Tribute to fallen soldiers.

[Pebbles]

Honor and Respect

FROM AN AIRLINE CAPTAIN:

He writes: My lead flight attendant came to me and said, "We have an H.R. On this flight." (H.R. Stands for human remains.) "Are they military?" I asked.

'Yes', she said.

'Is there an escort?' I asked.

'Yes, I already assigned him a seat'.

'Would you please tell him to come to the flight deck. You can board him early," I said..

A short while later, a young army sergeant entered the flight deck. He was the image of the perfectly dressed soldier. He introduced himself and I asked him about his soldier. The escorts of these fallen soldiers talk about them as if they are still alive and still with us.

'My soldier is on his way back to Virginia,' he said. He proceeded to answer my questions, but offered no words.

I asked him if there was anything I could do for him and he said no. I told him that he had the toughest job in the military and that I appreciated the work that he does for the families of our fallen soldiers. The first officer and I got up out of our seats to shake his hand. He left the flight deck to find his seat.

We completed our preflight checks, pushed back and performed an uneventful departure. About 30 minutes into our flight I received a call from the lead flight attendant in the cabin. 'I just found out the family of the soldier we are carrying, is on board', she said. She then proceeded to tell me that the father, mother, wife and 2-year old daughter were escorting their son, husband, and father home. The family was upset because they were unable to see the container that the soldier was in before we left. We were on our way to a major hub at which the family was going to wait four hours for the connecting flight home to Virginia .

The father of the soldier told the flight attendant that knowing his son was below him in the cargo compartment and being unable to see him was too much for him and the family to bear. He had asked the flight attendant if there was anything that could be done to allow them to see him upon our arrival. The family wanted to be outside by the cargo door to watch the soldier being taken off the airplane.. I could hear the desperation in the flight attendants voice when she asked me if there was anything I could do.. 'I'm on it', I said. I told her that I would get back to her.

Airborne communication with my company normally occurs in the form of e-mail like messages. I decided to bypass this system and contact my flight dispatcher directly on a secondary radio. There is a radio operator in the operations control center who connects you to the telephone of the dispatcher. I was in direct contact with the dispatcher.. I explained the situation I had on board with the family and what it was the family wanted. He said he understood and that he would get back to me.

Two hours went by and I had not heard from the dispatcher. We were going to get busy soon and I needed to know what to tell the family. I sent a text message asking for an update. I saved the return message from the dispatcher and the following is the text:

'Captain, sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. There is policy on this now and I had to check on a few things. Upon your arrival a dedicated escort team will meet the aircraft. The team will escort the family to the ramp and plane side. A van will be used to load the remains with a secondary van for the family. The family will be taken to their departure area and escorted into the terminal where the remains can be seen on the ramp. It is a private area for the family only. When the connecting aircraft arrives, the family will be escorted onto the ramp and plane side to watch the remains being loaded for the final leg home. Captain, most of us here in flight control are veterans. Please pass our condolences on to the family. Thanks.'

I sent a message back telling flight control thanks for a good job. I printed out the message and gave it to the lead flight attendant to pass on to the father. The lead flight attendant was very thankful and told me, 'You have no idea how much this will mean to them.'

Things started getting busy for the descent, approach and landing. After landing, we cleared the runway and taxied to the ramp area. The ramp is huge with 15 gates on either side of the alleyway. It is always a busy area with aircraft maneuvering every which way to enter and exit. When we entered the ramp and checked in with the ramp controller, we were told that all traffic was being held for us.

'There is a team in place to meet the aircraft', we were told. It looked like it was all coming together, then I realized that once we turned the seat belt sign off, everyone would stand up at once and delay the family from getting off the airplane. As we approached our gate, I asked the copilot to tell the ramp controller we were going to stop short of the gate to make an announcement to the passengers. He did that and the ramp controller said, 'Take your time.'

I stopped the aircraft and set the parking brake. I pushed the public address button and said, 'Ladies and gentleman, this is your Captain speaking I have stopped short of our gate to make a special announcement. We have a passenger on board who deserves our honor and respect. His Name is Private XXXXXX, a soldier who recently lost his life. Private XXXXXX is under your feet in the cargo hold. Escorting him today is Army Sergeant XXXXXXX. Also, on board are his father, mother, wife, and daughter. Your entire flight crew is asking for all passengers to remain in their seats to allow the family to exit the aircraft first. Thank you.'

