Memorial Day 2013

From small town memorials

to national memorials

from the fields at Gettysburg

to Pearl Harbor

from local veterans cemeteries

to the rows at Arlington

America pauses this weekend to honor and remember those who gave their lives in service to our country.



What Heroes Gave 
by
©2001Roger J. Robicheau (Sp 5, US Army)
The Poetic Plumber

Each donned their uniform to be  Defenders of our liberty Their mission sure, their spirits bright Guard freedom’s home, be brave to fight One final day each faced their call Each gave their best enduring all We’ll never know what they went through But know they loved this country true Deep down inside we should all feel What heroes gave, their cost so real We must stay thankful, grateful of The gift of freedom through their love Their loved ones bore the gravest pain What we can’t know, some now sustain To God I pray their pain will cease And each will find long-lasting peace Remember this from year to year What heroes gave – shan’t disappear We’ll never let their special day Their time for honor slip away These brave fought for a nation free If not for them, where would we be?

Wednesday Hero

Paul Gleason Not everyone who could be considered a hero has fought for their country. Paul Gleason, a retired history teacher, has never worn the uniform but in 1965 he wrote his first letter to a soldier, a student of his that joined the Army, and has since written more than 10,000 letters. He can been seen at Burger King just about everyday writing three letters, 15 handwritten pages, to active duty and veterans. You can read more about Paul Gleason here and here

 These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

  Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

  This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Stories In Uniform from Reader’s Digest : A Review

(cross-posted from Hooah Wife & Friends )

Just in time for Memorial Day comes an uplifting collection from Reader’s Digest,
Stories In Uniform


Featuring pieces from World War I up to the War on Terror, the stories in this collection were inspiring and memorable. There were stories that brought me to tears, stories that made my heart swell with pride that our country could produce such people, and stories that left me in awe at the heroism of the men and women who served in our United States military over the years.

It was truly an unforgettable collection, and I highly recommend it to my readers. Whether you are currently serving, a veteran, or a military family member or supporter of our troops? I think this book has something that will interest everyone.


The link to the Reader’s Digest store is Here and there are links to some of the major booksellers on that site, also.

Enjoy your reading!

Wednesday Hero

This Post Was Suggested By Katie

Lt. Alan Wood 90 years old from Sierra Madre, Ca. May 3, 1922 - April 18, 2013   Alan Wood didn't run into a burning building to rescue someone. He isn't credited with charging into the line of fire or piloting a damaged plane to save the crew. But he did play a role in what has become one of the most iconic images of all time. After nearly a month of heavy fighting U.S forces were able to capture the island of Iwo Jima. A flag was raised to seal the victory. When asked is anyone had a larger flag it was Lt. Wood who was able to provide one and a picture that has come to symbolize the sacrifice and heart of the military was taken. On April 18, Alan Wood passed away at the age of 90. You can read more about Lt. Alan Wood here

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero

This Post Was Suggested By Michael
Capt. Lance P. Sijan 25 years old from Milwaukee, Wisconsin 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron April 13, 1942 - January 22, 1968     The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Captain Lance Peter Sijan, United States Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron, as a Prisoner of War being held in Laos and North Vietnam. On 9 November 1967, while on a flight over North Vietnam, Captain Sijan ejected from his disabled aircraft and successfully evaded capture for more than six weeks. During this time, he was seriously injured and suffered from shock and extreme weight loss due to lack of food. After being captured by North Vietnamese soldiers, Captain Sijan was taken to a holding point for subsequent transfer to a prisoner of war camp. In his emaciated and crippled condition, he overpowered one of his guards and crawled into the jungle, only to be recaptured after several hours. He was then transferred to another prison camp where he was kept in solitary confinement and interrogated at length. During interrogation, he was severely tortured; however, he did not divulge any information to his captors. Captain Sijan lapsed into delirium and was placed in the care of another prisoner. During his intermittent periods of consciousness until his death, he never complained of his physical condition and, on several occasions, spoke of future escape attempts. Captain Sijan's extraordinary heroism and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty at the cost of his life are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Armed Forces. You can read more about Capt. Sijan here

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Michael
Col. Leo K. Thorsness  81 years old from Madison, Alabama  357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing     For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. As pilot of an F-105 aircraft, Lieutenant Colonel Thorsness was on a surface-to-air missile suppression mission over North Vietnam. Lieutenant Colonel Thorsness and his wingman attacked and silenced a surface-to-air missile site with air-to-ground missiles and then destroyed a second surface-to-air missile site with bombs. In the attack on the second missile site, Lieutenant Colonel Thorsness’ wingman was shot down by intensive antiaircraft fire, and the two crewmembers abandoned their aircraft. Lieutenant Colonel Thorsness circled the descending parachutes to keep the crewmembers in sight and relay their position to the Search and Rescue Center. During this maneuver, a MIG-17 was sighted in the area. Lieutenant Colonel Thorsness immediately initiated an attack and destroyed the MIG. Because his aircraft was low on fuel, he was forced to depart the area in search of a tanker. Upon being advised that two helicopters were orbiting over the downed crew’s position and that there were hostile MIGs in the area posing a serious threat to the helicopters, Lieutenant Colonel Thorsness, despite his low fuel condition, decided to return alone through a hostile environment of surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft defenses to the downed crew’s position. As he approached the area, he spotted four MIG-17 aircraft and immediately initiated an attack on the MIGs, damaging one and driving the others away from the rescue scene. When it became apparent that an aircraft in the area was critically low on fuel and the crew would have to abandon the aircraft unless they could reach a tanker, Lieutenant Colonel Thorsness, although critically short on fuel himself, helped to avert further possible loss of life and a friendly aircraft by recovering at a forward operating base, thus allowing the aircraft in emergency fuel condition to refuel safely. Lieutenant Colonel Thorsness’ extraordinary heroism, self-sacrifice and personal bravery involving conspicuous risk of life were in the highest traditions of the military service, and have reflected great credit upon himself and the U.S. Air Force. You can read more on Col. Thorsness here


These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

  Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

  This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Banner Hanging at the 2013 Face of America bike ride

Banner Hanging at the 2013 Face of America bike ride, a set on Flickr.

Here's the pics we took :) had a great time volunteering!!