FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Lt Col Anthony Henderson ~ January 21, 2013

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[Kathy in Alaska]

 

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday...
Thank the Veterans who served
in The United States Armed Forces.

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Armed Forces Today!

---

~ Hall of Heroes ~

Anthony Henderson

Info from here.

           

For Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Henderson, it was a lifetime of service and professional development in the U.S. Marine Corps that prepared him to command 1,200 Marines in southern Afghanistan and engage in the most vicious combat fighting he had ever seen.

"Your preparations for those types of moments span your entire career," said Henderson. "At 18 years of education and training, it's what prepared me to listen and learn."

Just two months into his deployment in southern Helmand Province, Henderson, who was the Commander of 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Division, was tasked to devise a combat plan to overrun a historic Taliban stronghold in the Gamshir area known as the Jugroom Fort. Jugroom Fort was a 19th century British fort, built out of mud, which spanned five kilometers and was surrounded by tunnels, machine-gun bunkers, minefield and IEDs. It was typically defended by 200-400 Taliban fighters at any given point in time.

"It was a very complex attack. We had forces moving by land and air - plus we were coordinating with the British forces," said Henderson.

The mission began on April 28, 2008, and for the next month, there were several sustained battles as the ISAF forces slowly closed in on the area. The major combat operation commenced on May 28, 2008. Henderson led his Battalion to the southern end of Fort Jugroom, while still keeping his eye on the overall battle plan.

As Henderson's Battalion approached the Fort, the enemy began firing on the rear echelon trucks, essentially closing them in between the Fort and enemy fire. Henderson decided to push his men into the interior area of the Fort to engage directly with the enemy.

"Marines had to physically get the Taliban out of the Fort and it was the most vicious fighting I had ever seen," reflected Henderson. "The enemy had defensive positions in and outside the Fort, and grenades and rocket fire were exchanged between 10, 20 and 30 meters."

"There were fighters and Marines all over the place. The enemy was around everyone and everyone was around the enemy."

At this point, Henderson's men and the other one thousand Marines fighting at Fort Jugroom had been awake for two whole days with temperatures reaching 110 degrees. With 3-4-foot wheat fields surrounding the Fort, Henderson knew that fighting into the night would be dangerous - from the threat of enemy attacks and the heat.

"I grew up on a farm and I knew that wheat fields collect extreme heat. I had to make a decision that would result in the least amount of casualties," reflected Henderson.

As the firefight subsided, the Marines retreated to nearby shelter. However, the next day, intelligence reports indicated that the enemy was packing up and heading toward the Pakistani border. It became a major victory for the ISAF forces and Henderson's Marines.

"We spent the next two weeks clearing the Fort and the surrounding villages where the Taliban had stocked weapons and ammunition," said Henderson. "For them, Jugroom was the final defense and there was nothing left to defend." Henderson's tour in Afghanistan lasted six more months after the battle for Jugroom Fort. Two years later, he is stationed with the Joint Chiefs Regional Operations Staff in Washington, D.C., and Henderson can only wish to be back in Afghanistan.

"It's humbling and fulfilling to lead Marines," reflected Henderson. "I have a constant yearning to be back there and amongst them."

More good stuff....

 

Awarded: The Bronze Star with ‘Valor’

Right click to download this hero's story.

Interview:

September 01, 2010 - Pentagon Channel (1.8 MB)

 

     

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission! 

[BIGLOOK]

Called the mainland and was asked to call back in an hour so I have a bit of time on my hands.

Highly doubtful that any of the boats can be salvaged now. Yesterday they were afloat but today they're foundered and if the shoals were deep enough they would be sunk. Last year something like this happened but the CG responded right away and towed the sail boat off the rocks and remoored it. What's going on with the Harbor teams today, I just don't know.

This wind has taken all the warmth out of the air and I'm freezing........

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

We went to the Dog park today and Linda had a BLAST!
She likes the the BIG Doggies!

((((HUGS)))

[al baby]

Me and Mrs Al Baby will be cruising to your wonderful state in May on board the Grand Princess I know not the best way to See the Real alaska but we enjoy ship life Round trip out of the Golden Gate

[Jet Jaguar]

You are gonna be amazed.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Col Anthony M. Henderson Special Assistant to the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
for Warrior and Family Support

Colonel Anthony M. Henderson was born on September 6, 1966 in Washington, D.C. He attended elementary through high school in the Washington D.C. and Maryland public school systems. He graduated from Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1989 with a B.A. in History and 1993 with a Juris Doctorate in Law (cum laude). He is a licensed attorney in the State of Louisiana.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mac...*HUGS*...I love the picture of the older Marine...very distinguished!

