God Bless Bill Arter "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy"

Reprinted from war on terror news -
MsMarti. Copyright 2008-2009 All rights reserved.
Posted by MsMarti - on March 04, 2009 at 04:03

Born June 10, 1923 in Woodriver, Illinois, William Bernard Arter was destined to live forever in a song.
As a young man, William tried out for a spot on the St. Louis Cardinals as a second baseman. He was told to report for spring training, but never made it there. Instead he was drafted into the Army as a bugler into the Medical Unit of Company B.
Most everyone has heard "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy", a song written and later recorded on January 2, 1941 by the Andrew Sisters.

BILL ARTER, "BOOGIE WOOGIE BUGLE BOY": As I played songs and played all my calls, I would go over to Company C, which was an all black outfit, and we had our jam sessions. And that's when they nicknamed me the "Bugle Boy from Company B," because I fit that -- I fit that like a glove, you know. THOMPSON: Bill was discovered by the Andrews Sisters while he was in basic training. He took his music with him when he was deployed with a third wave of troops on D-Day. As a World War II medic, he cared for wounded soldiers but says he spread even more healing through his music. ARTER: It's something you can't tell people about, because they wouldn't understand. But it seemed like whatever I played, I played to entertain them, just to keep their mind off what they were going to go through next. We didn't know what was up there in front of us.

William Bernard Arter went on to earn 5 Bronze Stars through the course of his military career as an Army medic. In the heat of the battle, who goes out to the wounded? The medics do. On the beaches of Normandy, he earned one of those 5 Bronze Stars during the D-Day Invasion. William turned twenty-one while he was there.
After the war, he moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he met his future bride, Lois. They were married for 52 years and had 4 daughters, 3 sons, 11 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren!
In Okmulgee, Oklahoma William and Lois built a Christian retreat. William continued playing his trumpet at church, military funerals and social events. On their 40th wedding anniversary, he made a special recording of music for his wife. When he became unable to play the trumpet because of a problem with his hand he didn’t let that stop him. William taught himself to play his trumpet with his other hand and continued on with his music.
Last year William Arter attended a Medal of Honor ceremony, and what did he have in his hand? You would be correct if you guessed his trumpet.

On February 4, 2009 William (Bill) Arter passed away at his home in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma surrounded by his family, as they sang the song, “When the Saints go marching in.” Later, his son James played Taps as the family did a flag presentation in his honor at their home.
Bill was about 4 things… God, Family, Country, Music.

Born June 10, 1923 in Woodriver, Illinois, William Bernard Arter was destined to live forever in a song.
As a young man, William tried out for a spot on the St. Louis Cardinals as a second baseman. He was told to report for spring training, but never made it there. Instead he was drafted into the Army as a bugler into the Medical Unit of Company B.
Most everyone has heard "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy", a song written and later recorded on January 2, 1941 by the Andrew Sisters.

BILL ARTER, "BOOGIE WOOGIE BUGLE BOY": As I played songs and played all my calls, I would go over to Company C, which was an all black outfit, and we had our jam sessions. And that's when they nicknamed me the "Bugle Boy from Company B," because I fit that -- I fit that like a glove, you know. THOMPSON: Bill was discovered by the Andrews Sisters while he was in basic training. He took his music with him when he was deployed with a third wave of troops on D-Day. As a World War II medic, he cared for wounded soldiers but says he spread even more healing through his music. ARTER: It's something you can't tell people about, because they wouldn't understand. But it seemed like whatever I played, I played to entertain them, just to keep their mind off what they were going to go through next. We didn't know what was up there in front of us. CNN transcript

William Bernard Arter went on to earn 5 Bronze Stars through the course of his military career as an Army medic. In the heat of the battle, who goes out to the wounded? The medics do. On the beaches of Normandy, he earned one of those 5 Bronze Stars during the D-Day Invasion. William turned twenty-one while he was there.
After the war, he moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he met his future bride, Lois. They were married for 52 years and had 4 daughters, 3 sons, 11 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren!
In Okmulgee, Oklahoma William and Lois built a Christian retreat. William continued playing his trumpet at church, military funerals and social events. On their 40th wedding anniversary, he made a special recording of music for his wife. When he became unable to play the trumpet because of a problem with his hand he didn’t let that stop him. William taught himself to play his trumpet with his other hand and continued on with his music.
Last year William Arter attended a Medal of Honor ceremony, and what did he have in his hand? You would be correct if you guessed his trumpet.

