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.
 
 
 
 

Wednesday Hero

Lance Cpl. Matthew Kirkman, a radio technician with 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, is the newest member of the 2nd MLG Color Guard and currently serves as a rifle bearer. Kirkman is a native of Birmingham, Ala., and enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2009.

Photo Courtesy Marines.mil Taken By Sgt. Justin J. Shemanski


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.

June 27th, PTSD Awareness Day

From the DCoE blog:
PTSD Awareness Day is a Reminder to Learn, Get Help and Help Others

Fallen Harrisonburg,VA soldier..

Thoughts and prayers are with the family of 
Spc Levi E Nuncio

DOD Identifies Army Casualty


The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Spc. Levi E. Nuncio, 24, of Harrisonburg, Va., died June 22 in Kunar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Also killed in the same action was Pfc. Joshua L. Jetton  of Sebring,FL...thoughts and prayers with his family , and with the families of all our recent fallen heroes

According to this KITV Honolulu news story both soldiers were on their first deployment from Schofield Barracks.



The Patriot Guard Riders are standing by

Virginia Soldiers' Angels blog

I always like to support new bloggers, and Jacqueline over at the Virginia Soldiers' Angels blog
is really doing a good job....stop by and check out the blog, and by the way, she is
calling all poets  if you're interested in sharing some of your writings or poetry.....

Lt. Dan Band Movie Trailer: For the Common Good | Gary Sinise is Lt. Dan, Director Jonathan Flora, USO, Military Troops Documentary#

Lt. Dan Band Movie Trailer: For the Common Good Gary Sinise is Lt. Dan, Director Jonathan Flora, USO, Military Troops Documentary#

Wednesday Hero

Homecoming


Aviators assigned to the Sunliners of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 81 walk to greet friends and family members after arriving on the tarmac during a homecoming at Naval Air Station Oceana. VFA-81, part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, returned home after a deployment aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.

Photo Courtesy Navy.mil Taken By Mass Communication Specialist Indra Bosko


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.

Wednesday Hero

Tech. Sergeants Abner Berrios & Alan Hunter


Tech. Sergeants Abner Berrios (left) and Alan Hunter display their letter perfect "black-letter initial" aircraft checklists at Pope Field, N.C. In an effort to set a positive example for the unit's newer crew chiefs and members, the two used their professional rivalry to try to out-work and out-inspect each other. The end result was the rarity of both crew chiefs obtaining discrepancy free checklists. Both sergeants are crew chiefs with the 440th Airlift Wing.

Photo Courtesy AF.mil Taken By Staff Sgt. Peter Miller


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.

Flag Day June 14 2011

                                  The Emblem of the Land I Love..

3 days left to support the "Healing Waters" documentary

UPDATE: Yay! they met their goal!!

The project posting on Kickstarter shows a little under $9,000.00 left to meet the goal of $48,000.00 by Monday June 13th.
You can support the making of this documentary film for as little as ONE Dollar...you just make your pledge on Kickstarter and the money is only subtracted via your payment method IF the project reaches it's goal.

With the power of social media today, I just keep thinking 'surely we can pass this along to 9,000 folks to kick in a dollar apiece?' before the Monday deadline?

To learn  more about  Project Healing Waters

Please, let's spread the word and help get this documentary film started on it's way.

 Steve Hasty says on the Kickstarter page that he is "not taking any money from Project Healing Waters to produce the film...the money raised on Kickstarter will go directly towards production costs on the film.."

Wednesday Hero

Soldiers render salutes through a rendition of taps during a ceremony May 26 at the Mountain Post Warrior Memorial. Fort Carson honors the lives lost in support of Overseas Contingency Operations by adding names to the memorial stones.

Photo Courtesy Army.mil Taken By Dustin Senger


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.

A gripping documentary: Wartorn 1861-2010

This past weekend we happened across an HBO documentary OnDemand Wartorn 1861-2010

This gripping documentary "chronicles the lingering effects of combat stress and post traumatic stress on military personnel and their families throughout American history,  from the Civil War through today's conflicts..."

In my humble opinion, this is a 'must watch' documentary...if you don't have access to HBO On Demand? the DVD is available on Amazon
















One of the stories from the documentary led me to this website Nate Update
which in turn led me to FAVA-Under Construction  where Nate's mother and another mother are working to reach out to veterans and their families who are dealing with legal consequences to untreated PTS.  I'm always inspired by folks who respond to difficult circumstances by choosing to reach out to others, as these two women have done, and am wishing them all the best in their endeavor. I certainly had never given thought before seeing the documentary to what happens to the veterans and families when PTS brings about legal consequences for the veteran...and as a mother? Charilyn's words in the video after her son was taken away to begin serving his prison sentence touched a nerve for me.

Again, this documentary Wartorn 1861-2010 is well worth the time to watch, or purchase! (in my humble opinion)

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Pet


Col. Van T. Barfoot
91 years old from Henrico County, Virginia
157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division


In December 2009 Van T. Barfoot made national headlines when he wanted to fly his American flag in his yard but was told to take it down by his homeowners association. It's still flying proudly today. But that's just one small event in the life of Mr. Barfoot. Long before he decided to fly that flag he defended it during W.W.II.

Barfoot joined the Army in 1940 and was shipped to Italy in 1943 where distinguished himself in 1944 when, in the course of a single day, he advanced alone through a minefield, took out a German machine gun with a hand grenade, single handily killed eight German soldiers, captured seventeen, disabled a tank with a bazooka and then returned to his own lines and helped two of his own wounded squad members. All which earned him the Medal Of Honor. So it comes as no surprise that when he wanted to fly the American fly he wasn't going to take no for an answer.


You can read more about Col. Barfoot 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.

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 :)

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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 :)

2011 Milblog Conference!

Leaving at O'Dark Thirty on Saturday to head up to the
2011 Sixth Annual Milblog Conference 
Yay! :)