Trying my best to support our troops

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Wednesday Hero 4-4-07

Thanks to Chris at: http://rightwingrightminded.blogspot.com who faithfully puts tons of work into writing these Wednesday Hero posts for us....

Maj. William D. Chesarek, Jr.

Maj. William D. Chesarek, Jr.
Royal Air Force's 847th Naval Air Squadron, Commando Helicopter Force

Maj. William D. Chesarek, Jr. has done something no other U.S. service member has done since WWII. On March 21 of this year, Maj. Chesarek was awarded the British Distinguished Flying Cross, by Queen Elizabeth, for saving lives and in recognition for his bravery during combat operations in Iraq. Maj. Chesark was assigned as an exchange officer with the Royal Air Force's 847th Naval Air Squadron, Commando Helicopter Force in 2005 and was the pilot of the RAF’s Lynx Mk7 helicopter.

On the evening of June 10, 2006, Chesarek was providing radio communication relay for British ground troops conducting a company-sized search operation near Amarah, Iraq. Listening to radio transmissions, he overheard that a vehicle involved in the operation had became disabled and a crowd of insurgents was firing small arms and rocket-propelled grenades at the company.

According to his award citation, "Chesarek elected to fly low over the area in an attempt to distract the crowd and if possible, to engage the insurgents." Because the crowd was so close to the ground troops, instead of engaging his machine gun, he "opted instead to provide bold, harassing, very low level flight over the area in an attempt to disperse the crowd."

You can read Maj. Chesarek's story in it's entirety 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. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by going here.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Wednesday Hero 3-28-07

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Kathi

Billy Hodges

Billy Hodges, kneeling center.

Billy Hodges, who served in the U.S. Army and Texas National Guard between 1971-1979, is not only being profiled for his service, but also for what he's done since then. Mr. Hodges runs an organization based in El Campo, Tx called Hunts For Heroes. They also have chapter in South Carolina , Arkansas , Mississippi , and California and what they do is take soldiers who've been wounded in battle on hunting and fishing trips and other outdoor related activities. All free of charge.

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. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by going here.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Wednesday Hero 3-21-07

Thanks to Chris at: http://rightwingrightminded.blogspot.com who faithfully puts tons of work into writing these Wednesday Hero posts for us....

This Weeks Soldier Was Suggested By Jenn

Capt. Alan B. Rowe

Capt. Alan B. Rowe
35 years old from Hagerman, Idaho
1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center
September 3, 2004

The Perfect Marine. That's how many describe Capt. Alan B. Rowe. Respected and dedicated to the Corps and still able to be a husband and father.

Rowe, who was on his fourth deployment since joining the Corps in 1985, died with two other Marines, Lance Cpl. Nicholas Wilt, 23, of Tampa, Florida, and 1st Lt. Ronald Winchester, 25, of Rockville Center, N.Y., when a remote-controlled explosive device detonated as they returned to their vehicle after inspecting a bridge in Anbar province, near the Syrian border.

"He was a quiet, humble person and extremely polite," his widow, Dawn, recalled from their early days of dating. "He was a traditional type of gentleman. My mom was surprised to meet such a ... perfect-picture Marine." "He did a great job balancing a pretty intense Marine Corps career with also being a great husband and father. He worked extremely hard to balance it." "He was so dedicated to the Marine Corps. He was really driven and believed in what he did. He was a Marine’s Marine. Tall, blond and fit. Kind of the mental image you think of when you think of the Marine Corps."

A week after his death, Capt. Rowe was posthumously promoted to major. He leaves behind his wife and two children.

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. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by going here.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Wednesday Hero 3-14-07

Thanks to Chris at: http://rightwingrightminded.blogspot.com who faithfully puts tons of work into writing these Wednesday Hero posts for us....

Almost a month ago, the Wednesday Hero Blogroll received an email from a reader named Mike Gardner that contained something he had written in honor of this country's heroes. He asked that it be considered for a future post. It took almost a month, but here is his tribute.

At The Right Time, We Remember

The honor roll goes back farther than we can remember, it contains names we will never know...

I wasn't there when the American Colonial Army stood winter guard in the snows of Valley Forge wearing bloody rags for boots as they fought for my freedom.

I wasn't there in the war of 1812.

I wasn't in the trenches when the German's seared the lungs of young American men with mustard gas as they fought for my freedom in World War One.

I wasn't at Pearl Harbor when a single Japanese bomb detonated a million pounds of black powder on the Arizona and instantaneously killed over one thousand American sailors preparing to defend my freedom against the Japanese and the Nazis.

I didn't see the bullet riddled bodies of the Americans who died defending my freedom in Korea.

I only vaguely remember the nightly news clips of American soldiers as they carried out our government's orders in the jungles and swamps and tunnels of Vietnam.

I have never been with a family who lost a son or a daughter defending Kuwait, Afghanistan, or Iraq.

I wasn't there with any of them when they suffered as prisoners of war in any of these wars.

I have never been with a family whose child died in a peace time military training exercise.

Not every one of our veterans saw combat. Some were clerks, cooks, mechanics, machinists. Some served during war time, some served during peace time, some serve in peace today, ready for battle tomorrow. Today they prepare for the ongoing war against terrorists. Some gave their lives, some suffered wounds, some saw things that no human should ever have to see, and many did things that no human should ever have to do. And all gave their daily life, for a period of time, while many more gave their time to work in the industries that sustained our veterans.

