The Warrior Tour Media

THE PROMISE...the thomas whittaker story

2012-02-01T07:21:00.001-08:00

United States Air Force Global Strike Command Never Quit Series- In the mid 1990's Thomas Whittaker made a promise to a teammate, to finish what he started... summit Mt Everest. Whittaker made good on his promise in 1998 and has continued to reach for summits as the world's first amputee to summit the globes tallest mountain.

American300 is proud to present Whittaker as the first of the 2012 Global Strike Command Never Quit Series special guests. The Never Quit Series is a joint USAF Global Strike Command and American300 effort to place resiliency rich Americans up close and personal with our Airmen stationed at GSC Bases.

For more information on the program contact: Rob Powers via Contact tab on American300.org

Who Doesn't Love a Powder Day

2012-01-28T06:06:00.000-08:00

Tambara Ski Area, Japan—People travel the world to ski and snowboard. Take Olympic Bronze medalist Nelson Carmichael and Olympian Caroline Lalive, they’ve been around the globe several times to ski. In fact, between them they've competed five times at the Winter Games. But, today was the first time they hit the road at 4am with a bus full of US troops and their families for a special day on the slopes.

The five-hour ride from US Army Camp Zama winded out of busy Tokyo into the heart of the mountains in the Gunma prefecture. As the buses chained up before the final approach, the snow started falling slowly from the sky. The powder continued to come down heavier with each switchback as the buses worked their way up to the Tambara ski area. Expectations grew as the Ski 4 Yellow group disembarked their snow chariots and the powder piled up with full force. Who doesn’t love a powder day? Today was going to be one, full of all the moments that make these days last a lifetime.

The Tambara Ski 4 Yellow outing marked Day 3 for Team USA as Carmichael and Lalive accompanied by Dave and Aimee Nagel, of 4 Foundations Steamboat Ski4Yellow nonprofit along with tour organizers Rob Powers and Mike Lane of American300 led a group of 50 powder enthusiasts in a day on the slopes. US service members, their families and friends, some beginners and some seasoned experts, took to the slopes to enjoy this unique powder day.

“A powder day resonates with skiers and snowboarders on so many levels,” said Caroline Lalive. “But when you get to experience one in Japan with members of our Armed Forces, it takes on an entirely new meaning, one that I will hold dearly.”

With six lifts spread across ten named trails, Tambara Ski Area proved to be perfect for the first Ski 4 Yellow event comprised of US troops in Japan. With fresh powder on the trails and enthusiasm running high, laps started racking up. Caroline and Nelson offered a few tips, threw some trick moves and shared a lot of laughs throughout the day.

“Today was a great day and I couldn’t think of a better group of people to spend it with than US troops and their families from Camp Zama,” said Nelson Carmichael. “Skiing is a passion for me and being able to share it is especially special for me. Add in it being a powder day, and it’s just icing on the cake.”

Steamboat Springs will host the 2^nd Annual Ski 4 Yellow event on March 30-31, 2012, which features Olympians and professional athletes skiing and riding across Steamboat Ski Area in the fight against cancer.

“What a way to launch the LiveSTRONG Ski 4 Yellow coming up this March in Steamboat Springs,” said Dave Nagel. “To have troops and their families kick it off in Japan was the ideal way to launch Ski 4 Yellow and bring it to a much larger audience.

American300 Warrior Tours loves slowing things down and getting to know service members and the individuals who support them... whether here in Japan or an outpost in Afghanistan, the goal is always the same 'Americans Honoring America's Heroes! Today at this small remote ski area north of Tokyo, the honor was in sharing an amazing group of American's and Stateside event with our nations heroes.

About The Team:

Troop Ski4Yellow is presented by Military Justice International through American300. The Tour features Olympians Nelson Carmichael and Caroline Lalive along with Steamboat Ski4Yellow organizers Dave and Aimee Nagel. They are joined by American300 volunteers Mike Lane (director of Steamboat Ski Resorts Public Relations) and Rob Powers, founder of the nonprofit American300 Warrior Tours, everyone on this tour resides in the town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado - Ski Town U.S.A. Special Thanks to HoneyStinger, SmartWool, LiveSTRONG Foundation and Military Justice International for supporting this tour.

Follow the tour on FACEBOOK at: American300 Warrior Tours

For Pictures Visit: www.American300.org or FACEBOOK PHOTO GALLERY

For more information on Steamboat Ski4Yellow go to: www.ski4yellow.com

Special Thanks To: Military Justice International www.militaryjusticeinternational

CAMP ZAMA- Don't Forget to Listen to the Music in Life!

2012-01-27T03:11:00.000-08:00

Camp Zama, Japan- The morning broke offering clear skies and cool temperatures as American300 started day 2 of the Troop Ski4Yellow Tour with Camp Zama’s Military Police and physical training at 06:30. The MPs took Olympian Nelson Carmichael and Ski4Yellow’s Dave Nagel on a three-mile awake up run through U.S. Army Garrison Japan's beautiful camp, complete with cadence being called out by the groups leaders. "I've watched enough movies featuring formation running and drill instructor-esque cadence calling to now what it looks like... but I never dreamed of being in an actual military unit, sounding off to the cadence calls the way we did during that run." said lawyer Dave Nagel, who's law firms Military Justice International division helped sponsor this first ever troop tour. "It's pretty cool, very motivating"

After the run, the American300 team was able to spend time with members of the Military Police and their K-9 counterparts talking about life, days traveling to far away places and what it takes to do their job. “It was the perfect way to start the day,” said Dave Nagel. “And the men and women welcomed us into their family and even took it easy on us during the morning outing.”

After leaving the MP station with no arrests, Olympians Caroline Lalive and Nelson Carmichael, American300’s Robi Powers and Mike Lane along with Ski 4 Yellow’s Dave & Aimee Nagel lifted off to meet the 'Ninjas' and 'Ravens' and their UH-64 Blackhawk helicopters. The team was able to try on pilot gear, helmets and get an up close and personal perspective from the front seats of these incredible machines. The workhorses of the US Army, these Blackhawk Helo's provide essential transportation for troops and equipment across Japan.

Music filled the air as the US Army Japan Band serenaded the group with the song So What. This Army's best band performs at numerous festivals such as the Snow Festival and Cherry Blossom Festival, when Camp Zama opens its doors to their Japanese neighbors. Whether on base or traveling across the country, a performance by the US Army Japan Band is not to be missed. Team USA was even afforded the opportunity to pick up instruments and try their hand at a few notes. Needless to say, the members of the US Army Japan Band have nothing to fear from this five-piece yellow sweat-shirted start up group.

With notes still ringing in their ears, it was off to an undisclosed location to visit US Troops participating in a joint Japanese/United States multi-week operation. Troops from spectrum of multi-national coalition forces are on site in Japan coordinating the exercise, putting each group to the test. During a short lunch break, Carmichael and Lalive were able to share stories and answer more then one question from this combat hardened group of soldiers from the US Army's 8th Army.

"The level of multinational cooperation and coordination in pulling off these exercises is mind boggling" said Lane adding, "There's no question that given the task, these troopers could pull off organizing something as complex as the Olympic Games, theyre just brilliant individuals."

The day ended as it started with an invitation from the MP unit to attend a awards ceremony. The Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Bischoff presented several commendations, citations and awards for service and volunteerism to firefighters, police and EMS personnel, including a special unit citation awarded to the MP group for their efforts during Operation Tomodachi (Operation Friendship)-a massive relief effort during the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.

As the sun set behind the nearby Tanzawa Mountain Range, Team USA reflected on the efforts these men and women conduct on a daily basis so far from home. They do what it takes day in and day out without notoriety and never complaining. It’s what they do and they are extremely good at their jobs.

With thoughts of ski runs and powder snow conditions, the American300 Ski4Yellow Team calls it a day here in Japan. Soon the team will be up and headed to the ski slopes with 50 US Army personnel for the first ever Troop Ski4Yellow day of skiing, story telling and fun, stay with us... the tour continues.

About The Team:

b Powers, founder of the nonprofit American300 Warrior Tours, everyone on this tour resides in the town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado - Ski Town U.S.A. Special Thanks to HoneyStinger, SmartWool, LiveSTRONG Foundation and Military Justice International.

