One Year Ago Today….

One year ago today, I wrote my first post.

I had no idea when I opened Blogger and first began to type my gut into this electronic medium…where it would end up. I had no idea the people I would meet. I had no idea the words I would read!

I digress (don’t you love those two words?)

Today is a celebration of John’s first year of Active Service in the United States Air Force! It is a celebration of my son achieving his dreams.

I’ve attached a couple of photos from one year ago:


John with his Recruiter, right before going to MEPS.


John "Swearing In" at MEPS just prior to departing for BMT at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX


John is finally able to relax following 6-1/2 weeks of BMT!



Here are my first words ever posted... the beginning of AirmanMom:


My baby.

Not anymore.

Seeing him yesterday at MEPS, so nervous yet excited was truly a vegetable soup of emotions as a mom. The pride in my heart is in conflict with a heavy heart. My head knows these next six and a half weeks will turn my 18 year old boy into a man in the blink of an eye. My son whom I have known for 18 years, will no longer be the same person. Of course my mind knows the obvious, he will grow to be a better person. However, my heart knows the door has closed on the chapter of being this boy's mom...it is truly time to step into the role of parent of an adult. Parent of a soldier.

Over the course of the next six years, my son will finally live his dream. He will be an airman in the United States Air Force. Despite the "uncoolness" for being patriotic, John has always held true to who he is. The depth of him, defines passion for our country. While other kids listened to all the rap and hip-hop...he loves to listen to Toby Keith sing of being true to our country. One of his favorite songs as a child has always been "God Bless the USA." John lives this song. He is now living this pride.

I love my baby. It is now time for the rest of the country to love and respect him as well. Many will never know his smiling eyes, but they will enjoy the freedoms he will fight to keep for all of us. Many will never know his quirky humor, but they will enjoy pride of being an American.

John, I am so deeply proud of you and I do love you so.

MudPuppy!!!

First sign...CUBS SUCK... Why? Because they do in fact suck.





Second sign...Stephen Colbert for President...Why? Because we are going to use it and try to get our asses on TV.





And lastly, just another shot of me and one of the many dogs that I have encountered here. Just because I love dogs, and this is about the cutest puppy ever...

Please Welcome…

Many moons ago a Firecracker popped in Poolesville.

This firecracker goes by the name of HeartBass and she now has a BLOG!

Heart and I have been friends for almost 20 years! We met when our sons were Cub Scouts; I was the Pack Committee Chairperson and she joined as the Pack Leader (told ya she’s a firecracker). Heart and I have seen each other through many chapters of our lives…good and not so good! We have oodles of memories filled with laughter; going back to her sharing an ice cream cone with John when he was only a little guy (perhaps a year old)!

Heart is a retired Government employee who is now a tour guide for the Washington DC area. Let me tell you, this girl can sing a mean bass! Her positive attitude towards life, has always been what has meant the most to me. We can talk about anything and everything… now you have the chance to ‘hear’ her thoughts and get to know a piece of my heart! Please take a few moments and welcome this sweet lady to our blogosphere!

Heart…Happy Blogging and always remember, “you will survive”.

Wednesday Hero 02/25/2009

Spc. Ross A. McGinnis
19 years old from Knox, Pennsylvania
1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division
December 4, 2006


His mission was to patrol the streets of Adhamiyah in northeast Baghdad and find a place to put a 250-kilowatt generator that would provide electricity for more than 100 homes. But it's a mission he wasn't able to accomplish.

Shortly after Pfc. McGinnis's convoy left the compound, and less than a mile from FOB Apache, an insurgent standing on a nearby rooftop threw a grenade into the sixth, and last, Humvee. "Grenade!" yelled McGinnis, who was manning the vehicle's M2 .50-caliber machine gun. He tried to deflect the grenade but it fell into the Humvee and lodged between the radios.

"McGinnis turned and looked down and realized no one in the truck knew where the grenade was," said Capt. Michael Baka, his company commander. "He knew everyone had their doors combat-locked and they wouldn't be able to get out."

Instead of jumping out of the truck to save his own life, like he had been trained to do, McGinnis threw his back against the radio mount, smothering the explosive with his body. The grenade exploded just as Pfc. McGinnis covered it. The blast filled the vehicle with black smoke and debris and blew the driver's door and right passenger's door wide open and blew the machine gun off its mount. The explosion hit McGinnis on his sides and his lower back, under his vest. He was killed instantly.

The other four soldiers in the Humvee suffered relatively minor injuries.

On the morning of December 4, 2006, before his convoy had left, Cpt. Baka has signed a waver promoting Pfc. McGinnis to Specialist and he was posthumously promoted to E-4.

