Wednesday Hero- 12/30/09

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Olga Elliott

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Olga Elliott, a Multi-National Corps-Iraq human resources technician, poses with MNC-I Command Sgt. Maj. Frank Grippe after finishing the Bobby Crim 10-Miler Aug. 22, at Camp Victory in Baghdad. Elliott, a San Diego native, finished the race in 1 hour, 9 minutes, 57 seconds, earning her top female honors.

Photo Courtesy United States Army
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.

Final Inspection

As you sit today safe at home with your family celebrating this day. Please remember those who fight far from home to protect us. And those that gave their lives.

FINAL INSPECTION
The Soldier stood and faced God
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as bright as his brass.

"Step forward you Soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
The Solider squared his shoulders and said
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't
Because those of us who carry guns
Can't always be a saint.
I've had to work on Sundays
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just to steep,
And I never passed a cry for help
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place

Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod

Technorati Tags: Military,Fallen Heros,USMC,Army,Navy,Coast Guard,Rememberance,Christmas

As the Soldier waited quietly,

For the judgement of his God.
"Step forward now, you Soldier,
You've borne your burden well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
...Author Unknown

Wednesday Hero-12/23

With only two days until Christmas, I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and to remind you to keep our men and women that are not able to be with their friends and families this time of year in your thoughts a prayers. They do so much without ever asking for anything in return.
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.

Technorati Tags: Military,Christmas,Iraq,Afghanistan

Wednesday Hero-12/16

Wednesday Hero: Milblogs Go Silent Today

This Weeks Post Was Suggested & Written By Greta

This week's Wednesday Hero is both an individual, and a group. The group we honor are the milblogs: the military blogs, spouse blogs, and support blogs who bring you the news and information you can get nowhere else. The information and news that matter to you. The individual we honor today is C. J. Grisham.
Army Master Sgt. C. J. Grisham has always led from the front, from combat that earned him the Bronze Star with V device, to doing right by the men he led. His honesty won him readership and respect, from the White House on down. Yet, when he stood up for his children in school, his command did not stand by him. You can read more at Military Times to get the full story.
Please donate via PayPal; or you can log into PayPal on your own, go to the send money page, and put in his email: dj_chcknhawk AT yahoo DOT com; or, you can send donations directly to:
Grisham Legal Fund
c/o Redstone Federal Credit Union
220 Wynn Drive
Huntsville, AL 35893
Please write "Grisham Legal Fund" in the memo line if you use this option.
Milblogs have been a vital link in getting accurate news and information about the military, and military operations, to you. Today, many milblogs are gone and others are under attack from within and without. Today, you have the chance to imagine a world without milblogs, and to do something about it. Make your voice heard by writing your congressional representatives and others, and by making donations as you see fit.
The battle for freedom of speech and the marketplace of ideas is fought on many fronts and in many ways. Without your help, the battle may well be lost.

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.

Technorati Tags: Blogging,US Military,Wednesday Hero,Army Times

Adventures in Moving

In December, in the middle of an ice storm have been interesting to say the least. Even the poor dog had a heck of a time saying upright just walking, poor guy. Needless to say I've been told I'm not to set foot outside. Hey, who am I to aruge, I know I'll pull a header and go flat on my face LOL.
      It's strange though to me, and a little sad to see my childhood home slowly emptier and emptier. I guess because of all the times and places that the Army has sent us over the years I always knew that I could come back here. It's just going to take some adjusting I suppose. But, like everything in life change happens and while I may be a bit blue, I'm looking forward to the next new challenge and "adventure"

War Hero Can Keep His Flagpole

RICHMOND, Va. (Dec. 9) — A 90-yearold
Medal of Honor winner can keep his 21-
foot flagpole in his front yard after a homeowners
association dropped its request to
remove it, a spokesman for Democratic Virginia
Sen. Mark Warner said Tuesday.
The Sussex Square homeowners association
likewise has agreed to drop threats to
take legal action against retired Army Col.
Van T. Barfoot, Warner spokesman Kevin
Hall said.
The association had threatened to take
Barfoot to court if he failed to remove the
pole from his suburban Richmond home by
Friday. It had said the pole violated the
neighborhood’s aesthetic guidelines.
Neither Barfoot’s daughter, Margaret
Nicholls, nor homeowners association
president Glenn Wilson has returned telephone
messages.
Dropping the issue effectively ends a request
that White House press secretary
Robert Gibbs on Monday called “silly.”
Warner and Sen. Jim Webb, both Virginia
Democrats, had rallied behind Barfoot,
a World War II veteran.
In a letter last week, Webb urged the association
to “consider the exceptional nature
of Col. Barfoot’s service when considering
his pride and determination in honoring
our flag.”
Barfoot’s fight also has lit up veterans
bulletin boards and blog sites supporting
him.
Barfoot won the Medal of Honor for actions
while his platoon was under German
assault near Carano, Italy, in May 1944. He
was credited with standing up to three German
tanks with a bazooka and stopping
their advance.
He also won the Purple Heart and other
decorations, and served in Korea and Vietnam
before retiring from the service in
1974.

Camo and Christmas Lights

Please remember all our fighting men and women not just this time of year but EVERYDAY

Never Forget This day

Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives: Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

USS California
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

USS Nevada
Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.
But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

USS Shaw
I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces—with the unbounding determination of our people—we will gain the inevitable triumph—so help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.

USS Arizona Memorial
4 battleships sunk; 4 battleships damaged; 2 destroyers sunk; 1 destroyer damaged; 1 other ship sunk; 3 other ships damaged; 3 cruisers damaged; 188 aircraft destroyed; 155 aircraft damaged; 4 midget subs sunk; 1 midget sub run aground; 9 submariners killed; 55 airmen killed; 57 civilians killed; 35 civilians wounded; 1,247 military wounded; 2,345 military killed

Wednesday Hero 12/2/09

Wednesday Hero

Spc. Michael P. Garton & Spc. Rolando R. Flores

Spc. Michael P. Garton, a gunner with the Personal Security Detachment, with the 36th Sustainment Brigade out of Temple, Texas, and a Texarkana, Texas, native, relaxes on a Humvee and shares a laugh with Spc. Rolando R. Flores, a gunner with the PSD and a San Antonio native, during a break in preparations for a mission Nov. 23 in the maintenance yard at Contingency Operating Location Adder, Iraq.

Photo Courtesy U.S. Army
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.

Technorati Tags: US Army,Wednesday Hero,Military,Iraq