United We Roll at Stardust Radio

As we continue our week of cleaning out the dust bunnies and getting files in order, we are bringing you one of our great shows from July 3rd for today:

Tuesday July 31st --- Join us for a repeat of our United We Roll World Tour Show from Tuesday 7/03/12
2:00pm-5:00pm CDT ( will repeat again Wed 8/01 at 6:00pm CDT) as we host four outstanding interviews with three
deployed military members and a Special Agent from NCIS.

To hear the broadcasts, tune in on www.stardustradio.com and click the Listen Live button. For full show schedule and information, go to the United We Roll page and click on the World Tour Blog button.

Guests are: SSG Byron T Edwards/376 ESFS - SrA Herman Hoffman/966 AES 3-2 SBCT - CDR Robert C Nowakowski/CJTF-HOA - Special Agent Dennis J Becker/NCIS (RAC) / CJTF-HOA

SHOW SCHEDULE

2:00pm - Introduction / Announcements

Interview #1 (appr 2:11pm) - SSG Byron T Edwards
376th ESFS / Transit Center Manas
Republic of Kyrgyzstan

Interview #2 (appr 2:45pm) - SrA Herman Hoffman
966 AES 3-2 SBCT
Afghanistan

Interview #3 (appr 3:21pm) - CDR Robert C Nowakowski
CJTF-HOA
Camp Lemmonier, Africa

Interview #3 (appr 4:09pm) - Special Agent Dennis J Becker
NCIS (RAC) - CJTF-HOA
Camp Lemmonier, Africa

Show ends at 5:00pm Central

I saw the following poem "The Day Is Done" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and it immediately awoke in me thoughts of the beautiful words that have been written in poetry and music by our modern day writers.

Words from Mr Longfellow such as "Come, read to me some poem, Some simple and heartfelt lay,
... Not from the grand old masters" take me right away to the poetry written by William Koch and shared on Facebook and his first book, "Casualties of War", soon to be followed by his second book "Patriotic Passion". Incredible poetry of its own form that has captured so many hearts with its purest of messages many revolving around family, country, honor.

Another verse from Mr Longfellow, starts with "Read from some humbler poet, Whose songs gushed from his heart" and my heart is filled with music that pays tribute to the men and women who have and still do give so much as they stand guard over our country and our freedom. I think of the words in Lee Greenwood's "God Bless The USA" as he sings of how proud one is to be an American. There is Michael Chain in his "Spirit of the Free" as he sings of those who have protected our country from our forefathers to the present. John Conlee salutes our military families in his song called "They Also Serve". Dr Sam offers a beautiful tribute to our aging Veterans in his song called "Before You Go" and Darrel Worley reminds us to slow down and thank our Greatest Generation (as labeled by Tom Brokaw) in his song called "POW 369". Radney Foster combines the words of a military pilot and his own in his beautiful "Angel Flight", a song named after the flights that bring our Fallen Heroes home. And of course, there is Diamond Rio's song "In God We Still Trust".

There are a couple of newer songs, too. One is a beautiful new tribute to our country by Todd Allen Herendeen and is called "My Name Is America". The other is by one of our favorites, Clint Black, and was inspired by a photo of a tearful little girl in her pretty dress holding her daddy's hand as he stood in formation before his unit's deployment. Having been through this with my own Daddy, this song is very special and it is called "She Won't Let Go". I haven't let go, either.

Yes, our country is so blessed with people of talent. People who have the talent to write incredible poetry and songs about those who protect our country. Needless to say, we have not even begun to acknowledge all of the poetic and the musical talents here. Not to mention those songwriters/singers who have served themselves such as The 4 Troops, The Soldiers, Keni Thomas, and many more. And there are others who have gone on to write books, make movies and take their talents in other directions. More thoughts for another day as we will look into those areas, too.

And we must also salute those who have the talent to take on the challenges of serving in our Armed Forces. Those who are the subjects of the poems, the songs, the stories. But more, those who are our loved ones, our neighbors, our fellow Americans. Our Heroes of Freedom!

The Day Is Done
by
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
circa 1874

The day is done, and the darkness
Falls from the wings of Night,
As a feather is wafted downward
From an eagle in his flight.

