Wednesday Hero 08/31/2011

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Kathi

Russell E. Tucker Sr.
72 years old from Buffalo, New York
1899? - 1971


Seven years shy of a century later, Russell E. Tucker Sr. got his due Friday at a ceremony where he was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds he suffered as a Marine in World War I.

In June of 1918 Russel Tucker and his fellow Marines marched into German machine gun fire in Belleau, France and drove the enemy back. Russel, then only 19-years-old, was shot in the temple and in the right hand losing part of his knuckle on his index finger. But because there was no such award as the Purple Hart at the time it's taken almost a century for it to finally be awarded.

You can read more about Russel Tucker, Sr. here

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.
Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

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.

Irene...

Lifting prayers for all in the path of Irene.
For those of you along the East Coast, stay safe!
Please check in and let me know you are safe!

Somebody's Son

U.S. Army soldier from Bravo Company 2nd battalion 27th infantry regiment, Task Forces Bronco prepares to move for his overnight mission in FOB Bostick in eastern Afghanistan Naray district, Kunar province August 25, 2011
source: militaryphotos.net
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Friday posts are random photos of our Soldiers.
We must remember each and every Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine have a face.
Our brave Heroes have familiy and friends who love them so.

Time and Time Again!

Many times, I've mentioned Operation Welcome Home on AirmanMom... honestly I can't share enough what an honor it is to welcome home, to shake the hands and to say 'Thank You' to those who serve our Nation. These brave men and women (and their families) sacrifice so much for us. The very least we can do is show our gratitude when they return home. Thank goodness for those who organize OWH, and who faithfully meet these flights. I wish I lived closer...I'd attend every single event! I'll be there on Friday...so humbled to greet our Warriors!

(please pause my PlayList on the right sidebar)

Wednesday Hero 08/24/2011

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Michael Golch

RMC Thomas James Reeves
46 years old from Thomaston, Connecticut
December 9, 1895 - December 7, 1941


On December 7, 1941, Radioman, Chief Thomas Reeves was aboard the U.S.S. California. During the attack he helped load the anti-aircraft ammo, by hand, until he was overcome by smoke and fire. For his actions that day RMC Reeves was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

His citation reads: "For distinguished conduct in the line of his profession, extraordinary courage and disregard of his own safety during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. After the mechanized ammunition hoists were put out of action in the U.S.S. California, Reeves, on his own initiative, in a burning passageway, assisted in the maintenance of an ammunition supply by hand to the antiaircraft guns until he was overcome by smoke and fire, which resulted in his death." In 1943 the destroyer escort USS Reeves was named in his honor.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.
Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

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 warm thanks to Christopher Lee's dedication to our Heroes!
p.s. Happy Birthday, Chris!
Also... a shout out to Mike Golch for suggesting this post!
Nice job, Gentlemen.

Sometimes... There is No Need for Words

During Navy Seal Jon Tumilson's funeral, his trusted canine friend Hawkeye guarded him one last time. Petty Officer Tumilson was one of thirty killed in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011.

Somebody's Son

ARABIAN SEA (Aug. 16, 2011) Aviation Survival Equipmentman Airman Rashard C. Lovelace lifts weights in the hangar bay aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). George H.W. Bush is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility on its first operational deployment conducting maritime security operations and support missions as part of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman K. Cecelia Engrums/Released)

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Friday posts are random photos of our Soldiers.
We must remember each and every Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine have a face.
Our brave Heroes have familiy and friends who love them so.
Let us not forget....

Thirty Fallen Soldiers

No words.
Their faces say it all.

Wednesday Hero 08/17/2011

On Saturday, August 6th, a CH-47 Chinook helicopter was shot down over Wardak province, Afghanistan killing 30 United States servicemen. It was the largest single day loss of life since the war began. Killed were:


U.S. Navy

Lt. Cmdr. (SEAL) Jonas B. Kelsall, 32, of Shreveport, La.

Special Warfare Operator Master Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Louis J.
Langlais, 44, of Santa Barbara, Calif.

