Talking Tuesday

The other day, while Hubster was helping me make the bed with freshly washed sheets...I told him that fresh sheets on a bed; are truly my favorite of all simple pleasures. The conversation went on that if we ever 'struck it rich', I would not want a huge house or a bunch of maids...but I would want fresh sheets on my bed every day for the rest of my life. That's it.

Hubster served in the Navy and spent many an hour on a submarine...he missed an ice-cold Coke most of all. He's not even a big soda drinker, but he did miss Coca Cola.

As I think of MudPuppy, Mark, Christopher, David and countless other soldiers who sleep, eat and breathe dust all day, every day... I wonder... to those who are currently serving and to those who have served in the past.... what do/did you miss most? Even if you are a civie, please chime in...what would you miss most, if you were to find yourself in Afghanistan or Iraq for a year?

Your turn........

Emergency Prayer Request!!!

Please take a few moments this morning and visit Pops at MarkOneEleven.

Specialist Monte "Ike" Lesh needs our prayers.

John Update

In February, 2008 I tearfully sent my youngest offspring into the world.



It was a day filled with much emotion; pride, sadness, anticipation, anxiety...a classic example of Vegetable Soup of Emotions. (Moms do a good job of tossing together a bunch of emotions.)



Fortunately, it has been an extremely uneventful year and a half. John met the challenges BMT offers. He excelled at Tech School. He has done a fine job at Wright-Patterson.



And then, I got a phone call tonight. John received a summons for Criminal Trespassing. John, six friends and two pick-up trucks decided to visit some back roads. John's truck ( '89 F250) got stuck in the mud and it evidently took some wheel-turning to get the truck unstuck. Someone felt he tore up the park a bit too much. I asked him if he will get into any 'real' trouble from this little escapade, he said he is looking at fines.



Whew! I'm relieved! But, I'm also thinking...Damn, I'll bet he had a blast!



Do you think it would do any good at all, if Mom suggested he go back to doing this:

Happy Birthday, My Baby Girl!!!

This day is forever marked in my heart.

I met and fell in love with my Baby Girl.

She was one of ‘those’ newborns; had a tough time figuring out night from day. Night after night, week after week, month after month…she would not sleep through the night. So I held my baby close, rocking her while I sang, “There’s a hole in my bucket” over and over and over and over…

As all babies do, she grew up. A tomboy, who at the age of three; climbed and became stuck in a Crabapple tree. She played tee-ball and would step to bat and wiggle her booty… it was her warm-up routine. My Baby Girl grew into a beautiful teenager and a caring person.

Her inner beauty and compassion are her greatest of gifts. She is now a Labor & Delivery nurse, caring for the newborns. I am so very proud of all her accomplishments. She is a supportive wife and a loving mother to my grandgirl. I remember whispering to her as she was being wheeled out to deliver her daughter, “You will now know how deeply I love you.”

My daughter and I danced to the song, “You Can’t Lose Me” at her wedding. These are our words…

"You can't lose me
Bet your life
I am here and I will always be
Just a wish away
Wherever you go
No matter how far
My love is where you are
You won't be lost if you believe
You can't lose me"

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!!!
You are forever etched in my heart; always loved deeply.

You can't lose me!

Tough Times?

No doubt, we are all feeling the pinch of the recession.

Times are tough, stresses are high...everyone is feeling the effects of our current economy.

As a result of these difficult times; an organization by the name of "Treats for Troops" shut down as of June 21st. For six years, 'TFT' has been dedicated to sending packages to our soldiers. I fear, this may become a trend among volunteer groups, who donate their time and goods.

PLEASE don't let this happen.

Our soldiers deserve letters and packages from home.

These brave men and women have voluntarily stepped up, to be the defenders of our nation. Please don't take them for granted.

Our military consists of sons and daughters, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, cousins, nephews and nieces, grandsons and granddaughters, neighbors.

I received the nicest letter from my Marine; I am honored to be his Angel! He spoke warmly of his family, his love of God and his pride for our country.

There is a certain MudPuppy among us, who celebrates a birthday next month! Will he be home, enjoying a cold beer with his buddies and seeing his mom's eyes? No! He will still be in Afghanistan, still living in dust, still avoiding a hit by an IED, still fighting for us.

If you have never sent a package to a soldier, I'm asking you to do it once.

If you have sent a package or two in the past, thank you! Please send one more!

