08-17-2008, 17:52
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#1
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Area Commander
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Midwest
Posts: 7,134
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An honorable award
Most of you here know I'm a big supporter of our Military, for years I've been doing what I can by sending packages and letters and basically doing anything I can to show my support. And most of you also know I kind of prefer the behind the scenes position...or the "gray man" as it were. Well, I'm pretty excited about something so I'm coming out with a story. 
In November '06 I was recruited to stand up and lead a Family Readiness Group for a local ILARNG unit here (106th CAV, 2nd Sqd, C-Troop) A friend was in the Troop at the time and recommended me to the CO...we hit it off and I accepted the challenge.
Fast forward to the fall of 07. With an upcoming deployment looming within a year it was decided by higher ups that the FRG leader should be the "significant other" or spouse to a Soldier in the Troop. I guess perhaps they didn't have a whole lot of luck with civilians in that role... Anyway I wasn't offended, the 1SG's wife took over (she was my right hand anyway) and I accepted the secretary position that was offered to me.
Yesterday we had a MOB meeting for the families then the deployment ceremony, and following that the FRG hosted a picnic at the Armory for about 300+ people. It was an incredible event...emotional too, and although I'm not in a personal relationship with any of the men it's a difficult thing to know they are going into harm's way.
In March I accidentally found out that the 1SG's wife had recommended me for the Honorable Order of the Saint Joan d'Arc recognition and medallion. (see link below) It was to be given to me at the Ball in March...but didn't arrive and honestly I had kind of forgotten about it. Well at the picnic yesterday, guess who got called up in front of the whole group to receive her framed commendation and medallion?
Yep. Me...all bedraggled from replenishing the food line (and damn, those guys and their families can eat! ) after having balled my eyes out at the ceremony. Started me up all over again.
If I can figure out how to block out the faces/name tags of the CO and 1SG I'll post a picture.
Here's the link re the award: http://www.usarmor-assn.org/joanofarc.aspx
And I know wiki isn't always the best info source, but this is out there. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_o...;Arc_Medallion
So, whilst a bit out of character for me, I guess I'm bragging a little. It's just that I'm so very honored to have my name added to the roster along with other women who have been inducted into the Order of Saint Joan D'Arc.
Ultimately I'm even more honored that I have the priviledge to serve the men (and their families) who protect me and our Country.
Godspeed Men, we'll see you when you return!
__________________
My Heroes wear camouflage.
Last edited by Gypsy; 08-17-2008 at 17:56.
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Gypsy is offline
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08-17-2008, 18:02
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#2
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Fayetteville
Posts: 13,080
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Congrats There Girl
FRGs need all the help they can get.
Way to go. They think highly of you.
PS - Pssst, we do to.
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Pete is offline
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08-17-2008, 18:11
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#3
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Area Commander
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Midwest
Posts: 7,134
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete
FRGs need all the help they can get.
Way to go. They think highly of you.
PS - Pssst, we do to.
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Aye, some are really bad with infighting from what I've heard. Something about the women wearing their man's rank....never a good thing. Then again I've never been one for titles etc. The families are the ones that suffer and so do the folks deployed, wondering if those they left behind will be ok. We don't have that problem here and have a strong bond between all of us on the board...been that way for 2 years now and none of us will allow anything less.
Awwww! Thanks Pete...I am quite fond of all of you. 
__________________
My Heroes wear camouflage.
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Gypsy is offline
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08-17-2008, 18:17
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#4
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sneaking back and forth across the Border
Posts: 6,691
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Congrads. It is a great award for those that support the force.
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SF_BHT is offline
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08-17-2008, 18:36
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#5
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Area Commander
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,205
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Congrats Gypsy! You must be beaming with pride, as you should be. What an honor for you! Your adopted "family" is very fortunate to have someone who is so dedicated! WOW!!!
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We should seek by all means in our power to avoid war, by analysing possible causes, by trying to remove them, by discussion in a spirit of collaboration and good will.
