This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Kathi
2nd Lt. Christopher E. Loudon22 years old from Brockport, Pennsylvania1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division October 17, 2006.
2nd Lt. Christopher Loudon graduated from Slippery Rock University with a Baccalaureate Degree in Environmental Health in 2005. Upon graduation, he entered the United States Army on September 9, 2005. He received his commission as an Infantry officer and was assigned to 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 4th Infantry Division at Ft. Hood, Texas. He deployed to Iraq in July 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 2nd Lt. Loudon’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Ranger Tab.He was KIA in Baghdad, Iraq when an IED detonated near his vehicle. Also killed with him were; Corporal David M. Unger, 21, of Leavenworth, Kansas ;Corporal Russell G. Culbertson III, 22, of Amity, Pennsylvania and Specialist Joseph C. Dumas Jr., 25, of New Orleans, Louisiana.He leaves behind his parents, Randy and Susan Loudon ; his wife, Jacey Loudon ; a daughter, Isabel Loudon ; two brothers, First Lieutenant Nicholas Loudon ,and Jonathan Loudon ; his paternal grandmother, Florence Loudon and his maternal grandfather, Everett William Campbell.
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.
**** It appears I am having technical issues with this week's Wednesday Hero. To see the picture of this fine young man, please visit ShaysMom blog. My apolgies and hopefully the new year will bring fewer blogging challenges!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Tuesday Random Thoughts
Since this is my final post of 2008, I chose to write a complete hodgepodge of thoughts.
Today, I am going to BWI to welcome home heroes. The Washington Post featured Operation Welcome Home on Christmas Eve. Our local news covered this outstanding organization as well. As I watch these brave men and women come through the airport's security doors, I cry. They thank us! Some of them are so overwhelmed by the hoopla, they bow their heads. I reach to shake the hands of as many as possible, and hopefully they know my tears speak while my voice is stuck somewhere in my throat. I am in awe by each and every one of them! My goals for 2009 are to recruit more people to join me in welcoming home troops at local airports and to request Sunday School classes to write Thank You cards which I will hand deliver to our troops at BWI.
MudPuppy is my first "adopted" SoldierSon. I am relatively new to the blogging world and his blog was one of the first I began to follow on a regular basis. His writing style is brilliant, but be forewarned...he puts it as it is. If you can't take it, don't read it. My heart is filled with gratitude, respect and love for this young soldier. MudPuppy will receive packages from me throughout the year, it is the very least I can do to show my heartfelt thanks for what he does for me each day! My second SoldierSon is David, my AdoptedSoldier. He too, will see packages of random pieces of home. The simple things which we take for granted, mean so very much to these brave men and women.
Prayers, prayers and more prayers for Airmen who I have not met: Michelle's daughter, Shay. Travis and Bryan are two fine Airman who are serving in Afghanistan and need prayers. Christopher who I have been introduced to by HL is on my prayer list and package list. Zachary, a young Marine who graduated with my son, John and is currently serving in Afghanistan also is in need of prayers and packages from home!
My sons. B is going to Korea for two weeks. He is in the United States Air Force Reserves. May Almighty God watch over him while he is away and bring him home safely. John may or may not be deployed in 2009. Chances are good, my youngest son will find himself in the Middle East. It is all in God's hands.
My youngest daughter, Marie. In just a few short weeks my baby girl, my sweet angel will hold her daughter. My prayers are lifted, since this sweet grandgirl of mine already is causing a wee bit of concern; this baby has decided she is enjoying her tranverse position inside her momma (meaning she is sideways). There is not much more time or room for her to get into a better position for a natural birth. I know God is good and always has a good plan. Marie keeps saying that her daughter may know something the rest of us don't know...so if a 'section' is needed to bring this baby in the world, so be it. I so look forward to holding this precious child in my arms. I look forward to staying with my daughter and son-in-law for a week to help them, as they care for their sweet girl. I look forward to watching my daughter, as she mothers her daughter. Truly, I am deeply blessed to know this honor. *HAPPY NOTE- I just got off the phone with Marie who saw the doctor this morning; Our Sweet Angel is turned and in position to enter the world naturally! I guess those strange pains Marie was enduring on Christmas Day, was the baby flipping and dropping! Woo-Hoo!!!! I will be able to watch this sweet angel's birth!!!!!
