Screaming Eagle Craig Morgan Redneck Yacht Club

Former soldier Craig Morgan convenes his 'Redneck Yacht Club' at Thirsty Cowboy
Cleveland.com
By Chuck Yarborough, The Plain Dealer
March 6, 2018

"This came about after we lost Jerry," said Morgan, who also heads the family business and farm in Tennessee. "I knew it was important that the family not try to suffer individually, that we needed to share our anger, hurt and pain, and stay focused on God.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Craig Morgan likes to take risks. Kind of the thing you'd expect from a guy who was a forward observer in the field artillery for almost 10 years on active duty and another six in the Reserves in the Army, then quit to pursue a music career.

Craig Morgan, the former soldier-turned-country singer best known for "Redneck Yacht Club'' and "That's What I Love About Sundays,'' is at Medina's Thirsty Cowboy on Friday, March 9.(Christopher T. Martin)

"I had an opportunity to write for a publishing company and I thought it would be a good experience," said Morgan in a call to his place on 50 acres in Alaska's Mat-Su Valley, north of Anchorage. "I wanted to be able to say at least I tried it."

That didn't mean it was an easy choice for the country singer-songwriter who's at the Thirsty Cowboy in Medina on Friday, March 9. Walking away from the pension that awaited him after 20 years of service was tough, made more difficult by the "camaraderie" with soldiers he felt as a staff sergeant who was eligible to be promoted to sergeant first class when he got out.

The Army instills an "esprit de corps" in its soldiers, Morgan said.

"It's a teaching, a sense of gratitude," he said. "One thing about military personnel: Even in my generation, there's a sense of pride in their country and a humility in their service.

A soldier since 1995, Morgan was twice attached to the famous 101st Airborne "Screaming Eagles" as well as the equally well-known 82nd Airborne Division, the "All American Division," the unit in which World War I Medal of Honor winner Alvin York served.
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Screaming Eagles need help to build monument at Fort Campbell

Funds needed to build monument to 'Screaming Eagles'
Army Times
By Kathleen Curthoys
Staff report
Jul. 12, 2014

The Screaming Eagle aviation soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) have flown and died and become legend in decades of missions, from Quang Tri province, Vietnam, to Kunar province, Afghanistan.

What’s missing from the astounding history of the 101st Airborne is a memorial to the aviation soldiers on their home terrain of Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Four men are on a mission to fix that, and they’re calling out to Screaming Eagles, past and present.

They are working toward a memorial to be dedicated to the Screaming Eagle aviation soldiers of the 101st, and the names of their hundreds of fallen brethren will be inscribed on a wall at the site.

“We’re an all-volunteer force of about four individuals trying to make this happen,” said retired Col. J. Scott Schisser of the nonprofit Screaming Eagle Aviation Association, which works to support the soldiers and families of the 101st and 159th Combat Aviation Brigades. “The memorial is long overdue, and all of the elements are now in place.”

The design for the memorial is nearly complete, and the garrison commander has approved land at Campbell Army Airfield for the memorial site, at the intersection of Glider Road and Wickham Avenue.

Now the SEAA needs about $600,000 to build it, and it will come solely from donations, Schisser said.
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101st Airborne Division Celebrates 70 Years of Valor

101st Airborne Division Celebrates 70 Years of Valor
Oct 18, 2012
by usapatriotism
Soldiers of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division (AASLT) gather during the "2012 Week of the Eagles" to celebrate the 70th anniversary of their great division with a truly storied past with active members carrying on this noble proud legacy and adding to its historic heritage of valor.
U.S. Army video by Maj. Robin Ochoa, August 15, 2012

101st Airborne 70th Anniversary

Happy 70th Anniversary, 101st Airborne
'Beetle Bailey' cartoonist sends a tribute to Screaming Eagles
4:49 PM, Aug 16, 2012

From cartoonist and World War II veteran Mort Walker; Sarge, Beetle, Miss Buxley and Otto commemorate 70 years for the Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne.
DON PRATT MUSEUM COLLECTION

FORT CAMPBELL, KY.
On the occasion of its 70th birthday, “Beetle Bailey” cartoonist and World War II veteran Mort Walker has sent along a tribute to the 101st Airborne Division, care of the Brig. Gen. Don F. Pratt Memorial Museum.

Museum director Dan Peterson proudly displayed the artwork on Thursday morning, which featured the familiar characters of Sarge, Beetle, Miss Buxley and Otto the dog riding on the back of an eagle.

