Olympians Bring Gold to Thule Air Base Service Members

Olympians Sean Colgan and Dan Beery

By American300 Public Affairs - 2/4/2014

Thule Air Base, Greenland-   Located 750 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Thule Air Base represents the United States Armed Forces northern most base. 

With the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, taking place nearly 4,000 miles away, two former U.S. Olympians are traveling to America’s most remote military base to share the Olympic Spirit and their personal life stories.  Behind their effort is the Department of Defense office of Armed Forces Entertainment and the nonprofit, American300 Tours. 

“I’ve made it a mission to share my personal Olympic story with troops,” says Dan Beery, whose USA mens 8 rowing team brought home gold and set an Olympic record during the 2004 Athens Summer Olympic Games. “My Olympic journey started because of a setback that ended my dreams of playing basketball in the NBA. Now I’m headed into the darkness and freezing temperatures of northern Greenland with an Olympic gold medal in my pocket. If you don’t quit on life, it’s amazing what the future can bring,” said Beery.  Joining Beery will be Hall of Fame rower and long-time mentor Sean Colgan.   

Congressional and Olympic Gold Medals

As a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team, Colgan and his teammates had a choice to make: support President Carter and Congress with the boycotting of the Moscow Summer Olympics or become outspoken critics of the withdraw by the American team from the Games.  “We found out about the boycott and took a quick team vote,”  said Colgan. He quickly added, “the choice was clear, we were Americans and our country needed our support.”  

In the years after the Moscow Summer Olympics, Colgan and his teammates organized two rematches with the Soviet mens 8 Rowing Team that captured bronze.  The Americans won both rematches handily and to this day stay in touch with several of the Russian athletes. 

While not an Olympic Gold Medal, Colgan is honored by the Congressional Gold Medal that he and his teammates received for their united stance in supporting our government. “Hey, the troops we share our medals with always comment on how my gold medal is bigger than Dan’s, that’s good for something,” said a laughing Colgan.

Robi Powers - American300

Pulling amazing individuals together and having them share their personal life stories with service members is the work of American300 Tours, a volunteer nonprofit that has been hard at work putting faces on the resiliency effort for the Department of Defense . “Resiliency in the military is a complex issue, all we’re doing is putting a face on it with these guest mentors who are willing to go where the sun doesn’t shine on bases all over the world.” says Robi Powers, founder of the nonprofit and a veteran of both the Army and US Ski Team and Biathlon Team.  

While the sun won’t be visible during the first half of the Olympians week-long visit, weather permitting they should see the sun for a few minutes during their last few days on base.  No matter the amount of sun they see, the Olympians plan on making sure that the golden glow of their medals shines brightly above the Arctic Circle for all our service members to see.  

About American300 Tours:  The American300 Tours produce educational resiliency programs designed to serve the Department of Defense.  The nonprofit also produces ONETEAM Envoys for the Department of State.  With a mission of increasing the resiliency of our Armed Forces Members, their Families and the Communities which they live and operate in around the world. No federal endorsement of sponsors or nonprofit is intended or implied- American300.org 

American300 can be found on the worldwide web at: www.american300.org

The nonprofit also has a active facebook page:  ‘American300 Tours’ 

For more on the DoD office Armed Forces Entertainment: www.armedforcesentertainment.com 

Media inquiries can be directed to Mike Lane - mlane@steamboat.com 

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

Cowboys Hit the Coalition High Country In Afghanistan

'We are cleared for take off Cowboys" could be heard across all 68+ feet of the cargo area this morning on a US Air Force C17 as the four mighty Pratt and Whitney engines, each delivering over 40 thousand pounds of thrust came to full power. With a tail that towers 55' off the runway and the amazing power of those engines it, was only a matter of seconds before the 'Globemaster' lifted off and rocketed into the night sky. "Now that's what I call a Cowboy Cadillac" said Annie Bianco Ellett on her headset, as she witnessed first hand up in the cockpits jump seat the pure elegance of this state-of-art US Air Force heavy lifter.

