17- CIB Austin meets 82nd Airborne Paratroopers [17:03m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of the Southern Branch H21, Austin Chapter, of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association podcast series, we focus on several events for the CIB Austin chapter.

(1) The chapter meeting on 2 August 2008:

In this meeting, we had a full Agenda. You can get to view what it was by clicking here:

(and how the items discussed are described in the audio mp3 file of this episode).

(2) During the meeting, it was approved by a vote of the members to schedule a trip to San Antonio to attend a meeting of the 82nd Airborne Division Association, Alamo Chapter:

We wanted to present both a certificate of appreciation, but also a complementary membership, to Darrell G Harris, author of the book Casablanca to VE-Day: A Paratrooper’s Memoirs.

[Note: you can get a full interview of this paratrooper's history in episode 12 of this podcast series]

(3) The 82nd Airborne Division Association Meeting on 27 August 2008:

- We presented the Certificate of Appreciation to Darell G. Harris – click here to view the certificate: ;

- Bobby Briscoe presented a free membership to D. G. Harris to the Combat Infantrymen’s Association;

- Bobby Briscoe then presented a signed copy of his book, Jungle Warriors, to D. G. Harris (my apologies for not having a steady hand while taking the photo);

- D. G. Harris also presented signed copies of his own book, Casablanca to VE-Day, to the members of the CIB Association, Austin Chapter.

- Attending the meeting were: Bobby Briscoe, Tony Martinez, John Torres and Fred Castaneda;

- The members talked to those paratroopers with CIBs and encouraged them to join our association. Below, Fred Castaneda and DG Harris (note- Fred is a member of BOTH the CIB Austin and 82nd Airborne Association, since Fred served 2 tours with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) and the 505th PIR, and like Darrell, has both jump wings and a CIB badge);

- We met Don W. Bailey, a future interviewee, as he received his CIB for the combat that he saw in Grenada in 1983; and

- We agreed to have a joint meeting for both the 82nd Airborne Division Association, Alamo Chapter, and the CIB Association in Austin in the first half of 2009 at the VFW 8787 location, so that the camaraderie between these 2 groups can continue and grow.

(4) If you are interested in acquiring the audio version of the books described in this podcast, here are the links for the audio version (note: the hardcopy versions are almost depleted):

- Casablanca to VE-Day: A Paratrooper’s Memoirs by Darell G. Harris;

- Jungle Warriors by Bobby Briscoe.

Copyright (c) 2008, Matrix Solutions Corporation and Combat Infantrymen’s Association. All Rights Reserved.

 

 15- Tony Martinez-Vietnam CIB Veteran [27:13m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of the Austin, Texas, Chapter – H21 Southern Branch of the Combat Infantryment’s Association podcast series, we continue the interviews with CIB veterans from all the wars and campaigns since World War II. Here, we interview a combat infantryman during the Vietnam War who served as a member of a six-man SRRP (Short-Range Reconnaissance Patrol)  team with the 11th Light Infantry Brigade of  23rd Infantry Division-Americal.

Tony Martinez was only 19 years old when he was in Vietnam. In a candid moment, he was captured in a photo by his buddy as Tony was ready to guide in the resupply helicopter during a mission, and he was ready to “pop-smoke.”

As you will hear in this podcast audio episode, Tony returned to an ungrateful American public that rejected the Vietnam Combat Infantryman.

After withdrawing from everyone and everything and being what he called a “vagabond,” Tony was saved from near tragedy by the patience, understanding and dedication of his beloved wife (to whom he is still married after 35 years). It is important to note that she did not harass Tony with the same expressions as most wives did to returning Vietnam vets suffering from PTSD and other disorders:  “Get over it” or “the war’s over” or “what’s wrong with you?” or “you’re crazy,” etc. Instead, she helped him through his adversities and helped to guide Tony to set his foot on a road to success — after 38 years of struggling with the post-Vietnam “demons.”

Tony reached a milestone recently by attending a reunion of his combat outfit and seeing his company after all these years at this event.

What is interesting is Tony’s perspective of the wonderful help offered to him by the Mental Health clinic of the VA today–but also, the overburdened system that does not offer the right treatment in other departments.

