Technician 3rd Class Thomas M. Lothridge was presented the award for outstanding community service during the American Legion's 92nd National Convention.

The American Legion, the nation's largest wartime veterans' organization, honors representatives from the five armed services annually for their outstanding military service and active participation during off-duty hours in his or her community.

"Our nation is fortunate to have such dedicated military personnel as Tom Lothridge who represents the very finest our nation has to offer," said Clarence E. Hill, the American Legion National commander, who presented the award. "For both his military and community service, Petty Officer Lothridge is a credit to his uniform and to his country. The American Legion is very, very proud of him."

Lothridge dedicated more than 381 hours of community service since joining the Navy in 2006. His volunteer contributions include working with mentally and physically handicapped children, the Kings Bay Area Special Olympics and a local Ronald McDonald House. He assisted in the construction and renovation of the new wing of Ronald McDonald House, which created housing for 15 underprivileged orphans.

Lothridge coordinated events to support the local educational programs. He spearheaded the successful completion of several projects at Matilda Harris Elementary School by the planning, budgeting, mentoring and directing other volunteers.

Raised in Walland, Tenn., Lothridge attended Heritage High School, where he graduated in 2006. He enlisted in the Navy the in October 2007.

He even organized educational events at the Woodbine Elementary School Fall Festival and found private funding and rallied military personnel support for several stations at the school's field day.

Other efforts included building a Habitat for Humanity home for a less fortunate family in Woodbine, Ga., serving as an adult mentor at a Christian-based retreat for children and coordinating the command's Adopt-A-Highway program.

Lothridge said his work with various schools added to his previous service with the Special Olympics and Habitat for Humanity.

"Before I started serving at the school, my volunteer hours were kind of limited, and now I'm really helping people to help people," said Lothridge. "Every time I help the kids, I feel great."

Lothridge was shocked when he heard he had been selected to receive the 2010 American Legion Spirit of Service Award.

"I was speechless for about a minute and a half," Lothridge said. "The captain doesn't generally call people on their cell phone, so I was pretty excited. This is such a great honor."

Acting Fire Administrator Takes Fire Service Seat Belt Pledge

Emmitsburg, MD — Acting U.S. Fire Administrator Glenn Gaines today signed the National Fire Service Seat Belt Pledge at the conclusion of his first all-hands meeting with USFA staff. Chief Gaines emphasized in his remarks that wearing seat belts is an essential component of efforts to ensure the safety of firefighters in fire apparatus and vehicles.

Vehicle crashes remain the number two cause of firefighter on-duty deaths. After signing the Pledge, Chief Gaines relayed to USFA staff his experience attending the memorial services for Rocky Mount, Virginia Fire Chief Posey Dillon and Firefighter Danny Altice, who died as the result of an apparatus crash on July 26 of this year while responding to an emergency call. Neither Chief Dillon, who was driving the pumper, nor Firefighter Altice in the officer seat, was wearing their seat belt. Both were ejected and died from their injuries. No other firefighters were on the apparatus and no civilians were injured.

Chief Gaines also signed his name to the 100% Seat Belt Pledge Certificate. The Certificate is awarded to any fire department that has all members take the pledge. Leading fire service organizations that have endorsed the Seat Belt Pledge include the:

• International Association of Fire Chiefs

• National Fallen Fire Fighters Foundation

• National Fire Protection Association

• National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety

• National Volunteer Fire Council, and

• U.S. Fire Administration

So far, over 154,000 firefighters have taken the pledge and about 800 fire departments have achieved 100% participation. North Carolina, Illinois, Florida, and Georgia are leading the nation with number of fire departments that have achieved 100% seat belt pledge participation.

To find out more about the National Fire Service Seat Belt Pledge campaign, go to www.trainingdivision.com/seatbeltpledge.asp. There you can access and download the pledge signature form, learn how to receive a 100% Certificate for your organization, find out which fire departments in your state have taken the pledge, read success stories, identify supporters, and receive additional campaign material.

Take the seat belt pledge and buckle up. The fire service owes it to each other and our families so Everyone Goes Home.

