Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Wednesday Hero

Thanks to Greta Perry & John Donovan


Second Lt. Perla Kimes


Second Lt. Perla Kimes
U.S. Army

Second Lt. Perla Kimes has her bars of gold pinned on during a commissioning ceremony this summer at the Leader Development and Assessment Course on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.


Photo Courtesy U.S. Army


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.

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Somebody's Son

(missed linking to these posts while I've been home recovering from surgery, so am catching up now)
Sept. 16

Sgt. Ricardo Ramirez, a combat replacement for 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, wades through an irrigation canal to move into a night observation post in Sangin, Afghanistan, Aug. 5. In February of 2006, Ramirez was wounded in action while serving in Iraq with 3rd Bn., 5th Marines and two years later became the first hand-amputee to re-enlist in the Marines Corps. Since then the multiple-tour combat veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan has served as an urban warfare instructor, attended the pre-sniper course at division schools and stayed close to his infantry roots. Photo by Cpl. Benjamin Crilly


source: http://www.strategypage.com/

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Sept.23


SGT. CALVIN NASH WAITS FOR THE DUST TO CLEAR - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Calvin Nash waits for the dust to clear after a controlled detonation during a patrol in Sangin, Afghanistan, on Sept. 8, 2011. The Marines are using the explosives to destroy abandoned compounds that block views from security posts. Nash is a squad leader with 3rd Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 8. DoD photo by Cpl. Nathan McCord, U.S. Marine Corps.

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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.
 
 

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Gold Star Mother's Sunday

Today is Gold Star Mother's Sunday   The United States began observing the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mother's Day in 1936

Thoughts and prayers are  with all the Gold Star Mothers and Gold Star families, today, and every day.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Wednesday Hero



Sgt. Dakota Meyer
Sgt. Dakota Meyer


23 years old from Greensburg, Kentucky

Embedded Training Team 2-8

U.S. Marines



On September 15, Sgt. Dakota Meyer was awarded the Medal Of Honor by President Obama for his actions on Sept. 8, 2009 in the Ganjgal Valley of Afghanistan when he and Staff Sgt. Juan Rodriguez-Chavez saved 36 fellow Marines when they, and the Afghan military members they were helping to train, came under attack by Taliban insurgents.



His citation reads: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the repeated risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a member of Marine Embedded Training Team 2-8, Regional Corps Advisory Command 3-7, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, on 8 September 2009. When the forward element of his combat team began to be hit by intense fire from roughly 50 Taliban insurgents dug-in and concealed on the slopes above Ganjgal village, Corporal Meyer mounted a gun-truck, enlisted a fellow Marine to drive, and raced to attack the ambushers and aid the trapped Marines and Afghan soldiers. During a six hour fire fight, Corporal Meyer single-handedly turned the tide of the battle, saved 36 Marines and soldiers and recovered the bodies of his fallen brothers. Four separate times he fought the kilometer up into the heart of a deadly U-shaped ambush. During the fight he killed at least eight Taliban, personally evacuated 12 friendly wounded, and provided cover for another 24 Marines and soldiers to escape likely death at the hands of a numerically superior and determined foe. On his first foray his lone vehicle drew machine gun, mortar, rocket grenade and small arms fire while he rescued five wounded soldiers. His second attack disrupted the enemy’s ambush and he evacuated four more wounded Marines. Switching to another gun-truck because his was too damaged they again sped in for a third time, and as turret gunner killed several Taliban attackers at point blank range and suppressed enemy fire so 24 Marines and soldiers could break-out. Despite being wounded, he made a fourth attack with three others to search for missing team members. Nearly surrounded and under heavy fire he dismounted the vehicle and searched house to house to recover the bodies of his fallen team members. By his extraordinary heroism, presence of mind amidst chaos and death, and unselfish devotion to his comrades in the face of great danger, Corporal Meyer reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."



In addition to the Medal Of Honor, Sgt. Meyer has also been awarded the Expert Marksmanship Badge for Rifle and Pistol, Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ Valor Device and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.



