Day of the Deployed;
an idea driven by passion, tenacity and networking
By Shelle Aberle, founder of Military Ovation and spouse of
(ret) Colonel Michael Aberle, former North Dakota Army National Guard Chief of
Staff
Each year, we honor our fallen heroes on Memorial Day, and
all those who have served on Veterans Day. The Day of the Deployed gives us an
opportunity to focus on those who are fighting for us today.
Day of the Deployed is a day to honor the many selfless
actions demanded of military members and their loved ones across the globe.
This day serves as a tangible reminder of the sacrifice being made in homes
across America every day. Every deployment reflects the deep commitment of not
only the deploying member, but of the many friends and loved ones who are left
behind to aid in answering our nations call. Selfless men, women and children
who are called upon to set aside their personal comfort and convenience to
support the heroes they call mom, dad, father, mother, brother, sister or
friend.
October 26 - Day of
the Deployed has been a “National Day of Honor” since 2011 when North
Dakota’s US Senator John Hoeven co-sponsored S. RES. 295, which passed through
the US Senate unanimously. Since then S. RES. 581 passed in 2012 unanimously
and in 2013, S. RES. 273 was again voted through the US Senate with 100%
support. (http://www.hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=1fd15b5e-91c1-44a8-bbf6-4503d3d86ad4)
Mr. HOEVEN (for himself, Mr.
CARDIN, Mr. ROBERTS, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. TESTER, and Ms. HEITKAMP) submitted the
following resolution; which was considered and agreed to
RESOLUTION Designating October 26,
2013, as `Day of the Deployed'.
Whereas more than 2,500,000
individuals serve as members of the United States Armed Forces;
Whereas several hundred thousand
members of the Armed Forces rotate each year through deployments to over 150
countries in every region of the world;
Whereas more than 2,300,000 members
of the Armed Forces have deployed to the area of operations of the United
States Central Command since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks;
Whereas the United States is kept
strong and free by the loyal military personnel from the active, National
Guard, and Reserve components, who protect the precious heritage of the country
through their positive declaration and actions;
Whereas members of the Armed Forces
serving at home and abroad have courageously answered the call to duty to
defend the ideals of the United States and to preserve peace and freedom around
the world;
Whereas members of the Armed Forces
personify the virtues of patriotism, service, duty, courage, and sacrifice;
Whereas the families of members of
the Armed Forces make important and significant sacrifices for the United
States;
Whereas the Senate designated
October 26 as `Day of the Deployed' in 2011 and 2012; and
Whereas all 50 States designated
October 26 as `Day of the Deployed' in 2012: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--(1)
designates October 26, 2013, as `Day of the Deployed';
(2) honors the deployed members of
the United States Armed Forces and their families;
(3) calls on the people of the
United States to reflect on the service of those members of the Armed Forces,
wherever they serve, past, present, and future; and
(4) encourages the people of the
United States to observe Day of the Deployed with appropriate ceremonies and
activities.
Resolutions just don’t magically appear, there is always a
reason that drives the cause, and hence this lesson in the history books of war
since 9-11. Day of the Deployed
actually originated in North Dakota in 2006.
June 6, 2006, the North Dakota Army
National Guard 1-188th ADA SECFOR had their first casualties in
Afghanistan when SGT Travis A. Van Zoest and CPL Curtis R. Mehrer 6 were killed
when their Humvee struck two anti-tank mines during combat operations in
Khogyani, Afghanistan.
At that point in time, I knew that I needed to do something
to showcase support for all deployed warriors and their families to keep morale
up in any possible way.
I taught Public Relations at the University of North Dakota
at the time, so I brought the idea for an event and proclamation to my
students. In class, we wrote the proclamation as a group assignment and then
forwarded the proclamation to (then) North Dakota Governor John Hoeven; he
approved the idea and signed the proclamation.
The origination of the day chosen; October 26, stems from
another North Dakota root. LTC (now COL) David Hosna, who is my cousin from
Bottineau, ND, was deployed to Iraq with the United States Army. October 26 is
his birthday, and we had to pick a day, so we chose it in honor of him.
The first event was hosted at the
Empire Arts Center in Grand Forks, ND with the Grand Forks Symphony in full
concert. The Honor Guard from the Grand Forks Air Force Base presented the
colors and Emily Custer opened the evening with the National Anthem. She
concluded the two-hour event with a video montage to the song "ThankYou," which she wrote.
Two NDARNG 1-188th ADA SECFOR
soldiers on their R&R from the deployment in Afghanistan traveled across
the state to be a part of the event. SGT Justina Bilby, from Velva and SPC
Megan Dockter from Minot read the poem, “I am the One” (https://www.facebook.com/notes/day-of-the-deployed/day-of-the-deployed-poem-i-am-the-one/417026978273)
And were joined by featured
speakers, medically retired USMC Lance Cpl. Ben Lunak and USMC Maj. Mike McNamara, both Iraq
war veterans from Grand Forks Mayor Michael Brown (USAF LTC Ret.) also read the
state proclamation in absence of the Governor.
