Project 2,996

Project 2,996 posts an Update  and an Updated Tribute List with links to show names without tributes, if you might like to pick a name and learn a bit about that person's life, and post it online to share with others, in remembrance.

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Kathi


Russell E. Tucker Sr.
72 years old from Buffalo, New York
1899? - 1971


Seven years shy of a century later, Russell E. Tucker Sr. got his due Friday at a ceremony where he was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds he suffered as a Marine in World War I.

In June of 1918 Russel Tucker and his fellow Marines marched into German machine gun fire in Belleau, France and drove the enemy back. Russel, then only 19-years-old, was shot in the temple and in the right hand losing part of his knuckle on his index finger. But because there was no such award as the Purple Heart at the time it's taken almost a century for it to finally be awarded.

You can read more about Russel Tucker, Sr. 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.

Somebody's Son

(apologies for missing linking this on Friday, busy week and weekend)

(linking to Airman Mom's Friday post  Somebody's Son )

U.S. Army soldier from Bravo Company 2nd battalion 27th infantry regiment, Task Forces Bronco prepares to move for his overnight mission in FOB Bostick in eastern Afghanistan Naray district, Kunar province August 25, 2011

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.

 

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Michael Golch


RMC Thomas James Reeves
46 years old from Thomaston, Connecticut
December 9, 1895 - December 7, 1941


On December 7, 1941, Radioman, Chief Thomas Reeves was aboard the U.S.S. California. During the attack he helped load the anti-aircraft ammo, by hand, until he was overcome by smoke and fire. For his actions that day RMC Reeves was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

His citation reads: "For distinguished conduct in the line of his profession, extraordinary courage and disregard of his own safety during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. After the mechanized ammunition hoists were put out of action in the U.S.S. California, Reeves, on his own initiative, in a burning passageway, assisted in the maintenance of an ammunition supply by hand to the antiaircraft guns until he was overcome by smoke and fire, which resulted in his death." In 1943 the destroyer escort USS Reeves was named in his honor.  
 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. 

Went for a helicopter ride:)

(I mentioned it on Facebook, but forgot to post this here!) this past Saturday we went to the

 Rockingham County Fair  and ended up going on a helicopter ride!

It was a blast! :)

Remembering J-Land

Today is the anniversary of the beginning of the now-defunct AOL blogging platform, which was affectionately known as "J-Land" (for  "AOL Journals" )

As I've said before, I was extraordinarily lucky, I think, to begin my blogging on the AOL Journals platform, as it was an online community filled with many wonderful people and they were always willing to pass on advice and helpful hints to the 'newbies'.

This blog wouldn't exist today if it wasn't for that start.

While this blog falls under the category of a 'milblog' (related to the military, for the most part)the nice thing about the J-Land community was that it was small enough that I was exposed to all sorts of different blogs in the very beginning, and many different styles of writing.

When AOL shut down the 'Journals' program in 2008 and many of the bloggers made the switch to the Blogger platform, the community of "J-Landers" foundered for awhile, but a core group kept in touch and many bloggers who migrated to Facebook have over the past few years found each other again. The picture above about 'guiding friendships across the world" is So true for that small community of bloggers...I have been fortunate enough to actually meet one of the former J-Land bloggers in person, and my life has been enriched ever since 2006 with many online friendships that have continued ever since those early days of "J-Land" blogging.

So here's to those J-Land beginnings, and the friendships that it fostered :) Thank you! for the start you gave to my blogging career, and the many wonderful people that you brought into my life!

Somebody's Son

ARABIAN SEA (Aug. 16, 2011) Aviation Survival Equipmentman Airman Rashard C. Lovelace lifts weights in the hangar bay aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). George H.W. Bush is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility on its first operational deployment conducting maritime security operations and support missions as part of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman K. Cecelia Engrums/Released)

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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....

 

(linking to Airman Mom's Friday post  Somebody's Son )

 

Airman Mom: Thirty Fallen Soldiers

Airman Mom: Thirty Fallen Soldiers

Wednesday Hero

On Saturday,
August 6th, a CH-47 Chinook helicopter was shot down over Wardak
province, Afghanistan killing 30 United States servicemen. It was the
largest single day loss of life since the war began. Killed were:
U.S. Navy

Lt. Cmdr. (SEAL) Jonas B. Kelsall, 32, of Shreveport, La.

