Soldier of the Week- Marine 1stSgt Donnie Brazeal

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/GCC
Sept. 8, 2009

Editor’s Note:
Hometown: Council Bluffs, Iowa
Awarded: The Bronze Star with ‘Valor’

It’s hard to imagine a man jumping on top of parapets to draw enemy rocket, grenade, and machine gun fire away from his buddies. But Marine 1stSgt Donnie Brazeal did just that in April, 2005 during what many say was one of the largest fire fights of the Iraq War.

Brazeal, now retired after serving 23 years in the Marine Corps, served four back-to-back deployments. One of his last deployments was to Iraq from January to September of 2005.

While the attacks were endless, one stands out from all the rest; insurgents hit Brazeal’s company, stationed at a combat outpost, on the morning of April 11, 2005. Brazeal said his reason for risking life and limb on that day was simple.

“Those are my sons,” he said, pointing to a group of sergeants and corporals who attended his award ceremony at the Naval Academy on January 27, 2007. “I was bringing young Marines home. We fought every day, and they (young sergeants and corporals from his unit) are the real heroes.”

“My father taught me never to run away from a fight, and my mother taught me to help my fellow man,” said Brazeal, who was raised in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

On April 11, mortar rounds were hitting within five to 10 yards of each other, witnesses said, which meant the attack was well planned. As the mortar shells, rockets and grenades rained down, the Marines found themselves being hit directly with machine gun and small arms fire.

Brazeal saw one group of Marines that was pinned down, and he and another Marine pulled out two anti-tank missiles and mounted the wall they had been using for a barrier. That maneuver drew fire on Brazeal, but allowed the other Marines to regroup and return fire.

Conventional weapons weren’t the only dangers in that pitched fight that lasted seven hours. At one point, a dump truck headed straight for the compound, and the Marines knew they were about to be hit by a suicide bomber. They stopped the truck, which exploded within 40 yards off their camp. Then came another vehicle, an ambulance loaded with explosives. And after that, a fire truck.

“They detonated a fire truck-full of explosives 75 meters away; it is a miracle it didn’t blow out our insides,” said Maj. Frank Diorio, who was a captain at the time and commander of the company.

The explosions flattened all of the buildings, Diorio said, and wounded some Marines, but they suffered no fatalities.

Perhaps the best testament to what Brazeal’s men thought of him was that two of the Marines in the April 11 attack, 1stSgt. John Harman and Sgt. Josh Hopper, who had just returned from a subsequent combat tour in Iraq, gladly gave up their first weekend home to travel from Jacksonville to Annapolis for the surprise ceremony.

“It was leadership from the front,” Harman said admiringly of Brazeal’s style. “That’s why the whole company loved him and Capt. Diorio.”

Brazeal was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor. His award citation noted that during one of the company’s many fire fights, Brazeal knocked Diorio to the ground and threw his body over his commander to protect him from enemy mortar fire.

“First Sgt. Brazeal is a Marine’s Marine; he is Gunny Highway times 10,” Diorio said referring to a Clint Eastwood character who fought at Heartbreak Ridge. “He feared his God, but that’s about it.”

Editor’s Note: Excerpts from article by Earl Kelly, Staff Writer; HometownAnnapolis.com, Jan. 28, 2007

• Hometown: Council Bluffs, Iowa
• Awarded: The Bronze Star with ‘Valor’

We would like to know what you think? dan@goldcoastchronicle.com

Source: Our Military

Officer of the week – Detective Joseph V. Vigiano

Remember September 11, 2001
Angels Among Us

Detective Joseph V. Vigiano
Shield 4511
ESS-2
September 10,2001

Detective Joseph V. Vigiano
Shield 4511
ESS-2
(recovered)

Maybe there was something in the water.

For some reason, perhaps a dozen men who came of age during the 1970’s and 80’s in Deer Park, N.Y., developed an appetite for civic duty. They became New York City police officers and firefighters in their professional lives, and volunteer firefighters with Engine Company No. 2 in Deer Park in their personal ones. They called it the Deer Park Connection, and Firefighter John Vigiano and Detective Joseph Vigiano, two of the tightest brothers you could ever find, were among the best-liked and most accomplished members.

Both followed the unwritten manual on growing up right in Deer Park, said their father, John Vigiano, a retired captain in the New York City Fire Department. They were active in sports. They became Eagle Scouts. They hatched pranks that were wicked in their creativity but gentle in their impact. “They never embarrassed me,” said Captain Vigiano. “They were good fathers, good husbands and they were good men.”