For his heroic actions on that day, McGinnis was awarded the Silver Star and was nominated for a Medal of Honor which he received on June 2, 2008.

All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com

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.

Special Guest-CPT Jeffrey Krohn

It is such an honor for me to post the following words today.

I was introduced to CPT Jeffrey Krohn by his twin brother, Buzz. Buzz and I are volunteers for Operation Welcome Home at BWI (Baltimore Airport).

Here is an excerpt of an e-mail, I received from Buzz: "Captain Jeff Krohn is home safe after being wounded in Iraq. He had surgery in Germany and Walter Reed and now he is back in Virginia recovering well. He was awarded the Bronze Star." I asked Buzz immediately, if Jeff would write a post for my blog. He had Jeff contact me and these are the amazing words I received.

Jeff, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your service and sacrifice!



My Story...My Soldiers.

I want the American people to know several things about my 15 months in Iraq. You cannot explain to those who have never served how important my young Soldiers meant to the overall readiness of the Army. They are sons, daughters, husband's, and wives. They are smart and witty with integrity and honor. They do it because of our great nation and our way of life. They are not killers. They are professional's that are highly skilled and trained in the tactics and operations of war. They do not mix their political views with the mission, they follow orders.

I have been blessed as an officer to have these great individuals serve under my leadership. I know their likes and dislikes. I know what motivates them and what doesn't. I know thier families and friends. I know that they love each other and would die for each other if they had too. I know they like to play video games, throw horseshoes, fix computers, and attend college. All of this while fighting in war. I know that they suited up everyday to go out in a hostile environment to help change a nation from terrorism and corruption. They have held babies, talked to local elders, met with powerful sheiks, and trained their Iraqi Police counterparts with precision. They missed birthday's, anniversary's, and holiday's. All of this for their devotion to duty.

I want the American people to know that my Soldiers fought for 455 days with only 18 days of R/R in between. They survived rocket attacks, small arms fire, IEDs, and explosions. All to get up and do it again. They left their comrades to go home on leave but unselfishly thought about them while they were gone and in some ways felt bad that they left them behind to go home. Selfless service describes everyone of my Soldiers. Sometimes it brings me to tears when I think of all the time I have spent with them. I have learned so much about life from them. They have taught me that there is more to life than just war. Friendship and trust makes them who they are. In my eyes they are better than everyone else. They do what is told without question. They cannot challenge the orders given to them. They do not question their leadership. They are held to values that no other is asked to uphold. They serve proudly and deserve the gratitude and respect of an entire nation.

I want everyone to know their names, the Soldiers of 2nd Platoon SAVIORS, 202nd Military Police Company, FOB Warhorse, Iraq;

SFC Cordery, SSG Carder, SSG Paquet, SSG "Moose", SSG Seaman, SSG Kramer, SGT Gabriel, SGT Bellavia, SGT Ellsworth, SGT Musgrove, SGT Provalenko, SGT Boros, SGT Figueroa, SGT Hayes, SGT Ash, SGT Ruiz, SGT Christensen, SGT Willig, SGT Murdock, SGT Thompson, SGT Jensen, SGT Whiteside, SPC Roe, SPC Pinter, SPC Cox, SPC Huff, SPC Marquis, SPC Burgess, SPC Vigilone, SPC Grueter, SPC Foley, SPC Rogers, SPC Geurin, SPC Smeltzer, SPC Cook, SPC Piontek, SPC Wilson, SPC Citurllo, SPC Coleman, SPC Gordier.

Think of these WARRIOR's and thank them. They are my hero's, my Soldier's and my friends.

CPT Jeffrey Krohn

Happy Birthday, My Bright Eyed Beauty!

Two years ago today, God blessed our world with my second grandgirl!

This exquisite child is pure joy to my heart. She has the most amazing eyes; is petite in size, but robust in personality.

A gift from her Nana this birthday was the ‘Free Spirit’ Willow Tree figurine. The description paints this child perfectly;
“Dancing through life with laughter”.

May this sweet grandgirl of mine always dance.

Happy Birthday, My Bright Eyed Beauty!

TWO HUNDRED!!!!

It’s so hard to believe this is my 200th post! It’s been a struggle to decide what the appropriate post would be for such a milestone! The final decision is to ramble…


On Thursday the 26th of February, my youngest son will mark his one year anniversary with the United States Air Force. When I returned from leaving him at MEPS last February, I sat down to type my first blog entry. At the time, my intention was to keep an electronic journal. I did not keep up with it, you know how it goes… life gets in the way. It’s only now looking back; I realize how difficult it was to let my youngest son go. One would think, with three older children I had plenty of practice in this letting go deal… wrong! When my baby entered the Air Force, it closed a huge chapter of my life. I was no longer to act the Mom-Role, I had known for the previous thirty years. It was a turning point of the new chapter of the Mom-Role of four adults. Trust me, when you are still feeling 29 on the inside, it is a tough pill to swallow!


