Wednesday Hero 02/29/2012

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Michael

1st Battalion, 9th Marines


This weeks post is a little different. Rather than an individual service member, or a group, Wednesday Hero is profiling an entire battalion. 1st Battalion, 9th Marines (1/9) aka "The Walking Dead". Activated on March 1, 1942, 1/9 has had a long and distinguished service history. Seeing deployments in WWII, Vietnam, Somalia and Iraq. During the Vietnam War they earned the nickname "The Walking Dead" because of their extremely high casualty rate. 1/9 was deactivated in September 1994 but were once again called back into service in 2005. There has also been four Medal Of Honor recipients from 1/9; Pfc. Frank Witek, 2nd Lt. John Leims, Sgt. Walter Singleton & Cpt. Wesley Fox.

You can read more about 1st Battalion, 9th Marines here and 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 Wednesday Hero. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Somebody's Son

SRE KALA, Helmand province, Afghanistan – U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Brandon Mann, a dog handler with Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and native of Arlington, Texas, and Ty, an improvised explosive devise detection dog, post security during a patrol here, Feb. 16.
source: militaryphotos.net

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

Happy Birthday, Bright Eyed Beauty

Our family received an incredible gift five years ago today.
She has an innocent wonder, which I pray she holds onto always.
Her heart is the size of this universe, so much caring and love inside a little girl.
Often I look at her the words to the song, "Chasing Cars" comes to mind....
"Forget what we’re told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life"
Happy Birthday, Bright Eyed Beauty...the world is a much better place because of you!
Love you so.

Wednesday Hero 02/22/2012

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Cindy

Col. John Glenn
90 years old from Cambridge, Ohio


We all know John Glenn the astronaut. Monday marked the 50th anniversary of his historic flight where he became the third American in space and the first to orbit the Earth. And John Glenn the U.S. Senator from Ohio. But what many may not know is that before that he had a distinguished career in the United States Marine Corps during which time he saw action in WWII and Korea and was the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, US Navy Presidential Unit Citation, China Service Medal and many other awards.

You can read more about John Glenn's time in the military and NASA Here, Here and 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 Wednesday Hero. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

John and His Son...

Only 60'ish days til John returns home!
In the meantime, he chats with his son online...

Somebody's Son

Maj. Brian Deas, 416th Flight Test Squadron F-16 test pilot, preflights his jet before joining the day-time war exercise during Red Flag Feb. 1. (Lockheed Martin photo by Chad Bellay)
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 family and friends who love them so.

Govenor Christie Got it Wrong!

With all due respect...I must say that the State of New Jersey is wrong.
On Saturday, all flags across New Jersey will be lowered, as Whitney Houston is buried.
Excuse me?
What the FU%#???
Really?
Governor Christie strongly defends his decision to lower flags to half staff for Whitney Houston.

Let me get this straight....
December 7th, we lower our flags in remembrance of Pearl Harbor Day.
September 11th, we lower our flags in remembrance of Patriots Day.
Memorial Day until noon, we lower our flags.

Somehow, some way... Whitney Houston is of equal importance as these dates in our American History?

Did I miss something? Will her family receive a folded flag?

I am angry about this.

What is going on folks? Please understand...in my opinion no celebrity deserves the same honor as those who have paid the ultimate price for our nation!

Our Sarge was laid to rest a couple weeks ago...did the state of Florida lower flags when he was laid to rest? Here is a man who passed away due to complications of Agent Orange, which he contracted courtesy of Vietnam. This man lived his entire life loving and serving his homeland... a true Patriot.

Governors can use their discretion to lower flags in honor of 'prominent citizens'. Whitney Houston was given an amazing gift...the voice of an angel. She entertained many and was handsomely compensated. Yes, she did perform the Star Spangled Banner beautifully at a Super Bowl.... but does that place her in the same league as our Fallen? I think not.

This is my flag. This flag represents our nations' strength and unity. Our warriors defend our flag each and every day.

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

Wednesday Hero 02/15/2012

Sgt. John Batemon
B-Company 304th Military Intelligence Battalion, 111th Military Intelligence Brigade


Sgt. John Batemon, B-Company 304th Military Intelligence Battalion, 111th Military Intelligence Brigade removes his shoes and shows off his injuries after the 12-mile march and range portions of the Best Warrior Competition.

Photo Courtesy U.S. Army Taken By Natalie Lakosil

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 Wednesday Hero. 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 remaining so dedicated to our Heroes.
I'm not sure what was going on with Blogger yesterday...tried to post, but could not.

Somebody's Son

PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 8, 2012) Airman Ishmael Charles signals for the start-up of an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the Tophatters of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14 on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). John C. Stennis is on a seven-month deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kenneth Abbate/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 family and friends who love them so.

Wednesday Hero 02/08/2012

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Cindy

Sgt. Jimmie Begay
86 years old from Sawmill, Arizona
1st Marine Division, 2nd Battalion
February 1, 2012


The Navajo Nation has lost another code talker. Sgt. Jimmie Begay passed away Wednesday night at Tsehootsoi Medical Center in Fort Defiance at the age of 88 from a head injury he sustained after a fall. Sgt. Begay enlisted in the Marines in 1942 when he was 17 years old.

Sadly there isn't much information on Sgt. Begay, but you can read more about him 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 Wednesday Hero. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Somebody's Son

Lance Cpl. Nick Lacarra, a 20-year-old improvised explosive device detection dog handler with Combined Anti-Armor Team 2, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, and a native of Long Beach, Calif., holds security in a field with his dog Coot while halted during a partnered security patrol with Afghan Border Police here, Jan. 30. In southern Garmsir district, an area with a history of tribal conflict, the growing ABP force has deepened its roots and established governance through the mentorship of the 3/3 Weapons Co. Marines.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Reece Lodder)
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 family and friends who love them so.

Wednesday Hero 02/01/2012

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Cindy

Pfc. Donny Eslinger & Smoke
20 years old from Jemison, Alabama
1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Bravo Company


It was a mission just as important as any other they had encountered during their time in Afghanistan.

This time the 1-24 Infantry Battalion of the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team were determined to reunite soldier Donny Eslinger - who was seriously injured in a mortar attack in September - with a puppy he rescued during his deployment called Smoke.

And now it is Smoke's turn to rescue Donny, says his father Seminole County sheriff Don Eslinger Sr, who reunited the puppy with his owner today.

When Donny, who was serving in Afghanistan, encountered the pup in August he fell in love with him and stashed him in his backpack to hike back to camp.

You can read more about Pfc. Eslinger here and 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 Wednesday Hero. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.