If you feel you can write one letter a week and mail one package a month to a soldier...please visit SoldiersAngels.

If you would like the address for Zachary, MudPuppy or Christopher (Holly's beau)...please let me know!

These are OUR soldiers!

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

Pilot on Military Jet Dies After Training Mission Crash

TOOELE, Utah — Military officials say a pilot has died in an F-16 crash at the Utah Test and Training Range in the state's west desert.

Rhonda Elmore, of the 75th Air Base Wing public affairs office at Hill Air Force Base, says she had no information about where the pilot's body was found Tuesday.

The pilot's name was not immediately released.

The aircraft crashed Monday night while on a training mission. It was assigned to Hill Air Force Base's 388th Fighter Wing.

The cause of the crash is not known. Elmore says the F-16 was destroyed on impact.

The crash site is about 35 miles south of Wendover near the Utah-Nevada state line.

~Associated Press-June 23, 2009

May Almighty God Bless this brave Airman.
May Almighty God comfort the family who loves him so.
May Almighty God help his comrades; as they grieve the loss of a brother.

His Star Has Turned From Blue to Gold

Spc. Rodrigo A. Munguia Rivas, 27, of Germantown, Maryland was killed June 21 in Bagram, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his unit was attacked by indirect fire.He was assigned to the 710th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y. Fort Drum officials said he joined the Army in April 2008 and was deployed in January 2009.

He is survived by his mother and stepfather.


May Almighty God Bless this brave soldier and comfort the family who loves him so.

A Sea of Soldiers

A sea of U.S. Army soldiers salute during the 1st Armored Division's 2nd Brigade uncasing ceremony held on Baumholder's Minick Field, Germany, June 5, 2009. The soldiers are assigned to the 2nd Brigade.
-U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brandon Moreno

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

Father, Son Serve Together in Iraq

BAGHDAD, June 19, 2009 – This Father’s day weekend has special meaning for Army Maj. Benjamin Rex. Rex, a native of Albion, Ind., is serving here alongside his son, Army Pfc. Jeromy Bruce Rex.

The soldiers serve together with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team, based out of Fort Bragg, N.C.

What makes this deployment even more special for the elder Rex is that his son is serving in the same company as he did during operations Desert Shield and Storm in the early 1990s, when he was an enlisted infantryman. During that deployment, he missed his son’s birth.

Now serving as a primary staff officer in the brigade’s headquarters company, Major Rex is proud his son volunteered to serve with him.

“Having my son follow in my footsteps to serve in the Panther Brigade is one of those rare legacy things you can't help but to be proud of,” the father of three said. “I never pushed the military as a career on my children, so knowing that he volunteered to be a soldier -- a third-generation infantryman and paratrooper -- and that he wanted to share a deployment with his dad has been pretty cool.

“Having him end up in the exact same company and platoon where I started my career 22 years ago adds even more to the legacy,” he added.

For 18-year-old Jeromy Rex, the chance to serve with his father during a deployment is an experience he cherishes and knows will bring them closer together.

“It's been really great having him here, because he encourages me to do better,” the private first class said. “I'm just really glad to share this experience with him. I feel it's going to bring us closer as father and son, and hopefully someday after he gets out of the military, I can step up and fill his huge shoes.”

Part of the fun of being deployed with his father, he added, comes when people who know the elder soldier see him and say, "Hey, it's Little Rex.”

Like most fathers, Major Rex wants to see his son as often as he can. But the experienced paratrooper also knows to keep his distance so his son can focus on the mission, especially knowing the dangers of serving as an airborne infantryman in a combat environment.

“It's challenging to be a father who wants to see his son on occasion, while also trying to keep my distance so he can prove himself without me around,” he said. “Knowing the dangers of the combat environment is another challenge, but I am reassured by the fact that he is surrounded by experienced paratroopers.”

For a short time, father and son were based together in Baghdad. But with the June 30 deadline to pull combat forces out of Iraq’s urban areas, the younger soldier’s unit had to move to the outskirts of the city to comply with the U.S.-Iraq security agreement.