We continued the turn to the gate, came to a stop and started our shutdown procedures. A couple of minutes later I opened the cockpit door. I found the two forward flight attendants crying, something you just do not see. I was told that after we came to a stop, every passenger on the aircraft stayed in their seats, waiting for the family to exit the aircraft.

When the family got up and gathered their things, a passenger slowly started to clap his hands. Moments later more passengers joined in and soon the entire aircraft was clapping. Words of 'God Bless You', I'm sorry, thank you, be proud, and other kind words were uttered to the family as they made their way down the aisle and out of the airplane. They were escorted down to the ramp to finally be with their loved one.

Many of the passengers disembarking thanked me for the announcement I had made. They were just words, I told them, I could say them over and over again, but nothing I say will bring back that brave soldier.

I respectfully ask that all of you reflect on this event and the sacrifices that millions of our men and women have made to ensure our freedom and safety in these United States of AMERICA .

Foot note:
As a Viet Nam Veteran I can only think of all the veterans including the ones that rode below the deck on their way home and how they were treated. When I read things like this I am proud that our country has not turned their backs on our soldiers returning from the various war zones today and give them the respect they so deserve.

I know every one who has served their country who reads this will have tears in their eyes, including me.

Prayer chain for our Military... Don't break it!

Please send this on after a short prayer.. Prayer for our soldiers Don't break it!

Prayer:

'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen..'

Prayer Request: When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our troops around the world.

There is nothing attached. Just send this to people in your address book. Do not let it stop with you. Of all the gifts you could give a Marine, Soldier, Sailor, Airman, & others deployed in harm's way, prayer is the very best one.

GOD BLESS YOU!!!

[dogfish]

Honor and Respect

FROM AN AIRLINE CAPTAIN:

He writes: My lead flight attendant came to me and said, "We have an H.R. On this flight." (H.R. Stands for human remains.) "Are they military?" I asked.

'Yes', she said.

'Is there an escort?' I asked.

'Yes, I already assigned him a seat'.

'Would you please tell him to come to the flight deck. You can board him early," I said..

We continued the turn to the gate, came to a stop and started our shutdown procedures. A couple of minutes later I opened the cockpit door. I found the two forward flight attendants crying, something you just do not see. I was told that after we came to a stop, every passenger on the aircraft stayed in their seats, waiting for the family to exit the aircraft.

When the family got up and gathered their things, a passenger slowly started to clap his hands. Moments later more passengers joined in and soon the entire aircraft was clapping. Words of 'God Bless You', I'm sorry, thank you, be proud, and other kind words were uttered to the family as they made their way down the aisle and out of the airplane. They were escorted down to the ramp to finally be with their loved one.

Many of the passengers disembarking thanked me for the announcement I had made. They were just words, I told them, I could say them over and over again, but nothing I say will bring back that brave soldier.

I respectfully ask that all of you reflect on this event and the sacrifices that millions of our men and women have made to ensure our freedom and safety in these United States of AMERICA .

Foot note:
As a Viet Nam Veteran I can only think of all the veterans including the ones that rode below the deck on their way home and how they were treated. When I read things like this I am proud that our country has not turned their backs on our soldiers returning from the various war zones today and give them the respect they so deserve.

I know every one who has served their country who reads this will have tears in their eyes, including me.

Prayer chain for our Military... Don't break it!

Please send this on after a short prayer.. Prayer for our soldiers Don't break it!

Prayer:

'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen..'

Prayer Request: When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our troops around the world.

There is nothing attached. Just send this to people in your address book. Do not let it stop with you. Of all the gifts you could give a Marine, Soldier, Sailor, Airman, & others deployed in harm's way, prayer is the very best one.

GOD BLESS YOU!!!

Brought a tear to my eye. It's easy to forget the sacrifices the soldiers make for this country. Thank all for their service.

[clamchucker]

This young man was recently killed, he was from Bordentown, NJ. Thoughts and prayers to the family.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/201...dier_kill.html
Burlington County Army soldier is killed in Afghanistan

Published: Thursday, January 13, 2011, 8:04 PM Updated: Friday, January 14, 2011, 5:30 AM

By Bob Considine/The Star-Ledger













Courtesy of Brian Maugeri

Benjamin Moore, a U.S. Army private from Bordentown, was killed fighting for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan on Jan. 12 after his truck was impacted by an improvised explosive device. He was 23.
BORDENTOWN — Even when he was a little boy, Benjamin Moore would hop on his bike and follow emergency vehicles as they traveled to their places of need, hoping he could lend a hand.
"He always liked helping people," said Patrick Moore, his father. "It was just instilled in him. That was his nature."
But Moore’s life of service has been cut short. The U.S. Army private from Bordentown was killed fighting for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan on Wednesday after his truck hit an improvised explosive device. He was 23.
While the U.S. Department of Defense had yet to release official confirmation of the death as of tonight, the family said it had been notified. Friends and family said Moore was one of several soldiers killed in the incident.

