SPECIAL EVENTS
129th Medical Co, Alabama National Guard Deployment
ceremony at their home Armory in Centreville, Alabama
Click to View Photo Album
The 129th Medical Co, Alabama National Guard held their deployment ceremony at their home armory in Centreville, Al on 14 June 2009.
General Abner Blalock and other members of the command group along with Alabama Senator Hank Erwin and members of the Blue Star Salute Foundation wished the soldiers well during their year long deployment in Iraq.
2025th Transportatioon Unit Deployment Deployment Ceremony
Matthews Coliseum, Jacksonville State University
Click to View Photo Album
BSSFI members joined with MG Abner Blalock and members of The Adjutant General's staff for the Deployment Ceremony of the 2025th Trans Co, at Matthews Coliseum, Jacksonville State University 27 May 09. Blue Star Service Banners were presented to each of the 172 departing soldiers for their families to display in their honor.
877th Engineer Company Deployment Ceremony
Click to View Photo Album
The 877th Engineer Company held their deployment ceremony on 12 May 2009 at their home armory in Hamilton. Brigadier General Sheryl Gordon, Commander of the 62nd Troop Command of the Alabama National Guard officiated at the ceremony. BSSFI representatives Isaac and Margo Prentice, E.M. "Duke" Martin, and Mel Shinholster presented Blue Star Service Banners to each deploying soldier for their family members to proudly display in their honor during their separation from loved ones.
168th Engineer Company Deployment Ceremony
Click to View Photo Album
Blue Star Salute Foundation joined with family, friends, and guests, of soldiers of the 168th Engineer Company in Fort Tom Bevill Armory, Fayette, AL for their deployment ceremony on 12 May 2009. BG Sheryl Gordon, CDR 62nd Troop Command and LTC Terry Grisham , Commander 877th En Bn, wished the unit well during their deployment.
BSSFI offered Blue Star Service Banners to the families of each deploying soldier.
151st chemical Battalion, Gadsden,
AL Deployment Ceremony 21 April 2009
Click to View Photo Album
151st chemical Battalion, Gadsden, AL Deployment Ceremony 21 April 2009.
BSSFI Honors Team led by Bill & Pat Wyatt attended the deployment ceremony of Alabama National Guard Soldiers and passed out Blue Star Service Banners for families to proudley display in honor of their beloved soldier during their overseas tour. Bill and Duke Martin also presented a Blue Star flag for prominent display in the units Family Assistance Center.
Foundation members joined MG Abner C. Blalock, US Congressman Robert Aderholt and numerous other dignitaries in paying the much deserved honor and respect to these fine soldiers who answer America's Call.
1343 Chemical Company Deployment
April 21, 2009
Click to view more pictures
1343rd Chemical Company, Alabama Natiional Guard, Fort Payne AL departs home armory for military service in support of OIF:
Major General Abner C. Blalock (TAG ALNG); US Congressman Robert B, Aderholt (AL-4th Dist); and, Singer, guitarist and songwriter Randy Owen, best known as the lead singer of Alabama, joined a host of other dignitaries in a farewell ceremony for the 1343rd Chemical Company home based in the northeast Alabama town of Fort Payne on 21 April 2009. Blue Star Salute Foundation officers and members were honored to provide Blue Star Banners to family members of those departing soldiers to proudly display in their homes during the year's absence in special honor and respect for their loved ones. May God richly bless and protect the soldiers and their family members while apart.
Click to view pictures
On 27 March 2009 the Blue Star Salute Foundation joined the Alabama National Guard Command Group, Patriot Guard Riders and other notables in the deployment ceremony of an ANG "E.T.T," (Embeded Training Team) as they were departing their home station enroute to Fort Riley Kansas then ultimately to Afghanistan. Former Alabama Governor Fob James and Mrs. James attended this event. The E.T.T. was composed of some 18 specifically selected "specialists" of various disciplines who will dedicate themselves to professionally train Afghan civil and military leaders to rebuild and secure their country. Blue Star Service Banners were provided to each soldier's family members to display in thier honor during the deployment.
166th Engineer Company Departs for Afghanistan
Click to view more pictures
Alabama Army National Guard continues to answer the Nation’s call to arms. Soldiers from the 166th Engineer Company of Winfield and Vernon left for training enroute to Afghanistan. Friends and family gathered at the Winfield armory to say farewell to the brave men and women who were departing. Before the ceremony began, Ethan Frye, 19, of Florence, Ala., performed “Army of One,” a song he wrote for his brother, Pfc. Bobb y Frye, and the other soldiers of the 166th Engineer Company. It was Ethan’s way of showing how much he cares for his brother and a way to say “thank you” to the Soldiers. “I have only one simple message,” said Maj. Lee Thompson, Company Commander: “Thank you! Thank you to the soldiers, thank you to the families, and thank you for all your support.” Maj.Gen. Abner C. Blalock, Alabama Adjutant General, and Brig. Gen. Sheryl E. Gordon, Commander of the 62nd Troop Command, also spoke about sacrifice. Winfield Mayor Wayne Silas, Tuscaloosa Veteran’s Affairs representative Michael Culver, Blue Star Salute representative retired Lt. Col. Glenn Nivens, members of the local Red Cross chapter, and many others showed their support by handing out gifts bags, gold coins, yellow crosses, books, and Blue Star Salute Banners.
Deployment Ceremony for 128th Med Co.
August 27th, 2008
Click to view more pictures
Click here to view
The 128th Med Co (GA) Participates in National Guard Birthday Celebrations
National Cemetery Dedication Ceremony July 13, 2008
Click to view more pictures
4th of July at the American Village
Dedication of the Veterans Living Legacy Memorial
The Alabama Veterans Living Legacy" Interim Briefing Report, January 10, 2008.
