REALLY BIG NEWS!!!!

I went back and forth, round and round....
How do I make this announcement???

Am I happiest that John is getting married, or happiest that our family is gaining another daughter? ...or am I happiest that Grandbaby #5 is on the way and it looks like (with 93-97% certainty) my first GrandBoy is coming into the world???
Truth is...my heart is just overflowing with joy for all three events!

So allow me to introduce the newest soon-to-be member of our family, Di.
John met this angel quite a while ago, on a camping trip. She is stationed at Wright-Patt, and I believe I had mentioned she was 'Stateside Deployed' at Andrews AFB for six months last year. Di spent Christmas with us, and a couple random weekends. She is as cute as a button, smart, determined, strong-willed and let me tell you this young lady sings like an angel. She is walking sunshine! From the moment we met, I knew I liked her...and I knew she was THE ONE for my son, John. The more time they spent together, I could hear in his voice how much he loves her...and how much he truly likes her! In countless conversations with Di...I have heard how much she loves, respects, encourages and truly likes my son! She has told me many times how John just makes her smile, and the song, "Smile" by Uncle Kracker is a song which makes her think of him. Please pause my playlist on the sidebar and smile for a moment while listening to a song which makes my heart very happy...just the thought of John and Di making each other smile!

May Almighty God Bless the marriage of this young couple.
May Almighty God Bless the sweet gift of a little one.

Wednesday Hero 03/30/2011

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Michael

Cpl. Lloyd Oliver
88 years old from Glendale, Arizona
April 23, 1923 - March 16, 2011


"Am I a hero? I don't know. Yeah. I'll be a hero. I'll go for that. Yeah."

Wednesday Hero profiled the Code Talkers way back in 2005. But this week it is honoring Cpl. Lloyd Oliver. Cpl. Oliver was one of the original 29 Navajo Code Talkers. He joined the Marines in 1942 at the age of 19 because he wanted to serve his country. Which he did, proudly, for three years. In 2001 he received the Congressional Gold Medal for being one of the original 29 Navajo Code Talkers. He passed away on March 16 of pancreatitis. Cpl. Oliver was only one of two remaining original Navajo Code Talkers.

Not only have we lost a great man, a brave man, but a piece of history is another step closer to being gone forever. We must keep them, and their place in it, alive for future generations.

You can read more about Cpl. Lloyd Oliver here and 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.

A Military Mom

A Military Mom

(Written for Mother’s Day, 2007)

What does a military mom look like?

What makes her special and fair?

It’s the way she looks at the grand old flag

Or the soldier in uniform over there.

It’s the tear in her eye during evening news

When tales of more casualties arise.

It’s the American Flag pin on her coat

And her armed services flag that flies.

It’s the prayer she says many times a day

- Prayers said out of a mother’s love.

It’s the peace she has within her heart

When God reaches down from above.

It’s the hugs she gives to other moms

Wives, husbands, and children too.

Military families are bonded in fear

– Fear of duties their soldier will do.

Pride and fear go hand in hand

For every military mother’s heart.

Honor is felt in their children’s role

However, fear is felt when they depart.

Strength is gained with others ‘round

Who share Freedom’s duty call.

Some return, but some may not

– And she prays for those who fall.

She knows it could be her child as well

Who faces Freedom’s final task.

Each day she prays out loud,

“Lord, watch over them,” she asks.

It’s the boxes she gathers to send away

To support the troops overseas.

Hugs and love are in each one

And she prays for each one of these.

She may send Jesus in each box

– A message of hope in time of war.

For God gives strength, honor and courage

His peace, and love plus more.

She feels it is her duty now

To offer Hope to a hurting soul.

Battle weary, they need her care

And encouragement is her goal.

A military mother has special grace

And a sense of patriotic love.

You can see it in all she does

As she relies on God above.

If you, too, are a military mom

Then let character be your guide.

Dignity and honor, pride and strength

– It’s not a time for faith to hide.

Display your trust in God alone

For He is the One in command!

Rest assured He knows your need

- He holds your child in His hand.

©Lucy Cain 2007

ICEX2011

ARCTIC OCEAN (March 19, 2011) The crew of the Seawolf-class attack submarine USS Connecticut (SSN 22) observe members of the Applied Physics Laboratory Ice Station clear ice from the submarine's hatch after it surfaced above the ice during ICEX 2011.
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin S. O'Brien/Released)

To read more about ICEX 2011, click HERE.