On February 4, 2009 William (Bill) Arter passed away at his home in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma surrounded by his family, as they sang the song, “When the Saints go marching in.” Later, his son James played Taps as the family did a flag presentation in his honor at their home.
Bill was about 4 things… God, Family, Country, Music.
the dna of life passed from father to son
Here below, stand two men from different generations, both heroes in their own right.

And now, the words to the song "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy."
He was a famous trumpet man from old Chicago way
He had a boogie style that no one else could play
He was the top man at his craft
But then his number came up and he was gone with the draft
He's in the army now, a-blowin' reveille
He's the boogie-woogie bugle boy of Company B

They made him blow a bugle for his Uncle Sam
It really brought him down, because he couldn't jam
The Captain seemed to understand
Because the next day the Cap' went out and drafted a band
And now the company jumps when he plays reveille
He's the boogie-woogie bugle boy of Company B

A-toot a-toot, a-toot diddle-ee-ada-toot
He blows it eight to the bar - in boogie rhythm
He can't blow a note unless the bass and guitar
Is playin' with 'im
He makes the company jump when he plays reveille
He's the boogie-woogie bugle boy of Company B

He was the boogie-woogie bugle boy of Company B
And when he plays boogie-woogie bugle
He's as busy as a bzz bee
And when he plays he makes the company jump eight to the bar
He's the boogie-woogie bugle boy of Company B

Toot toot toot, toot diddle-ee-ada-toot-diddle-ee-ada, toot toot
He blows it eight to the bar
He can't blow a note
If the bass and guitar isn't with 'im
A-and the company jumps when he plays reveille
He's the boogie-woogie bugle boy of Company B

He puts the boys to sleep with boogie every night
And wakes them up the same way in the early bright
They clap their hands and stamp their feet
Because they know how he plays
When someone gives him a beat
He really breaks it up when he plays reveille
He's the boogie-woogie bugle boy of Company B

Da-da, da-do-da-da
Da-da, da-do-da-da
Da-da, da-do-da-da
Da-da, da-do-da
A-and the company jumps when he plays reveille
He's the boogie-woogie bugle boy of Company B

I want to thank Sgt. TJ Edwards for guiding me in the right direction. Had it not been for an email of his, I would never have known who William Arter was, and that would have been a shame.

So the next time you hear this catchy tune, think not just of the song, but of William B. Arter, may he never be forgotten! Rest in peace Bill. God Bless!

Sec. Gates Overturns Dover Ban Without Consulting Military Families
Dear Military Families United Member and Supporter,
As many of you already know, Defense Secretary Robert Gates today announced that the current ban on the media photographing the transfer cases ceremony at Dover Air Force Base has been overturned. We at Military Families United are disappointed with this decision because we feel that the families of the fallen heroes were not consulted prior to announcing this unnecessary change in policy. Despite Sec. Gates saying that he received “input from a number of sources, including all of the military services and the organizations representing military families,” Military Families United, the largest military family organization, was not contacted or consulted. To read the Military Families United press statement about this click here
John Ellsworth, President of Military Families United, sent the following letter to Secretary Gates tonight.