Moore, who graduated Bordentown Regional High School in 2006 and was stationed out of Fort Drum in upstate New York, was nearing completion of his first year of service in Afghanistan, where he had dodged several close calls. He was able to spend the Christmas holiday back home, his father said.
"He loved what he was doing," Patrick Moore said. "He was anxious to get back."
Vince "Bud" Torpey Jr., described by Patrick Moore as Benjamin’s "mentor," said the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks convinced the then 14-year-old to think about military service.

At age 16, the devout New York Giants fan started working toward becoming a volunteer firefighter with the Hope Hose Humane Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 in Bordentown, where Torpey was president, and a certified Emergency Medical Technician.
"On that day (Sept. 11, 2001), he decided he needed to do something," Torpey said. "He needed to get involved. He spent most of his time helping people and always giving of himself."

Brian Maugeri Jr., a close friend from Bordentown City who posted a tribute video of his lost friend on Facebook, said he recognized Moore was a special breed when they attended fire safety classes together.
"The kid always had a fiery passion for what he got involved in," Maugeri said. "He wanted to go through fire school even though he was two years away to legally fight fire. Everyday he got on that truck he gave it all he had. But I think he needed another outlet. He was feeling a roadblock and that’s when the military came in."
Courtesy of Brian Maugeri

Benjamin Moore, a U.S. Army private from Bordentown, was killed fighting for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan on Jan. 12 after his truck was impacted by an improvised explosive device. He was 23.
Patrick Moore said his son was deployed to Afghanistan in April and within a month he required stitches from shrapnel during a mortar round. He also survived a truck blast from another IED detonation.
"I was afraid when he came home for the holiday there might be a little distance because of what he had experienced," Maugeri said. "But he was not that way at all. He was the same old Ben. He could talk to anyone about anything. He knew he was over there for a purpose."

Torpey said he spoke with Moore two days before his death and guessed the mission that killed him may have been his first since he returned to the eastern side of Afghanistan.
"The snowstorm after Christmas had kept him home for a few days longer and on his way back, he also got stuck in Kuwait," Torpey said. "Looking at it now, it’s almost like something was trying to keep him here."

Moore was the 28th service member with ties to New Jersey to die in Afghanistan since the war began in 2001. Nearly 100 others from New Jersey have died in Iraq since the U.S. invasion in 2003.
Moore is survived by his father, his mother, Amy, and a brother, Patrick, all from Trenton. Funeral arrangements were still pending, according to Moore’s father.
"He was a wonderful person, but not just because he was ours," Patrick Moore said. "What he did and what the young men and women are doing over there is to protect what we can all do over here. And that’s all he ever wanted."

[stripermania]

Two more.

FRANKFURT, Germany — Two U.S. airmen were killed and two others were wounded at Frankfurt airport Wednesday when a man opened fire on them at close range with a handgun, the first such attack on American forces in Germany in a quarter century.

President A.inline_topic:hover { BACKGROUND-COLOR: #eaeaea}Barack Obama called the shooting an "outrageous act."
The alleged assailant, identified as a 21-year-old Kosovo man, was taken immediately into custody and was being questioned by authorities, said Frankfurt police spokesman Manfred Fuellhardt.

Family members in Kosovo described the suspect as a devout Muslim, who was born and raised in Germany and worked at the airport.
The attacker got into an argument with airmen outside their military bus before opening fire, killing the bus driver and one other serviceman, and wounding two others, one of whom was in life-threatening condition, Fuellhardt said. He said the attacker also briefly entered the bus.
The suspect then fled into the airport terminal, where he was quickly grabbed by two federal police officers and a U.S. airman who had pursued him into the building, authorities said. He was disarmed without incident.

The victims, part of a group of about a dozen members of an Air Force military police and base security unit, had just arrived from England, the Air Force said.
They had landed at Frankfurt airport, one of Europe's busiest, and were waiting outside Terminal 2 to be driven to nearby Ramstein Air Base, which is often used as a logistical hub for operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. The two wounded airmen were taken to a hospital.
"I'm saddened and I'm outraged by this attack," Obama said at the White House. "I want everybody to understand that we will spare no effort in learning how this outrageous act took place."