Wednesday Hero 03/23/2011

This Weeks Post Was Inspired By Sgt. Epler

Sgt. Ed Eaton
From Tillamook, Oregon


While many view snipers as the hidden (safe) threats in war based on their forays in First Person Shooter video games and movies like Saving Private Ryan and Enemy at The Gates, the fact of the matter is that snipers like any other soldiers in war are very successible to danger – especially in the case of Sergeant Ed Eaton’s brave protection and rescue of comrade in arms Major Mike Perkins when he had fallen injured in a night assault during the Vietnam war 1969

You can read more about Sgt. Eaton here. A quick caveat though. In doing research for this post this is the best site I could find for information on Sgt. Eaton. It's not a site that I would normally link to for Wednesday Hero, but, like I said, it has the best information. There's nothing really bad on it, but it may have some posts that some may not like.

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 Chrisopher Lee, for remaining true to our heroes!

Talking Tuesday

Libya.



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

Prayers for Japan

Happy St. Patrick's Day

May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

Wednesday Hero 03/16/2011

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Michael

Cpl. Frank Woodruff Buckles
110 years old from Charles Town, West Virginia
1st Fort Riley Casual Detachment
February 1, 1901 – February 27, 2011


On February 27, Frank Woodruff Buckles, America's last surviving WWI veteran, passed away at the age of 110. During The Great War he served as an ambulance driver. In 1920 he was discharged from the Army. In 1942, while working for the White Star and W.R. Grace shipping companies, he was captured by the Japanese and spent three years in the Los Baños prison camp. He became malnourished and dropped down to to below 100 pounds.

You can read the rest of Cpl. Buckles story here and 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.


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Warm thanks to Christopher Lee for his dedication to our Troops.
Wonderful suggestion, Mike!

DESPICABLE!!!

I would like to take this opportunity to share my thoughts on our media.

DESPICABLE!

According to Webster, the definition of despicable: "deserving to be despised".
The hourly coverage of Charlie Sheen's personal and professional destruction is unnecessary.

Our fallen Warriors deserve this air-time. These heroes make a difference in our world. When one falls, our Nation should know. We should see their faces all over our televisions and laptops. We should know their names and the names of their families, so we can lift them in prayer.

My hope. My goal. is to change this sickness America has somehow been infested by, which has totally warped our priorities. Why do we choose to pay attention to people who are living in self-inflicted despair, rather that focusing and applauding those who do good? When my children were teens, going through Teen-Turmoil... I always reminded them that self-inflicted wounds hurt the most. I reminded them, they always have choices....and those choices have consequences. Good and bad.

America...please wake up! Please make choices to embrace those who do good. Yes, I am well aware we all fall from grace time to time and we do not deserve to be shunned. Question... when we fall, what do we do to pull ourselves up and brush ourselves off? Do we attempt to learn and forge forward? Do we accept help and in return help those in an hour of need?

May Almighty God give us strength to be the best we can be, to seek positive role models and show our appreciation to those who make an effort to do good.

Prayers...

Such devastation in Japan.
Mother Nature is no match for us mere mortals.
We must constantly pray for one another.

Prayers............

Wednesday Hero 03/09/2011

Senior Airman Nicholas J. Alden and Airman 1st Class Zachary R. Cuddeback
March 2, 2011


On March 2, a gunman walked into a Frankfurt, Germany airport and shot four people, killing two of them. They were:


Senior Airman Nicholas J. Alden who was 25-years-old from Williamston, S.C. He was assigned to the 48th Security Forces Squadron at RAF Lakenheath in England.


Airman 1st Class Zachary R. Cuddeback of Stanardsville, Va. He was assigned to the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

Both Men were being deployed to Afghanistan. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say our thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and families these Men left behind.

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.


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May Almighty God protect each and every Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine.
Warm thanks to Christopher Lee for his continued dedication to our Troops!

Operation Welcome Home

Congratulations and warmest thanks to Operation Welcome Home!!!
This outstanding organization has been in existence now for FOUR YEARS! We have welcomed home over 100,000 Soldiers as they return from their Deployments. The events are planned to a tee...from the 'conveyor belt' method of filling goodies bags for the Soldiers, to the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance at each event. When planes have been delayed, the core group crank up the music and keep the volunteers pumped up!
Oh...the gulp in my throat each and every time the doors open and the first Soldier walks down our 'Parade' of grateful Americans. The opportunity to shake the hands of Warriors and to say Thank You is such an honor.
OWH, I am so grateful for your support of our Troops. To the countless organizations who donate time and items for the goodies bags...thank you!
BWI Airport Authorities
Pathfinders
BWI Security
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
USO
Church Groups
Community Organizations
Schools
Scouts
Veterans Groups
Colleges
Retirement Homes
and Countless Individuals

If you live near an Airport which has an Operation Welcome Home group, I do encourage you to participate in an event.
May Almighty God protect each and every Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine.

