Oh yeah, bet this one goes viral..

The British military and ...Glee .

Hat tip to The Kitchen Dispatch 

and to the young men of the 7 Commando Battery, 29th Commando Regiment Royal artillery. God Bless! and Thank you for sharing this with us, and for the job you are doing!

Somebody's Son

(linking again to Airman Mom's new Friday feature Somebody's Son )

U.S. Marine Sgt. Ron Jojola, 29, of Fontana, Calif. , with the HMH-461 squadron out of the Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C. , hangs a new American flag inside a CH-53E helicopter before taking off from Bastion Air Field Wednesday, July 27, 2011 in Helmand province, Afghanistan

Source: militaryphotos.net

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Friday posts are random photos of our Soldiers.
We must remember each and every Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine have a face.
Our brave Heroes have familiy and friends who love them so.

Let us not forget....

Wednesday Hero

 

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael McEvers & Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matthew McEvers

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael McEvers, left, of Troop F, 1st
Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment and his twin brother, Chief Warrant
Officer 3 Matthew McEvers of Troop D, 1st Sqdn., 17th Cav. Regt. Task
Force Saber, pre-celebrated their 40th birthday by flying together in
the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior, the helicopter the brothers have been flying
for 10 years together.

Photo Courtesy U.S. Army Taken By

Abbie Bennett

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 

It is Indeed a 'Small World"

Back in June Paul Franklin had a post up Aid Workers that have fallen in Afghanistan , and what struck me about the list was that of the 43 people on the list? Two of them had ties to our area ,,

Glen Lapp had graduated from Eastern Mennonite University

and Brian Carderelli was from this area.

Another name on the list, Linda Norgrove , was from the area of  a longtime blogger friend 'across the pond' at Atlantic Lines ..

the world is indeed, much smaller than we realize sometimes. And you sometimes never know which of your neighbors may have felt a special calling to serve others somewhere in this world of ours.

One young woman whom I've never met but who is the daughter of someone well known in the milblogging world, has been on a trip to serve her fellow man in Ghana, and she recently posted one of the most heartwrenching posts I've read in a long time  Northside is a spa(my week at Ridge Hospital)

her trip to serve is almost over now, but do take the time to go back and read her entire blog

Dear Abbey...

and God bless those who feel called to go out and serve.

Finally Read Sebastian Junger's 'War'

While we were camping, I read Sebastian Junger's book 'War' . I had seen Restrepo when it was on the NatGeo channel, and the book goes so much more in-depth and really helps you to see what life was like for this unit serving in Afghanistan.  It was bittersweet to read  the mentions of Tim Hetherington, knowing that he was gone now. (I'd really like to get his book, 'Infidel' now,also)

 I had read Junger's' The Perfect Storm' years ago, and his writing is so excellent, so I knew I wouldn't be disappointed.  I highly recommend the book 'War'.

Somebody's Son

(linking -late- to Airman Mom's July 15 Friday post of Somebody's Son )

After delivering U.S. Soldiers and Iraq dignitaries to their final destinations, Crew Chief Sgt. Fred Oser, A. Company 2-25, Combat Aviation Brigade, attached to 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, dismounts the 240 Bravo Machine Guns from the UH-60 Black Hawk used during the morning’s mission to several Combined Security Checkpoints in the Ninewa province, Iraq, July 2.

Photo by: Gregory Gieske

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Friday posts are random photos of our Soldiers.

Each and every Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine has a face, they have families who love them and they are some of our finest heroes!

 

Still here!

You couldn't tell it by my blogging, could you? lol.

Sheesh, that one week of vacation seems to have  knocked my blogging behind about Three weeks, ha ha!

actually, it's just that the excessive heat right now seems to mean I want to fall asleep at about 7:30 pm, just because I feel so drained at the end of the day..and I don't even work outside, for pete's sake!

It's been an exciting week, we celebrated the arrival of a new baby into the family, so we are grandparents again....very cool, being a grandparent :)

and now, I'm off to do some yard work outside before the heat climbs into triple digits again. I'll get back to posting on here more regularly soon, I hope!

God bless our troops!