Follow the tour on FACEBOOK at: American300 Warrior Tours

For Pictures Visit: www.American300.org or FACEBOOK PHOTO GALLERY

For more information on Steamboat Ski4Yellow go to: www.ski4yellow.com

Special Thanks To: Military Justice International www.militaryjusticeinternational

Behind The Scenes Heroes.... us army mwr

2012-01-26T08:56:00.000-08:00

Camp Zama, Japan- Behind every Olympic Medal, Stanley Cup or Super Bowl champion, there stands a group of family and friends, support staff and coaches. Very seldom do we see World Records broken by individuals capable of truly going it alone, instead these major accomplishments in sports are nearly always achieved through a combination of support elements.

Today in Zama-shi, Japan, American300’s Troop Ski4Yellow Team was treated to a day with one of the truly behind the scenes support pillars of

resiliency in the U.S. Army: the camps Army Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Team.

In 1903, congress started to provide oversight and funding for what today is known as the Army Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) department. Comprised mostly of civilian workers with uniformed military and congressional oversight today, the scope of services has grown through the years to include everything from dinning clubs and fitness centers to movie theaters and outdoor recreation centers... shopping centers and a whole lot more.

For this inaugural Troop Ski4Yellow Tour, American300 worked with Camp Zama’s MWR Director, Paul Stearns and team to create a day one for our Olympians and Ski4Yellow organizers that focused on the behind the scenes staff that moves mountains out of the way for our soldiers.... or in some cases puts them right in front of them as will be the case on Saturday when the first ever Troop Ski4Yellow event takes place at a local ski area.

American300 is no stranger to connecting with US Army Garrison Japan’s soldiers. This past spring American300 along with Armed Forces Entertainment placed Olympians in Kure Japan at the Army’s 83rd Ordinance Battalion’s Ammunition Depot in southern Japan. This past July Himalayan climbing greats Eric Meyer MD and Chhiring Dorje Sherpa, meet up with the 83rd Ordinance Battalion once again on the steeps of Mt Fuji for a combined Army, US Marine Corps ascent of the countries tallest mountain.

“No matter where we go around the world when it comes to US Army bases we work with the dedicated members of MWR.” says Rob Powers, the nonprofits founder and tour leader, who along with Mike Lane of Steamboat Springs have helped put together this group of Olympians and 4 Yellow Foundation organizers of Steamboat Ski4Yellow, “MWR is so interracial to overall troop strength and resiliency, I’m stoked that we were able to start off this tour by slowing things down and getting to spend quality time sharing with the dedicated MWR staff of professionals here at Camp Zama.”

As this first ever Troop Ski4Yellow Tour rolls into day two the focus is going to move to men and women in uniform - our US Army Soldiers. “You’ll be falling in with our military police at 0620 tomorrow and conduct ‘PT’ (physical training) with them, followed by morning chow, then after a quick change will have you with two more units prior to lunch, followed by 3 more units in the afternoon. “ said Emmettee McNeill, an army veteran, now civilian who has worked here in Japan for MWR over 10 years now and loves his job. “ I like the way you all slow things down and really spend time one on one with people, talking and sharing stories... it’s good stuff.”

Good stuff is exactly what Nelson Carmichael a 2x Olympian and Olympic Bronze Medalist along with 3x Olympian Caroline Lalive are bringing to the troops, families and staff here at Camp Zama. Whether stories of what it was like to over come hardships and succeed or what a rush it was to walk into a packed stadium as part of Team USA during opening ceremonies at the Olympic Games. The messages may change from tour to tour, but the underlying themes are always the same... life is so worth living, challenges are always 'out there' and dreams are obtainable.

About The Team:

Troop Ski4Yellow is presented by Military Justice International through American300. The Tour features Olympians Nelson Carmichael and Caroline Lalive along with Steamboat Ski4Yellow organizers Dave and Aimee Nagel. They are joined by American300 volunteers Mike Lane (director of Steamboat Ski Resorts Public Relations) and Rob Powers, founder of the nonprofit American300 Warrior Tours, everyone on this tour resides in the town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado - Ski Town U.S.A. Special Thanks to HoneyStinger, SmartWool, Livestrong Foundation and Military Justice International.

Follow the tour on FACEBOOK at: American300 Warrior Tours

For Pictures Visit: www.American300.org or FACEBOOK PHOTO GALLERY

For more information on Steamboat Ski4Yellow go to: www.ski4yellow.com

Special Thanks To: Military Justice International www.militaryjusticeinternational

Touchdown In Tokyo...troop ski4yellow olympians arrive

2012-01-25T01:43:00.000-08:00

Numbers. They’re all around us. At every corner. Some lucky, some not. Numbers are intertwined, and can define us more than we might think. Take the number 14 for example. 14 hours traveling on a variety of planes to reach a destination, half way around the globe from Colorado. It makes you start to reflect.

Caroline Lalive was making her first Olympic appearance in a competition that many didn’t even consider her a contender. Named to the US team, this 5’ 6” powerhouse bombed down terrifying ski runs with no fear; only armed with a belief in herself. Isn’t that the true power of sports, seizing an opportunity, going after it with all your heart and never giving up, no matter what? The year was 1998, Caroline, aka ‘Liner’ went from one of the best in the US to one of the best in the World.

1998 just so happens to be when another powerhouse came into existence. A small grassroots effort was unveiled to battle cancer and urge people to live strong. This new organization was made up of tireless individuals who banded together with a common purpose-eliminating cancer. They too knew no fear, believed in their mission and were fortified with a never give up mentality.

Lalive and LiveSTRONG have achieved many groundbreaking and innovated milestones since 1998. But now, they share a common bond beside the number 14 and that’s Ski 4 Yellow. Hosted this past winter for its inaugural year in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Ski 4 Yellow brought together Olympians for a day on the slopes. What started as a fun day skiing and riding, turned into an event that was bigger than any one individual. An effort that generated nearly $100,000 to help in the fight again cancer.

After first strapping on skis on the world’s largest stage, Caroline, a three-time Olympian and US National Champion is back in the Land of the Rising Sun with Olympic Bronze medalist, Nelson Carmichael, LiveSTRONG and American300 visiting troops at Camp Zama and skiing a little along the way.

“Japan hosted my first trip to the Olympics and last year was the site of my first trip as part of an American 300 resiliency tours that I had the honor to participate in,” said Lalive. “As you can imagine, Japan holds a very special place in my life and I’m so excited to be back with Ski 4 Yellow and American 300. “

So when you think about the number 14, think about it as more than just a number. It’s the reason these powerful personalities are together far from home. And although their paths may have been different, their results remain the same--provide hope, show that one person can make a different no matter the odds and believe in ourselves one ski turn at a time.

Follow the Tour on FACEBOOK American300 Warrior Tours

TOUR PHOTOS at AMERICAN300 www.American300.org (and on facebook)

Lean more about Steamboat Ski4Yellow: www.ski4yellow.com

Special Thanks to US Army Garrison Japan MWR and Military Justice International

Olympians to Ski with Troops... American300 Ski4Yellow Tour

2012-01-19T12:47:00.000-08:00

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO - with snow falling in northwest Colorado, vacationing skiers from around the world are clicking into their skis and strapping on snowboards... the same way local Olympians do on a powder day... quickly.

Whether here for a week or having called ‘Ski Town U.S.A’ home for a lifetime, beginner skiers and Olympians a like charge up Mt Werner on champagne powder days often times playing hooky from work... passing on the morning paper and extra cup of coffee... all for a crack at carving fresh tracks through the towns abundant stashes of fresh powder... Champagne Powder takes precedent over just about everything.... except our Troops.

This tuesday a small group of locals will leave behind the fresh powder of Steamboat and journey to the small town of Zama-shi, Japan. Once there olympic bronze medalist Nelson Carmichael, along with 3x Olympian Caroline Lalive will spend time sharing their own personal life stories... stories that mirror the sacrifice, perseverance, trials-tribulations and commitment that our nations armed forces members live with each and every day.

They might even get to do some skiing...