I could not even tell you when or why, the blog evolved into what it is today. Ness said it well in a comment, “And thank you for doing your part by keeping this blog informative and centered on our soldiers.” Ness, those words state perfectly why I blog! Yes, it is about my two sons…but it can’t stop there! It is all about MudPuppy and Zachary! It is all about AAM’s son and Shay’s Mom daughter! It is all about our Wednesday Heroes and the Stars Which Turn from Blue to Gold! It is all about Operation Welcome Home! It is all about a simple truth, I love our nation! I love our freedoms! I love and respect those who protect my life as I know it. I thank each and every veteran, for the moments of their lives spent to protect these freedoms! I pay tribute those who have died for our country. May they NEVER be forgotten!


It is all about every single soldier…and the families who love them so.


I’ll close with this prayer, I have posted previously…but truly these words touch my heart deeply:

Dear Lord,

There's a young man far from home,

called to serve his nation in time of war;

sent to defend our freedom

on some distant foreign shore.

We pray You keep him safe,

we pray You keep him strong,

we pray You send him safely home ...

for he's been away so long.


There's a young woman far from home,

serving her nation with pride.

Her step is strong, her step is sure,

there is courage in every stride.

We pray You keep her safe,

we pray You keep her strong,

we pray You send her safely home ...

for she's been away too long.


Bless those who await their safe return.

Bless those who mourn the lost.

Bless those who serve this country well,

no matter what the cost.

May Almighty God Bless each and every Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine!

God Has Not Called Us To See Through Each Other, But To See Each Other Through. ~Unknown

U.S. Army soldiers exit a CH-47 Chinook helicopter to provide security in Bagram, Afghanistan, Feb. 15, 2009. The soldiers are assigned to the 101st Airborne Division's Company A, Personnel Security Detail.U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Prentice C. Martin-Bowen

Wednesday Hero 02/18/2009

Sgt. Kelly Keck
34 years old from West Liberty, Kentucky


Secretary of the Army Pete Geren congratulates Sgt. Kelly Keck after presenting him the Purple Heart.

On September 13, 2008, Sgt. Kelly Keck, a combat medic serving in Afghanistan, was wounded while trying to aid his fellow soldiers who's truck had just been struck by an IED. "I stepped off the road to try to get to the side of the truck, and the next thing I know I hear a loud boom, and I'm laying on the ground," he said. Sgt. Kelly had stepped on a land mine. He was flown to a field hospital in Jalalabad where he ended up loosing three fingers on his left hand and his right leg below the knee. "It was quite an ordeal," the soft-spoken soldier said.


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.

Talking Tuesday

I'm going to try something different, let's call it "Talking Tuesday".

Working my way through the Washington Post this morning, I read the article 'Pentagon Rethinks Photo Ban on Coffins Bearing War Dead'. The link is here.

As a mom, my gut says NO! I believe this ban needs to remain as is. My fear is the media exploiting, an already tragic situation. We know there is human cost in war. However, when the plane touches down at Dover and the coffin is removed...it is not national moment, it is a private family moment.

Please share your thoughts regarding this controversial issues. It matters not, if you love a soldier...or even if you know a soldier. How do you feel about this ban?

Out of Sight, but NEVER Out of Mind

As many of you may have noticed by now, my ‘virtual’ SoldierSon, MudPuppy has made the decision to take his blog private. For those who find his words a colorful expression of this conflict…daily visits to his blog will be sorely missed. MudPuppy's honest, yet amusing perception of this war has illuminated my vision and I am certain many of you feel likewise.
MudPuppy will guest on my blog, from time to time. Whatever we would like him to write about, he will do so (time-willing). I will provide updates, letting you know how he is doing. If he or his comrades have special requests (both prayer and tangible items), I will pass them along.
Our continued prayers and support for MudPuppy, along with each and every Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine is needed.

Presidents Day 2009

It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.
~George Washington


America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.
~Abraham Lincoln

The World

To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.
~Heather Cortez ~

Happy Friday!
Happy Valentine's Day Eve!

This quote is perfect, as I reflect on this past week.

Sadly, we awaken this morning to tragic news of an airplane crashing and 50 people have perished. How many of these people were the world to one person?

