Somebody's Son

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

Lance Cpl. Shane W. Stokes, a Springfield, Mo., native and an infantryman with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, walks with a new friend he met while patrolling through a local bazaar. Mobs of curious children following patrols became a common sight in the village of Regay and the surrounding area, once the Marines and Afghan Uniformed Police patrolmen cleared the area of insurgent influence and emplaced a new security presence there.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Earnest J. Barnes)

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 family and friends who love them so.

 

 

 

Surfing the Web

Where I pass on items I find in my 'surfs' around the web..

From the Lancaster Eagle Gazette, a nice story
Soldier sends flag to pen pals at Lancaster school


and from WDAM in MS
Camp Shelby soldiers star in a movie to save lives


Red Bull Rising has a  Book Review: Until Tuesday


and over at Blackfive, Robert Stokely has a movie review that is oh so much more than just a review..Movie Review: Warhorse


blogger J.P Raab announces Radio Silence

and the Star Telegram announces that
Soldier stopovers at DFW Airport to end

Assoluta Tranquillita passes the word that the
DOD launches website for military kids


and if you haven't watched the USO Invisible Wounds videos,please do take time to check them out.


lastly, I'm a little late in passing this on, but here's the
2011Video of the Year winners  from the Coast Guard Compass blog

That's the surf!

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/01/23/3681577/soldier-stopovers-at-dfw-airport.html#storylink=cpy

Wednesday Hero

Maj. Merlyn Hans Dethlefsen 53 years old from Royal, Iowa 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing June 29, 1934 - December 14, 1987  The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Major Merlyn Hans Dethlefsen, United States Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, near Thai Nguyen, North Vietnam, on 10 March 1967. Major Dethlefsen was one of a flight of F-105 aircraft engaged in a fire suppression mission designed to destroy a key anti-aircraft defensive complex containing surface-to-air missiles (SAM), an exceptionally heavy concentration of anti-aircraft artillery, and other automatic weapons. The defensive network was situated to dominate the approach and provide protection to an important North Vietnam industrial center that was scheduled to be attacked by fighter bombers immediately after the strike by Major Dethlefsen's flight. In the initial attack on the defensive complex the lead aircraft was crippled, and Major Dethlefsen's aircraft was extensively damaged by the intense enemy fire. Realizing that the success of the impending fighter bomber attack on the center now depended on his ability to effectively suppress the defensive fire, Major Dethlefsen ignored the enemy's overwhelming firepower and the damage to his aircraft and pressed his attack. Despite a continuing hail of anti-aircraft fire, deadly surface-to-air missiles, and counterattacks by MIG interceptors, Major Dethlefsen flew repeated close range strikes to silence the enemy defensive positions with bombs and cannon fire. His action in rendering ineffective the defensive SAM and anti-aircraft artillery sites enabled the ensuing fighter bombers to strike successfully the important industrial target without loss or damage to their aircraft, thereby appreciably reducing the enemy's ability to provide essential war material. Major Dethlefsen's consummate skill and selfless dedication to this significant mission were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country. Maj. Dethlefson retired from the Air Force in 1977 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He died in 1987 of natural causes and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.   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 Wednesday Hero. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

  

While you go about your Wednesday, a Veteran is being laid to rest

From the Oregonian:
Burial for indigent Navy veteran scheduled for Willamette National Cemetery on Wednesday

Per the story above, today Navy veteran Stevenson L. Roy will be the 1,000th person buried under the Dignity Memorial program, which provides military honors to homeless,indigent veterans.

The Patriot Guard Riders will also be in attendance to stand in honor and respect of PO2 Roy's service to our country.

The  funeral director in the story above says she "knows little about" Mr. Roy's life or death, and the medical examiner's office investigator offered that Mr. Roy died "in a Section 8 apt where he lived a very Spartan existence", and the only other information shared about him were his years of service and his medals received.

While hearing this story makes me sad  that at the end of his life so little was known about this veteran, I disagree with a commenter on the story who seemed to scoff at the idea of the burial program..I'm glad that this program is in place to pay last respects and honor those who have served, who have for one reason or another come to the ending of their lives with no one left to remember or honor them .

And I also feel that rather than scoff at a program like the Dignity Memorial program? If you think something should be done for our veterans prior to their story ending with a funeral for a homeless or indigent veteran? there are a myriad of ways for each of us to volunteer to reach out to our veterans.

Short list, the US Dept of Veteran Affairs has a volunteer form  Here
and both the USO and Soldiers Angels also offer volunteer opportunites specifically for our veterans and veteran's hospitals.

If those options don't appeal to you, there's always ways to get involved through your local VFW, the DAV association, the list goes on and on.