Military service is nothing new in the Rex family. Major Rex’s father served in the 101st Airborne Division in the 1960s.The major’s two older children, Tabitha and Brandon, are students at Ball State University in Indiana. Brandon is enrolled in the ROTC program, seeking to follow his father’s footsteps by being a commissioned officer. Kelly Rex, Major Rex’s wife, is a civilian employee at Fort Bragg’s Civilian Personnel Assistance Center.
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Alex Licea
Special to American Forces Press Service

(Army Sgt. 1st Class Alex Licea serves in Multinational Division Baghdad with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team public affairs office.)

A SOLDIER'S PRAYER

As the soldier looked down from the heavens above
down on the earth and the land that he loved

He saw its beautiful mountains, its rivers and streams
the land of opportunity, of freedom and dreams

Then he looked down at the red, white, and blue
The flag he defended, being burned by a few

His heart began aching; his eyes filled with tears
Dear God, Tell me the reason for the flames and the sneers?

What has happened to my people, where is their pride?
Have they forgotten we carried that flag as we died?

That flag was our symbol of a land free and true
For hundreds of years it has carried us through

If there ever was anything for which this country stood
It was the flag that told others our land was free and good

Have you forgotten my mother who cries over my grave?
Or the imprisoned others, so strong and brave?

We fought for our country, many lives for that flag
Yet you dare let them burn it and call it a rag?

We gave the gift of freedom, unselfishly for you and your own
Are your eyes so blind that this dishonor you condone?

That flag cannot burn, you just can't let it be
Please stop this nonsense and listen to me

Let it fly proudly, please protect it from harm
Let it be unfurled over cities and farms

If you allow to happen, if you let it burn
You are killing America and the honor thousands fought proudly to earn

I wish I could be there, I'd try to find a way
But my days with you were taken, so I can only pray

That God will give you guidance, and the strength to decide,
The flag we died for shall not burn, but fly with reverence and pride

~Mary Rogers

Broken

This is a follow-up to yesterday's Wednesday Hero, Pvt. William Long.

A young soldier, killed at a Recruiter's Office. Pvt. Long was serving his country, when he was shot. After reading the comments left yesterday, the common thread is the word, terrorism. One of our soldiers, murdered on our soil. From all accounts, this act of violence was premeditated. The man who aimed and fired at these two young soldiers, did it with the intent to kill them. Pvt. Long's mom was sitting in the parking lot, waiting for her son and heard the shots. Imagine, if you will.....

Why is our country not in a complete uproar? Wasn't one loss of life enough to justify outrage for this heinous act?

WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH OUR NATION????

Please pause the playlist on the right sidebar and listen to this interview. Share it with everyone you know. If nothing else, pray for this young man, pray for his family who loves him so, pray for our nation!


Thanks to KATV in Little Rock.

Wednesday Hero 06/17/2009

Pvt. William Long
23 years old from Conway, Arkansas
D Company, 2nd Battalion, 58th Infantry
June 1, 2009


"My brother taught me valuable lessons and made me the man I am today," said Pfc. Triston Long, brother of Pvt. William Long. "My commander said, 'Make your brother one of us.' I will miss my brother with all that I am, and I serve in honor of him."

Pvt. William Long had just completed basic training and was set to ship out on June 8 to his first duty station in Korea when he and Private Second Class Quinton Ezeagwula were shot outside a Little Rock, Arkansas Army-Navy Recruiting Center by Abdul Hakim Mujahid Muhammad. They were in Little Rock to speak to with potential recruits about their experiences.

Pvt. Long's father, Daris Long, a former Marine, wrote a letter to give to him when he shipped out for South Korea. In that letter he wrote, "Your day only ends when you’ve done your duty. You and your brother … are both heroes for having the moral courage to stand up when your country needs you most. You are in my hopes and my thoughts and my prayers. You are my son, you are my hero. I love you. Semper fidelis."

Along with his father and brother, Pvt. William Long is survived by his mother, Janet, who had served in the Navy herself.

All Information Was Found On And Copied From RedState, Sipsey Street Irregulars & Army Times with help from Kathi

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.

I. LOVE. THESE. GIRLS.

J,K,L & M spent a week in Williamsburg on vacation. Great memories were made, along with memorable moments which can only be made when you take a 2 and 3 year old on vacation. Here are two of my favorite photos.....
Precious is a spitting image of her mom, when she was three years old. I find myself looking at this sweet girl and slipping back 28 years! I love her so.


Bright Eyed Beauty gave her mom this look, when a chocolate covered pretzel was taken from her. (notice the chocolate on her tiny fingernail?) I love her so.

