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In his presentation,
Manes spoke very highly of this country's commitment to the
betterment of Afghanistan, its security forces, its national police,
its beautiful, friendly and sincere people. Manes said several times
that "it is an honor to serve" our county and especially to serve
over in Afghanistan, the third-poorest country on earth, where the
Soviet Union in their occupation some years ago displayed severe
handling of its people. He went on to say that Afghanistan is very
friendly toward the Americans and is extremely 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 the U.S. commitment in that 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.
He also showed a PowerPoint presentation with many photos of the
U.S. military stationed in Afghanistan, of its countryside, its
people and their interaction with our military and civilian
personnel.
He concluded his slide presentation with
Psalm 121 and said
that all of us have to support our longtime commitment to safeguard
our freedoms here at home and abroad by helping to stabilize the
troubled areas in various troubled parts of the world -- in
Afghanistan as we have in Korea, Europe, the Pacific, the Suez area
and elsewhere throughout our honorable country's relatively short
history.
Manes complimented our local service personnel -- mostly
volunteers: fire, police, medics and elected officials.
He said that 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 the luncheon and especially those who came out to show
support for our local service personnel in their military efforts
both home and abroad -- efforts that are often dangerous but always
necessary.
[to top of second column] |
 Phyllis Beccue added that "some of us may not agree with our mission
over there" but that "we should always support our troops." She
added that it is important that we honor our current military
servicemen and servicewomen as well as our veterans for years of
past service.
Manes had two of his friends come forward, dressed in Afghan
clothing, and he explained some of the traditions behind each
article they wore.
Mayor Bill Glaze presented Manes with a gold key to Mount Pulaski
and read a city proclamation honoring him, with acknowledgement and
congratulations for all that he has done for his town, his state and
his country.
The luncheon was coordinated and conducted by Mount Pulaski
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 447 and supported by Mount Pulaski
Ryman-Fuiten Post 447 veterans as well as Mount Pulaski Sons of
Legion veterans. Many businesses, families and individuals in and
around Mount Pulaski gave financial support to the event.
The proceeds will go toward Christmas gifts
that will be sent to all currently serving military personnel from
Mount Pulaski and the surrounding consolidated school attendance
area. In addition, each table signed several Christmas cards to be
sent to these military personnel.
[Text from Phil Bertoni, Mount
Pulaski correspondent]
Text from Manes' Bronze Star award:
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 (CSTC-A).
Major Manes'
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
States Central Command, and the United States Army. |