Tony now sees his direction as a “giving back” to the returning CIB veterans from their Middle East tours-of-duty, so he can (in his own way) ensure that they do not suffer for 35 years the plight of the “Vietnam Veteran Syndrome” of anguish, suffering and misery due to the neglect and rejection of the American public.

As Tony says in his departing words, “Welcome Home, guys. . .We love you, and we’re here for you.”

Copyright (c) 2008, Matrix Solutions Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

 

 14- PTSD issues with Combat Infantrymen from Vietnam [20:46m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of the H21 Austin, Texas, Chapter of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association, we share with you the complete and unabridged article about the current problems of the resurrection of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) symptoms for the Vietnam Veterans– especially for the combat infantrymen. Thanks to the VFW Magazine for their article in the November, 2007, issue.

As you will see when you investigate this article, even some of the officers of the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) organization are still haunted by the symptoms of PTSD, especially with the triggers caused by today’s environment, as well as the time they have on their hands as they retire.

However, as you will see, the VA does have recognition of the problem and treatment available for Vietnam Veterans. And for the Combat Infantrymen who earned their CIB (Combat Infantryman’s Badge) during this conflict, that badge is recognized as a “stressor” in the qualification and administrative requirements section for getting into the VA system for assistance.

Copyright (c) 2008, Matrix Solutions Corporation. Copyright (c) 2007, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and VFW Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

 

 Reunion reminder and August meeting notice [13:12m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode, we deliver 2 items of news to the local chapter:

(1) Notice of the chapter meeting scheduled for Saturday, 2 August 2008, at 18:00 hrs. at the meeting room of the complex located at 7707 IH-35 South, Austin, Texas 78744.

The topics to be discussed are given in the audio file of the podcast episode.

Please confirm your attendance with the Commander or XO. And, if you have any questions or need directions, please contact either:

Commander: Bobby Briscoe –

Telephone:
(512) 804-0789

or

Executive Officer: John Torres –Telephone: (210) 849-5732

(2) The second item discusses a reminder of the upcoming event, the Combat Infantrymen’s Association National Convention at the Academy Best Western Hotel, Colorado Springs, Colorado from October 9-12, 2008.

A brief synopsis of the agenda items for the days of the event–as well as registration details–are mentioned. We hope to have a good presence at this annual event of the organization. We also plan to propose some suggestions for this event, as well as the local chapter. Please plan on attending the meeting, as we will vote on these issues.

For more details and registration forms for the upcoming Combat Infantrymen’s Association National Conventionk please refer to pages 15 to 18 in the newsletter of The Blue Badge. If you wish to view the pdf document of the May, 2008, edition, then please click here:

Or you may go to the web site of the CIB Association and get all the issues availabale of the newsletter, including back issues, and especially the May, 2008, issue of the Blue Badge.

We will be posting another espisode during the week of August 4-8, with a summary of the meeting scheduled for 2 August 2008.

Copyright (c) 2008, Matrix Solutions Corporation and the Combat Infantrymen’s Association. All Rights Reserved.

 

 12- Darrell G. Harris - Airborne Paratrooper and Combat Infantryman in WWII [43:20m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this espisode of the Austin, Texas, Chapter – H21, Southern Branch — of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association, we are fortunate to deliver an interview with Darrell G. Harris, who was one of the first troopers to earn the CIB (Combat Infantryman’s Badge) in World War II.

Darrell was part of the 504th PIR (Parachute Infantry Regiment) of the 82nd Airborne Division for most of his tour in the European campaign. He was an COMBAT AIRBORNE INFANTRYMAN, a demolition specialist Infantryman who was a parachutist who made 3 combat parachute jumps in Europe. He is also one of the charter members of the 82nd Airborne Division Association–as he joined it in France in 1945, before he had come back home to the USA after the War.

