It's been decided by you, my faithful followers... Posts on Fridays will consist of random photos of our Troops.
If there is one message I wish to convey to all who take time to visit this blog... every single Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine has a face.
These brave men and women have families who cherish them.
Our warriors have a hometown...somewhere.
They are Somebody's Son.
To kick off this new 'series' (oh my, this does sound a bit official) allow me to reintroduce a Marine who was a Cub Scout and graduated High School with my son, John...Zachary. I have posted several times during Zachary's two deployments, asking for your prayers while he serves our country. He will be returning home in the next few weeks, so I ask once again for God to protect this young man as he steps foot once again on U.S. soil. May God bring him home... whole in body and mind. May God bring comfort to his mom's anxious heart, as Zachary makes his journey home. May this reunion bring many happy memories and tons of joyous tears.
Happiness is learning of a young person making the choice to become a servant to mankind. Whether it is joining the Military, becoming a Firefighter or EMT... when I hear of a young person making the decision to leave the comfort and security of home...it fills me with great hope for the future of our Nation.
Allow me to introduce one of these talented young people, Bridge. I've known her for as long as I have been working at the garden center...she's worked there since she was a teenager. Bridge is a hard working, dedicated young woman. She has an incredible mind and a sweet spirit. Her talents include photography and she has an eye for design. I've watched her mature into a thoughtful young lady for over five years.
Bridge has submitted her application to join the Peace Corps. One thing I find most impressive, is knowing she will leave her privileged lifestyle with technology and all the modern conveniences...to make the world a better place. To sacrifice time with her family and friends, so she may help communities in developing countries...actually living in these communities. She will know the challenges of these communities, the poor road conditions and exist without clean water.
Bridge is documenting her Peace Corps journey in a blog titled, Life is Calling. Please stop by to welcome her to the Blogosphere and offer words of encouragement. If you would like more information about the Peace Corps, please click HERE.
Bridge, I wish you the very best as you open this new chapter of your life!
Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- Eight U.S. service members and an American civilian contractor were killed Wednesday in a shooting at an Afghan air force compound in Kabul, officials said.
The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan said an Afghan military pilot opened fire on international troops, sparking a "gunfight." The Taliban, however, claimed responsibility for the attack and said it had been working with the shooter for some time -- an assertion that NATO denied.
Also denying the Taliban claim was the brother of the pilot.
"My brother had no connections with the Taliban, and I deny any claims of his connection by the Taliban," Dr. Mohammad Hosain Sahebi told a local Afghan TV station in a telephone interview.
He said his brother, Ahmad Gull, 48, was in the Afghan Air Force for several years and was injured many times in plane crashes. The Afghan military, however, listed the pilot as being 50 years old.
"My brother had mental sickness as the result of the plane crashes in '80s and also he had economic problems, too," Sahebi told local television.
One witness, Jon Mohammad, a military pilot at Kabul Airport, told CNN that he jumped from a second floor window to the ground during the incident. He saw foreigners laying on the ground inside the first floor, he said.
"He was religious person, but I'm not sure if he had mental illness," Mohammad said of Gull, the pilot.
The shooting started at the Afghan national air force compound at North Kabul International Airport after an argument between the Afghan pilot and an international colleague, officials said. The NATO-led force said the Afghan military pilot opened fire on international trainers and a "gunfight" ensued.
"A 50-year-old man opened fire at armed U.S. military soldiers inside the airport after an argument between them turned serious," said Col. Baha Dur, chief of public relations for the Afghan National Army at Kabul military airport.
NATO said the confrontation took place at 10:25 a.m. at the airport, where a quick-reaction force responded to a "small arms fire incident." The airport is home to NATO Air Training Command Afghanistan.
An initial report indicates the attack occurred in a meeting room at the Afghan Air Force headquarters, a location operated and secured by Afghans, a U.S. military official told CNN. The NATO-led force is investigating, the official said.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai condemned the killings "by an Afghan military pilot."
Zaher Azimi, a spokesman for the Afghan Defense Ministry, said the killings upset Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak and that "he shares the pain with the families of the victims."
Despite the account by international troops, a Taliban spokesman said a man named Azizullah was responsible.
"One suicide attacker ... managed to attack an Afghan military unit and has managed to kill many Afghan and international soldiers," Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said.
The Taliban said the man killed nine foreigners and five Afghans before being killed by the Afghan army.
