Brian & Kellie's Troop Support

The Brian and Kellie Troop Support Network invites you to the Keller Williams "RED Day", at the Dole VA Hospital....Saturday May 12, 2012 ….12:00pm - 5:00pm.

We will be collecting donations for the VA Hospitals Volunteer Service Department (they help Veterans in need.)....bring clothing donations for all ages....especially need XL and Larger Adults....plus need new pre-packaged underwear.  Get All Info Here

Vietnam Vet Marine Richard "Dick" Mullen finally gets the welcome home he always deserved. Read about Mr. Mullen's service and his homecoming to Wichita.

We are very proud and relieved parents.  Our son Jason (Capt. with the 333rd Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB) completed his mission in Afghanistan and returned home to America on March 26th, 2012.

Thank you to everyone who kept us going over the months he was gone.  I realize now what every military mom goes through.

It's hell!  But the pride in our men and women overshadows anything that we might feel.  I cried when he left and I cried just as hard when he returned home.  God Bless Every Single Servicemember!

Welcome home  to 175 Kansas National Guard soldiers, coming home from a yearlong deployment to the Horn of Africa.  The 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery and 35th Military Police Company is headquartered in Wichita with subordinate units in Dodge City, Great Bend, Lenexa, Liberal, Hutchinson, Newton, Paola, Pratt and Topeka. The soldiers spent the past year conducting stability operations in Africa with partner nations and working to maintain regional security.

An Air Force Christmas Story - Love In The Sky

Read the story of how husband and wife pilots, Capt. Timothy McBride and 1st Lt. Victoria McBride, spent their Christmas Day in Afghanistan.  It's an Air Force "love story".

We Pray For Our American Heroes.

A local soldier made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom in this world.  Please join in remembering this brave young man

Spc. James R. Burnett Jr., 21,  died Wednesday, November 16 2011 when an improvised explosive device hit a Jeep in which he was riding in a convoy.

Specialist Burnett was a member of the 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

Burnett grew up in the Wichita area and was a graduate of Clearwater High School. He joined the Army after graduating in 2009.

Thank you for supporting Christmas In A Box. 
Click here to read emails from the troops who received our boxes this year

A Personal Note From Brian & Kellie

Our family is experiencing our first deployment.  Our son Jason, an Air Force Captain and an F15 WSO, has deployed to Afghanistan.  (That is Jason leaving in the photo to the left)

So, we begin what so many families have already experienced.  Months of prayers.  Waiting for phone calls and emails with any news.  More prayers for Jason and all of the men and women serving. 

So far I have done ok.  Some days are better than others.  I miss Jason.  But, we are so proud of him.

He told us when he was a little kid (about 12 years old) that he was going to fly jets.  He is living his dream. 

Right now, our family is focused on making sure Jason knows that we support him.  I ask anyone who will listen to say a prayer for Jason and all of our military serving overseas. 

Kellie

World War II Vets Receive Heroes Welcome Home After Honor Flights

Two more Honor Flights flew 200 Kansas World War II to Washinton DC on October 4th and 6th!  See photos from the Heroes Welcome Home at Wichita's Mid-Continent Airport.

Wichita Honor Flight pays for area WWII Veterans to go to Washington, DC. to visit their memorial.  Help us get all Kansas WWII Veterans on an Honor Flight before it's too late.   Get the information here on how to get a Veteran on a future flight, how to apply to be a Guardian and how to make a donation. 

IN MEMORY OF OUR FALLEN PATRIOTS

The week of September 15 - 21 was designated as "Honor and Remember Kansas Fallen Patriots Week" in Sedgwick County to honor the 79 Kansas Soldiers killed while fighting the war on terror.  Click here to read the proclamation. 

*Note:  The proclamation reads 75 soldiers from Kansas have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country since 1991.  That number became 79 this month with four additional soldiers lost their lives in the line of duty.

See the names of the 79 Kansas Fallen Patriots Here

Three Kansas soldiers were among the 30 Americans  who died Saturday, August 6 2011 when their Chinook was shot down in the Wardak province west of Kabul on a mission to help Army Rangers in a firefight.

 Army Reserve Spc. Spencer Duncan, 21, a 2008 Olathe South graduate was a door gunner on a Chinook helicopter.
 

Army Spc. Alexander Bennett, 23, of Overland Park, a flight mechanic in the Army Reserve’s Chinook unit.
 

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bryan Nichols. 31. from Kansas City, a Chinook helicopter pilot. 

 A U.S. soldier from Kansas was killed by an improvised explosive device while on patrol in Afghanistan. Private First Class Cody G. Baker, 19, of Holton, Kansas, was killed along with another soldier on August 3rd in the Wardak Province of Afghanistan. He was assigned to A Company, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division and was stationed in Fort Polk, Louisiana. He had joined the U.S. Army just last year.

The 134th Air Control Squadron at McConnell Air Force Base left for deployment in Qatar on July 7, 2011.  We wish them well and ask that you keep each member in your prayers throughout their deployment.

Wichita's World War II Memorial
Groundbreaking for the Memorial was held on July 9th in Veteran's Memorial Park. Operation Kilroy is the group organizing the effort and they need to raise $35,000 to complete the project for the dedication by Pearl Harbor Day, Dec. 7, 2011. 

The Veteran's Memorial group is selling commemorative bricks that will line the walkway to the memorial.  Each brick will bear the name of a WWII Veteran, their branch, dates and theatre of service. 

