Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Wednesday Hero

First Lieutenant Randall Lee Ashby
First Lieutenant Randall Lee Ashby
Second Platoon, Company B, 317th Engineer Battalion, 2d Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3d Infantry Division (Mechanized)
U.S. Army

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers) Randall Lee Ashby, United States Army, for gallantry while serving as the Platoon Leader of Second Platoon, Company B, 317th Engineer Battalion, 2d Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3d Infantry Division (Mechanized). First Lieutenant Ashby consistently demonstrated valor in executing his engineer missions as the lead sapper platoon leader for Task Force 2-69 Armor. Serving with Team ASSASSIN, he voluntarily executed dangerous missions in order to contribute to the engineer's success. First Lieutenant Ashby's personal bravery and selfless actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Third Infantry Division "Rock of the Marne," and the United States Army. NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD: For gallantry in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the country of Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. First Lieutenant Ashby distinguished himself while serving as Platoon Leader with Second Platoon, Company B, 317th Engineer Battalion, and attached to 2d Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3d Infantry Division (Mechanized). First Lieutenant Ashby exhibited extreme gallantry on multiple occasions in over 25 days of continuous combat operations. He spearheaded engineer movement for the Division for roughly 200 kilometers to OBJ CLAY, the Highway 1 Bridge across the Euphrates located to the west of An Nasiriyah. On the night of 21 March 2003, First Lieutenant Ashby led the engineer effort at OBJ CLAY under Team Assassin by providing the first reconnaissance of this key bridge as elements of the Iraqi 11th Infantry Division defended the area. First Lieutenant Ashby, while under fire, conducted a difficult classification mission and ensured the safe passage of an armored company onto OBJ CLAY NORTH. Moreover, after the Task Force had established a tactical assembly area to the west, First Lieutenant Ashby returned to OBJ CLAY to reconnoiter a construction bridge adjacent to the Highway 1 Bridge amid enemy artillery fire from the northern shore. Later, as Team Assassin conducted a dangerous linkup with elements of 3-7 Cavalry south of the city of Al Kifl, First Lieutenant Ashby directed his platoon's emplacement of vital blocking obstacles to prevent enemy penetration of the company's sector for more than seventy hours of continuous enemy contact. In addition, under his leadership 2d Platoon destroyed 300 pounds of TNT intended by the enemy for use on the Al Kifl Bridge. In southern Al Kifl, his platoon gained entry using demolitions to a water-bottling factory with a water supply greatly needed by both the Task Force and the local populous. First Lieutenant Ashby again distinguished himself on 1 April 2003 by emplacing explosive obstacles along RTE VENEZUELA to the east of the key city of Karbala at OBJ LEE. He led the emplacement with Team Assassin under fire from Saddam Fedayeen RPG ambushes and T-62 tanks. On 6 April 2003 again with Team Assassin as the lead element of the Task Force's attack into the Taji region north of Baghdad against Republican Guard and Saddam Fedayeen units, First Lieutenant Ashby personally destroyed with, MK-19 fire, eight enemy RPG teams and dismounted enemy soldiers over a 55 kilometer attack to OBJ MONTY. He displayed calm leadership following a fatal enemy RPG strike on one of his M113 armored personnel carriers, providing stability for his men as they treated two other soldiers wounded in action. While escorting a D9 Dozer, a Division high value asset, to OBJ MONTY, First Lieutenant Ashby protected the dozer from an enemy vehicle intent on ramming them. First Lieutenant Ashby's personal bravery as the lead sapper platoon leader for Task Force 2-69 Armor are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Third Infantry Division "Rock of the Marne," and the United States Army.


All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com



These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

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.

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Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Soldiers Angels Web Surfing

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Another 'surf' of the web, for news by or about,
Soldiers Angels

First up is a new Angel, from diane's world
When Everything Falls into Place


Nice article about an Angel on Omaha.com
Omahan 'adopts' soldiers, sends letters by Jane Palmer


Soldiers Angels-Medical Support had a good post
With the 27th Engineering Bn Medics in Afghanistan


Soldiers Angels Texas posted
AAR: Military Appreciation Night, 6/22/2010


and, lastly, courtesy of Northeast Lakeview College in TX
NLC Students Aid Soldiers

That's the surf!


(and remember, you can always catch up on the latest Soldiers Angels news at the main website
 in the News Archives )

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Military T-Shirt Tuesday is coming to Milblogging.com!!!