"We had worked hard on this plan for a long time," Mujahid told CNN. "He was cooperating with us since long time and he was providing us information about military air operations for a long time."
NATO disputed the Taliban claim.
"We do not know why it started but there is no indication that a suicide bomber was involved and there are no reports that someone managed to get into the base to do this," the NATO-led force said in a statement.
The Taliban has claimed responsibility for previous conflicts between NATO service members and members of the Afghan military. CNN could not independently verify the group's claims.
The Taliban said the man was once a pilot in an Afghan regime in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
"Since the current Afghan air forces have no planes, he was just going to Kabul airport to show up and earn his salary for a long time," Mujahid told CNN.
The man "was holding the rank of colonel at the time and he had an AK-47 with him. After his bullets were finished, then he was shot to death by armed forces," Mujahid told CNN.
There was confusion about the death toll. The NATO-led force initially said six service members were killed. It raised that toll to nine but backed away temporarily before saying again that the shooting killed nine people -- eight international service members and a civilian contractor. The Pentagon confirmed that all were Americans.
Later Wednesday NATO announced that two additional service members were killed in attacks elsewhere in the country, bringing the day's total number of NATO casualties to at least 11.
Violence between Afghan forces and NATO troops is a matter of extreme concern for NATO officials, and it is growing in frequency.
There have been 36 NATO deaths in the past two years attributed to attacks by people perceived to be Afghan soldiers or police. Officials fear that the increasing frequency of the attacks could undermine trust between NATO troops and the Afghans they are working hard to prepare so they can eventually take over security in the country.
The Taliban's claim that the Afghan gunman was their recruit follows a now-familiar pattern of the insurgency stating that attacks are theirs, even though NATO later suggests the gunman was acting out of personal motivation.
Out of 16 incidents of Afghan forces shooting NATO personnel that NATO has investigated, eight have been determined to be motivated by combat stress on the part of the Afghan attacker. The other eight investigations are undetermined.
CNN's Barbara Starr, Joe Sterling and Jennifer Rizzo contributed to this report
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Please join me in prayer for the Brave Warriors who lost their lives. May God comfort their families, as only He can.
Col. Robert L. Howard 70 years old from Waco, Texas Army Special Forces MACV-SOG Special Operations Command Korea July 11, 1939 – December 23, 2009
You learn very quickly that Col. Robert Howard was an amazing man. Wounded 14 times in 54 months of combat. 8 Purple Hearts, 4 Bronze Stars, 2 Distinguished Service Crosses. And the awards go on from there. But it's the three Medal Of Honor nominations for three separate actions within a thirteen month period that stand out.
1st Lt. Robert Howard Receives The Medal Of Honor
You can read more about Col. Robert L. Howard here and here and a tribute page dedicated to him 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 steadfast dedication to our Troops. Special thanks to Mike Golch (who suggested this post)... not only for his service, but for his continued interest in keeping our Warriors in the hearts and minds of many.
Hubster and I are safely home from Phil's funeral in Delaware. What a whirlwind of a couple days. So many people to meet and re-meet. Phil is a good man and he will be sorely missed by all who know him.
Phil is a decorated Vietnam Veteran. Following the Funeral Service, we all went to the VFW field. It was there, the Honor Guard shot their rifles and a lone Bugler played "Taps". It's impossible to stand there and not be stirred. My throat had a lump and tears rolled down my cheek. Such a simple tradition..yet oh so intense. I'm so glad the family chose to honor Phil in this manner immediately after the Funeral. As difficult as it was to watch as Ginger received the perfectly folded United States Flag...I know Phil would have had it no other way. He is a Marine. What an honor to shake the hands of the Veterans who participated in this Ceremony. I thanked each of them for their Service.
At a later date, Phil's ashes will be left at a Veterans Cemetery. It's what he wanted. The family did their best to fill all his final wishes...except for one. Phil had requested that everyone receive a handful of M&M's which have three letters (A.M.F.) on each piece of candy. Yep...that is Phil for you. He wanted "Adios, Mother F_ _ _ _ _ _" to be his farewell to this world. Yep, a Marine. The family convinced him to drop that request and stick to serving Wawa Coffee instead.
Phil... it was an honor and a pleasure to call you Brother-in-law. You are a good man and you have left a strong legacy. May Almighty God comfort Ginger in the coming days and weeks, as she learns to live a life without her beloved husband. May God comfort my husband and his only other living brother. May Phil rest easy, his work on earth in now done.
