Being the Best - Landstuhl Regional Medical Center

Germany- Being the best in the world is something that ESPN X Games athletes; Mike Schultz and Levi LaVallee know a thing or two about, between the two men nearly a dozen ESPN X Games Gold and Silver Medals have been awarded. Over the past two days in the small towns of Landstuhl, Sembach and Ramstein -Miesenbach, Germany the two gravity defying geniuses of winter snowmobile racing and freestyle competition have been introduced to America's finest, our US Armed Forces!

'K Town' also known at Ramstein Air Base has for years served as the launch and recovery site for many of America's wounded heroes. With Air Force transport planes coming and going on a daily basis, teams of mechanics, weathercasters, medical staff and flight crews along with so many others all work in harmony to ensure that one very special group of servicemen get the best possible treatment, care and handling that can be provided.

Once US Air Force transport planes are loaded with wounded, supplies and joint service medical providers, they literally launch into the airspace above this peaceful agricultural region located in the central western part of Germany with destinations ranging from Andrews Air Base in Maryland to Lackland Air Base in Texas.

"We've got some weather out over the Atlantic and it's a little nasty at Andrews AB," reported the commander of a wounded warrior laden C17. Words that weren't lost on the special guests. LaVallee's crew chief and co-owner, Glen Kafka, recalled how the commander at Sembach Weather Station, LTC Wall and his team had given a comprehensive behind the scenes look at all that goes into weather casting for the region. "I knew full well where the information had come from and who had delivered it to this Mississippi Air National Guard team of flyers," said Kafka.

Providing information as to where the 'smooth air' can best be found is something that our US Military weathercasters take to heart. "The average traveler doesn't mind a little turbulence here and there, but we're not dealing with flights full of 'average anything', our travelers need as smooth a ride back to the U.S.A. as possible," stated one weather station airman.

As the X Games greats thanked everyone from United Services Organization volunteers to joint service medical care providers, it wasn't until Mike Schultz, of Pillager MN, found himself bedside next to a young US Army soldier that the mission he'd volunteered for really struck home. "I met a young man today, that like myself, was looking at life from in front of a mirror that now only included one leg," said Schultz. "I knew exactly how he was feeling, what was going on inside his head, what I didn't know was that my being there next to him and placing one of my X Games Gold Adaptive SnoX Medals on his chest, showing him my MotoKnee prostetic would cause his eyes to get so huge," recalled the 3x Adaptive above knee amputee of his time spent next to one of our recently amputated warriors. "I had no idea that being next to this young man showing him what I'm now capable of doing in sport would have such a positive impact," he added.

"We get a lot of visitors here at LRMC, but Mike, being able to show our wounded how he has continued to live and charge forward is something very special that doesn't happen everyday," said LTC Lisa Toven, USAF LMRC.

Between Schultz sharing his MotoKnee prostetic and Levi LaVallee comparing surgical scars, the two days at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center have been a mixture of one part Rocky and one part Jaws (the scene where marine biologist and ship's captain get into a 'oh ya...'), but in the end the final product has been one of resiliency, mixed carefully and nurtured gently, something that American300's Robi Powers has little doubt will be the case here at this World Class region of US Joint Service Military Bases for months to come.

For more information on Armed Forces Entertainment the presenters of 'XHEAVY Medal Tour' please visit: www.armedforcesentertainment.com

To follow the tour in Facebook, Photo's and Videos please visit: www.American300.org

Rocky Mountain High In the Middle East

The Wrangler National Patriot team landed at a remote isolated air base in the 'shadows of 20 thousand foot peaks' with beauty on the horizon and a US Air Force staff that greeted the team with smiles and open arms, it didn't take but seconds for the Team to realize that the beauty of the mountains was going to be surpassed by the professionalism of the staff here, in warming the spirits of the Team and the Troops that they'd come in contact with. With final cargo transferred from aircraft to ground transport, the Cowboys and girls we're whisked away to morning chow... local time was 0530.

After western omelets and dark cowboy coffee, the group was given a few hours 'off the trail' to shake the desert sand out of their gear and do some laundry. The next stop - hundreds of joint service (all branches of service) troops enjoying the camaraderie of a Western BBQ. Lead by a team of 'master chefs' a/k/a Chief Masters... out came the ropes, steer heads, Wrangler National Patriot Bandanas, Burgers and fun.