Dear Secretary Gates:
Let me begin by thanking you for your service and your leadership for this country. I am a Gold Star father, and am painfully aware of the sacrifices that you have made and the tremendous successes that you have achieved with the surge in Iraq. With your leadership and guidance you have played a crucial role in fostering Iraq as a more stable and secure ally in the Middle East.
However, as the President of Military Families United, I am disappointed in your recent actions during your review process of the Dover AFB media ban at the transfer cases ceremony. At your press conference today you said that to make your decision to overturn this ban you received “input from a number of sources, including all of the military services and the organizations representing military families.”
As the nation’s leading military families organization, we are wondering why we were not consulted before your decision was announced today. We represent the largest number of military families around this nation, including those whose family members have paid the ultimate sacrifice for this country. If you did not consult with the largest military family organization, who did you speak to you?
Last week, Families United asked our military families to tell us how they feel about the possibility of the media ban being overturned. We heard from nearly a thousand families and the overwhelming majority, more than 85%, told us not to overturn the ban. We heard from mothers terrified that their fallen hero would be used as political propaganda; from fathers who didn’t want to have to answer media questions as they watched their son come home; and from parents who wanted their solemn moment to remain private and far from the media lenses. We would have been happy to share these responses with you and play a role in your decision making process, but unfortunately that was not an option presented to us.
You have been an unwavering advocate for America’s military families and we know your heart aches with every fallen hero and their family. This is why this decision, and the “review process” that apparently advised it, was so out of character. We respectfully ask that as you form the task force to answer the many unresolved issues surrounding your decision, that you allow us a seat at the table. We would also like to know what military family organizations you consulted to make your decision to reverse the ban? We are America’s military families and our voices deserve to be heard.
Sincerely,
John EllsworthProud Father of Lance Corporal Justin Ellsworth (KIA 11/13/04)

A Pentagon study that reveals troop levels have remained relatively the same since 9/11. A more alarming statistic: 6% of active duty troops have served more than 25 months in a combat zone while 74% have less than twelve months in. The study concludes that the lower to mid enlisted and company grade officers are carrying the most burden.

Army sees sharp rise in suicide rate
It's the highest in 30 years. Military officials say in a report that prevention efforts are inadequate.
By Julian E. Barnes and Jia-Rui Chong January 30, 2009
Reporting from Los Angeles and Washington --

The suicide rate among Army soldiers reached its highest level in three decades in 2008, military officials said Thursday in a report that pointed to the inadequacy of anti-suicide efforts undertaken in recent years.At least 128 Army soldiers took their own lives last year -- an estimated suicide rate of 20.2 per 100,000, a sharp increase from the 2007 rate of 16.8.

It marked the first time the Army rate has exceeded the national suicide rate for the corresponding population group -- 19.5 per 100,000 -- since the Pentagon began systematically tracking suicides nearly 30 years ago.

The 2008 figure does not include 15 additional deaths under investigation that officials suspect were suicides.

Also Thursday, Marine Corps officials revised their suicide numbers upward, reporting a rate of 19.0 per 100,000 in 2008, the highest for the Marines since 1995.

"Why do the numbers keep going up? We cannot tell you," Army Secretary Pete Geren said.

Army officials believe that contributing factors include emotional and psychological stress caused by repeated combat deployments, along with the toll that the tours have taken on marriages.

About a third of suicides occur during deployments abroad, a third after deployments and a third among soldiers who never deploy.

"We all come to the table believing stress is a factor," said Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, the Army's vice chief of staff.

Between 2003 and 2007, the Pentagon frequently extended combat tours and barred soldiers from leaving at the end of their enlistment.

In 2007, it extended all Army deployments abroad to 15 months, from 12.

The blanket extension ended last year, and units beginning new tours now will serve only a year. However, some units assigned 15-month tours must complete them before the longer deployments end later this year.

Dr. Judith Broder, founder of the Soldier's Project, a counseling service for troops and their families in the Los Angeles area, said the repeated deployments caused some soldiers and Marines to lose faith in religion or themselves. Some become suicidal after abusing drugs or alcohol and they lose rational judgment.

"They become extremely depressed and really hopeless, like, 'This is never going to end. I'm never going to be myself again. I'm never going to be able to be with my family again,' " she said.

Jose Coll, chairman of the Military Social Work Program at USC, also blamed frequent and lengthy deployments. "And when the soldier comes back, it's not like he's on vacation. He comes back to training, and that creates a lot of stress for the family," said Coll, who served in the Marine Corps.

Army officials said they realized that longer tours would increase strains on soldiers and their families, and they attempted to head off problems by increasing the money they spent on assistance programs to $1.5 billion, from $700 million.