Special Warfare Operator Master Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Louis J.
Langlais, 44, of Santa Barbara, Calif.

Special Warfare Operator Senior Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Thomas A.
Ratzlaff, 34, of Green Forest, Ark.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Senior Chief Petty Officer
(Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Kraig M.
Vickers 36, of Kokomo, Hawaii

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Brian R. Bill, 31,
of Stamford, Conn.

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) John W. Faas, 31,
of Minneapolis, Minn.

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Kevin A. Houston,
35, of West Hyannisport, Mass.

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Matthew D. Mason,
37, of Kansas City, Mo.

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Stephen M. Mills,
35, of Fort Worth, Texas

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Chief Petty Officer
(Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist/Diver) Nicholas
H. Null, 30, of Washington, W.Va.

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Robert J. Reeves,
32, of Shreveport, La.

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Heath M. Robinson,
34, of Detroit, Mich.

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Darrik C.
Benson, 28, of Angwin, Calif.

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Parachutist)
Christopher G. Campbell, 36, of Jacksonville, N.C.

Information Systems Technician Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary
Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Jared W. Day, 28, of
Taylorsville, Utah

Master-at-Arms Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare
Specialist) John Douangdara, 26, of South Sioux City, Neb.

Cryptologist Technician (Collection) Petty Officer 1st Class
(Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) Michael J. Strange, 25, of
Philadelphia, Pa.

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Enlisted
Surface Warfare Specialist) Jon T. Tumilson, 35, of Rockford, Iowa

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Aaron C.
Vaughn, 30, of Stuart, Fla.

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jason R.
Workman, 32, of Blanding, Utah

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jesse D.
Pittman, 27, of Ukiah, Calif.

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) Nicholas P.
Spehar, 24, of Saint Paul, Minn.

U.S. Army
Chief Warrant Officer David R. Carter, 47, of Centennial, Colo. 2nd
Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation
Battalion)

Chief Warrant Officer Bryan J. Nichols, 31, of Hays, Kan. 7th
Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation
Battalion)

Sgt. Patrick D. Hamburger, 30, of Lincoln, Neb. 2nd Battalion, 135th
Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion)

Sgt. Alexander J. Bennett, 24, of Tacoma, Wash. 7th Battalion, 158th
Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion)

Spc. Spencer C. Duncan, 21, of Olathe, Kan. 7th Battalion, 158th
Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion)

U.S Air Force

Tech. Sgt. John W. Brown, 33, of Tallahassee, Fla. 24th Special Tactics Squadron

Staff Sgt. Andrew W. Harvell, 26, of Long Beach, Calif. 24th Special
Tactics Squadron

Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Zerbe, 28, of York, Pa. 24th Special Tactics
Squadron 

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

Surfing the Web..

Another 'surf' of news and posts that are out there on the 'net which I think might be of interest..

Marion's Meepings in Australia offers a  Mid August catch up

Off the Base passes the word that  Researchers Look to Combat Vets to Help with PTSD Study

Laughing Wolf gives the news that the  new Cooking with the Troops  site is  Live

One of  Pete Damon's paintings  ( I LOVE this painting!)

has been donated to the September 24th Boeing 2nd Annual Ride for Semper Fi Charity Golf Tournament

(which includes a dinner and silent auction afterwards, when the painting will be auctioned off) Registration for the tournament ends Sept 22 and this benefits the Ride for Semper Fi

 

 

United Conservatives of Virginia posts about the Final Weeks Countdown to WRAMC Closing

and also suggests planning your weekend around  the American Wartime Museum Open House

 

 In the Washington Post opinion section is an opinion piece that suggests the need for

A New Arlington Cemetery

 

From Army Strong Stories comes a glimpse into Where Fridays are Sundays

 

And lastly, again from Off the Base ..  this powerfully moving piece

A Young Army soldier shares his "Memorial Daze"

 

 

That, my friends, is the latest 'surf'..thank you for reading..until next time..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Honoring Silent Heroes"