The idea that no one is perfect is a view most commonly held by people with no grandchildren. ~Doug Larson

Talking Tuesday

I'm an American.

I've lived in the same county of the same state, my entire life!

I've spoken English since I was a toddler, except for my Latin classes in High School.

And then......I was introduced to a whole new language.

Military.

Yep, between my hubster and two sons...I have learned there is a whole different language among those who serve our nation. They speak in acronyms.

Hmmmm...perhaps a warning should have been posted! Oh well.... If this post is more than you can handle today, please come back tomorrow!!! (No disrespect intended to anyone... this is meant to be fun!!!)

ARMY - AF Rejected Me Yesterday
ARMY - Aren't Ready to be Marines Yet
BCG - Birth Control Goggles
BOHICA - Bend Over, Here It Comes Again
BOSS - Being On Ships Sucks
CAC - Common Access Card
DEH - Don't Expect Help
DILLIGAF - Does It Look Like I Give A Fu*%
EUSTIS - Even Uncle Sam Thinks It Sucks
FIDO - Fu*% It, Drive On
FILTAB - Fu*% it, let's take a break
FNG - Fu*%ing New Guy
FUBAR - Fu*%ed Up Beyond Any Recognition
HQ - Headquarters
LGH - Let's Go Home
LLMF - Lost Like a Mother Fu*%er
LOST - Looking Over Strange Terrain
MARINES - My Ass Rides In Navy Equipment Sir
MRE - Meals Rejected by Ethiopians
NAVY - Need Any Vaseline Yet
OMGIF - Oh My God, I'm Fu*%ed
PT - Physical Training
S&G - Shits 'N Giggles
SNAFU - Situation Normal All Fu*%ed Up
SOP - Standard Operating Procedure
SWAG - Scientific Wild Ass Guess
TDY - Temporary Divorce for a Year
USMC - Uncle Sam's Misguided Children
Wilco - Will Comply



Your turn..............

Manic Monday

As we set out to begin a new week... whether it's going to work, or working at home; whether it's travelling for business, or travelling for pleasure; whether it's raining or whether it's hot and humid; whatever your new week brings in...
Please remain mindful of those who are far from home, defending our nation.
Special Operations Task Force - Central Soldiers, a team headed by Capt. Michael Zdrojesky (second from left), sprint in full combat gear during a Special Forces Challenge that took place on a military base in Baghdad on June 2. The five-man team from Fort Bragg, N.C., sprinted for about a quarter of a mile.
(Photo by Sgt. Jeffrey Ledesma : Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Arabian Peninsula)

The 14th of June

Happy Birthday, U.S. Army!
Thanks to Steve at CommonCents for posting this video.
(Please pause Playlist on sidebar)

It's Flag Day in the United States! As the legend goes, it was George Washington and two other members of the Continental Congress who asked Betsy Ross to sew the first American flag sometime in the late spring of 1776. The young widow was only in her early 20's when she completed the first flag with thirteen stars arranged in a circle. A year later, the Continental Congress officially adopted the design for the national flag, and henceforward the Stars and Stripes symbolized the U.S. around the world. The first "official" Flag Day was celebrated in 1877 - the flag's centennial. Then, in 1916, a grass roots movement resulted in President Woodrow Wilson issuing a proclamation that called for a nationwide observance of Flag Day on June 14. It was not until 1949 that Congress made the day a permanent observance in America by resolving "That the 14th day of June of each year is hereby designated as Flag Day." Please respectfully Wave our Flag today!!!

Thank you, President Eisenhower!!! The Pledge of Allegiance is believed to have been the idea of an editor of “The Youth's Companion” a children's magazine. By proclamation of President Benjamin Harrison, the pledge was first recited on October 12, 1892, and after some rewording was officially adopted on Flag Day, June 14, 1924. The words “under God” were added in 1954. The pledge now reads: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands: one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” While reciting the pledge of allegiance, citizens stand at attention or place the right hand over the heart. Men should remove their hats, and military personnel in uniform face the flag and give the military salute.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Neal! Mr. Neal was one of the finest men I have met. He passed away last July at the age of 92. John and I fished often at Mr. Neal's farm. Mr. Neal would drive down to the pond on his golf cart to say hello, he was always amazed how such a little guy could sit so quietly and fish...for hours. Mr. Neal was an Arabian Horse breeder, I remember taking my dad (a horse lover) to the farm to see these magnificent creatures. Mr. Neal was one of those special people who welcomed everyone...always. How blessed I am to have this man as a memory.