Joining Carmichael and Lalive are 4 Yellow Foundation event organizers Aimee and Dave Nagel, of Steamboat, who along with a group of volunteers organize both the Steamboat Bike4Yellow and Ski4Yellow events which support cancer research and awarness building each year. This years Steamboat Ski4Yellow event is schedule for March 31st and will officially kick off with a troop event next Saturday in Japan, when 40+ US Army personnel will travel to a local ski area and spend the day skiing with our Olympians. “American300 is always looking for stateside connections, it's a great way to further highlight the work our service members are doing around the world with the very individuals whose lives these troops are serving to protect.” says Mike Lane, Steamboat Ski Resorts Public Relations Director and volunteer staff member at American300, “We won’t be doing any fund raising on this tour... the focus is solely on connecting Nelson and Caroline with the troops, but Ski4Yellow has added a ‘Service Team’ to this years line up of teams skiing for the cause on March 31st so look for them and support them too.”

Taking 'Steamboat Greats' and connecting them with our troops is nothing new for Rob Powers, a local veteran who founded the American300 Warrior Tours, after loosing a mentor to the war on terrorism in Afghanistan. “ I created the nonprofit with a mission of helping raise resiliency levels of our troops, their family members and the communities in which they live and operate in. “ says Powers, who over the past 3 years has visited over 300 bases around the world “ I don’t always get to lean on my Steamboat friends to carry forward the message, but we’ve had more then our share of Steamboat Springs spirit on our tours over the past 3 years...”

More like a Steamboat Stampede of Sprit...

In 2010, during American300’s second year of programming for the Department of Defense; Todd Lodwick, Johnny Spillane, Billy Demong and Brett Camerota along with their 7 Olympic Medals whisked off to the middle east less then 40 days after they had won them in Vancouver. Later that same year Lodwick and Steamboat’s Astronaut Steve Swanson along with Lane traveled to Naval Base Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. This past spring Carmichael, Lalive and Sean Colgan (all Olympians) along with Lane were in Guam and Japan on another DoD Tour and on July 4th of 2010 local Doctor Eric Meyer and Everest World Record climber and Steamboat frequent visitor Chhiring Dorje Sherpa where with Marines and US Army personnel a top Mt Fuji on July 4th.

Connecting Steamboat’s stable of resiliency rich locals with our troops has become as natural as champagne powder days...something Powers and Lane are very proud of.

Follow the Troop Ski4Yellow Tour at: www.American300.org

Facebook followers can join the tour at: American300 Warrior Tours

Learn more about US Army Garrison Japan at: www.usagj.jp.pac.army.mil

For more information on Steamboat Ski4Yellow visit: www.ski4yellow.com

American300’s Troop Ski4Yellow Tour is presented by: www.militaryjusticeinternational.com

Ski4Yellow Troop Tour

2012-01-03T07:38:00.001-08:00

US Army Garrison Camp Zama Japan- Coming This Month...

NEVER QUIT TOUR- Wingmen and Battle Buddies... covering our 'fields of support'

2011-12-19T21:36:00.000-08:00

San Antonio Texas- The final day of the American300 NEVER QUIT Holiday Troop Tour started like so many others, guests CBS Survivor Show contestant Chad Crittenden along with ESPN XGames Adaptive Gold Medallist 'Monster' Mike Schultz awoke early... Instead of being whisked away to breakfast the two found themselves under the protection of a circus style tent. As light drizzle fell in the early morning near darkness.... guests and airmen were stretching.

Surrounded by members of the 24th Air Force cyber commands 'IT Top Guns' it was business as usual, with the slight exception that this little known group of cyber warriors had their commanding General, Major General Vautrinot rubbing shoulders with them and the celebrity amputees, Crittenden a cancer survivor and first ever CBS Survivor Show Adaptive Contestant and Mike Schultz, the world's greatest extreme sport MotoX and SnoX racer... it was business as usual.

"Major General Vautrinot has been one of our nonprofits senior advisers ever since we started producing these unique motivational resiliency themed tours for the DoD." said Rob Powers, founder of the non profit's 'Warrior Tours', adding " Having 'Zan' come out today and do PT with our guests and her team really put the icing on this tours final day."

Between stretches and warm up drills Powers would throw out a question or two... "how many of you have ever gone for a run with an amputee?" (no hands) "well we're gonna put and end to that here in a few moments" he responded. As though on cue, the Command Chief Master Sergeant and other Senior Noncommissioned Officers announced the runs start and double column formation... the next thing everyone new Chad Crittenden and a group of speedsters had set the pace up front. " ... this was a golf course years back... now it's the best maze of paved running trails on base." said an airmen.

What once was reserved for golf carts was now home to 20 of our countries finest, running in formation with an amputee helping set the pace at the head of the left column. "This is awesome, I've been a CBS Survivor fan for years... never thought I'd be doing Physical Training with one of the finalists... let alone the shows first amputee." shared a Staff Sergeant to Powers, who was running aside the group capturing video footage.

After 25 minutes the group had circled back to the covered athletic complex, were Mike Schultz broke into a conversation about how he had lost his leg, and instead of quiting instead chose to build his own unique extreme sport 'MotoKnee' which resulted in his being able to resume with MotoX and SnoX racing on a national stage.

"Chad was flying... you'd never know he was missing a leg" said one Airmen after the mornings 4km run "... he kicked my butt up the last hill."

Kicking Butt... was in many ways the American300 Warrior Tour teams goal this final day of the nonprofits first ever CONUS (USA) tour. With 4 states and 5 bases visited the connections that had been created spanned from North Dakata to Texas with stops in Montana and Kentucky. "We met Army, Air Force, Marines and even a few Sailors" said Crittenden, the son of a retired USMC Lt Colonel. "I've got so many wonderful memories and new friendships born out of simply picking up and going out on the road with American300... it's just perfect." he added.

From Cyber Warriors to hospital beds, wounded warriors to care givers... Flight Lines to Family Readiness Centers, the NEVER QUIT Tour has shared two amazing American's with America's Heroes during a time of year when duty so often comes before family time. "My daughters are coming down in a few days." said Daniel, a US Army Soldier and recent amputee

who rested in his hospital bed with his wife sitting next to him. All in the room could see the heart felt connection that was developing between the American300 guests and the family. "We're just lucky... all he lost was his right leg... below the knee, we're going to get through this... " added his wife.

Shaking his head in wonderment, Chad shared, "I'm a 9 year post cancer amputee, I've spent hundreds of hours mentoring and talking with amputees all around the country, Daniel's attitude and total outlook is the most dynamic and positive that I've ever witnessed." said Crittenden to a hospital room full of guests.. " .. dude you are amazing, you're the most positive wounded warrior that I've ever met."

With the holiday season in full swing, all of us at American300 want to remind our service members that 'Wingmen and Battle Buddies... ' are how we best get through 'the season... "holidays always bring out the best... and unfortunately sometimes the worse, we've all just got to stick together... pull 360's and make sure everyone around us is doing alright" says Powers, "If every one's doing it .. then all of our 'fields of support' are covered."

It's way past 2100 and the playing of Taps here on Lackland Air Force Base, in a few hours Chad and Mike and Robi will be headed home. Showcasing Chad and Mike has been an honor and privilege for American300, each gave of their time and completely focused on troop resiliency messaging, many times for 20 hours a day. We're forever in debt to each of them and their families for volunteering and supporting our effort to: 'Increase the Resiliency of our Troops, Their Families and the Communities in which they Live and Operate In.'

Next Up- Ski4Yellow Troop Tour, featuring Olympians and the Ski4Yellow Livestrong Team, US Army Headquarters Camp Zama Japan... late Jan2012.

Learn more about the nonprofit at: www.American300.org

Check out our NEVER QUIT Holiday Troop Tour Guests at:

Chad Crittenden - www.survivorchad.com

'Monster' Mike Schultz- www.monstermike.com

The Tours Continue....

NEVER QUIT ... celebrity amputees visit Fort Knox

2011-12-17T20:10:00.000-08:00

Never Quit Holiday Troop Tour- featuring season nine CBS Survivor Show's, Chad Crittenden and ESPN X Games Gold Medallist Mike Schultz, both amputees, came to Fort Knox, KY to share stories of perseverance and positive thinking with care givers at the US Army's Fort Knox hospital.