To buy one of the bricks for $100, contact Phil Blake at 316-838-6813 or send a $100 check to Operation Kilroy, PO Box 4754, Wichita, KS 67204.
 

Marine Cpl Kenny Kalish came home to Hutchinson, KS on Friday, July 1st.  Cpl. Kalish lost both legs and an arm in an IED explosion in Afghanistan in April, 2011.

American Legion Post 68 in Hutchinson will host a Car, Truck & Bike Benefit Show for Kenny on Saturday, July 23rd.  Registration 10-12n.  Awards for the top cars, trucks and bikes.  Plus pool and horseshoe tournaments.  Contact Eddie Tipton at tiptoneddiegerry@hotmail.com or call 620-694-0494. 
 

Wichita Marine asking for letters and prayers
Lcpl. Jerry McAffee (1/5 A Co., 2nd PLT) has written home from Afghanistan asking us to send letters and prayers.   Jerry says he misses everyone and need the prayers to keep going.
Jerry's Address is:
Jerry McAfee (do not include rank)
1/5 A Co. 2nd PLT Unit 40325
FPO AP 96427-0325

If you would like to send a box of stuff to Jerry too, he says he could use:
Tan Socks; baby wipes; beef jerky; Starburst candy; gummy worms; spam; corn nuts; bagged snacks; gatorade mix; chapstick; pens; magazines; disposable razors.

The Quilts of Valor Foundation in Wichita carries on a tradition dating back to the Civil War, of making heirloom quilts for troops who have been injured or come home with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It's a mission to not only let them know that America appreciates their sacrifice, but also one of comfort. The website for the group in Kansas is QOVKansas.org.

The QOV recently presented a quilt to injured Wichita soldier SSGT Beau Chastain (pictured left)

A hero comes home to Wichita

Welcome home to Staff Sgt. Beau Chastain.

Ssgt Chastain, an Ordnance technician with the 22nd CES at McConnell AFB,  was shot in the leg while serving in Afghanistan on June 9th and was awarded a Purple Heart.   

Ssgt Chastain is an Ordnance Disposal Technician with the 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron at McConnell AFB in Wichita.
 

Star Spangled Salute
We salute our men and women in uniform every morning with the Star Spangled Banner.  Let us dedicate it to someone you know and love who is serving his or her country.   Submit the name of a member of the military, active duty and retired, for our Star Spangled Salute each weekday morning at 6:00am.  Email the name of your military member, along with their branch, rank and current status (including where they are stationed and/or deployed, and any other message you would like us to include in the salute to kellie@kfdi.com

Marine Sgt Jonathon Blank continues to recover after being severely injured by an IED in Afghanistan.   Jonathon and members of his 1st Reconnaissance Battalion were on foot patrol in the Taliban-riddled Helmand Province in southwest Afghanistan when an IED detonated. He lost both of his legs and sustained internal injuries.

 If you would like to help Jonathon as he rebuilds his life, there is a fund set up to help with expenses related to his care and his family's travel expenses to and from San Antonio. To make a donation, write your check to The Jonathon Blank Fund, and mail it to: 
Augusta White Eagle Credit Union
2830 Ohio Street
Augusta, KS 67010

We remember a fallen hero from Wichita.
Army Sgt. Eric Nettleton, 26, died January 5, 2011 in Dehjawz-e Hasanzay, Afghanistan. He was killed while on foot patrol after an improvised explosive device detonated. He was stationed in Germany with the Dragoon War Eagles 1st Squad, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Bravo Company, 2nd Platoon.

Approximately 600 Airmen lined the streets to pay respect to a fallen servicemember, Jan 14, 2011, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Eric Nettleton’s remains were transported to McConnell from Dover Air Force Base, Del. The family was escorted by the Kansas Patriot Guard Riders.


The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, the Fisher House Foundation and the Operation Freedom Memorial Foundation planned for Wichita's Veterans Memorial Park.
 

 Christmas In A Box
We have mailed 1000 boxes to our troops overseas. 

Read the emails that our soldiers and troops are writing to say thank you!.

View the photo album of packing events!

Mulvane, Kansas is the birthplace of the Patriot Guard.  The Patriot Guard stands guard at funerals of America's fallen heroes.

The Patriot Guard is not a Veteran's Service organization. There are no meetings, chapters or social events.   All Patriots are invited to be a part of the group.  Click here to receive information

You can also find deployed soldiers through www.anysoldier.com.  Click here to be directed to the site

Ways To Help Our American Heroes

The following charitable organizations help send gifts, cards, and care packages to our troops:

One-by-one country music stars are taking off their cowboy boots and replacing them with army boots joining "The Boot Campaign" inspired by retired US Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell. Josh Turner, Phil Vassar, Joe Nichols, Randy Houser, Gretchen Wilson, Little Texas, Joe Diffie, Jamie O’Neal, Heidi Newfield, Justin Moore, Chuck Wicks, Colt Ford, Randy Rogers Band, Eli Young Band, Derek Sholl, Joey + Rory and Jack Ingram are on board.  The stars are helping to spread the word of "The Boot Campaign" which encourages Americans to purchase a pair of army combat boots to wear in support of our nation’s troops. Proceeds from the boot sales are donated to charities supporting our troops. Their motto is: “When They Come Back, We Give Back!”  For more information about The Boot Campaign, please visit: www.bootcampaign.com