As soon as the last hamburger was wolfed down the Goodfather's of the Grill snatched up Annie Bianco Ellett and Maegan Ridley for a Team Photo. Not only had the Sr NCO's of the Base processed over a thousand burgers and brats through their Chuckwagon, but they'd nailed the final spike in the resiliency rail that puts leaders ever out in front of our new recruits in the 'gold rush' to keep our force strong and on the top spot.

'Spurs on' and 'knees dug' in was the attitude the Wrangler Cowboys and girls have for mission briefings, and the local command took the team for an extended 8 second ride through the details of this bases history, host nation partnership that no one wanted to end.

"We operate this base on a 'Need To Share' message" explained Captain Clyde and Major Katz, the Teams Command Briefing Staff from the Air Force, when explaining the role that the resident staff here plays in the larger sustainability mission. The base sources as many sustainability products locally and this key ingredient isn't lost on the host nation, in turn base commanders and local government officials here have developed a working relationship based on a level of trust that would make any Cowboy a World Champion... if they could just get their 'draw' to work with them in partnership the 'same' every weekend.

With 2 hours to spare after the briefing came to an end, Lucas Hoge the teams one and only country music star suggested that 'maybe' he, Kaycee Feilds and Robi could give a try at some archery practice (Lucas, had spotted a 3D archery range during a quick orientation drive the services staff had given the team after breakfast) No sooner were the words spoken then bows materialized and lines were drawn in the rocky dirt... Kaycee, Wing Commander Col. Sones and Major Roberts would represent the PRCA and Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, while Lucas, Robi Powers and Commander Col Zorzi would representing the Pro Bull Riders - PBR Tour.

Arrow after arrow flew and bulleyes fell to the PRCA Team who cleaned up in the 3 course contest 36 -19. With hat in hand, Lucas and Robi

along with Col Zorzi congratulated the PRCA squad... and talk of a rematch mixed with the cool southerly breeze that had enveloped the base... dropping temperatures by more then 15 degrees, the result of the cooling effect that the snow topped mountains to the south have on this base each and every day of spring and summer.

With Kaycee belting out a Cowboys Champion Yehaaaaa all the way to the Morale Entertainment Center, the Cowboys reunited with World Champion Annie who along with Jeff and MSgt Roach the teams public affairs officer had bags already packed for the teams next tour stop deployment as well as the evenings 'Western 'Rocky' Mountain Hoe-down.

Jeff Chadwick gave the 'Chutes Open' let's go rodeo call and within seconds Troops had 'turned out' to the various fun activity zones throughout the 'arena'. Roping, talking, signing autographs and laughter all mixed into an act that would have entertained the most veteran western events fans. Topping it all off, Lucas Hoge lasso'd a squad of Marines fresh off the trails of war to sing his song "Medal of Honor" with him on the eve of Memorial Day (observed) here in the Middle East.

"This resiliency one on one troop 'tour' we do during the day, followed by evening Ground Hog Day Disposal (as Robi calls it) that we've got going on, is such a home run" said Jeff Chadwick, manager of Western Events for Wrangler Corporation " I just wish my boss, Joe (Hertz), our General Manager of Wrangler was here to see it, as a combat purple heart recipient of the Vietnam War... I think it would make his heart sing" added Chadwick.

The 'evening' came to a close with Troops and Cowboys eyes glued to the final 20 laps of the Indy500, which was being piped onto the base by Armed Forces Network, the Department of Defense godsend television service that allows troops to stay up to date with the latest happenings in the 'world'. As the race came to a close, cries of sorrow could be heard coming from the Troops, Robi Powers, the Armed Forces Entertainment Wrangler National Patriot Tour leader was smiling.... not as a result of Hildebrands demise, but from the quite comfort a team leader and founder of American300 gets from knowing that another day of successful resiliency minded troop touring was over... and that the Troops cries... where the result of witnessing the lose of a sporting event... not a fellow service member on this evening that had now become the morning of Memorial Day here in the Middle East.

The Tour Continues.....

For more information on American300 please visit: www.American300.org

To learn more about the Department of Defense Armed Forces Entertainment office go to: ArmedForcesEntertainment.com

Follow the Tour on FACEBOOK!