One More Proud Poolesville Son!

Captain Michael Fox, born and raised in Poolesville has become the face spokesman for the U.S. Marine Corp Fixed-Wing Pilots!

Mike will be on the U.S. Marine Corps' brochures and posters as the Marine Corps' increases the size of its fixed-wing arsenal domestically. The brochures and posters will be distributed throughout the nation by the end of the year, as a major recruitment tool for the U.S. Marine Corps' Pilots Program.

For now, Captain Fox can be seen on the Marine Corps website, as he narrates a video of the training and education required to become a Marine Corps fixed-wing pilot. Mike describes his flights with the famous Harrier aircraft that he flies and train with in the United States. The Harrier fighter plane is one of the Marine Corps finest fighter planes.

Please read the rest of the story HERE. If you have a few moments to watch the video, please remember to pause the Playlist on the right sidebar.

Congratulations to another fine son of our town. Poolesville may be small in numbers, but we are huge in heroes!

Love and support to both my sons, B and John!

Prayers to Zachary!

Thinking of Andrew and Joseph!

Congratulations to Michael!

Another Sunset

ADRIATIC SEA (June 10, 2009) The sun sets on a day of at-sea operations aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5). Bataan is on a scheduled deployment performing maritime security operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Tony Sisti/Released)

May Almighty God Bless each and every Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine!
May God bring each of them home safely, so they can enjoy a sunset with their friends and families.

Soldiers Day in Poolesville!

A warm thank you to Berry, for allowing me to post his photos!

A group of motorcyclists escorted soldiers from Walter Reed Medical Center to Whites Ferry on Saturday, May 30th. The soldiers and supporters enjoyed a day filled with a picnic and fishing. What an incredible way to say "Thank You!" to our soldiers!















Berry, I do thank you!

MudPuppy Words!!!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Welcome To Embrace The Suck News...

This...is Afghanistan.

I'm your host, Mud Puppy, and let's get right to the headlines.

First, in Khowst Province, Afghanistan just outside of Khowst City an entire platoon of Military Police soldiers went on a mission. These soldiers were tasked with assessing the situation in several district centers throughout the area.

They were doing this in order to facilitate the upcoming provincial elections due to occur in Afghanistan around January of next year. They were to identify any possible deficiencies in the district centers so that they could be addressed before the election.

In addition they were to ascertain the security situation in Khowst and obtain intelligence about Taliban activities in the area.

These exceptional soldiers accomplished all their tasks in an efficient military manner and returned to base without a single casualty.

In addition,

They did not shoot any innocent civilians.
They did not rape any women.
They did not destroy any property.
They did not commit any mass murder.
They did not abuse any prisoners.

However, they did...

Pull an Afghani car out of a ditch, for no reason other than to lend a hand.
Give out hundreds of bottles of water. (The water they had brought with them to sustain them for the duration of the mission.)
Gave out several boxes of food. (Once again, their own and not food that was designated for the Afghani's)
Gave the Afghani children every pen they could find.
Gave them all the candy that they had.
Shared a few cigarettes with the men.
Played a few games with the children.
Taught the children how to say different things in English, and were taught by the children how to say those things in Pashtu.
Won a few hearts and minds.

And that's the headlines ladies and gentlemen.

This is Mud Puppy for Embrace the Suck news.

Good Night And Good Luck.

This happened hundreds, if not thousands of times just within the last week throughout Iraq and Afghanistan.

So I wonder how come nobody ever hears that on the news?

Later,

I love you Mom...

Happy Birthday, John!!!

On June 10, 1989 at 6:10p.m., I met my baby.

He captured my heart, at the first glimpse into his smiling eyes.

Over the past twenty years, we have shared thunderstorms and baseball games, fishing and movies, ice cream cones and smiles. Time has passed ever so quickly. Somewhere along the way, my adorable little boy grew into an amazing man.

By God's grace, the next twenty years will pass as quickly.

I pray my son will always know unconditional love and support, good health, fun friends, dreams come true, success in his career and happiness always.

I am truly blessed to call John my son!

Happy Birthday, my Baby!

John, I do love you so!