Not all of those who have protected my freedom were even in the military. Some of them were the firemen, policemen, and paramedics who risked their lives each day, rushing in where most of us would never tread. Some are the doctors and nurses who treat the wounded, and go home and cry for them. Some of them were "just" passengers on commercial airline flights who, with faith in Christ, calmly chose to fight, and die if necessary, rather than let Flight 93 be used as a weapon against their country and their fellow citizens.

When I tried to join the US Air Force, my application was turned down for medical reasons.

Because others were, and will be there, I am privileged to continue to live in the greatest nation the world has ever known and to enjoy the greatest freedoms that any people have ever known.

The honor roll stretches forward to times, and places, and names we will never know...

And so I thank you, veteran, whoever you are, and wherever you are, whenever your service.

Thank you Vet. Thanks Dad. Today, I remember WHY I am free, and I thank you.

I know that when you were asked, at the right time, like Christ, you gave your life for me.

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. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by going here.

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Wednesday Hero 3-7-07

Cpl. Jennifer Parcell 20 years old from Bel Air, Maryland Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force February 7, 2007

Cpl. Jennifer Parcell was petite, but one learned quickly that underestimating her was foolish.

"She was an absolute firecracker," Master Sgt. Jerry Widner said. "Just a go-getting machine."

Her relentless can-do attitude led her to volunteer for Iraq. And then to volunteer for the Lioness Program, which provides female Marines for searches of Iraqi women to respect Muslim cultural mores.

Parcell was killed Feb. 7 in Anbar province when a woman she was searching blew herself up with a suicide vest. Parcell had started doing the searches a week before and was three weeks from going home.

You can read the rest of Cpl. Jennifer Parcell's story 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. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by going here.

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Wednesday Hero 2-28-07

Thanks to Chris at: http://rightwingrightminded.blogspot.com who faithfully puts tons of work into writing these Wednesday Hero posts for us....

This Weeks Soldier Was Requested By Echo9er

Sgt. Maj. Brent Jurgersen

Sgt. Maj. Brent "The Rock" Jurgersen
Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 4th U.S. Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division

Active Duty

Not even two near-death encounters deterred Sgt. Maj. Brent Jurgerson's passion and eagerness to serve his country and lead his troops back home.

Jurgersen celebrated his second "alive day" anniversary January 26, 2007. It was a day of mixed emotions for him because on that same day two years ago he was given a second chance to live. It was a day that changed his life forever. While on patrol in Ad Dyuliah, Iraq, two rocket-propelled grenades struck his Humvee. The explosion killed his gunner and left Jurgersen fighting for his life, flat-lining twice on the operating table in Balad.

Afterwards, during a promotion ceremony in August of 2006, Jurgersen was selected for a command sergeant major appointment. Becoming the first full limb amputee student to attend the academy.

You can read the rest of Sgt. Maj. Jurgersen's story 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. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by going here.

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Wednesday Hero 2-21-07

Thanks to Chris at: http://rightwingrightminded.blogspot.com who faithfully puts tons of work into writing these Wednesday Hero posts for us....

Staff Sgt. Kara Opperman

Staff Sgt. Kara Opperman
332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron

Staff Sgt. Kara Opperman performs a quality control check Feb. 13 on fuel coming out of a fill stand at Balad Air Base, Iraq. Sergeant Opperman ensures the fuel is safe and meets Air Force specifications before it is used for aircraft and equipment.

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. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by going here.

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Wednesday Hero 2-14-07

Thanks to Chris at: http://rightwingrightminded.blogspot.com who faithfully puts tons of work into writing these Wednesday Hero posts for us....
Capt. Lyle L. Gordon

Ellicia Stanley & her husband SPC Reid Stanley

I received and email from Wednesday Hero Blogroll member Mary Ann in which she suggested that I profile the spouse of a soldier. Seeing as I'd profiled one such spouse in the past, I though this was the perfect opportunity to do it again. I hadn't read the entire letter before I said yes, but after reading it I'm glad she sent it to me.

I think military families, especially the spouses, while they sign no contract, serve our country just as much as the service member. They give up familiar home ties and relocate all over the country, all over the world. They give up their civilian lives for something bigger than themselves. Ellicia was a military wife for only two and a half years. Before they married, but after 9/11, Reid came to her and told her of his desire to enlist. He wanted to do his part. He tells part of the story in his blog post
http://kafstorm.blogspot.com/2005/07/why-i-joined-army.html

She encouraged him, pushing him so he could meet his goal of serving his country. He did and took his oath in October 2002. By the time they were married in July 2004, Reid was already stationed in Germany. It was 3 months before she could join him there. In a move that, for someone who'd seldom left her hometown in South Carolina, must have come as quite an adjustment. But she did it, as do so many other military wives.

Then came deployment to Afghanistan in May 2005. They spent their first anniversary apart. Reid writes about that anniversary in this post
http://kafstorm.blogspot.com/2005/07/my-hero.html

It was in the sixth month of deployment when Ellicia received the news — she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Devastating. However, in an email to me on the day she received her diagnosis, the phrase she used was, "not stellar news". Understated, calm, steady, no hysteria, it was another challenge to face.

