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December 2012December 2012

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OUR NEW WAY TO COMMUNICATE

At Annual Training, the Public Affairs Offi ce introduced our new website and our capability to post information about the Georgia State Defense Force activities in real time. You can fi nd stories about Annual Training at www.gasdf.com. As a result, Heads Up will become a quarterly archive publication featuring the articles from the website. If you would like to help submit information about your unit, we will train you to become a UPAR (Unit Public Affairs Representative). Contact WO1 Jim Zegers at zegersgsdf@gmail.com for more information on training.

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Thank you for your outstanding work Sergeant Major Garrett!

Commanding GeneralBG Jerry G. Bradford

As I review this year’s accomplishments, I stand in awe of what the members of the State Defense Force have achieved on a con-tinual basis. Your dedication and professionalism, especially in a volunteer basis, demonstrates unparalleled patriotism and I com-mend you all on another great year. As we move into 2013 and continue to meet the challenges and accomplish the tasks presented to us by the Georgia Department of Defense and the citizens of Georgia, please remember to take some quality time for yourselves and your families. It is our families that make it possible for us to do what we do.

Thank you, again, for all you have accomplished this past year for the National Guard and the people of the great state of Georgia. I could not be more proud to be your Commander and I cannot think of another group of people with whom I would rather be associated. I look for-ward to another great year with all of you.

Command Sergeant MajorPatrick O’Leary

Refl ecting back on what the Georgia State Defense Force has done this past year, 2012, everyone can stand tall and be proud of all that has been accomplished. There is an inordinate amount of talent and expertise in the GASDF, all brought to bear by its’ all- volunteer membership whenever the taskings come our way. The dedication and attitude presented in all the missions performed manifests the sense of duty and professionalism that continuously have brought credit to the soldiers and to GASDF. Many missions have been on very short notice, and the volunteers have always responded with alacrity and sense of urgency. They stand true to form, wear the uniform proudly, and live the motto of the GASDF: “Parati Servire “ -- Ready To Serve!

We cannot, must not, forget the other half of the life of the volunteer force – the family. Folks, do take care of yourselves and your families. The welfare of our families is our prime responsibility, and it is with their full support that we are able to do what we do. Many thanks for all that you have accomplished this past year for the National Guard and for our people here in the state of Georgia. I most defi nitely look forward to an exciting forth-coming year. Stand Tall, Stand Proud, Parati Servire.

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meet the new CSM - patrick o’learyCommand Sgt. Maj. Patrick J. O’Leary was installed as the new State Command Sergeant Major of the Georgia State Defense Force succeeding Command Sgt. Maj. Garrett. Command Sgt. Maj. O’Leary comes from a family with four generations of military service. He was born in Manila, Philippines during World War Two. In 1964 he earned his Bachelor’s Degree from De La Salle College and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He is a Vietnam Veteran. In addition to Vietnam he has served overseas tours of duty in Germany and Korea. Other tours included Ft. Gordon, GA; Ft. Campbell, KY; and Washington, DC. O’Leary is a graduate of the U.S. Army Sergeant’s Major Academy at Briggs Army Air Field. He retired from active duty after nearly 27 years in the U.S. Army.

O’Leary joined the Georgia State Defense force in December of 2000 as the Senior Noncommissioned Offi cer of the Offi ce of G-3. Col. Coleman, Chief of Staff convinced O’Leary that joining the GSDF was “the right thing to do.” He has attended every Annual Training since then and has participated in GSDF events and operations too numerous to list in this article. He quickly recognized the need for centralized training in the GSDF. He is respon-sible for beginning the Initial Entry Training and Noncommissioned Offi cer professional development programs the GSDF uses today.

Some of the changes that he has seen since he joined are the emphasis on training and the quality of the training. He thinks that prior service NCOs and offi cers were a big help in accomplishing those changes. He sees a lot more pri-or service men and women joining the GSDF than in the past and “now they are staying. Staying is what counts,” he said. His top priorities for the future are “training, training and training.” He wants to continue to upgrade the training and “keep it up at a high level.”

Command Sgt. Maj. O’Leary has been married to his wife Amparo for 48 years and they have four adult children. He is a life member of the association of the Georgia State Defense Force, the enlisted Association of the National Guard, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 5080. He is also a member of the City of Morrow Community Emer-gency Response Team (CERT).

I N M E M O R I A M

BG Edward Wade Radford (RET)

Dr. Edward Wade Radford passed away on November 24, 2012. Dr. Radford was born May 3, 1947 in Green-ville, SC. He was a 1965 graduate of Greenville High School in Greenville, SC, a 1969 graduate of Georgia In-stitute of Technology where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, a 1981 graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology where he received his Master’s Degree in Industrial Management, and a 1990 graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology where he received his Doctorial Degree in Economics. He also taught at Georgia Institute of Technology.

