June 26, 2010
- SSG Matthew Binney with his Unit in Afghanistan. SSG Binney is front right.
A VISIT FROM PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH. Recovering at Walter Reed Hospital, Washington, DC. SSG Matthew Binney with his wife and mother.
LOCAL HERO!
SSG MATTHEW BINNEY
SPECIAL FORCES/MEDIC
U.S. ARMY, AFGHANISTAN
(Son of Star Valley, AZ residents George & Brenda Binney.)
SSG Matthew Binney was wounded in Afghanistan in July 2006. He underwent shoulder replacement surgery in Ft. Bragg, NC and spent much of his recovery time and physical therapy time at Walter Reed Hosital in Washington, DC.
SSG Matthew Binney received the Purple Heart and the Silver Star for his immense bravery during battle and for putting the lives of his fellow soldiers before his own.
SSG Binney received boxes from Payson Supply Line during his time in Afghanistan. Upon his return to the United States, he promptly supplied the Payson Supply Line with a name and mailing address of someone in his unit that was still in Afghanistan. A box was quickly sent to Sgt. 1st Class Brendan W. O’Connor as requested.
The following is the email that we received from SFC O’Connor who served with SSG Matthew Binney and received the box. He shares much about SSG Binney’s actions and courage during the battle with the Taliban fighters that injured him so badly.
August 1, 2006
Dear Mr. Klein and Mr Kafton,
I am writing you from Firebase Ghecko, near Qandahar, Afghanistan.
Myself and the members of the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps with me, recently took delivery of your thoughtful gift box. We were pleasantly surprised and altogether humbled at your generosity, the kind words, and sentiments you relate in your note.
Staff Sergeant Matt Binney ,a medic who was recently assigned here, I believe is a native of Arizona and were he here I am sure he too would thank you profusely. But Matt was wounded in action and has since returned to the States for a challenging rehabilitation.
Matt received his wounds in a remarkable display of gallantry. He was wounded more than once, yet he refused medical attention and with great courage led a counterattack against a numerically superior force of Taliban fighters. His selfless and courageous act prevented an isolated patrol from being encircled and captured or worse, being annihilated. Though wounded in the counterattack he spoiled the enemy efforts and allowed time for the patrol to be recovered. You Arizonans all have reason to be proud of Matt. I am proud to have served with him and I remain inspired by his actions on that day.
Thank you for your prayers. Know that we send prayers back your way. Please be sure to include the many good people of Afghanistan in your prayers. They suffer and struggle for the slightest sip of freedom. We here hope and strive so that someday they might drink deeply from a well of liberty.
Once again we all thank you for your package.
Sincerely,
Sergeant First Class Brendan W. O’Connor
ODA 765, 2d Battalion 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
More Payson Supply Line boxes were sent during SFC O’Connor’s tour in Afghanistan and in October of 2007 we received the following note from their Commander, Sheffield Ford:
October 1, 2007
Dear All,
Thank you so very much for your packages. The soldiers were very grateful and many of the items were sent to a nearby orphanage. The kids were very thankful along with the workers at the orphanage. Thank you again. Say hi to Matt for us.
Take care,
Sheffield
SSG Matthew Binney left the U.S. Army on a Medical Discharge and returned to Star Valley, AZ for a short time. While in the Payson area, Matt gave us the honor of riding in our Payson Supply Line float in the Payson Rodeo Parade in August of 2007 where he received standing ovations. Matt has recovered well from his injuries, although has less than 100% rotation ability in his shoulder. Matt now works and resides in Tucson, AZ with his wife and children. His parents continue to work and reside in Star Valley, Arizona, just outside of Payson. Matt is a wonderful young man and a true hero!
We thank SSG Matthew Binney for his service to our country.
From Wikipedia Encyclopedia:
The Purple Heart is a United States Military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military.
The Silver Star is the third-highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy. The Silver Star is awarded for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States.
June 19, 2010
1st Lt. Charles L. Wilkins III, Army National Guard
In 2005, not long after Payson Supply Line was established, we were honored to receive a very special request from Charles Wilkins Jr. of Mesa, Arizona. Mr. Wilkins is the father of 1st Lt. Charles L. Wilkins III, U.S. Army National Guard, who was killed in action while serving in Iraq.
1ST LT CHARLES L. WILKINS III
U.S. Army National Guard
38 years old, of Columbus, Ohio
Assigned to the 216th Engineer Battalion, Ohio Army National Guard, Hamilton, Ohio.
Killed August 20, 2004 when an improvised explosive device exploded near his vehicle near Samarra, Iaq
The family of 1st Lt. Charles L. Wilkins III donated his European configured television to the Payson Supply Line for shipment to other military personnel stationed in Iraq. They wanted this done in memory of their son.
The Payson Supply Line received the following letter from “DAD,” Charles Wilkins Jr., along with the television, satalite dish and other parts:
To whom it may concern:
This television was returned to me as part of my son’s personal effects. It is a European configured television. Please give this television to a soldier or unit in Iraq or Afghanistan or that are mobilizing to go. I know my son cared for his troops and would have wanted them to get use from this TV. If there is anything else we can do, my wife, Gail, and I can be reached at (address in Mesa, AZ).