I came to admire her because, I too, had been away from home, (not to a foreign country), with a one small child (not three), and my husband traveling (not in a war zone). Knowing what my experience had been like, I was amazed at how she took it all in stride. Even when faced with a
terminal diagnosis, she faced it all with grace, dignity and humor. All the while supporting her husband, the mission and the country.

Reid was given compassionate leave back to Germany in November 2005. For the next thirteen months they fought their own personal war with cancer…breast, lung…and finally eleven tumors in her brain.

In November 2006 the Stanley's took compassionate reassignment back to the U.S. to Ft. Eustis, Virginia.

On 31 December 2006, Ellicia lost her battle. But her spirit lives on in her husband, her children, and the many people she inspired with her courage.

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. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by clicking here.

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Wednesday Hero 2-7-07

This Weeks Hero Was Suggested By LeAnn

On May 9th 2004, SFC Lloyd A. Heinrichs Jr was down at the Ocean front in Virginia Beach when a ‘Swimmer in Distress’ call came in to the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Dispatch office about noon. Myself (Gary Couch, Dive 8), SFC Heinrichs and Petty Officer First Class Scott Weil of the U.S Navy, volunteered to respond the call. There were a total of 3 people in the water that were being pulled out to sea by the current. The temperature of the water was only around 65 degrees Fahrenheit with the air temperature at 78 degrees Fahrenheit. The undertow was very extreme that day with the beach already “Red Flagged” due to the strong currents and excessive waves.

Upon arrival to the scene, SFC Heinrichs and PO1 Weil identified the victims. Without hesitation and with total disregard for their own safety each grabbed a torpedo buoy and entered the water. SFC Heinrichs went for the first victim to the South of 36th Street while PO1 Weil went for the second and third victims, which were hanging on to each other to the North of 36th Street. As I observed SFC Heinrichs and PO1 Weil, once they were waist deep, the current rapidly pulled them out. SFC Heinrichs made his way to the first victim and started fighting his way back to shore. Once SFC Heinrichs reached his victim, he calmed her down, making the attempt to head back to shore. Several times SFC Heinrichs and his victim were rolled under by the enormous waves and undertow. His victim was completely exhausted from the ordeal. Once he reached shallow water, he assisted his victim to shore. The victim was an older heavy-set lady, early forties. The Virginia Beach Fire Department Paramedics placed the victim on a stretcher and the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad took her to Virginia Beach General Hospital.

SFC Heinrichs was extremely exhausted and fatigued from the rescue. He turned to check on PO1 Weil and notice that PO1 Weil had reached the other two victims, a male in his late twenties and a female in her early forties. PO1 Weil was struggling with his two victims giving a hand and arm signal for ‘Help’. The female was almost passive from near drowning, and the male who had initially swum out to help her was becoming a victim himself. Without hesitation, SFC Heinrichs picked himself up and ran back into the water to assist PO1 Weil while PO1 Weil did what he could to keep them calm and afloat until help arrived.

Once SFC Heinrichs reached PO1 Weil and the other two victims, they were all rolled by several consecutive waves, pinning SFC Heinrichs under the two victims. A few moments later, SFC Heinrichs emerged between the victims with both lanyards of the torpedo buoys wrapped around his neck, gasping for air. As the situation went from bad to worse, PO1 Weil tried his best to help SFC Heinrichs with untangling the lanyards from his neck while trying to hold his passive victim’s head out of the water. SFC Heinrichs took a deep breath and submerged himself in the attempt to free his neck. As each wave came over the top of PO1 Weil and the victims, we kept waiting for him to resurface in bated breath not knowing that the lanyards kept tightening around SFC Heinrichs’ neck. While continuous waves were tossing PO1 Weil and the victims, SFC Heinrichs reemerged on the side of the victims. He had been under for over thirty seconds trying to get loose. We began to worry weather or not he was going to come back up. You could hear the heavy sigh of relief from all the EMS personnel on the beach once he resurfaced. He grabbed a hold of the male victim and started for shore. The victims once, on shore, were taken away for medical attention. PO1 Weil and SFC Heinrichs were taken to an ambulance and checked for possible hypothermia and released.

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 Is Foolish And Wrong To Mourn The Men Who Died. Rather We Should Thank God That Such Men Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by clicking here.

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Wednesday Hero 1-31-07

This Weeks Hero Was Submitted By Mark Bell

LCpl. Nicholas J. Manoukian

LCpl. Nicholas J. Manoukian
22 years old from Lathrup, Michigan
1st Marines 6th Batallion 2nd Marine Division
Oct 21, 2006

Here
is a website that LCpl. Manoukian's mother set up for her son after he lost his life in Ramadi.

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 Is Foolish And Wrong To Mourn The Men Who Died. Rather We Should Thank God That Such Men Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by clicking here.

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Wednesday Hero 1-24-07

This Weeks Hero Was Suggested By Kathi

Lt. Col. Michael E. McLaughlin

Lt. Col. Michael E. McLaughlin
44 years old from Mercer, Pennsylvania
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard
January 4, 2006

Sitting in the car with Lt. Col. Michael E. McLaughlin's 18-year-old daughter, her father's friend of 21 years had just broken the news of his death.

During years of friendship and service in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Lt. Col. McLauglin and retired Capt. Brad Mifsud had a bond so close that they promised each other if something were ever to happen to either one of them, they would be there for the other's family.