Retired U.S. Army veteran at ICE helps recuperating veterans transition to work

ICE leads DHS in bringing veterans on board through Operation Warfighter

The doctors at Walter Reed Army Medical Center call Wayne "Mike" Nelson "a walking miracle." A U.S. Army veteran, Nelson was, not too long ago, paralyzed from the waist down. He courageously climbed out of immobility, and now he's helping other veterans by giving them the same chance he was given through the Operation Warfighter (OWF) program. Under Nelson's leadership as the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) veterans employment program manager and coordinator for OWF, ICE has brought 40 veterans on board from October 2009 through August 2010 and is leading the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the program.

Nelson helps veterans navigate the federal application process and ensures they have all the required documents to be considered for an internship at ICE. He intercedes on the veteran's behalf by matching the veteran's skills to ICE's needs and directly contacts the appropriate ICE hiring authority.

OWF, originated by the Department of Defense in 2004, is a means for "warriors-in-transition" to be a part of the mainstream of work activity while they recuperate from injuries or illness. These veterans often have significant down time as they are recovering. Besides the career benefits of gaining valuable federal government work experience, productively working provides "tremendous physical, psychological and social benefits for recuperating service members," says Patrick Brick, the Armed Forces Services Corporation program coordinator for OWF.

Convalescing veterans who transition to work through the OWF are still being paid by the military. They are an asset to any organization not only because of their dedication and skills, but because "they are disciplined and have been trained to work long and hard," says Nelson.

To see Nelson now, walking down the hallway, reaching for his phone across the desk and typing notes into an Excel sheet no one would suspect he had been severely physically challenged from January until May 2009 when he had no use of his legs.

Nelson's entire adult life has been connected to the U.S. military. He retired from the U.S. Army after 22 years of service and was called back to active duty in December 2007 to serve in the Fatal Accident Branch. Nelson, along with a U.S. Army chaplain and a unit commander, visited family members of veterans who had been killed either from an accident or from friendly fire. With the official U.S. Army investigative report in hand, Nelson explained to family members what happened to their loved ones. "They welcomed me," said Nelson. "They wanted to know exactly how their son, husband, wife or daughter had died."

In an even tone, Nelson recounted heartbreakingly tragic mishaps that snuffed out the lives of some of America's sons and daughters while in service to their country. With his mellifluous tone and calm demeanor, one could understand how Nelson might be a port in another's storm.

In January 2009, Nelson suffered his own sea of troubles. A bone spur lodged in his spine caused him to collapse. Two operations, a continuous intravenous stream of antibiotics and five intensive months of grueling physical therapy later, Nelson defied the odds and got back on his feet.

Nelson recalled the words of one of his doctors, which he attributes in large part toward making his way toward his current ambulatory status. Examining the results from electrodes attached to his legs, the doctor said, "Mr. Nelson, I don't know what's wrong with you. But whatever it is, it's fixable. You've got good nerves in your legs." Nelson hung his hopes high on the word "fixable," saying, "that's what kept me going."

In October 2009, while still convalescing, Nelson applied for employment at DHS through OWF. "I wanted to be part of the DHS/ICE team," said Nelson. He received a call from the ICE Chief Diversity Officer who said, "I'll give you a chance." Nelson seized the opportunity and never looked back. He was hired as a full-time federal employee at ICE in March 2010.

Today, Nelson is helping other veterans to be given the same chance that was given to him. He liked his job at ICE immediately saying, "Everything I was doing was geared toward veterans-making life better for veterans-giving them an opportunity through OWF."

Nelson waxes philosophical when advising recuperating veterans. "A job is like an apple. Your object is to get that apple. You take a big bite out of the apple when you apply." Nelson says. "I help veterans take the second bite of the apple, which is to get them to the hiring official."

Nelson says the best thing people can do for wounded veterans is to "give them a chance to show their skills. If your office is short-handed, think about bringing a veteran on board. If you like them, hire them."

-- ICE --

Strong Inter-Faith Effort Characterizes Tennessee Flood Recovery

Nashville, Tenn. -- Efforts to help Tennesseans affected by spring storms and flooding have been aided by strong inter-agency and inter-faith cooperation. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) see partnership among all relief sectors as key to a successful recovery.