John Vigiano, at 36, was older by two years, though his brother never let him forget that he was also four inches shorter and maybe 30 pounds lighter, too. John was the quieter of the two, and spent as much time as possible with his two young daughters, his father said. He was a terrific hockey player (and rabid Rangers fan) and he would occasionally rent out an entire rink for his family, his brother’s family and a few other friends.

Joseph Vigiano, who was known as Joey, loved to mug for the cameras and played lacrosse on the Police Department team, said his wife, Kathy, a fellow police officer. On the job, he was commended for his bravery: he survived being shot on three different occasions. At home, he taught his two boys how to build derby cars of pine. Eventually, he was going to do the same with his youngest son, now 6 months old.

For now, the Vigianos are collecting anecdotes and tributes from friends and relatives on a new Web site, www.vigiano.com. Here, presumably, is one of the last stories: On the Sunday before Sept. 11, Kathy Vigiano returned home after the first game of the season in her soccer league, bruised and tired. She was prepared to make dinner, but instead, she saw that her husband had fixed prime rib, Caesar salad, mashed potatoes, and broccoli with cheese — while watching their baby, too. All this from a guy who had previously insisted that he only knew how to make spaghetti sauce.

– The New York Times 12/29/2001

Source: NYP Angels

Wish of the Week – Jordan

By MWF/PIO
Sept. 11. 2009

 

 On the day that 14-year-old Jordan learned his wish would come true, his volunteer wish granters presented him with a hard hat and pronounced him the  honorary chairman of the bathroom construction. Jordan, who battles cerebral palsy, was overjoyed because he knew that a bathroom makeover would impact his life in so many ways.

For three exhausting weeks, CDC Builders were in Jordan’s Lauderhill house, toiling away. They replaced all the tiles on the floor and on the walls, moved the toilet to a more accessible location and added a grab bar. The shower was also moved and made bigger. An accessible jet tub was installed and grab bars were added for extra security. This tub will also help with his physical therapy. Even the old sink was torn out and replaced with an all-new, wheelchair accessible sink and vanity. Finishing touches to his dream bathroom include new lighting, mirrors, cabinets and handles.

By bidding farewell to his old bathroom, Jordan is enjoying a new sense of independence. He can now tend to his personal needs without assistance from his parents. An ecstatic Jordan said, “It’s not what I expected, it’s even better! The shower and all the new fixtures work perfectly.”

Wish Granters: Andrea Giraldo & Deirdre Trevett
Referred by: his mother
Sponsored by: Mark J. Gordon Foundation

Source: Make A Wish Foundation

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Patient of the Week – Helen Tully

By St. Jude/PIO
Sept. 10, 2009

Helen Tully
2 years old

Diagnosis:

Helen was discovered to have rhabdomyosarcoma in February 2008.

Helen’s Story:

When Helen was born in 2007 in Latvia, she was a happy, healthy baby. Just eight months later, in February 2008, her mother, Andra, noticed a bruise on one of Helen’s buttocks. Concerned, she took her daughter to the pediatrician, who dismissed the bruise as nothing more than the result of Helen rolling over on a toy. But when a pea-like lump appeared overnight, and the bruise continued to spread, Andra took Helen to another doctor. He performed an ultrasound, and the results it revealed were devastating. Baby Helen had tumors on her pelvis. A follow-up MRI confirmed the presence of tumors, and surgery was scheduled for a week later.

Andra e-mailed a family friend in the United States to explain that she might be hard to reach for awhile because Helen was ill. The friend requested that she e-mail him Helen’s scans so that he could share them with friends of his who were physicians. He called Andra back quickly, and his advice was alarming. The physicians had reviewed the scans and felt that surgery would be dangerous. They recommended that Andra and her husband, John, bring little Helen to the U.S. for treatment, and one of the hospitals they recommended was St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Andra and John searched online for the best options for Helen’s long-term treatment. St. Jude kept coming up, and since John had family in the area, they decided that St. Jude might indeed be the best place for their baby. Their doctor provided a referral, and the next few days were a whirlwind as the family prepared to travel to Memphis.

At St. Jude:

At St. Jude, doctors determined that Helen suffered from rhabdomyosarcoma, the most common, aggressive soft tissue tumor in children. Because of the size of Helen’s tumor, she could not undergo surgery right away. Doctors started her on a 54-week chemotherapy treatment plan. After her first two rounds of chemotherapy, Helen’s tumor had shrunken about 60 percent, much to her family’s delight. Helen later underwent surgery to remove the tumor, and radiation. Today, her scans show no evidence of disease.