So, as we move into a new year...I pray that each and every one of you know peace in your heart. I pray that you enjoy a year of good health. I pray that you are richly blessed in what makes you whole.
May Almighty God bless each and every Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine. May God bring comfort to the families who have lost loved ones. May God reunite families who are separated, whether it is within our country or by an ocean. May we all show love towards one another, in deeds and words.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
It is still this year, so I have posted a few photos from today at BWI. My camera is not the best, perhaps next year I will own a nicer camera and be able to capture these moments a bit better! It was simply amazing to be there and greet our troops. One sweet soldier was so very overwhelmed, she cried her way through the long pathway of greeters. OWH had so many volunteers today, oodles of Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Girls Scouts giving out cookies! There were two groups of Red Hatters (yes, I am one of them). Shaking the hands of these soldiers is an honor, which has no words. As these heroes were bumping knuckles with Cub Scouts, I stood there taking in the moment. So very grateful to whisper a "welcome home" or a "thank you". I wanted to hug each of them, as they are my own children. Truth is, they are our children. They represent us. They are us. May Almighty God Bless each and every Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine!
Today, I am going to BWI to welcome home heroes. The Washington Post featured Operation Welcome Home on Christmas Eve. Our local news covered this outstanding organization as well. As I watch these brave men and women come through the airport's security doors, I cry. They thank us! Some of them are so overwhelmed by the hoopla, they bow their heads. I reach to shake the hands of as many as possible, and hopefully they know my tears speak while my voice is stuck somewhere in my throat. I am in awe by each and every one of them! My goals for 2009 are to recruit more people to join me in welcoming home troops at local airports and to request Sunday School classes to write Thank You cards which I will hand deliver to our troops at BWI.
MudPuppy is my first "adopted" SoldierSon. I am relatively new to the blogging world and his blog was one of the first I began to follow on a regular basis. His writing style is brilliant, but be forewarned...he puts it as it is. If you can't take it, don't read it. My heart is filled with gratitude, respect and love for this young soldier. MudPuppy will receive packages from me throughout the year, it is the very least I can do to show my heartfelt thanks for what he does for me each day! My second SoldierSon is David, my AdoptedSoldier. He too, will see packages of random pieces of home. The simple things which we take for granted, mean so very much to these brave men and women.
Prayers, prayers and more prayers for Airmen who I have not met: Michelle's daughter, Shay. Travis and Bryan are two fine Airman who are serving in Afghanistan and need prayers. Christopher who I have been introduced to by HL is on my prayer list and package list. Zachary, a young Marine who graduated with my son, John and is currently serving in Afghanistan also is in need of prayers and packages from home!
My sons. B is going to Korea for two weeks. He is in the United States Air Force Reserves. May Almighty God watch over him while he is away and bring him home safely. John may or may not be deployed in 2009. Chances are good, my youngest son will find himself in the Middle East. It is all in God's hands.
My youngest daughter, Marie. In just a few short weeks my baby girl, my sweet angel will hold her daughter. My prayers are lifted, since this sweet grandgirl of mine already is causing a wee bit of concern; this baby has decided she is enjoying her tranverse position inside her momma (meaning she is sideways). There is not much more time or room for her to get into a better position for a natural birth. I know God is good and always has a good plan. Marie keeps saying that her daughter may know something the rest of us don't know...so if a 'section' is needed to bring this baby in the world, so be it. I so look forward to holding this precious child in my arms. I look forward to staying with my daughter and son-in-law for a week to help them, as they care for their sweet girl. I look forward to watching my daughter, as she mothers her daughter. Truly, I am deeply blessed to know this honor. *HAPPY NOTE- I just got off the phone with Marie who saw the doctor this morning; Our Sweet Angel is turned and in position to enter the world naturally! I guess those strange pains Marie was enduring on Christmas Day, was the baby flipping and dropping! Woo-Hoo!!!! I will be able to watch this sweet angel's birth!!!!!
So, as we move into a new year...I pray that each and every one of you know peace in your heart. I pray that you enjoy a year of good health. I pray that you are richly blessed in what makes you whole.