Named after our country's first Army Surgeon General Major General Merritte W. Ireland, a surgeon, the Ireland Community Hospital boasts nearly half a million square feet of care giving space including seventy-six beds. Nearly BRAC'd in 2005, the hospital was saved from closing due to the distance troops would have to travel to receive care in it's absence from this former Armor Center now turned U.S. Army Human Resource Center of Excellence.

"I think it's Santa..." whispered one youngster who was enjoying time at his father's place of work... instead it was Chad, Mike and Robi Powers of American300 along with their local nonprofit hosts, who entered the cafeteria now turned Santa's Village, complete with Mrs. Claus, Santa's Elves and a Santa's Workshop.

"This is awesome, we're a little over a week away from Christmas and these care giving troops have brought their kids to Ireland (hospital) to kick back and have some fun." said Chad Crittenden. "Part of our message is the important role that caregivers have played in our recovery process. We were able to share some stories with them here at Fort Knox and we're aiming to do the same at Joint Base San Antonio tomorrow."

After four days on the road at US Air Force Missile Bases in northern Montana and North Dakota, Mike and Chad were ready for what lay ahead, thanks to the efforts of local nonprofit: 'Operation Resilient Warrior', the American300 team was treated to a mix of caregivers and warriors, some of which couldn't take leave to visit family and friends during this holiday season

due to wounds that they are recovering from. One such group... the wounded warriors of the Fort Knox Wounded Warrior Transition Unit (WTU), an Army-wide effort to to ensure that all of our troops have hands on care and guidance through the sometimes very difficult process of either returning to full active duty or reserve status, or taking a medical discharge with lifetime benefits.

"I'm stuck here through the holidays, having you guys here today is Christmas comes early." said a US Army Wounded Warrior, "...we all have those days when giving up seems like the thing to do, throwing in the towel is looking good... hearing and meeting Chad and Mike, is going to help me get through this holiday season." he added.

With a professional 'cadre' and mantra that builds on the Army's strength of 'unit cohesion' and teamwork, WTUs are focused on helping soldiers return to full duty status or exit service and enter the civilian world. "It's soldiers helping soldiers with an ample dose of professional care- givers and guidance councilors mixed in." says Robi Powers, American300 Warrior Tours founder, "We've brought great Americans with special messages to share to over 300 bases in the past 3 years, this is our first visit at one of the Army's WTUs, and I can't think of a better group to share their life stories with then Chad and Mike."

With a flight to San Antonio on the next days horizon, and a visit to one of the off base churches that many of the WTU warriors attend, the Never Quit Tour team spent the evening at the base bowling alley, joking, laughing and simply having a good time with some of our nation's heroes... "Mike's ability to adapt is truly inspirational." said Sergeant First Class Jim Faulkner who along with his wife Christy helped start the all volunteer effort: Operation Resilient Warrior.

Throwing strikes with a double windup fast pitch style technique hadn't been witnessed at the alley and quickly grabbed the attention of many. "I've only bowled twice since loosing my left leg, I tried to lay down the 'pro throw' like Chad had going on and it wasn't working" said Schultz, "but this windup method seems to be getting the job done...it's all about adapting and never quiting."

The NEVER QUIT Holiday Troop Tour continues at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas... stay with us as 'The Tour Continues..."

Please Visit and Support our hosts in Kentucky: Operation Resilient Warrior

Learn more about Mike at: www.monstermike.com

Learn more about Chad at: www.surviorchad.com

American300 Warrior Tours - Honoring our Service Members, Their Families and the Areas in which they Live and Operate In by bringing Americans to Honor America's Heroes!

www.American300.org

2011-12-16T18:18:00.001-08:00

Posted by Chad Crittenden for American300- I've done some cool things in my life, but coming to these Air Force bases certainly ranks up there with the best of them. Although sometimes overlooked and underappreciated, the Global Strike Command bases of Minot and Malstrom have shown me some fine examples of diligent, hard working men and women of the United States Air Force. The cold December weather outside was quickly neutralized by the warm reception of each and every unit that we visited with our supportive message of resiliency.

Rob Powers energized the troops with his motivational pep talks and Mike Shultz and I brought our own stories of overcoming obstacles. Mine was one I'd shared many times, combining my story of competing on Survivor as an amputee and illustrating how I have arrived at where I am today through optimism and achieving short term goals.

Mike has had much of the same positive attitude as I have throughout his recovery and a subsequent return to competitive sports. He shared his amazingly compelling story of a return to Motocross and Snowcross glory after a snowmobile accident took his leg. Mike's strategies and focus of immersing himself in improving his situation using his own ingenuity and technology vision had each visited in awe.

Rob, Mike and I each share that same Never Quit attitude and I hope we were able to get a messages across to these ambitious and talented airmen; that message being the often difficult aspect of one's personality to summons: resiliency.

Visit Mike's website at: www.monstermike.com

Visit My website at: www.survivorchad.com

The Tour Continues...

The Prize of Peace... Never Quit Holiday Troop Tour

2011-12-14T22:25:00.000-08:00

Minot AFB, North Dakota- Over the past decade America has been focused on the ‘war on terror’, rightfully so... from the terrorist attacks of 9/11 to the deployment of hundreds of thousands of American’s and Coalition Forces - America is and has been at War for over 10 years.

Today in the early morning darkness of a armed forces base that most Americans don’t even know exists... two special American celebrities were reminded of a program that has been providing a quite deterrence to war for well over half a century.

“These US Air Force service members are quite guardians of peace” said Robi Powers, of Steamboat Springs, Colorado who organizes resiliency tours for the Department of Defense through the nonprofit American300 Warrior Tours. “how often do people even think about our ICBM’s, or take time to reflect on the role that they play in keeping our country and other countries safe from Armageddon?” he added.

“We compete in XGames and shows like Survivor because when it comes right down to it... you all ensure our nations total safety” said Mike Schultz, ESPN XGAMES Summer and Winter Adaptive Gold Medalist, addressing a group of young airmen, “if it weren’t for what you do, the peace that we all enjoy couldn’t be counted on.”

With a goal of connecting troops with unique motivational resiliency messages and themes the Never Quit Tour is visiting bases all over the U.S. this week. “When I competed as an Islander on season 9 of CBS Survivor, the worse thing that could happen was getting voted off the island.” says Chad Crittenden of the Bay Area in California, adding “at our nations Global Strike Command bases it’s not about ‘grand prizes on TV shows, it’s about the ultimate prize... the prize of peace."

Follow the Tour on FACEBOOK: American300 Warrior Tours

Learn more about NEVER QUIT's special guests:

Chad Crittenden- www.survivorchad.com

'Monster' Mike Schultz- www.monstermike.com

American300 Warrior Tours is a US 501c3 all volunteer nonprofit. For more information please visit: www.American300.org

FOR PHOTOS OF TOUR GO TO:

FACEBOOK- American300 Warrior Tours

ALL TOUR PHOTOS- American300.org (click on middle white tab ' TOUR PHOTOS')

Putting Your Right Foot Forward... even when you don't have one!

2011-12-13T21:56:00.000-08:00

Minot Air Force Base - Some kids grow up playing with tonka trucks, bull dozers and matchbox cars... Mike Schultz played with a model B52 as a kid. Today at Minot Air Force Base North Dakota, Schultz got to climb into the pilots seat of one. "I would play for hours with a scale model B52 as a kid, never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd ever get up close to a real one."
said Schultz, a 3x Adaptive Gold Medallist who came to this Global Strike Command Base along with CBS Survivor Show Finalist Chad Crittenden to share stories of resiliency with our troops.

From non-commissioned officer education classes to logistics, maintainers and dinning facility chiefs... Crittenden and Schultz, spent time joking, sharing stories and becoming friends with hundreds today at this remote and somewhat isolated air base.

The duo along with American300 Warrior Tours founder Robi Powers are on a mission to 'Get a Leg Up' on resiliency throughout the United States during this holiday season by visiting remote installations and wounded warrior transition units. "We're focused on creating connections, giving troops a unique behind the scenes perspective on what it takes to

succeed." says Powers, "Mike and Chad both have bounced back from huge life changing tragedies... not unlike Minot" he added, referencing the damage inflicted upon the community here by the flooding this spring.

