Wednesday Hero 11/30/2011

Spc. Joseph A. Graves
21 years old from Discovery Bay, California
110th Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade
July 26, 2006


Spc. Joseph Graves's dream was to work for the FBI and he saw that joining the Military was a way to help me do that. Joseph Graves enlisted in the Army at 17 and surprised his family when he went to jump school soon afterwards. "This was a kid I could hardly get to ski down a ski slope, because it was too intimidating," said his father, Kevin. "And now he's jumping out of airplanes." Spc. Graves was the lone casualty when his convoy was attacked by insurgents near Baghdad on July 26, 2006.

You can read more about Spc. Graves 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.

Talking Tuesday

First of all, thank you for the feedback on my Blog.
I updated to Internet Explorer 9, then reverted back to IE8...still having issues.
It appears it is a blogger issue.... if you scroll to the bottom of this Blog, you will find my right side bar found a new home at the bottom of the Blog. Not sure about you folks, but this does not work for me. I'm trying to mend...please stay tuned! (of course if you can help with a resolution, I would welcome comments!)

So now, let's chat about the important stuff. It's the Holiday Season already... not sure where Twenty-Eleven went, but it is as good as gone! These next few weeks will fly by, I'm certain of it. We are so busy; shopping and baking and visiting... Hours quickly turn to days, and days quickly turn to weeks.

And then there is the Soldier... far from home.

Our family knows first hand, the 'Vegetable Soup of Emotion' having a loved one Serving our Nation overseas during this joyous time of year. Oh yes, we are proud of John... but pride does not eliminate emptiness. And I'm talking about those of us in the comfort of our homes, living out our routine lives. I pray for my son constantly, and I constantly lift prayers for his wife...going through these days, weeks and months watching their little guy growing up... it is just tough some days. As I have said before, we are only one family. Thousands of families know our hearts.

I wanted to share with you three of my most highly regarded organizations:

USO has been supporting our Troops since 1941. Ask any Soldier who has traveled through an Airport, about the USO... they have been there for our Service Members for decades, and I will do what I can to support them to make certain they remain active in the future.

SoldiersAngels motto "May No Soldier Go Unloved". What better way to celebrate this Season of Giving, than to adopt a Soldier and send a package full of cheer. I've been an Angel for several years, I encourage you to take a few moments and sign up to become an Angel.

Wounded Warriors Project is all about helping our Warriors who return home injured. This group began with some veterans supplying comfort items for wounded Soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan...they now assist with transitioning back to civilian life as well.


"No one has ever become poor by giving."
Anne Frank

I've only named a few amazing organizations...I'd like to hear your most respected groups.

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

Manic Monday...

Not quite sure what has happened to the layout of my blog...
on my laptop, the entire right sidebar has vanished.

What do you see?

I'll be back tomorrow with a 'Talking Tuesday'!

May Almighty God protect all who are serving our Country...stateside and so far from home.

Love you, John.

Wednesday Hero 11/23/2011

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Kathi

Wreaths Across America has been profiled before and it will probably be profiled again because they are a great organization.


Wreaths Across America was profiled last year and it will probably be profiled again next year because they are a great organization. For 20 years they have have laid Christmas wreaths on the headstones of our fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery. And this year, for their 20th year, their goal is to lay a wreath on every headstone, all 220,000, and they need our help. Head over to Help Wreaths Across America Cover Arlington and there you can find information on how you can do that. Whether it's via a donation or just getting the word out, anything we can do helps.

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.

Thanksgiving Blessings...

Ah yes... I post that I am taking off for Vegas to witness my son's wedding, then I evaporate. OK... I'll fess up. I'm drowning in the sorrow of leaving three bones in the Casino. Yep, played the Penny Slots and lost it all (that is all I bet!)

But on to happier memories of the weekend... the wedding was fabulous! B was dashing and V was stunning! It was a beautiful ceremony at the Chapel in the Clouds (top of the Stratosphere which is the tallest building in Vegas and fifth largest building in North America). A group of us saw Phantom of the Opera...oh. my. goodness. Pure awesomeness! My daughter, K and I were able to get our photo taken with Elvis...actually it was Elvis Squared. Two Elvises who spoke little English and did not realize Maryland was a State. We were happy to provide a public service and geography lesson. Oh, and yes we did stand in front of a foam Las Vegas sign! Good memories! Sadly, Marie and John were not there... I wish B & V a lifetime of laughter, good health and much happiness!

Wednesday Hero 11/16/2011

Sgt. Kevin Stewart(Left) & Spc. David Duque(Right)


Sgt. Kevin Stewart, left, congratulates Spc. David Duque on his becoming a U.S. citizen in a ceremony at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Nov. 9. Duque is a native of Cuba. Both soldiers are members of Company E, Forward Support Element, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Photo Courtesy U.S. Army Taken By Capt. Christopher Larsen

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.

Vegas Wedding!

Sing along....

Going to the Chapel (in the Sky)
gonna get married (to the most adorable girl)
Going to the Chapel (on 11/11/11)
gonna get married (to the neatest guy on this planet)
Gee, I really love them and
They're gonna get married
Going to the Chapel in the Sky!

AirmanMom has a heart full of love and warm wishes for my B and his girl, V.
V, we welcome you to our family. May the two of you be showered with all of God's richest blessings.

Yep.... we're going to Vegas Baby!

So Thankful!

Every once in a while I am simply blown away... when I stop to think of how many blessings God has showered over me.

