Wednesday Hero 10/27/2010

GySgt. Carlos Hathcock
May 20, 1942 – February 23, 1999


Carlos Hathcock was a United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant sniper with a service record of 93 confirmed kills. Hathcock's record and the extraordinary details of the missions he undertook made him a legend in the Marine Corps. His fame as a sniper and his dedication to long distance shooting led him to become a major developer of the United States Marine Corps Sniper training program. He was honored by having a rifle named after him: a variant of the M21 dubbed the Springfield Armory M25 White Feather.

You Can Read More About GySgt. Hathcock Here

You can watch an interview with Gunny Hathcock
Here
Here
and Here

I have to say that it's kind of sad that the best source of info I could find on Gunny Hathcock was on Wikipedia. There should be a lot more sites honoring this man.

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.


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Thanks to Christopher Lee for taking the time to gather these stories and sharing them with us!

Talking Tuesday

Good news!!!

MudPuppy, my VirtuaSon is writing on a regular basis once again!
I say, "Good for him" and it is better for us!

For those of you who have yet to meet this young man, he is pure awesomeness! MP is simply a good man. The kind of good; which young boys can look up to and respect. The kind of good; when he speaks, people want to listen for his words are full of common sense. The kind of good; when I went to a ballgame and out to dinner with him...I witnessed first hand the love he has for his family, I witnessed the kindness he holds in his heart (which I read in his words for years before).
He is a Patriot.
He is a dedicated Soldier.
He is a man of Velvet and Steel...for he's tough as nails on the outside, but soft and caring on the inside.

Now you have the intro.......
MP's blog today, is all about reinstating the Draft. From a Soldier's perspective.
Please stop by, and visit my VirtuaSon
Embrace The Suck

After reading his words, please come back and share your thoughts...
(Please leave MP a message, to let him know you stopped by!)

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

Sadness...

LAPD remembers Staff Sgt. Joshua Cullins of Simi Valley, killed in Afghanistan
Daily News Wire Services
Posted: 10/20/2010 11:30:09 AM PDT
Updated: 10/20/2010 11:32:02 AM PDT


The Los Angeles Police Department today is mourning a 28-year-old Marine Corps officer killed by a roadside bomb this week in Afghanistan.
Staff Sgt. Joshua J. Cullins died Monday. He is the second LAPD officer killed this year with the Marines in war-torn Helmand province.

Cullins, an explosive ordinance disposal officer, recently had recovered from a concussion he suffered dismantling another roadside bomb in July, it was reported today.

Two months ago, LAPD officers who patrol downtown Los Angeles took to the streets to make a video get-well card for Cullins, thanking him for his service and urging him to make it back home safe, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Buoyed by his friends' messages and by the accompanying music video dedicated to him, Cullins bounced back quickly from the concussion he suffered in the July 16 explosion of a 15-pound bomb, The Times reported.

On Tuesday, his friends learned Cullins died the day before from injuries caused by another roadside bomb.

Details of Cullins' death were not immediately available from the Department of Defense, but police sources indicated Cullins was killed by a secondary bomb as his unit was investigating an earlier explosion.

A Marine Corps reservist, Cullins was serving with the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment in Marja, in Afghanistan's dangerous Helmand province.

The two-part "Welcome Home" video for Cullins (Part 1, Part 2) includes personal messages from Chief Charlie Beck to rookie patrolmen telling "Josh" they were looking forward to seeing him back at work in Los Angeles.

Hunter Ackerman made this music-video welcome-home tribute for LAPD Staff Sgt. Joshua Cullins, 28, a U.S. Marine who was killed Monday by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. The second part of the video includes messages from LAPD Chief Charlie Beck and others.

(Part 2)

Applebee's Kindness

It's hard to believe the end of October is approaching!

Applebee's will once again thank our Veterans on Veterans Day with a FREE meal!

Please read the entire article HERE.

My boss (truly, the big boss = owner) called the other day to discuss his ideas for a Veterans Day weekend at Good Earth! We may offer a 10% discount on Christmas Trees and then donate another 10% of all our tree sales to an organization supporting our Troops. I'll be writing a tribute to our Vets in our E-Mail on Veterans Day. Dave (the owner of Good Earth) has also agreed to another Soldier Drive during the Christmas Season. Last year our customers donated items, which I filled and shipped to Iraq. Nine boxes of goodies went to our Soldiers!

Please pass along kindnesses by companies and I will post them here!