In Berlin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed sympathy for the victims and their families and pledged that Germany would do everything in its power to investigate the crime. "It is a terrible event," she said.
A tall blue barrier was erected around the bus as forensic experts examined it, and removed two bodies from the vehicle. As the bus was later towed away, a bullet hole was visible through the driver's side window.
The dead and wounded U.S. airmen were not identified pending notification of their families. A Pentagon spokesman, Lt. Col. Todd Vician, said the airmen were on their way to an overseas deployment to Afghanistan, Iraq or elsewhere.
Boris Rhein, the top security official in the German state of Hesse, told German media there were no indications of a terrorist attack.
Still, a member of the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee, Rep. Patrick Meehan, said in Washington that it looked like a terrorist attack. The chairman of the subcommittee that focuses on terrorism and intelligence added he did not have all the facts.
Kosovo Interior Minister Bajram Rexhepi identified the suspect as Arif Uka, a Kosovo citizen from the northern town of Mitrovica.

In Mitrovica, family members identified him as Arid Uka, saying that he was born and educated in Germany where his family moved some 40 years ago. However, German police said he was born in Kosovo.
An uncle, Rexhep Uka, said the suspect's grandfather was a religious leader at a mosque in a village near Mitrovica.
A cousin, Behxhet Uka, said he spoke to the suspect's father, Murat Uka, several times by telephone from Frankfurt after the family was contacted by Kosovo police. The father said all he knew was that his son did not come home from his job at the airport on Wednesday.

Behxet Uka said he would be shocked if Arid Uka was behind the shooting, saying that like the vast majority of Kosovo Albanians, the family is pro-American.
The northern town of Mitrovica is best known for the ethnic division between majority ethnic Albanians and minority Serbs. The former mining town has also been the focus of reports that it breeds Islamic extremists.
Western intelligence reports have said the region could be a recruitment ground for Muslims with Western features who could easily blend into European or U.S. cities and carry out terrorist attacks.

The Kosovo government said in a statement that it was "deeply moved" by what it branded as "a monstrous act" committed by a citizen of Kosovo origin.
"This macabre case is an individual act against the civilized values and the traditions of the Kosovo people who will always be thankful to the United States, the American people and the U.S. government for its strong backing of Kosovo," the statement said.
Kosovo remained part of Serbia amid the collapse of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, but a struggle for independence by ethnic Albanians there eventually led to the Kosovo war in 1998. The bloodshed was halted in 1999 when NATO stepped in and bombed Serbia, followed by the deployment of peacekeepers. The NATO-led Kosovo Force still has 8,700 troops there provided by 32 nations, including the U.S. and Germany.

The last time American forces in Germany came under deadly attack was in the 1986 bombing of a disco frequented by U.S. servicemen. Two soldiers and one civilian were killed and 230 others were injured. A Berlin court later ruled the bombing was organized by Moammar Gadhafi's Libya.

A leftist terror group, the Red Army Faction, was also responsible for a string of attacks on Americans in the 1970s and 1980s before the group was disbanded in 1998.
More recently, German police thwarted a plot in 2007 to attack U.S. facilities by members of the extremist Islamic Jihad Union. Four men had planned to attack American soldiers and citizens at the Ramstein Air Base and other locations but were caught before they could carry out the plot.

The U.S. has drastically reduced its forces in Germany over the last decade, but still has some 50,000 troops stationed here.
The airmen shot in Frankfurt were stationed at the Lakenheath airfield in England, home to the 48th Fighter Wing, the only F-15 fighter wing in Europe.

[dogfish]

Two more.

FRANKFURT, Germany — Two U.S. airmen were killed and two others were wounded at Frankfurt airport Wednesday when a man opened fire on them at close range with a handgun, the first such attack on American forces in Germany in a quarter century.
Family members in Kosovo described the suspect as a devout Muslim, who was born and raised in Germany and worked at the airport.

Another reason not to trust Muslims, at least the religious fanatical ones. RIP soldiers.

[DarkSkies]

Sent by a friend, thanks. Really gives you something to think about.