I see the lights of the village
Gleam through the rain and the mist,
And a feeling of sadness comes o'er me
That my soul cannot resist:

A feeling of sadness and longing,
That is not akin to pain,
And resembles sorrow only
As the mist resembles the rain.

Come, read to me some poem,
Some simple and heartfelt lay,
That shall soothe this restless feeling,
And banish the thoughts of day.

Not from the grand old masters,
Not from the bards sublime,
Whose distant footsteps echo
Through the corridors of Time.

For, like strains of martial music,
Their mighty thoughts suggest
Life's endless toil and endeavor;
And to-night I long for rest.

Read from some humbler poet,
Whose songs gushed from his heart,
As showers from the clouds of summer,
Or tears from the eyelids start;

Who, through long days of labor,
And nights devoid of ease,
Still heard in his soul the music
Of wonderful melodies.

Such songs have power to quiet
The restless pulse of care,
And come like the benediction
That follows after prayer.

Then read from the treasured volume
The poem of thy choice,
And lend to the rhyme of the poet
The beauty of thy voice.

And the night shall be filled with music
And the cares, that infest the day,
Shall fold their tents, like the Arabs,
And as silently steal away.

By the way, if you have not read about Mr Longfellow's life, it is very interesting and full of people who have been a part of our country's history. A good place to start is http://hcl.harvard.edu/libraries/houghton/exhibits/longfellow/chronology.html

The following information was provided to us by our guests who brought us a wealth of information about the Phoenix Veteran Awareness Initiative that trains emergency personnel on how to watch for and respond to signals that a combat Veteran may be suffering with a flashback or PTSD related problem due to being involved in an emergency. Those guests included 1) Fire Capt Dean Pedrotti, the creator of the program, 2) Patrick Zeigert, Combat Veteran and member of the Community Outreach and Education Specialist with the Office of the Attorney General/ State of Arizona and 3) Annette Puccia, Certified Therapist, M.C., L.P.C., E.M.D.R. who treats patients with PTSD

Articles that explain the Phoenix Veterans Awareness Initiative

"Heroes to Hometowns: When Veterans Come Home," Dean Pedrotti, B.S., M.B.A., CEP, Journal of Emergency Medical Services, March 2011, http://www.jems.com/article/ptsd/heroes-hometowns

"Phoenix Fire Department Debuts PTS Training Program, Richard Huff, NREMT-B, Journal of Emergency Medical Services, March, 2012, http://www.jems.com/article/training/phoenix-fire-department-debuts-pts-train

If you were able to tune in for this very special show, then you heard our expert guests refer to some books and websites that are at the least very supportive in understanding the program and more about dealing with PTSD and the transitions that our Combat Vets go through upon returning home.

Book by Francine Shapiro available at Amazon (I have already ordered mine)....

Getting Past Your Past: Take Control of Your Life with Self-Help Techniques from EMDR Therapy by Francine Shapiro

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Past-Your-Self-Help-Techniques/dp/159486425X

Book Description
Publication Date: February 28, 2012

A totally accessible user's guide from the creator of a scientifically proven form of psychotherapy that has successfully treated millions of people worldwide. Whether we've experienced small setbacks or major traumas, we are all influenced by memories and experiences we may not remember or don't fully understand. Getting Past Your Past offers practical procedures that demystify the human condition and empower readers looking to achieve real change.

Shapiro, the creator of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), explains how our personalities develop and why we become trapped into feeling, believing and acting in ways that don't serve us. Through detailed examples and exercises readers will learn to understand themselves, and why the people in their lives act the way they do. Most importantly, readers will also learn techniques to improve their relationships, break through emotional barriers, overcome limitations and excel in ways taught to Olympic athletes, successful executives and performers.
An easy conversational style, humor and fascinating real life stories make it simple to understand the brain science, why we get stuck in various ways and what to do about it. Don't let yourself be run by unconscious and automatic reactions. Read the reviews below from award winners, researchers, academics and best selling authors to learn how to take control of your life.
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Book by Edward Tick also available at Amazon (I have ordered mine here, too)

War and the Soul: Healing Our Nation's Veterans from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder by Edward Tick

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/War-Soul-Veterans-Post-Traumatic-Disorder/dp/083560831X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343497001&sr=8-1&keywords=war+and+the+soul+by+edward+tick