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

Wednesday Hero 10/20/2010

I'm having some problems uploading this week's Wednesday Hero...

Please visit the website HERE


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Airman Mom will update on life soon...it's all good!

Wednesday Hero 10/13/2010

First Lieutenant Gregory F. Ambrosia
28 years old from Knoxville, Tennessee
2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade


The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Gregory F. Ambrosia, United States Army, for gallantry in actions while serving as Executive Officer, Company A, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade Combat Team, in action in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, in Afghanistan, on 25 - 26 September 2007. First Lieutenant Ambrosia's gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD: On 25 September 2007, Able Company, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry air assaulted into the village of Qowru and conducted a search and attack through the village and surrounding caves in order to disrupt Taliban and Al Qaeda forces in the Watapor Valley. The Company Executive Officer, First Lieutenant Ambrosia air assaulted into OP REDSKINS, one of two company observation posts (OP's) overlooking Qowru, in order to establish a command radio relay station and overwatch the mounted assault element in the valley with 60-mm. indirect fire. Upon occupation, ICOM intercepts informed the OP that the enemy was mobilizing and massing for an attack on both company OP's and the mounted maneuver element in the valley. Immediately upon insertion, the 22 Soldiers of 1st Platoon which assaulted OP REDSKINS linked up and moved towards their position overlooking the valley. There were explosions and shots fired across the valley during the night, but no fires were directed at OP REDSKINS. By morning the OP observed the rest of the Company move into position and begin their search and attack through the valley. A fire team plus-sized element of Anti-Coalition Militia was maneuvering to high ground to the east of the company when they made contact with the position at OP REDSKINS. The first individual that came close to the OP was an enemy scout. The individual was engaged immediately and within minutes several of the ACM fighters engaged the observation post with an intense volume of fire. Without any hesitation, First Lieutenant Ambrosia immediately assessed the situation and reported to the Company Commander who was located down in the valley and by this time under fire as well. He gave the enemy situation and without any concern for his own safety remained in place while exposed to heavy enemy fire from ACM forces advancing on his position to within hand grenade range. He continued directing fires and making critical radio transmissions using both FM and TACSAT communication. His timely and accurate calls for 40-mm. and 81-mm. danger close fire were the only effective defense for the OP. While the rest of the element were throwing hand grenades and engaged in close combat with a flanking ACM force, First Lieutenant Ambrosia held his position under heavy direct fire during the 4 hours of the engagement without deviating from his radio transmissions. He requested fire missions, using three different indirect fire assets and close air support simultaneously. First Lieutenant Ambrosia's strong character gave him the tools he needed to repel the enemy attack. First Lieutenant Ambrosia's indirect fire was able to hold the enemy front, which allowed the rest of the OP to fight back the enemy's attempt to turn their flank. First Lieutenant Ambrosia continued providing covering fire simultaneously as he had to make corrections on the 500 pound bombs dropped all within danger close. He gave the Battalion Commander updates of the enemy and friendly situations as they developed. He continued to hold his position even though he was constantly exposed to close heavy enemy fire. First Lieutenant Ambrosia kept keeping Close Combat Air updated on the enemy's location allowing the AH-64 (Apache) to effectively engage and kill three ACM fighters. Despite constant signal intercepts suggesting advancing and flanking maneuver forces, his ability to continue setting the tactical conditions gave the Non-Commissioned Officers and all junior leaders the ability to maneuver their Paratroopers. First Lieutenant Ambrosia's actions throughout the entire engagement were of the highest degree of valor. He performed honorably while under direct enemy fire and effectively engaged the enemy under the most difficult circumstances. First Lieutenant Ambrosia was a key leader during the battle, providing true leadership to the entire element. Even when events became dire, he kept his demeanor and without hesitation took the fight to the enemy. His actions are the true embodiment of the Infantry Warrior Ethos.

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.




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Many thanks to Christopher Lee for the time and effort he takes to honor our heroes!

Talking Tuesday

Reporting from Washington — Alma Nemelka said her nephew was the first to die. He was standing at the rear of the Soldier Readiness Center at Ft. Hood, Texas, when an Army officer burst in shouting, "Allahu akbar!'' Pfc. Aaron Thomas Nemelka, 19 and soon to be deployed to the Middle East, was shot in the head.

On Tuesday, the man accused of killing Nemelka and 12 others, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan of the Army Medical Corps, will appear for his first broad military hearing into the November attack. Hasan, a U.S.-born Muslim and Army psychiatrist, was shot during the incident and is paralyzed from the waist down.