May Almighty God bless each and every Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine. May God bring comfort to the families who have lost loved ones. May God reunite families who are separated, whether it is within our country or by an ocean. May we all show love towards one another, in deeds and words.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
It is still this year, so I have posted a few photos from today at BWI. My camera is not the best, perhaps next year I will own a nicer camera and be able to capture these moments a bit better! It was simply amazing to be there and greet our troops. One sweet soldier was so very overwhelmed, she cried her way through the long pathway of greeters. OWH had so many volunteers today, oodles of Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Girls Scouts giving out cookies! There were two groups of Red Hatters (yes, I am one of them). Shaking the hands of these soldiers is an honor, which has no words. As these heroes were bumping knuckles with Cub Scouts, I stood there taking in the moment. So very grateful to whisper a "welcome home" or a "thank you". I wanted to hug each of them, as they are my own children. Truth is, they are our children. They represent us. They are us. May Almighty God Bless each and every Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Operation Welcome Home
Cheers, All Around For Service and a Safe Return, Troops Get a Big BWI Welcome
By Christian Davenport
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, December 24, 2008; Page B01
The volunteers gather by the dozen, hang their "Welcome Home" signs on the wall and transform Baltimore-Washington International Marshall Airport into something akin to the red carpet at Cannes. Cameras flash. Strangers stop and stare, and sometimes join in the applause for the troops coming home from war.
Several times a month, the service members -- Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines -- emerge from the arrivals gate in ones and twos. Some are sheepish about all the hoopla, ducking their heads and smiling shyly. Others embrace it. Navy Lt. Tony Davis of Tampa, who returned Monday evening from a tour in Afghanistan, worked the line of greeters like a celebrity, shaking hands and accepting hugs.
"This is awesome," he said.
Since the wars began, BWI has become a hub for those going into and out of Iraq and Afghanistan. And since last year, the volunteer group Operation Welcome Home, Maryland has welcomed more than 12,000 of the camouflaged warriors who passed through the airport on their way home. The volunteers are lined up on weekends and late at night, making sure the troops "feel welcome," said Larry Shipley, one of the group's organizers. It is a duty made even more important, volunteers said, around the holidays.
Some of the volunteers who greet the incoming flights are Vietnam veterans who want to "show the troops the support they didn't receive," said Shipley, a former serviceman whose son is in the Army Reserve. Others say they think that at a time when the burden of war is carried by a small percentage of the population, service members should be given the same royal treatment as movie stars and ballplayers.
"I think people forget we're at war," Shipley said. "And this is one small way we can draw people together."
The group does not have a presence at Dulles International or Reagan National Airport, which do not see nearly as many troops as BWI, but maintains a Web site, an e-mail database that has grown to 1,600 contacts and a flight arrival hotline.
On Monday, about 100 volunteers turned out to welcome the troops at the airport's international terminal. Some wore American flag shirts. Others carried red, white and blue balloons. "God Bless the U.S.A." blared from a CD player. Girl Scouts gave the soldiers high-fives. One woman in an elf hat occasionally planted kisses on the cheeks of young sailors.
BWI is also home to one of the USO's busiest lounges, where more than 60,000 service members this year have been treated to first-class accommodations: a big-screen television, free snacks, WiFi, phones and cots to sleep on. This week, some of the 190 volunteers arrived in Christmas hats and passed out candy canes. Small touches, perhaps, but after someone spends a year at war, the details matter, volunteers said.
Soldiers lounged on the chairs, appearing tired but excited by the prospect of being home for the holidays. Senior Airman Keith Wilcox said he could not wait for home cooking, "my grandmother's turkey and ham." Others said they were looking forward to a hot shower and a warm bed.
"It's weird to think that just a few days ago you were in Iraq and now you're here," said Air Force Capt. Chris Kleinhenz, who was waiting in the lounge for a flight home to Las Vegas.
Arriving in Vegas, he said later by telephone, was satisfying and surreal. The air was unusually crisp and cold, and for the first time he saw the mountains around Las Vegas covered in snow. The slot machines in the airport and the tourists "dressed up all glitzy and glamorous" were as different as you could get from his base in Balad, Iraq.
At home, Kleinhenz's wife told him she had a surprise. On the kitchen table were presents. Not Christmas gifts, his wife told him, but welcome-home presents: sweaters and long-sleeve shirts, clothes to keep him warm. After several months in the Middle East, she figured, he would need some winter clothing.
Army Capt. Garrett Slaughter, going to his parents' home in Chevy Chase, called the welcome at BWI a "Christmas gift."
