AFN Freedom Radio 94.1--The Reality Zone w/SSgt Jeremy "The Motivator" Vought

We all live in the here and now, a reality. Hopefully your reality is positive, but if it's not, tune in to Marine Staff Sergeant Jeremy "The Motivator" Vought in The Reality Zone, every Sunday from 1230-1430. Staff Sergeant Vought, a 4341-Combat Correspondent and 4313-Broadcast Journalist, hails from Coudersport, Pennsylvania and has served his country since 2001 at Fort George Meade, MD; Camp Pendleton, California; Camp Smith, Hawaii; Syracuse University,NY; and Iraq. He is currently deployed from Washington D.C. where he serves as the Marine Corps News Broadcast Production Chief.

The Motivator brings a mix of uplifting, positive, alternative music to service members in Afghanistan. Spend two hours with The Motivator and enhance your reality.

Music includes: MercyMe, Skillet, U2, Kutless, DC Talk, Red, Newsboys, 3 Doors Down, Lifehouse, Third Day and Johnny Cash.

Video of The Motivator in action and highly caffeinated!

Off to Pakistan to help - August 3, 2010

3 August 2010

PAKISTAN FLOOD DEATH TOLL ‘PASSES 11000 - BBC

FOOD FEARS FOR PAKISTAN FLOOD SURVIVORS – AFP

FLOODS RAVAGE PAKISTAN VALLEY THAT ENDURED TALIBAN – AP

Hello from Afghanistan. I’m a Marine Corps broadcast journalist and I have the best job in the military: I get to report on what U.S. service members are doing night and day to answer those recent headlines above.

There’s a good chance I could be classified as the walking dead right now, but it’s completely worth it! I’ve been up three days straight with very little sleep. I got the awesome opportunity to report on a group of airmen in a C-17 that delivered relief, via food and shelter, to the people of Pakistan devastated by historic flooding.

At AFN (American Forces Network) Afghanistan, we cover everything from combat operations to humanitarian missions. I’m always amazed at how fast the American military can spin up to provide help to those most affected by natural disasters. The strength, determination and resolve of individual soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines make me proud to be a part of the brotherhood.

Always being ready is key to our job – you never know when news will break. It’s up to us to be there to cover and tell the public what happened. I was notified about a mission into Pakistan to deliver thousands of pounds of food, late one afternoon. After some scrambling and coordination, I had all my gear and was on the Bagram Air Field flight line covering U.S. soldiers taking boxes and boxes full of Halal (culturally sensitive) Meals Ready to Eat (or MRE’s) and creating huge pallets to load on to Air Force cargo aircraft.

I got to interview soldiers who had been working the last three nights to support the Pakistanis. Always

looking for the next best different shot, I climbed up a metal beam structure and shot some great angles. I even shot the stand-up for ABC Nightly News reporter, Nick Schifrin, for this video story that aired on ABC later that night. When he saw me hanging up there for a shot, he had to have the same. (Marines lead the way!!)

After some 75-thousand pounds of food was loaded into the Charleston, S.C. based C-17, we taxied down the Bagram flight line and started our trek. I was surprised the ride was so short. It only took us 45-minutes to get to Peshawar International Airport in Pakistan.

Tensions and excitement were high as none of us had ever stepped foot into Pakistan – but when we did, we felt it. Immediately the sweat started pouring; not from the 60 pounds of gear on me but the incredible humidity. I’ve been to the Philippines, and all around the Pacific, yet nothing compared

to the humidity in Pakistan. We definitely didn’t expect it, since we were so close to neighboring Afghanistan. What made things worse was the transition from a nice, cold, aircraft cargo bay to a ninety percent humidity, stuffy tarmac. My video camera lens fogged up so badly I couldn’t shoot any usable footage for nearly15-minutes until both myself and the camera got acclimated!

Once I did get ‘rolling’ again, it was great to see the interactions between the Pakistani reps and the Americans. No matter what language barriers exist, the thing I’ve always learned is that a smile can break down barriers and say it all. That’s what I saw a lot of this night.