Thanks,
Charles Wilkins, Jr.
p.s. – Please send this information so the receiver knows where this television came from.
We had mailing information for Major John Winters whose Army Unit was stationed in Camp Victory, Iraq. In contacting Major Winters, we determined that this unit had the facilities that would allow for a television. Major Winters had already received one of our standard 35 lb. boxes of items, and further expressed a need for clothing (adult and children sizes) and toys for the troops stationed there to distribute to the Iraqi people.
In a matter of days the television with all it’s parts (mailed in 3 separate boxes), along with the requested clothes and toys, were shipped to Major Winters at his Army base in Camp Victory, Iraq. (See photo above of Major John Winters with his Army unit.)
A short time later, the following letter was received from Major Winters:
Dear Butch,
I received the three boxes of clothes and toys and the television from Mr. Wilkins. Thank you! I found a home for donations to the Iraqis. The 322nd Civil Affairs Brigade goes to the villages throughout Iraq and donates these items. Captain Kyle of the 322nd told me the items you donated would go to a village in Mosul and a school in Baghdad. He promised to take pictures of soldiers donating the clothes and toys. Captain Kyle said items like these help break the ice with the Iraqi people and open the door for us to help. I recently left the 319th MI Battalion and they will be returning home next month, but I will be staying with the XVIII Airborn Corps Artillery Headquarters. My new address is: (address). Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
John Winters
(See e-mails and photos from Captain Donald Kyle under our “Letters” page.)
Major Winters then requested the mailing address for Charles Wilkins, Jr., which we supplied. A short time later, we received the following email from Major Winters:
December 13, 2005
Butch,
Thank you for Chuck’s address. I was worried he would not get a thank you note from me. I dontated the TV to our replacement unit, 302nd MI Battalion. They put the TV in their Day Room, along with 1st Lt. Wilkins’ picture and his bio. Over 300 soldiers will get to share this gift everyday. I enjoyed getting the flags for you guys. I was overwhelmed by your generosity. By the way, I am flying home tomorrow.
Merry Christmas!
John
THE PAYSON SUPPLY LINE WAS ABLE TO FULFILL THIS VERY SPECIAL REQUEST BECAUSE OF YOUR DONATIONS! WE THANK YOU!
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For more information regarding 1st Lt. Charles L. Wilkins III, refer to the following website:
http://militarytimes.com/valor/army-1st-lt-charles-l-wilkins-iii/317482/
June 18, 2010
PFC Zachary Carpino, U.S. Army, is the nephew of John and Louann Carpino of Payson, Arizona. Once they had a good mailing address for Zach, John and Louann quickly provided us with that information and a Payson Supply Line box of supplies was sent to Zach for him to enjoy and share. A couple more boxes were sent his way periodically during his time there.
While stationed in Iraq, being housed in a school house, terrorists attacked PFC Carpino’s unit with two suicide bombers. The devistation was severe. Half of the building was destroyed and nine of his comrades were killed. While still under attack by the enemy, PFC Carpino assisted with the rescue of the wounded from the remains of the building.
PFC Zachary Carpino received the Bronze Star for bravery under fire; rendering aid to the wounded while under attack.
We received a home-made DVD from Zach in June of 2007 showing, among other things, a big “Thank You” from his squad and himself to Payson Supply Line and all of its supporters!
We thank PFC Zachary Carpino for his service to his country.
From Wikipedia Encyclopedia:
The Bronze Star Medal (or BSM) is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. When awarded for bravery, it is the fourth-highest combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces and the ninth highest military award (including both combat and non-combat awards) in the order of precedence of U.S. military decorations.
June 17, 2010
Jason working with Iraqi soldiers
SSG Jason Watson, U.S. Army, was the recipient of the first Payson Supply Line box back in January of 2005. It was a natural beginning, as Jason is the brother of Butch and Kathy Klein’s daughter-in-law. (Butch is the co-founder of Payson Supply Line, and both are Officers in the organization.) Jason received the 35 lb. box and shared it with all of his buddies and they all enjoyed the package.
Jason completed three tours of duty in Iraq over the next few years. Jason volunteered for his 3rd tour of duty out of his devotion to the fellow soldiers in his squad.
During Jason’s second tour of duty in Iraq, he received a Purple Heart; during his 3rd tour of duty he received a Bronze Star for his heroism. As Jason has not discussed with his family the events that led to him receiving these honors, we do not know any specifics. However, we do know that these awards are not handed out without merit, and the Bronze Star is one of the highest combat awards that anyone in the Armed Forces can receive.
Jason returned to his home in Mesa, Arizona where he lived for a couple of years before moving up to Payson, Arizona. He works hard at his job at Paper Leaf Media and enjoys his many friends and family. He especially loves being “Uncle Jason” to his little nieces who live with their mom and dad in Payson, Arizona.
We thank Jason for his service to his country.
From Wikipedia Encyclopedia:
The Purple Heart is a United States Military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military.
The Bronze Star Medal (or BSM) is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. When awarded for bravery, it is the fourth-highest combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces and the ninth highest military award (including both combat and non-combat awards) in the order of precedence of U.S. military decorations.