Lt. Col. McLaughlin died when a suicide bomber rushed through a crowd of Iraqi police recruits in Ramadi and detonated a bomb that also killed a Marine and nearly 80 Iraqis. The day before the attack, Lt. Col. McLaughlin said he was fully confident that Ramadi had finally turned a corner in the insurgency. As hundreds of local men streamed into the Ramadi Glass Factory on Wednesday to join the city’s long-defunct police force, a wide grin spread over a pinch of tobacco stuffed into the 44-year-old’s lower lip.

"This may not look like much, but it's history," McLaughlin told a reporter. "We're making history right here."

With a significant wound to the back of his head, Lt. Col. McLaughlin turned to his injured personal security detail officers and inquired about their well-being. Waving off medical attention, he asked them to check on the soldiers under his command.

"In an act of extreme selflessness, he stated that he was OK, but to concentrate on saving the lives of his men," said Col. Grey Berrier, a close friend of Lt. Col. McLaughlin.

Lt. Col. McLaughlin died shortly after giving that instruction, according to the Guard.

A long-time artillery officer in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, McLaughlin was assigned to Task Force 2-222 Field Artillery and was the primary liaison between the 2-28 Brigade Combat Team and local tribal and government leaders in Ramadi. His efforts were instrumental in getting local sheikhs to support the recruitment drive and encourage more than 1,000 area men to volunteer for the force, commanders said.

"Mike is a true hero in every sense of the word, and he died while doing his job the only way he knew how - out front and with great enthusiasm and courage," said Col. John L. Gronski, commander of the 2-28 BCT. "This loss only strengthens our resolve to carry on and complete the mission in order to honor his memory."

A gregarious wisecracker, McLaughlin said his hope was to one day return to a peaceful Iraq, where he planned to walk the streets of Ramadi in a traditional Arab "man dress," or dishdasha, and sip coffee and chai with those sheikhs he had met during the war. McLaughlin said that one particular tribal leader he had developed a close relationship with dubbed him "The Sheikh of Sheikhs" - a nickname that was soon picked up by fellow officers in the brigade.

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 Is Foolish And Wrong To Mourn The Men Who Died. Rather We Should Thank God That Such Men Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by clicking here.

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Wednesday Hero(es) 1-17-07

This Weeks Heroes Were Suggested By CavMom

This week I have three people to talk about. Roy Velez and his two sons, Jose and Andrew. One who was lost in Iraq and another who lost his life in Afghanistan.

It happens almost daily. A stranger reaches out to comfort Roy Velez, unintended symbol of unspeakable loss and grief.

Today it's a woman who approaches as he's halfway through breakfast at Montelongo's Mexican restaurant.

"My brother told me about you and your sons," she says, extending her hand.

He takes her small hand between his - this sturdy man who has buried two boys who went off to war - and listens gently as her own story of sorrow spills forth. Her 8-year-old daughter, a traffic accident, her son at the wheel.

As waiters bustle about with trays of huevos rancheros and barbacoa plates, Mr. Velez does what he does best: offers up a soft prayer to help this mother endure her emptiness.

Strangers learn about Mr. Velez from newspapers and TV. They come to him to share their gratitude or their grief. They come to thank him and console him, tearfully, for his family's sacrifice.

This is how Mr. Velez chooses to live after losing two sons in two years, not riven with anger or paralyzed with sadness. But as someone ready for those who might slip into the darkness of despair.

For his strength for others, compassion and grace - and for serving as inspiration for anyone who knows his story - Mr. Velez is the 2006 Dallas Morning News Texan of the Year.
Because this story is so long, I've linked to the article which you can read in it's entirety.

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 Have Every Right To Dream Heroic Dreams.
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 the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by clicking here.

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Wednesday Hero 1-10-07

This Weeks Hero Was Submitted by Beth

Spc. Jordan William Hess

Spc. Jordan William Hess
27 years old from Marysville, Washington
Company C, 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment
December 5, 2006

"Specialist Hess died of wounds received on a battlefield upon which no markers or memorials exist, yet his name will be etched upon the small part of each of our hearts that has hardened to stone by the realization of his passing. I will take Specialist Jordan Hess’ name to my own grave, in the hope that I can somehow preserve the honorable life that he led,” said Capt. Ian Lauer, commander of Company C.

Spc. Hess was a study in contrasts who loved a challenge. He had a warrior's spirit and was thrilled at the chance to serve his county, his parents said from their home in Marysville. He also was content to look for his muse in various forms of art, including glass-blowing, photography and poetry. It was this balance that people will remember most about the 26-year-old who was critically injured Nov. 11 in Ta'Meem, Iraq, when an IED detonated near his combat patrol.

A three-year veteran in the U.S. Army, Hess spent more than a year in Korea as well as time in Germany, always looking for an overseas assignment, Bill and Tammy Hess said. They knew their son was on his way to Kuwait the last time they spoke with him in October, and they suspected he had been deployed to Iraq as part of a tank unit when they didn’t hear from him for several weeks. After his injury, Hess was flown back to the United States and treated for several weeks at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. His parents, as well as his six brothers and one sister, were flown there to be with him.

"None of us wanted to see him hurt like that," Bill Hess said. "But one of the greatest blessings in my life was that we were able to say goodbye."

