Retired 28th Infantry Division Soldier leads Pennsylvania’s Veterans of Foreign Wars

Photo By Lt. Col. Cory Angell | Pennsylvania Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander Henry Mannella spent his career in the 28th Infantry Division and served two tours in Iraq.  

BRENTWOOD, PA, UNITED STATES

10.05.2022

Story by Lt. Col. Cory Angell 

28th Infantry Division

Pennsylvania Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander Henry Mannella spent his career in the 28th Infantry Division and served two tours in Iraq.
Mannella, a steel worker, enlisted at Hunt Armory in Pittsburgh, on September 5, 1989, as a cook with the 107th Field Artillery. He had served for more than a decade in the Pennsylvania National Guard, when 9/11 happened.
“One thing for sure, I knew my life was going to change, but I had no idea how much,” said Mannella.

The unit's traditional role as field artillery would not be their calling, but the combat arms role remained.
“After 9/11, Pennsylvania National Guard units started to be called upon right away. There was a high demand for military police in the Army,” said Air Force Lt. Col. (Ret.) Chris Cleaver who served as the Pennsylvania National Guard Public Affairs Officer at the time. “They began taking combat arms units and molding them into MPs to meet the demand for that capability. MPs have a unique combat roll with force protection and detainee operations.”
“It was Halloween of 2003 and I got the call that the 107th Field Artillery was being mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom,” said Mannella. “The hardest thing I had to do was tell my family.”
The 107th was then shipped to Fort Dix, New Jersey, where they conducted their mobilization readiness training in December 2003. Once the unit was qualified and ready, they were deployed to Iraq. Mannella served with Battery B, 107th Field Artillery in Camp Bucca, Iraq, with the 16th Military Police Brigade.
Camp Bucca was named after Ronald Bucca, a New York City fire marshal who died in 9/11. The facility was the theater detention facility for all of Iraq.
During the deployment, Battery C lost Spc. Carl F. Curran II, 22, of Union City and Spc. Mark J. Kasecky, 20, of McKees Rocks, killed in an enemy attack.
In 2009, Mannella would deploy again. This time it was with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, the first National Guard brigade to field and deploy a Stryker Brigade. Cutting edge at the time, the stryker is mobile platform, and the unit is equipped and trained to conduct full spectrum of operations.
“I was at Joint Security Station Sheik Hamad Village, northwest of Baghdad,” said Mannella. “After that deployment I figured two combat deployments and 21 years of service were enough for my family and I. So, I retired.”
Mannella now finds himself launched from his old military career to a new veteran mission.
“I used to spend time with my grandfather when I was young. He was Quartermaster of VFW Post 919 in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania,” said Mannella. “He was with the US Army in WWII, my dad was Navy, and I am proud to say my nephew joined the 28th Infantry Division two years ago. So, I have a strong family background in the military and with veterans.”
The first thing Mannella did when he got back from his first tour in Iraq was join the VFW. First he served with Post 6673 in Munhal and then his current Post 1810 in Brentwood.
“I wanted to honor my grandfather by becoming a member,” said Mannella. “I am still serving, but now I help those in the ranks and retired.”
Mannella and his fellow VFW leaders work with all branches and veterans and their families across the state of Pennsylvania.
“We work hard for veterans,” said Mannella. “Our veteran’s service organizations need membership to help veterans. Those who belong to any organization truly make a difference.”
Mannella said that he enjoys meeting those serving now and fellow veterans at the many functions and events as he travels as the state VFW Commander.
“It is a wonderful experience meeting all these different people across the state and our elected leaders,” said Mannella. “I am beyond honored to have been elected as the Pennsylvania VFW Commander.”

• Date Taken: 10.05.2022
• Date Posted: 10.05.2022 11:16
• Story ID: 430750
• Location: BRENTWOOD, PA, US
• Hometown: MUNHALL, PA, US
• Hometown: PITTSBURGH, PA, US