The hearing, formally called an Article 32 proceeding, is expected to span four to six weeks. Akin to a grand jury hearing but open to the public, it is designed to help the top Army commander at Ft. Hood determine whether there is enough evidence to court-martial Hasan, 40, who could face a death sentence.
-Stars and Stripes.com


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

Columbus Day Prayer

I found this gem in my e-mail this morning:

Today, October 11, 2010, many across our Nation will be observing 'Columbus Day'; the day our country sets aside as a legal holiday to celebrate the 'discovery' of America.

Many are unsure why we call this celebration 'Columbus Day', as we know that Christopher Columbus never reached the United States. There are also historians that note other explorers and information on the colonization of the Americas prior to Columbus' landing in 1492. And, certainly, it is well known that our 'Native Americans' crossed the Bering Strait from Siberia to Alaska, traveled throughout the lands now know as the Americas, and established villages herein long before Columbus' 'discovery'.

Yet, with the understanding that the explorations and findings of Columbus were the first that led to continued expeditions to the Americas by European powers to colonize and build trade networks in the 'New World', we give title to our country's day of 'discovery' as 'Columbus Day.'

Whatever understanding we hold of our country's beginnings, whatever we choose to call this day in our hearts, and however we choose to celebrate the day in which we as a nation recognize the discovery of our country, this is an excellent day to step back and give thanks to the Almighty for all the blessings and freedoms we have in this land!

May we pray together today, in great thanksgiving, speaking aloud of our
gratefulness for our liberties and our appreciation for those willing to serve that we may remain free! A land of opportunity, a land of prosperity, a land of hope where the accomplishment of dreams is a reality given to us!

Today, as we remember how very blessed we are, may we also hold in special prayer each member of our Armed Forces, our veterans, their family members, and the families of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice that our country may remain strong, united, and without defeat! We have a bounty of blessings each day we live ~ may we thank God and all those brave souls instilled with the courage to fight for this land and its people!

God Bless America!


With prayers for our country, those who are serving or who have served, and YOU,

Rev. Lin McGee
National Chaplain
Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.

Ten Years...

May Almighty God Bless our Fallen Soldiers.

May Almighty God bring comfort to the families of all warriors, who have paid the ultimate price.

May Almighty God protect each and every Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine who serve our great nation.

Ten Years...

(please pause my Playlist on the right sidebar)

Wednesday Hero 10/06/2010

Sgt. 1st Class Brandon McGuire


The early morning April sky dawned clear over Forward Operating Base Iskandaryia, Iraq. Sgt. 1st Class Brandon McGuire, a platoon sergeant with 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment, whose home base was Fort Richardson, Alaska, and his spotter settled in for their third day of looking for insurgents.

"We were observing a stretch of road that had recently been cleared of IEDs (improvised explosive devices)," said McGuire, now first sergeant of Fort Polk's Alpha Troop, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 509th Infantry Regiment.

"The area had also seen a lot of mortar activity. We had several Soldiers killed and severely wounded along that stretch of road by IEDs and mortars."

As the two Soldiers gazed across the expanse between their hiding place - an abandoned shed - and their target area, they noticed a man in local garb sauntering up and down through a series of canals. When he dug into a canal bank and uncovered a mortar tube, McGuire said he knew this was a target.

You can read the rest of Sgt. 1st Class Brandon McGuire's story here.

Photo Courtesy Army.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.


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Thank you once again, Christopher Lee!

The Few, The Proud...

If you have not yet attended a Rolling Thunder, I ask of you... I urge you...I plead with you....
I beg...
please.
Just once.
Come to our Nation's Capitol on Memorial Day Weekend.
If you own a bike, then ride.
If you ride, offer to escort a Blue or Gold Star Mother.
If you don't ride, stand on the streets and listen to the most incredible sound...ever! Take this time to reflect of those who paid the ultimate price and not forget those who choose to serve today.
I had the honor of riding on the back of a bike this year, and I hope to do it again next year.
Are there thousands and thousands of people? Hell yeah! Be a part of this incredible event...just once.

please......

(Please pause my Playlist on the right sidebar and watch this video.)

October...finally!

Thirty-Nine American Soldiers were killed in the month of September. Although that number is down from June, July and August...

It's 39 families who have received 'that knock at the door'.
It's 39 families who will face the holidays with an empty chair.
It's 39 moms who have buried a child.

October is a new month, a new season.
May we see even fewer casualties in the month of October.