"I wasn't expecting this at all," he said. "It's pretty cool."
Home from Afghanistan, he was eager to be with family for the holidays. After three deployments, one to Iraq and two to Afghanistan, "this will be one of the first Christmases I've had with my family in a long time," he said. But he was most eager to see his fiancee -- they are getting married on New Year's Eve in Richmond.
Davis, the Navy lieutenant, had thought the emotional part of returning was going to be surprising his two daughters for Christmas at home in Tampa. But getting the celebrity treatment at BWI "almost brought tears to my eyes," he said. "I was just trying to stay strong."
He originally was not supposed to arrive home until Dec. 30. But his flight was moved up. When he told his wife that he would be home for Christmas, "she started screaming into the phone," he said.
They made a pact to surprise their 19- and 12-year-old daughters. Davis's wife told the girls they were going to the airport to pick up their grandmother.
So when Davis walked off the plane late Monday in Tampa, daughters Jazmine and Jayda were ecstatic, he said.
"They saw me before I saw them," he said later. They came running through the terminal "and almost knocked me down," he said. "It was great."
By Christian Davenport
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, December 24, 2008; Page B01
The volunteers gather by the dozen, hang their "Welcome Home" signs on the wall and transform Baltimore-Washington International Marshall Airport into something akin to the red carpet at Cannes. Cameras flash. Strangers stop and stare, and sometimes join in the applause for the troops coming home from war.
Several times a month, the service members -- Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines -- emerge from the arrivals gate in ones and twos. Some are sheepish about all the hoopla, ducking their heads and smiling shyly. Others embrace it. Navy Lt. Tony Davis of Tampa, who returned Monday evening from a tour in Afghanistan, worked the line of greeters like a celebrity, shaking hands and accepting hugs.
"This is awesome," he said.
Since the wars began, BWI has become a hub for those going into and out of Iraq and Afghanistan. And since last year, the volunteer group Operation Welcome Home, Maryland has welcomed more than 12,000 of the camouflaged warriors who passed through the airport on their way home. The volunteers are lined up on weekends and late at night, making sure the troops "feel welcome," said Larry Shipley, one of the group's organizers. It is a duty made even more important, volunteers said, around the holidays.
Some of the volunteers who greet the incoming flights are Vietnam veterans who want to "show the troops the support they didn't receive," said Shipley, a former serviceman whose son is in the Army Reserve. Others say they think that at a time when the burden of war is carried by a small percentage of the population, service members should be given the same royal treatment as movie stars and ballplayers.
"I think people forget we're at war," Shipley said. "And this is one small way we can draw people together."
The group does not have a presence at Dulles International or Reagan National Airport, which do not see nearly as many troops as BWI, but maintains a Web site, an e-mail database that has grown to 1,600 contacts and a flight arrival hotline.
On Monday, about 100 volunteers turned out to welcome the troops at the airport's international terminal. Some wore American flag shirts. Others carried red, white and blue balloons. "God Bless the U.S.A." blared from a CD player. Girl Scouts gave the soldiers high-fives. One woman in an elf hat occasionally planted kisses on the cheeks of young sailors.
BWI is also home to one of the USO's busiest lounges, where more than 60,000 service members this year have been treated to first-class accommodations: a big-screen television, free snacks, WiFi, phones and cots to sleep on. This week, some of the 190 volunteers arrived in Christmas hats and passed out candy canes. Small touches, perhaps, but after someone spends a year at war, the details matter, volunteers said.
Soldiers lounged on the chairs, appearing tired but excited by the prospect of being home for the holidays. Senior Airman Keith Wilcox said he could not wait for home cooking, "my grandmother's turkey and ham." Others said they were looking forward to a hot shower and a warm bed.
"It's weird to think that just a few days ago you were in Iraq and now you're here," said Air Force Capt. Chris Kleinhenz, who was waiting in the lounge for a flight home to Las Vegas.
Arriving in Vegas, he said later by telephone, was satisfying and surreal. The air was unusually crisp and cold, and for the first time he saw the mountains around Las Vegas covered in snow. The slot machines in the airport and the tourists "dressed up all glitzy and glamorous" were as different as you could get from his base in Balad, Iraq.
