Independence Run Scholarship Program Allows Soldiers To
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Volume 1, Issue 104 July 5, 2010 Independence Run Photo by Sgt. Chad Nelson, 135th Mobile Public Affairs Det. Task Force Marne Commander Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo, and Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse Andrews, TF Marne command sergeant major lead the task force in a Worth Fighting For Independence Day Run, July 3, at Contingency Operating Base Speicher. The run was held to celebrate American independence and as a chance to show camaraderie among units on Speicher. Scholarship program allows Soldiers to live up to dreams By Sgt. Johnathon Jobson TF Marne PAO three or four years of college awards and action noncom- a new contract for the time to attain their bachelor’s de- missioned officer with the they will spend in ROTC. Each year division com- gree as part of the school’s 3rd Infantry Division G-1, of When they receive their com- manders are given the op- Reserve Officers’ Training Thomasville, Ga. mission they have the option portunity to send phenom- Corps, known as ROTC, to “They have to have a high to stay in the Army Reserve enal Soldiers to college and receive their commission as score on the Army physical or return to active duty.” then back to Army forma- a second lieutenant upon fitness test, an A average in Sergeant DeAndre Hub- tions to be leaders by giv- graduation. school. They only take the bard, a human resource ing them the Commanding “To receive the CG’s Hip best Soldiers and NCOs to management sergeant with General’s Green to Gold Hip Pocket Green to Gold Schol- become officers. Once the the 3rd Combat Aviation Pocket Scholarship. arship, Soldiers must be the Soldier receives the Scholar- Brigade, 3rd ID, was one of This program allows cho- best at everything they do,” ship, they are released from sen Soldiers to complete two, said Sgt. Tracey Masdeu, an active duty and have to sign See ROTC, Page 3 The North Star Page 2 • July 5, 2010 Hometown heroes media plan culminates on FOX By Master Sgt. Marcia Triggs TF Marne PAO NCOIC The graphic first started out as a blank map, but weekly it started to fill up with red dots. Those dots represent- ed people throughout the United States learning about the lives, experiences and goals of Task Force Marne service- members and civilians. “My Marne Hometown Hero” pro- gram kicked off May 15. The goal was for the Task Force Marne Public Affairs Office to facilitate 50 interviews in 50 days. On Independence Day, the program was at day 49, and culminated with Task Force Marne being recognized on Fox and Friends for its success of tell- ing the Soldiers’ stories. “We conducted 78 interviews in 48 states,” said the Task Force Marne Photo by Sgt. Johnathon Jobson, TF Marne PAO Commander, Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo, (Right) Task Force Marne Commander Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo, Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse An- during the interview. “The whole pur- drews, TF Marne command sergeant major, along with 13 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines pose was to hit the local media with sto- and civilians conduct an interview with Fox and Friends, July 4, at COB Speicher. ries of their hometown heroes because town newspaper. The focus was mainly Skype interviews. we want to tell the story at the local about her experiences in Iraq and what Corporal Virginia Ryan, a Jenna, level, where we know it will be received she misses about home. La., native was interviewed by a Task in a great way.” Staff Sergeant Magel said she felt Force Marne broadcaster. The video Major General Cucolo and Com- proud to say that she is part of the mis- footage was then downloaded and run mand Sgt. Maj. Jesse Andrews, the task sion to improve life for Iraqis. “We’re by an Alexandria, La., TV station. force command sergeant major spoke here to support the Iraqis the best way “I’m the only Marine with the task to Fox’s audience of a potential one we can, and the paper did a good job force, and it was an honor to represent million viewers at the Contingency Op- explaining that,” she added. the Marine Corps during this program,” erating Base Speicher Soccer Stadium. This venture proved to Staff Sgt. Cpl. Ryan said. Standing behind them during the seg- Magel that she can handle talking to “I’ve learned that I have more con- ment was 13 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, the media, and she said it was fun be- fidence from this experience and from Marines and civilians who participated ing on TV during the Fox and Friends being here, and it’s because my section in the program. interview. and the Army encourages me to do