Day is done, gone the sun, From the lake, from the hills, from the sky; All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.
WooHoo! AirmanMom has been selected as a finalist in the U.S. Military Parent category of theMilblogging.com Best Military Blog Award at the Sixth Annual Milblog Conference!
How exciting is this?
Truly, it is an incredible honor to be recognized. I encourage you to stop by and visit as many of the blogs you can! There are so many passionate supporters of our Military, every single blog deserves a Thank You!
We must do all we can to keep our Troops in the hearts and minds of all Americans. How fortunate we are to have the freedom to type our thoughts... let's not take any of our freedoms for granted.
May Almighty God protect each and every Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine.
Leslie is coming home from Afghanistan this week! She is a friend of my son, John. Last Christmas, Good Earth's Soldier Drive sent packages to her and 'her office'. She was kind enough to distribute these gifts to other Warriors.
Unfortunately, I will not be able to welcome her home at BWI...since Hubster and I will be attending Phil's funeral in Delaware. It would have been a great honor to meet this young woman, hug her and thank her for her service.
May Almighty God bring her home safely. May Almighty God protect each and every Warrior while they so bravely serve our nation.
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:8-11
Sgt. Christopher W. Kane, a Baltimore native, now a squad leader with 3rd Platoon, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team surveys an area during a sandstorm near Gerdab, Afghanistan, April 14.
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I happened upon this photo of Sgt. Kane, a Soldier from Maryland. I'm thinking of starting a new series on Fridays... "Somebody's Son". AirmanMom will post a photo of a Soldier...just because they are Somebody's Son (or daughter). What do you think????
May Almighty God Bless each and every Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine.
Quite often, Hubster will tell me I have a "Virgo Mind".
He's right, I do.
I think and I think...then I think a bit more. He tells me I 'over-think', I believe there is no such thing...it is simply the way I am wired.
So...for those of you interested, these are my my recent random thoughts. Please feel free to add your thoughts...it will give me more to think about!
Phil is now in Heaven. I believe in Heaven. I believe Heaven is our sweetest gift from God. I believe after we serve our time on earth, God grants us the gift of Eternity with those we love. Hubster's brother sat by Phil's bed the other day and told Phil to say hi to Pops (their dad) and Gene(their brother) when he gets to Heaven. When Hubster shared this with me, I cried. Tears of joy for Phil. I thought, "WooHoo! Phil is going to meet my Dad, how cool is that?" I have no fear of dying, I have no fear of those I love dying. One of my favorite songs has the words, "When we all get to heaven, What a day of rejoicing that will be!" As much as my heart hurts for Phil's wife who will feel emptiness in her day to day existence for now...one sweet day there will be rejoicing.
As I have mentioned many times...I work in a Garden Center. I'm so blessed to have a job which I deeply enjoy! All day long, I am able to be outside...whether the sun is shining or the rain is coming down in buckets. My day involves plants and flowers...and people. Random people. Some of these people are working on yard projects, so they will come in for several days in a row. Other people are on a journey, become lost and stop by our shop to ask for directions. And I often stop to think...every person has a story. Most of the people I encounter, I get a small glimpse of how they will fill their day...and these discussions usually include planting a flower bed or a tree. Every once in a while, I happen upon someone who just opens up to me... like the elderly gent who told me he wanted to plant some flowers, since he was going in for brain surgery later this week. Wow! How did our little bit of chit-chat lead to him telling me this? I told him I would pray for him... he thanked me.
Hallie. Hallie is a mom. I have never met her in person, only through our magnificent blogosphere. Her son, CJ shot himself in the head this time last year. Hallie is so broken. She writes often of the deep guilt she carries, for her last words to her son were spoken in anger. Hallie wants her son back, she wants to tell him how much she loves him. CJ is the same age as my son, John. We are human, before we are parents. Every one of us are guilty of hurting somebody along the way. Why some must suffer so much worse, we don't understand. I suppose all we can do is learn, then move on. We can do our best to be kind to one another, and when we fall short...hope and pray we have the chance to apologize. But we don't know. I do believe that if we wake up each morning and lift a prayer to think positive and speak positive...it is a good way to start each day.
Our Troops are in my constant thoughts... I think of the young men and women who may feel the challenge of Basic Training today. I think of the brave Warriors in Afghanistan and other countries so far from home, missing their family and friends...yet they so proudly serve our Nation. I think of those serving Stateside, always on call, wearing a U.S. uniform. I think of those who served once upon a time...the memories they carry. Some memories are horrific, some are funny, some are solemn. How thankful I am for each and every one of these men and women.