"I'm just so impressed by how well organized some of these charities have become over the last few years," says Federal Coordinating Officer Gracia Szczech. "They got on the ground here very quickly and clearly intend to be here for the long-haul."

United Methodist Disaster Response Coordinator Dave Henderson had teams of Christian volunteers working in Tennessee even before flood waters fully receded. Once he saw the extent of the damage, Henderson called in reinforcements, inviting a Jewish charity he'd worked with in the past to send volunteers into Tennessee as well. The two groups worked side-by-side clearing mud and debris out of homes in Smith County.

Nonprofit agencies often bring unique skills to the public/private partnership during a disaster. As flood waters receded in early May, the Muslim charity Islamic Circle provided volunteer translators to help FEMA get Arabic- and Kurdish-speaking flood survivors registered for assistance.

"I was able to help some Egyptians translate their needs from Arabic into English," recalls volunteer Maria Salhi. "My husband and my daughters also volunteered, and we worked with Christian groups and Jewish groups. When people need help you just have to lay your differences aside. It was a wonderful experience for all of us."

Faith-based agencies tend to focus on the most vulnerable populations in a disaster area. The Jewish relief organization Nechama (Hebrew for comfort) brought dozens of volunteers into Tennessee and concentrated their efforts on the state's most marginalized citizens.

"We worked several days in low-income apartment complexes with residents of largely Hispanic and Middle Eastern backgrounds," recalls Nechama Field Coordinator Dan Fields. "At one point we partnered with volunteers from a Muslim charity. It was just such a moving experience to see the two groups working together."

"This level of cooperation among the many groups assisting in recovery efforts is important," says TEMA Director James Bassham. "Non-government partners are critical in helping a community return to normal from disaster."

President Declares Emergency For North Carolina

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Craig Fugate announced today that Federal aid is available to supplement state and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Earl beginning on September 1, 2010, and continuing.

The President's action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in Beaufort, Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Columbus, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hyde, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Pitt, Tyrrell, and Washington Counties.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding.

FEMA named Michael Bolch as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area. Bolch said that additional designations may be made at a later date after further evaluation.

Sailors Repair Food Sheds During Baltimore Navy Week

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Pat Migliaccio, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs

BALTIMORE (NNS) -- Six Sailors and officers from the USS Maryland (SSBN 738) volunteered their time to help Real Foods Farm repair and level two farm storage sheds in Baltimore Aug. 31.

The sheds will be used to house a field office and store farm equipment needed to grow locally produced agriculture.

Real Foods Farm is a program that began in October 2009 and is run by Civic Works, a 17-year-old non-profit organization dedicated to multiple service projects for the citizens of Baltimore.

"Our mission is to prove that farming in the Baltimore area is not only possible but in fact economically practical," said John Ciekot, project director, Civic Works. "We want to grow and sell healthy food locally for people of all income groups. The Navy presence here today takes us a critical step closer to this goal as they're doing what most people would have trouble completing."

"This is just another aspect of what we do in defense of our country on a daily basis," said Cmdr. Jeff Grimes, commanding officer, Maryland. "Being here shows what good citizens our Sailors are and also lets the community know what kind of careers and opportunities are available in the U.S. Navy."

During the day, the crew of Maryland used their expertise and hard work to successfully raise and level both sheds.

"This is not something we normally do, said Machinist Mate 1st Class Timothy Muck, from Maryland's crew. "But it's always good to give back to the community especially with these small projects that don't always get the attention they should."

"The Sailors did a great job today," added Ciekot. "The Navy came exactly at the right time to get these sheds operational so we can raise food. All I can say is carry on!"

This project coincided with Baltimore Navy Week 2010, one of 20 Navy weeks planned across America in 2010.

Navy Weeks are designed to inform Americans on the importance of naval service and increase awareness in cities which might not otherwise see the Navy work on a regular basis.

FEMA HONORS LOCAL ACHIEVEMENT IN COMMUNITY RESILIENCE

2010 National Citizen Corps Achievement Awards Presented

FEMA announced the winners of the 2010 National Citizen Corps Achievement Awards. Presented in ten categories, these awards recognize innovative practices and achievements of communities and individuals across the nation that make our neighborhoods safer, stronger and better prepared to manage any emergency situation. These award winners illustrate how citizens can take action and do their part to be prepared. The public is a valuable resource in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters. Every day around the country, citizens like these take part in community emergency planning, foster successful public-private partnerships, prioritize collaboration, demonstrate creative and innovative local problem solving, implement sound programs that can be modeled for use by other communities, and show how individuals can take action to make a difference in their community.