Hope you had a nice relaxing day. Your blood pressure should be down as the Ravens are really taking it to the Patriots.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Mac, for the Missing Man Setting as we remember those who have given their all that we may gather safe and secure.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Find your socks, and, gasp, maybe long pants.

Too bad about the boats...

[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

Open Arms
January 21, 2013

At the funeral of former US First Lady Betty Ford, her son Steven said, “She was the one with the love and the comfort, and she was the first one there to put her arms around you. Nineteen years ago when I went through my alcoholism, my mother . . . gave me one of the greatest gifts, and that was how to surrender to God, and to accept the grace of God in my life. And truly in her arms I felt like the prodigal son coming home, and I felt God’s love through her. And that was a good gift.”

Jesus’ parable about a young man who asked for and squandered his inheritance and then in humiliation returned home leaves us amazed at his father’s response: “When he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him” (Luke 15:20). Instead of a lecture or punishment, the father expressed love and forgiveness by giving him a party. Why? Because “this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found” (v.24).

Steven Ford concluded his tribute with the words, “Thank you, Mom, for loving us, loving your husband, loving us kids, loving the nation, with the heart of God.”

May God enable us to open our arms to others, just as His are open wide to all who turn to Him.

Lord, help me be kind and forgiving—
Your loving forgiveness You’ve shown
To me for the sins I’ve committed;
Lord, grant me a love like Your own. —Anon.

Forgiven sinners know love and show love.

Read: Luke 15:11-24

When he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. —Luke 15:20

Bible in a Year:
Exodus 1-3; Matthew 14:1-21

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))

Was she not impressed the last time she went?

Glad she loved it, and got to run with the BIG doggies.

[left that other site]

She ran with the greyhounds, and then played with a couple of German Shepherds.

The bigger, the better!

She has no use for Doxies or Jacks, and pesters them, which turns into a fight.

I am glad they have a different park for the little dogs.

I like little Dogs, but Linda doesn’t.

[left that other site]

Wow...and Hilo has that big breakwater. Whenever I am on the Big Island, I stay in Kailua Kona, but always make the drive to Hilo. I LOVE the 4 Mile Coastal Bypass with the Tropical Botanical garden.

Sorry you are having unpleasant weather there. Still, rotten weather in Hilo is better than rotten weather in Boston!

[Kathy in Alaska]

What are your ports-of-call? Is it an Inside Passage cruise?

You should enjoy the scenery no matter where you go.

[ConorMacNessa]

I'm back - enough football for one day. Hard to believe that in two short weeks I'll be football-deprived for another six or seven months.



Keep Faith with the Fallen of Benghazi! Let the Obama Regime, for once, tell the Truth!

Fiat Justitia, Ruat Coelum!

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[luvie]

Great read, Galz!
So many wonderful heroes to be proud of!
Evenin' Night Owls!
Hope all of you are braced for the new week!
As for the events in DC tomorrow...
...they shall be ignored at MY house!
((((hugs))))

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mayor, and thanks for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

Hope you had a relaxing weekend and are ready to take on the new week.

[ConorMacNessa]

Good evening, Luv!

*HUGS*

Events tomorrow in D.C.? I hadn't heard. I guess I'm really out of it!



Keep Faith with the Fallen of Benghazi! Let the Obama Regime, for once, tell the Truth!

Fiat Justitia, Ruat Coelum!

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[left that other site]

My vacuum cleaner croaked.

So i will redeem the time tomorrow by cleaning the wall-to-wall by hand.

One shed fur at a time.

And it will be more edifying than watching you-know-who do you-know-what.

[Kathy in Alaska]

When is the Pro Bowl....that’s always good for a few laughs?

Did you get a good dinner?

[ConorMacNessa]

Pro Bowl is next Sunday. They used to have it after the Super Bowl, but finally wised up. I never watch it.

Burgers for dinner tonight - with a nice Cabernet.



Keep Faith with the Fallen of Benghazi! Let the Obama Regime, for once, tell the Truth!

Fiat Justitia, Ruat Coelum!

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)