'Stand' with the Patriot Guard Riders in your heart today at 1:30 pm while they pay last respects to Stevenson L. Roy on behalf of all of us....and then please consider what you can do after that so the day will come when we don't Need a Dignity Memorial program, because we have remembered and honored our veterans Before their passing, through volunteering to make a difference in whatever way we can.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

UPDATE: There's a nice photoblog and story on MSNBC regarding the funeral HERE
(althugh they listed Mr. Roy as 'homeless' rather than 'indigent', which is one of my pet peeves...do your homework and get the facts...but nevertheless, I liked the gesture of giving the folded flag to the young man in the Civil Air Patrol, in lieu of no family members being left for Mr. Roy.)

Rest in Peace, Sir.

Navy SEALS to the rescue!

January 25,2012
From the DOD website:
Statement by Secretary Panetta on Hostage Rescue Operation in Somalia

Last night U.S. Special Operations Forces conducted, by order of the President of the United States, a successful mission in Somalia to rescue two individuals taken hostage on October 25, 2011. Ms. Jessica Buchanan, an American citizen employed by the Danish Demining Group, and her Danish colleague, Mr. Poul Thisted, were kidnapped at gunpoint by criminal suspects near Galcayo, Somalia.
Ms. Buchanan and Mr. Thisted have been transported to a safe location where we will evaluate their health and make arrangements for them to return home.

This successful hostage rescue, undertaken in a hostile environment, is a testament to the superb skills of courageous service members who risked their lives to save others. I applaud their efforts, and I am pleased that Ms. Buchanan and Mr. Thisted were not harmed during the operation. This mission demonstrates our military's commitment to the safety of our fellow citizens wherever they may be around the world.

I am grateful to report that there was no loss of life or injuries to our personnel.

I express my deepest gratitude to all the military and civilian men and women who supported this operation. This was a team effort and required close coordination, especially between the Department of Defense and our colleagues in the Federal Bureau of Investigation. They are heroes and continue to inspire all of us by their bravery and service to our nation.

Wednesday Hero

Capt. Eddie S. Ray 57 years old from Seattle, Washington Company B, 1st Light Armored Infantry Battalion, Task Force Shepherd, 1st Marine Division  The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Eddie S. Ray, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Commanding Officer, Company B, First Light Armored Infantry Battalion, Task Force Shepherd, FIRST Marine Division, in the Emirate of Kuwait on 25 February 1991. During the early morning hours of G+1 of Operation Desert Storm, an Iraqi mechanized division counter-attacked elements of the FIRST Marine Division in the vicinity west of the flame and smoke engulfed Burgan Oil Fields in Southeastern Kuwait. As dense black smoke shrouded the battlefield, an Iraqi mechanized brigade engaged the FIRST Marine Division Forward Command Post security forces. During the ensuing intense ten hour battle, Captain Ray repeatedly maneuvered his Light Armored Vehicle Company in harm's way, skillfully integrating his Light Armored Infantry weapons, reinforcing TOW's, and AH-1W Attack Helicopters to decisively defeat main Iraqi counter-attacks. Leading from the front and constantly exposed to large volumes of enemy fire, Captain Ray led swift, violent attacks directly into the face of the vastly larger enemy force. These attacks shocked the enemy, destroyed 50 enemy Armored Personnel Carriers, and resulted in the capture of over 250 Iraqi soldiers. Operating perilously close to the attacking enemy, Captain Ray's courage, composure under fire, and aggressive war fighting spirit were instrumental in the defeat of a major enemy effort and the successful defense of the Division Forward Command Post. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Captain Ray reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.   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 Wednesday Hero. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
  

Somebody's Son

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

INDIAN OCEAN (Jan. 10, 2012) Aviation Electrician's Mate Airman Michael Johnson, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 81, carries tie-down chains to an F/A-18E Super Hornet aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Evans/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 family and friends who love them so.

Stars & Stripes Valentine Messages

From Stars & Stripes:

We are thrilled to offer you the opportunity to publish a love note in the pages of Stars and Stripes to your  sweetheart stationed overseas! Your messages will be  published in the European, Pacific, or Mideast edition of Stars and Stripes on Valentine's Day, February 14,  and will also appear online at the Valentine's Day Messages website. Best of all, it's free to  participate.


Wherever  your sweetheart is stationed or deployed, don't miss the opportunity to share your love - Upload  your FREE message today!
Happy Valentine's Day!

Note: Messages must be received by January 24, 2012 to be published in the print version of Stars and Stripes.  Any messages received after that date (or messages sent to U.S.-based recipients) will appear online and  not in print.


Go HERE  to send your message !

Wednesday Hero

Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey M. Day Col. Jessie O. Farrington (Left), U.S. Army Aviation Center for Excellence deputy commander, presents Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey M. Day (Right), of the Directorate of Evaluation and Standardization, with the Air Medal with Valor for exceptionally meritorious achievement in valor.  Photo Courtesy U.S. Army Taken By Nathan Pfau

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.

  

Farewell to a Marine..