Lindsay Lohan, 24, and Paris Hilton got their names and
> faces all over the news because they went to jail for a few
> short weeks or days for acting out, negative behavior,
> resisting arrest, cocaine possession, being drunk and
> disorderly, not to mention their insolent attitude.
>
> What do you know about these men?
>
> Justin Allen, age 23.
>
> Brett Linley, age 29.
>
> Matthew Weikert, 29.
>
> Justus Bartett, 27.
>
> Dave Santos , 21.
>
> Chase Stanley, 21.
>
> Jesse Reed, 26.
>
> Matthew Johnson, 21.
>
> Zachary Fisher, 24.
>
> Brandon King, 23.
>
> Christopher Goeke, 23.
>
> Sheldon Tate, 27.
>
> Do you recognize any of their names? No? None of them
> starred in a movie or made a record album, hit a homerun or
> scored a 2 point conversion or did a celebration in the end
> zone after scoring a touchdown.
> None of them brags about "showcasing their talents for
> their fans" while being paid millions and millions of
> dollars. Did that help? No?
> Well then I should tell you that they are all Marines who
> gave their lives for YOU this week. They died for honor and
> country. They are all heroes of the highest magnitude.
> How much did you read about them ?
>
> Honor THEM by forwarding this. I just did!
>
> We are asking everyone to say a prayer for "Darkhorse" 3rd
> Battalion 5th Marines and their families. They are fighting
> it out in Afghanistan & they have lost 9 marines in 4
> days.
> IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE the message spread if more could
> pass it on..
>
> God Bless America and God Bless the United States Marine
> Corps...
>
> Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever.
>








Thoughts and prayers to the families of all the fallen soldiers.

[BassBuddah]

Yes and thanks to all for making the ultimate sacrifice for their country, even though they didn't plan it that way.

[voyager35]

Someone sent me this, I found it pretty moving.


The first picture and the last picture are taken at
The beach in Santa Barbara right next to the pier.
There is a veterans group that started putting a cross
And candle for every death in Iraq and Afghanistan .


The amazing thing is that they only do it on the weekends.
They put up this graveyard and take it down every
Weekend. Guys sleep in the sand next to it and keep
Watch over it at night so nobody messes with it.
Every cross has the name, rank and D.O.B. And D.O.D.
On it.

Very moving, very powerful??? So many young volunteers.
So many 30 to 40 year olds as well.
Amazing !

Did you know that the ACLU has filed a suit to have
All military cross-shaped headstones removed?
And another suit to end prayer from the military completely.
They're making great progress.
The Navy Chaplains can no longer mention Jesus' name in
Prayer thanks to the ACLU and our new administration.

I'm not breaking this one.

If I get it a 1000 times,
I'll forward it a 1000 times!

Please, let us pray...

Please send this on after a short prayer. Prayer for our
Soldiers Don't break it!

Prayer:
'Heavenly Father, hold our troops in Your loving hands.
Protect them as they protect us Bless them and their
Families for the selfless acts they perform for us in this
Our time of need. These things I humbly ask in the name
Of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior,
Amen.'

GOD BLESS YOU FOR PASSING IT ON!

_____
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com <http://www.avg.com/>
Version: 10.0.1204 / Virus Database: 1435/3406 - Release Date: 01/27/11



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[Pebbles]

Even back then the tributes were amazing. This photo was taken in 1918.

FACTS?
Base to Shoulder: 150 feet
Right Arm: 340 feet
Widest part of arm holding torch: 12 1/2 feet
Right thumb: 35 feet
Thickest part of body: 29 feet
Left hand length: 30 feet
Face: 60 feet
Nose: 21 feet
Longest spike of head piece: 70 feet
Torch and flame combined: 980 feet
Number of men in flame of torch: 12,000
Number of men in torch: 2,800
Number of men in right arm: 1,200?
Number of men in body, head and balance of figure only: 2,000
TOTAL MEN: 18,000

[porgy75]

Man's best friend mourns his death.
RIP navy SEAL Tomlinson.


The photo showing the bond between felled Navy SEAL Jon Tomlinson and his dog Hawkeye has captured the attention of the Web.

The soldier was one of 38 killed in Afghanistan on Aug. 6 when a rocket-propelled grenade took out a U.S. Chinook helicopter. He was mourned at a service in Rockford, Iowa, attended by 1,500 family members and friends, and Tomlinson's loyal canine companion.
The Labrador retriever was such an important part of Tomlinson's life that the San Diego resident called his dog "son."
When Tomlinson's friend Scott Nichols walked to the front of the room to give his eulogy, Hawkeye followed. As Nichols spoke, Hawkeye dropped to the ground at the foot of the casket and, according to observers, heaved a big sigh. The loyal pooch would not leave his owner's casket during the funeral.
The video clip of the mourning dog seen here has already received more than 113,000 views.


The heart-breaking photo above was taken by Tomlinson's cousin and posted on Facebook, where it quickly went viral. She wrote on her Facebook page, "To say that he was an amazing man doesn't do him justice. The loss of Jon to his family, military family, and friends is immeasurable."