"It's all about putting your right foot forward...even though I don't have one..." joked Crittenden as he recounted the mix of emotions and adjustments he went through nine years ago when cancer took his leg below the knee. "We all get dealt circumstances...the question is what do you do with them... if the situation isn't what you expected it to be... what are you willing to do to change it."

The troop resiliency tour continues here in Minot before departing for Malmstrom Air Force Base in Wyoming tomorrow afternoon. Stay with us... The Tour Continues...

The Never Quit Tour Continues... Follow along on FACEBOOK at: American300 Warrior Tours

Check Out American300 Special Guests Websites at:

MIKE SCHULTZ - www.monstermike.com

CHAD CRITTENDEN - www.surviorchad.com

For Photos and More... visit the nonprofit American300 at: www.American300.org

Troops get a Leg Up on Resiliency

2011-12-13T08:09:00.000-08:00

Snow swept Air Force Bases, the countries gold vault and several Wounded Transition Units are set to welcome 'NEVER QUIT Holiday Troop Tour' featuring CBS Survivor Show phenom Chad Crittenden and ESPN X Games Adaptive wunderkind Mike Schultz.

"It's not every day that you get to meet a celebrity from the CBS hit show Survivor or Gold Medalist from ESPN's X Games... the fact that these two great Americans also happen to be amputees that have overcome adversity just makes this tour that much better." says Ed Bell,

chairperson of American300 the nonprofit that's putting this tour together for the Department of Defense, adding "Our goal is to help the troops get a 'Leg Up on Resiliency'... there's no doubt in our minds that Chad and Mike will help us accomplish the mission."

The one week tour will feature visits to: Minot AFB, Malmstrom AFB, Fort Knox and Joint Base San Antonio. "I was on an Armed Forces Entertainment - American300 tour this summer that visited Germany and the Middle East Bases... the only thing different is that I'm not leaving the United States." commented Mike Schultz, adding " they (American300) like to keep a fast pace and get us to as many bases and troops as possible... I think I'll be sleeping on the airplanes between base visits."

While Schultz spent 2 weeks this past summer with service members, Chad Crittenden will be embarking on his first American300 resiliency tour. " I've been in front of television camera's, had the eyes of the world watching my every move on CBS Survivor, to meet the men and women of our Armed Forces who perform their duties with such honor, duty and sacrifice 24/7 year round is such an honor." says Chad..."I've drawn inspiration from our troops, especially our wounded warriors, ever since cancer took my right leg 9 years ago...they've inspired me, now I'm getting an amazing chance to say thank you to them."

Follow the Tours on FACEBOOK at: American300 Warrior Tours

Learn more about Mike Schultz at: www.monstermike.com

Learn more about Chad Crittenden at: www.survivorchad.com

American300 Warrior Tours is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to raising the resiliency of our armed forces members, their families and the communities that they live and operate in. www.American300.org

Kaycee Feild and Troops ... a Winning Combination!

2011-12-12T08:25:00.000-08:00

Las Vegas Nevada- More then one cowboy will attest to the age old tradition of following a 'special routine', having a special 'good luck', item in their pocket or gear bag as they enter the hollowed grounds of the Thomas and Mack Center, home to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo each year. From how they put on their boots to which sox they're wearing, good luck rituals and routines are as much a part of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo as Cowboy Hats and Wrangler Jeans.

This year Kaycee Feild a bareback rider brought to the finals a special breed of good luck, American Armed Forces Members in the form of two Marines from the 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion based out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The Marines along with a special shirt signed by hundreds of Troops who the bareback rider met during his second trip overseas to combat areas as part of the yearly Armed Forces Entertainment Wrangler National Patriot Tour all added up to some serious 'mojo'.

"When First Sergeant Roger Griffith and Staff Sergeant Mark Terrell showed up and I got to spend time with them on the eve of the final night, it sent a shiver up my spine ... I was just so humbled by their taking time out to come see me compete" said Kaycee, adding "American300 and Wrangler did it for me last year as well (coordinate a special visit by troops that Kaycee had met while on the tour to Iraq and Afghanistan) I thought I'd be ready for it this year... but when you see these guys here in Vegas, having last seen them on the front lines... it's a heavy experience ... fires me up in ways that words can't explain."

Insisting that he wear the Wrangler Tour custom shirt that he had singed by hundreds was met by total approval from the Wrangler Corporation and PRCA WNFR Committee. "From a distance Kaycee looked like he was walking around in a shirt with 'arena' on it... wasn't till folks got close up that they could see that the marks on his sleeves were actual troop signatures." reflected Jeff Chadwick, manager of western events for Wrangler and fellow troop tour participant over the past 2 years.

While Kaycee and the rest of the WNFR competitors were busy preparing for the final nights performance, Wrangler and American300 had the Marines engaged in everything from Flint Rasmussen's show to Cowboy Christmas and a special visit with Karl Stressman and the PRCA staff. "Now I feel like a real man." joked Flint (a huge supporter of the program) during his live

show, as he stood between the two Marine Special Operators on stage.

"We'll fly this flag at the headquarters with pride." said

Commissioner Stressmen to the Marines and Wrangler Tour participants as they presented him with a US Flag that was flown on a US Air Force Combat Mission while the tour was going on this year.

In keeping with a tradition that started last year when Wrangler and American300 flew in Army Sergeant Chris Bullis for the opening night and Lt Colonel Werner Holt for the final night (both of whom had met Kaycee Feild on their bases), the PRCA and Wrangler National Finals Committee had the Marines join Wrangler Corporation senior staff members for a special Patriot Night Presentation where Wrangler showcased the over 500 thousand dollars which has been raised to date for our Service Members, Fallen and Wounded members and their families through the Wrangler National Patriot program.

As a special video of the tour, complete with a shout out recorded in afghanistan by Staff Sergeant Terrell ended... Bob Tallman's voice could be heard "....well friends... Staff Sergeant Terrell and First Sergeant Griffith are no longer in Afghanistan... they're with us here tonight, please join us in welcoming them to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.... "and with that the two Marines along with Wrangler Executive Vice-President Joe Hertz (a Vietnam Purple Heart Recipient) along with 'Medal of Honor' the song composer and singer Lucas Hoge were marched out to great other Wrangler Senior Staffers who had rolled in on a stage coach which was now parked in the middle of the arena. "Hard to believe, but I think the fans are even louder this year..." said Robi Powers, of American300 to Jeff Chadwick as the two soaked up the moment and standing ovation. " I don't know, it's kind of academic when the crowd drowns out Bob's voice through the public address system" added Chadwick with a smile.

Kaycee Feild had sown up the World Champions title in bareback the previous night, so the focus was on the WNFR 'Top Gun' award which he was in an all out 'rodeo within the rodeo' to win. With two special Marine guests and hundreds of troop signatures on his sleeves tagging along for the ride, Feild wrapped up the 2011 WNFR as not only a World Champion in Bareback but also the finals 'Top Gun' winner, setting a new single

event earnings record in the process.

"I've been deployed in combat zones all of my adult life, over the past two decades plus of service to our country, this has been one of the most moving experiences I've ever been a part of... the way American300 and Wrangler along with the entire western community have welcomed both Mark and I to your championships is beyond words." said First Sergeant Griffith, adding "The Wrangler Corporation, Amerian300 and Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association have truly shined a spot light on the USMC, we're honored to be here."

For more information about the all volunteer nonprofit organization American300 Warrior Tours please visit: www.American300.org

For more information on Wrangler's commitment to our Service Members visit: www.wranglernationalpatriot.com

For more information on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association please visit: www.prorodeo.com

The Tours Continue...

United States Marine Corps to Shine at Wrangler National Finals Rodeo

2011-12-06T07:40:00.001-08:00

Las Vegas, Nevada- While tens of thousands of western fans applaud and cheer for their favorite Cowboys at this year's Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, one cowboy in particular is drawing applause from inside the packed Thomas and Mack Center each night and from around the World. Kaycee Feild, son of 3x All Round Rodeo Champion and Hall of Fame inductee Lewis Feild is like most professional cowboys that qualified for this years WNFR. He chased the points and cash all year to become eligible to compete in the sports 'World Championships'.

