Somebody's Daughter

Byrnes Michelle, a US army soldier from te HHB 3-7 Field Artillery Regiment 3rd Bct 25th ID, scans the eyes of an Afghan man with an Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) during a mission in Turkham Nangarhar bordering Pakistan on September 28, 2011. Turkham is a border crossing town in the Nangarhar province of Afghanistan and the Khyber Agency of Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas. A decade of fighting in Afghanistan has since snowballed into a huge effort involving around 130,000 foreign troops from dozens of countries, with the resilient Taliban using homemade bombs and guerrilla tactics in a bid to undermine the Afghan government and the NATO mission.

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.

American Soldier

Thursday thought...
John deploys within the next few weeks.

Wednesday Hero 09/28/2011

Thanks to Greta Perry & John Donovan


Second Lt. Perla Kimes


Second Lt. Perla Kimes has her bars of gold pinned on during a commissioning ceremony this summer at the Leader Development and Assessment Course on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

Photo Courtesy U.S. Army

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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Thanks to Christopher Lee for his continued support of our Troops!

Talking Tuesday

Many, many times on this Blog I have mentioned Operation Welcome Home. The opportunity to shake the hands of our Warriors is an honor...which simply has no words. How I wish closer to Baltimore, so that I could attend these events weekly!!!

USO is one of the finest organizations ever! Between the support offered to our Soldiers at Airports and the Tours by entertainers for decades, which brighten the days of our Soldiers while they are in a War Zone. Pure awesomeness!!!

The organization which has captured my attention most recently is Wounded Warrior Project. The stories of our wounded heroes is absolutely heartbreaking. To know there is a group of dedicated people who choose to make a difference in the lives of those who have paid such a huge price, for our freedoms.... wow!

Yes...I know there are oodles of groups which serve our Military well. Please share the name and link of such an organization!

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

Gold Star Mother's Day, September 25, 2011

A Gold Star Mother is any American woman who has lost a son or daughter in service to the United States. By Presidential Proclamation to honor these Mothers, Gold Star Mother's Day is observed in the U.S. on the last Sunday in September each year.

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May Almighty God wrap His loving arms around these hurting women.
I lift thanks for the ultimate price made by their child, to our Nation.

Somebody's Son

SGT. CALVIN NASH WAITS FOR THE DUST TO CLEAR - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Calvin Nash waits for the dust to clear after a controlled detonation during a patrol in Sangin, Afghanistan, on Sept. 8, 2011. The Marines are using the explosives to destroy abandoned compounds that block views from security posts. Nash is a squad leader with 3rd Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 8. DoD photo by Cpl. Nathan McCord, U.S. Marine Corps.

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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.

Wednesday Hero 09/21/2011

Sgt. Dakota Meyer
23 years old from Greensburg, Kentucky
Embedded Training Team 2-8


On September 15, Sgt. Dakota Meyer was awarded the Medal Of Honor by President Obama for his actions on Sept. 8, 2009 in the Ganjgal Valley of Afghanistan when he and Staff Sgt. Juan Rodriguez-Chavez saved 36 fellow Marines when they, and the Afghan military members they were helping to train, came under attack by Taliban insurgents.

His citation reads: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the repeated risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a member of Marine Embedded Training Team 2-8, Regional Corps Advisory Command 3-7, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, on 8 September 2009. When the forward element of his combat team began to be hit by intense fire from roughly 50 Taliban insurgents dug-in and concealed on the slopes above Ganjgal village, Corporal Meyer mounted a gun-truck, enlisted a fellow Marine to drive, and raced to attack the ambushers and aid the trapped Marines and Afghan soldiers. During a six hour fire fight, Corporal Meyer single-handedly turned the tide of the battle, saved 36 Marines and soldiers and recovered the bodies of his fallen brothers. Four separate times he fought the kilometer up into the heart of a deadly U-shaped ambush. During the fight he killed at least eight Taliban, personally evacuated 12 friendly wounded, and provided cover for another 24 Marines and soldiers to escape likely death at the hands of a numerically superior and determined foe. On his first foray his lone vehicle drew machine gun, mortar, rocket grenade and small arms fire while he rescued five wounded soldiers. His second attack disrupted the enemy’s ambush and he evacuated four more wounded Marines. Switching to another gun-truck because his was too damaged they again sped in for a third time, and as turret gunner killed several Taliban attackers at point blank range and suppressed enemy fire so 24 Marines and soldiers could break-out. Despite being wounded, he made a fourth attack with three others to search for missing team members. Nearly surrounded and under heavy fire he dismounted the vehicle and searched house to house to recover the bodies of his fallen team members. By his extraordinary heroism, presence of mind amidst chaos and death, and unselfish devotion to his comrades in the face of great danger, Corporal Meyer reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."

In addition to the Medal Of Honor, Sgt. Meyer has also been awarded the Expert Marksmanship Badge for Rifle and Pistol, Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ Valor Device and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.