Walker personally mailed the drawing to ensure arrival in time for the anniversary celebration. “It really is a neat thing for the division’s birthday,” Peterman said with a wide smile.
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The Screaming Eagles Parachute Demonstration Team

The Screaming Eagles Parachute Demonstration Team from the United States Army's 101st Airborne Division perform a precision parachute jump and landing on the beach.

Operation Eagle Visit, Screaming Eagles

Operation Eagle Visit
May 15, 2012
By Bill Silverfarb
Daily Journal staff

In 1968, the San Mateo City Council voted to adopt the 101st Airborne Division, known as the Screaming Eagles after a letter from Sgt. Joe Artavia (bottom right) to his sister Linda asked the city to do so. San Mateo was the only city in the U.S. that held a welcome home parade in 1972. Howard Shepardson (center right) will be coming back to San Mateo for the 40th anniversary of the parade this Memorial Day weekend. He was given a key to the city after the Screaming Eagles were adopted in 1970.

In 1968, the San Mateo City Council voted to adopt an infantry regiment with the 101st Airborne to help improve morale among the fighting troops at war in Vietnam.

With the adoption, San Mateo residents and city staff started sending messages of love and support from home in care packages to members of Alpha Company, 1-327 Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, known as the “Screaming Eagles.”

The support came at a time when troops in Vietnam had very little contact with loved ones here in the United States and opponents of the conflict demonstrated across the country. Students boycotted class in solidarity with the anti-war movement.

In 1972, in response to renewed escalation of bombing in Vietnam, university students around the country broke into campus buildings and threatened strikes in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York.

But in San Mateo, the city held a welcome home parade in 1972 for its adopted sons, the only city in the entire United States to do so.

Forty years later, the city is set to honor the current members of the Screaming Eagles, recently returned from a 12-month tour of duty in Afghanistan and those alums of the group that fought in Vietnam, Iraq and elsewhere in a series of events Memorial Day weekend.

San Mateo adopted the Screaming Eagles after a letter home from Sgt. Joe Artavia to his sister Linda in December 1967.

“Sis do you think you could get the City of San Mateo to “Adopt” us, for morale support? You see, many of the guys aren’t getting mail and maybe someone back home could write us and we would write back. I know it would bring their morale up AS HIGH AS THE CLOUDS, please try Sis.”

Three months later, the San Mateo City Council passed a resolution to adopt the company. Three weeks later, Artavia would become the first adopted son to die in action in Vietnam.
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Spc. 4 Leslie H. Sabo Jr.'s Medal of Honor

This Soldier Was Hit By 2 Grenades And Just Never Gave Up The Fight To Shield His Buddies
Eloise Lee
May 10, 2012

"I couldn't be more proud of him."

On this day in 1970, Rose Mary Sabo-Brown lost her young 22-year old husband to the Vietnam War.

Now, forty-two years later, she's meeting President Obama next week to receive Spc. 4 Leslie H. Sabo Jr.'s Medal of Honor on his behalf.

What happened on May 10, 1970, is an incredible story — one of selfless sacrifice, sheer battle readiness, and true grit.

Sabo — a rifleman with 101st Airborne Division, or the "Screaming Eagles" — and members of his platoon were ambushed from all sides by a strong enemy force.
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Screaming Eagle Soldier to be presented Distinguished Service Cross

Screaming Eagle Soldier to be presented Distinguished Service Cross
April 4, 2012
By Fort Campbell Public Affairs

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (April 4, 2012) -- Sgt. Felipe Pereira will be presented with the Distinguished Service Cross by Gen. Ray Odierno, chief of staff of the Army, during a ceremony scheduled for April 12, 2012 at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Headquarters located on Fort Campbell, Ky. Pereira is assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 502d Infantry Regiment (Strike).

The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Army, distinguished himself or herself by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor; while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing or foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing Armed Force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

The act or acts of heroism must have been so notable and have involved risk of life so extraordinary as to set the individual apart from their comrades.

The Distinguished Service Cross is second only to the Medal of Honor and this will be the first award to a 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Soldier since the Division's service in Vietnam.

Weclome Home Ceremony for Vietnam Vets at Fort Campbell

Vietnam Veterans
Welcome Home Ceremony

Fort Campbell, Kentucky
1400H 16 August 2009

MG Jeffrey J Schloesser, CG 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) has announced a Welcome Home Ceremony for Vietnam Veterans during the Week of the Eagle at Fort Campbell Kentucky on Sunday 16 August 2009.

Vietnam Veterans from ALL units, branches and services are invited to participate in this very special opportunity. Vietnam Veterans will have the rare privilege of receiving the same welcome home that every member of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) receives when they return from the war on terrorism.