Hess was an avid wrestler from the time he was young, and news of his death circulated at Lake Stevens High School, where he attended until 1999. "He was a strong-willed, independent young man with a unique sense of humor," the Lake Stevens wrestling coaches said in a statement. "The Lake Stevens wrestling community today feels a strong sense of loss."

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 Have Every Right To Dream Heroic Dreams.
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 the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by clicking here.

Saturday, January 06, 2007

I'm impressed

I'm very impressed by the Donald. I will no longer make fun of his toupe :)

Article from here
Donald Trump Files $10 Million Lawsuit Against Palm Beach After Being Cited for Large Flag

Monday , December 25, 2006

PALM BEACH, Florida — Donald Trump is suing this oceanside town for $10 million after being cited for flying an oversized U.S. flag over his Mar-a-Lago Club.

Attorneys for the club filed a complaint Thursday, saying that flying the flag is a constitutionally protected expression of free speech — and that the large flag is a proper match for the size of the real-estate mogul's patriotism.

Town officials said Trump violated zoning codes when the lavish club hoisted a 15-by-25-foot flag atop an 80-foot pole on Oct. 3. The citation was for having a flagpole taller than 42 feet, for not obtaining a building permit and for not getting permission from the landmarks board.

"A smaller flag and pole on Mar-A-Lago's property would be lost given its massive size, look silly instead of make a statement, and most importantly would fail to appropriately express the magnitude of Donald J. Trump's and the Club's members' patriotism," the lawsuit says.

A phone message left at the mayor and town council's office was not returned Saturday.

In the lawsuit, Trump's attorneys accuse the town of selectively enforcing its ordinances. Other locations in the town display flags that violate statutes, the lawsuit alleges.

All damages awarded to the club would be donated to veterans of the war in Iraq, the lawsuit said.

Trump had until Nov. 27 to apply for approvals or else he faced a Dec. 21 hearing that could have resulted in fines costing $250 per day. It was unclear Saturday whether that meeting took place.

"The day you need a permit to put up the American flag, that will be a sad day for this country," Trump said in October.

Monday, January 01, 2007

Wednesday hero 1-03-07

This weeks hero was submitted by Jimbailoni

Sgt. Brent Dunkleberger

Sgt. Brent Dunkleberger
29 years old from New Bloomfield, Pennsylvania
1st Calvary Division, 4th Brigade Combat Team
December 11, 2006

Sgt. Dunkleberger was on his second tour of duty in Iraq when he was killed by an RPG when his convoy was attacked while on a security mission.

"We can't put into words right now the grief we feel, but we can put into words how proud we are of Brent. He chose to serve our country and give his life for what he believed in," said William Dunkleberger, Brent's father. "we thank the community for the outpouring of support and ask everyone to continue to pray for us. We also ask the media to respect our privacy during this very difficult time."

Sgt. Dunkleberger graduated high school in 1996 and enlisted in the United States Army in 2003 and became a tank driver for the 1st Calvary Division, 4th Brigade Combat Team.

He is survived by his wife and four children.

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 Have Every Right To Dream Heroic Dreams.
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 the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by clicking here.

Sunday, December 31, 2006

Rolling Victory Fast 2007

I guess I'm fasting for all of our troops, near & far, American & our coalition forces. The families who are without their loved ones as well as those who are able to be with their loved ones (YankeeMom :) ) Thanks to you all. As I end all of my letters to my heroes....Don't forget that there is someone in California thinking of you.
And I'm also fasting for all of you fasting before me as well as after me. From Code Pinko's web site "We plan to continue with a rolling fast until September 21" All of them, wimps.

Thursday, December 28, 2006

Valentines Day is coming

This is from Kat. Visit her blog here. OK, Christmas is over... so here we go again with Operation: Valentine! All the info is below... anything you can do to help get the word out about this will be MOST appreciated! I also have a pretty, printable Word flyer I can email you if you wish. (e-mail LoveFromHome@gmail.com)
OPERATION: VALENTINE

Valentine's Day Card Drive for Troops

Let's show our troops we love and support them! Starting NOW, I will be collecting Valentine's cards to send to troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. If you wish to participate, please send light-hearted, silly, cheerful (and un-sealed) cards to this address:

Mrs. Kat Orr
Operation Valentine
P.O. Box 1660
Loganville, GA 30052

I am also collecting "Hershey's Kisses" and "Hershey's Hugs" candy, and any other silly Valentine's candy you'd like to send – lollipops, candy hearts, etc. It's cold over there now, so we can, for the moment, get away with sending CHOCOLATE!

You may also send a e-mail of support to the following email address: LoveFromHome@gmail.com . Any e-mail received to this e-mail account will be printed and mailed, together with the Valentine's cards.

The cards can be handmade or store-bought... for that matter, they don't even have to be cards; a hand -written letter is just as wonderful! Let's all band together and overwhelm our heroes with support and chase away those "after Christmas blues!"

ALL CARDS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2007

Thank you so much for having a heart for our heroes !

If you have any questions about this campaign, please e-mail me at LoveFromHome@gmail.com. Also, you might wish join my Yahoo Group, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LoveFromHome in order to receive updates about the progress of this and other card drives.