Dr. Radford was a Vietnam veteran of the U. S. Army, Armored Division, and was a Retired Brigadier Gen-eral from the Georgia State Defense Force. BG Radford was awarded the 2nd highest honor, Distinguished Service Cross, during his service in Vietnam. Also he was a member of the 82nd Airborne and was an Army Ranger.

He was a former member of the Gwinnett Rotary Club and was a Board Member of the Gwinnett Hospital System for more than twenty years. He was a former member and deacon of the First Baptist Church of Buford and was a member of the Hamilton Mill United Methodist Church where he was also a member of the Seekers Sunday School Class. He is survived by his wife of forty-four years, Nancy Arsenaux Radford, Buford, GA; daughter and son-in-law, Tracey Radford Waldrop and husband, John, Buford, GA; son-in-law, Stephen Loftis, Greenville, SC; grandsons, Hunter Wade Waldrop and Parker John Waldrop; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Bobbie and Max Fuller, Lilburn, GA.

By CPL Allan HayesBy CPL Allan HayesHQ, PAOHQ, PAO

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MARIETTA, GA – December 9, 2012 - The Georgia State Defense Force again participated in Cpt. Clark Howard’s Christmas Kids Campaign at the East Cobb Wal-Mart.

It was the 22nd year for Clark Howard and News/Talk 750 WSB who joined together with the Georgia Department of Family and Children’s Services to provide gifts for children in foster care across the state. Over 4,200 foster children in 109 of the 159 Georgia counties benefi t from the giving citizens of the Georgia. Annually over $1,000,000 and over 15,000 gifts are donated.

Volunteers helped out as shopping cart after shopping cart fi lled with toys fl ooded the collection tables and kept Clark’s helpers busy all day. Because of the generosity of Clark’s listeners again, the Christmas Kids

Campaign collected enough so every foster child in the state will receive a gift for Christmas this year.

HEADS-UP | December 2010 5Photos by SSG Leonard Goodelman

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State Defense Force Change of ResponsibilityCLAY NATIONAL GUARD CENTER, Mari-etta, Ga., December 1, 2012 -- George R. Garrett, State Command Sergeant Major for the Georgia State Defense Force, is retiring after 44 years of military service, the last 10 years with the State Defense Force. Com-mand Sgt. Maj. Patrick J. O’Leary relieved Command Sgt. Maj. Garrett of responsibility for the GSDF with the traditional passing of the noncommissioned offi cer sword that signifi es loyalty and dedication to duty. Brig. Gen. Jerry J. Bradford, Commanding Gen-eral of the Georgia State Defense Force, presided over the change of responsibility ceremony in the Joint Forces Headquarters drill hall. He thanked Garrett for his sound advice, for his leadership and for his friend-ship. The change of responsibility ceremo-ny is a military tradition. The Army holds the

ceremony when a senior non-commissioned offi cer leaves a leadership position and a new NCO takes his place. The ceremony renders honors to the departing NCO and provides offi cial recognition for the incoming leader.

Command Sgt. Maj. Garrett delivered a departing address in which he thanked Gen. Bradford for his trust and confi dence and his wife Debbie for “allowing me to serve, for doing those things that I couldn’t be there to do because I was off in uniform somewhere doing something for someone else.” He also thanked the great NCOs in the GSDF, hoping “my service has been worthy of your trust.” His wife was one of the main reasons he joined the GSDF. He wanted to continue serving, and “she was very encouraging.”

Command Sgt. Maj. Garrett was born in Monroe, Georgia. He graduated from Georgia Southern College with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1968 and attended the University of Georgia’s School of Education. He enlisted in the Georgia Army National Guard in 1968. Garrett served in overseas deployments to Panama and Ecuador, and was mobilized for federal active duty service in support of operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, where he was Public Affairs Chief of the 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.

He served numerous mobilizations in military support to civil authorities’ actions, including assignment as Task Force Centennial Guard Command Sgt. Maj. for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. He retired from the Georgia Army National Guard in 2002 after 34 years of service. His last assignment was Command Sgt. Maj., 265th Engineer Group (COMBAT). He earned many awards including the Legion of Merit, the Meritori-ous Service Medal, the Army Achievement Medal (3rd Award), and the National Defense Service Medal. His state awards include the Georgia Meritorious Service Medal, the Georgia Commendation Medal, and the Georgia State Defense Force Commendation Medal. Command Sgt. Maj. Garrett is also the recipient of the Bronze Order of DeFlurey.

The thing Garrett will miss most after retirement is “the circle of friends I developed in the GSDF. That cama-raderie in uniform can’t be found anywhere else.” In his departing address he challenged the NCO corps to “continue to step out, know the standard, train to standard, and enforce the standard. Be a mentor, be avail-able to your soldiers, but be replaceable.”