The picture, below, shows Darrell G. Harris today, wearing his 82nd Airborne Division Association vest and hat.  He is also wearing the medallion for WWII Veterans that he received in Washington, D.C. at the Inauguration of the WWII Memorial. Notice that his parachutist wings (that is, his “jump wings“) are worn above the CIB. This shows the common way that the CIB was worn in World War II by the Combat Infantrymen, as shown below:

Darrell mentioned that it was common practice in those days to always wear the paratrooper airborne wings above the ribbons, and the CIB (which was first initiated in 1943) was usually worn beneath the ribbons–totally the opposite of today. For the current regulations specify that the CIB is always above the ribbons–even the ribbon of the Congressional Medal of Honor. In fact, Darrell described Colonel Tucker, his commander, wearing the CIB and the jump wings in his dress uniform–especially how the CIB was worn under the Jump Wings and ribbons.

Contrast this with the modern day (circa 1970’s, during the Vietnam War), when the CIB is worn as the highest badge above any and all ribbons, and even above the Jump wings–as you can see from this photo of Fred Castaneda, as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division after his tour in Vietnam where he earned the CIB:

For most of his European tour of duty (3 years), Darrell was part of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, which has the nickname of “Devils in Baggy Pants.” This is the Regiment insignia:

In the podcast episode, Darrell describes his friends and comrades-in-arms during the Market Garden Operation. In the image, below, Darrell is the soldier on the far left. Sadly, the other two troopers were killed in action in Europe and during the Battle of the Bulge.

In the podcast episode, Darrell describes how he captured his memoirs in a short book that he wrote called Casablanca to VE Day – A Paratrooper’s Memoirs:

To read the back cover of the book, click here to see the pdf document .

If you wish to order copies of the book, here are the 2 ways to do so:

(1) For the AUDIO version of the book (now on PremiumCast.com) where you can have the audio narration downloaded directly to your mp3 player via ITunes:

go to:  http://www.premiumcast.com/A-Paratroopers-Memoirs

and the price is just $7. USDollars payable via Paypal.

(2) For the paperback version of the book,

please contact D. G. Harris at telephone (210) 342-2591.

The three “firsts” of which Darrell G. Harris was involved make him truly a man of history:

- He was one of the first paratroopers in the U.S. Airborne (the Airborne units were first created in 1940, and Darrell was in the first all-paratrooper unit, the 82nd Airborne Division since 1942:

- He was one of the first Infantrymen in World War II to earn the CIB (Combat Infantryman’s Badge):

- He was one of the very first members of the 82nd Airborne Division Association (a charter member who joined while still in France in 1945).

Darrell is currently the Secretary of the San Antonio Alamo Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association. Darrell, we salute you!

Copyright (c) 2008, Matrix Solutions Corporation and the 82nd Airborne All-American Chorus. All Rights Reserved.

 

 11-In Their Boots- Alan Babin- Survival and Recovery [13:03m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is a special episode of H21-Southern Branch-Austin, Texas, chapter of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association. We publish this because of a special event that occurred–the premiere screening of the first in a series of a documentary video that concerns the returning veterans from the Middle East.

As you will hear in the audio mp3 file of this podcast episode, the screening was for the first episode of a multi-year project called In Their Boots. This will be a video, and it will be broadcast weekly from the first episode on 2 July 2008. However, this will not be on television. Rather, it will be on the web at http://www.intheirboots.com.

What was so special about this screening? It centered around a local hero in the Central Texas area–Alan Babin. Yes, his story will be the first in this series which will be broadcast live on the web on July 2nd, 2008:

As you may remember from our earlier podcast episode number 5 that described the ceremonies from the Memorial Day event in Pflugerville, Texas, Alan Babin was honored by the members of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association:

As a wounded warrior from Operation Iraqi Freedom, Alan’s spirit and dedication touched the heart of all the CIB Association members.

Even though Alan Babin was not an Infantryman with an MOS of 11B, he was a medic that was wounded while trying to aid an Infantryman that needed medical assistance under fire from the enemy. Thus, he was the veteran-of-honor at the Memorial Day ceremony when he took the wreath of his beloved 82nd Airborne Division Association and delivered it to rest alongside the other flowers and wreaths to pay tribute to those who have fallen in all the wars and all the campaigns for the U.S. military.