Book Description
Publication Date: December 30, 2005

The New England Journal of Medicine reports that 16 percent (one in eight) of returning Iraq veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Such vets typically can’t hold jobs. They are incapable of intimacy, creative work, and self-realization. Some can’t leave the house because they are afraid they will kill or be killed. The key to healing, says psychotherapist Ed Tick, is in how we understand PTSD. In war’s overwhelming violence, the soul—the true self—flees and can become lost for life. He redefines PTSD as a true identity disorder, with radical implications for therapy. First, Tick establishes the traditional context of war in mythology and religion. Then he describes in depth PTSD in terms of identity issues. Finally, drawing on world spiritual traditions, he presents ways to nurture a positive identity based in compassion and forgiveness. War and the Soul will change the way we think about war, for veterans and for all those who love and want to help them. It shows how to make the wounded soul whole again. When this work is achieved, PTSD vanishes and the veteran can truly return home.
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Interactive Website: www.familyofheroes.com

This site offers some very interesting and helpful interactive situations that both military members and their family members are likely to run into. As I understand, these role playing avatars really allow one to work through some very deep issues. Now, the only thing I ran into is when I tried to sign onto the site, it was restricted to persons in NY, NJ, VA, AZ and CO. I will see if we can find out anything more about this website and will post whatever additional information I can find.
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Not only does this program add a most important tool into the hands and hearts of the emergency responders for our Combat Veterans, but it also helps to bring our communities closer together. Once this program is brought into your neighborhood, you will find that the spirit will encourage it to spread with support through auxiliary groups and more. If you did not hear this show, please go to our Archive site at www.stardustradio.info, click on the United We Roll button on the top left and then scroll down to the show date identified as uwrPVET72312 with the guests listed. Left click on the link to listen and right click to download.

Capt Pedrotti and his team have the curriculum ready to share with other fire departments, and they are moving into the law enforcement arena with training at this time. We will be bringing you updated information on this program that truly exhibits the American Spirit of reaching out to help our neighbors.

Stay Tuned.

Tune in 11am Saturday July 28th - www.stardustradio.com click Listen Live for repeat of live show from July 23rd:

Phoenix Fire Captain Dean Pedrotti has been instrumental in starting a Veteran Awareness program that educates emergency personnel on how to work with Combat Veterans in emergency situations, particularly should that emergency cause a trigger for a PTSD or flashback reaction. We speak with Capt Pedrotti, Veteran Patrick Ziegert and Therapist Annette Puccia about this exceptional program. Please tune in to see how your support might help this program come to your communities.

Dean Pedrotti is a Fire Captain/Paramedic and 28 year veteran with the Phoenix Fire Department. He is currently on a special assigment by Phoenix Fire Chief Bob Khan to implement their Department's Veterans Awareness Initiative, an outreach to all 1900 firefighters, paramedics, disptachers and civilian staff of the Phoenix Fire Department to better prepare first responders to help veterans in crisis, especially those facing post-traumatic stress, traumatic braining injury or other disabling injury. In addition to working for many years on busy mid-town and downtown fire companies, Captain Pedrotti has also worked in staff positions as an EMS Officer, Hazardous Materials Inspector and Public Education Specialist.

Joining Capt Pedrotti will be: 1) Patrick Ziegert who is a Combat Veteran and is a Community Outreach and Education Specialist with the Office of the Attorney General/ State of Arizona and 2) Annette Puccia, Certified Therapist, M.C., L.P.C., E.M.D.R. who treats patients with PTSD.

This may be the first of a series of shows and we hope that you will all join us.

It was interesting to see this release come out about service medals for these operations. I, for one, had no idea what these operations were and had to go do some research. As many of our listeners are aware, we began hosting interviews out of the Horn of Africa in April of this year and we are just beginning to learn about the many missions and jobs our deployed members have there. Not only that, but we have had the opportunity to talk with members from the Air Force, Army, Marines and Navy.

More than one of our guests expressed a concern that our countrymen and women did not know about our loved ones deployed in this area of the world and what they were doing. We are hoping to fix that with our interviews and we also hope to help with posts about more sources of information.