Each morning, as I read the paper and listen to the news... there are days I wonder how our Nation came to this place. Outrageous gas prices, so many people without jobs and losing their homes. Children hurting children. Random shootings, with an innocent bystander being killed. But I always come back to one thought...I am an American. I absolutely love being an American. I have faith in our Country. I would not want to live anywhere else on earth. We are America. Is there such a thing as too much technology, too much knowledge...or are we so overwhelmed with how to properly utilize all we have? How can we regain our our 'old fashioned' value system? Remember the days when kids played outside all day, instead of being told they must play for 60 minutes a day? (I believe that 'old fashioned' kind of play deepens imagination and promotes creativity). Remember when we would talk with our neighbors for hours? (I believe the eye contact shared, showed emotions) Remember when giving of our time was a pleasure, not a burden? (I believe our wallets were thinner, but our hearts were richer).
So there you have it...for those of you who have stayed with me until the end of this post...thanks. Just a few random thoughts. Oh...one more bit of randomness. I was on the Milblogging website browsing through the newer military blogs... and read that my blog received a nomination for Best Military Parent Blog. What a surprise! An interesting piece of randomness about this...the person who placed the nomination is a total stranger to me. Mr. Stranger who placed the nomination...thank you for the smile.
AirmanMom is a place for me to share my respect for our Troops, to lift prayers and to keep all our Warriors (past and present) in the hearts and minds of those who choose to read my words. Ok, Ok....I get to share my family with all of you. My beloved Hubster, who is my very best friend ever. My four children, who fill my heart with more love than I could ever imagine was possible. My grandbabies who remind me what is truly important in our world...innocence, joy and love. My son-in-laws who have made a promise to God and me...to care for, protect and always adore my daughters. My future daughter-in-law who fills my son's days with smiles and love. I am so richly blessed.
Mike Zito sings a song titled, "Today". The lyrics are perfect! "My life is simple, for that I'm grateful with all my blessings, I can't be hateful" "I know that life is going to bring some pain, but with some help from above, I know it's going to be OK ...just for Today!"
Capt. Lawrence Rollo cradles a Nigerian baby while visiting with locals during a community relations project at the Light of Dawn Government Junior Secondary School Tomarow as part of Africa Partnership Station (APS) West. APS is an international security cooperation initiative designed to strengthen global maritime partnerships through training and collaborative activities to improve maritime safety and security in Africa.
Information And Photo Courtesy U.S. Navy. Taken by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Darryl Wood
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, Christopher Lee for your time and dedication of our Troops.
Phil has earned a Bronze Star with a Combat V and two Purple Hearts while serving in Vietnam.
Phil has suffered with COPD, as a result of Agent Orange.
Phil was the oldest of four brothers, now there are two.
Phil is the forever love of his wife, Ginger.
Phil will remain a deeply loved Dad and Pop-Pop.
Phil was the best BIL, a girl could ask for... He suffered his seventh heart attack on Christmas...but called me on the 29th to see how I was recovering from my foot surgery. By the way...the photo above was taken at his grand-daughter's wedding-Phil ALWAYS wore a ball cap, even in the hospital. A hospital gown and a ball cap!
Phil....Go rest high on the mountain. Your work on earth is done.
May Almighty God wrap His loving arms around Phil, let him know eternal rest. May Almighty God comfort all who love this man so.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 13, 2011) – Gov. Steve Beshear today recognized the sacrifice of a Kentucky native soldier who died while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
According to the Department of Defense, Pvt. Brandon T. Pickering, 21, of Fort Thomas, Ky., died April 10 in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire and a rocket propelled grenade in Wardak province, Afghanistan, April 8. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Polk, La.
May Almighty God Bless this brave Warrior. May Almighty God comfort the family who loves him so.
Lt. Col. Charles L. Brown 86 years old from Miami, Florida October 24, 1922 - November 24, 2008
For extraordinary heroism in military operations in WWII he was awarded the Air Force Cross our nations award for valor second only to the Medal of Honor. He flew 29 combat missions as a B-17 pilot. His many other military decorations included the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat. Upon being offered a position with the United States Department of State he took early retirement from the Air Force and continued to serve his nation as a senior Foreign Service Officer spending six years in Southeast Asia as Inspector-In- Charge, Agency for International Development, U.S. Dept. of State
Sadly couldn't find too much information on Lt. Col. Brown. The best source was his obituary.