You can read more about Sgt. Dakota Meyer and his actions
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.

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Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Wednesday Hero


Seaman Sha'Quanda Jacobs


Seaman Sha'Quanda Jacobs
U.S. Navy

Religious Programs Specialist Seaman Sha'Quanda Jacobs rings the bell during commemoration ceremony of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States at Naval Air Station Oceana.


Photo Courtesy U.S. Navy Taken by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Terah L. Mollise


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.

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Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Why I love the Internet :)

(cross-posted from my  Family blog  )

I'm going to be having some surgery this coming Friday the 16th, and as I emailed people today to start letting them know that I'd probably be incommunicado online for awhile....I was overwhelmed with the responses coming back saying 'we'll be praying for you", "you'll be in our thoughts", "wishing you a speedy recovery"




I know I Shouldn't have been overwhelmed, as some of these people I've 'known' online for 6 years or longer, some I've met in person even :) and I know a great many of them are 'praying' folks, and compassionate and supportive folks.



But I can't tell you how much of a relief it felt, to know that I'll be surrounded by such a 'net' of prayers and good wishes..my surgery was originally scheduled for the 29th, but because of some problems that arose with me the past few days, it got bumped up to this Friday. still a little startled by that, the doc gives you a surgery date and you plan a lot of things around that date..like I had really wanted to tell the residents on my floor that I'd be going out for a month or more of recovery after my surgery..these are folks that I care for, along with a great team of co-workers, to (I hope) the best of my ability 40 hours or more every week, and I also care About each and every one of them,too, and also care about my coworkers. I know that so many of my residents were like 'we missed you!' when I was gone for a week's vacation on the camping trip in July..

and so I just wanted to extend them that courtesy and reassurance 'hey, I'll be gone for some surgery and recovery,I'll miss you guys, but I'll be back"...



but instead, I ended up leaving work kind of quickly yesterday, and barely had a chance to say anything to Anyone..and then came to the realization today after talking to my doctor again that I wouldn't be able to make it back in to work again before the surgery on Friday.



so, that's that. Life just happens like that sometimes, and your plans get changed suddenly... I actually think I will feel So much better After this surgery is behind me..... but it lifted my spirits so much, to know that so many caring friends and family will be keeping me in their thoughts and prayers!



Thanks, everyone :) hugs and love and hope to be back soon! :)
 

Sunday, September 11, 2011

2996--Remembering--Adel Agayby Zakhary

 Adel Agayby Zakhary, 50, worked as an accountant for Carr Futures in the north tower of the World Trade Center.
Zakhary was born into a Christian family in Cairo, Egypt and emigrated to the United States in the mid-1980s with his wife, Nagat, and son,George, to escape violence against Coptic Christians.

In North Arlington, N.J., the Zakharys centered their lives on St. Mark's and St. Anthony's Church. Mr. Zakhary studied the Bible, the lives of the saints and books by Bishop David, a friend and church leader.

At home, Zakhary was a true patriarch. He cooked and cleaned, and he transported his children to and fro.

Adel Zakhary would always have dinner ready for his two children,son George and daughter Mariam, when they got home. "He loved to cook," said  George."Cheesecake with strawberries," and "Chicken cordon bleu."  His cheesecake-it's a bit of a family legend. Nephews refuse to eat any other New York-style cheesecake-to this day-after having Zakhary's. Others just don't compare, family members say.

The elder Zakhary,  was able to take care of dinner because for nearly 15 years, he worked nights at the World Trade Center as an accountant for Dean Whitter. He worked night shifts so he could spend more time with his family. His children wondered when he ever found time to sleep. He was a bit of a superman in that sense-he did it all and never tired.

About four months before Sept.11,2001, Adel's schedule changed to daytime hours when he became an employee of Carr Futures following mergers. He was not terribly happy about the change.
 Mr. Zakhary had a sharp side. "He was sarcastic to the point you couldn't tell if he was serious," George said.