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Kathi


Maj. Gen. John R. Alison
98 years old from Washington, D.C.
75th Fighter Squadron, 1st Air Commando Group
November 21, 1912 – June 6, 2011


"John Alison had the greatest pure flying skill of any pilot in the theater — a touch on the controls that knew no equal. His talents were matched only by his eagerness for combat" - Maj. David Lee "Tex" Hill

John R. Alison, a retired Air Force major general and World War II fighter ace who helped lead a nighttime invasion by glider into enemy-held Burma — a logistical feat that included the transport of troops, heavy machinery and even mules, died June 6 at his home in Washington.

You can read more about Maj. Gen. John Alison here and here and view an interview with him 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.

the blog will be quiet for a few days...

we'll be camping  :)

enjoy yourselves, see y'all after we get back!

(note, some family members--like the deputy sheriff son -- and the two dogs will still be home ! )

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Cindy


Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Arthur Petry
31 years old from Santa Fe, New Mexico
2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment


Yesterday, July 12, Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Arthur Petry became the second living recipient of the Medal Of Honor from the War On Terror.

On May 26, 2008 Sgt 1st Class Petry lost his right hand when the enemy grenade he threw back, saving the lives of two of his fellow Soldiers, detonated. Despite the injury Sgt 1st Class Petry managed to tie a tourniquet around his arm and continued to fight.

You Can Read More About Sgt. 1st Class Petry 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.

Congratulations to SFC Leroy A Petry

Congratulations to Medal of Honor Recipient Sergeant First Class Leroy A. Petry

and Thank You! for your service to our country.

Surfing the Web..

Although I spent the month of June saving various links to pass along that I thought might be of interest, I somehow just never got around to posting and suddenly, it's July! Sorry about that, here are some links I think you might like to check out..enjoy the 'surf' :)

A documentary that is a 'work in progress' about the special challenges facing disabled female veterans as they transition from active duty to civilian life  Service

From Paul Franklin I was led to the Canadian War Museum War + Medicine exhibit website
..extraordinarily interesting.
As a nurse myself (and a 'Kathryn":)..I was particularly moved by the story of  Nurse Katherine Macdonald

I have been remiss in not passing on sooner that the gentleman who was blogging his grandfather's WW I experiences at WWI: Experiences of an English Soldier has been struggling with ill health and his daughter has stepped up to blog on her father's health struggles. You might wish to stop by for updates and to send a message of support WW I: Experiences of an English Soldier

Back on June 3 Surfing Surgeon Stuck in the Sand posted a sad and moving post
 Sorrow and Strength after a long silence..another long silence followed until this July 4th post Stuff
I don't know where the blogging will be going from here for him, but certainly we can continue to keep he and those with him on the frontlines there in our thoughts and prayers at the very least, I would hope.

Also on the 4th of July, I believe one of the most moving posts I saw up for the holiday came from
Power Point Ranger  4th of July

Airman Mom has her new Friday series continuing, this past Friday was Somebody's Daughter

Pax down(under) at Marion's Meepings is having a Caption Contest  (and I personally can't think of a good caption, but I remain assured after seeing the pic that I Never want to try a 'mush stick',lol.)

and lastly, I just like this post..I'm not a military wife who constantly moves (and only remember vaguely two military moves from my childhood) .. but Planting Shade has a beautiful post up Constantly Moving Home

That's the 'surf'!..until next time!

Great Video explaining the inspiration for VALour- IT

Over at  From My Position...On the Way! is a great video posted explaining the inspiration for the

Valour IT program ,reposting it below for you to view

I can't say enough about how great I think this program is, and if this video moves you to donate?
(hopefully via the ARMY page, hint,hint :) the link is  HERE

Somebody's Daughter

 (linking this late,sorry! this is via Airman Mom .. her new Friday feature)

SOUTH CHINA SEA (June 30, 2011) Damage Controlman 3rd Class Courtney Fuller, from Anchorage, Alaska, scans a smoke-filled room for hot spots and the source of a simulated fire with a naval firefighters thermal imager (NFTI) during a flying squad drill aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) . George Washington is on patrol in the U.S. 7th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Justin E. Yarborough/Released)

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Friday posts are random photos of Somebody's Son or Daughter.
Each of our Warriors have a family who love them so.
Every one of our Airman, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines have a face.