JP over at Milblogging.com  has a Most Excellent idea
Join in Milblogging.com's Military T Shirt Tuesday

"for military charities, military oriented non-profits, and any military support organizations"

go read the link above for specifics, and then Spread the Word!!!

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by the way, JP' "military journey is ending....in July" as he "leaves the Army".....as he mentions  in this post HERE

Besides helping to make "milblogging" a household word for many:)  this young man changed forever the way we military supporters decide what to put in our 'care packages',LOL.........and served honorably and well during his time in the military.

Thank you for your service to our country,JP, and best wishes for your future endeavors!!

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(and y'all maybe think about stopping by and    leaving him a comment   ,also?  )

Honoring a Hero

A local drive for a memorial for Spc. Brian 'Bucky' Anderson

Honoring a Hero

Thursday, June 24, 2010

"Honor and Remember Across America"

 George Lutz,the father of an American soldier killed in action in 2005, is traveling
 this summer to promote the passage of a federal law making the Honor and Remember Flag
a national symbol of military men and women who have died while serving their country.

You can follow the blog about his travels at
Honor and Remember Across America

PGR mission for Spc. Bucky Anderson

My husband and I attended the visitation on 6/21/10 and the funeral on 6/22/10 as members of the
 Patriot Guard Riders to stand in honor of this local fallen Hero.

The threatened "uninvited guests" (WBC) did NOT appear, thank goodness.....however, the local community Did appear, along with motorcycle riders from various clubs besides the PGR......I believe there were also riders from the Proud American Riders group, Veteran Riders , and Rolling Thunder  and all came to shield the family if necessary from protestors, and to show respect.

The photos we took are  Here

It was a terribly sad day, and an honor to stand for this local young man who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to his country.

We continue to keep the family in our thoughts and prayers.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Wednesday Hero

Wednesday Hero has been mainly about honoring the Men & Women of the United States military and bringing to light what they do for us, but it's also honored those who've done something to help those same Men &Women.
 
 This week I want to introduce Jack Singer of Warwick, N.Y. You see, Jack recently celebrated his 10th birthday, and he did something very cool for a very good cause. He broke the world record for wearing the most pairs of underwear. 215 in fact. But why did he do this? To help raise money for Sgt. Eddie Ryan, a marine who was injured in Iraq five years ago.
 
 Now, think back to when you were 10 years old. How many of us could say that they would have forwent birthday presents to raise money for a good cause? I don't think I would have. Jack Singer is, hands down, one of the coolest kids on the planet and I'm proud to honor him.
 

 
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
 
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

 
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.
 
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Monday, June 21, 2010

Patriot Guard Riders and Westboro Baptist 'church'.....

Our local ABC TV affiliate, WHSV TV 3, had this disturbing news today
Controversial Group To Protest Local Soldier's Memorial


This is the exact reason that my husband Tony and I joined the Patriot Guard Riders several years ago.
The Patriot Guard Riders came about precisely Because of the Westboro Baptist 'church' Hate group.

An excerpt from the Patriot Guard Riders Mission Statement:

Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission we undertake has two basic objectives:


Show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities.


Shield the mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors.

We accomplish the latter through strictly legal and non-violent means.
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For more information about the Westboro Baptist 'Hate Group'..........

From the Apologetics Index (Apologetics Research Resources on religious movements, cults, sects, world religions and related issues) on their link about the Westboro Baptist Church
http://www.apologeticsindex.org/111-westboro-baptist-church

and, for a documentary about them
http://www.atheistnation.net/video/?video/00260/atheist/the-most-hated-family-in-america/

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While I pray, for the sake of Brian Anderson's family, that the Westboro Hate Group doesn't show up tomorrow?  I also know that the Patriot Guard Riders and the local Broadway community will be standing to shield the family from Westboro's message of hatred and venom, if they do show up.
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More information about Staff Sgt. John W.( "Bill") Daley

As promised previously, here's a little more information I received about the service of my Dad's brother, Staff Sgt. "Bill" Daley

from the webmaster of the  87th Infantry Division Legacy Association


 "S/Sgt John W. Daley (716 15th Ave, Middletown, Ohio) was in Company I of the 346th Infantry Regiment. Rifle companies had the highest number of casualties an infantry division because they were the “tip of the sword”, so to speak. Another man in Company I was killed the same day as your uncle. He was Sgt Stanley L. Seavert of Fargo, ND.

