Virginia Teen’s ‘Operation Hawkeye’ Pays Tribute to 30 Fallen Troops

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON  – One of the most tragic moments of the war in Afghanistan has inspired an American teenager to honor the memory of 30 fallen service members and to help their families -- by shooting hoops.

Will Thomas, a 13-year-old boy from McLean, Va., has spearheaded “Operation Hawkeye” in an effort to raise money to help the families of fallen special operators -- particularly, 30 American troops killed in an Aug. 6, 2011, CH-47 Chinook helicopter crash that also claimed the lives of eight Afghan forces and a military working dog.

U.S. investigators concluded that a Taliban insurgent fired a rocket-propelled grenade that brought down the chopper as it attempted to land in Afghanistan’s Wardak province.

Will recalled hearing about the crash from his father.

“I was just outside shooting baskets with my dad … when it happened. … “I was just thinking ‘Wow, that’s a horrible loss.’”

Struck by the great loss of life, the 8th grader felt a strong urge to do something to help the grieving families’ healing process, in part because one of those left a widow is a fellow Mclean native whose husband, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jonas B. Kelsall, was killed in the crash.

“My dad and I were talking, and I said ‘I’d really like to do something about this,’” the teenager said. “He [asked], ‘Well what would you like to do?’ and we thought about it.”

His father suggested shooting baskets, he said, because that’s what they were doing when they got the news. “So we just thought if there was a way we could work that into help, that would be great,” Will said.

He didn’t have to go far to start Operation Hawkeye, shooting baskets in his driveway in exchange for donations to the families.  Will didn’t stop until he had raised nearly $50,000 for the Navy SEAL Foundation.

He didn’t have to do anything special to prepare for his task, he said, but he admitted with a laugh he was plenty sore afterward, having shot 20,317 baskets. “I shoot a lot, but, obviously, it was more than I usually do,” he said.

He named his effort Operation Hawkeye after the loyal pet of one of the victims. “There was a dog of one of the fallen soldiers from Aug. 6,” he said. “At the soldier’s funeral, the dog refused to leave the casket. So when I saw the article about it, I thought that would be a cool name for it.”

Will has set this year’s Operation Hawkeye goal at $310,000, an amount he hopes to raise from donations and pledges. “There were 31 members of the team that fell – 30 members and one highly trained dog. So we just added the zeroes to it, because it was a significant number.”

With success from his last fundraiser, Will said he feels encouraged and intends to continue to raise money in honor of the fallen troops “as long as people are willing to donate.”

Dempsey Welcomes USA Basketball Teams

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff yesterday welcomed the men and women representing USA Basketball as they held an open practice here for service members, their families and fans from the metropolitan area.

Speaking to the audience at the District of Columbia National Guard Armory, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey welcomed both teams and introduced their head coaches as the players treated fans to activities during the ‘Hoops for Troops’ program and continued training camp in preparation for the London Olympics.

The “Hoops for Troops” program, launched in 2006, provides support for the U.S. military and their families through programs, events, and partnerships, according to the USA Basketball website.

“We’re happy to have USA Basketball here, both [the] women’s and men’s teams,” Dempsey said. “We’re awful proud of you, [and] we’ve got great expectations. I know you know that.”

Dempsey introduced the coach of the Men’s National Team “on behalf of the 2.4 million men and women serving and their families,” and described the former Army officer as a “great friend” and “one of the finest leaders of our time in any profession.”

“It’s an honor for me to be here,” said Coach Mike Krzyzewski, noting his family had accompanied him. “We belong to the Army. It’s a tremendous honor for me to coach our nation’s team.”

Krzyzewski noted he’d graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., in 1969.

“I was an Army captain when I got out of the military to become a coach,” he said.

Krzyzewski expressed his gratitude in being able to give back to the nation and said it’s an honor to entertain troops and their families.

“The thing that we, as a group -- USA Basketball, is [most] proud of is that at some point we can give back something to our country … during this Olympic period,” the coach said. “We want to thank all of you for a lifetime of service to our country.”

“And it’s our goal, today, to honor you and to thank you for that great service,” Krzyzewski added.

Dempsey also introduced Coach Geno Auriemma, who manages the USA Basketball women’s national team.