You can read more about Sgt. Dakota Meyer and his actions 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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Special thanks to Christopher Lee for sharing the story of this brave hero.

Some Days are Really Hard!!!

Sunday afternoon, I spoke with John and Di. All is well with the little guy...he is due in three short weeks! Unfortunately, John's deployment date has been moved up.

While we chatted I could hear the anxiety in their voices. The doctor has assured them, the little guy will be delivered before John departs, so this is a really good thing. However, it was their hope to have a couple weeks together as a new family.

Some days are really hard to be a Mom. I tried to encourage them, by reminding them God has a plan and His plan is good. The little guy's birthday will be...when it will be.

John will fly through BWI...so there is a chance I can see him before he takes off. Oh dear God, I do pray this works out.

So often things are simply out of our control. Words are easy... actions are such a challenge some days.

I ask each of you to lift a prayer for this new family.

I pray Di knows an easy labor and delivery.
I pray my grandson is healthy and perfect.
I pray my son meets his son and has several days to bond with this gift from God.
I pray the days and weeks and months that John is deployed, everything goes well for Di and her new little boy.
I pray that I can offer the support Di needs, and that everyone prays for my son's protection.
I pray that Almighty God gives this Mom the strength needed to make it through another son's deployment.

Last year, while B was in Afghanistan...I listened to this song every single day.
I will be placing this CD back in my car...Six months is a long time.

Happy 64th Birthday, United States Air Force!!!

Relentlessly committed to the defense of liberty, the United States Air Force celebrates its 64th birthday today, Sept. 18. The Air Force began life as the Army Air Corps but became a separate Armed Services Branch when the Department of the Air Force was created by the National Security Act of 1947. The U.S. Air Force continues its critical mission "to fly, fight and win ... in air, space and cyberspace."

Heartfelt thanks to both my Sons and my Daughter-in-Law who have chosen to serve in the United States Air Force. I am so very proud of you and love you so very much.

Warmest thanks to Chief, Shay, Curtis, Jazz, Leslie, Katrina, and Albert who also serve today as proud Airmen. My prayers remain constant for each of you.

Deepest thanks to Tim and Mike, who proudly served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam Era. God loves you, America loves you and so do I.

Thank you to all who have chosen to serve in the United States Air Force in the past and today. We are a Great Nation because of our Amazing Warriors.

Somebody's Son

Sgt. Ricardo Ramirez, a combat replacement for 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, wades through an irrigation canal to move into a night observation post in Sangin, Afghanistan, Aug. 5. In February of 2006, Ramirez was wounded in action while serving in Iraq with 3rd Bn., 5th Marines and two years later became the first hand-amputee to re-enlist in the Marines Corps. Since then the multiple-tour combat veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan has served as an urban warfare instructor, attended the pre-sniper course at division schools and stayed close to his infantry roots. Photo by Cpl. Benjamin Crilly
source: strategypage.com

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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.

His Star Has Turned From Blue to Gold

FAIRBANKS — A 19-year-old Fort Wainwright soldier was killed Friday by an improvised explosive device while patrolling with his unit in Afghanistan, according to U.S. Army Alaska.

Pfc. Brett Everett Wood, 19, of Spencer, Ind., was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division as an infantryman. Next of kin have been notified.

Wood was killed and another soldier was injured Friday by the IED while his unit was on foot patrol, according to U.S. Army Alaska.

An Associated Press article reported Wood had only been back in Afghanistan for a few weeks after spending part of August at home recovering from a concussion he suffered in a previous bombing.

Wood and his 21-year-old brother, Nikk, enlisted in the Army and went to boot camp together in July 2010, after Brett Wood graduated from high school. He arrived in Alaska last November.

“He wanted to protect his family and his country and he really wanted to join after everything that happened with 9/11,” Wood’s sister, Amber Poland, told WTHR-TV.

The 4,000-soldier Stryker brigade deployed to Afghanistan in April for a one-year tour. The same brigade also had deployments to Iraq in 2005 and 2008.

Wood is the 12th soldier killed in combat since the Strykers began their latest deployment. They patrol three provinces in eastern Afghanistan.

source: newsminer.com

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May Almighty God Bless this brave Soldier.
May Almighty God comfort his family, friends and comrades.

Wednesday Hero 09/14/2011

Seaman Sha'Quanda Jacobs


Religious Programs Specialist Seaman Sha'Quanda Jacobs rings the bell during commemoration ceremony of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States at Naval Air Station Oceana.

Photo Courtesy U.S. Navy Taken by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Terah L. Mollise

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 warmest thanks to Christopher Lee for his constant dedication to our Troops.

September 12, 2011

If only our Nation was filled with the same patriotism throughout the land, as ten years ago...



(photo source: visualphotos.net)

September 11, 2011

God Bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home.