**IMPORTANT NOTE: This is not a "dating service" of any type. Please do not send suggestive or otherwise inappropriate cards or pictures. I will be reading and screening every Card received to ensure that the above guidelines are adhered to (please don't seal the envelopes, by the way ~ that will make it much easier on me)! Any card deemed inappropriate will not be sent! Remember: This is strictly to let the troops know that we love them, we are proud of them and that we HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN them!

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Wednesday Hero 12-27-06

Every once and awhile I'll do a Wednesday Hero that doesn't profile a single soldier. Sometimes it's been two or three from the same unit, sometimes it's been an entire group of soldiers like the Navajo Code Talkers. I even did an organization once, Operation Iraqi Children. This weeks Wednesday Hero is one of those sometimes. This weeks Wednesday Heroes are the parents of soldiers.

These people sacrifice just as much, if not more, than the soldiers themselves. They, in many cases, are having their babies leave home for the first time in their lives. While most parents only have to adjust to them moving a few miles away or going off to college, these Blue Star Parents have to watch their children go off to a very dangerous situation and can only hope and pray that everything will turn out okay. I don't have children of my own, so I can't even imagine what that is like. We have a few Blue Star Parents in the blogroll, so to them, and every parent of a Hero, I tell you we all stand with and support you and your family.

There's a site that everyone should check out if they haven't already. Blue Star Mothers Of America.

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 Have Every Right To Dream Heroic Dreams.
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 the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by clicking here.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Wednesday Hero 12-20-06

Sgt. Roy A. Wood
47 years old from Alva, Florida
ODA 2092, Company C, 3rd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
January 26, 2005

Sgt. Roy A. Wood, a Special Forces medical sergeant, was fatally injured when the vehicle he was riding in was involved in a traffic accident near Kabul, Afghanistan, during a return convoy from Qalat to Bagram Air Base.

His 24-year military career with the Army Reserve and Army National Guard was distinguished and unique. After receiving a commission as a second lieutenant in 1979, he was first assigned to the Army Reserve’s 421st Quartermaster Company (Light Airdrop Supply).

While assigned to the 421st, he received training as a quartermaster officer, a parachute rigger, and participated in both basic airborne and jumpmaster courses.

In January 1982, he left the 421st to begin an association with U.S. Army Special Forces that would last until, and beyond, his death.

His first SF assignment was to the Army Reserve's 11th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Meade, Md., where he served in the 3rd Battalion’s Company A as the detachment executive officer for Operational Detachment-A 1175.

In May 1983, he became Detachment Commander for ODA 1175 after returning from the Special Forces Detachment Officer Qualification Course.

In October 1984, he left ODA 1175 to become the Company Logistics Officer.

He served in a variety of positions at the 11th SFG over the next 11 years, including operations officer and support company commander.

After four years at USSOCOM, he served a year with the Army Reserve’s 73rd Field Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla., before switching from the Reserve to the Army National Guard and renewing his association with Special Forces.

He was assigned to 3rd Bn., 20th SFG in December 2001, where he served for a year as the Battalion Surgeon, supervising medical coverage of three Special Forces companies and one support company.

In December 2002, he resigned his commission to become a Special Forces medical sergeant on Operational Detachment-A 2092, Co. C, 3rd Bn., 20th SFG.

He, with ODA 2092, was mobilized in July 2003 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

At the time of his death, he was pending appointment as a Special Forces warrant officer, a position in which he would have served his team as an assistant detachment commander.

During his service, he received the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Reserve Achievement Medal with Silver Hourglass device, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Basic Parachutist badge, the Parachute Rigger badge, the Ranger tab and the Special Forces tab.

Sgt. Roy Wood leaves behind a wife and two children.

These brave men and women have given their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Have Every Right To Dream Heroic Dreams.
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 the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by clicking here.

Blogs Partcipating In Wednesday Hero

Right-Wing & Right Minded
Hooah Wife & Friends
Yankee Mom
Bear Creek Ledger
Mail Call! Supporting The Troops
Yeah, Right, Whatever
CrosSwords
Gazing At The Flag
Gawfer
Ohio Military Reserve
DeMediacratic Nation
My Point
A Day In The Life Of.....
Blue Star Chronicles
Prying1
Pet's Garden Blog
Pictures From My World
Freedom, GUNZ, Glory and EBYJO
Gunz Up
Say No To Politically Correct B.S.
Did You Ever Get The Feeling
A Rose By Any Other Name
My Weekly Thoughts
Rightwing Guy
Trying My Best To Support The Troops
American And Proud
Maryannaville
Not Ready For My Burqua
Perry Nelson's Website
A Fresh Start
Right On!
Echo9er
Befuddled
Potpourri
Conservative Cowboy
Petrus
Pettifog
Tanker Brothers
Chicagoray
Gop3
ArmyNGntcfamily
Soldiers' Angels New York
My Republican Blog

Monday, December 18, 2006

Holy CR@P

Hubby hit a deer in my car :( My car is crunched. I saw it and gasped Joe looked at me to see what was wrong. By the time he looked back at the road it was too late. I've driven many country roads, I never expected that I would hit a deer in the city of L.A. (actually the Hollywood Hills, but not more than about 3-4 miles from Universal Studios) About another 6" or so & it probably would have been through the windshield. It's kind of scary to think what could've happened. I think Someone was by my side....