I was so richly blessed to watch my two daughters share a first 'play-date' with their daughters. Truly, these mommas are the world to their sweet babies.


My mom's sister, Aunt Kay at the age of 92 passed away. For nearly 60 years she has tended to the needs of my Mentally Retarded cousin, her son Jimmy. She was the world to him.

B has returned safely to U.S. soil, following a short deployment. He had adopted a mutt shortly before leaving, he is this pup's world. B is my son, he is my world.

Phil, my brother-in-law and his wife will arrive tomorrow for a long weekend visit. It will be fun to hang out, eat lots of good food and watch the Daytona 500! He is a Vietnam Vet who has earned several Purple Hearts. A few short months ago Phil was gravely ill, we were not certain he would survive. He is the world to his wife.

John passed his CDC test (Woo-Hoo)!!! He is buying a "Rust Bucket" this weekend, an old pick up truck to tinker with. John is coming home the first weekend in March, for the first time since Thanksgiving! John is my son, he is my world.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, the day to express love and gratitude to those we love! I bought my hubster a card, I'll tell him how much I love him and we will share kindnesses throughout the day; like every other day. Matthew is my beloved, he is my world.

Thousands of U.S. soldiers will wake tomorrow and continue to defend our flag. Each of these Airman, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines have family and friends waiting for them at home. These brave heroes are OUR world!

For Us

I Do This For You by The Readings
(please pause the PlayList on the right sidebar)

Wednesday Hero 02/11/2009

This Weeks Post Was Suggested And Written By Brat

Sgt. Patrick Tainsh
33 years old from Oceanside, California
Troop E, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment
February 11, 2004


Five years ago today, Sgt. Patrick Tainsh sacrificed all as the mounted unit he
was part of was hit by an IED in Baghdad. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze and Sliver Stars saving the lives of his commanding officer and other soldiers before succumbing to his own wounds. Also killed in the attack was Pfc. William C. Ramirez from Portland, Oregon.

On Veteran’s Day, 2007, Deborah Tainsh, Sgt. Tainsh's mother, attended a school in Columbia, Georgia, and shared a story she had written called "A Boy Named Patrick."

Here is part of the story :

…a little boy named Patrick who loved football, beaches, surfing, and
skateboarding, and especially reading. Patrick watched his dad be a Marine for
over twenty years. During this time Patrick kept reading not only surfing and
skateboarding magazines, but history books, too. One day when Patrick was a man, he told his dad and best friend, “I want to do something that will make a
difference in the world, I’m going to be a soldier.” And so he did. And in 1999
he went to Fort Knox, Kentucky for boot camp and then went to Fort Polk,
Louisiana where he worked and trained hard to become a United States Army
Cavalry Scout. Then in 2003 Patrick had to say good bye to his mom and dad
because he had to go fight a war in Iraq to protect his country, friends, and
family from terrorists and to help fight for the freedoms of the boys and girls
in that country where they and their families were treated very badly by their
country’s leader. Patrick once wrote a letter to his mom and dad telling them
that he cried for the children because they were hungry and he didn’t have food
to give them. He said he couldn’t understand how a country’s leader could treat
the people so badly and make them live in such dirty conditions with trash and
wild dogs everywhere. And so Patrick's mom and dad keep a photo in their living
room of Patrick surrounded by Iraqi children.

You can read the story in it's entirety here.

Sgt Tainsh came to the military later than some, but rose through the ranks fast. In his last letter to his parents, Sgt Tainsh shared his thoughts about his mission. And in 2006, Sgt. Tainsh's mother wrote a book called Heart Of A Hawk about her son's life and her and her husband's struggles since their son was killed.


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.

A Little Perspective

Gulp!
(Please pause PlayList on right sidebar)

His Star Has Turned From Blue to Gold

Fallen pilot 'just wanted to fly'

OSBORN, Mo. — A U.S. Army helicopter pilot from Osborn, Mo., died Monday while serving with the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, in Iraq. Chief Warrant Officer Matthew G. Kelley, 30, flew Kiowa helicopters, the Army’s armed reconnaissance aircraft.

“He was born on a Monday and died on a Monday,” said Catherine Kelley, his mother.

Family members said Tuesday that Mr. Kelley was killed in action.

“He really just wanted to fly,” said his father, Col. Stephen Kelley, who is retired from the Army. He made the decision to fly Kiowa helicopters because he’d get more flying time, Mr. Kelley said. Matthew had wanted to fly since he was 9, his father said.

His all-time favorite movie was “Top Gun,” said Chris Kelley, Matthew’s older brother, an Army Reserve veteran who returned in June from Iraq and is a firefighter with the St. Joseph Fire Department.