Award winners by category are as follows. A complete list including category descriptions and finalists is available at www.citizencorps.gov/councils/awards.

Outstanding State Citizen Corps Initiatives Award
North Dakota Citizen Corps Council

Outstanding Citizen Corps Council Award – Serving a Population over 750,000
Fresno Citizen Corps Council (CA)

Outstanding Citizen Corps Council Award – Serving a Population under 750,000
Washoe County Citizen Homeland Security Council (NV)

Collaborative Preparedness Planning Award
Citizen Corps Council of Pierce County (WA)

Preparing the Public Award
East Baton Rouge Parish Citizen Corps Council (LA)

Preparing Community Organizations Award
Cedar Park Citizen Corps Council (TX)

Volunteer Integration Award
District of Columbia Citizen Corps Council (DC)

Newcomer Award
New Lenox Citizen Corps (IL)

Outstanding Council Serving a Rural Area
Citizen Corps Council of North Idaho (ID)

Individual Achievement Awards
David Ball - Riverside, California
Timika Hoffman-Zoller - Chicago, Illinois
Mary Jean Erschen - Lodi, Wisconsin

Hurricane Katrina response: National Guard's 'finest hour'

By Tech. Sgt. John Orrell
National Guard Bureau

Five years ago, the Wisconsin National Guard played a role in what has been described as the "finest hour" in the National Guard's near 400-year history by the former chief of the National Guard Bureau.

"By any measure, it was the fastest, most massive military response to any natural disaster that has ever happened," said retired Army Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum and former chief of the National Guard Bureau. "Our response was the epitome of what the National Guard is and why it is a national treasure."

Hurricane Katrina, a category 5 storm, caused an estimated $81 billion worth of damage, took more than 1,800 lives and forced nearly 1.2 million Gulf Coast residents to evacuate.

However, the preparation and actions of the more than 50,000 National Guardsmen - including more than 460 from the Wisconsin Army and Air National Guard - made the difference in lives saved and lives lost, said Blum.

"It all converged. It all came together, so that when we were needed, we were there," he said.

Gov. Jim Doyle directed the Wisconsin National Guard to assist the devastated coastal area on Aug. 31, 2005. Maj. Gen. Al Wilkening, then the adjutant general of Wisconsin, named Brig. Gen. Dominic Cariello - at that time a colonel commanding the 57th Field Artillery Brigade - to head up the newly formed Task Force Wisconsin. Wisconsin Army and Air Guard members were activated for the task force as Cariello and a small command cell left for Louisiana on Sept. 1.

On the morning of Aug 25, 2005, Katrina was upgraded from a tropical storm to a category 1 hurricane. It first struck land between Hallandale Beach and Aventura, Fla., causing then Gov. Jeb Bush to declare a state of emergency. It also allowed Air Force Maj. Gen. Douglas Burnett, the adjutant general of the Florida National Guard, to activate 800 personnel, including 75 who prepared high-clearance vehicles for flooding in the southern part of the state.

When it struck Florida, the storm weakened, but it also entered the Gulf of Mexico and regained strength. With wind speeds of about 95-100 miles per hour, it was quickly upgraded to a category 2. The storm's impact area was also growing, which caused Florida to call up about 130 more National Guard troops. At the same time, then Gov. Kathleen Blanco of Louisiana and Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi declared a state of emergency.

With plans changing, Guard officials were forced to look at all their options. Mississippi turned to a disaster response plan set up after Hurricane Camille in 1969 and decided to preposition 3,000 Guardsmen at Camp Shelby in the south and Camp McCain in the northern part of the state. The 2nd Battalion, 128th Infantry of the Wisconsin National Guard's 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team was mobilizing at Camp Shelby during Hurricane Katrina.

"We sheltered people in place where we thought they would be safe to survive the hurricane," Blum said. "Then they and their equipment would be able to immediately respond to the after effects of the hurricane."