The regiment’s mission during this time was to attack, capture, and hold the town of Tillet, Belgium.

The next day, 7 Jan 1944, two more men from your uncle’s company were killed. One was
 S/Sgt Curtis Shoup, and he was the only member of the 87th Division to be awarded the
 Congressional Medal of Honor (posthumously)."

Sunday, June 20, 2010

A local Fallen Hero makes his final journey home

The body of Spc. Brian 'Bucky' Anderson arrived back in the Valley today.  My husband went down to Broadway at 1:30 pm, as the local news had posted that Bucky's escort would be coming between 2-4 pm, and the community was asked to come out to line the route to show their support for the family. My husband was told when he stopped to buy a soda at a store in Broadway, that Spc. Anderson's body had already been brought to the funeral home.  I found nothing yet from the local TV station, but did find this posting on YouTube from someone local
Bucky Anderson escort through Broadway 6/20/2010


We will be standing with the Patriot Guard Riders on Monday evening, to show support for this local Fallen Hero.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

A Vigil for a Hometown Hero

Last evening in the town of Broadway, VA friends and community gathered for a candlelight vigil for
Spc. Brian 'Bucky' Anderson.......from WHSV TV

We continue to hold the family and friends in our prayers.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Wednesday Hero

Tech Sergeant Victor R. Adams
Tech Sergeant Victor R. Adams
20th Special Operations Squadron
U.S. Air Force

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Technical Sergeant Victor R. Adams (AFSN: 13533712), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as a UH-1F Helicopter Aerial Gunner of the 20th Special Operations Squadron, Nha Trang Air Base, Vietnam, in action near Duc Co, Republic of Vietnam, on the night of 26 - 27 November 1968. On that date, Sergeant Adams' aircraft was shot down by hostile ground fire and crashed in dense jungle. Disregarding his own injuries and the imminence of hostile activity, he assisted the co-pilot from the burning helicopter and returned to rescue the trapped personnel. He succeeded in pulling another man from the wreckage, before the severity of the fire and subsequent explosions forced him to abandon further rescue efforts. Through his superb airmanship, aggressiveness, and extraordinary heroism, in the face of hostile forces, Sergeant Adams reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.


All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com


These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

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.

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Friday, June 11, 2010

Yet another reason I love the Internet:)

After I had posted about my Dad's brother Bill  , I received an email from the webmaster for the
87th Infantry Division Legacy Association  and I've been able to learn a little more about SSGT Bill Daley's service and unit (future blog post on that), which I thought was very cool!! and my Dad and family greatly appreciated,also.

This isn't the first time this has happened, when I had written a blog post several years ago about my
Granddad's WW II service  , I received an email from the son of a shipmate of Grandad's, which brought to our family a picture and some more history about the ship that Grandad had served on, which was priceless information to us, since Grandad had passed away in 1966 (and I was 6 at the time, so it had never occurred to me at that point to ask any questions of him about World War II)

I had also posted before about my aunt Lynn's service in the Vietnam war with the 91rst Evac  and ironically, that is the post  for which I've never really received any response. I was just surprised, I'd have thought there'd be more Vietnam era veterans online than those who served in World War II?
(so, just in case there is someone out there who may have served with her, or thinks they may have passed through  Phu Hip as a patient at the time she was serving, I'll once again post that she served with the 91rst Evac from '67 to '68 in Phu Hip right outside of Tuy Hoa.....you can click on the link at the beginning of the paragraph for the full story I posted about aunt Lynn's service during the Vietnam war) 

However, receiving the responses we have, about Grandad's service previously, and then this new information about my uncle Bill, is exciting enough! and yet another unexpected reason I love the Internet :)
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Future posts coming.....but this weekend we are celebrating our youngest graduating from high school, yay!

Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Wednesday Hero

Pvt. Carlton W. Barrett
Pvt. Carlton W. Barrett
18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
U.S. Army

For The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Carlton William Barrett, United States Army, for gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 6 June 1944, while serving with the 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of St. Laurent-sur-Mer, France. On the morning of D-day Private Barrett, landing in the face of extremely heavy enemy fire, was forced to wade ashore through neck-deep water. Disregarding the personal danger, he returned to the surf again and again to assist his floundering comrades and save them from drowning. Refusing to remain pinned down by the intense barrage of small-arms and mortar fire poured at the landing points, Private Barrett, working with fierce determination, saved many lives by carrying casualties to an evacuation boat lying offshore. In addition to his assigned mission as guide, he carried dispatches the length of the fire-swept beach; he assisted the wounded; he calmed the shocked; he arose as a leader in the stress of the occasion. His coolness and his dauntless daring courage while constantly risking his life during a period of many hours had an inestimable effect on his comrades and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.