What makes Feild different from the other top Cowboys in the standings is that he's taken weeks off from competition over the past two years, given up the cash/points that go with it to spend time with our Troops on the Armed Forces Entertainment Wrangler National Patriot Troop Tour. Last year the tour went to Kuwait and Iraq, this year the tour went to Afghanistan, Krygyzstan, United Emirates and other undisclosed bases in undisclosed countries; both years putting Feild in combat zones, face to face with our nations front line service men and women.

With 2 performances (competition nights) remaining, Feild finds himself in first place in the World Bareback Standings, and first place in the WNFR 'Top Gun' division (top money winner at the WNFR) and surrounded by family and friends... friends which include: Country Music Star Lucas Hoge, former Miss Rodeo America Meaghan Ridley, World Champion Annie Bianco and Western Events Manager for Wrangler Jeff Chadwick all of whom joined Feild during this years Troop Tour to Afghanistan.

"It's the Troop Tour Team and our bareback riding buddy is kicking it here at the WNFR" says Lucas Hoge, adding " We're all just waiting for Robi Powers (American300 Warrior Tours leader) to show up tonight with two Marines that we met in Afghanistan... so the whole team can cheer on Kaycee in the final nights!"

The Professional Rodeo Cowboy's Association working in concert with the National Finals Rodeo Committee has once again designated the final nights competition (Day 10) as the Wrangler National Patriot Night, this year American300 and Wrangler have reached out to the Marine Corps and two very special Marines: First Sergeant Roger Griffith and Staff Sergeant Mark Terrell, both of Marine Special Operations Command's 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion - Camp Lejeune, NC, who the Cowboys and Cowgirls spent time with in Afghanistan this past spring and will be special guests in the final days of the WNFR.

"Last year the PRCA and WNFR Committee along with Wrangler did

an amazing job of helping us showcase heroes from the Army

and Air Force, this year we're shinning the light on the United States Marine Corps" says Powers, "Our Wrangler National Patriot Tour through Armed Forces Entertainment has been one of the highest rated combat zone tours over the past two Memorial Days, we're just grateful that these two Marines made it home safely and can be with us for the last two nights... witness first hand what Kaycee and all of the Cowboys do to earn championship titles."

Long Live Cowboys - Forever Honor Our Troops !

Follow American300 on Facebook " American300 Warrior Tours "

For more information about American300 and the work this nonprofit does to put special guests in touch with our Troops in remote, hardship and combat areas of deployment around the World, please visit them on line at: www.American300.org

For more information on Wrangler's effort to raise funds for our nations warriors please visit: Wrangler National Patriot Program: www.wranglernationalpatriot.com

For information on the Department of Defense's office Armed Forces Entertainment visit: www.armedforcesentertainment.com

Heading Home

2011-10-28T08:29:00.000-07:00

Story By Keni Thomas, (U.S. Army Ranger SSGT Vet)

Sergeant First Class Gordon is in the 10^th Mountain Division. He’s heading home in a few days as is the rest of his unit that he came to Afghanistan with way back in 2010. I met him last night seemingly by chance as I was hanging out in Pete’s Place at an Air Force base called Manas in Kyrgyzstan.

“Transit Station at Manas” is the staging point for most of our units traveling in and out of the Afghanistan theater. You can usually tell who’s coming in country to begin their deployment by the seriousness of their faces and the cleanliness of their uniforms. Its easy to spot who’s going home. Look for the smiles and the well-worn boots.

I was heading to Afghanistan this time with an organization called American300 as part of their “Warrior Tours,” a small motivational tour sponsored by Armed Forces Entertainment. Officially, “AFE is a Department of Defense program whose mission is: to provide quality entertainment to all military members and their families stationed overseas, with priority provided to remote & isolated locations, contingency sites, and ships-at-sea” Not many ships at sea on Manas. But they got the isolated and remote part right. . Bordered by Russia to the north and China to the east, this seems an unlikely place for a bunch of Americans to be hanging out, having a beer, and listening to a Lady Gaga song in a makeshift bar named after a NYC fire chief of 9/11.

Our particular tour of warriors featured different generations of Rangers going back to Vietnam. It’s a handshake tour where we get to spend our days visiting with soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen as they go about their daily routines. Here on Manas that can be just about anything from pulling a 12-hour guard shift at a checkpoint or staying up all night to repair a C135 Stratolifter. It may be a 58-year-old aircraft qualifying for an “antique” license plate, but that tanker is desperately needed in the fight to refuel fighter jets supporting the troops on the ground in Afghanistan engaged in direct contact with the enemy. Every person in uniform is a key piece of the puzzle crucial to mission success. It’s astounding how many resources and personnel it takes, and to what lengths America will go, to support the solider on the ground like SFC Gordon and his platoon of men.

We had just finished up a scheduled meet and greet there at Pete’s Place. America300 and I teamed up to give away a couple hundred copies of my new book GET IT ON, so

I had been signing some for all who were interested. I had just put away my Sharpie when I met SFC Gordon.

“Are you the guy signing books?” he asked me.

“I am. But I gave away everything we had with us. I was fixing to go try one of those

Krgy beers. You want one?” I offered.

But Ben didn’t really seem in the mood for a beer. I could tell he had other things on his mind…thoughts that seemed out of place for the festive atmosphere of Pete’s Place.

“Hey you know what, I’ve got a couple more in my room. I’ll run back and get one for you. What’s your name?”

“Sergeant Gordon” he responded as we shook hands.

“Yeah, I see that” pointing out the obvious name-plate on his uniform.

“Sorry...he said “It’s Ben. Been here so long I forgot my first name!”

“Well good to meet you, Ben. You guys are heading home right?”

“Yeah…most of us,” he replied.

It takes one to know one, and as a combat veteran I knew instantly what SFC Gordon was telling me. I knew his heartache, the anger, the frustration, the confusion, and the guilt that are all rolled into those three short words. Most of us means someone is not going home. Not because they are staying, but because they are gone.

“Who did you lose?” I asked

“He was my PL. I lost him a week ago.”

Notice SFC Gordon said I lost him. I can tell you why he said that. Because Ben feels responsible. As a platoon sergeant you have years of experience over a young lieutenant who gets assigned to you as your platoon leader. It’s your job to get that young lieutenant squared away and up to speed, because many times it’s that kid’s first assignment out of college. Leading a platoon of 40 or so men in combat is a huge leadership challenge. But as any good PL will tell you, the man who really runs the platoon is the platoon sergeant. “Listen to your Platoon Sergeants!” is what they teach the young infantry officer. SFC Gordon felt responsible for that kid, and he had lost his PL just a week before they were going home.

Why SFC Gordon had come to me for a book was a bit of a miracle really. I do not believe in coincidences when it comes to the folks we meet in our lives. There is always a reason for it, especially when you are “sent” to a combat zone with the purpose of spreading good will as we were on this tour. I thought giving away books was a good idea. It would give the soldiers something to read and help spread the word. But in this case God had a bigger reason for Ben and me to meet.

I ran back to my room hoping I could get back before Ben changed his mind about opening up his feelings a little. In fact, he was doing just that…walking out the door as I got back to Pete’s Place. The voice of reason inside was already telling him to shut it down. “You are not allowed to feel.”

When you make it out of something where others did not, you will spend the rest of your life thanking the people who were on your left and right that day. Because you know by the Grace of God, they are the only reason you survived. However and wherever that fight went down you are immensely proud of your unit and what you accomplished together. And that accomplishment, you reason, has got to mean something. It has to account for some sort of difference. The death of a good man has to matter, because if it doesn’t matter, then why did your comrades have to die? And that’s where it all begins: the confusion, the frustration, and the anger.

Why? That is the question that will haunt any veteran struggling with the loss of a comrade and a friend. “Why did it happen to him and not me? Why, God, did you let me walk out of there when he was twice the soldier I was? He had a wife. He had kids. He deserved to live. Why was I one of the chosen ones? Why me? What am I supposed to do with this?” And that is when the guilt begins to take hold like an ugly cancer, slowly deteriorating your ability to be happy.

You can do one of two things with the guilt. You can get angry and let the unfairness of it all bury you. Or you can choose to let it motivate you. See it for what it is. It’s more than an opportunity or some divine “second chance.” See it as a responsibility, a duty, and a commitment to those who got you out of there; to carry on and live a happy life filled with purpose, direction and motivation.

