Kai Degner » Action

Silver Star for Army Staff Sgt. Linsey W. Clarke

kaidegner — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:34:36 +0000

The Washington Post reports today that Staunton native and JMU graduate Army Staff Sgt. Linsey Clark received the Silver Star on Wednesday for actions to aid wounded soldiers during an attack in Afghanistan.

Let this be a reminder for all of us that there are heroes from the Shenandoah Valley, fighting bravely overseas during the holiday season. Consider getting involved with Operation Show We Care, a local effort to send care packages to our troops abroad and at Walter Reed.

From the WaPo article:

Clarke graduated from James Madison University in 2005 and then enlisted in the Special Forces as a medic.

He deployed to Afghanistan’s Uruzgan province with the 3rd Special Forces group in January 2009, but soon after his 12-man team arrived, its senior medic was killed by insurgents. Eight days later, on Feb. 20, Clarke and his team were on patrol when insurgents struck again.

A massive roadside bomb ripped into the team’s rear vehicle, setting it ablaze and fatally wounding three servicemen. Insurgents then attacked the lead vehicle with rocket-propelled grenades and heavy gunfire.

Clarke ran through a barrage of gunfire to the vehicle, finding Staff Sgt. Eric Engelhardt lying near the wreckage, his legs broken and back fractured. The burning vehicle was loaded with ammunition and explosives that were detonating inches away, but Clarke applied a tourniquet to Engelhardt and then pulled him away from the vehicle to a safer position.

He then ran back 100 yards through gunfire to aid other wounded.

“Sergeant Clarke’s actions on 20 February went well above and beyond the call of duty,” according to an official military narrative of the action. “He repeatedly faced imminent danger and at no point, did he show any regard for his personal safety.”

Nevertheless, Clarke said he felt he didn’t deserve the medal.

“I feel guilty for being recognized for this award,” said Clarke, who has extended his enlistment to be able to deploy again with his unit.

Who will you interview on the National Day of Listening?

kaidegner — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:01:04 +0000

Put plainly, I don’t think there’s anything more important to practice and promote than listening. Earlier this year, I worked with a number of local friends and colleagues at the Community Mediation Center to design and pilot Listening 101, a one-month course that focuses on this all-important skill and mindset, which I’ll write more about in the future.

So, I’m thrilled to learn about the National Day of Listening, which occurs the day after Thanksgiving. The project is championed by StoryCorps, which is working to record people’s stories – with willing listeners (you’ve probably heard examples on National Public Radio). The idea is simple: record an interview with someone in your life – and be listening as they share.

There is a Do It Yourself Kit on the website, and there is information in this video.

Here’s a Great Questions List to get your conversation started!

Who will you listening to?

5 Mile Chicken Choice

kaidegner — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:03:12 +0000

I’m halfway through the Mayor’s Healthy Hometown Challenge. The first month went well, but two of the last three weeks have been a struggle in terms of getting into the gym. I guess that’s something to expect: extra busy weeks once in a while. I got through the rush of the last Sustainability Summit, the Turkey Drive, and insulating my house, so I’m seeing opportunity to get back into the gym more regularly. Before, I might have just given up because I didn’t keep my intended schedule of being in the gym 2-3 times per week, but the added accountability provided by everyone and the RMH Wellness Center – with the unexpected urge to want to work out – is motivation to stay committed.

Whether in the gym or not, making healthy food choices is a daily (hourly?) opportunity to avoid the
calories responsible for the weight I’m trying to lose. I’ve lost about three pounds, which seems minimal for six weeks. However, as seen in the video interview below, I’m losing weight at a healthy pace, albeit I could be losing a bit more per week and still be in the healthy 0.5-2.0 pound-per-week range.

Take a look at the interview from Friday to learn how a simple choice of grilled chicken over fried can save you five miles on the treadmill!

Insulating a Mayor’s Attic

kaidegner — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:06:54 +0000

So, the attic of my house on East Wolfe Street needed more insulation, which was becoming more obvious with the wintery weather. Besides making the house more comfortable, savings in fuel use (propane in my case) and the associated cost (in cash and carbon emissions) were motivation to take some time on Wednesday afternoon to blow more insulation into my attic.

I enlisted help from Benamin Meredith, who owns Building Knowledge Professional Inspection Services. He’s a local home energy expert who shares some good information as we increase the insulation from an R-19 to an R-30. Give him a call to see what you can do in your home to save money and energy! My friend MuAwia Da’mes, who works at Lowes and sits on the Harrisonburg Planning Commission, was also a big help in showing me how to rent the insulation blower (it’s free, just a deposit!) and find what I needed for the job. Add a couple hands from Cdub, and I had what I needed.

We did it! 962 Turkeys for the Salvation Army!

kaidegner — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:57:02 +0000

Thanks to Cargill’s donation of 478 turkeys today, the community has stepped up to provide the Salvation Army 962 turkeys for families applying for Thanksgiving Day assistance! The turkeys, food, and cash donated at the Sustainability Summit on Saturday were part of this progress – and not only for the obvious. If you listen to end of the news report about the donation, the broadcaster mentions a “One on One Interview” with Bob Corso, where Cargill heard about the need. That was when I mentioned the Community Mediation Center’s Sustainability Summit and the associated food drive!

So, congratulations for making a difference. Of course, there is still much need, as shown in today’s other story: the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank has seen their need increase 30% this year. Keep it coming!

Harrisonburg Turkey Drive on November 14

kaidegner — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:16:18 +0000

As you may know, my day job is at the Community Mediation Center, where I coordinate a program called “Harrisonburg Summits.” The summits have been extremely successful and we’re hosting the next one Saturday at Memorial Hall from 11:30-1:00pm.

I’m doubly excited this time to be partnering with the Salvation Army to have a food drive to provide Thanksgiving Day meals to 1,000 families in the Harrisonburg-Rockingham area.

Can you come by to contribute food? Can your office or business contribute a turkey? Can you find five people to donate a turkey?

Hungry Harrisonburg – 2009 Food Drive Kicks Off

kaidegner — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 01:01:37 +0000

Bucky Berry invited me to stop by tonight’s kickoff of the 2009 Food Drive, which his lawn service company is coordinating with the Salvation Army. We met in the Harrisonburg High School parking lot as the crowd streamed in to see the Bluestreaks take on Spotswood. I interviewed Captain Duane Burleigh about the increased need for food this holiday season. As you’ll see in the video, family applications for assistance are up significantly – almost 900 family applications represent need for 1700 children. Please donate what you can – there are multiple venues to donate food, including at area schools. Call the Salvation Army for more information at 540-434-4854.