Special Warfare Operator Senior Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Thomas A.
Ratzlaff, 34, of Green Forest, Ark.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Senior Chief Petty Officer
(Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Kraig M.
Vickers 36, of Kokomo, Hawaii

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Brian R. Bill, 31,
of Stamford, Conn.

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) John W. Faas, 31,
of Minneapolis, Minn.

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Kevin A. Houston,
35, of West Hyannisport, Mass.

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Matthew D. Mason,
37, of Kansas City, Mo.

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Stephen M. Mills,
35, of Fort Worth, Texas

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Chief Petty Officer
(Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist/Diver) Nicholas
H. Null, 30, of Washington, W.Va.

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Robert J. Reeves,
32, of Shreveport, La.

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Heath M. Robinson,
34, of Detroit, Mich.

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Darrik C.
Benson, 28, of Angwin, Calif.

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Parachutist)
Christopher G. Campbell, 36, of Jacksonville, N.C.

Information Systems Technician Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary
Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Jared W. Day, 28, of
Taylorsville, Utah

Master-at-Arms Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare
Specialist) John Douangdara, 26, of South Sioux City, Neb.

Cryptologist Technician (Collection) Petty Officer 1st Class
(Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) Michael J. Strange, 25, of
Philadelphia, Pa.

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Enlisted
Surface Warfare Specialist) Jon T. Tumilson, 35, of Rockford, Iowa

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Aaron C.
Vaughn, 30, of Stuart, Fla.

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jason R.
Workman, 32, of Blanding, Utah

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jesse D.
Pittman, 27, of Ukiah, Calif.

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) Nicholas P.
Spehar, 24, of Saint Paul, Minn.

U.S. Army

Chief Warrant Officer David R. Carter, 47, of Centennial, Colo. 2nd
Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation
Battalion)

Chief Warrant Officer Bryan J. Nichols, 31, of Hays, Kan. 7th
Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation
Battalion)

Sgt. Patrick D. Hamburger, 30, of Lincoln, Neb. 2nd Battalion, 135th
Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion)

Sgt. Alexander J. Bennett, 24, of Tacoma, Wash. 7th Battalion, 158th
Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion)

Spc. Spencer C. Duncan, 21, of Olathe, Kan. 7th Battalion, 158th
Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion)

U.S Air Force

Tech. Sgt. John W. Brown, 33, of Tallahassee, Fla. 24th Special Tactics Squadron

Staff Sgt. Andrew W. Harvell, 26, of Long Beach, Calif. 24th Special
Tactics Squadron

Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Zerbe, 28, of York, Pa. 24th Special Tactics
Squadron

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so
others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them
Hero.
Those Who Say That We're In A Time When
There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To LookSIZE>

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.

Somebody's Son

US soldier, Specialist Joshua Schonert from 1st Platoon, Charlie Company, 2-87 Infantry, 3d Brigade Combat Team under Afghanistan's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) lights a cigarette as he prepares for the day following earlier attacks by Taliban insurgents on their checkpoint in Kandalay village, Kandahar province southern Afghanistan on August 5, 2011. US troops together with forces from Afghan National Army repelled Taliban insurgents attacks on the checkpoint protecting the western area of Kandalay village. Since the checkpoint was set up in August 3, 2011, Taliban have staged attacks on the outpost for two consecutive days.

Department of Defense Announces the Names of our Thirty Fallen Heroes

Please... as your read the names of our Fallen, lift a silent prayer.

Lt. Cmdr. (SEAL) Jonas B. Kelsall, 32, of Shreveport, La.,

Special Warfare Operator Master Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Louis J. Langlais, 44, of Santa Barbara, Calif.,

Special Warfare Operator Senior Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Thomas A. Ratzlaff, 34, of Green Forest, Ark.,

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Senior Chief Petty Officer (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Kraig M. Vickers 36, of Kokomo, Hawaii,

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Brian R. Bill, 31, of Stamford, Conn.,

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) John W. Faas, 31, of Minneapolis, Minn.,

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Kevin A. Houston, 35, of West Hyannisport, Mass.,

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Matthew D. Mason, 37, of Kansas City, Mo.,

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Stephen M. Mills, 35, of Fort Worth, Texas,

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Chief Petty Officer (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist/Diver) Nicholas H. Null, 30, of Washington, W.Va.,

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Robert J. Reeves, 32, of Shreveport, La.,

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Heath M. Robinson, 34, of Detroit, Mich.,

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Darrik C. Benson, 28, of Angwin, Calif.