As Mississippi was preparing for Katrina to hit, the Louisiana Guard was planning for Katrina's arrival. About 3,000 were positioned throughout New Orleans and the southern parishes. They also moved fuel tankers to Hammond Airport northwest of New Orleans.

By Aug. 29, 2005, Katrina was a category 5 hurricane with winds reaching over 170 mph. Mississippi took the brunt of the storm. The damage was catastrophic with a zone of destruction stretching almost 90 miles long and 20 miles wide.

"The devastation of this hurricane was far greater than anyone expected," said Blum. "The entire electrical grid was gone. The Internet was down, the telephones were down, no cell phones, radio and television ceased to exist."

It took Mississippi Guardsmen about six hours to drive 60 miles to the devastated area.

The adjutants general of Mississippi and Louisiana, now retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Harold A. Cross and Army Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau, respectively, contacted Blum and initiated the first round of Emergency Management Assistance Compacts (EMACs) with Texas, Arkansas, Alabama, Florida. It soon became evident to both adjutants general and Blum that more personnel would be needed to assist with the relief effort.

Within 96 hours of the destruction, an additional 30,000 troops were sent to New Orleans. They assisted in search and rescue, medical treatment, evacuation and security. With every passing minute the situation became worse, and Blum knew he couldn't wait for higher command, so he moved forward.

"We didn't ask for permission, we didn't wait for orders," he said.

The Wisconsin National Guard sent more than 460 Soldiers and Airmen - along with dozens of vehicles, equipment and supplies - as part of Task Force Wisconsin. Guard members came from transportation and combat support units, the civil support team and military police, air security forces and rear operations units, rotary and fixed-wing aviation units and air refueling wings. Three Wisconsin National Guard UH-1 Huey and two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters conducted rescue and transport operations beginning Sept. 4.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Doug Determan, then with the West Bend-based 832nd Medical Company, recounted one rescue in the December 2005 issue of At Ease, the Wisconsin National Guard official publication:

"We were out on a typical search and rescue mission in our UH-1 helicopter when we came across a man in a boat," Determan said. "Upon seeing us, the man signaled that he wanted to get out and immediately began tying the boat to a telephone pole."

However, the wires connected to the telephone pole made a rescue hoist operation practically impossible. The man in the boat misunderstood hand signals from the helicopter, and tethered the boat to another telephone pole. Determan decided to place medic Staff Sgt. Patrick Deuberry on top of a stranded SUV about one and a half blocks away, and the man in the boat made his way toward the medic.

"Sensing how exhausted the survivor was, [Crew Chief Sgt. Eric Leukert] and I decided we would fly behind the man and use the rotor wash to push him over to the Tahoe," Determan said. "With some difficulty, Pat was able to help the man get on top of the Tahoe and Eric hoisted first the survivor and then Pat back into the helicopter. Chief Warrant Officer 3 William Richey [the pilot in command] and I then flew the man to Louis Armstrong International Airport to the triage center."

Water levels in the city continued to rise and would not stop until four days later.

"The flood control walls started failing, and the city of New Orleans basically filled up and flooded," said Blum. "It was not the hurricane - it was the aftermath of the standing water in Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River that overran the flood control walls."

The Milwaukee-based 128th Air Refueling Wing welcomed nearly 180 New Orleans refugees, transported by chartered airliners, on Sept. 8. One of those refugees, Joshua Lozier, saw Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers in the airport as he waited to board the plane that would bring him to the Tommy G. Thompson Center at the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds. A prior service active component Soldier, Lozier had an appointment with a recruiter in New Orleans to rejoin the Army - the day after Hurricane Katrina made landfall. He said that the hurricane hampered the ability of recruiters to conduct a background check, so he banked on his prior active duty time to help him get into the National Guard.

Lozier enlisted with the Wisconsin Army National Guard March 15, 2006. About one month later, the prior service Soldier was notified he would deploy with the 1st Battalion, 121st Field Artillery to Iraq. He volunteered to serve a second tour in Iraq when the 121st returned to Wisconsin.

"It's fun," he said at the time. "It's easy. I like what I'm doing.

"I told my wife I married the Army before I married her," he continued. "Plus, my daughter's too young to remember all this, so I figure I'll get it out of my system now."