As a civilian, Garrett has been Mayor of Good Hope, Georgia since 2003. He is the President and CEO of Accolades Awards and Recognition Gifts, Inc. and is a Deacon and senior adults Life Group leader at Walker Baptist Church in Monroe, Georgia.

Story and photo by CPL Allan HayesStory and photo by CPL Allan HayesHQ, PAOHQ, PAO

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GEORGIA GARRISON TRAINING CENTER, Hinesville, Ga. November 4, 2012 – Col. Lou Coroso, overall commander for AT, addresses the troops at the fi nal formation of The Georgia State Defense Force annual training exercises which ran from 29 October to 04 November.

Photo by CPL Allan HayesPhoto by CPL Allan HayesHQ, PAOHQ, PAO

Under the leadership and guidance of LTC Michael Hayden, the Third Battalion has been named “Battalion of the Year” for the First Brigade, Georgia State Defense Force. This distinguished honor is based on a number of criteria including the units knowledge, skills & strengths, and contributions to the organization. Known as the “Thundering Third”, the battalion is based in Monroe, GA, and operates in a 17 county area of northeast Georgia.

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GEORGIA GARRISON TRAINING CENTER, Hinesville, Ga., Novem-ber 3, 2012

Search teams from 5th Brigade designated Blackhorse, Phoenix and Titan participated in a fi eld search to locate evidence from a downed aircraft as well locate and extract survivors and pos-sible casualties.

Teams Blackhorse and Titan were inserted for the initial search of the area assigned to 5th Brigade with Team Phoenix designated as a reserve team that would de-ploy in support of Teams Black-horse and Phoenix as the mission developed. The Search teams from 5th Brigade were success-ful in their mission, recovering and extracting the injured pilot as well as locating and securing other evidence from the incident.

Search teams consisted of one SARSPEC II qualifi ed searcher, an offi cer and other team mem-

bers assigned as navigator, pace counter, communications specialist, documenter and a medical technician supplied to the unit from the 76th Support Brigade. Team members were assigned randomly from within the Brigade to test the interoperability of the men and their training to function as one co-hesive unit based on a real world mission scenario. Very few of the men on the teams had ever worked together prior to this mission. This decision by 5th Brigade leadership was wildly successful and proved that the GSDF training programs in place are solid and produce skilled soldiers.

Pilot Recovery Mission at Annual Training

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Story and photo by SGT Ted BurzynskStory and photo by SGT Ted Burzynsk

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Story and photo by SGT Ted Burzynsk

GSDF Supports Wreaths Across America

GEORGIA NATIONAL CEMETERY, DEC. 15, 2012

For the second year in a row, the 105th GSDF Band provided musical support to the Wreaths Across Amer-ica ceremony at Georgia National Cemetery in Can-ton. The ceremony was one of more than 600 wreath-laying events nationwide at cemeteries that are the fi nal resting place of fallen veterans.

Thousands of people turned out on a cool, cloudy, and occasionally rainy day to place wreaths on headstones and hear speakers describe how important it is to remember, honor, and teach — remember the fallen who paid the ultimate price protecting our freedoms, honor their ser-vice and sacrifi ce, and teach young people that freedom is not free.

The band played pre- and post-ceremony patri-otic music, as well as the National Anthem dur-ing the ceremony. CPL Matt Trotter along with a musician from Bugles Across America provided a moving rendition of Echo Taps. As the ceremony concluded, event organizer Evanthe Papastathis expressed appreciation to the GSDF for the music and for handling traffi c and parking.

Wreaths Across America is held each December, with the goal of someday placing a wreath on the grave of every deceased U.S. service member.

Story by CPL Diane Hawkins-Cox Story by CPL Diane Hawkins-Cox 105th GSDF Band105th GSDF BandPhotos by Robert M. Van Wagner Photos by Robert M. Van Wagner

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GEORGIA GARRISON TRAINING CENTER, Hinesville, Ga., November 3, 2012 – During Annual Training units were given specifi c roles in a mock search and rescue mission. Fourth brigade’s role in the mission took an interesting turn when it was tasked with working directly with a contingent from the active Army. Members of the brigade were charged with establish-ing and manning an active landing zone for an Army HH-60m MEDEVAC helicopter. In ad-dition they were also tasked with the preparation and evacuation of dummy “casualties” from the area. According to PFC Glenn Fowler and PFC Racquel Reed, both members of fourth brigade, the training was very successful and “a lot was learned”. PFC Reed also reported that the Blackhawk fl ight crew was very helpful in directing GSDF members in the proper way to direct, approach, and load the helicopter. Story by CPL Eric Tedder

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3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade soldiers prepare to deploy on a training mission involving a reported airliner disaster in a heavily wooded area of Ft. Stewart, Georgia on Saturday, November 3, 2012. Photo by SFC Ron Cosgrove

1st BDE UPAR Training

MAJ Jones and CPT Joyner from1st BDE are excited to have the new website available to post news and photos after completing the crash course at Annual Training.