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Parachutist) Christopher G. Campbell, 36, of Jacksonville, N.C.,

Information Systems Technician Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Jared W. Day, 28, of Taylorsville, Utah,

Master-at-Arms Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) John Douangdara, 26, of South Sioux City, Neb.,

Cryptologist Technician (Collection) Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) Michael J. Strange, 25, of Philadelphia, Pa.,

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist) Jon T. Tumilson, 35, of Rockford, Iowa,

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Aaron C. Vaughn, 30, of Stuart, Fla., and

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jason R. Workman, 32, of Blanding, Utah.

The following sailors assigned to a West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit were killed:

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jesse D. Pittman, 27, of Ukiah, Calif., and

Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) Nicholas P. Spehar, 24, ofSaint Paul, Minn.

The soldiers killed were:

Chief Warrant Officer David R. Carter, 47, of Centennial, Colo. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), Aurora, Colo.;

Chief Warrant Officer Bryan J. Nichols, 31, of Hays, Kan. He was assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), New Century, Kan.;

Sgt. Patrick D. Hamburger, 30, of Lincoln, Neb. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), Grand Island, Neb.;

Sgt. Alexander J. Bennett, 24, of Tacoma, Wash. He was assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), New Century, Kan.; and

Spc. Spencer C. Duncan, 21, of Olathe, Kan. He was assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), New Century, Kan.

The airmen killed were:

Tech. Sgt. John W. Brown, 33, of Tallahassee, Fla.;

Staff Sgt. Andrew W. Harvell, 26, of Long Beach, Calif.; and

Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Zerbe, 28, of York, Pa.

All three airmen were assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Field, N.C.

Wednesday Hero 08/10/2011

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Cindy

Sgt. Virgil Wallace
98 years old from Capitan, New Mexico


After almost 70 years, and on his 98th birthday, Sgt. Virgil Wallace, a survivor of the Battan Death March, has been awarded the Bronze Star for his service.

You can read more here.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.
Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

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.

The Flights Will Arrive in Dover Today

Pentagon officials announced Monday they will not allow any media coverage of the arrival of the remains of 22 SEALs, three Air Force special operations ground controllers, and five Army helicopter crew members killed Saturday in Afghanistan.

Please keep the families of these fallen heroes in your thoughts and prayers all day today.

I pray the families feel the tears of all Americans on this day.

AirmanMom Needs YOUR Help!!!!!

I woke this morning to see the front page of the Washington Post... This newspaper chose to feature a fire in London, a story about StingBugs and a Maryland coupon instructor on the front page. As I thumbed through the paper, finally on page A8 was a story of our Fallen. The deadliest incident in this ten year war, slips to the back of the paper within just a couple days!

A8


As though hearing of this tragedy was not heart sickening enough...let's rub a little salt in this open wound and push away the fact those killed have faces.

So here is where I am pleading for your help. Yes, I am pleading. It is my goal to post the face of every warrior who paid the ultimate price on Saturday. As you find the name, the face, the story of our Fallen...please leave a comment and I will contact you.

Our Heroes may rate A8 in the Washington Post, but they will receive all the love and respect they deserve here at AirmanMom's! Thank you so very much!

One more thing... when all the names and faces have been gathered into one post, please share on your blog.

May Almighty God Bless our Fallen.
May Almighty God comfort their families.

Thirty-One American Troops Killed in Afghanistan...

My heart hurts.

The deadliest single incident of this war. Here is the story.

May Almighty God Bless these thirty-one Heroes.
May Almighty God comfort the families who love them so.

