Memorial Day 2011

From the Arlington website, a poem for Memorial Day

Memorial Day by Michelle R. Keim
As we stand here looking

At the flags upon these graves
Know these flags represent
A few of the true American brave


They fought for their Country
As man has through all of time
Except that these soldiers lying here
Fought for your country and mine


As we all are gathered here
To pay them our respect
Let’s pass this word to others
It's what they would expect


I'm sure that they would do it
If it were me or you
To show we did not die in vein
But for the red, white and blue.


Let’s pass on to our children
And to those who never knew
What these soldiers died for
It's the least we can do


Let’s not forget their families
Great pain they had to bear
Losing a son, father or husband
They need to know we still care


No matter which war was fought
On the day that they died
I stand here looking at these flags
Filled with American pride.


So as the bugler plays out Taps
With its sweet and eerie sound
Pray for these soldiers lying here
In this sacred, hallowed ground.


Take home with you a sense of pride
You were here Memorial Day.
Celebrating the way Americans should
On this solemnest of days.
---------------------------------------
on this Memorial day, honoring my father's oldest brother, who fell in WW II,
Staff Sgt. John W.(Bill) Daley

and honoring also those whose stories, and families, have for various reasons stayed in my heart over the years of war, such as Capt Maria I Ortiz ,  SFC Shawn Dostie ,  2nd Lt Christopher E. Loudon ,
Staff Sgt Christopher R Morningstar , and Staff Sgt Solomon T. Sam

remembering Lance Cpl Daniel T. Morris , and
 Pfc Thomas R. Wilson

Also, remembering the fallen from our local area:
Marines
Lance Cpl. Daniel Bubb

Lance Cpl Jason Redifer

Lance Cpl Jourdan Grez

Army
Spc Brian (Bucky) Anderson

and keeping all of their families in our thoughts and prayers, most especially on this Memorial Day.

From last Memorial Day until the video below was made on May 23 this year, 549 men and women have perished in the wars being fought by our American Heroes serving in the Armed Forces




There have already been more names added to this list since May 23.


Let us not forget their sacrifice, or their names, or their grieving families.

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Michael



First Lieutenant Audie Murphy
3rd Platoon, Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division
June 20, 1924 – May 28, 1971


Most people know Audie Murphy as a popular actor, but before that he was a highly distinguished Soldier in WWII. First Lieutenant Murphy was, in fact, the most decorated American Soldier in the war earning a total of 39 medals from the U.S., France and Belgium. He was awarded every medal the U.S. had at the time including 2 Silver Stars, 2 Bronze Hearts, 3 Purple Hearts and the Medal Of Honor.

You can read more about First Lieutenant Murphy here.  
 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. 

Surfing the Web..

Time for another 'surf' of the web for items I think folks might find of interest..

it was pretty much a given that I'd include this link :)
Surf therapy helps U.S. veterans recover from war

This great story from the Richmond Times-Dispatch
Personal military histories are too important to forget

led me to this website I hadn't come across before
Together We Served

and also reminded me of the Library of Congress Veteran's History Project

along the same lines, a story from the local Staunton News-Leader

pointed me to yet another book to add to my 'want to read' list
Treasures from the Attic: My Father's Letters, 1944-1945, from the States and aboard ship in the Pacific


Via Army Strong Stories ,some West Point Cadets and Faculty Members are traveling across the United States, here's the post about it  and here's the itinerary


Things to Do

Stars & Stripes is again offering free Father's Day Messages

Off The Base passes along two opportunities
 Calling on Kids to Create Artwork for Deployed Military
and
Send a Deployed Service Member a July 4th Thank You



Lastly .....with Memorial Day coming up, wanted to pass on that Pete Damon has a
New Painting to Honor Memorial Day - 5/22/11


That, my friends, is the 'surf'!

From the VFW..

Sign a Thank You card  for a veteran, and they will print it out and deliver it.

Natinal Resource Directory Goes Mobile

Wounded Warriors, Service Members, Veterans and their families can now stay connected on the go with the new mobile version of the National Resource Directory (NRD). A partnership between the Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs, this web portal contains thousands of resources to aid in recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration. Access it at NRD.gov on your mobile device.

Armed Forces Day

Saturday is Armed Forces Day 2011

where we as citizens of these United States thank all those who are serving our country.

I decided to take a short look around the web tonight, to see what folks are posting about the day...which actually was quite informative and inspiring.

While you might not live by Ft. Benning or Joint Base Lewis-McChord

from Arizona  to  Michigan , communites are holding events to honor and thank all those who serve.

I was not aware that Bremerton holds a parade every year, there's a nice post here to Educate our young citizens on this day, and This was one of the most interesting articles I've ever read about Armed Forces day.

And , in the end, it's the families of those serving who have the most heartfelt thoughts about this day, such as this post  or  this sweet post

So, I'd like to close by saying  not only to all those serving in every branch of our Armed Forces,

but also to our own Army MP

THANK YOU!

