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 SFC WEBSTER ANDERSON  My Hero, My Inspiration, My Friend It was 0320 hours, 15 October 67. There were 46 of us on a narrow hilltop in the middle of the jungle. When it was over, there were 12 of us left. Many men became Hero’s that early morning. Each man had his own battle, and his own story to tell. Webster Anderson lost both legs and his right hand during the battle, he never gave up, and he never quit. Even while the medic was trying to treat his wounds, Webster was barking orders to his men to continue the defense of our position. The hilltop was later dubbed, “SAD HILL”. After being sent home and spending a year in the hospital, he still never quit. He donned his artificial limbs and opened a TV Repair business, putting three kids through college. I finally located Webster in 1995 on a motorcycle trip through the south. I visited him an average of every two years after that. He never complained or showed any regrets for his misfortune. What ever happens in my life is trivial in nature. He has given me the inspiration to move on through any adversity. Webster and men like him taught me to be the man I am. Honor and devotion to Duty, which I carry on in my trade practice today. "Every man's life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another" Ernest Hemingway  SGT Brian L O'Sullivan
Brian is the man on your left. Brian and I met March of 75 when I enlisted in the Connecticut Army National Guard as a Staff Sergeant. Brian served with the LRRP’s of the 82nd Airborne Division in Vietnam. Later all LRRP units became part of the famous 75th Rangers. Like many other Rangers, “Uncommon Valor, is Common”, and Brian saw more than his share of action in Vietnam. Brian is one of the smartest men I’ve ever met. Many people go to school and become educated, but they never become smart. For Brian it’s a natural. Like Webster, Brian has set an example for me to follow; he has helped me to be a better person. I’ve never met a man more honest, caring and devoted to family and friends. It is indeed an Honor and a Privilege to be his Friend. MY BEST FRIEND  Dave & Brian 
What it was like to serve in the Paratroopers! JUMP MOVIE "Airborne" Watch this 4 minute paratrooper movie! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "JUMPMASTER DANCE" For a good laugh, click on the Jumpmaster Dance. Paratroopers will really appreciate this! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Blood on the Risers" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "A Soldier's Burden" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "The 8th of November" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Goodnight Saigon" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ tribute to the 101st Airborne "Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail" Ralph Waldo Emerson  PVT Dave Flood 1966
Jump School, Ft Benning, Georgia. PFC Dave Flood 1967  Getting ready to board a C141 for a jump. Serving with paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division, Ft Bragg, North Carolina. 
CPL Dave Flood 1968  Serving with Paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam.  "FIREMISSION"
SSG Dave Flood 1975  Memorial Day services.  2LT Dave Flood 1976
Graduation day from OCS (Officer Candidate School). 1LT Dave Flood 1978  Training one of my men in the use of his protective mask.  CPT Dave Flood
Training my men to call in artillery fire. VFW Memorial Day Parade 1990  I had the Honor to represent our VFW as our town's Parade Marshall, and march with these two WWII warriors.  Redleg Military Ball
Some of the fun times we shared together. MAJ Dave Flood 1989   "BAND of BROTHERS"
Desert training at Ft Erwin, Ca 1991. Brian O'Sullivan, Jake McNeice, Dave Flood  This picture was taken in 2004 at our annual "Paratrooper Brunch". My best friend Brian is on your left. The "Warrior" in the middle is Jake McNeice, our guest speaker. Jake and Brian's uncle Lou Lipp (thats where the "L" comes from in Brian's name) jumped into Normandy together. Sadly Lou was killed on that horrible jump. Jakes squad was called "THE FILTHY 13", which inspired the 1960's movie "THE DIRTY DOZEN". In 2003, the book "THE FILTHY 13" was written. Do yourself a favor, pick up a copy of this book, ISBN 1-932033-12-2, read about Jake and the other brave men of this famous squad of the 101st Airborne Division.  "WE BAND OF BROTHERS"
Pearl Harbor survivor Houston James embraces Marine Staff Sgt Mark Graunke Jr during a 2004 Veterans Day commemoration in Dallas, Texas. Staff Sgt Graunke lost a hand, leg and eye in 2003 while defusing a bomb in Iraq. "CONNECTICUT'S FINEST"  These Gentlemen are a few of the finest officers I've ever had the honor and pleasure to serve with, and I know I speak for the more than 400 people who came to their retirement dinner this night of 19 Aug 05. Left to right: Brigadier General James Caporizo Brigadier General Daniel McHale Brigadier General Louis Preziosi These three officers were part of the backbone of the Connecticut Army National Guard, with over 104 years of dedicated combined service. Their leadership has set an example for all to follow, and our State and Country has been very fortunate to have these men as part of our leadership.  Brigadier General Gary Ottenbreit
Brigadier General Gary Ottenbreit at his retirement dinner in 2007 with 35 years of Military service. Gary and I met in 1975 at OCS (Officers Candidate School)and became close friends. After OCS our Military assignments took us in different directions. Then in the late 80's we were assigned at Brigade HQ's and our friendshop took off to new levels. Gary and I became best friends from the National Guards. He is an honorable man and I am honored to have him as such a close friend. Gary has earned the love and respect from his superiors, peers and subordinates alike. Like the gentlemen above, our state and country has been very fortunate to have had him as one of our leaders. | Return Home | Contact Us | Student Comments | Training Calendar | Important Links | Seminar Content | Cool Sites | Honoring Our Military | Seminar Pictures | |
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