Was saddened to see the news today of the passing yesterday of 'Seamus' Garrahy

via World TEAM Sports The Passing of the Guard: World TEAM Sports honors Corporal Seamus Garrahy

from Marcus at YouServed  In Memoriam: Jim 'Seamus' Garrahy

I'm not even sure I ever had more than a 'hello' with Mr. Garrahy....but every year that my daughter and I volunteered with World TEAM sports Face of America bike ride  when we would head towards "Seamus' house" (as everyone referred to it) in Gettysburg to set up for the end of the ride, when you'd see his house on the hill

it always felt to me like 'coming home', because he and his family were always so warm and welcoming, and it just seemed like a fitting place to cheer the riders in, and then relax with them all as they partook of the food and fellowship at the end of the ride.

I never realized until I read some of these other tributes in how many other ways besides the bike ride Seamus was involved in the support of his brother Marines. Farewell, to a truly good and honorable man, and Marine. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.


In 2009 at the end of the Face of America bike ride, my daughter was taking a video and there was a guy who just showed up with his bagpipes and said he wanted to 'pipe the riders in'.....in honor of Seamus, I leave you with that video....Godspeed and God bless,Sir.

Thoughts and Prayers with Greta and her Family

My friend Greta is the 'head honcho' at the group milblog Hooah Wife and friends  (where I cross-post at times) and also she has been blogging at Kiss My Gumbo the journey she and her family have taken while giving care to her father as he neared the end of his life with Alzheimer's disease.

Her father has passed on now, as she relates in a beautiful post here
 Memories Linger on Forever

My deepest sympathy to Greta and her family...keeping them in my thoughts and prayers, and sending much love to you,Greta.

US Army All-American Bowl

The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is a year-long engagement with the U.S. Army and the American people and is the nations largest high school football all-star game. The 90 players and 125 marching band musicians that are selected across the country in the fall, march into San Antonio on January 1st to begin a week-long series of practices and events. Throughout the week players and musicians will interact with one another in addition to Army Strong Soldiers. Each player will be paired with an Army Soldier Hero (Bronze Star with V-device, Silver Star and/or Purple Heart recipient) who will guide them through activities.

The 2012 U.S. Army All-American Bowl will be played on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, at 1:00pm EST, from the San Antonio Alamodome, and will be broadcast live on NBC.

The website is  HERE

Somebody's Son

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

SANGIN, Afghanistan (Dec. 27, 2011) Hospitalman Victor Castro, assigned to India Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 8, hands out candy to an Afghan child during a security patrol in Sangin, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Marines conducted the patrol to help maintain security in the surrounding areas. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Armando Mendoza/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 family and friends who love them so.

 

Paul Franklin: Guy travels the world and shoots one second of foo...

Paul Franklin: Guy travels the world and shoots one second of foo...

cool,I like this :)

Happy Birthday to my Husband!

Happy 49th Birthday,Tony!!

Vote for the U S Coast Guard video of the year for 2011

Voting runs through Jan. 13,2012 and all you need to do is 'like' one of the top 10 Coast Guard videos from 2011 either on their YouTube playlist  or you can also check out the videos and click 'like' for your choice on their Facebook page

 

Wednesday Hero

1st Lt. Loren Douglas Hagen 25 years old from Fargo, North Dakota U.S. Army Training Advisory Group February 25, 1946 - August 7, 1971   The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Loren Douglas Hagen, United States Army (Reserve), for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as the team leader of a small reconnaissance team with the U.S. Army Training Advisory Group, in action against enemy aggressor forces while operating deep within enemy-held territory in the Republic of Vietnam, on 7 August 1971. At approximately 0630 hours on the morning of 7 August 1971 the small team came under a fierce assault by a superior-sized enemy force using heavy small arms, automatic weapons, mortar, and rocket fire. First Lieutenant Hagen immediately began returning small-arms fire upon the attackers and successfully led this team in repelling the first enemy onslaught. He then quickly deployed his men into more strategic defense locations before the enemy struck again in an attempt to overrun and annihilate the beleaguered team's members. First Lieutenant Hagen repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire directed at him as he constantly moved about the team's perimeter, directing fire, rallying the members, and resupplying the team with ammunition, while courageously returning small arms and hand grenade fire in a valorous attempt to repel the advancing enemy force. The courageous actions and expert leadership abilities of First Lieutenant Hagen were a great source of inspiration and instilled confidence in the team members. After observing an enemy rocket make a direct hit on and destroy one of the team's bunkers, First Lieutenant Hagen moved toward the wrecked bunker in search for team members despite the fact that the enemy force now controlled the bunker area. With total disregard for his own personal safety, he crawled through the enemy fire while returning small-arms fire upon the enemy force. Undaunted by the enemy rockets and grenades impacting all around him, First Lieutenant Hagen desperately advanced upon the destroyed bunker until he was fatally wounded by enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire. With complete disregard for his personal safety, First Lieutenant Hagen's courageous gallantry, extraordinary heroism, and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty, at the cost of his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon him and the United States 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.