[DarkSkies]

This soldier wasn't killed in action, he made it home. But he did get awarded a Purple Heart for saving the life of another soldier, and I wanted to put something up about him here.

His name was John Flue, and he died this week. He was no relation to me, but we kinda adopted his family, and got close to them over the years.

He got the Purple Heart at Heartbreak Ridge in Korea, when he pulled another soldier down into a foxhole to save him as they were being rained on by mortar fire. He saved that soldier's life by his quick thinking, and got his arm ripped up by the explosion as a result.

So they awarded him a Purple Heart, which sat home buried in his attic. He never bragged about it, and talked about it only if asked a specific question when people said they heard he got one. He was a very humble guy who thought nothing special of his service to our country. It's what guys did at the time, and in his mind he was no different that anyone else, just a job to do to keep us safe.

A little about Heartbreak Ridge:

The Battle of Heartbreak Ridge was a month-long battle in the Korean War fought between September 13 and October 15, 1951. The Battle of Heartbreak Ridge was one of several major engagements in an area known as "The Punchbowl", which served as an important Communist staging area. The United Nations first initiated limited operations to seize the high ground surrounding the Punchbowl in late July.
The battle site is located in the hills of North Korea a few miles north of the 38th parallel north (the prewar boundary between North and South Korea), near Chorwon.

Thanks for your service to our country, John. I'm glad I got to know you and your family. RIP, man.

I was going through this thread and trying to get a renewed perspective for this day.
I lost track that this was the anniversary of John Flue's death back in April.
Thought I would bump the post up for some others to look at and see some of the sacrifices these guys made for our country.

RIP, John, and may God eternally watch over you.

[DarkSkies]

Heartbreaking

Attachment 8657

Bump for another good post, thanks Pebbles.

[DarkSkies]

I belatedly opened this. It came from Mike Nashif, who runs Operation "Take a Soldier Fishing".
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/...ead.php?t=1628

The Memorial day message coming from a veteran such as Mike, who was in the Operation Iraqui Freedom (OIF) conflict, was moving. So I thought I would post it here. Thanks for sending it, Mike!

Thanks to all the soldiers past and present, and Mike and his fellow soldiers. and their families for the sacrifices you have made for this country.



***********************


Here are some pictures that were given to me when I was in Iraq during OIF II back in 2004. They were inspirational then and I think they are inspirational now. They have stood the test of time a lot like the will of the American People despite war and things that should be considered acts of war.

Let us remember what today is about and remember those that have given their lives and paid the Ultimate Sacrifice for our country. I am not going to make this a long drawn out email because the only thing I would like for you to do is pick at least one person that you know that has given their life for our Country and say their name out loud in Remembrance.

In loving memory of SPC Charles Odums II – Combat Medic who died while on night patrol in SE Baghdad in 2004 by a roadside bomb. Father, Husband, soldier and friend.

In loving memory of SPC Raymond White – Cav Scout who died when his convoy was ambushed. He died squeezing the trigger in SE Baghdad in 2004 – Friend and soldier.

Please also take the time to remember all the people that lost their lives when the planes crashed into the World Trade Center towers. Feel the heat from the flames and smell the smoke from the fuel. Listen to the screams and taste the dust and ash. Don’t lose focus as to why we are at war with terrorists because they will always be there hiding and waiting cowardly in the shadows. Pretending to be something they are not and wishing they were something that they very well could possibly be…. FREE.

If you feel this worthy then pass it along otherwise just say the names you know out loud.

May you Rest In Peace as you are not Forgotten.

Freedom Isn’t Free

Thank you


Attachment 6788

Attachment 6789

Attachment 6790

Mike Nashif runs the original "Take a Soldier Fishing" Project, along with a few others, out of Fort Hood, Tx.
Thought I would bump his post as well.
His words about our soldiers who have given their lives to this country on Memorial Day Weekend, are more compelling than anything I could ever write.

Thanks Mike, and thanks for all you and your Group do.
And above all, thanks to all the Fallen Soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for our country, for that is what Memorial Day is truly about.......

[storminsteve]

Powerful stuff. Thanks to all the soldiers. That is the true meaning of Memorial Day. Amen.

[albiealert]

How true. Thank you for posting that.

[captnemo]

The longest wait - WWII Widow's Journey


http://www.youtube.com/embed/8TT1XFS1LA0

[DarkSkies]

Sent in by OGB, thanks!