U.S. Basketball Teams Wow Service Members, Families

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, July 15, 2012 – The men’s and women’s U.S. national basketball teams, which are preparing for the upcoming Olympics in London, put on a show for service members, their families, and other fans at the District of Columbia National Guard Armory here yesterday.

The “Hoops for Troops” program, launched in 2006, provides support for the U.S. military and their families through programs, events, and partnerships, according to the USA Basketball website.

The audience included Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Navy Adm. James “Sandy” A. Winnefeld Jr., JCS vice chairman; and Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia, the chairman’s senior enlisted advisor.

Military children, service members and fans were treated to activities including a girls’ basketball clinic led by members of the women’s U.S. national basketball team, a skills challenge where troops teamed up with NBA players, viewing of the men’s U.S. national team conducting practice and a basketball scrimmage.

“It was awesome. It was just a tremendous honor to be here,” Navy Lt. Cmdr. Charles Drey said. “It was a great experience, and I was very excited.”

Drey, assigned to U.S. Fleet Forces Command, represented the Navy and was paired with Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams for the skills challenge, which the duo won.

“My son got to watch me do it too, so I was very happy,” Drey said. “It was such an honor to represent the Navy and the men and women of the military and their families.

“And also having the wounded warriors here,” he continued. “It was so awesome to be out on the court, even just by the NBA players [and] Team USA -- the team that’s going to represent our country … it was a great experience.”

The USA Basketball players were equally happy to have an opportunity to meet with service members, their families and fans.

“They humble us. I mean they do so much for our country and … represent our flag,” said Kevin Love, power forward for the Minnesota Timberwolves. “We just go out there and play basketball. So they are the reason we have our freedom.”

Service members “protect and serve so we can live the lives we live today,” Love added. “So it’s pretty cool to be out there performing in front of them but they’re doing all the good deeds for us, really, so we have to pay homage to them.”

Others such as ESPN basketball analyst Jay Bilas were touched when members of the ceremonial 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, the Army’s “Old Guard” presented the patches from their uniform sleeves to USA Basketball team members as Dempsey wished the players well during the London Olympics.

“It was a great day for USA Basketball, for the Olympic movement and the Olympic team,” Bilas said. “I think it was just a great day for our country.”

The basketball analyst noted U.S. national men’s team Coach Mike Krzyzewski, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., served in the Army for five years, which has inspired a lot of what the team does in emulating the military “on a much smaller scale.”

Bilas said he was unable to put into words what it meant to him to see the troops take their American flag patches off their uniforms and present then to the basketball players.

“It was so moving,” he said.

Chairman Motivates USA Basketball Teams

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff gave a motivational talk to players on the USA Basketball men’s and women’s national teams here today.

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey met the basketball players, who are preparing for upcoming Olympics competition in London, at the District of Columbia National Guard Armory. He was joined by service members and their families for the “Hoops for Troops” program.

The “Hoops for Troops” program, launched in 2006, provides support for the U.S. military and their families through programs, events, and partnerships, according to the USA Basketball website.

“If you’re a huge sports fan, this is one of these events that have got to be memorable to you,” Dempsey said. “It is a huge morale boost for us, that is to say, those that serve and their families.”

Dempsey said the event was a great morale boost for troops, but it was equally important for the men’s and women’s basketball teams, which he had the opportunity to talk to before the event began.

“I told them I’m not going to give you any advice on how to play basketball,” he said. “I’m not going to talk to you about leadership because you’ve got Coach Mike Krzyzewski and Geno Auriemma, two of the finest leaders of any profession in our country.” Krzyzewksi coaches the USA Basketball men’s national team and Auriemma coaches the USA Basketball women’s national team.

The chairman said he explained to the players how the U.S. military’s young men and women operate with trust in themselves, their leaders and the institution they support.

“I let it just sit there,” Dempsey said. “I didn’t tell them: ‘Therefore, you need to trust each other.’ But in having that conversation about what makes us an effective team, and the foundation of which is trust, I think they’re clever enough young men and young women to figure out that the message is if they’re going to succeed in London they’d better learn to trust each other -- in an extraordinary way.”

Dempsey also explained his connection to Coach Krzyzewski.

“We do go back several decades I guess,” Dempsey said with a laugh, “[We’re] both ‘West Pointers’ -- him, Class of ’69; I’m the Class of ’74. I went to graduate school at Duke while he was the coach.