"We could feel the pressure families and soldiers were under," Geren said.

The Army and Defense Department stepped up mental health screening and hired more mental health professionals. The military also devoted more resources to treating post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries -- battlefield wounds that have compounded stress on soldiers and their families. Still, some say those efforts -- particularly the mental health screening -- have been inadequate.

"Until the Department of Defense starts taking aggressive action, the suicide crisis will get worse," said Paul Sullivan, executive director of Veterans for Common Sense. "We are looking at the tip of an iceberg of a social catastrophe unless the military and VA start fighting stigma and start getting help for the veteran."

Cindy Williams, a researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who is an expert on military personnel systems, said that reporting a mental health infirmity cut against the ethos of the Army.

"In the Army, there is a culture that says you don't get sick," she said. "Even if the Army wants to change it.

In November, a Marine safety board called for bolstering suicide prevention efforts by improving training for officers and by incorporating anti- suicide training into the martial arts program.

In the Army, Geren said he had placed Chiarelli at the head of a new effort to reduce suicides. As a first step, the Army will begin training soldiers in how to identify people who may be at risk of suicide and how to get help.

"We obviously haven't turned this around yet," said Col. Elspeth Ritchie, the Army's top behavioral health expert. "This really has to be a national effort where everyone is reaching out to soldiers and their families."

Last year, the Army announced a five-year initiative with the National Institute of Mental Health to study military suicides and ways to prevent them.

The Army reported that in 2008, 31 suicides occurred in Iraq and seven in Afghanistan. There are far fewer U.S. troops in Afghanistan than in Iraq.

The Marine Corps this week reported that 41 Marines had committed suicide in 2008, for a rate of 19 per 100,000 troops, the highest rate since 1995 when it was slightly under 20 per 100,000. Among the 41 Marine suicides, six were in Iraq. The Marine Corps had said that the rate for 2008 was 16.8 per 100,000, only marginally higher than the 2007 rate of 16.5. But officials said that figure was incorrect because of a computational error.

julian.barnes@latimes.com

jia-rui.chong@latimes.com

Suicides- OIF and OEF Veterans

As stated in our two year reflection Our Fallen Soldier has expanded our mission to include the other tragedies of current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. We will seek and pursue any assitance we can offer to all OIF/OEF Veterans.

We were thankful to see that the main stream media has begun to report the alarming increase in suicides committed by warriors returning from mid-east wars.

Attributed to post traumatic stress disorders, and particularly to the strain caused by multiple deployment's and separation anxiety 128 suicides with 15 deaths under investigation have occcured. Two thirds of these men and women had served in the middle east.

What is alarming is that in January 2009, 29 suicides were reported. This exceeds the casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan for the month.

Our organization has become involved with the Wounded Warrior Battalion West. Soon we will have the honor of meeting and assisting recovering soldiers at Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Assistance programs have been placed for military use-
http://www.communityofveterans.com/
http://www.warriorcare.mil/
We commend our military for these efforts.

A veteran's experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan are unimaginable, and returning home isn't always easy. As a family member or friend of a veteran, you have the power to help, but knowing where to start can be difficult. Please refer to another website for tips, and stories http://supportyourvet.org/

I'll add information as it is received. God Bless JC

Hunter Levine- Hero

PFC Hunter Levine is 21 years old and hails from The Woodlands, TX.
He was wounded on 9 May, 2008 while conducting combat operations in East Baghdad. He received a very serious injury to his face, resulting in the loss of his entire bone structure, mouth, nose, and vision.
He was evacuated to Walter Reed Hospital where the doctors performed numerous surgeries to repair his face. He received his Purple Heart at Walter Reed in June with his father, Beau, by his side.
Hunter was then transferred to a VA hospital in Palo Alto, where the best care for his vision would be available. He is a true fighter with a heart of gold. Although his wounds on the outside may look bad, they may never compare with the wounds he has on the inside. The reality is that he still has a long road to recover and may never see again. This young man has everything to live for and is a true inspiration. He is exactly the kind of person we would all want in a brother, son, or friend.
Hearts for Hunter was created to make sure that Hunter has what HE needs to successfully begin his road to recovery.