The Wall

A little history most people will never know.
Interesting Veterans Statistics off the Vietnam Memorial Wall

* There are 58,267 names now listed on that polished black wall, including those added in 2010.

* The names are arranged in the order in which they were taken from us by date and within each date the names are alphabetized. It is hard to believe it is 36 years since the last casualties.





The first known casualty was Richard B. Fitzgibbon, of North Weymouth , Mass. Listed by the U.S. Department of Defense as having been killed on June 8, 1956. His name is listed on the Wall with that of his son, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Richard B. Fitzgibbon III, who was killed on Sept. 7, 1965.




There are three sets of fathers and sons on the Wall.



39,996 on the Wall were just 22 or younger.



8,283 were just 19 years old.

The largest age group, 33,103 were 18 years old.
12 soldiers on the Wall were 17 years old.



5 soldiers on the Wall were 16 years old.



One soldier, PFC Dan Bullock was 15 years old.



997 soldiers were killed on their first day in Vietnam ..



1,448 soldiers were killed on their last day in Vietnam ..



31 sets of brothers are on the Wall.



Thirty one sets of parents lost two of their sons.



54 soldiers attended Thomas Edison High School in Philadelphia . I wonder why so many from one school.



8 Women are on the Wall. Nursing the wounded.



244 soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War; 153 of them are on the Wall.



Beallsville, Ohio with a population of 475 lost 6 of her sons.



West Virginia had the highest casualty rate per capita in the nation. There are 711 West Virginians on the Wall.



The Marines of Morenci - They led some of the scrappiest high school football an d basketball teams that the little Arizona copper town of Morenci (pop. 5,058) had ever known and cheered. They enjoyed roaring beer busts. In quieter moments, they rode horses along the Coronado Trail, stalked deer in the Apache National Forest. And in the patriotic camaraderie typical of Morenci's mining families, the nine graduates of Morenci High enlisted as a group in the Marine Corps. Their service began on Independence Day, 1966. Only 3 returned home.



The Buddies of Midvale - LeRoy Tafoya, Jimmy Martinez, Tom Gonzales were all boyhood friends and lived on three consecutive streets in Midvale, Utah on Fifth, Sixth and Seventh avenues. They lived only a few yards apart. They played ball at the adjacent sandlot ball field. And they all went to Vietnam. In a span of 16 dark days in late 1967, all three would be killed. LeRoy was killed on Wednesday, Nov. 22, the fourth anniversary of John F. Kennedy's assassination. Jimmy died less than 24 hours later on Th anksgiving Day. Tom was shot dead assaulting the enemy on Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.



The most casualty deaths for a single day was on January 31, 1968 ~ 245 deaths.



The most casualty deaths for a single month was May 1968 - 2,415 casualties were incurred.



For most Americans who read this they will only see the numbers that the Vietnam War created. To those of us who survived the war, and to the families of those who did not, we see the faces, we feel the pain that these numbers created. We are, until we too pass away, haunted with these numbers, because they were our friends, fathers, husbands, wives, sons and daughters. There are no noble wars, just noble warriors.



Please pass this on to those who served during this time, and those who DO Care.

[captnemo]

That was moving DS. Thanks for posting. One that I got in my e-mail.

Chris Kyle #1 sniper, RIP


Patriotism, Texas and Chris Kyle

I just wanted to share with you all that out of a horrible tragedy we were blessed by so many people. Chris was Derek's teammate through 10 years of training and battle. They both suffer/suffered from PTSD to some extent and took great care of each other because of it. 2006 in Ramadi was horrible for young men that never had any more aggressive physical contact with another human than on a Texas football field. They lost many friends. Chris became the armed services number #1 sniper of all time. Not something he was happy about other than the fact that in doing so he saved a lot of American lives. Three years ago, his wife Taya asked him to leave the SEAL teams as he had a huge bounty on his head by Al Qaeda. He did and wrote the book The American Sniper. 100% of the proceeds from the book went to two of the SEAL families who had lost their son in Iraq . That was the guy Chris was. He formed a company in Dallas to train military, police and I think firemen as far as protecting themselves in difficult situations. He also formed a foundation to work with military people suffering from PTSD. Chris was a giver not a taker. He along with a friend and neighbor, Chad Littlefield, were murdered trying to help a young man that had served 6 months in Iraq and claiming to have PTSD.