Hours later with the sun peaking up over a rugged mountain range, the US Air Force had the Cowboys and Girls back on the ground in another country, another time zone, but with the same mission; find US Armed Forces Members and Rope in Resiliency. After stacking the teams protective body Armour, organizing the mounds of Wrangler give-a-ways and squaring away each others personal kits it was obvious to our military hosts at this Air Field that the Wrangler Team was a well organized touring group that worked as a team. "If it hadn't been for the Wrangler clothes logo'd up with Armed Forces Entertainment patches and Cowboy hats I would have sworn I was watching a infantry chalk PAX/TRANX" said a Army corporal, who like so many of America's young men and women was on his second deployment to this mountainous region.

"Accomplishing more before breakfast, then most people get done in a day" said Jeff Chadwick, manager of western events for the Wrangler Corporation while walking down a rocky path on the way to breakfast at a small tent that was chuck full of US Army Soldiers "Heck I'd say in a week is more like it." he added.

Today, there was a get up'n go in the teams movements and for good reason, in less then an hour... they'd be whisked up into these formidable mountains that surround this undisclosed forward operating base to a camp like so many that found it's name the, story of one of America's fallen heroes.

If he were to have spoken the words they would have been simple: grab and go gang, it's time to fly, but instead Wrangler National Patriot Tour team leader Robi Powers, who organized the team from both this year and last and who volunteers to lead these trips through his nonprofit American300 for Armed Forces Entertainment each month simply nodded his head, the Wrangler Cowboys, Girls and Country Music Star were no longer a loosely wrangled group of Americans, they'd become a band of brothers and sisters, they'd become family.

"I'm excited mixed with a little scared" said Maegan Ridley, Ms Wrangler National Patriot and former Ms Rodeo America to veteran tour goer and endorsee of the Wrangler National Patriot line Pro Kaycee Feild "look at what we're gonna fly over" she added to his ear as the two lead the team to the Blackhawks that would be their next ride. "I'm with ya on those mountains being big' said Kaycee, they look like all of the Wasatch's back home in Utah and then some, but these Army Blackhawk crews are amazing, last year we were in these things 3-4 times a day, for days on end and I've seen what they can do... you're gonna love it" he added with the soft reassurance that you'd expect to hear from a big brother.

With a safety briefing that lasted a minute and saddling up which took about the same it was the Army's turn to carry the 'cowboy hats' to their days final destination, but not without taking advantage of a live fire exercises for their door gunners along the way. "I wouldn't mess with us" said Master Sergeant Roach the teams public affairs temporary duty assignment videographer from the Pennsylvania Air National Guard as the UH60's eased off the power and made clear their intention to land.

"That was just beautiful" said Lucas Hoge as he helped unload the teams gear and move away from the pad. Once clear of the rotorwash he opened the lid to his custom AcePro Medal of Honor guitar to ensure that it had made another journey unscathed and more importantly was ready to receive the tender loving care of pick and fingers, later this day on another small operating camp, in a land so far from his home of Nashville, TN " she's ready to sing and so am I" he added with the smile of a care giver, who knows the day will bring happiness to so many.

The Armed Forces Entertainment Wrangler National Patriot Tour has left its prints in so many countries, to be doing so in yet another foreign land should come as no surprise to our followers, what might however, is that for the first time the teams one and only World Champion would get her crack at learning exactly what goes into addressing a target, not with her usual custom pearl grip inlaid pistol, but through the high tech scope of a US Army issue M4. Outlaw Annie Bianco was to experience what hundreds of thousands of Army soldiers have; zeroing her weapon at close range and then engaging paper targets.

"Sgt Lamb was was such a great coach" said Annie, who, while a Champion with pistols, is a relative new comer to the world of military rifle marksmanship, despite having a brother who has been in the US Army for the majority of his adult life " I wish my brother could have seen Sgt Lamb take me through the drills this afternoon, I know he would have been proud... of both of us."

As sunset approached Sgt Lamb, a member of the Cav Scouts, commented on the sandblasting winds coming down onto the plateau "These mountains create their own weather... sunny and pleasant one hour, cloudy and 50 mph winds the next...it's the norm here."