“If we had not come to St. Jude, I don’t think Helen would have celebrated her first birthday,” Andra said. “In Latvia, we don’t have the medicine they have here. At St. Jude, the doctors and nurses are so wonderful, they care so much. We know Helen is getting the best possible care. Whatever the children want or need, whether it is ice cream or an MRI, they get. It’s amazing.” Helen is finished with treatment and returns to St. Jude every three months for checkups. She loves music, dancing and playing with her older brother, Martin.

Source: St. Jude

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Wish of the Week – Andres

By MWF
Sept. 5, 2009

Ten-year-old Andres from Coral Gables is passionate about baseball and idolizes Hanley Ramirez of the Florida Marlins. On his own baseball team, he dons Hanley’s number (#2), plays his position (shortstop) and insists on wearing the same gear as the big leaguer.

When his wish came true, Andres and his family headed to the Eden Roc hotel on Miami Beach for a two-night stay and a great escape from his daily struggle with Crohn’s Disease. In true all-star fashion, he was escorted in a limousine to Land Shark Stadium to meet Hanley Ramirez.

From the Marlins-branded items waiting for him in his very own locker (right next to Hanley’s) to the chance to throw out the first pitch, his experience was amazing. Wearing his personalized Marlins jersey, Andres accompanied Hanley on the field for pre-game batting practice. He stretched with the Marlins, shagged balls in the outfield, took ground balls beside Hanley in the shortstop position and played catch with his idol. He made sure to find the time for autographs and photos from all his favorite Marlins.

His mother said, “At first, Andres was so nervous that he was shaking but the team made him feel comfortable. He met just about every player – they came over to shake his hands or rub his hat.”

Next it was game time so Andres and his family headed to their seats to watch a nail biter 10-inning game against the Atlanta Braves. Afterward, he clutched his signed bat and Hanley Ramirez glove and headed home. Now when he watches the Marlins on television, he fondly remembers the day he was Hanley Ramirez’ MVP!

Wish Granters: Judith Matus & Ellen Roth
Referred by: his child life specialist
Wish adopted by: Barry University’s Facilities & Event Management class of 2009

Source: Make A Wish Foundation

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Soldier of the Week – Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/GCC
September 5, 2009

Editor’s Note: Born Dec. 30, 1987 in Lowell, Massachusetts

Died Aug. 14, 2009 in Helmand, Afghanistan.

We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard, of New Portland, Maine, was home-schooled from kindergarten to 12th grade by his mother, receiving his high school diploma from North Atlantic Regional High School. He was an active member of the teen youth group at his church, Crossroads Bible Church in Madison, and enjoyed gaming, hiking, snowboarding, shooting, was an avid reader and a big movie buff. Joshua enjoyed having fun, and although he was shy, he took great pride in helping other people.

A deeply religious young man, felt that it was his duty to not only serve God, but his country, he was focused on his goals in life. Following in the footsteps of his father, Joshua joined the Marines in November 2006 and was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, in May of 2007. Joshua’s role in the Marines was a rifleman. He deployed to Iraq with the 2/3 in January 2008, and deployed to Afghanistan in May of 2009 with the same unit.

He died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. His awards include the Purple Heart Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. Joshua lived his life as a great example for Christ, earning the nickname “Holy Man” from his fellow soldiers.

He saw his role as a Marine as a protector of his country, not a warrior. A diligent soldier, with no ulterior motive other than to serve. His natural humbleness would have shunned the publicity over his death, he served for us, not himself. Joshua was buried in East New Portland Cemetery in New Portland, Maine.

Source: Freedom Remembered

Firefighter of the Week – Assistant Chief Donald J Burns

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/YC
August 31, 2009

Donald James Burns

Farewell to ‘Exceptional’ Firefighter
Memorial honors assistant chief, a 39-year veteran

October 10, 2001

Fighting fires was not just a job to Assistant Chief Donald J. Burns but his passion, one that rubbed off on many of his colleagues within the New York Fire Department.

Burns, who remains missing since the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center, was memorialized during a Mass yesterday in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where he was hailed as an “exceptional” leader within the department.

A 39-year veteran of the department, Burns, 61, rose from firefighter to citywide borough commander, a job that required him to be at all major incidents in the city during his 24- hour shifts.

During his career, Burns’ ability to learn from his mistakes and use them to improve firefighting skills was apparent to most of his colleagues, who respected him as a brilliant tactician and strategist.

“Anything you ever wanted to know about the Fire Department, he would have the answer,” said Deputy Asst. Chief Albert Turi after yesterday’s Mass. “If you could be half as good a chief as he was you’d still be a good chief.”

In talking about Burns at the service, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen used words like “hero” and “patriot” to describe Burns.

“His experience was unparalleled,” Von Essen said.

In front of the cathedral, a large American flag was hung from a fire truck over the heads of several hundred uniformed firefighters lined up along Fifth Avenue.