We have Americans stationed all over this globe as they protect our country and our freedom. We owe it to them to be aware of where they are, what they are doing and to support them. This article is dedicated to those who are serving in the Horn of Africa.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 610-12
July 23, 2012

________________________________________
DOD Approves NATO Medals for Operations in Africa and Libya

The Department of Defense announced today the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Medal for NATO Operations and Activities in Africa and the NATO Medal for Operations and Activities in Libya have been approved for acceptance and wear by eligible U.S. service members and DoD civilian personnel.

NATO awards the NATO Medal for NATO Operations and Activities in Africa for service in direct support of one of the following operations or activities:
• North Atlantic Council-approved NATO support activities in relation to the African Union
• Operation ALLIED PROVIDER
• Operation ALLIED PROTECTOR
• Operation OCEAN SHIELD
NATO awards the NATO Medal for NATO Operations and Activities in Libya for service in direct support of the following operation:
• Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR

Individuals awarded the NATO Medal for NATO Operations and Activities in Africa or for Libya should consult with their personnel offices for more information on eligibility or to update their personnel files.
For a list of the NATO medals that have been authorized for acceptance and wear by U.S. service members, see DoD Manual 1348.33, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, Volume 3.

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Counter-piracy operations
http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_48815.htm

Growing piracy in the Gulf of Aden and off the Horn of Africa is undermining international humanitarian efforts in Africa and the safety of one of the busiest and most important maritime routes in the world – the gateway in and out of the Suez Canal. NATO has been helping to deter and disrupt pirate attacks, while protecting vessels and helping to increase the general level of security in the region since 2008.

On the request of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in late 2008, NATO started to provide escorts to UN World Food Programme (WFP) vessels transiting through these dangerous waters under Operation Allied Provider (October-December 2008). In addition to providing close protection to WFP chartered ships, NATO conducted deterrence patrols and prevented, for instance, vessels from being hijacked and their crews being taken hostage during pirate attacks. This operation was succeeded by Operation Allied Protector (March-August 2009), which continued to contribute to the safety of commercial maritime routes and international navigation. It also conducted surveillance and fulfilled the tasks previously undertaken by Operation Allied Provider. This operation evolved in August 2009 in Operation Ocean Shield.

Operation Ocean Shield also contributes to providing maritime security in the region and is helping to reduce the overall pirate attack success rate. The latter has been reduced from 44 per cent in 2004 to 16 per cent in 2011. In order to respond to new piracy tactics, NATO has created greater synergies with other initiatives, recognised the continued need for regional capacity-building, within means and capabilities, and focused on areas where it provides added value. The March 2012 Strategic Assessment highlighted the need to erode the pirates’ logistics and support base by, among other things, disabling pirate vessels or skiffs, attaching tracking beacons to mother ships and allowing the use of force to disable or destroy suspected pirate or armed robber vessels.

NATO is conducting counter-piracy activities in full complementarity with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and with actions against piracy initiated by other actors, such as the European Union.

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Operation Ocean Shield Ongoing ...

• The mission, its objectives and scope

Piracy and armed robbery are disrupting the delivery of humanitarian aid to Somalia, as well as threatening vital sea lines of communication (SLOC) and economic interests off the Horn of Africa and in the Gulf of Aden.
Building on the two previous counter-piracy missions conducted by NATO, Operation Ocean Shield principally focuses on at-sea counter-piracy operations. NATO vessels conduct, for instance, helicopter surveillance missions to trace and identify ships in the area, they help to prevent and disrupt hijackings and to suppress armed robbery. NATO has also agreed, at the request of the UN, to escort the UNSOA - United Nations Support Office for AMISOM - supply vessels to the harbour entrance of Mogadishu. The Alliance has broadened its approach to combating piracy by offering, within means and capabilities to regional states that request it, assistance in developing their own capacity to combat piracy activities. More recently, NATO has also taken on measures aimed at eroding the pirates’ logistics and support base.

In sum, NATO’s role is to provide naval escorts and deterrence, while increasing cooperation with other counter-piracy operations in the area in order to optimise efforts and tackle the evolving pirate trends and tactics.
This operation was approved by the North Atlantic Council on 17 August 2009 and has been extended until the end of 2014.