Special Guest-Mr. Tim Elliot

Please welcome Mr. Tim Elliot to AirmanMom. Mr. Elliot defines himself as a big supporter of our troops and a serious advocate for veterans' benefits. His passion for our Veterans is deeply appreciated. I am thrilled to share his words with you. No doubt, you will find this post to be most informative. I thank Mr. Elliot for his support of our Soldiers and for taking the time to share vital information with us.

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The New Battle Some Military Families Are Facing

Thousands of military families are facing a new battle, sometimes even years after service members have retired from the military. Mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs, stomach, and heart caused by exposure to asbestos, is diagnosed in unprecedented numbers in veterans. Over 1,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in veterans of the US armed forces each year and because mesothelioma symptoms frequently lay dormant for decades, although the military stopped using asbestos after it was discovered to be dangerous in the 1970’s, the number of veterans diagnosed with it is expected to continue increasing in the next 5-10 years.

Even current soldiers have a chance of being exposed to asbestos, as recently as 2008 dangerous levels were detected in Fort Braggs in North Carolina and it is commonly still found on older Navy ships, especially aircraft carriers. In the U.S. Air Force, asbestos was commonly used for insulation of valves and gaskets in the engines, and older planes occasionally still have the original asbestos components.

Mesothelioma is particularly dangerous because it can be extremely difficult to diagnose. Because the symptoms of mesothelioma are so similar to the symptoms of other, less serious diseases it’s not uncommon for mesothelioma to go undiagnosed and untreated until the cancer has already spread. If the cancer is found early enough, soldiers have far better options to increase what appears at first like a very dismal mesothelioma life expectancy. In fact, the tumor can be removed entirely if it is diagnosed while surgery is still an option.

Luckily, as the number of veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma has increased the awareness of mesothelioma has as well. Recently the Veterans Benefit Programs Improvement Act of 2010 made it easier to claim benefits with improvements in “presumptions of service” , and mesothelioma is covered by VA disability compensation benefits. Also, programs like the Fisher House help support veterans’ families.

It’s tragic to imagine families who have already been through so much and given so much having to deal with such a deadly cancer. Ultimately it’s crucial to realize the importance of early detection. When mesothelioma is diagnosed early enough it’s much more treatable, and the chances of survival are greatly increased.

Deep Sadness...

Two U.S. Airmen were killed in a shooting today at Frankfurt Airport. Please read the story HERE.

May Almighty God Bless these Brave Warriors.
We thank them for paying the ultimate price.
May Almighty God comfort the families.

So senseless.
So sad.

Wednesday Hero 03/02/2011

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Michael

Lt. Cmd. Edward Henry "Butch" O'Hare
From St. Louis, Missouri
Fighting Squadron Three (VF-3)
March 13, 1914 – November 26, 1943


From Butch O'Hare's Medal Of Honor citation:

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Lieutenant Edward Henry "Butch" O'Hare (NSN: 0-78672), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in aerial combat, at grave risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, as section leader and pilot of Fighting Squadron Three (VF-3), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON, on 20 February 1942. Having lost the assistance of his teammates, Lieutenant O'Hare interposed his plane between his ship and an advancing enemy formation of nine attacking twin-engine heavy bombers. Without hesitation, alone and unaided, he repeatedly attacked this enemy formation, at close range in the face of intense combined machinegun and cannon fire. Despite this concentrated opposition, Lieutenant O'Hare, by his gallant and courageous action, his extremely skillful marksmanship in making the most of every shot of his limited amount of ammunition, shot down five enemy bombers and severely damaged a sixth before they reached the bomb release point. As a result of his gallant action--one of the most daring, if not the most daring, single action in the history of combat aviation--he undoubtedly saved his carrier from serious damage.

The U.S. Navy's first Flying Ace. Awarded the Medal Of Honor, Navy Cross, 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses & the Purple Heart. An airport and a Navy destroyer named after him. And a connection to Al Capone. You can read much more about Lt. Cmd. O'Hare 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.