Burns’ family led the procession into and out of the cathedral, to the sound of solemn music played by the Fire Department’s bagpipe band.

Burns, who lived in Nissequogue, is survived by his wife, Betty, and three children, Laurie, 37, Michael, 35, and Patrick, 29.

He began his career in 1962 in Brooklyn and rose through the ranks in various positions until 1997, when he became a citywide tour commander.

“When you were with him, you feel there’s no fire you couldn’t conquer,” said 51st Battalion Chief Howard Carlson, based in Richmond Hill. “He was exceptional.” –Bryan Virasami (Newsday)

— Jay Dooling  12 Nov 2001

Source: Irish Tribute

Patient of the Week – Mitchell Franzer

By CDH/PIO
Sept. 1, 2009

Mitchell Franzer was born September 15, 1997 to delighted parents Bill and Sandy Franzer. Sandy had a healthy pregnancy, yet when she delivered Mitchell doctors noticed immediately something was wrong.

Mitchell was diagnosed with spina bifida. This was a shock to the Franzer family, but they had to focus on finding the best care for their son. Mitchell was transported to The Children’s Medical Center of Dayton just hours after he was born.

“When Mitchell was transported to Dayton Children’s so many questions were racing through our minds. One of the nurses comforted us and answered our questions. Her daughter also has spina bifida and she gave us hope that Mitchell would be OK,” says Bill.

Mitchell spent 21 days at Dayton Children’s Regional Level III Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU). “We were overwhelmed with taking care of a sick infant but the nurses and doctors were so caring,” says Sandy.

When Mitchell was just a baby, the doctors shared their concerns that Mitchell will likely never be able to walk on his own. He would be confined to a wheelchair indefinitely.

“It was difficult to receive the news that your son will not be able to walk, but Dayton Children’s gave us the tools to work with Mitchell to make him stronger.” Sandy worked with Mitchell constantly by doing the exercises they learned at Dayton Children’s. At 16 months old, Mitchell took his first step.

Mitchell is seen in the myelomeningocele clinic at Dayton Children’s which specializes in neural tube defects and related disorders. He is also seen in the physical and occupational therapy departments so he can gain strength in his muscles. Through all of his hard work, Mitchell has come a long way from the days when the doctors said he would never be able to walk.

Donald Nguyen, MD, is a urologist at Dayton Children’s and he and Mitchell have become close. Last October, Mitchell was admitted to Dayton Children’s because his bladder had ruptured, and Dr. Nguyen was there to take care of Mitchell.

“Mitchell has been through several major operations yet he has maintained a positive outlook on life,” says Dr. Nguyen.

“We have so much faith in Dr. Nguyen and he has been great with Mitchell,” says Sandy.

“Dr. Nguyen gives us his time to explain and answer our questions. That does not happen at every hospital and this is why Dayton Children’s is so unique,” says Bill.

Mitchell is now 11 years old and attends St. Henry Middle School in St. Henry, Ohio. He loves to play sports and dreams of being a farmer one day. When Mitchell is not working on his homework, he enjoys watching Ohio State Football, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Bull Riding.

According to Sandy, “After everything we have been through, Dayton Children’s is the only place we will ever go.”

Source: Childrens Dayton

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Officer of the Week – Detective Claude D. Richards

Remember September 11, 2001
Angels Among Us
Detective Claude D. Richards
Shield 244
Bomb Squad
August 31, 2009

Editor’s Note: We at the Chronicle, will never forget those police officers, who have given their lives in 9/11. Each week we will honor one with their stories.

This week we feature:

Detective Claude D. Richards
Shield 244
Bomb Squad
(recovered)

If ever a man was to the bomb squad born, it was Detective Claude Richards of the New York Police Department. Fearless, meticulous and disciplined nearly to a fault, Detective Richards, 46, the bomb squad’s intelligence coordinator, spent his off-duty hours working, working out and planning his next workday. When he took some time off, it was to defuse land mines in Bosnia with a United Nations peacekeeping force.

All the way from boyhood, Dan, as Detective Richards was known, “always wanted to charge up to the front,” said his brother, Jim, “just to prove himself.” He was in the Rangers in the Army, and on the bomb squad his command presence allowed him to give orders to colleagues who far outranked him as he oversaw security logistics for events ranging from presidential visits to the United States Tennis Open.

Detective Richards, who lived in Chelsea, was a complicated man. True, he could yell at a co-worker who borrowed his stapler and put it back in the wrong place, but he also didn’t think twice before taking his shoes off on the street and giving them to a vagabond, Jim Richards said.