But his sister-in-law remembers,"He was always laughing and smiling,"

On Sept. 11, he was on the 92nd floor when the first plane struck. He was on the phone with his wife and then: chaos. They were never able to connect on the phone again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I found it so terribly sad, that Mr. Zakhary had left his homeland to escape violence, and it seems that the violence still found him ,17 years after he came to the USA.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends who are missing him today, and every day, and I feel blessed to have had the privilege of learning a bit about him in preparing this tribute.

Sources:
 Adel Zakhary,North Arlington  NorthJersey.com

In memoriam: Adel Agayby Zakhary  NorthJersey.com

Remember September 11,2001  Adel Agayby Zakhary

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Mr. Zakhary's Legacy.com Guestbook is  HERE




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This post is part of  Project 2996

May We Never Forget.



Saturday, September 10, 2011

Our Friday night..

standing with the Patriot Guard Riders to support a local Gold Star family as a
Local Fallen Soldier's Name added to Veterans Memorial~WHSV TV 3

it was moving and powerful, to hear his father's speech..and as always, the haunting sound of Taps brought tears to my eyes.


Remembering..

Over at Hooah Wife & Friends, the remembrance posts for
September 9  and  September 10

and my 2010 post for Project 2996  honoring Hemanth Kumar Puttur

Friday, September 09, 2011

Somebody's Son


Sgt. Alexander Hayne, 22, of Bellaire, Md. , with the U.S. Army's Bravo Company of the 25th Infantry Division, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Battalion 27th Infantry Regiment based in Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, prepares to head out on a mission at dusk Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2011 at Combat Outpost Monti in Kunar province, Afghanistan


source: militaryphotos.net

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Friday posts are random photos of our Soldiers.
This week's photo is a Maryland Son.
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.

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

Remembering..

the 2009 post for  Project 2996  in tribute to
 Robert Fazio, Jr

Wednesday, September 07, 2011

September 7

today's remembrance post at Hooah Wife & Friends
September 7

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Michael


Capt. Lyle L. Gordon
Maj. Albert Brown
105 years old from Pinckneyville, Illinois
Oct. 26, 1905 - Aug. 14, 2011
U.S. Army

At 105 years old, Albert Brown was the oldest living living survivor of the Bataan Death March.

In April of 1942, then Capt. Brown and 70,000+ American and Filipinos were marched 66 miles to POW camps on the Bataan peninsula in the Philippines with little food or water. Many were beaten and killed along the way and left where they fell. “One 18-year-old I knew, he fell down,” Mr. Brown said. “A guard came along and put a gun to his head, pulled the trigger and walked away.”

Capt. Brown spent 3 years as a POW where he was beaten; thrown down stairs, seriously injuring his back; and struck in the neck by a rifle butt, causing a fracture. When he was finally freed he weighed just 90 pounds. “We were listed in groups of 10. If one escaped out of the 10, they eliminated the rest of them, killed them. So, at night, just before roll call, you tried to find out if your 10 were still there.”



You can read more about Maj. Albert Brown 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.

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Friday, Sept.9..for Spc. Levi Nuncio

From the Patriot Guard Riders website

The Family of SPC Levi Nuncio have requested the participation of the Patriot Guard on Friday, September 9, 2011.  This brief mission will include an short escort of the family to the Veterans Memorial located in Harrisonburg, Virginia and a flag line during the unveiling of SPC Nuncio's name on the Veteran's Memorial Wall. 
(there will be a 30 minute ceremony and candlelight vigil)

Background:


Specialist Levi E. Nuncio was born in Laredo, Texas on September 10, 1986. He grew up in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and enlisted into the U.S. Army on September 23, 2009. He was killed in action on June 22, 2011 in Kunar Province, Afghanistan.

SPC. Nuncio received his Initial Entry Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and his Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, where he became a Health Care Specialist. He arrived to Headquarter and Headquarters Company, 2-35th Infantry on May 26, 2010. During the deployment with the Cacti Battalion, he was attached to Charlie Company in the position of Line Medic for 3rd Platoon.