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scenes from annual Training 2012

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Winter is a wonderful time for celebration. It should also be a time for additional caution if you or someone in your family is an older adult. It is the season for falls, slips on icy streets, and similar dangers that can be especially harmful for older adults.

Here are some of the top concerns mature adults have about their safety and health dur-ing the winter months.

* The fl u.Infl uenza is a serious illness that can be fatal in older adults, who often have chron-ic medical conditions. The fl u vaccine offers some, if not complete, protection against the fl u and can be administered as early as Septem-ber. The fl u season begins in early October and runs through March.

* Hypothermia. Keep your thermostat set to at least 65 degrees to prevent hypothermia. Hypo-thermia kills about 600 Americans every year, half of whom are 65 or older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Also, maintaining the temperature at 65, even when you are not at home, will help prevent freezing pipes by maintaining a high-enough temperature within your walls.

*Icy streets. Navigating through icy streets can be scary. Wear comfortable shoes with anti-slip soles. If you use a cane, replace the rubber tip before it is worn smooth and becomes slippery on the wet ice.

*House fi res. Make sure your smoke alarms are working. If you live in a house rather than an apartment, you should also have carbon-monoxide alarms.

*Falling in the home. Older people often have diffi culty adjusting to changes in light, and high contrasts increase the risk of slip and falls.

Winter Safety and Health TipsMake sure there are no lighting contrasts from one room to another. Also, use night lights, and don’t have loose extension cords lying around -- tape them to the fl oor. Make sure rugs are not wrinkled or torn in a way that can trip you up as you walk.

*Strenuous activities. Try to avoid strenuous activ-ities like shoveling snow. If you must use a shovel this winter, warm up your body with a few stretch-ing exercises before you begin and be sure to take frequent breaks.

*Dehydration. Drink at least four or fi ve glasses of water every day. This should not change just be-cause it is winter. While you may not feel as thirsty as you do in the summer months, if you are older than 60 your body can dehydrate quicker, putting you at greater risk for colds, arthritis, kidney stones and even heart disease.

*Winter itch. Put on more protective creams and lotions to prevent the dry and itchy skin commonly experienced in the colder months when humidity levels are lower.

*Home emergencies. For older persons living alone, it is a good idea to have a personal emer-gency response system -- a device worn around the neck or on a bracelet, that can summon help if needed. Wear this device all the time, and use it.Important Flu Recommendations for High-Risk Populations

The fl u season is here and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends immuniza-tion to include all people 6 months of age and old-er. Those at highest risk of complications from the fl u are still young children; people 65 and older; pregnant women; and people with health condi-tions such as heart, lung or kidney disease, or a weakened immune system.

I would like to offer the following guidelines to help parents protect their children and their entire

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GSDF PUBLIC AFFAIRS HQQQ

HEADS UP is the official newsletter of The Georgia State Defense ForceHEADS UP is the offi cal newsletter of the

Georgia State Defense Force

families from catching the fl u this winter:

*Get vaccinated early. The fl u vaccine is most ef-fective when administered during the fall months, before the onset of fl u season, which usually reach-es its peak in early December.

*It’s never too late. The fl u season begins in the fall and can last through the spring, so if you do not get vaccinated in October, that is okay, you can still be immunized in December or January.

*Know your options. A nasal vaccine is available for healthy children from age 2 and over, and for adults up to the age of 49. There might be some re-strictions so check with your doctor fi rst.

*Get your family members vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that the following groups get immunized against the fl u every year:

o Children beginning at 6 months of ageo Pregnant womeno People 50 years of age and oldero People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and any form of immune system suppresive illnesso People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilitieso People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from fl u, including:

*Health care workers

*Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the fl u

*Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

By SSG Leonard GoodelmanHQ, PAO Submit articles & photos to Cpt Andy Creed at andrew_creed_jr@hotmail.com or WO1 Jim Zegers at zegersgsdf@gmail.

com. Articles are intended for publicizing unit missions, activities and events and to highlight GSDF members. Provide details: date, time, location and a brief description. Photos are encouraged. Photos with GSDF personnel should include the rank and full name of the person(s). Provide a point of contact and phone number or email address with any submissions.

From all of us in From all of us in Public AffairsPublic Affairs

we wish you and we wish you and yours a Merry yours a Merry Christmas and Christmas and

Safe and Happy Safe and Happy New Year!New Year!