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

All I want for Christmas

Anyone who knows me knows I support our troops 110% Each year I get asked what I want for Christmas. I never have an answer. I always say something smart like world peace (through superior fire power of course) :)- Well here's my list. I received an email with these 2 requests. So if anyone wants to know what to get me for Christmas, here it is. Please help out something very dear to me-Our Troops.... Thank you VERY much.

PART 1

As seen on Tanker Brothers

Help Our Soldiers- The Michigan National Guard 1-182FA needs community donations to get our soldiers home from Ft. Dix, New Jersey for Christmas. These brave men are back in the country for the holiday season before they head back to Iraq in January. They are looking for donations. These Donations will be used to pay for bus transportation from and to Ft. Dix. Donations can be sent to:

Peoples Trust Credit Union
24333 Lahser Road
Southfield, MI 48033

Mark your donations: "A-BTRY 1-182FA SECFOR FRG"

FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INFO PLEASE CONTACT: 182FRG@COMCAST.NET

Brat's email to the Govenor of Michigan:
I was shocked to be told that OUR troops cannot even afford to make it to their families for Christmas. These heroes have already served their country in Iraq, and will return in January to Iraq. Yet they cannot find affordable transportation home. Doesn’t that strike you as inappropriate treatment of America’s finest?

I am asking YOU as Governor of Michigan WHY these heroes are not being taken home to their families at State expense. They serve America, and yet they are reduced to begging for donations? Does this sound appropriate to you? I may be Canadian, but it surely doesn’t sound right to ME.

I did some research of my own, and it seems to me that the State of Michigan could easily hire a few Greyhound busses to get these brave heroes home. I understand Greyhound would love the business.

I really hope you will be able to tell me that you, personally, have taken care of this matter in a timely fashion. Christmas IS just around the corner. These fine heroes have made it to American soil from the depths of the war zone of Iraq. They are now so close to their families, but can’t afford the final leg of their journey.

Upon receiving YOUR assurances that you, personally, will see these heroes home, before they redeploy in January, I will be happy to post that on our milblog too.

May you have a blessed Christmas, knowing that you have done the right thing by America’s heroes.
Thank you.

(Brat)

PART 2

...need help.
I have heard that there are young families at Ft Hood who are in desperate need
for 'stuff' by Christmas. As of today, at least 3 young families need 'luxury'
items like toys for very young children, 'sleepers' for 6 month old, baby car
seat, silly putty, gift cards etc... etc etc.It is a long list I have for these
families on base. Too long to post here.

Please send an email to: Tankerbrosbrat @ gmail.com (remove spaces before & after @) if you can help. Thanks

Wednesday Hero 12-13-06

Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Travis L. Youngblood
26 years old from Surrency, Georgia
Regimental Combat Team 2, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward)
July 21, 2005

Elmer "Mo" Youngblood wasn't sure why his sailor son wanted to leave relatively safe duty aboard a ship to be a combat medic in Iraq.

"For some reason or another, he wanted to be a corpsman," Youngblood said of his son, Petty Officer 3rd Class Travis Levy Youngblood.

He was a medic with a Marine unit in the Iraqi town of Hit when he was hit by an IED.

"I was tickled to death with him being in the Navy," Elmer Youngblood, a former Navy man, said from his home in Surrency, in southeast Georgia. "I wasn’t too happy when he basically volunteered to go over there, but it was his choice."

Travis Youngblood grew up mostly in Virginia. He attended Appling County High School after his father moved there in the 1990s. Surrency is listed as his hometown on his Navy enlistment papers and he and his father enjoyed fishing and hunting together there.

His wife, Laura, also served in the Navy. She left the service and lives in Long Beach, N.Y.

The couple has a four-year-old, now five, son, Hunter Youngblood, and Laura Youngblood was pregnant with the couple's second child at the time of his death.

These brave men and women have given their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Have Every Right To Dream Heroic Dreams.
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 the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by clicking here.

Blogs Partcipating In Wednesday Hero

Yankee Mom
Bear Creek Ledger
Mail Call! Supporting The Troops
Yeah, Right, Whatever
CrosSwords
Gazing At The Flag
Gawfer
Ohio Military Reserve
DeMediacratic Nation
My Point
A Day In The Life Of.....
Blue Star Chronicles
Prying1
Pet's Garden Blog
Pictures From My World
Freedom, GUNZ, Glory and EBYJO
Gunz Up
Screw Liberals
Did You Ever Get The Feeling
A Rose By Any Other Name
My Weekly Thoughts
Rightwing Guy
Trying My Best To Support The Troops
American And Proud
Maryannaville
Not Ready For My Burqua
Perry Nelson's Website
A Fresh Start
Right On!
Echo9er
Befuddled
Potpourri
Conservative Cowboy
Hooah Wife & Friends
Right-Wing & Right Minded

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

L.'s surgery

My 15 year old daughter had knee surgery today. I tried to take pictures but she wouldn't let me.

That is until she was drugged up :)

Then look at her smiling

The Dr's Intials so they didn't do the wrong knee I guess. She's very sleepy now & a little queasy. But she's doing well.