SPC Nuncio’s awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War onTerrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal and Combat Medical Badge.


SPC Nuncio was killed in action on June 22, 2011 supporting the ongoing operation for the liberty of Afghanistan in the Kunar Province. Captain Ryan Occhiuzzo described SPC Nuncio as being “a great combat medic and model soldier.” SPC Nuncio left behind a family that will forever be proud of his accomplishments, dedication and love of freedom. His sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Remembering..

Over at Hooah Wife & Friends,  there are remembrances posted for  September 5  and
September 6

and to link to these two previous tribute posts I've done for Project 2996 together in one post seems appropriate, as one of those remembered was lost in the attack on the Pentagon
2996..I remember Gerard 'Jerry' P. Moran

and the other tribute was for a husband and wife who perished on Flight 77
2996..I remember Yuguang Zheng and Shuyin Yang

We will never forget.

Monday, September 05, 2011

Remembering..

The second tribute I posted in remembrance for Project 2996 was for


Thoughts & prayers for all those who loved and who continue to miss him.


September 4

Over at Hooah Wife & Friends, here is the remembrance of someone lost on 9/11 for

Sunday, September 04, 2011

Rick Rescorla

Back in 2006, I posted about One of my personal heroes~Rick Rescorla

Blackfive on Sept 2 posted also about Mr. Rescorla


I urge you to spend some time learning about this man and his heroic actions on 9/11 that saved so many, and please then consider signing the petition.




Saturday, September 03, 2011

September 3

Over at Hooah Wife & Friends, please see the tribute posted for  September 3


September 11 Digital Archive

If you haven't seen the September 11th Digital Archive 

my sister first told me about it, and her contribution is here  and mine is here

consider posting your own recollections, you can contribute at  this link


Friday, September 02, 2011

September 2

Over at Hooah Wife & Friends, please visit the tribute in remembrance for September 2nd


Somebody's Son

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

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. David Janossy, 57th Operations Support Squadron, survive evasion resistance escape specialist, uses his PRC-112 Survival Radio to contact fellow instructors during SERE Combat Survival Training on Area 2 located at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Aug. 24.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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....


Thomas Burnett,Jr .."To deem life important.."

On September 11,2001, my daughter and I had just moved to MN in August and were staying with my parents. (and it is because of 9/11 that I made the decision for us to move back to Virginia, to be closer to my two sons who still lived in this area.)

A great deal of the local MN coverage of the September 11th terrorist attacks at the time were about Thomas Burnett,Jr  a local man who was one of the passengers on Flight 93.  He had attended Jefferson High School , as had my brother and sisters, and so for me he is one of the faces and stories of 9/11 that I always honor and remember.

In 2004 my daughter and I were back home visiting again, and we went to the memorial that his classmates had erected for him at Jefferson High School


I came home afterwards and found the origen of the quote on the memorial..it is from a January 2001 speech at a Thoratec executive staff meeting, the biotech company where Tom was senior vice president and chief operating officer.

Tom stated," "What we accomplish in life,our pursuits, our passions,echo in posterity through our children, our neighbors, and ultimately in our souls. Treating people that would otherwise die has a resounding effect on those around us.  The struggle to preserve life enriches all of us, and our humanity is fortified in the process. To deem life important and to act, affects all of those that bear witness to it."

On September 11,2001, Tom and many others 'deemed life important'..and acted.
and we should never forget.

Thursday, September 01, 2011

Remembering..

With the 10th anniversary of the attacks on September 11 coming up this month, I thought I would repost the remembrances I've done in past years for Project 2,996

The very first remembrance tribute I posted in 2006, when Project 2,996 began, was for


Jono,  I keep your family and friends in my prayers.






Remembrance Posts at Hooah Wife & friends

Over at Hooah Wife & friends , Chris had the idea to post a remembrance each day of someone who died on 9/11 from Sept 1 to Sept 11..please go see September 1 

We will never forget.