In 2007, Minnesota
joined North Dakota in proclaiming this day of honor and the North Dakota event
was again hosted in Grand Forks at the University of North Dakota with a flag
rising presentation by the UND ROTC.
In 2008, South
Dakota joined North Dakota and Minnesota in proclaiming this day of honor and
the North Dakota event was hosted in Grand Forks at the University of North
Dakota with a flag rising presentation by the UND ROTC.
In 2009, a
national troop support organization (Soldiers’ Angels) joined forces with the
event and under my guidance 25 different states joined in with state signed
proclamations. The official event was hosted at the state capitol in Bismarck
with Governor Hoeven presenting at the event, the National Anthem sung by
Tayler Kearn, Miss North Dakota USA and a special presentation by Sydney
Murphy, daughter of NDARNG CPT Dan Murphy who was deployed at the time.
My Dad by Sydney Murphy
My name is Sydney Murphy and I am
10 years old. My dad is Captain Dan
Murphy and he has been in the National Guard for almost 20 years. Currently my dad is deployed to Kosovo and
this is his third deployment.
Since my dad has been gone so much
for deployments he has missed many different holidays including my three
favorites Halloween, Christmas, and the 4rth of July. My dad has also missed my birthday, my
brother’s birthday and my mom’s birthday.
My dad has missed many of my brother’s football and basketball games and
many of my basketball and soccer games.
It is very hard for me because my
dad is not here to tuck me into bed, snuggle with me at bed time and kiss me
goodnight. It is also very hard for me
because my dad is not here in the morning to wake me up with his big smile. I miss my dad’s smile, his funniness, his
jokes, his hugs and kisses, and I especially miss the chores that he did,
because now I have to do his chores.
When my dad is deployed, I know
things aren’t easy for him either. My
dad stays up late and gets up very early, he has to work very hard and go to
meetings everyday. When I Skype and talk
with him he seems very tired.
I am very proud of my dad because
he is deployed and loves serving our country, and my dad cares about everyone’s
freedom. Today, I want give a special
thank you to everyone who is deployed, especially my dad, Captain Dan Murphy, I
love you dad.
In 2010, 40 states stepped up in honor of the deployed warriors and
families from their respective states. This now being the 5th Annual
Day of the Deployed in North Dakota, we had Emily Custer from the first Day of
the Deployed back to sing the National Anthem along with her “Thank You” song
once again. Guest speaker this year was Jennifer Vannurden.
My husband is Captain Walyn
Vannurden the commander of the RAID IV/Sentinel currently serving in Iraq and
Afghanistan. This is his second
deployment and his second time being honored at the day of the deployed. The first time he deployed was in 2005 with
the SECFOR. I am sure there’s not a
person in this room that doesn’t know how difficult and costly the SECFOR
deployment was. So as my first point in
my speech I want to pay tribute to the soldiers that have paid the ultimate
price for our freedom, and to their families.
We will never forget their sacrifice.
I have this favorite t-shirt that
my husband gave me as a souvenir from one of his many trips to one of our
military bases. It says on the back “Not
all wives are created equal some become Army Wives” This phrase can be applied
to wives and husbands of all branches of service. I want to thank all the Military spouses who
have stood by their soldiers and supported them in their service to their
country. Whether their soldier has never
or not yet deployed or has deployed 2, 3, and 4 times your support is still
noticed and appreciated. As a military
spouse you often take on the role of mom and dad, accountant, housekeeper,
cook, grounds keeper, the list goes on and on.
You also learn that you can fix things around the house and performed
scheduled maintenance on your vehicles, even if it is just taking it to the
quick lube. You can give birth without
your spouse even if you’d rather not.
But as tough as all of this may sound we generally never feel anger
about the situation we may be in. Most
of us married our soldier knowing that this is the way our life may be, we
accept the things we cannot change and we grow from it. Again thank you to all of the spouses that
have stood by their soldier and supported them.
I really have a special place in my
heart for the parents of soldiers. As a
spouse you marry your soldier knowing full well what you are getting yourself
into. But the parents of soldiers don’t
say to themselves I think I will have a child and that child will grow up to be
a soldier and go to war to protect our freedom.
They support their children’s decision to join the military sometimes
even approve it as my in laws did when Walyn wanted to join the military at
17. Parents of soldiers deserve a
special thank you for the way they love and support our soldiers like only a
mother and father can. Thank you to all
the parents of a soldier for your selflessness and for bringing such incredible
people into this world and bringing them up to love and fight for our country
and freedoms.
Military Moms and Dads are awesome
but military children are really something special. Some are adults with their own children, some
college students and teenagers, some in elementary and middle school, some toddlers
and babies, and some still being carried by that incredible military
spouse. These children also don’t choose
to be the child of a soldier, but they accept it and support their parent just
the same. Often it is our children that
suffer from deployment the most. Many
small children don’t understand why mommy or daddy is gone but is fully aware
that they are gone. Many somewhat
understand, many fully understand. We
tell Alaina that Daddy is working. The
sweetest thing is that despite the fact that their parent has been gone for so
long and they may have felt abandoned when their soldier left, most children
embrace them as if they’d never left and love them just the same when they
return. Our military children are
incredibly forgiving and resilient.
