ARMY'S ARMY HAPPENINGS

24-Hour POW/MIA Vigil in honor of Veteran’s Day

This past month, Army’s Army members dedicated their time to help support the Airborne and Special Operations Museum (ASOM) and the Pope Chapter of the Air Force Association (AFA) as they honored our veterans. Members signed up to take 30-minute “tours of duty” guarding the POW/MIA table during a 24-hour Vigil on November 11, Veterans Day. The Army’s Army would like to thank everyone who took the time to honor our veterans.

The Army’s Army Veterans Appreciation Day

On Friday, November 12th, 2010 Army’s Army members and partners teamed up to write over 800 “Thank You” letters to veterans. Over 450 students from Montclair Elementary School wrote letters of “thanks” to our veterans. Students from “Nick” Jeralds Middle School made a special class trip to the Army’s Army headquarters to do their part. The letters were distributed to the VA hospital. “With Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving taking place in November, this is the perfect time for our members to show appreciation to the men and women who have selflessly served our country,” said Janine West executive director of operations for the Army’s Army. “Though words are never enough to convey just how thankful we are, we hope these cards lift the spirits of the veterans at the VA and show how much we acknowledge what they’ve done for our country.”

    WHAT YOU CAN DO TO BE MORE INVOLVED

Join an Army’s Army committee. Log in to your account here to join the effort to help military families relocating to the community.

Attend an Army’s Army volunteer effort. All opportunities are sent to your inbox via Army’s Army e-blasts. So, look for events and special efforts going on where you can lend your time.

Recruit your friends. Do your friends know about the Army’s Army? If they are interested in supporting military families, we could use their help. Ask them to go to armysarmy.com to join the cause.

Don Talbot

Seriously Committed

This month, The Army’s Army would like to recognize Don Talbot for all his support and efforts. Don Talbot, a Vietnam Veteran, came to Fayetteville in 1963 to attend the Special Forces School on Fort Bragg.

He retired from the U.S. Army, 7th Special Forces Group Airborne as a Chief Warrant Officer Four in 1984 after 26 years of active duty. He had three tours of duty in Germany and three tours of combat duty in Vietnam. He has been awarded 3 Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, a Meritorious Service Medal, 4 Army Commendation Medals, 8 battle stars on his Vietnam Service Medal, the CIB, master parachutist badge and many other badges and awards. Don distinguished himself by being the joint founder of the Fort Bragg Silver Chapter, USAWOA. He created and chairs the committee for the construction of Freedom Memorial Park. After 45 years of no Veterans Day Parade, he brought the City of Fayetteville and the Cumberland County Veterans Council together to sponsor the annual Veterans Day Parade of which he has orchestrated for 13 consecutive years. Don served on the Fayetteville City Council for two terms and has been awarded two keys to the city for his work and devotion to veterans and the community. Don has also been awarded the Citizenship Medal from the Sons of the American Revolution and the SOCOM Commanding General’s Medal for outstanding service to veterans and the community. Don helped create Freedom Memorial Park and is the commander of American Legion Post 32.

Don is a member of many fraternal organizations such as: Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Company; Special Forces Association, Decade Life Member; Disabled American Veterans, Life Member; 82nd Airborne Division Association, Life Member; Order of the Purple Heart Association, Life Member; Phoenix Lodge #8; York Rite Bodies; Scottish Rite Bodies; National Sojourners; Heroes of ’76; Order of the Gordian Knot; SUEZ Shrine Temple, Life Member; American Legion Post 32, Life Member; Veterans of Foreign Wars, Life Member; Cumberland County Wildlife Club, Life Member; NC Wildlife Commission Hunter Education Master Instructor; Benefactor Life Member of the NRA & Hunter Clinic Instructor; Cape Fear Friends of NRA Committee; Retired Military Association of NC; Cumberland County Veterans Council; Lafayette Society; and NC Lifetime Sportsman.

The Army's Army salutes Don and all of the volunteers who go above and beyond to help our community's military families. If you would like to nominate a Featured Enlistee who is making a difference, send your recommendations to info@armysarmy.com.

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