Our friend Gunny forwarded this note from Hunters father today-

Several have asked about Hunter, his Dad emailed me saying he’s doing as well as can be expected. I know he has the Army will to complete his mission.

Hunter lost his left eye during battle in Bagdad. His right eye was also damaged and he does not have any usable vision(no light perception).
Maybe technology in the future will be able to restore his vision

Check him out at http://heartsforhunter.com/about/

Beau LeVine
A Proud ARMY Father of a U.S.Soldier
PFC Hunter LeVine

Meet Cpl. Steven Schultz, Retired

U.S. Marine Corporal Steven Schulz grew up playing baseball, football, piano and was a Boy Scout.
After 9/11, Steven entered the Marine Corp because he wanted to make a difference. He did two tours of duty in Iraq and on April 19, 2005, he was hit by an IED, leaving him with a severe traumatic brain injury. His parents immediately rushed to his side...and his mother, Debbie, quit teaching to stay by his side night and day.
This was particularly difficult for the Schulz family who had two children still at home and it was a team effort to support Steven’s recovery. Elaine (18) and Clay (15) both accepted that Mom and Dad would miss the majority of their high school activities...and did so without complaint.
The financial strain of caring for Steven full time, changing his bandages, reading to him, trying to stimulate his brain took its toll on the Schulz family. They were forced to rely on family and friends to help with finances.

This very brave young man now stood a fighting chance for recovery because of all the sacrifices his family made for him. Steven first came home in a wheelchair, barely able to communicate at all. After a year of rehab, he finally took his first step. The support his family gave encouragement to him to keep fighting for each step of progress.
Today, Steven is able to communicate, though clearly still having difficulty with basic care. “My dream is to work, find a wife, and have kids - like a normal person,” said Steven.
I visited Steven today, 22 January 2009. He is a typical Marine, talking about his buddies in his unit.
What Steven does not have are buddies here in the Friendswood Texas area, from the internet, from around the world! His business card at the head of this letter has his phone and email, please drop him a line or call him.
Once a Marine, always a Marine! Marines DO take care of their own!

OFS Staff Note:
This was sent to be by my friend Robert Hiles, http://www.gunnerysergeant.net/
Contact Gunny if you would like to contact Steven - gunny@gunnerysergeant.net

A note received from Gunny today-
I spoke to Stevens mother a short time ago regarding what he would like in a care package as several have asked about (Valentine Cards) as well as-

· Marine Corps books or magazines, preferably LARGE type font, he’s blind in one eye and has vision problems in the other.
· Automobile magazines or books.
· Joke books or funny and amusing literature.

I have some Marine Corps memorabilia getting dusty on my shelves I will take over, we live maybe 5 miles apart.

Phone calls, emails, cards, anything to help occupy his time. But most of all, friends, buddies.

Capt. Robert J. Yllescas and Family

One of the ways I have dealt with the loss of my son is to read soldiers blogs, soldiers who are presently deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan. Kyle deeply cared about his battle buddies, and I feel comfort in reading their words. They remind me that I am reading the words of genuine, 110% American Heroes. I respect their thoughts, observations and passion.

Today I read a blog by T.T. Carnehand. It was a tribute to Capt. Robert J. Yllescas, who died Dec. 1 at the National Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. of wounds suffered Oct. 28 when an improvised explosive detonated near his unit at Camp Outpost Keating, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 6th Sqaudron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Ft. Hood, Texas.

Carnehand referred to a blog maintained by Capt. Yllesca's wife Dena. I went to her blog and read every word. My words can not express my respect for the Yllescas family. I encourage anyone reading this to visit the blog at http://yllescasfamily.blogspot.com/

T.T. Carnehand blog at http://longwarrior.blogspot.com/
Other soldiers blogs http://gocomics.typepad.com/the_sandbox/

A memorial page has been established on http://www.ourfallensoldier.com/

It was my honor to do so, God Bless the Yllescas family.