“And then when I became the [U.S.] Training and Doctrine commander, I reached out to him on the basis on a shared interest in leader development,” the chairman continued. “And on that basis, we’ve grown even closer over the years.”

The chairman said he most admires Krzyzewski’s ability to adapt, “which is one of the attributes we’ve said as a force is most in need in the future … because we don’t know exactly what we’ll confront.”

Dempsey also touched on the “Hoops for Troops” program which is an effort “to keep connected to athletes” and serves as one of a “triad” of important national outreach efforts.

Another outreach program of interest to the military, the chairman said, is First Lady Michelle Obama’s ‘Let’s Move’ initiative, which seeks to solve the problem of childhood obesity within a generation. DOD began partnering with the “Let’s Move” initiative last year.

Dempsey said another key program is the “Joining Forces” initiative that’s spearheaded by the First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden. The national initiative calls on all sectors of society -- from citizens and communities, to businesses and nonprofit groups -- to honor and support military families.

Joining Forces “seeks to connect communities and make it easier for soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and their families … to move around the country and not have to restart everything every time they move,” the chairman said. “It’s been really successful.”

Dempsey noted the success of these programs derives from the fact that they’re not managed “top down,” or only senior-leader driven. Once resources, guidance and motivation are provided, he said, these programs catch on from the “bottom up.”

National Guard scores a recruiting 'slam dunk' at University of Wisconsin

By Tech. Sgt. Jon LaDue

Wisconsin National Guard

Soldiers of the Wisconsin National Guard earned a victory in the recruiting arena Sunday, as more than 200 University of Wisconsin students took to the courts to participate in a National Guard 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament at the Camp Randall Sports Complex.

Olympic gold medalist and NBA player Tom "The Hammer" Hammonds joined forces with the National Guard and local recruiters to host a day of friendly competition and to inform the college-aged students of the benefits of joining the National Guard.

"I'm here to tell you that the National Guard is a tremendous option in your life," Hammonds said. "You can start off in life going forward instead of backward."

Sunday's tournament has been deemed a success by tournament officials - generating more than 230 participants and 55 appointments to talk to a recruiter on-site or down the road. A site team visited the campus two weeks in advance to promote the event and, overall, the visit to Madison produced nearly 600 qualified leads for recruiters to follow.

Hammonds as well as other event staff showed a motivational video synopsis of the National Guard and spoke about the many benefits of joining the Guard – such as paid tuition, work experience and serving their country.

Anya Covington, a senior forward for the Wisconsin Badgers women's basketball team, attended the 3-on-3 tourney to take part in the challenge - she left with a greater understanding of the National Guard.

"I completely respect the military - the discipline and the training," Covington said. "I feel like this event is really well done and I think the Guard is a great option for everyone."

1st. Lt. Johnny Simmons, Wisconsin National Guard recruiting and retention command, said he's been all but begging to get the tournament to Madison since he initially heard about it a few years ago.

"A lot of kids are intimidated to talk to recruiters in school, but in a venue like this, it's a relaxed atmosphere," Simmons said. "Usually we don't get these kinds of numbers in one day, listening to the message all at once."

The 3-on-3 program, in its third year, has traveled around the country - visiting more than 30 schools and communities in an effort to find quality "leads" and promote the National Guard's message to a nation-wide demographic of 17-24 year old college students.

"When all parties are fully engaged early in the program development and pre-promotion process and continue to be involved and collaborating during the tournament event, turnout is strong, the event atmosphere is fun, entertaining and educational ... for all who participate," said Sgt. 1st Class Lisa Merrill, the tournament program manager.

Some Wisconsin Guard recruiters feel they gained access to valuable territory because it's the first time in recent memory the recruiters have had the opportunity to come onto the campus.

"The recent collaboration between National Guard Bureau, Wisconsin National Guard and the University of Wisconsin exemplified a successful 3-on-3 program," said Merrill.

The day started and ended with basketball in mind. Interwoven into this fun event was a message of patriotism and the National Guard.

Hammonds - a first-round draft pick in the NBA who played 12 seasons of professional basketball and won a gold medal with the 1986 U.S. National Basketball Team - said he likes being around basketball, but even more so when it's for a good cause.

"It means so much to me because of the students," Hammonds said. "I'm pro-National Guard for what the National Guard stands for - being able to affect lives in this country as well as abroad."