Neville Chamberlain
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CoLawman is offline
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08-17-2008, 19:18
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#6
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Georgetown, SC
Posts: 4,204
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Gypsy,
It ain't braggin' if you really did it! Thank you very much from the bottom of MY heart. You did what you did out of honest concern and caring - with no "upside" to you. That is the heart of what really needs to be done in this country in so many areas. Again, thank you very much!
__________________
"I took a different route from most and came into Special Forces..." - Col. Nick Rowe
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ZonieDiver is offline
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08-17-2008, 19:20
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#7
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Area Commander
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: The Black Hills of SD
Posts: 5,944
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MSCP,
I've told you this before, and I'll tell you again......YOU'RE THE BEST !!!!
Congrats to you, Kiddo. 
__________________
Non Sibi Sed Suis
_____________________________________________
It's Good To Be Da King !!!! Just ask NDD !!!!
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Sdiver is offline
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08-17-2008, 19:21
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#8
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Guerrilla
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Fort Carson, CO
Posts: 338
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The Honorable Order of Saint Joan d'Arc is one of three honors we, in the Armor and Cavalry communities, bestow upon others.
The Order of St. George is for Armor and Cavalry types who have distinguished themselves and their branch.
The Noble Patron of Armor award is for those not of the Armor or Cavalry branches who make a significant impact upon our branch.
The Honorable Order of St. Joan d'Arc is what we award our family members and spouses who have sacrificed so much to support us in all we do.
It's a great honor. Congratulations!
__________________
Example is better than precept.
Last edited by RTK; 08-18-2008 at 06:40.
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RTK is offline
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08-17-2008, 19:33
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#9
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Vermont
Posts: 3,093
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Congratulations!! Terrific job!
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Wenn einer von uns fallen sollt, der Andere steht für zwei.
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Jack Moroney (RIP) is offline
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08-17-2008, 20:09
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#10
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Area Commander
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,355
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Good job, Gypsy!
__________________
"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave whither Thou goest." - Ecclesiastes 9:10
"If simple folk are free from care and fear, simple they will be, and we must be secret to keep them so." - JRRT
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jatx is offline
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08-17-2008, 20:35
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#11
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Area Commander
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Midwest
Posts: 7,134
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZonieDiver
Gypsy,
It ain't braggin' if you really did it! Thank you very much from the bottom of MY heart. You did what you did out of honest concern and caring - with no "upside" to you. That is the heart of what really needs to be done in this country in so many areas. Again, thank you very much!
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I really did it! Actually my upside is the happiness I get from knowing I make a difference.
Thanks everyone. 
__________________
My Heroes wear camouflage.
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Gypsy is offline
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08-17-2008, 20:48
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#12
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: DFW Texas Area
Posts: 4,741
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CONGRATULATIONS LADY!!!
Do take care.
Martin
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Martin sends.
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Ambush Master is offline
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08-17-2008, 21:40
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#13
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Area Commander
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,472
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Gypsy,
I just read your post. I have tears in my eyes. I am so happy for you. It takes great effort over a along period of time to be committed. You have done that; and without ever expecting to be called forward. Bask rightly so in the honor of protecting what we once did, and those who are doing so now, are freedoms. You, in what you consider is a minute participation, is in fact the backbone of our society. For all of us, and those that are not here, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
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Penn is offline
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08-18-2008, 04:29
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#14
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Free Pineland
Posts: 24,825
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Congrats!
Well-deserved!
TR
__________________
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." - President Theodore Roosevelt, 1910
De Oppresso Liber 01/20/2025
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The Reaper is offline
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08-18-2008, 05:32
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#15
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Asshat 6
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Vermont
Posts: 248
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FRGs play such a vital role when soldiers deploy - especially in the Guard, where a whole community's worth of citizens may be leaving. They tend, however, to turn into a rumor mill, a clique, and generally a burden to some of the wives/husbands involved.
The fact that you were inducted into the HOSJD (Being a CAV guy, I agree with RTK - it's a big deal) means that you proved to everyone that your efforts were for the soldiers and their families, not for you.
I learned in college that success is measured in service rendered; to God, to country, and to mankind.
You, ma'am, are a success. Well done.
__________________
"Tonight, we're pirates!" - MD (R.I.P. 19SEP05)
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gagners is offline
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