September 2012 Mailbag
Sir,
In the November, 2011 issue of Armchair General, under the “Dispatches” section, I noticed an article about Sgt. Joshua Labbe receiving the Silver Star – the article was written by a former Soldier of mine, Sgt. Blair Neelands. I told her to check out that issue, but I didn’t tell her why, as a surprise. Unfortunately she was unable to find a copy of that issue. Is there any possible way I can get a PDF of that page (page10) to send to her?
Thank you.
V/R
SFC John Queen
Station Manager
AFN Livorno
Camp Darby, Italy
Dear SFC Queen,
I will ask that our admin folks dig that one out and email it to you as an attachment.
Each issue, we pull the valor award write ups from the various DOD news services, and that’s where this one by SGT Neelands came from. As far as I know, I believe Armchair General is the only regularly published magazine that features these “Uncommon Valor-Real Heroes” valor award write ups which we are very proud to go.
Good luck on your tour at Camp Darby and thanks for your service.
Best Wishes,
Jerry Morelock
COL, USA ret.
Editor in Chief, Armchair General Magazine
Mr. Morelock,
Thank you for your quick reply and I really appreciate you taking the time to look.
Unfortunately military journalists and photographers do not receive the credit they deserve sometimes because their work is considered “public domain”. So, it’s always a thrill to see their work published in a commercial magazine.
Sgt. Neelands was assigned to my section fresh out of initial entry training (and high school) as a private (E2). It was great to see her grow as a photojournalist and as a Soldier. And, as a leader, seeing a story she had written published outside of the normal military publications is the ultimate pay-off for the time spent training and mentoring.
Thanks again.
V/R
SFC John Queen