a There were TV, newspaper and ra- In addition to the Public Affairs Of- good job.” dio interviews conducted during that fice coordinating the interviews, the By close of business, July 5, the pro- 50-day period. Staff Sergeant Amber staff also submitted photos of the Sol- gram will end with a New Jersey resi- Magel, an administrative law noncom- diers to newspapers, facilitated the dent’s story being told. In the end 80 missioned officer in charge, was high- video link up with TV news stations, Task Force Marne Heroes stories were lighted in her Winchester, Va., home- and through new technology, set up the told in 49 states. You are invited Vertical Horizon Tops in Blue Ja Rule Sergeant Audie Where: FOB Marez Where: FOB Marez Where: FOB Warrior Murphy Club When: July 5 When: July 8 When: July 19 Induction Ceremony Where: FOB Warrior Where: FOB Warrior Where: COB Speicher Where: North MWR, COB When: July 6 When: July 9 When: July 20 Speicher Where: July 7, Where: COB Speicher When: July 22, 11:30 a.m. South Speicher, When: July 10 When: July 7 The North Star Page 3 • July 5, 2010 Soldiers reflect on freedom, Independence Day By Sgt. Shantelle Campbell said Command Sgt. Maj. Michael S. 4IBCT, 1st Inf. Div. PAO McCoy, the top noncommissioned offi- cer of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Freedom. A liberty that is so Team, 1st Infantry Division, out of Fort deeply reflected and described in the Riley, Kan. Bill of Rights of our U.S. Constitution “That’s what we do in the military. is the root of what grew to become the We sacrifice a lot of our own freedoms Declaration of Independence, some to provide [and protect] the freedom of 234 years ago. others and [our country].” Like love, freedom is both tangible While many look forward to the and intangible, and at times, very Fourth of July for the numerous fire- measured. work displays and extended weekends, It can be taken away as well as it Capt. Simon Welte, the commander of can be given but - all the more reason Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Americans’ independence will always Artillery Regiment, said that it’s also be worth fighting for. important to remember the basis of the Since the American Revolutionary holiday – commemorating America’s War, men and women have fought to freedom. attain and preserve what President “I think that the Fourth of July is Thomas Jefferson described in the one of the greatest holidays that the Declaration of Independence as our United States of America has,” said the Courtesy Photo “unalienable rights … life, liberty and Augusta, Ky., native. What’s worth fighting for? the pursuit of happiness.” “It’s not only a time [for celebra- Katie Allen, the wife of “History shows that [many] sac- tion], but it’s also a time to be thankful Maj. Jeff Allen says: rificed their lives and some of their for the ones who have given their lives Family is worth fighting for. freedoms for other people’s freedoms,” for the freedoms that we have.” Continued from ROTC, Page 1 five Soldiers from the divi- as a student, but also be an education,” Sgt. Hubbard store for me,” explained Sgt. sion to receive a scholarship invaluable contributor to the said. Hubbard. “One of my goals through the CG’s Green to ROTC program; bringing “I finished fifteen semes- as an adolescent was to be Gold Hip Pocket scholarship priceless ‘real-world’ active ter hours of college course the first of my siblings to program. duty experience to the stu- work, to include working out graduate from college with a Sergeant Hubbard, a Del- dent body. in the gym, and developing bachelor’s degree. The CG’s hi, La., native, looks forward “With that said, upon my junior Soldiers to be- Green to Gold Hip Pocket to attending Columbia Col- graduating I would love to come future leaders.” Scholarship has given me lege in Missouri this fall and come back and serve with Even though he is work- that opportunity to accom- is honored to receive such a my Dog Face Soldiers.” ing towards a degree in plish that dream. My future life changing award. Currently deployed to Ba- criminal justice, Sgt. Hub- goal is to become an Officer “First and foremost, gram, Afghanistan, with the bard plans to be an officer in in the United States Army having the chance to serve 3rd CAB in support of Op- the infantry branch upon re- and continue to serve the within the Marne Division eration Enduring Freedom, ceiving his commission say- people of the United States is just an honor,” said Sgt. Sgt. Hubbard has also been ing, it will assist him with his of America.” Hubbard. “However, being deployed once to Kuwait in leadership skills, which will The 3rd Infantry Division selected by the CG for this support of Operation Iraqi follow him to any branch Commanding General Maj.