With a Camp elevation that would make the city of Denver, Colorado smile, the Cowboys once again made ready their ropes, Wrangler 'thank you' gifts and one Medal of Honor Guitar for an evening of mile high country fun. "Look at who's here tonight" breathed Powers to the team as he pointed out to mountain warfare capable specialists from Italy, Spain and Slovenia, who were all drifting in on the various paths to the Camps newly finished commons area. "Heck there's even to British Army Specialists with us tonight, get ready for a NATO Coalition Forces Cowboy Coral gang"

And as if on cue, Lucas Hoge grab'd Medal of Honor the custom painted AcePro guitar and let her fill the thin air "they might not understand the lyrics completely, but I know they'll feel it in their hearts he whispered to Kaycee, and that they did!

Reach out to a friend and have them saddle up with us as the tour continues... from all of us 'over here' Good Nite

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!

Cowboys Bring Cooler Temps to Troops

Armed Forces Entertainment and local US Base personnel teamed up to give American300 more then ‘8 seconds’ of resiliency for troops serving at this small, isolated base that doesn’t even have a name. “We’ve been working with Armed Forces Entertainment’s staff for two years, developing a plan to take our tours to some of the most remote and isolated bases around the world” says Robi Powers, American300’s founding member and volunteer to both his nonprofit organization and Armed Forces Entertainment, over the past 48 hours that vision has come to fruition.”

Not only has American300 pushed for getting it’s resiliency oriented programming to remote bases, but they’ve also pushed for quality over quantity visits. “You can show up on a base and set up a autograph table in a dinning facility and have celebrities sign 500 autograph cards... quickly shake 500 hands, but where’s the true resiliency?" asks Powers “We worked with Armed Forces Entertainment to get the word out that our tours want to slow it down a bit, 'chill out', give our volunteer celebrity American Ambassadors of goodwill a chance to really connect.

Coming off just such a visit at a base in another part of the middle east the day before, fingers were crossed that today's Base Staff would deliver on this new approach to troop touring. After 9 hours in the blazing sun with temps in the 100's - sharing words of encouragement, thanks and personal stories with behind the scenes troops, The Wrangler Team and it's members; Jeff Chadwick, Annie Bianco Ellet, Lucas Hoge, Kaycee Feild, Maegan Ridley and MSgt George Roach found themselves a little sunburned but a lot happy. The result of a day spent with our hero service members that wouldn't be able to make it to the evenings base wide Hoe-down.

“I’ve got a friend that can never get out of work to come watch me compete each year at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas” says Feild adding “this bases staff had us spending quality time with a pile of folks who wouldn’t be able to be here tonight.. that’s as cool as it gets."

From Canine Handlers and their service dogs to Security Forces guard shacks, the Wrangler Pro’s and Country Music Artist traveled around the base... not just shaking hands and quickly handing out autograph cards, but taking the time to talk, share and get to know our nations heroes. “The staff on this air base, like the one we just came from, understands the importance of allowing a connection to occur” said Lucas Hoge, “sure there are going to be those times when all I have time for is a quick autograph or hand shake with my fans on the country music stages of America, but that's not how I or my colleagues build our foundation of support, it’s built on friendships... and today I made one heck of a lot of friends."

We’ve always said, the road to true US Armed Forces Troop Resiliency starts - One Service Member at a time... we believe that if you design programming that supports this basic theory... you get the desired outcome: A Stronger, Healthier Force... and that includes our Families.” says Major Jesse Stewart a highly decorated combat infantry officer and founding member of American300, adding “we’ve got to be strategic in dealing with resiliency, the days of thinking tactically on this subject are long gone in my humble opinion.”

After a long day of touring the base in triple digit heat, the sun finally set bringing with it cooler temperatures and an opportunity for the Wrangler National Patriot Team to kick back and chill out with hundreds of troops.. (who weren’t on duty) beating back the ‘ground hog day syndrome, a term that American300 and others involved in bringing stateside programming to the troops use for giving the troops something they don’t always get.

“When you can have an event that breaks the same old...(stuff) syndrome, you’re helping the troops out.” says a Army Veteran who works at this isolated base as a civilian contractor. “I served my 20 years, and I’ve seen it all...what this group brought to the troops today was simply awesome...I know I’ll remember the day for a long time.”

To follow the tour please visit: WranglerNationalPatriot

To stay up to date on American300 visit www.American300.org

The governments Department of Defense Armed Forces Entertainment website is: www.armedforcesentertainment.com

To join us on FACEBOOK click here: American300 Warrior Tours