Somebody's Son

PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 2, 2011) Seaman Chase Fritzie, from Cathlanet, Wash., prepares to lower a rigid-hull inflatable boat aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled western Pacific Ocean and Arabian Gulf deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Walter M. Wayman/Released)
Source: militaryphotos.net

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Friday posts are random photos of our Soldiers.
We must remember each and every Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine have a face.
Our brave Heroes have familiy and friends who love them so.

Day of the Deployed-October 26, 2011

Senator Hoeven recently introduced S. Res. 253 in the U.S. Senate to designate Oct. 26, 2011 as Day of the Deployed in recognition of the sacrifices of U.S. servicemen and women currently deployed around the world.

This morning, I wrote letters to both of my Maryland Senators. Please join us! Find your Senator HERE.

Well, Isn't This News Just Swell?

A powerful antipsychotic drug given to tens of thousands of veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder is no more effective than a placebo against PTSD, according to a study released Wednesday. Read the entire article HERE.

Wednesday Hero 08/03/2011

Staff Sgt. Jason Albrecht & Markey


Staff Sgt. Jason Albrecht runs military working dog, Markey, through an obstacle course July 13, 2011, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., during an obedience training session. Albrecht is a senior military working dog handler assigned to the 20th Security Forces Squadron.

Photo courtesy U.S. Air Force taken by Senior Airman Kenny Holston

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.
Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

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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Christopher Lee receives many thanks for all his hard work to keep our heroes known (including our four-legged heroes)!

Talking Tuesday

The recent news has been saturated with stories of the death of Amy Winehouse. Turn on the TV or Internet and you will learn all about her final hours, her funeral and how her family feels regarding her death. Who is she? ...oh, and let's not forget, just like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin... Winehouse, Hendrix, Joplin, et al died at the age of 27.

C'mon.... We've got it all wrong.

Is it our fault that the media chooses to permeate us with stories such as the death of Winehouse, rather than the stories of our Troops who are killed? For crying out loud...they are young, they have final hours, they have funeral arrangements and they have left behind families with broken hearts.

What can we do to change this? A letter writing campaign to the major networks, and small town papers requesting stories of our Fallen? Posting on our Blogs, Facebook pages and Twitter accounts the names of our Fallen Heroes on a daily basis? What are your ideas and do you honestly feel we can change the hearts and minds of Americans regarding those Killed in Action?

Does America care?

Here are the names of Soldiers who have been killed recently:

Sgt. William B. GrossPaniagua, 28 on July 31st
2nd Lt. Jered W. Ewy, 33 on July 29th
Spc. Augustus J. Vicari, 22 on July 29th
Master Sgt. Benjamin A. Stevenson, 36 on July 22nd
Sgt. Omar A. Jones, 28 on July 18th
Staff Sgt. Kenneth R. Vangiesen, 30 on July 18th
Sgt. Edward W. Koehler, 47 on July 18th
Staff Sgt. Brian K. Mowery, 49 on July 18th
Lance Cpl. Christopher L. Camero, 19 on July 15th
Sgt. Mark A. Cofield, 25 on July 17th
Lance Cpl. Jabari N. Thompson, 22 on July 17th
Master Sgt. Kenneth B. Elwell, 33 on July 17th
Pfc. Tyler M. Springmann, 19 on July 17th
Spc. Daniel L. Elliott, 21 on July 15th
Cpl. Frank R. Gross, 25 on July 16th
Staff Sgt. Lex L. Lewis, 40 on July 15th
Staff Sgt. Wyatt A. Goldsmith, 28 on July 15th
Sgt. Jeremy R. Summers, 27 on July 14th

May Almighty God Bless our Fallen Warriors.
May Almighty God comfort the families who love them so.
May Almighty God help us all.

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

A Song For a New Month

A friend/former co-worker posted this video and I had to share with you.

This song has always been one of my faves... the words are so incredibly powerful.

I had not heard this version before, and I must say it is simply awesome!

So go ahead...let it be your favorite song of the month.

Every one of us are showered with blessings...

Every one of us know some sort of challenge...

We have Soldiers who bravely protect us...

We have Soldiers so far from home, missing their families...

We have Soldiers who have returned home, no longer whole in body and mind....

(Please pause my PlayList on the right sidebar)