A Mother’s Love

Nurtured in my womb
born of my heart
not a single person alive
can love you as I do

Protected in infancy
teaching you always
not a single person alive
can love you as I do

Growing up in life
friends can come and go
not a single person alive
can love you as I do

I will always be your mother
in my heart you are always welcome
for not a single person alive
can love you as I do

~Dragon Blogger

Talking Tuesday

Some of my favorite Military quotes:

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." ~Elmer Davis

"Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid, one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory." ~Douglas MacArthur

"Fall seven times, stand up eight." ~Japanese Proverb



Your turn...........

D-Day

At the beginning of World War 2, Germany invaded Poland, causing France, Great Britain and Canada to declare war on Germany. By the spring of 1940, the German army was ready to invade France, defended by not only the French military, but also a sizable British force as well. Within six weeks, the Germans defeated the Allies and seized control of France. By 1944, the Germans knew that the Allies, also now including the United States, among others, would attempt an invasion of France to liberate Europe from Germany. The Allied forces, based in Britain, decided to begin the invasion by landing a huge army at a place called Normandy Beach, which is located on the northwest coast of France. Code-named "Operation Overlord", and commanded by American General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Allies landed on June 6, 1944 at five beaches in the Normandy area with the code names of: Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, Gold Beach, Juno Beach and Sword Beach. Prior to the actual amphibious invasion, Allied planes pounded the Nazi defenders and dropped thousands of paratroopers behind German lines the night before the seaborne landings. Local French Resistance forces, alerted to the imminent invasion, engaged in behind-the-lines sabotage and combat against the occupying Germans.

156,000 American, British and Canadian troops met heavy resistance from the German forces defending the area, but were able to punch inland, securing safe landing zones for reinforcements. The German failure to successfully defend the Normandy area from the Allied liberation forces in essence doomed Hitler's dream of a Nazi controlled "Fortress Europe" and marked the beginning of the end for Germany.

The exact number of men on both sides who died that day will probably never truly be known. Different sources cite different numbers of Allied, U.S. and German casualties:

--The D-Day Museum in Portsmouth, England claims a total of 2,500 Allied troops died, while German forces suffered between 4,000 and 9,000 total casualties on D-Day.

--The Heritage Foundation in the U.S. claims 4,900 U.S. dead on D-Day

--The U.S. Army Center of Military History cites a total casualty figure for U.S. forces at 6,036. This number combines dead and wounded in the D-Day battles

--John Keegan, American Historian and Author believes that 2,500 Americans died along with 3,000 British and Canadian troops on D-Day

By the end of the of the entire Normandy Campaign, nearly 425,000 Allied and German troops were killed, wounded, or missing.

Thanks, History Guy!

He's My Dad

On June 5, 2005… my dad died.

I miss him every single day.

He’s my dad.

He loved me unconditionally and I knew it.

He’s my dad.

He taught me how to love my children.

He’s my dad.

My daughter was carrying his first great-grandchild, when he died. I know he loves his great-grandgirls. All four of them.

He's the strongest man, I have ever known.

He's the softest man, I have ever known.

He’s my dad.

I remember going to his office with him on Saturday afternoons, when I was a little girl.

I remember my 18th birthday; he took me to a Polka Hall, so that I could have my first ‘legal’ beer with him. We danced Polka all night! (Yeah right, just how every 18 year old in the 1970’s wants to spend their 18th birthday!)

I remember how much my dad loved to dance, despite the fact he was beat-deficient.

He’s my dad.

I remember sitting by his hospital bedside for hours on end, after his lung transplant. I remember playing 500-Rummy with him hours on end, because that is what we did.

He’s my dad.

There is not a single day that passes; which I do not see his face, hear his voice or miss him with all my heart.

I love my dad.

He’s my dad.

USO in a Box

LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan, June 3, 2009 – Soldiers at Forward Operating Base Shank here gathered May 27 for the dedication of the first “USO in a Box.”

The facility was dedicated to the soldiers who serve, have served and to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Task Force Spartan soldiers from the 710th Brigade Support Battalion hosted a formal ceremony for the grand opening. Army Col. Marcus Cochran, personnel assistance officer in charge for Combined Joint Task Force 101 was the event’s keynote speaker.

“The USO is a place where any soldier can go and it feels like home,” he said. “It’s a place that offers a break.”

Though it’s small and enclosed within a metal container, the new USO facility comes with all amenities included, making it an oasis for relaxation and fun. It includes a large-screen television, two phones for morale calls, two computers for personal e-mail access and three video-game consoles.