What was encouraging is that this was Alan’s first time in his iBot (self-propelled wheelchair) and did not need assistance in going to lay the wreath. Rosie Babin, his mother, provided this footage of video that captured the moment:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqMgTzGDJfM

The aftermath of Alan Babin’s struggle for recovery is one of the most inspiring role-models of courage, determination, attitude and “guts” that would make any combat infantryman proud to know this young man.

Alan Babin, we salute you, and we thank you for teaching us the meaning of the word “hero”–not just in combat, but also for the courage it takes in recovery and success, for we know that you will make it. Airborne! All the Way!

In Their Boots premieres on 2 July 2008 with the story of the Babin family and Alan’s experiences of his recovery. Take it from us, this is one episode you do not want to miss.

Copyright (c) 2008, Matrix Solutions Corporation and the 82nd Airborne Division All-American Chorus. All Rights Reserved.

 

 Interview with Chapter Officers- PTSD and closure via a Book [30:09m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this podcast episode for this post of the Austin, Texas, Chapter of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association, we deliver the second part an interview with the Chapter Commander (Bobby Briscoe) and the Executive Officer or XO (John Torres). This interview took place on 25 April 2008 and was conducted by Fred Castaneda, the Public Affairs Officer for the chapter, which is one of many and belongs to the National organization of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association.

(Below: John Torres discusses the value of a “Welcome Home” to the Combat Infantryman with Fred C.)

As we continue this discussion, we examine the motivation and dedication of the individuals who earned the CIB to start the Combat Infantrymen’s Association Chapter in Austin, Texas. We finish our discussion of the problems that plague the Combat Infantryman upon returning from the overseas campaign. From PTSD to anxiety and panic disorders to the broken marriages and the lack of understanding and communication with the spouses and the family — these are real issues that are burning into the heart and spirit of all combat infantrymen.

The final part of this interview describes the book written by Bobby Briscoe of his experience in Vietnam. This book is called The Jungle Warriors- A True Story. As said by John Torres during this interview, this book has provided closure to some of the infantrymen, while at the same time providing understanding to the spouses.

However, Bobby Briscoe ends the interview by explaining how a great deal of the funds obtained from the sale of the book (either via audio podcast or the paperback version) will be used for programs by the CIB Association chapter for outreach to disadvantaged veterans, as well as different types of assistance to the families and children of the veterans. The idea is certainly to “give back to the community.”

The final part of this episode gives you an excerpt from the audio version of the book, The Jungle Warriors (the beginning of Chapter Six- Big Bloody, Big Red).

Copyright (c) 2008, Matrix Solutions Corporation and Bobby Briscoe. All Rights Reserved (Podcast music licensed from www.MichaelandMike.com)

 

 Standard Podcast [25:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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In this podcast episode for this post of the Austin, Texas, Chapter of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association, we present the first part an interview with the Chapter Commander (Bobby Briscoe) and the Executive Officer or XO (John Torres). This interview took place on 25 April 2008 and was conducted by Fred Castaneda, the Public Affairs Officer for the chapter.

(Below: Bobby Briscoe, Commander, and John Torres, Executive Officer, of the Austin Chapter of the CIA)

In this discussion, we examine the motivation and dedication of the individuals who earned the CIB to start the Combat Infantrymen’s Association Chapter in Austin, Texas. This chapter is one of many and belongs to the National organization of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association. We also investigate exactly what the CIB award is, how it is earned, and what it really means to those who have earned and received it.

John Torres (the Chapter XO) states candidly that if people know what it took to earn the CIB, then the respect and honor due to the combat infantryman will be given, and there will be a more meaningful appreciation for the sacrifices made by that individual.

In addition, Bobby Briscoe also describes the programs that the chapter will establish to help those returning infantryman who have earned their CIB in the Middle East in the current OEF/OIF campaigns. In addition to greeting the troops upon their return from overseas, these other programs will include both assistance in communication and moral support for the families of any disadvantaged veteran after returning. Also, programs to help the children of the CIB veterans will be created.

The discussion continues in the next episode and post, with the conclusion giving honor and respect to the Combat Infantryman. Please find out more about the CIB Association chapter in Austin and other cities by listening to this interview.

Copyright (c) 2008, Matrix Solutions Corporation and the CIB Association- Austin, Texas, Chapter.