There was another reason for extending his tour in theater, he admitted.

"It's too cold in Wisconsin," he said. "So I moved to Iraq."

After the storm, thousands of New Orleans residents, who decided to ride out the storm, made their way through flooded neighborhoods to the Superdome, where about 200 Louisiana Guard members provided medical care, security and transportation. National Guard helicopters kept those inside the Superdome supplied with bottled water and packaged "meals ready to eat."

The focus was on downtown New Orleans and the Superdome, but another situation was brewing at the New Orleans Convention Center. With no food and no water, and the situation becoming more desperate, Army Lt. Col. Jacques Thibodeaux was directed to immediately secure the complex.

Because of the lack of communication and the rumors about the conditions being violent at the convention center, Thibodeaux prepared his team of about 1,000 Guardsmen for the worst. As they advanced with weapons, flak jackets and Kevlar helmets, the troops prepared for a three-prong surprise approach. As they marched into the center, they were greeted with a hero's welcome and were able to stabilize the center in less than 30 minutes without firing a single shot.

By the end of September, the Army and Air Guard had flown over 10,200 missions, airlifted over 88,000 passengers to safety, moved over 18,000 tons of supplies and relief aid and saved more than 17,000 lives.

"The Guard did, what the Guard does best," Blum said. "It answered the call, it saw the need, it prepared so that when it was needed it was ready and it was there."

National Preparedness Month: A little time brings peace of mind

Written by: LT Connie Braesch

September is National Preparedness Month, and this year’s theme is “Plan Now. Work Together. Be Ready.” Whether you’re an active emergency responder, a good neighbor or a parent taking care of a family, everyone plays a role during an emergency. Because, it’s not a matter of IF an emergency will occur, but rather a matter of WHEN.

The Ready Coast Guard preparedness program is a stark reminder that while Coast Guard men and women are best known as lifesavers during an emergency, we have to take steps to protect our families and property in the communities where we live and work.

The program urges members to take three simple steps: get an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan, and stay informed about the types of emergencies that could take place in your community. As the site says, “Preparing for emergencies doesn’t take a lot of time or effort, but it brings peace of mind.”

While the Ready Coast Guard program is targeted towards informing Coast Guard families, it is part of a coordinated federal government campaign at Ready.gov which offers valuable and simple tools every American can use to prepare for the inevitable emergency.

Do your part to get prepared by visiting Ready.gov for more information including downloadable emergency kit checklists and emergency plan forms, as well as links to other sources of information and help.

Readout of Secretary Napolitano's Remarks to the Air Line Pilots Association

Washington — Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today delivered remarks at the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) International Awards Dinner- highlighting the Department's ongoing efforts to bolster aviation security and thanking the nation's airline pilots, including the crew members who thwarted the attempted terrorist attack on December 25, 2009, for their work everyday to ensure that air travelers reach their destinations safely and securely.

"As the crew of Flight 253 demonstrated during the attempted attack on Christmas Day, airline pilots and all crew members are a critical part of our layered approach to aviation security," said Secretary Napolitano. "Over the past eight months, DHS has been leading a global initiative, in close collaboration with our international and industry partners, including America's airline pilots, to strengthen the international aviation system against the evolving threats posed by terrorists."

In her remarks, Secretary Napolitano underscored the Department's efforts to develop and implement stronger international aviation security measures-including her participation over the past year in five regional aviation security summits around the world which have resulted in historic declarations to bolster the civil aviation system by developing and deploying new security technologies, strengthening security measures and standards, enhancing information collection and sharing and coordinating international technical assistance.

She also highlighted two major milestones achieved recently by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA): implementation of Secure Flight-under which TSA assumes responsibility from air carriers for checking passenger manifests against government watchlists-for all domestic and international flights operated by U.S. carriers, and 100 percent screening of air cargo that travels domestically or departs from the United States.

Additionally, Secretary Napolitano stressed the Department's deployment of state-of-the-art technologies such as Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT), which safely screens passengers for both metallic and non-metallic threats that may be concealed under a passenger's clothes, at airports across the United States. To date, more than 180 machines are currently in use at 45 airports throughout the nation. The Department will continue to deploy additional machines in the coming months.