I am married to my best friend. After all these years, our favorite way to pass our time is to talk. We talk about everything and nothing. He is my rock. I could not ask for more.

I am Momma to four of the most amazing people in this world. Truly, I like my kids. If they were not mine, I would try to adopt them. Each of them are loving, kind, hard working, dedicated, God loving, respectful, witty...oh I could go on and on. Each of them hold gigantic chunks of my heart. I am who I am, because I am their mom.

I am Nana to six of the most precious babies you have ever seen on this earth. God has this awesome plan, for me to be a young mom...therefore making me a young Nana. Sitting on the floor reading books, or building with blocks, or swaddling baby dolls or pretending to drive a car or fly in an airplane... stepping into their imaginary world is pure awesomeness. Honestly, to look in the eyes of your child's eyes is one of God's sweetest of all gifts.

I am a mom-in-law to four (ok...the wedding is on Friday so I am pushing it a bit) really cool people. My son-in-laws love my daughters and are such good providers for their families. These guys have a great sense of humor! My daughter-in-laws are everything I could wish for my sons. Both my guys have chosen brides who are not only beautiful... but talented, funny and oh how my guys love their brides!

I have several good friends, who have known me forever...seen me at my best and at my worst... these girls are still a phone call away. We can laugh together, cry together and talk for hours endlessly.

I have a nice home, a reliable vehicle, an adorable Mutt and a job I enjoy. Yep...there is stuff. But honestly... The stuff could evaporate and I would still be the richest woman in the world.

This post needed to be written... I won't take my life for granted. It is a gift to have so much love to give and to receive so much love. I am blessed.

Somebody's Son

An Airman and Soldier secure an area near the Tarnek River in Qalat City, Afghanistan.

source: popularmilitary.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

HOUSTON — A solider from Houston with extensive experience in the mental health field died Saturday while serving in Afghanistan, the Department of Defense said.

Lt. Col. David E. Cabrera, 41, died less than a month after being deployed after a suicide bomb attack on the United Nations convoy he was riding with in Kabul, according to Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.

Cabrera graduated from Sam Houston High School in 1988 and graduated from Texas A&M with a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1992. He then worked in family counseling and at different facilities in Giddings, Texas, and in Arlington, Texas.

In 1994, Cabrera earned his master's degree in social work from UT Arlington and then worked as a delinquency case management counselor for the state of Florida. He worked as a family therapist to underprivileged children and families in Palm Beach County.

Two years later, he joined the U.S. Army as a medical service corps officer and was deployed for nearly a year at the chief of Mental Health for Operation Joint Endeavor/Joint Guard in Hungary, Croatia and Bosnia. He later served as chief of the Family Advocacy Program at Wurzburg Army Hospital in Germany.

After his deployment, Cabrera served at a military prison in Fort Lewis, Wa., and at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

In 2004, he entered a PhD program in social work at Catholic University and was later assigned to manage the behavioral health and combat operational stress programs for more than 4,500 soldiers at Fort Lewis.

After finishing his degree in 2006, Cabrera was deployed to Iraq for five months. He returned to Fort Lewis and was then transferred to Heidelberg, Germany, where he ran several mental health support programs.

In January 2010, he left Heidelberg to join the faculty of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md., as the director of social work. There he saw patients, taught third- and fourth-year military medical students, conducted research in the fields of resilience, post-traumatic stress disorder and post-traumatic growth, and participated in a number of university field training exercises.

He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on Sept. 1, 2011, in a small ceremony at USU, surrounded by his family, friends and close colleagues.

"Lt. Col. Cabrera was a soldier's soldier. He was professionally happiest when in the field with his troops. His sense of service, love of God, family and country are an inspiration to us all," said Navy Capt. Dr. Mark Stephens, who was Cabrera's boss as chair of the USU Department of Family Medicine.

Sgt. James M. Darrough, 38, of Austin, was also killed in the same attack. Darrough was assigned to the 101st Finance Company, 101st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade and 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) out of Fort Campbell, Ky.

Sgt. Carlo F. Eugenio, 29, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., and Staff Sgt. Christopher R. Newman, 26, of Shelby, N.C., also died in the attack.

Source: Click2Houston.com

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AirmanMom was asked by a friend to post the story of this brave Soldier. He is the husband of the friend of a friend, who had been stationed at Walter Reed to counsel wounded warriors returning from Afghanistan & Iraq. He was deployed to be part of a unit that was to travel by convoy between units & he was going to do similar counseling there. My Boss and I were talking of Lt. Col Cabrera, and Mr. B. mentioned that his daughter had been to a birthday party this past weekend with one of David Cabrera's young children. Such sadness.

May Almighty God Bless this brave Warrior who served his Nation proudly.
May Almighty God comfort his family and friends.

Wednesday Hero 11/02/2011

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Beth & Cindy

1st Lt. Ashley White, Sgt. First Class Kristoffer B. Domeij & Pfc. Christopher Horns
October 22, 2011


On Saturday, October 22, 2011, three United States Soldiers were killed in Kandahar, Afghanistan. They were 1st Lt. Ashley White, 24, 230th Brigade Support Battalion, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, North Carolina National Guard; Sgt. First Class Kristoffer B. Domeij, 29; and Pfc. Christopher Horns, 20, both with 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.

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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Too many...
Too young...

Thank you, Christopher Lee for keeping our Heroes in the hearts and mind of all.