Dedication of the Veterans Living Legacy Memorial a the American Village that will be
adjacent to the new National Veterans Cemetery. The ceremony at the flags are on the hill
marking the beginning of the Future Veterans Freedom Trail.
L-R Senator Tom Butler, Mrs. Eugene Sledge, Rachel Clinkscale,
Congressman Spencer Bachus, and Marynell Winslow
Click to view more pictures
Wreaths Across America
Click here to view album
Alabama's Blue Star Salute Foundation joined Governor Riley's "Operation Greatful Heart" in conducting the State participation in the 2007 "Wreaths Across America" program on 10 December. This program was introduced by the Worchester Wreath Company of Maine as a national campaign to Remember, Honor, and Teach. The Adjutant General (MG) Abner C. Blalock and RADM Clyde Marsh, USN (Ret) Commissioner, Department of Veterans Affairs presented the Worchester Wreath for Alabama.
"Capitol Sounds" musical entourage provided the musical salute. Wendy Garner performed a special rendition of the National Anthem.
Following the wreath laying ceremony, the wreath was placed upstairs with the permanent Fallen Comrades Memorial in the Old Supreme Court Chamber of the Capitol Building.
Raymond Weeks Memorial
Except for photos 1,12,26, and 28, all photos in this album
courtesy Karie Mitchell Photography
Click here to view album
November 10, 2007: Blue Star Salute Foundation teamed up with Birmingham's National Veterans Day Committee and the "Patriotism in Action" Committee of Dyson Institute to create and dedicate a 60th Anniversary Memorial Plaque in honor of The Honorable Raymond Weeks and America's First National Veterans Day observance of 11 November 1947.
US Congressman Spencer Bachus; American Legion's National Commander Marty Conatser; National Veterans Day Committee President Bill Voigt; National Veterans Award Honoree H.C. "Barney" Barnum, Jr.; Barbara Weeks Minor and Brenda Weeks Parker (daughters of Veterans Day Founder Raymond Weeks); and a host of National Veterans Organization's representatives
celebrate the history of National Veterans Day in Birmingham.
Following the 5PM dedication in Linn Park in downtown Birmingham, the assembly joined the Distinguished Guests Reception and the National Veterans Award Banquet in the adjacent Boutwell Municipal Auditorium.
Program for the Raymond Weeks Memorial Event.
Eric Arrowood, Vincent Army JROTC, Command Sergeant Major, and a member
of the JROTC proudly displays a Blue Star Banner on November 2, 2007
Click here to view album
2 Nov 2007 - Blue Star Salute Foundation joined Shelby County Alabama High School football fans of Vincent and Montevallo Schools and the Shelby County Commission; Legislative Delegation; Alabama Sports Festival; and the Governor's Commission on Physical Fitness in recognizing family members of former students of each of the schools who are presently serving America in the War Against Terrorism worldwide.
Bill & Pat Wyatt presented Blue Star Banners to each of the families who were simultaneously presented "Liberty Bell Medals" on behalf of Governor Bob Riley.
The high schools bands and the Army JROTC unit of Vincent HS participated in the ceremonies.
DEPL0YMENT CEREMONY CHARLIE COMPANY 1ST BN, 167TH
INFANTRY, (MECH), CAMP SHELBY, MISSISSIPPI
Click here to view album
BSSF President Byron White presents the Blue Star Flag, which vividly proclaims that "We Salute Those Who Serve" to Company Commander CPT Eric Hare and Ms. Rhonda Rusk, Family Assistance Coordinator while the assembled Infrantrymen look on. |
Blue Star Salute to Soldiers of the Historic 167th Infantry Regiment (4th Ala Regt)
Over 150 years ago the lineage of Alabama’s 167th Infantry Regiment began when in May 1861 the 4th Regiment of Alabama Infantry was mustered into Civil War service and served for almost four years…the Battle of Monassas…and, Sharpesburg, and a total of 17 major campaigns.
In 1897 the militia became the Alabama National Guard and many served on the Mexican border as guards; in 1916, ordered to active duty in WW-I and assigned to the 42nd Infantry (Rainbow) Division, where the 167th was in direct combat for an amazing 164 consecutive days; in WW-II again called to active duty and served to capture the Pacific island of Moratai from Japanese occupation; during the Korean War, again the 167th was mobilized to provide replacements to deploying units.
Now, the 167th Infantry continues to serve as “Defenders of Freedom” in the War Against Terror.
Some 195 members of CHARLIE Company, 1st Battalion, 167th Infantry held their deployment ceremony at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Mississippi on 20 Sep 2007. Now these Infantrymen are off to a year of duty in Iraq.
Blue Star Salute Foundation joined Alabama’s National Guard Leaders and scores of CHARLIE Company’s family members and loved ones in a grand “deployment ceremony”.
May God Bless and Protect These Brave Soldiers and Bring Each and Every One Safely
Home to Their Loved Ones.
BSSFI leaders present the Blue Star Salute Flag and Banner
to Family Assistance Center Manager Clayton Maddox.
October 23, 2007 at the Fort McClellan, AL National Guard Training Center, BSSFI leaders present the Blue Star Salute Flag and Banner to Family Assistance Center Manager Clayton Maddox.
The Blue Star Salute Foundation pledges to work coorperatively with the Assistance Center in paying proper honor and respect to Alabama Guard Soldiers who are deployed in the worldwide War Against Terrorism and welcomes waiting family members of overseas soldiers to share in Alabama's "Salute" events.
Shown L-R Glenn Nivens, John Walker, Clayton Maddox, Paul Sims, and Bill Wyatt. |