Somebody's Son

Sgt. Alexander Hayne, 22, of Bellaire, Md. , with the U.S. Army's Bravo Company of the 25th Infantry Division, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Battalion 27th Infantry Regiment based in Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, prepares to head out on a mission at dusk Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2011 at Combat Outpost Monti in Kunar province, Afghanistan
source: militaryphotos.net

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Friday posts are random photos of our Soldiers.
This week's photo is a Maryland Son.
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.

Wednesday Hero 09/07/2011

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Michael

Maj. Albert Brown
105 years old from Pinckneyville, Illinois
Oct. 26, 1905 - Aug. 14, 2011


At 105 years old, Albert Brown was the oldest living living survivor of the Bataan Death March.

In April of 1942, then Capt. Brown and 70,000+ American and Filipinos were marched 66 miles to POW camps on the Bataan peninsula in the Philippines with little food or water. Many were beaten and killed along the way and left where they fell. “One 18-year-old I knew, he fell down,” Mr. Brown said. “A guard came along and put a gun to his head, pulled the trigger and walked away.”

Capt. Brown spent 3 years as a POW where he was beaten; thrown down stairs, seriously injuring his back; and struck in the neck by a rifle butt, causing a fracture. When he was finally freed he weighed just 90 pounds. “We were listed in groups of 10. If one escaped out of the 10, they eliminated the rest of them, killed them. So, at night, just before roll call, you tried to find out if your 10 were still there.”


You can read more about Maj. Albert Brown 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 acknowledgement of our Heroes.
Thank you, Mike for another excellent suggestion.

Talking Tuesday

September 11th.

Ten Years Later.

Where were you on this dark day in American history?

What will you do to remember this somber occassion?

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

September is Suicide Prevention Month

Suicide.
Honestly, is there a more heartbreaking word in our language?
To stop and think of anyone hurting inside so much, they can't live another day.
To stop and think of loved ones left behind, wondering what could have/should have been done to help.
The suicide rate among our Service Members is outrageous. And these numbers are the 'known'! Imagine, the true numbers. Wrong on so many levels.

I'm only one Mom. I've battled my own demons in the past, which led me into a state of depression. Truly, I won't pretend to understand the depth of despair those who commit suicide...but I do understand what I call the 'dark cloud' which covers your entire life. My mild case of depression was enough to build a deep respect of the disease and its 'side effects'. Today, I know it is only by the Grace of God (along with the help of meds and a good Shrink) I did not fall into a deeper black hole.

Reach out. Speak up.

Suicide can be preventable. I have no answers...
I can offer words of caution to family members watching a loved one who may be living under their 'dark cloud'...reach out!
I can offer words of encouragement to those who find themselves trapped under a 'dark cloud'... speak up!

Here are a couple sites, well worth visiting:

health.mil
AFSP
SPRC
Suicidology.org

(Please pause PlayList on right sidebar)

Somebody's Son

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. David Janossy, 57th Operations Support Squadron, survive evasion resistance escape specialist, uses his PRC-112 Survival Radio to contact fellow instructors during SERE Combat Survival Training on Area 2 located at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Aug. 24.
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.
Let us not forget....

His Star Has Turned From Blue to Gold

WATAUGA (CBSDFW.COM) – A son, a brother and a solider: Spc. Michael Roberts of Watagua died Saturday in Afghanistan.

“He wasn’t just another soldier who died, he loved and touched everyone,” brother Patrick Roberts said.

A call to serve was perhaps in the 23-year-old’s destiny, his family says. The solider from North Texas was the youngest of three brothers – all of whom enlisted in the Army. Eldest brother, Patrick Roberts, set the example his brother would follow.

“I see my little brother go from waiting tables at a local restaruant, to serving in the same Army I did,” Patrick Roberts said.

From a young age, Roberts demonstrated a dedication to contribute. He carried that spirit of service and eagerness to learn throughout this four-year military career, which was laced with earned accolades that include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

“He wanted to serve his country – contribute, make a big contribution to society and he felt by going into the army, he could do that,” mother Kathy Roberts said.

Roberts was serving in the Kandahar Province, assigned to the 561st Military Police Compnay when he died. He was struck by an improvised explosive device, an IED. Roberts was deployed to Afghanistan last month.

That was the last time his parents saw him.

“He was quite the man and he’ll be sorely missed,” father David Roberts said.

The fun-loving solider with a genuine heart and affinity for cooking is remembered as a humble leader; one whose legacy will live on in the lives he touched and leaves behind, they say.

“I’m going to continue to serve in honor of him,” middle brother Brian Roberts said. “I’m going to try to go as strong as he did. That’s the only way I know how to honor him.”

Roberts graduated from Richland High School in 2006. He was a part of the wrestling team and he played the tuba.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

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May Almighty God Bless this brave Soldier.
May God comfort his family, friends and comrades.