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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My deep appreciation goes to Christopher Lee, for his time and effort puts into these weekly posts!
All service members will be receiving their mid-month pay in full, though it might be in two checks and possibly not on the same day, the Pentagon says. Read the rest of the article HERE.
Last week we all remained close to our Laptops or Radios to learn if there would be a Government Shutdown. At the Eleventh Hour, a temporary agreement was made.
AirmanMom feels this is a disgrace. The idea of putting over 800,000 people out of work, not to mention the trickle-down effect on local businesses which feed all these people during the workday. Shameful.
But...oh. my. goodness. The effect it would have on our Troops sent me into orbit. How dare they, take pay from our Soldiers! Wrong, Wrong, Wrong! Our men and women, along with their families willingly sacrifice so much for our Nation! So now, we are told these sacrifices are not enough...let's not pay them? I know, I know...the money will come eventually. C'mon folks....our Soldiers are not making the same three-digit wages our Congressmen make! Most of our Enlisted Service member live paycheck to paycheck. Why should a Soldier living in a tent in Afghanistan, need additional stress, whether or not their family can buy food, make a car payment or pay their utilities? I am heartsick.
A U.S. Navy Seabee with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 26, departs a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during Operation Paksazi Mojadad in the Shorabak district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, March 7. Operation Paksazi Mojadad is a joint operation to build an Afghan Border Police checkpoint in the Shorabak district. NMCB 26 is part of Task Force Overlord. The 25th Naval Construction Regiment is the command and control element for Task Force Overlord, which is responsible for all construction engineering and engineering support in Southern and Western Afghanistan.
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As I browse photos of our Soldiers at different websites, it always hits me... this is somebody's son or somebody's daughter.
May Almighty God protect all the sons and daughters serving our Nation.
Isn't she radiant? ...keep in mind, she is the ultra-busy mom of a 2 year-old! ...keep in mind, she is a NICU Nurse who works night-shift! ...keep in mind, she is a loving wife! ...keep in mind, she is a caring sister and sister-in-law! ...keep in mind, I could not have prayed for a more wonderful daughter!
My Marie...a new momma-to-be! Warmest congratulations to this sweet family! Oh, I love her so!
89-year-old Marvin Hume loves his country and the Man and Woman who fight for it. Every evening, between Memorial Day and mid-October, for the last 38 years Mr. Hume, a Navy vet himself, has held a ceremony in New Jersey where he raises a flag that has been draped over a the casket of a veteran.
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 Christopher Lee for your dedication to our Troops!
My daughter is calling it her Double-Three Birthday! I call it simply inconceivable!
How could it be Thirty-Three years ago, I gave birth to my firstborn?
It feels like yesterday, and yet it also feels as though she has been a part of me my entire life! Truth is, she has been. She (as all my children) have been in my heart, since I was born. I know it.
I was a kid, having a kid when K was born. Oh, I was so young and so full of...I'll call it vim and vigor. So much negative surrounded me as 'such a young mom', but I was out to prove that this sweet child of mine was mine and we were simply meant to be. I loved her with all my heart, from the moment I suspected she was growing inside me.
We share a magical relationship... I have been able to 'feel' her, even when she is far away. For example, when she was 16, she went on a two-month long Missionary Trip to India. Of course there was oodles of concern, knowing she would be visiting villages in the heart of nowhere. One morning I woke at 3:30 am hearing her call my name. It was as though she was standing at my bedside, saying "Momma". I got up, walked around the house (knowing she was on the other side of the world) and after a while convinced myself to go back to sleep. When the phone rang at 6:30 am, I was told she had been hit by a car three hours earlier. She had a few minor injuries, but the group had an ICU nurse with them, who tended to my daughter. But I knew.
K has grown to become a beautiful woman...inside and out. She is a loving wife, an amazing mom to three young girls 5 and under, a strong Christian example to young women in her Church and community, a caring big sister, a sweet aunt to her nieces and nephews and the most wonderful daughter a mom could ask for.
I remember when she was two weeks ago...I woke each day feeling scared. How could I possibly be a good mom to this precious gift from God? She cried, and I cried. So I would sing softly in her ear.... You are my Sunshine my only Sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray... You'll never know Kel how much Momma loves you so don't take my Sunshine away.
All these years later, she is my Sunshine. I can still close my eyes and feel her tucked safely under my chin as I hold her closely.