Detective Richards’s work ethic left him little time or space for relationships, his brother said, but added, “He was so devoted to his work I don’t think he had a problem with it.”

– The New York Times 12/15/2001

Source: NYP Angels

Soldier of the Week – First Lieutenant Travis L. Manion

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/GCC
August 29, 2009

Editor’s Note:
Hometown:  Doylestown, PA
Awarded: Silver Star

Many believe that leadership is an innate quality rather than something learned. If this is a valid belief then First Lieutenant Travis L. Manion was certainly born a leader. Manion began his military career early as a student at the prestigious U.S. Naval Academy where he excelled academically.

Upon graduating from the academy in 2004, Manion chose to become a Marine Corps officer. Demonstrating his intellect and leadership abilities, this servicemember was commissioned and assigned to the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force Camp in Pendleton, CA.  Shortly thereafter, he was deployed to Iraq for his first tour of duty in 2005.

Manion and his unit were part of many critical events including support of the election, discovery of weapons caches throughout the region and numerous other Iraqi transition missions.

In September 2006, he was selected as an experienced Iraq veteran and was pulled from 1st Recon to become a part of a military transition team that would train with 10 other Marines that would be attached to an Iraqi Army Battalion in Fallujah.

Staying true to his commitment to public service, Manion geared up on December 26, 2006, for his second tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  He served as the company advisor for the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division Military Transition Team, Regimental Combat Team 6, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

Manion and his fellow Marines labored diligently to change the outcome in Fallujah, building a brotherhood with the Iraqi Army units and setting the example with strong leadership.

He and his fellow Marines aggressively took the battle to the enemy on multiple missions while mentoring their Iraqi counterparts.  On March 19, 2007, his vehicle was attacked by an improvised explosive device.  Though disoriented from the attack, Manion checked for secondary devices, and then led the pursuit to the triggerman.  Once identified, he personally apprehended the suspect.  On March 27, 2007, he exposed himself to enemy small arms fire on multiple occasions in order to physically position and direct the return fires of his Iraqi soldiers during a complex enemy attack.  On March 28, he immediately responded to a suicide vehicle-borne IED attack on the Iraqi Barracks at the Fallujah Government Center.  Despite ongoing enemy small arms fire, indirect fire, two suicide vest attacks, a second suicide-vehicle-borne IED, and the heavy presence of chlorine gas, he repeatedly endangered himself by entering the damage barracks to remove casualties, and then by positioning and directing the fires of Iraqi soldiers on the rooftop of the Government Center.

Manion and his fellow Marines fought courageously to change the tide in this critical battle ground.  As a result of their efforts, Al Anbar Province is now recognized as one of the more significant successes of the surge in Iraq.

On April 29, 2007 during his final patrol mission, Manion made the ultimate sacrifice.

His patrol was concluding a search of a suspected insurgent house when it came under precision small arms fire attack.  With the corpsman seriously wounded by enemy fire and the attack developing in to a full-scale ambush, Manion and a fellow Marine exposed themselves to increasing fire to pull the corpsman out of the kill zone.

After recovering the corpsman and administering first aid, Manion led his patrol in a counter attack personally eliminating an enemy position.  As he continued to direct the patrol, another Marine was wounded.  He again moved across the kill zone, under fire by five insurgents, to recover the wounded Marine.  Iraqi Army reinforcements were halted by an IED and were unable to advance on the flank of the insurgents, leaving Manion and his patrol to take fire from three sides.

While fearlessly exposing himself to gain a more advantageous firing position and drawing enemy fire away from the wounded Marines, Manion was fatally wounded by an enemy sniper.

His courageous and deliberate actions inspired the eventual counter attack and ultimately saved the lives of every member of his patrol, according to his medal citation.

“He wouldn’t put anyone in a situation he would not be in himself first,” said David Borek, his brother-in-law and close friend.

Manion was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with Valor and the Silver Star for his heroic actions in Iraq.

As a true testament to how much Manion was admired, the Iraqis named their new headquarters Combat Outpost Manion in honor of him.

Keeping the spirit of his selfless nature alive, The Travis Manion Foundation was created and continues his mission to assist the families of Fallen Heroes and wounded veterans, according to Janet Manion, his mother and executive director of the foundation.

“He was a kid with a big heart, never had a bad word for anyone,” said Tom Manion, his father.  “He was all heart; that is who he was.”

Editor’s Note: Excerpts from articles by Gary Weckselblatt, Bucks County Courier Times, Nov. 29, 2008; by Kenneth Harbaugh with MissionContinues.org; and The North Shore Journal.

• Hometown: Doylestown, PA
• Awarded: The Silver Star

We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

 

Source: Our Military

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