To participate, everyone is to enter Fort Campbell, KY at Gate 7 on Sunday 16 August 2009 and assemble in casual patriotic attire no later than 1400H CST (2:00 PM) at the Freedom Fighter Gymnasium near the 4th BCT (506th Currahee) headquarters.

Buses at the Freedom Fighter Gymnasium will transport everyone to and from Hangar 3. At Hangar 3, family and friends will assemble inside while the Vietnam Veterans form and “dress right dress” outside the hangar.

The grand moment will be when the hangar doors open to the sound of patriotic music, banners, cheers and tears. The Vietnam Veterans will be greeted by our new Commanding General, MG John F Campbell (former Commander 1st Bde 82nd Abn Div), families, friends and other patriots. What a memorable moment! I am a veteran of the Vietnam War and it touches me deeply to know that our Commanding General has made this special effort to include the Vietnam Veteran in the same honors given to our active duty Soldiers.

After the Hangar 3 ceremony, buses will return everyone to the Freedom Fighter Gymnasium (air-conditioned) and a sit down free Bar-B-Q meal for the Vietnam Veteran and one guest. The Golden Rule Smokehouse Restaurant is donating the meals.

To confirm (1) how many will attend the ceremony (2) to reserve a meal for yourself and one guest, (3) your branch of service and (4) handicap needs, please call the Hopkinsville-Christian County Chamber of Commerce at (270) 885-9096 or email akrohn@hopkinsvillechamber.com NLT 9 August 2009.

Also, please show your appreciation to the Golden Rule Smokehouse Restaurant (http://www.goldenrulebbq.com/stores.php) for their generosity to the Vietnam Veterans.

The website listing the Week of the Eagle activities is www.fortcampbellmwr.com/woe/.

While at the WOE, be sure to visit the 101st Airborne Division Association office at 32 Screaming Eagle Blvd near Gate 4

So, plan your trip, confirm your attendance, come to Fort Campbell, visit the 101st Airborne Division Association office and celebrate the Week of the Eagle with other veterans and members of our active duty Screaming Eagle family.

Joe R Alexander, President
101st Airborne Division Association

Mary Brenner Membership Administrator 101st Airborne Division Association PO Box 929 Fort Campbell, KY 42223 (931) 431-0199 ext 35 Fax (931) 431-0195 assocmemberinfo@comcast.net

Pfc. David Sharrett's family lied to about death in Iraq

Army Lied About How My Son Died in Iraq: Friendly-fire Victim Was 'Misidentified' as Enemy Gunman
Posted April 1, 2009
BY James Gordon Meek
DAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU

WASHINGTON - Army brass in Iraq whitewashed an incident of a soldier killed by his own lieutenant by blaming the dead hero, stonewalling his family and promoting his killer, the Daily News has learned.


The friendly-fire victim, Pfc. David Sharrett, 27, of Oakton, Va., was "misidentified" by 1stLt. Timothy Hanson as an enemy gunman during a botched night raid Jan. 16, 2008, against an Al Qaeda in Iraq stronghold north of Baghdad, the Army belatedly acknowledged.

Sharrett bled to death as his buddies searched frantically for him for 25 minutes after the firefight ended.

For four months after the Army knew the truth, it still insisted to Sharrett's father that he was killed by enemy fire - and gave only atemporary wrist slap to Hanson under pressure from the families of Sharrett and two other G.I.s killed in the clash.

After The News uncovered new video evidence and raised questions, a 101st Airborne Division general said the probe into Sharrett's death may reopen.

"The final decisions and dispositions have yet to be made," Brig. Gen. Steve Townsend said.

Sharrett's family claims top officers in the legendary "Screaming Eagles" division initially - and angrily - denied friendly fire was involved, claiming for months that insurgents killed Sharrett when his eight-man team tried to capture six suspects in a rural thicket.
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Army Lied About How My Son Died in Iraq

Screaming Eagles honor from the US House

House of Representatives honors 101st

The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Jul 14, 2008 20:59:41 EDT

WASHINGTON — The House has approved a resolution honoring the 101st Airborne Division based at Fort Campbell, Ky.

The vote Monday was 378-0. The measure was co-sponsored by all nine members of Tennessee’s House delegation.

The 101st, also known as the Screaming Eagles, has soldiers now deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Many of them have been deployed several times.

The Screaming Eagles were originally activated during World War I, and have served in World War II, Vietnam and Desert Storm. They were the first Americans to land in France during the D-Day invasion.

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/07/ap_101st_honored_071408/