In this post of the Austin, Texas, Chapter of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association, we are reminded of the familiar phrase that has been echoed in the movies, in the books and plays of the 20th Century literature, and in the journals of the media reporters…the “thousand-yard stare” of a combat infantryman. This phrase reveals a look that is laden with the burdens borne by the Combat soldier of the Infantry:

This photo shows you the hollow stare of a combat infantryman of the Vietnam War after returning from a combat mission in the jungle, and while waiting for the next day’s insertion by choppers again to the “bush.”

For our brothers in the Army that earned the CIB (Combat Infantryman’s Badge), this type of look is all too common for the combat-weary soldier who had to endure the hardships of the combat zone in whatever campaign in which he was serving–while at the same time come face-to-face with the threat of death. And sometimes, he had to experience the injury and death of his comrades or his buddies during a mission against the enemy.

Whether it was in World War II or Korea or Vietnam or Grenada or Panama or Desert Storm or Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom — the campaigns really don’t matter — the Combat Infantryman feels the pangs of exhaustion, sleepless nights, the fear and sheer terror in a firefight or enemy contact or even booby traps or IED situations. He somehow keeps the machine of his body going against all odds, even surprising himself that he could keep himself moving or going through the situations where even he thought were beyond human endurance.

However, the casualties of war go far beyond the physical wounds and injuries–they strike at the very heart of his mind, his soul and his desire to survive. As the strain takes its toll both in the combat zone and also for years after the return from the campaign, the affects start rearing their ugly heads–from the “hyper-vigilance” of the grunts who fought in the bush and the rice paddies of Vietnam, to the World War II infantryman on the South Pacific Islands.

Thus, we respect and honor those men who earned the CIB because they still carry in their minds and spirits a lot of the weight from the burden of those days in combat, where the experiences they lived gave them something that they did not even know they had picked up — the “thousand-yard stare.”

In the History Channel’s 1993 video in the Weapons at War series titled The Grunts of Vietnam, one veteran who was interviewed mentioned that “If I see him in the eyes, I can tell if he is a Vietnam Veteran … you can see how it was caused…it is like a ’shining’…”

Copyright (c) 2008, Matrix Solutions Corporation.

 

 A Special Foreward to the Audio version of the Book - by Fred Castaneda [6:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Content for Promo of the Audio version of the book: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is the first episode of the Austin Chapter of the national organization known as the Combat Infantrymen’s Association.

In memory of the Combat Infantrymen who fought, died or were injured or MIA during the Vietnam war, Bobby Briscoe (who is commander of the Austin chapter – Southern Branch) has written a book that was completed in 1996 called Vietnam- The Jungle Warriors, a True Story.

This book by Bobby Briscoe, will soon be available in audio form. It will be available in an audio podcast format, with individual 1-to-1 RSS feeds to each individual who would want to subscribe to it.

This mp3 audio episode gives you the special Foreward to the audio version of the book by Fred Castaneda, a former combat infantryman (who was the “pig-man” or the m.60 machine-gunner) during the Vietnam War who was also in the Americal Division (with the 4/31st Infantry of the 196th Light Infantry Brigade) and who also served in the Quang Ngai province of I Corps in South Vietnam. The beginning of this Foreward contains a 60-second audio clip from the recorded video prologue of a dramatic work called Tracers, which was performed at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, in 2002–and this play was a story of a combat infantry line unit and the Vietnam experience.

Fred delivered both the prologue and epilogue to the dramatic stage play; his photo is shown, below, while he was in Chu Lai inbetween missions in “the bush.”

As you will hear, this foreward and the book are both dedicated to those brothers-in-arms of all the campaigns since World War II who have earned the Combat Infantryman’s Badge (CIB), especially those during the Vietnam War.

You can hear a brief summary of the book, which also serves as a podcast promo:

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To learn more about the book or how to get it via audio download on the Internet or in paperback hardcopy, please click here for the web page of The Jungle Warriors- A True Story or visit

http://www.junglewarriors.org

Copyright (c) 2008, Matrix Solutions Corporation and Bobby Briscoe. All Rights Reserved.