New camo uniforms

The new camo uniforms are awesome -- they make the soldiers blend right into the boulders!  Here's the Brigade Tactical Assault Command with the 1/25 Stryker Brigade Combat Team in Afghanistan:

Rangers Compete in Bataan Memorial Death March

On March 25, six Rangers from the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment competed in the annual Bataan Memorial Death March in White Sands, New Mexico.  The Bataan Memorial Death March is a grueling 26.2 mile race through the high desert terrain of White Sands Missile Range, conducted in honor of the service members who defended the Philippine Islands during World War II.  

The story of Bataan reflects one of the worst defeats in American military history: a four-month fight for the tiny peninsula of Bataan in the Philippine Islands; the first major land battle for America in World War II. On April 9, 1942, the American forces surrendered to their Japanese captors, who set them (including almost 12,000 American Soldiers) walking 66 miles to prison camp, a notorious walk that came to be known as "The Bataan Death March."  Over the years, this race has become quite a tribute to the survivors of Bataan and is popular among military units.  The Rangers competed in the Military “Heavy” category, requiring them to race in the desert with 35-pound packs over mountainous terrain.  

In true Ranger fashion, the team finished in 2^nd place, with a total time of 5 hours and 49 minutes!  If you’ve ever run a marathon (without a pack through the sand), you would appreciate how fast this is.  For more about the race, go to www.bataanmarch.com.

Above are pre- and post-race photos, courtesy of LTC Dave Hodne, commander of the 2nd Battalion.  From right to left in the Pre-Race photo are:

SPC Fernando Hernandez (C Co)

SPC Jacob Dahl (B Co)

CPT Ryan Tackett (HHC)

SFC Shaun Curry (HHC)

CPT Jacob Phillips (HHC)

SGT Charles Martinez (A Co) 

The Rangers accomplished this incredible result in the high desert after training in the “ideal” March conditions in the Pacific Northwest (sleet and rain), and while wrapping up a recent training exercise the Friday prior to the event.  These Rangers can accomplish anything! We are so proud of you!

Gold Star Miss Americas

I am chagrined to say that I didn’t think Hollywood cared at all about our troops and their families. I know -- it’s a stereotypical judgment.  I thought these big-time producers and stars, for the most part, were largely disconnected and often critical of anyone associated with our nation’s defense.  Well…I am incredibly encouraged by what I saw in Las Vegas last weekend.

Take a look at this photo:

This little girl’s daddy, Staff Sgt. Daniel Wagoner, was KIA on September 14, 2007, in Iraq when the little girl, Diana, was just 3 years old. Her mother left the scene soon after, leaving Diana in the care of her grandma, Daniel’s mom, Diane (far right in the picture). Well, Diana and Diane were two of the Gold Star Miss Americas in attendance at last week’s television broadcast. One of the judges, Mike Fleiss, producer of the hugely popular “The Bachelor” series (the guy in the photo), heard about this VIP group and immediately contacted us in December to make a generous donation for any of these families needing a better Christmas. It caught them by total surprise, and you can see how Diana felt when she got to meet Mike. 

The host of “The Bachelor,” Chris Harrison, was the MC for the Miss America broadcast, and he too went all out to welcome our VIPs to Miss America during rehearsals. This heartfelt support was evidenced throughout the week, and the most common sentiment I heard—from stars, contestants, producers, executives—was how humbled they felt to be around our Gold Star Miss Americas. That’s exactly right.


It's a tremendous and humbling honor to spend time with our Gold Star families.  I simply don't feel worthy.  For some, it had been a year since they received the tragic news, and others, more like four or five years.  This is an exclusive "club" that no one wants to join, and I felt intrusive as they started comparing notes on their visits to Arlington, and what their children leave at their Daddy's gravesite.  Their homes are truly "the home of the brave."  A great big salute to our Gold Star Miss Americas 2012!


If you would like to nominate moms, wives, or daughters for next year, please email me directly at shawkes@remembermyservice.com.  Thank you!

Happy Holidays!

From all of us at RMS, a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year!  To all of you in the armed forces, we remember you daily and thank you for your service, from the bottom of our hearts.

Go Army! Go Navy!

Two days before the Army-Navy game, I had the privilege of visiting the nation's Capitol with two outstanding soldiers: Army Soldier of the Year, Spc. Thomas Hauser (far left), and Army NCO of the Year winner, Sgt. Guy Mellor (far right).  My son, Jacob, is in front. SGT Mellor is from my home state of Utah and is with the Utah National Guard. Jacob and I will be attending the game as guests of the Army, so…GO ARMY! (But since my dad was in the Navy in World War II... GO NAVY too!)


And here we are with Utah Senator Mike Lee (right) and his chief of staff, Spencer Stokes, with a gorgeous view of the Washington Monument:

Missouri National Guard honors Troops with Interactive Service Record

We're proud to report that the Missouri National Guard is honoring their troops with RMS interactive service records in ceremonies across the state this week.  


"When you're living history like we are, it's too easy to forget about how important documenting it is," noted Capt. Alan Brown, Missouri National Guard command historian. "Through this project, we've literally written our own history. This project gives faces and voices to the thousands of Missouri National Guardsmen who have sacrificed for their countries."


Read the whole article here:  Missouri National Guard honors Troops

The Big E and Admiral Mullen

At the end of September, I had two exciting days.  First, on Sept. 29, Pat Hackbarth and I went aboard the Big E in Norfolk, Virginia! The grandaddy of all aircraft carriers, the USS Enterprise is the first nuclear-powered carrier, and she celebrates her 50th birthday next month.  We met with LCDR Sarah Self-Kyler, one of the best PAOs in the Navy, and hope to work with them on documenting their incredible, rich history.


The next day, I had the privilege of attending Admiral Mullen's farewell tribute!  Security there reminded me of the opening ceremony for the Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, just months after 9/11.  President Obama, Vice President Biden, and Secretary of Defense Gates were all there, along with ADM Mullen and our new Chairman, GEN Dempsey.  It was a moving ceremony, and a fitting tribute to a great American.  What an honor to be present at both events!