Thank you to our military children for being the bravest little soldiers
of all.
Also thank you to all of the
brothers, sisters, grandparents, and anyone else that stands behind and
supports our soldiers. The truth is that
the reason our soldiers are so great is because of all the love and support
that they receive back home.
Last I want to thank our
soldiers. They are the reason we are
here today. I can’t imagine saying good
bye to my spouse wondering if they will manage ok without me for the next
year. I especially can’t imagine saying
good bye to my children knowing I may miss their first words, first steps,
first day of school, first ballet recital or baseball game, first date or first
prom, graduation, weddings, all those firsts or all those occasions that no one
wants to miss, but sadly many of our soldiers do miss. Our soldiers live in some of the worst
conditions imaginable and sometimes witness things that nightmares are made of,
but they do all this for our great nation.
They come home and soldier on thanks largely to the help and support of
their families and their communities and people like all of you! Thank you all for what you do for our brave
men and women.
At this very event,
I discussed with Governor Hoeven (who was now running for the US Senate), “when
you are in the US Senate, let’s make this a US Senate Resolution.” He smiled
and said, “I have to get elected first.” Fast forward to election night, I
attended his celebration party and had the chance to say, “Congratulations, I
will see you in DC and we will make Day of the Deployed a national day of
honor.” He said, “Yes, I will see you in DC!”
2011: Senator
John Hoeven led the efforts and (co) sponsored S. RES. 295 for a first national
day of honor. It was passed unanimously on October 18, 2011 for the first ever
national day honoring the deployed troops and their families. Co-Sponsors:
Senators John Hoeven (North Dakota), Kent Conrad (North Dakota), Pat Roberts
(Kansas), Roy Blunt (Missouri), John Boozman (Arkansas), Jeff Sessions
(Alabama) and Johnny Isakson (Georgia).
This first national event was
hosted at Bismarck State College and live streamed across the globe. Governor
Jack Dalrymple signed the 6th Annual North Dakota Day of the Deployed. Meg Morley, and my daughters Rebbekah
McPherron and Emmaleis McPherron sang the national anthem at the first ever
National Day of the Deployed. Senator John Hoeven was present and other guest
speakers were skyped into the event as LTC Bill Watson and SPC Brandon Carrigan
were preparing to deploy to Kosovo with the NDARNG 1- 112th Aviation Regiment.
2012: S. RES. 581
was passed unanimously on September 22, 2012 in the US Senate noting the 2nd
Annual National Day of the Deployed. Co-Sponsors : Senators John Hoeven (North
Dakota), Kent Conrad (North Dakota), Pat Roberts (Kansas), Roy Blunt
(Missouri), John Boozman (Arkansas).
The formal event was hosted at
Bismarck State College with guest presenters Governor Jack Dalrymple, Senator
John, Hoeven, Representative Rick Berg, NDARNG MG David Sprynczynatyk,
GFAFB Col Tim Bush, AMC 319 ABW/CC
Commander and MAFB Lt Col Sean Wade from the 5th Logistics Readiness Squadron.
This event was live streamed across the globe. Lori Thompson, the COO of
Military Ovation was present to sing the National Anthem. Governor Jack
Dalrymple signed the 7th Annual North Dakota Day of the Deployed.
2013: S. RES. 273
was passed unanimously on October 16, 2013. Co-Sponsors: Senators; John Hoeven
(North Dakota), Heidi Heitkamp (North Dakota) Pat Roberts (Kansas), Roy Blunt
(Missouri), Jon Tester (Montana) and Ben Cardin (Maryland). Governor Jack
Dalrymple signed the 8th Annual North Dakota Day of the Deployed.
This year the events are being
informally hosted in coffee shops across North Dakota since it falls on a
weekend.
The “National Day of” … Calendar
inducted the National Day of the Deployed into their site on October 23, 2013. to add
another piece of history to the history books of this great nation.
Working with John Hoeven on Day of the Deployed since
2006 in North Dakota has been an honorable way to extend appreciation to the
deployed service members and their families. Day of the Deployed is recognition
for their hard work, dedication and commitment to the United States of America.
This day is all about them. It is
important that we mark this day in honor of those who serve. The Day of the
Deployed is a chance for us to reflect on the sacrifice and commitment of our
military personnel and formally offer our thanks to these brave men and women.
While we can never fully appreciate the sacrifice of our soldiers and their
families, we must do all that we can to honor their service to our country.
Thank you to all the military members across the United
States of America who provides that blanket of freedom that my family and I
sleep under every night. Please join us
on Facebook and say thank you to all our warriors
and families who continue to serve our great nation.
Military Ovation
is a local nonprofit standing in support of the troops, veterans and families
serving IN and FROM North Dakota.
