Talking Tuesday

Rolling Thunder was an awesome experience! Truly, there is nothing like the roar of 400,000 motorcycles through the streets of Washington, DC. If you have yet to experience this, I encourage you to do so...one day! The photos, the news clips dont't touch the emotional side of being among so many Vietnam Veterans.

Rolling Thunder's Mission is simple: Incorporated in 1995, Rolling Thunder, Inc. is a class 501(c)(4) non-profit organization with over 90 chartered chapters throughout the United States and members abroad. While many members of Rolling Thunder are veterans and many ride motorcycles, neither qualification is a prerequisite. Rolling Thunder members are old and young, men and women, veterans and non-veterans. All are united in the cause to bring full accountability for Prisoners Of War (POW) and Missing In Action (MIA) of all wars, reminding the government, the media and the public by our watchwords: “We Will Not Forget.”

Next year is the 25th Anniversary of Rolling Thunder, I believe it will be a day not soon forgotten! Please read more about Rolling Thunder HERE!

Motorcycles from all across the Nation rally in the Pentagon Parking Lot.

Hubster and his Escort.

The Lone Marine. SSgt. Tim Chambers has held a salute while every single motorcycle passes him, for the past six Rolling Thunders! Look at the crowds!!! Pure awesomeness!!!

AirmanMom with WingSis, ShaysMa. We met a few years ago in a Yahoo BlueStar Chat, became Blogging Buddies and for the 2nd year in a row have shared good memories at Rolling Thunder. This is now our tradition; Ride in Rolling Thunder, grab some lunch and visit The Wall. Love her!

What do you feel are our top Vietnam Veterans concerns? How can we as everyday citizens make this a better place for those who have so bravely served our Nation?

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

D-Day June 6, 1944

"You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have
striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The
hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you.
In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on
other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war
machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of
Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well
equipped and battle hardened. He will fight savagely.

But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of
1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats,
in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their
strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home
Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions
of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men.
The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to
Victory!

I have full confidence in your courage and devotion to duty and skill in
battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!

Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great
and noble undertaking." — Dwight D. Eisenhower

U.S. Troops Killed Today in Iraq

Five U.S. servicemembers were killed Monday in central Iraq, the U.S. military said in a written statement.

The deaths are the single largest loss of life among U.S. troops in Iraq since 2009, and they come as Iraq debates whether to request U.S. troops stay beyond a January 1, 2012, deadline that requires 46,000 American forces out of the country.

The U.S. military did not say how or where the five died.

But two Iraqi security officials told CNN Monday that the servicemembers were killed during an early morning mortar attack at a U.S. military base in southeastern Baghdad.

Five servicemembers also were wounded in the attack, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information.

The two officials said some of those killed and wounded were sleeping in trailers when the base was attacked.

U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Anishka J. Calder, a spokeswoman in Baghdad, declined to comment on details surrounding the deaths.

The names of the servicemembers were being withheld pending notification of next of kin, the military said in the statement.

The deaths follow warnings by the U.S. military that attacks against American troops in Iraq by armed militias are on the rise, an attempt to demonstrate their power ahead of an anticipated U.S. withdrawal at the end of the year.

U.S. troops have increasingly been targeted by roadside bombings and mortar attacks, largely in Baghdad and southern Iraq, Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, spokesman for U.S. Forces-Iraq, recently told CNN.

While al Qaeda in Iraq -- predominantly Iraqi Sunni insurgents -- continue to launch strikes, Buchanan has said the militia attacks against the U.S. are "designed for power and they want to claim credit for our redeploying, for us leaving."

-cnn.com

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May Almighty God Bless these brave Warriors.
May Almighty God comfort the families who loves them so.

My Dad

Six years ago today, I said one last "Good Night" to My Dad.

Oh God, how I miss him.

Everyday.

Love you, Dad.

Some Days are Harder Than Others

(Please pause Playlist on right sidebar)

Somebody's Son...

SANGIN DISTRICT, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Cpl. Matthew T. Woodall, a squad leader for 3rd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, moves between the elements of his squad during Operation Zapoonki Guzaroona in the Upper Sangin Valley, Afghanistan, May 23. Woodall was made the squad leader of 3rd squad when his squad leader was injured the first day of the operation. This forced Woodall to assume the role of squad leader and make critical decisions that directly affected and ensured his Marines safety. Woodall, 26, is from Paducah, Ky., and a 2003 graduate of Heath High School.

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Friday Posts are dedicated to random photos of those brave men and women who serve our Nation... we must remember they are Somebody's Son.

Wednesday Hero 06/01/2011

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Pet

Col. Van T. Barfoot
91 years old from Henrico County, Virginia
157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division


In December 2009 Van T. Barfoot made national headlines when he wanted to fly his American flag in his yard but was told to take it down by his homeowners association. It's still flying proudly today. But that's just one small event in the life of Mr. Barfoot. Long before he decided to fly that flag he defended it during W.W.II.

Barfoot joined the Army in 1940 and was shipped to Italy in 1943 where distinguished himself in 1944 when, in the course of a single day, he advanced alone through a minefield, took out a German machine gun with a hand grenade, single handily killed eight German soldiers, captured seventeen, disabled a tank with a bazooka and then returned to his own lines and helped two of his own wounded squad members. All which earned him the Medal Of Honor. So it comes as no surprise that when he wanted to fly the American fly he wasn't going to take no for an answer.


You can read more about Col. Barfoot 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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Special Thanks to Christopher Lee for his dedication to our Troops!