How do I know this? Because I’ve lived it. Years after the battle, even after the noise of slamming doors no longer made me duck for cover, and the mere site of Old Glory no longer made me cry, I was still feeling the effects of combat. I was still fighting the Battle of Mogadishu, only now I was years away, safe at home in the middle of a good life.

Guilt continued to haunt me. Sure, I followed my dreams of music. The intestinal fortitude instilled in me as a Ranger would not allow otherwise. Outwardly, Keni was a positive, motivated dreamer skipping through life doing what he loved to do. Good for him. Way to go, Keni.

But down inside I could never fully commit to enjoying the life I had. In fact, I could never fully commit to anything. Why? Because it just didn’t seem “hard” enough. Somewhere in my heart, I felt I wasn’t supposed to be happy. It should be enough that I was here when others were not.

Guilt affected everything—my sense of self worth, my relationships, and my ability to enjoy the life God had given me. The moment I felt the good life closing in, the voice of guilt began to whisper. “You know you’re not allowed to be happy. Think about Casey’s wife. Think about Pilla’s parents. How do you think they feel?”

And so the enemy within me would covertly sabotage whatever good God had sent my way. I became a master of disguise, camouflaging my emotions. On the outside I appeared passionate and full of fire, declaring “I love my life. I love you!” Because as a “good Christian,” that’s what I knew I was supposed to be. In reality, however, I was shutting down my feelings because somewhere between the streets of Mogadishu, the hospitals of recovering friends, and the tombstones at Arlington, I convinced myself I didn’t deserve to be here.

Like I said, it takes one to know one, and it was a Vietnam veteran, a friend of my father, who wrote to me after yet another painful breakup I had somehow managed to manufacture. And without talking to me or knowing me all that well, he pinpointed the problem with the accuracy of a laser-guided missile.

“You know, Keni, you are allowed to be happy,” he said. “In fact, you owe it to those guys who got you out of there.”

Yeah, yeah tell me something I hadn’t already heard.

But it was this next line I remember most that planted the seed of change in my restless and guilt-ridden heart.

“If any one of your friends could come back from the dead and talk to you today, do you really think they would tell you that you were supposed to feel guilty?”

I’m not saying the change was an immediate metamorphosis, as if God himself had spoken the words and then “shazam!” I was struck by a bolt of lightning. But the spark was ignited and I knew that combat veteran of Vietnam was right. I’d grown accustomed to the numbness and was comfortable within the walls I had erected around my heart. It is exactly those walls we build to protect us that ultimately imprison us. This guilt I dragged around with me like a ball and chain was self-imposed. I had the key all along. God had indeed spoken to me. The choice was mine to make.

I told the same story to Ben, as we stayed a little while and talked.

“It’s gonna be a long road” I assured him. “This one isn’t gonna be easy. You’re gonna think people wont understand or don’t want to hear about it. But the more you keep it in, the worse that guilt of surviving gets to you. So tell your story. Tell his story. Because if you don’t, then who will? And please remember and NEVER forget, if your PL could come back today, he would never—not once—tell you to feel guilty for being here. You are allowed to be happy.”

As I handed the book over to SFC Ben Gordon, I realized I had become that Vietnam vet passing along the same wisdom learned from those before us. God had used me to speak to Ben. Perhaps it helped. I hope it did.

I signed his book with these words: “Thank you for your service. Welcome home. Enjoy your life. You’ve earned it. Godspeed.”

For all the hands we got to shake on the American300 Warriors Tour I pray that they all make it home. The reality is that some will not. But for those of you who do, please remember and never forget. Tell their story. For if you don’t, who will? Please remember and never forget. You are allowed to be happy. Welcome Home. Enjoy Your Life. You’ve earned it. Godspeed.

The war is over for me now. But it will always be here for the rest of my days. For those of us who did make it, we have an obligation to teach others what we know and to try with what’s left of our lives to find a goodness and meaning to this life. (Oliver Stone, from the movie Platoon)

Battle tested former Army Rangers visit 1st ACB troopers in Afghanistan

2011-10-10T14:39:00.000-07:00

CAMP MARMAL, Afghanistan -- Whether it was enduring a 500-foot combat jump onto the small island of Grenada, patrolling the jungles of Vietnam, or navigating the streets of battle-ravaged Mogadishu, Danny McKnight, Keni Thomas, Max Mullen, and Charlie Manis have experiences that few others can account for.

The Ranger Tour, comprised of these four former Army Rangers, touched down in northern Afghanistan to visit Soldiers of the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Oct. 4-5.

The tour was the first of American 300's Warrior Tours that highlights profiles in extreme courage and it gave the Rangers a chance to visit Afghanistan to see firsthand what Soldiers of this current generation are experiencing.

"One of the greatest privileges I could ever have is to visit these Soldiers over here to tell them thanks for everything that they do for us back in the U.S.," said McKnight.

McKnight was a convoy commander the day of Oct. 3, 1993 in Somalia during the battle of Mogadishu. His character was portrayed in the movie "Black Hawk Down".

Thomas was involved as well in that battle, fast-roping from a UH-60 Black Hawk into the streets of Mogadishu. Since then, he has become a county-music artist and often goes overseas to sing for and interact with the troops.

This occasion was no different for Thomas, who varied his musical set with a song that rendered a somber tone and then followed that up with one of his more lively singles, "Another Mexico Song" that brought laughter and a plethora of applause from the 1st ACB troopers.

Thomas touched on his interaction with the troops afterwards.

"It never fails," said Thomas. "The conversations I have with Soldiers in combat zones always are the same. Within three to five minutes, they start talking about their fellow brothers in arms over here…It's never about them."

Thomas added, "As someone who used to wear the uniform, I understand how much this means to the Soldiers to have someone come over here and talk to them."

Thomas, along with the rest of the Rangers, has a busy schedule back in the states, and that was a fact that did not go unnoticed by the Soldiers who they visited.

"The fact that they recognize what we are doing over here… that they would stop their busy lives to come and show their appreciation…it means a lot to me," said Spc. Janice Gonzales, a signal support systems specialist, assigned to Company C, 615th Aviation Support Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, originally from San Antonio.

The dates of the tour coincided with the anniversary of the battle of Mogadishu.

As he tried to contain his emotions, McKnight talked about the importance of spending the anniversary with Soldiers for the first time.

"Eighteen years ago, I was fighting in the streets of Mogadishu, and to be able to spend this anniversary with Soldiers here in Afghanistan…it's really special for me."

Throughout the tour, as they interacted with Soldiers, McKnight, Mullen and Thomas often referenced their fellow comrades who made the 'ultimate sacrifice' during their tenures in the Army.

"I've lost friends in combat and I owe it to them to tell their stories," said Thomas.

An event held at one of the 1st ACB hangars was staged as town-hall where the Rangers sat at a table in front of the audience and talked about their experiences. That set-up quickly disbanded though, as the rangers relished the opportunity to have close interaction with the Soldiers.

Gonzales added, "It was really cool to hear firsthand about their experiences and see how they have grown from them," she said.

Finally, McKnight talked about how impressed he was with the Soldiers he encountered during his visit, and said he would pass that message to everyone back in the U.S.

"When I return home, I'll be able to tell everyone about the professional demeanor and hard work ethic of the Soldiers I had the privilege to spend time with," said McKnight.

Story By: Staff Sgt Joe Armas, 1 ACB U.S. Army

For more information on Armed Forces Entertainment Office Click HERE

American300 Camps Out with USO

2011-10-06T04:05:00.000-07:00

Camp Marmal, Afghanistan - With over 160 centers in 10+ countries around the World, the United Services Organization ( USO ) like Armed Forces Entertainment... is coming to a theater near you! The USO was formed back in 1941, it's goal then is unchanged today.... support troops! Minus a short respite that occurred between wars, they've been supplying troops morale boosting and welfare services ever since. With a annual budget of over 130 million dollars... they've been able to do some amazing things... when they see a need... they fill it, fix it or repair it... around the world.