We are forever grateful for your service to our country, and we hold you in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers each day.

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Cindy


SSgt. Jason Rogers
28 years old from Brandon Mississippi
2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force
April 7, 2011


"The loss of Jason Rogers is going to make this world an emptier and lonelier and colder place," said childhood friend Brandon Winfield. "I could write a War and Peace-sized story of the kind of person he was. Some people have it — the room just seemed to be dizzier and brighter with him in it."

SSgt. Rogers was KIA on April 7 by an IED while on patrol with his unit in the Helmond Province of Afghanistan.

"He was doing something voluntarily that he loved to do, and he felt like he was making a difference and doing something that made other people proud," said friend Derrick Brownlee.

You can read more about SSgt. Rogers here.  
 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. 

Surfing the Web..

Time for another 'Surfing the Web' post, my new series that points out items I think folks may find of interest :)

First up, from  Army Strong Stories (and I hope you have that site bookmarked, because there are great posts there all the time!) comes an excellent post Care Package Guide for Deployed Soldiers straight from a deployed soldier!

Speaking of 'new series',  Airman Mom has started a new series, also, well worth checking out
Somebody's Son... she says on the first post in the series:
 "Posts on Fridays will consist of random photos of our Troops.

If there is one message I wish to convey to all who take time to visit this blog... every single Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine has a face.These brave men and women have families who cherish them.Our warriors have a hometown...somewhere.
They are Somebody's Son."

and on the second  Somebody's Son.. post, she invites others to share in this new series
"If there is a face, you would like me to post...please pass along an e-mail. Please feel free to post a 'Somebody's Son' on your blog...and make sure to link AirmanMom! Imagine how many faces we can share on a single Friday! "

Last Saturday, Assoluta Tranquillita posted a tribute for the passing of the last WW I survivor
RIP Claude 'Chuckles' Choules

I have a longtime blogger friend who also posts remembrances of the WW I Fallen,such as
Remembering today -13 May
and he has been doing so for years.'Never Forget' is more than just a slogan for some.


This next was a 'must-read' post with a 'must-see' video (IMHO) over at Blackfive
Teenagers Our Secret Weapon for Afghanistan

Hat tip to Chuck for posting about this one A Long Awaited Justice 5/10/11
it is the auctioning of a painting by a wounded Iraq war veteran to benefit Homes For Our Troops
The auction ends May 18th , so Hurry!if you wish to get in on that..but then do be sure to check out
Sgt. Damon's blog  further!

Off the Base is Reaching Out to Children of Imprisioned Iraqi Women  and the goal is to have donations collected, packed and mailed out by June 1

Milblogging.com passes on word of a contest to find the Top 25 Military Family Blogs  by May 25

Lastly, an upcoming documentary of World T.E.A.M. Sports 2010 Sea to Shining Sea bicycle ride has a trailer here on YouTube

and a documentary that wishes to be, check out  Healing Waters on Kickstarter 

That's the 'surf'!


---------------
by the way, if you come across a post or article that you'd like to see considered for inclusion in one of these posts? please email me at kasee60(at)gmail(dot)com with the link :)

Retiring the 'Soldiers Angels Web Surfing' Posts

Back in May of 2007, I first began the  Soldiers Angels Web Surfing  posts.  These posts have always been a favorite of mine, (and also led to my being invited to cross-post on Hooah Wife & Friends, and to some great friendships with the other bloggers on that site :)

but, as time goes on, our blogs evolve and grow.. and also Soldiers Angels has grown and changed since I first began the posts, and now there are any number of ways for folks to get  Soldiers Angels News

And so, I think the time has come to say 'Farewell' to the Soldiers Angels Web Surfing posts.  Thank you for those who followed them for the past several years!!

Young Woman Missing

There is a young woman in our area who has been missing since May 9th. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers. For more on this, you can click on the link to my  family blog

Praying that Katalina can be found safe, and praying that God's Grace, Peace, and Strength will surround her family as they search for her.

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Kathi


SSgt. James I. Spurrier, Jr. (Left)
61 years old from Tennessee
134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division
December 14, 1922 - February 25, 1984


SSgt. James I. Spurrier, Jr., aka Junior J. Spurrier, distinguished himself multiple times during WWII. One of which, almost single handedly capturing the village of Achain, France, won him the Medal Of Honor. But after the war, SSg. Spurrier had a tough time. Trouble with alcohol and run ins with the law. All due to PTSD.

You can read more about SSg. Spurrier here and here. And if you, or someone you know, is suffering with PTSD there is help.


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.



--

Happy Mother's Day!

While it will be a Bittersweet Mother's day in our family this year, I wanted to wish all the Military Mom's and all the Mom's who are currently serving, and All Mothers..
 a Happy Mother's Day!