Rising Sun - HEAVY Duty

Kure, Japan - The Armed Forces Entertainment HEAVY Medal III Team has arrived here in this small seaport town to spend time with a very special group of US Army Service Members. " We haven't had anyone visit us in at least 6 months so you guys coming is like Christmas in May for our Soldiers" said David Ricks, Kure Lodging and Club Manager to the Akizuki/83rd Ordinance Battalion - U.S. Army. " There are less then 60 US Army Soldiers Stationed here and with the relief effort we've ben tasked to, half the base is up north on any given monday... we are all so pumped to spend time with you all, thanks for coming " he added.

Arriving in Japan today had different meanings for several of the HEAVY Medal Tour members. For Mike Lane it was the first time back since having been born here over 40 years ago. While Caroline Lalive and Robi Powers spent time in conversation talking about the 1998 Nagano Olympics, which was the last time either of them were in this land of the rising sun.

The Team will set off early in the morning to meet everyone on this remote base....and in the end hopefully create connections and establish unique one on one friendships. "American300 Warrior Tours is all about going where others won't." says Powers adding " Armed Forces Entertainment's Chief; LTC Weatherspoon has been a great supporter of our desire to put these unique motivational tours in with troops who are hardship deployed around the World."

Follow the tour at:

American300 Warrior Tours FACEBOOK

and

American300 Foundation

America’s Top Running Events Salute Troops with Middle East Tour
7 Races, over 7 Days, at 7 Bases

Steamboat Springs, CO, June 29, 2009 - On July 6th The Warrior Tours: America's Races Salutes the Troops heads to the Middle East to support the troops in the semi-annual Armed Forces Physical Fitness Test. Over the course of seven days the tour will conduct seven races at seven US military bases. Special guests will provide additional support and encouragement to the troops including NASA astronaut Sandra Magnus, Olympic marathon gold medalist Frank Shorter, and and Runner's World Magazine's Chief Running Officer Bart Yasso.

“Our troops work so hard defending our freedom and this is just a small way for us thank them and support them in their annual testing,” said Rob Powers, founder of The Warrior Tours, and co-host of America’s Races Salutes the Troops. “We are blowing out these semi-annual tests, which are generally done with little fanfare, into full scale world class race events.”

Over thirty of the top running events in the United States have teamed up with The Warrior Tours and have donated race shirts, medals and other race supplies to be distributed at the events. At each stop the troops will be treated to a world class running event with evening entertainment by 2009 Armed Forces Entertainers of the year Catchpenny, professional announcing, and digital tag timing.

NASA astronaut Sandra Magnus, of Belleville, IL, was a flight engineer on Expedition 18 and spent 128 days on the International Space Station before returning to Earth on March 28 of this year. Her father was an Army veteran and she has several cousins who have served over seas with the National Guard.

Shorter, whose father was an Army doctor, was born on a US Army base in Germany. In 1972 Shorter returned to his birth country and won the gold medal in the marathon event at the Munich Olympic Games.

Rounding out the special guests on the tour are Yasso and Anne Bonney. Yasso is the Chief Running Officer at Runner’s World Magazine and author of My Life on the Run. Bonney is UnderArmour’s Senior Manager of RUN.

Races participating in the America’s Races Salute the Troops include The Marine Corps Marathon, 500 Festival Indianapolis Mini Marathon, Bass Pro Shops Fitness Festival, 131 Atlanta, 131 Chicago, 131 Ft. Lauderdale, 131 Miami, Anchorage Running Club’s Big Wildlife Runs, Chicago Half Marathon, Cleveland Marathon, Denver Marathon, Fargo Marathon, ING Georgia Marathon, ING Miami Marathon, Marin County Marathon, MSBlues Marathon, D.C. National Marathon, Omaha Marathon, Philadelphia Marathon, Pittsburgh Marathon, Portland Marathon, Steamboat Springs Marathon, Melbourne Beaches Marathon, The San Francisco Marathon, Twin Cities Marathon, Vermont City Marathon, Wine Country Half Marathons, The Baltimore Running Festival, The Frederick Running Festival, The Lehigh Valley Half Marathon, and Rock’n’Roll Marathons.

During the tour images, videos, and updates will be posted on The Warrior Tours web site and through its Facebook page and Twitter account.

About The Warrior Tours
The Warrior Tours, a pending 501(C)(3) nonprofit, connects the men and women of the US Armed Forces with the American people through physical fitness by teaming up stateside events with The Warrior Tours events at US military bases worldwide. While supporting the troops in their fitness programs The Warrior Tours connects US service men and women with their friends and families through video, text, and images that are posted on The Warrior Tours website and broadcast at domestic sporting events. More information at http://www.thewarriortours.com

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