All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com



These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

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.

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Friday, June 04, 2010

Soldiers Angels Web Surfing

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It seems about time to pass on another 'surf' of the web,
for news and posts by, and about,
Soldiers Angels

There were several posts by 'Angel bloggers' regarding Memorial Day

View From the 8th Floor posted
Sometimes it really is a small world

Soldiers Angels-Medical Support wrote about
Memorial Day 2010 - a Visit to the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery


and while this touching post wasn't about Memorial Day per se,
it does involve a moving glimpse of a Gold Star family
from Soldiers Angels Germany
"Most of us will go pro in something other than sports"


some other news worth passing on,
from Soldiers Angels Missouri  Heart and Soul for Struggling Vets

and this story from the Logan Banner involves an 'Angel'
and a bicyclist I've posted about before
Texas man cycling for charity rides through W.Va.

That's the surf!

In case you missed it.....

JP over at Milblogging.com  had a very good post up for Memorial Day

Memorial Day: Honoring Fallen Military bloggers and Gold Star bloggers within the Military Blogging community

Rest in Peace......Home at Last

This announcement on the DOD website  Soldier Missing From Korean War Identified

led me to Master Sgt. Roy E. Head's  Obituary  on Legacy.com

Rest in peace, sir, and thoughts and prayers for the family as they at long last lay him to rest at home.

Collage pic I sent in a letter for the Soldiers Angels Letter Writing Team

put together this collage from pics I took at the 2010 Face of America bike ride,
 and printed it out (because we finally got new ink for the printer,yay:)
 and included it in a letter I sent  as part of the






More about Staff Sergeant John W."Bill" Daley

I remember as a Very small child(3 or 4 years old?) noticing a picture of a very handsome young man in a military uniform at Grandma Daley's house, and when I asked who was in the picture? I was told that that was Dad's " older brother Bill, who was killed in WW II in the  Battle of the Bulge ".

And that picture has stayed in my mind over the years, an old sepia toned picture ....so much so, that when I first saw Band of Brothers and the episodes about that battle, I began to cry, thinking of my Dad's brother.

I found out where my Dad's brother is buried, on the

John W. Daley
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army
Service # 35463480
346th Infantry Regiment, 87th Infantry Division
Entered the Service from: Ohio
Died: 6-Jan-45
Buried at: Plot F Row 7 Grave 25
Luxembourg American Cemetery
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Awards: Purple Heart

and this link tells you more about
Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial

This has been bittersweet, to find out more about another link that our family has back to World War II military service, and a little more about someone in our family who gave their life in service to our country.








Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Wednesday Hero

Sgt. James R. Graham III
Sgt. James R. Graham III
25 years old from Coweta, Oklahoma
4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve attached to Regimental Combat Team 2, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward)
August 1, 2005
U.S. Marine Corps

Sgt. James R. Graham II was killed in a suicide car bombing near Hit, Iraq, about 85 miles northwest of Baghdad, on August 1, 2005. He was was assigned to the Marine Reserve Unit in Broken Arrow, an anti-tank company. The military said Graham was "conducting combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom" when the bomber struck. He is survived by a wife and two children.

Graham had received three medals for his time served in Iraq, including the Good Conduct Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal and the Selective Marine Corps Reserve medal, said Christopher Logan, media officer for the Marine Forces Reserve. Graham will receive more honors as well, including a Purple Heart, Logan said.

Betty Willhoite, a next-door neighbor, said she has fond memories of Graham playing with his boys. "He would always be out there showing the oldest how to kick a soccer ball into the net," Willhoite said. "He was a nice man. He worked very hard and was such a good person. I just hate to see this happen to such a nice, young family. He felt like it was his duty."

Willhoite said she heard the news from Graham's wife, who was out in the yard. Willhoite said she asked the family pastor to add them to a church prayer list. "He was very gentle and a great father, a little on the quiet side," Willhoite said. "I've never heard him raise his voice."



All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com


These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.


We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived



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.

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