On this the first ever Armed Forces Entertainment RANGER Tour, we at American300 would like to express our thanks to one USO Staff member. His name is Travis Cheers and he's worked for USO a number of years. What makes Travis outstanding aside from his inherant positive 'can do' attitude and selfless commitment to excellence is the fact that he has spent this year in combat zones. From nights filled with incoming enemy rounds to making due with the supplies at hand, Travis has managed to provide tens of thousands of troops with not only a slice of home, but peace of mind as well.

This year American300 found itself in many USO Centers, from Germany to Japan, Iraq to Afghanistan, at all of them, American300 Tours were welcomed with open arms. In the case of Iraq's Basra facility and Afghanistan's Camp Marmal Center, it was Travis who was managing everything from Internet and phone lines to games and reading material. For American300 the USO was a life line of uploading strength. During the Armed Forces Entertainment: Pro Off Road Truck Tour, Wrangler National Patriot, xHEAVY Medal I and now Rangers Tour the USO Centers provided our team leaders and photographers the support needed to continue to feed daily updates in print, video and photos to the thousands who visit our website daily.

With Rangers: Danny McKnight, Mad Max Mullen, Charlie Manis and Keni Thomas now up and out of Afghanistan it's only fitting that we as an organization let Travis Cheers and USO know how much we appreciate the cooperation. American300 is a very small nonprofit, doing a very big mission. Having received the type of support from Travis and the USO made completing that mission possible this year.

For those that don't know, Armed Forces Entertainment has only 2 Official IRS 501(c)3 organizations that it works with in majority; the USO and American300. To those of us who have worked so hard to make the photos, stories and videos available to our Troops Family members while a tour is going on... it goes without saying... that we need to upload quickly... we need to get these photos of our heroes back into the hands of loved ones quickly.

Thanks to Travis and the USO Centers we've been able to provide loved ones around the world with moments captured in some of the most remote operating areas our military serves in.

In the months to come Travis will be leaving the combat zones... he's had 'enough', we just want our supporters to know how much we appreciate the work that this is doing... and will do in the months ahead. Come Home Safely Friend.

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For More Information Go To: www.American300.org

The USO can be found at: www.uso.org

Armed Forces Entertainment's websit is located at: www.armedforcesentertainment.com

Germans Help RANGERS

2011-10-02T19:22:00.000-07:00

Undisclosed Areas of Operation Afghanistan- When the RANGERS dropped into Granada to rescue American college students, fought in the jungles of Vietnam and streets of Somalia... they weren’t alone, they had coalition forces supporting them. Today in Afghanistan the same spirit of teamwork was witnessed as Armed Forces Entertainment RANGER Tour members participating in the DoD’s first ever series of tours focused on showcasing ‘Extreme Profiles in Courage’ by heroes of wars past, found itself stuck.

“There’s a war going on and we’re a part of it, but a low priority part of it in the big picture” said tour leader Robi Powers of American300, who has lead dozens of these types of resiliency tours for his nonprofit over the past 3 years. “We got stuck at an air base today without any possibility of US Air Force support due to priority rescheduling of several flights, it’s not the first time it’s happened and certainly won’t be the last... it comes with the territory.”

That ‘territory’ is the result of Colonel Kathleen Weatherspoon, Chief of Armed Forces Entertainment along with her staff of joint service military members, giving American300 resiliency tours some of the most aggressive, most remote location tour schedules that the DoD has to offer. ‘Where the Sun Don’t Shine’, is what American300 volunteer members like to call their brand of troop touring.

Luckily for the RANGERS the sun was shining bright today, as a C-160 crew out of northern Germany’s LTG 63rd Hohn 1st Wing... gave the nod to the ISAF travel desk to help get the Rangers and Powers to a remote Army Camp before sunset. “I’ve jumped out of these many times” said Mad Max Mullen to Major Timo Jing of Germany’s famous 63rd LTG. “What I like the most about this plane is the light and bell system for parachute drops” he added as he sat alongside the navigation officer who kept the plane flying in the right direction throughout the day.

With stops at air fields large and small, the Rangers got to know, Staff Sergeants Wangerin and Hagenow, pilots 1st Lieutenant Tannen and Captain Hoddels who along with Jing were on another 4 month deployment to AFG. “ ...these guys know how to fly, we’ve been doing combat take offs and landings all day... and every final touchdown has been softer then any commercial flight I’ve been on this year.” said Danny McKnight, (Col. ret) “I know how good are Air Force crews are.... I’ve spent my life around them, these Germans are top notch, no question about it.”

Late in the day and many airfields later the Rangers found themselves back in the care of the US Armed Forces. “If it hadn’t been for Coalition Forces working together and especially Germany’s 63rd Airlifters... we would have never made it.” briefed Powers to Lani Nevel, the DoD’s Quality of Life Director who along with Sergeant Major Speede had been tracking the teams progress over the past 30 hours. “It’s great to have you finally here, now let’s get you guys on some Black Hawks and out to a remote base for the night.” Twenty minutes later... the Ranger veterans of conflicts past were lifting off in UH 60 Black Hawks... headed towards more troops on the eve of the 18th anniversary of the battle of Mogadishu.

Stay with us as the Tour Continues..

Danke fur Alles 63rd!!!!

To follow the Tour on Facebook go to: ‘ American300 Warrior Tours ‘

To learn more about the Department of Defense Armed Forces Entertainment Office please visit: www.armedforcesentertainment.com

Join us at American300 by going to: www.American300.org

Embassy Rolls Out Red Carpet For Ranger Heroes

2011-10-02T13:07:00.000-07:00

Embassy of the United States of America in the Kyrgyz Republic - Marines and US Army Special Operators shaking hands and swapping stories, not in the dirt, but on a highly polished marble floor of our Embassy here.

As well over 350,000 American Troops, Contractors and Coalition Force members move either to or from Afghanistan through Transit Station at Manas (TSM) every year. The US Embassy, located around an hour away conducts business of a different nature, from supporting American visitors, students and businesses to helping create development opportunities, humanitarian efforts simple put the Embassy and it’s staff is working on many fronts to assist many.

Like all US Embassy’s around the world the lead security force members are Marines. Today they had some brothers in arms come through their gates, something that doesn’t happen very often during their deployment.

“US Embassy here in Bishkek, is America’s liaison to the entire country of Kyrgyzstan. With Russia to the north and China to the east, you might think twice about moving your family here to do the job asked of you as an Embassy employee... rest assured the American citizens living and working in Bishkek, sleep well at night knowing the USMC is standing guard, Semper Fi” said Keni Thomas a member of the Armed Forces Entertainment RANGER Tour, featuring veterans of the Special Operations US Army Rangers units of years past.

“Vigilant and highly professional...guardians of the GATE” were the soft words spoken by Mad Max Mullen another member of the team along with Charlie Manas and Danny McKnight “...these men optimize unselfish sacrifice, both here in Kyrgyzstan and around the World.”

“This has been fantastic, we all have watched Black Hawk Down, getting to meet Danny ( Col. McKnight) and Keni (Thomas) along with Max (Mullen) and Charlie (Manis) was great” said a Embassy Staffer, adding “We don’t get a lot of visitors from Manas out here... I know it really has meant a lot to our Marines especially.”

The nonprofit that was responsible for organizing the Ranger Tour for our DoD Armed Forces Entertainment office has been working with both the base and embassy staff to provide more opportunities in the years to come, “back in May I was here with professional Cowboys and Cowgirls... riding horses with the future Olympic Equistrian athletes of this country at their Olympic Training Center, it was fantastic... we can’t wait to develop more resiliency building opportunities that can effect positive growth both on the base... and throughout the community.” said Robi Powers, managing director of the all volunteer nonprofit American300.

With the sun closing in on the rugged 20,000 foot mountain peaks to the west it was time for the Rangers to load up and roll back to Manas. Once final handshakes and salutes were given.... the Rangers rolled out..... “Sir, those Marines are outstanding young men... what an honor to have met them on this tour... “ whispered Max Mullen into Danny McKnight’s ear... an ear that he had spoken into on battle fields of past conflicts, an ear that had withstood the thunderous sounds of war... from a mouth that once again quietly voiced the words... ‘Vigilant Guardians of the Gate - Marines.’

The Tour Continues......

Follow the tour at: www.American300.org

Learn more about Armed Forces Entertainment at: www.armedforcesentertainment.com