Now I need to tell you about all of the blessings. Southwest Airlines flew in any SEAL and their family from any airport they flew into free of charge. The employees donated buddy passes and one lady worked for 4 days without much of a break to see that it happened. Volunteers were at both airports in Dallas to drive them to the hotel. The Marriott reduced their rates to $45 a night and cleared the hotel for only SEALs and family. The Midlothian , TX. police department paid the $45 a night for each room. I would guess there were about 200 people staying at the hotel. 100 of them SEALs. Two large buses were chartered to transport people to the different events and they also had a few rent cars. The police and secret service were on duty 24 hours during the stay at our hotel.

At the house the Texas DPS parked a large motor home in front to block the view from reporters. It remained there the entire 5 days for the SEALs to congregate in and all to use the restroom so as not to have to go in the house. Taya, their two small children and both sets of parents were staying in the home. Only a hand full of SEALs went into the home as they had different duties and meetings were held sometimes on a hourly basis. It was a huge coordination of many different events and security. Derek was assigned to be a pall bearer, to escort Chris' body when it was transferred from Midlothian Funeral Home to Arlington Funeral Home and to be with Taya. Tough job. Taya seldom came out of her bedroom. The home was full with people from the church and other family members that would come each day to help. I spent one morning in a bedroom with Chris' mom and the next morning with Chad Littlefield's parents (the other man murdered with Chris). Tough job.

Nolan Ryan sent his cooking team, a huge grill and lots of steaks, chicken and hamburgers. They set up in the front yard and fed people all day long. The 200 SEALs and their family. The next day a BBQ restaurant set up a buffet in front of the house and fed all once again. Food was plentiful and all were taken care of. The church kept those inside the house well fed.

Jerry Jones, the man everyone loves to hate, was a rock star. He donated use of Cowboy Stadium for the services as it was determined that so many wanted to attend. The charter buses transported us to the stadium on Monday at 10:30. Every car, bus, motorcycle was searched with bomb dogs and police. I am not sure if kooks were making threats trying to make a name for themselves or if so many SEALs in one place was a security risk...I don't know. We willing obliged. No purses into stadium! We were taken to The Legends room high up and a large buffet was available. That was about 300 people. We were growing. A Medal of Honor recipient was there, lots of secret service and police and Sarah Palin and her husband. The service started at 1:00 and when we were escorted onto the field I was shocked. We heard about 10,000 people had come to attend also. They were seated in the stadium seats behind us. It was a beautiful and emotional service. Bagpipe and drum corps was wonderful and the A&M men’s choir stood through the entire service and sang right at the end. We were all in tears.

The next day was the 200 miles procession from Midlothian, TX. to Austin for burial. It was a cold, drizzly, windy day, but the people were out. We had dozens of police motorcycles riders, freedom riders 5 chartered buses and lots of cars. You had to have a pass to be in the procession and still it was huge. Two helicopters circled the procession with snipers sitting out the side door for protection. It was the longest funeral procession ever in the state of Texas . People were everywhere. The entire route was shut down ahead of us the and people were lined up on the side of the road the entire way. Firemen down on one knee, police officers holding their hats over their hearts, children waving flags, veterans saluting as we went by.. Every bridge had fire trucks with large flags displayed from their tall ladders....people all along the entire 200 miles standing in the cold weather. It was so heartwarming. Taya rode in the hearse with Chris' body so Derek rode the route with us. I was so grateful to have that time with him.

The services were at Texas National Cemetery . Very few are buried there and you have to apply to get in. It is like people from Civil War, Medal of Honor winners a few from the Alamo and all the historical people of Texas . It was a nice service and the Freedom Riders surrounded the outside of the entire cemetery to keep the crazy church from Kansas that protests at military funerals away from us. Each SEAL put his Trident ( metal SEAL badge) on the top of Chris' casket one at a time. A lot hit it in with one blow, Derek was the only one to take 4 taps to put his in and it was almost like he was caressing it as he did it. Another tearful moment.

After the service the governor's wife, Anita Perry, invited us to the governor's mansion. She stood at the door and greeted each of us individually and gave the SEALs a coin of Texas . We were able to tour the ground floor and then went into the garden for beer and BBQ. So many of the team guys said that after they get out they are moving to Texas . That they had never felt so much love and hospitality. The charter buses then took the guys to the airport to catch their returning flights. Derek just now called and after a 20 hours flight he is back in his spot.

Quite an emotional, but blessed week.

[hookedonbass]

captnemo that was inspiring. Thank you to the soldiers and there families.

[DarkSkies]

Thank you Capt. I agree with hookedonbass.


A quote I remember from the recent Memorial Day service....

"The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten." - Calvin Coolidge