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Michael


2nd Lt. William Edward Metzger, Jr.
22 years old from Lima, Ohio
729th Bombardment Squadron, 452nd Bomb Group (Heavy)
November 9, 1944


On May 16, 1945 2nd Lt. William E. Metzger was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions six months earlier. His citation reads:

"On a bombing run upon the marshaling yards at Saarbrücken, Germany, on 9 November 1944, a B17 aircraft on which 2d Lt. Metzger was serving as copilot was seriously damaged by antiaircraft fire. Three of the aircraft's engines were damaged beyond control and on fire; dangerous flames from the No. 4 engine were leaping back as far as the tail assembly. Flares in the cockpit were ignited and a fire roared therein which was further increased by free-flowing fluid from damaged hydraulic lines. The interphone system was rendered useless. In addition to these serious mechanical difficulties the engineer was wounded in the leg and the radio operator's arm was severed below the elbow. Suffering from intense pain, despite the application of a tourniquet, the radio operator fell unconscious. Faced with the imminent explosion of his aircraft and death to his entire crew, mere seconds before bombs away on the target, 2d Lt. Metzger and his pilot conferred. Something had to be done immediately to save the life of the wounded radio operator. The lack of a static line and the thought that his unconscious body striking the ground in unknown territory would not bring immediate medical attention forced a quick decision. 2d Lt. Metzger and his pilot decided to fly the flaming aircraft to friendly territory and then attempt to crash land. Bombs were released on the target and the crippled aircraft proceeded along to Allied-controlled territory. When that had been reached 2d Lt. Metzger personally informed all crewmembers to bail out upon the suggestion of the pilot. 2d Lt. Metzger chose to remain with the pilot for the crash landing in order to assist him in this emergency. With only 1 normally functioning engine and with the danger of explosion much greater, the aircraft banked into an open field, and when it was at an altitude of 100 feet it exploded, crashed, exploded again, and then disintegrated. All 3 crewmembers were instantly killed. 2d Lt. Metzger's loyalty to his crew, his determination to accomplish the task set forth to him, and his deed of knowingly performing what may have been his last service to his country was an example of valor at its highest."

2nd Lt. Metzger's pilot, 1st Lt. Donald J. Gott, was also awarded the Medal Of Honor for his actions that day. A video tribute to the three men lost.  
 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. 

Happy 4th of July!

This free slideshow personalized with Smilebox

July 1-14 Soldier's Angels Valour IT Fundraiser (Go! Team Army!:)

As the number of American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines suffering battlefield wounds continues to grow, today’s economic challenges continue to squeeze military support nonprofits. Project Valour-IT—which has supplied over 6,000 severely wounded Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines with adaptive laptops and other devices to aid their recovery and reintegration—is addressing that squeeze with a fundraising technique it pioneered: online competition.



Held July 1-14, the Valour-IT fundraising competition will draw on blogging, Facebook, Twitter and other social media to raise money and awareness for the needs of wounded troops. Divided among four “virtual teams” named in honor of U.S. military service branches, participants will also use flyers, word-of-mouth and traditional media outlets to spread the word. The goal is to raise at least $100,000, which will meet increased demand for Valour-IT services through October 2011.


“Project Valour-IT changes lives,” says Soldiers’ Angels founder Patti Patton-Bader. “Wounded heroes report that being able to use a laptop helps them feel whole again. Physical therapists are actually designing therapy sessions around Wii Sports! And something as normal as a handheld GPS reduces stress and helps a hero cope. It’s just amazing what this project does!”


Each of the devices Valour-IT supplies helps restore confidence and independence for a wounded hero. Voice-activated laptops reconnect the wounded with the world and develop self-confidence by showing soldiers they can continue to be engaged and productive despite their injuries. Servicemembers also use the laptops to research their medical care or prepare for a post-military career. Physical therapists report Wii Sports is extremely motivational and beneficial when used in physical therapy settings, and wounded personnel with short-term memory loss due to TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and severe PTSD use GPS systems to keep from getting lost or disoriented when they move on to more independent living.



For more information about the fundraising competition, email  campaign@soldiersangels.org
 or click HERE 

  All funds raised go directly to wounded troops with no overhead costs removed, and requests for support are vetted through case managers.

Somebody's Son

Via  Airman Mom  ..

A U.S. Navy SEAL team member, with Special Operations Task Force – South, reviews a map of the objective area during the early morning hours of a village clearing operation in Shah Wali Kot District, June 25, 2011, Kandahar province, Afghanistan. Missions such as these are conducted in order to hinder Taliban influence and improve overall security throughout the province.

Source: militaryphotos.net
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Friday posts are random photos of Somebody's Son.

Each of our Warriors have a family who love them so.

Every one of our Airman, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines have a face.