By Andy Carpenter My son, who just turned four, loves the book The Invisible String.It’s a story of reassurance and connection between people — no matter what the circumstance or distance or time. As my son works through separation anxiety, potentially heightened by the persistence of COVID and the fears and uncertainty surrounding it, I can see his mind churning...
Army Buddies: Joe Farruggia (left) and Jonathan Gaver (right) When did you serve in the Army and in which division?Joe: “We were privates together in 21 Infantry in the ‘90s, back when it was out of Ft. Wainwright in Alaska. I was in before 9/11.”Jonathan: “I served from 94 to ‘99, then I came back in 2002.”Why did you decide to re-enlist?Jonathan: “One, I missed the camaraderie of the Army...
Team River Runner, Ft. Benning / Warrior on the Water What is Team River Runner? “Team River Runner is a national 501c3 nonprofit. The goal is to get military veterans and their families out on the water as cheap as possible, if not for free. To promote healing and fellowship with fellow veterans. A lot of the veterans are coming back and wanting something with the adrenaline similar to...
Visits the Vietnam and Global War on Terror Memorial sites, National Infantry Museum, Ft. Benning, Georgia What inspired you to come visit this memorial today? “I have relatives who have served and gone before me. My wife had two grandfathers who served in Vietnam. Their prior service is a big part of the reason why I joined—to continue that tradition. So I thought today would be a perfect...
Vice-Chancellor, Troy University-Phenix City Colonel, U.S. Army (Ret.) How did your military career help prepare you for becoming the head of a university? “The military spends a lot of time training leaders. That leadership and administration and supervision—which are all parts of higher positions at any organization—benefit from that type of training. I spent 26 years in the military. I got a...
Survivor’s “evolution” offers a road to resilience to Ft. Benning soldiers Wednesday afternoon Aimee Copeland was 24 years old in May 2012 when her zip-line snapped and changed her life. The Gwinnett County native severely injured her leg in the ensuing tumble into the Little Tallapoosa River. The river’s contaminated water entered through an open wound in her calf. While doctors fought to save...