After three hours on the ground we said our goodbyes, pulled up chalks and flew away. The magnitude of the disaster was great, but "hopefully" everyone thought this flight, our efforts, would help some. It was two in the morning by the time the plane even took off and I used the 45 minutes of travel time to execute a combat nap. I didn’t wake until we hit the 9-thousand feet of concrete back on Afghanistan on Bagram Air Field.

I must say, while the trip was short, it meant a lot to me to be able to go. Not only to say I’ve been to Pakistan, but to say I was involved in a humanitarian mission from the USA. While I didn’t fly the plane, load the supplies or unload the supplies – it was my mission to document and bring the great work of our troops back home. I was honored to be a part of it.

God Bless,

SSgt Jeremy Vought

Afghanistan Freedom Watch Update - July 16, 2010

Today's newscast hosted by Marine SSgt Jeremy Vought.

"HAPPY FATHERS DAY"

20 June 2010

It is Sunday here and I have much of the day off. I woke up late, went for my first run (felt like I haven't run in months) and here sitting on my rack. Today is my time to reflect as a father, son and grandson.

I thank God for my father. It was God who gave I him: God who gave he I; but he who introduced Jesus to I - the greatest gift a father can give his children. I didn't grow up in the richest family. He worked hard to provide for us and for that I'm grateful. Times may have been tough occasionally, but I always had food in my belly and a roof over my head. From an early age we knew the Bible stories and songs. I still have recordings of my father playing the guitar and me singing a Bible song - my mother helping me in the background. Memories like that stick. He gave me a love for music, the outdoors, family and sports.

Going through the rough adolescent years as I pushed away, I wish I would have learned more from him and stuck closer. For that I'm sorry Dad. He is the first person I call for advice and counsel. I would trust his word above just about everyone's. He has been a great Christian man in my life and I thank God for that gift. I recently heard a quote about the luck of a person: "Being lucky is being born in the United States to two loving, dedicated parents." I am lucky. Thank you Dad. I love you. Wish I could be there now to tell you in person.

As a father now, it is my duty to do all the things and provide for my daughter just like my father raised me. I have so much room to grow, but with God's (and my beautiful wife's) helpI will get there. To my, Alyssa. I love you and am so proud to be your father. Everything changed the day I first saw her. It is truly a transforming experience.

Also, to my Grandfathers. You men have both shaped me, guided me and loved me. The memories I have with each of you will stick for a lifetime. Thank you for those. You've both been an integral part of my life as well.

I love you all.

"IT IS WELL" - Aftermath of a Miscarriage - Video

13 June 2010

Last night Toni was at the emergency room. The doctors confirmed what we feared - a miscarriage. We were so excited to have another child. Our first child, Alyssa, has been a true blessing from the Lord. The worst part about the whole thing was I couldn't be there for my wife, hold her close and comfort her. I felt totally inempt, stuck here in Afghanistan. I wanted to hold her.

I called my parents and I will continue to thank them for traveling last minute from PA to VA to help, comfort, babysit, and bring Toni's mother down. I will forever remember that gesture. They didn't ask me why, they just went. I am so lucky to have parents like them. They are a blessing. Thank you Mom and Dad.



The next morning was rough, but I was glad it was Sunday. My first church service in country. "Is it well" was the subject of the chaplain's message. It was hard to sing the first verse of the hymn "It is well" without welling up. It was the message I needed to hear. I don't blame God, my wife or anyone else. God is good and his plan for us is supreme, even when we don't understand why.

I love you Dear. God continues to bless our family.

Watch a short video blog of the service: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNxhF6nGJJE

(Full blog at www.jeremyvought.blogspot.com)

"OPERATION RASOL ASGHARI" - Video

9 June 2010

My first broadcast story from Afghanistan. Shot, edited, and sent out in HD.



Located here: http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=video/video_show.php&id=87867

"ROCKET ATTACK IN AFGHANISTAN" - Video

6 June 2010
Here's a new video blog from Afghanistan. First night at FOB Wolverine and the Taliban throws a rocket at us. Here's the first hand experience from the bunker.

Video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pxSA6Zn8gM



Check out the full blog @ http://jeremyvought.blogspot.com

"ARRIVED IN AFGHANISTAN" - Video

30-31 May 2010

Arrived in Bagram, Afghanistan. Moving down to Kandahar for a while.