"Home for the Holidays"

Featured Speaker: 
Major Stan Manes, US Army National Guard

Major Manes spoke very highly of his country's commitment to the betterment of Afghanistan,
its security forces, its national police, it’s beautiful, friendly and sincere people.  Manes said several times that "It is an honor to serve" my county and especially to serve over in Afghanistan - the 3rd poorest country on earth, where the Soviet Union in their occupation several years ago displayed severe handling of its people.  He went on to say that Afghanistan is very friendly towards the Americans and its people are extremely friendly and happy to have us there trying our best to protect them and improve their lives.  The Major spoke of the "great strides" that American forces have made in helping to "stabilize their government and their military and police forces.  Manes spoke of his country's commitment in this area of the world and his desire that we see this through to a successful conclusion.  He emphasized that the Afghans "do not want us to leave" - that "they are very good people" who deserve better in life and we are just the country to help them to achieve such a yearning. 

Major Manes showed a power-point presentation of many photos of the US military stationed
in Afghanistan, of its countryside, its people and their interaction with our military and civilian personnel.  Manes concluded his slide presentation with Psalm 121 and that all of us have to support our long-time commitment to safe-guard our freedoms here at home and abroad by helping to stabilize situations in various troubled parts of the world - in Afghanistan as we have endeavored in Korea, Europe, the Pacific, Vietnam, the Suez area, and elsewhere throughout our honorable country's relatively short history.

Major Manes complimented our local service personnel - mostly volunteers:  fire, police, medics and elected officials.  We all have to pull together to continue to make our country worthy of its freedoms because it's due to the sacrifices of our military both home and abroad that "we are able to enjoy our freedoms".   He sincerely thanked all who supported this wonderful program here today - and especially those who came out today to show support for our local service personnel in their military efforts both home and abroad - efforts that are often dangerous but always necessary.

Phyllis Beccue added that "some of us may not agree with our mission over there", but that "we should always support our troops".  Phyllis added that it is important that we honor our current military servicemen and servicewomen as well as our veterans for their years of past service to our country.

Stan had two of his friends come forward dressed in Afghan clothing while he explained some
of the traditions behind each article they wore.

Mayor Bill Glaze presented Major Manes with a gold key to Mount Pulaski.  In addition, he read and presented him a city proclamation of acknowledgement and congratulations for all that Major Stan Manes has done for his town, his state and his country.

This “Home for the Holidays” luncheon was attended by over 300 people – families of currently serving military personnel as well as many of our military veteran families in addition to many families of their service veterans.  Many friends of these present and former military personnel also were in attendance.  This luncheon was coordinated & conducted by the Mt. Pulaski American Legion Auxiliary Unit 447, and supported by the Mt. Pulaski Ryman-Fuiten Post 447 Veterans as well as the Mt. Pulaski Sons of Legion Veterans.  Many businesses, families and individuals in and around Mt. Pulaski gave financial support to this event. 

The proceeds will go toward Christmas gifts that will be sent to all currently-serving military personnel that are from Mt. Pulaski and the surrounding consolidated school attendance area.  In addition, each table signed several Christmas cards to be sent to these serving military personnel - both state-side and abroad.

 

reported by Phil Bertoni

Major Stanley Manes received the Bronze Star for exceptionally meritorious service while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as the Executive Officer, RPAC-Kabul and Commander's Action Group Planner for the Commanding General, Combined Security Transaction Command - Afghanistan (CST-A).

Major Manes's mission focus and technical expertise were key factors in CSTC-A,
successfully executing its mission throughout the entire area of operations.  Major Manes conducted combat operations and coordinated and synchronized Commander's action group actions throughout the combat theater of operations. 

His performance of duty in a combat zone reflects great credit upon himself, the combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan, The United State Central Command, and the United States Army.