Comments by ZingerBug.com

I wished to pass on a few 'Mom-related' links for you to check out....
from Off the Base  An Army Mom Connects Military Families and Churches

and VAntage Point, the US Dept of Veteran Affairs blog, posts
Mothers Who Served, World War II-The Present

National Day of Prayer

With today being the National Day of Prayer, wanted to pass along a prayer I came across awhile back. Although this prayer often gets attributed to Thomas Jefferson? the Monticello website says it was neither written nor delivered by Jefferson, but comes from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.

In the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, this prayer is identified as "For Our Country"

Almighty God, Who has given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech Thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor and glad to do Thy will. Bless our land with honorable ministry, sound learning, and pure manners.



Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitude brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues.


Endow with Thy spirit of wisdom those to whom in Thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to Thy law, we may show forth Thy praise among the nations of the earth.


In time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in Thee to fail; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
 

Wednesday Hero

Sgt. Jorge A. Diaz


Sgt. Jorge A. Diaz, a squad leader with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, receives a Bronze Star Medal with Combat V from Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck, Jr., commanding general, III Marine Expeditionary Force, during Glueck's visit to Marine Corps Base Hawaii with Sgt. Maj. Daniel J. Fierle, III MEF sergeant major, April 28, 2011. Diaz received the award for heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, Sept. 17, 2010.

Photo Courtesy Of Marines.mil


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.

Cooking With The Troops

Via Laughing Wolf over at Blackfive  here's the video done by 3MediaPartners for the sponsorship campaign for Cooking with the Troops  (I've been wanting to share the video since I saw it at the Milblog Conference :)

Cool! Milblog Conference in the NYT

Military Blogging Goes Mainstream by James Dao


and for some more mentions of the 6th Annual Milblog Conference..

My Army Reserve  "Milbloggers-You ARE Social Media!"

Army Strong Stories Military Bloggers Unite!(And I Fight with the SECDEF)

YouServed  Sec Rumsfeld at Milblog Conference 2011

techPresident  Is Milblogging Losing It's Sassy Edge?

Sixth Annual Milblog Conference was best one yet!:)

Got back last evening from the Sixth Annual Milblog Conference and I think it was the best one I've attended thus far! (I think I might say that every time I attend,lol, but seriously..great panels this year,I learned a lot and IMHO  Andi ,and Military.com and USAA.com  did an Awesome job once again!:)

                                       Donald Rumsfeld's talk opened the conference

and then the first panel, Social Media and the Military, was a Great panel!

LTC William Caldwell spoke to the conference from Afghanistan, and here's the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan  page LINK

and this was a very meaningful panel, Gold Star Families.

My picture of the member of the member of the House Armed Services committee ,Rob Wittman,who spoke live ,didn't turn out, but his short speech was also very good.

and the last panel, War and Film, was Also excellent. After this panel, I Really,Really wish I could go to the GI Film Festival next weekend,but darn it, it's my weekend to work:(

I know a lot of folks who attend don't sit in on every panel, but if I get up at 4:30 a.m. and drive over 2 hours after paying the $75 to attend the conference, you can by gosh bet that I'll be sitting in to hear all the panels and soak up every minute of it! and I'm never disappointed! I learned so much yesterday, it was well worth my time.

Saw a lot of old friends, of course since I don't go up the Friday night before I miss a lot of the socializing. I still got the chance to speak to Most of the folks I wished to have a chance to say hello to,(sorry I missed LL though!:( and then I also got to meet a great many other random folks for the first time.

Sat next to a guy from Footnote.com at lunch and that was a most interesting conversation!

Of course saw Blake from Cooking With The Troops ,he had a great display table at the front of the room with a wonderful video display!

Chatted with some Soldiers Angels folks during the course of the day briefly, and sat with my dear friend Lisa from Soldiers Angels during the conference.

Learned a little about the Home Depot Foundation (and thanks,y'all for the great lunch!:) had a brief chat with a young woman at the Army Strong Stories table (which will probably lead me to finally do a blog post that's been hanging in the back of my mind since my step-son's deployment)

This military wife asked a number of good questions during the course of her conference, I'm looking forward to checking out her blog more in depth. I also spoke with a military wife who should hopefully be emailing me with some more info about something she has in the works:)

Once again, the great folks at YouServed  featured a livestream of the panels, and I think you can find links to those videos now right here

And lastly, but not leastly, here are the 2011 Mibloggie Winners !

I close with a pic that has nothing to do with the conference, but on the way home, I saw a hot air balloon drifting over the interstate, pretty cool :)

--------------------------------
Update: 'geek' excitement on my part:) I cross-posted a version of this post over at Hooah Wife & Friends
and that post was linked in the May 3 edition of  STAND-TO!
 (bottom left side "What's Being Said in Blogs"  The Sixth Annual Milblog Conference was Great!    Awesome! Woot :)