Navajo Code Talkers Day Celebrated: Honoring Silent Heroes

Lynchburg Vets Pay Tribute to Fallen Navy SEALs

Lynchburg Vets Pay Tribute to Fallen Navy SEALs

Somebody's Son

(Linking to Airman Mom's Friday posts of   Somebody's Son  )

US soldier, Specialist Joshua Schonert from 1st Platoon, Charlie Company, 2-87 Infantry, 3d Brigade Combat Team under Afghanistan's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) lights a cigarette as he prepares for the day following earlier attacks by Taliban insurgents on their checkpoint in Kandalay village, Kandahar province southern Afghanistan on August 5, 2011. US troops together with forces from Afghan National Army repelled Taliban insurgents attacks on the checkpoint protecting the western area of Kandalay village. Since the checkpoint was set up in August 3, 2011, Taliban have staged attacks on the outpost for two consecutive days.

 

 

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Cindy


Sgt. Virgil Wallace
98 years old from Capitan, New Mexico


After almost 70 years, and on his 98th birthday, Sgt. Virgil Wallace, a survivor of the Battan Death March, has been awarded the Bronze Star for his service.

You can read more 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.



 

Airman Mom: AirmanMom Needs YOUR Help!!!!!

Airman Mom: AirmanMom Needs YOUR Help!!!!!

Go read Airman Mom's post above, and see the very important reason she is asking for our help.

Thoughts and Prayers..

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those lost in the  helicopter crash in Afghanistan

Somebody's Son

(Linking to Airman Mom's Friday post  Somebody's Son )

PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 2, 2011) Seaman Chase Fritzie, from Cathlanet, Wash., prepares to lower a rigid-hull inflatable boat aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled western Pacific Ocean and Arabian Gulf deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Walter M. Wayman/Released)

Source: militaryphotos.net

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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.

 

 

 

Wednesday Hero

Staff Sgt. Jason Albrecht & Markey


Staff Sgt. Jason Albrecht runs military working dog, Markey, through an obstacle course July 13, 2011, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., during an obedience training session. Albrecht is a senior military working dog handler assigned to the 20th Security Forces Squadron.

Photo courtesy U.S. Air Force taken by Senior Airman Kenny Holston

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.

Surfing the Web

Time for another 'surf' of posts I think you might find of interest out there on the ole World Wide Web..

via The Sandbox  comes Good Things Will Happen  , one of the most gracious 'Thank You's' I've ever seen written....and even if you don't like hip hop? I think you'll enjoy  Joe Roos' video  Troop

I sure did! (and how in the heck had I missed that before? only a little under 13,000 views on the RedBulls channel, really? another video that should be going viral, for whatever this granny's opinion is worth :) and if you're interested ,Joe's blog is The Average Joe

for more things 'Red Bull' (and it's Not the drink, y'all).. from Charlie Sherpa at Red Bull Rising 

The Footlocker Time Machine  

moving on 'down under' to Australia, Pax at Marion's Meepings announced her Caption Contest Winner from the contest I had linked in a previous Surfing the Web (although 'winner' may be a term used loosely in this case,lol )

Milbloggie Winner I'm big in Japan checked in briefly after a Long Hiatus.... 

The Olmsted Scholar over at Traveler of Morocco writes about Monkey Business

Consul at Arms II highlighted a good post (with his own accompanying remarks)

WSJ-While My Son Serves 

I read the individual blog posts and links from Laughing Wolf over at B5 and Concrete Bob while the latest from Cooking With The Troops was going on in July, Laughing Wolf has the round-up of all the links at

An Amazing Time at BAMC  DO take the time to read everyone's posts about these events!!

(I've had the privilege of meeting both LW and Bob a number of times--although I think Bob is never really sure who I am?lol, I just say .."Z-list blogger"..and I just want to say that it is so extraordinarily cool to see the amazing way these guys have taken a dream and made it into the reality of Cooking With the Troops ! )

Via Off the Base was a story about a program I hadn't heard of before

The Mission Continues for Wounded and Disabled War Vets

and lastly,

this post was making the rounds in the milblogging and mil-spouse circles recently,

a sobering reminder of the ultimate sacrifice that can be made by those who choose to serve, and their families 

Three Knocks at the Door 

(you will need tissues)

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