Matthew Kelley enlisted in 2003, joining the 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper. He already had completed a tour in Iraq, earning an Army Commendation Medal. Mr. Kelley also got a chance to earn Australian Jump Wings while assigned to the 82nd.

He earned the Combat Infantry Badge and always wore it above his pilot wings. When other helicopter pilots would razz him about the badge, he’d just tell them they were jealous, his brother said with a laugh.

A “military brat” born in Germany, Matthew moved with the family from base to base until his father retired. They settled on a farm southeast of Osborn when Matthew was 11.

Mrs. Kelley, the soldier’s mother, is a teacher, and home-schooled her two sons.

He loved history, and both boys learned to memorize a lot of Scripture, Mrs. Kelley said. He read books about World War II with a voracious appetite, especially if they were about planes, his father said.

He married DaLana Wallace, from Cameron, Mo., in 2001, and they have two children. She was the only girl he ever dated, his brother said.

And their first kiss was when they got married, because he stood for what he believed in, Mrs. Kelley said.

The soldier’s wife and children, Megan, 6, and Tyler, 4, live in New York near Fort Drum, where his brigade was stationed.

Chris Kelley said his brother was a hero, but “he’d lost a best friend.”

The U.S. Defense Department hasn’t confirmed the death. American military officials did say four U.S. soldiers were killed Monday when two helicopters crashed in northern Iraq. Funeral arrangements are pending.

by Marshall White
Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Saturday Ode

Ode: The Soldier

I climbed the barren mountain,
And my gaze swept far and wide
For the red-lit eaves of my father's home,
And I fancied that he sighed:
My son has gone for a soldier,
For a soldier night and day;
But my son is wise, and may yet return,
When the drums have died away.

I climbed the grass-clad mountain,
And my gaze swept far and wide
For the rosy lights of a little room,
Where I thought my mother sighed:
My boy has gone for a soldier,
He sleeps not day and night;
But my boy is wise, and may yet return,
Though the dead lie far from sight.

I climbed the topmost summit,
And my gaze swept far and wide
For the garden roof where my brother stood,
And I fancied that he sighed:
My brother serves as a soldier
With his comrades night and day;
But my brother is wise, and may yet return,
Though the dead lie far away.

By: CONFUCIUS

Newborn Gifts

A nurse helps a US soldier with sterile covers for his boots, during a visit to a maternity hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009. US and Iraqi forces distributed gifts for the newborn babies in the government-owned hospital which reopened on Jan. 18 following refurbishment.
AP Photo by LOAY HAMEED

Humvee

Drew Brown/S&S
Staff Sgt. Antwane Mobley, 29, of Lancaster, S.C., walks ahead of a Humvee on a narrow mountain road near the Gowerdesh Brigde in Afghanistan’s Nuristan province in April 2008. A recent report by the Pentagon’s inspector general stated that the Army and Marine Corps have known its Humvees, like the one pictured, were "deathtraps," particularly when hit by roadside bombs or land mines, since the early 1990s.

Early ’90s report says Humvee was a ‘deathtrap’
Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Thursday, February 5, 2009

Army and Marine Corps officials knew nearly a decade before the invasion of Iraq that its workhorse Humvee vehicle was a "deathtrap" even with armor added to protect it against roadside bombs, USA Today reported Wednesday.

The Pentagon’s inspector general wrote that reports distributed throughout the Army and Marine Corps after the 1991 Persian Gulf War and the Somalia conflict in 1994 urged the development of armored vehicles to avoid the devastating effects of roadside bombs and land mines, but the Pentagon failed to act, according to USA Today.

The conclusions of the 1991 and 1994 reports were not included in the one-page summary of the inspector general’s findings released in December, the paper wrote, noting that the inspector general’s full report was later posted on a Web site by the Center for Public Integrity, a government watchdog group.

Troops added makeshift armor to their Humvees and the Pentagon rushed kits to retrofit the vehicles with better protections after the threat from roadside bombs escalated in 2003 and 2004, according to the report. Even so, retrofitted Humvees remained vulnerable to improvised explosive devices, because of the vehicle’s "flat bottom, low weight, low ground clearance and aluminum body," the inspector general found.

The report distributed throughout the Army and Marine Corps in 1994 found that a Humvee "even with a mine-protection retrofit kit developed for Somalia remained a deathtrap in the event of an anti-tank mine detonation," USA Today reported.

Cause I Love You, Angel

Lovely ... Never, ever change.
Keep that breathless charm.
Won't you please arrange it ?
'Cause I love you ... Just the way you look tonight.