At home, Kleinhenz's wife told him she had a surprise. On the kitchen table were presents. Not Christmas gifts, his wife told him, but welcome-home presents: sweaters and long-sleeve shirts, clothes to keep him warm. After several months in the Middle East, she figured, he would need some winter clothing.
Army Capt. Garrett Slaughter, going to his parents' home in Chevy Chase, called the welcome at BWI a "Christmas gift."
"I wasn't expecting this at all," he said. "It's pretty cool."
Home from Afghanistan, he was eager to be with family for the holidays. After three deployments, one to Iraq and two to Afghanistan, "this will be one of the first Christmases I've had with my family in a long time," he said. But he was most eager to see his fiancee -- they are getting married on New Year's Eve in Richmond.
Davis, the Navy lieutenant, had thought the emotional part of returning was going to be surprising his two daughters for Christmas at home in Tampa. But getting the celebrity treatment at BWI "almost brought tears to my eyes," he said. "I was just trying to stay strong."
He originally was not supposed to arrive home until Dec. 30. But his flight was moved up. When he told his wife that he would be home for Christmas, "she started screaming into the phone," he said.
They made a pact to surprise their 19- and 12-year-old daughters. Davis's wife told the girls they were going to the airport to pick up their grandmother.
So when Davis walked off the plane late Monday in Tampa, daughters Jazmine and Jayda were ecstatic, he said.
"They saw me before I saw them," he said later. They came running through the terminal "and almost knocked me down," he said. "It was great."
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Franking For All!
On January 18, 2009 USPS postage rates for shipping services will see yet another increase!
Many groups and individuals all around the USA are working collaboratively to put together boxes and other mailings for our troops, many of whom are in harm's way. We all know how important it is to send these boxes year-round!
A Tampa Bay radio stations, 970 WFLA, and the hosts of the morning show, Jack Harris, Tedd Webb, and Sharon Taylor, are sponsoring a drive to urge Congress to have those groups and family members sending to their loved ones in the military, be able to send these items free, using the same "franking" privilege as the congress enjoys. Two congress people, Cathy Castor and Gus Bilirakis are introducing this bill in Washington, and are fully supportive of this endeavor. We need this to be supported in both the House and the Senate.
There is a way that you can help that won't cost you anything, except putting in your zip code. Below is a website where you can fill out a petition and also have an email sent to your local congress people in Washington to urge them to vote for this when it is introduced to the House and Senate. We all want to do all that we can for the troops, no matter what our opinions about the wars. Thank you for taking just a minute or two to complete this request. Please feel free to pass this on to others.
Our troops, their families, and all working to support them will really appreciate it.
RallyCongress
Many groups and individuals all around the USA are working collaboratively to put together boxes and other mailings for our troops, many of whom are in harm's way. We all know how important it is to send these boxes year-round!
A Tampa Bay radio stations, 970 WFLA, and the hosts of the morning show, Jack Harris, Tedd Webb, and Sharon Taylor, are sponsoring a drive to urge Congress to have those groups and family members sending to their loved ones in the military, be able to send these items free, using the same "franking" privilege as the congress enjoys. Two congress people, Cathy Castor and Gus Bilirakis are introducing this bill in Washington, and are fully supportive of this endeavor. We need this to be supported in both the House and the Senate.
There is a way that you can help that won't cost you anything, except putting in your zip code. Below is a website where you can fill out a petition and also have an email sent to your local congress people in Washington to urge them to vote for this when it is introduced to the House and Senate. We all want to do all that we can for the troops, no matter what our opinions about the wars. Thank you for taking just a minute or two to complete this request. Please feel free to pass this on to others.
Our troops, their families, and all working to support them will really appreciate it.
RallyCongress
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Our Christmas 2008
Charlie Brown Christmas Tree-slim pickings days before Christmas!
J & K with my two precious grandgirls - they love to say "Cheese"
Hmmm... I do believe my Marie is ready to bring her daughter into the world!
My Bright Eyed Beauty!
Marie at 35 weeks!
Christmas was a fantastic day, beautiful new memories were made.
John and B were missed terribly, one day we will share Christmas once again!
I am so very Blessed!
Friday, December 26, 2008
Oh Holy Night
Servicemembers at Victory Base Complex , Iraq, attend the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at Al Faw Palace, Baghdad, Iraq, Dec. 24, 2008. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Eric J. Glassey
Thursday, December 25, 2008
MERRY CHRISTMAS
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11
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