“This facility is the first-ever to be established anywhere in the world,” said Army Capt. Pena De Lucia of the CJTF 101 personnel office, who had a large role in planning the event.

“We saw the need for a facility in this area,” said Kevin Meade, vice president for USO facilities throughout Southwest Asia. “We did extensive research, and this is where our research showed we should establish the first center.”

More portable USOs soon will follow. Two other units have arrived at Bagram Airfield and await transport to destinations in Kunar and Paktia provinces.

“We plan to have 10 facilities set up across Afghanistan, including this one,” Meade said. “Ten facilities will be set up here, and 10 will be sent to Iraq.”

The facilities are part of what Meade refers to as a “three-prong effect,” which includes the portable USO facilities, gaming systems and “USO to Go,” a program that sends soldiers packages of goodies, clothing, board games, and musical instruments.

“What we want is to provide outreach to those soldiers that are out on the more obscure FOBs,” Meade said, “which is why we have made these portable USO facilities so durable, compact and easy to set up.”

After the ceremony, soldiers had a chance to tour the facility. Without a word, they settled down in front of the large TV, dialed up their families or sat down to compete on the gaming systems.

None had to be asked; they all knew what to do: just come in and put their minds at ease for a moment at “a little piece of home” in the middle of their dusty forward base.

(Army Sgt. Amber Robinson serves in the Task Force Spartan public affairs office.)

Wednesday Hero 06/03/2009

Sgt. Pablo A. Calderon
26 years old from Brooklyn, New York
1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division
November 30, 2004


"He wanted to fight for his country," said his heartbroken younger sister, Lilliana Calderone. "He always wanted to be there."

Pablo Calderon joined the Army in 1997, right out of High School. "He went straight to the army from high school," said his sister. "He wanted to improve himself. He was proud. He loved his country."

Sgt. Calderon was killed when an IED was detonated near his vehicle in Fallujah, Iraq. Also killed in the attack was Sgt. Jose Guereca of Missouri City, Texas.

All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com & NYDailyNews.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

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How Sad is This?

GI Killed at Arkansas Recruiting Office


LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - A new soldier helping to attract others to the military was shot and killed outside an Army recruiting office Monday and a second soldier was wounded, and a suspect was arrested, police said.

A man inside a black vehicle pulled up outside the Army-Navy recruiting office in west Little Rock and opened fire about 10:30 a.m., said police Lt. Terry Hastings.

The two soldiers were outside the office when they were shot. They were taken to a hospital, where one died.

The vehicle was stopped on Interstate 630 a short time later and a suspect was taken into custody. Hastings said the suspect pulled over and surrendered without incident. Police found an assault rifle in the vehicle.

Hastings said investigators had not yet questioned the suspect. Hastings said he did not know whether the recruiting office was specifically targeted or randomly chosen.

Authorities did not immediately identify the victims or the suspect.

As a precaution, police called in a bomb squad after packages were found in the vehicle. Hastings said a robot would be used to open the packages.

Lt. Col. Thomas F. Artis of the Oklahoma City Recruiting Battalion, which oversees the Little Rock office, said the victims had just completed basic training and were not regular recruiters. He said they were serving two weeks in the Little Rock office.

As part of the Hometown Recruiting Assistance Program, the soldiers were sent to "talk to friends, folks in the local area. They can show the example, 'Here's where I was, and here is where I am,'" Artis said.

Artis said neither of the soldiers had been deployed for combat.

Eight other people work in the Little Rock recruiting office, including one civilian, he said.

June 01, 2009
Associated Press

JOB WELL DONE

JOB WELL DONE

They have given their time
They have given their all
For a country that said we made them fall.

Some say this is for power,
Some same this is for the fame.
We need to stop placing any and all the blames.

We have a country that has needs too, look at our veterans that have no shoes.
Many lost their lives, and many lost their limbs.
Some lost their minds, and others lost their will.

Some don't have homes, some don't have food.
But this is our country who's out to do good.
Give to your own, and then think of the world.

Lets fix our backyards before we fix theirs.
Our country is rich, with many things indeed.
But lets give aid to our people in the time of their needs.

So when you see a Veteran or someone in Uniform,
Please salute or shake their hand, and say JOB WELL DONE.

~Yalanda Antionette Jackson