Rolling Victory Fast

YAY! I am honored today to join in with the Tanker Brother's Rolling Victory Fast. What? Don't know what it is? Go here to read all about it. Then send Tracy an email, email addie is on the above Tanker Brothers post, to join us in supporting my favorite Tanker Brothers :)

I'm fasting today as an angel. I'm fasting for my newest soldier, PFC Steven. I haven't heard from him yet, but from the rank I'm assuming he's a young one. So for ALL of the young guys spending their first Christmas far from home this fast is for you. Stay safe and come home soon. Merry Christmas :)

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Wednesday Hero 12-6-06 SFC. Paul Ray Smith

SFC. Paul Ray Smith
33 years old from Tampa, Florida
Bravo Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

April 4, 2003

When you think of the word Hero, SFC. Paul Smith is the person you think about.

On April 4, 2003, Smith was setting up a temporary enemy prisoner of war holding area during the seizure of Saddam International Airport when his unit came under attack.

Smith kept his soldiers focused during the fight while engaging the Iraqi force of around 100 men with his M16, a hand grenade and an AT4 anti-armor weapon.

Smith tossed a grenade over a wall then he climbed atop the armored vehicle. Disregarding personal danger, he sprayed the attacking troops with .50-caliber machine gun fire. According to the Army, he told a soldier who accompanied him to "feed me ammunition whenever you hear the gun get quiet." He fired more than 300 rounds at the enemy before being mortally wounded himself.

For his action on that day, SFC. Smith was posthumously awarded the Medal Of Honor by President Bush,

becoming only the 3,459 serviceman to be awarded the honor since the Civil War.

His "conspicuous gallantry, above and beyond the call of duty," according to his citation, protected the soldiers in his platoon as well as other troops at an aid station nearby.

These brave men and women have given their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Have Every Right To Dream Heroic Dreams.
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 the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by clicking here.

Blogs Partcipating In Wednesday Hero

Saturday, December 02, 2006

The Online Chaplain's blog

From here~The Online Chaplain. He has some interesting thoughts on his blog. Check him out please :) Thanks

In this era, I have a suspicion people pick and choose values, like faithfulness, much like they shop at WalMart. Pick up what you need, when you need it, and when you are done with it – throw it away. I see this “way of life” every time I turn on the TV and it stands in stark contrast to the life of the soldier. I know full well many people stereotype soldiers. In most people’s eyes soldiers are “young republicans” with guns. They are right wing banditos of the Bush administration wreaking havoc across the planet. Truth is aggression and political ideology is not our common denominator. We are a collage of political views and values. And I will say again, “Nobody hates aggression more than a soldier.” NOBODY.

For You
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you,
Jesus Christ and the American Soldier.
One died for your soul;
the other for your freedom.
Just a reminder for us to all live a life worthy of the sacrifice.

Friday, December 01, 2006

My thanks to our military

My Dad loaded bombs onto B-17's during WW2 in England. He's the reason I get goosebumps and tear up during the National Anthem. The reason I am sooo patriotic. He taught me many thing before he died when I was 11. The most important lesson was love for my country. Thanks Dad....

My brother USAF EOD retired after 28 years (notice the ponytail & big mustache and note the retired part :)) and his son active duty National Guard, soon to be active duty Regular Army. Also gonna explode bombs.

I am so proud of our military, past, present & future. Thanks so much to you all.

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Right-Wing & Right Minded: The Story Behind Wednesday Hero

Thanksgiving

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. My thoughts were with our troops and their familes. They must miss their loved ones ever so much more during the holidays.

I am going to post on my Thanksgiving, but I am waiting on my hubby to download pictures. HINT HINT!

Got some news. My nephew has decided to go from National Guard to active duty regular Army. Oh and yay, (sarcasm) he has decided to follow in his Dad's footsteps and request EOD as his MOS. That's a little scary.

Well more on Thanksgiving later. One last question...Have you thanked a Veteran or an active duty military person lately for your freedom? If you haven't please take the time to do so. Go visit the recruiters office, say hi thank them for their service. Or go to a VA hospital. I promise it'll put a smile on your face for the rest of the week :)

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Rolling Victory Fast Time

Today is my turn for the Rolling Victory Fast. Read about it here. Thanks to my heroes. I'll never get tired of those words :)

Friday, November 10, 2006

Happy Veteran's Day

Today I went to the local park. They have a vets memorial there. It's beautiful, there is an eternal flame with marble memorials for each of the wars. This is where the Veterans Day ceremony was. To start things off there was a military plane flyover. Wow. I commented to the lady sitting by me that it always gave me chills to watch the flyovers. She told me that she was just thinking that those were WW2 planes and we had won the war with those planes. She went on to say how our planes are so high tech today and it's sad that we're losing this war. WHAT???? OK what's a Tanker Brothers/contactright fan to do but politely correct her. So I told her that we are NOT losing this war. I went on to say that I talk to our troops. I read their blogs. I told her that the media would like us to believe that we are losing the war but we are not. I told her that I don't even bother to watch the news anymore. I get my news straight from the source. I told her about MG not taking one assignment so he could go back to Iraq. And how CT was there too for the second time. How many soldiers there are that had been there and were willing to go back. The injured soldiers I've heard say they just want to go back to their units still in Iraq. If we are losing this war why would they want to go back? Who wants to fight a losing battle? I told her about the pictures of the Iraqi children posing with our soldiers smiling great big smiles. She commented on how children aren't like adults, that you see what is really in their thoughts when you look at them. She apologized for being so negative. I told her that I understood, it was all the news media chose to show us. And so if that's all we hear we will believe that. She thanked me for telling her all this.

After the ceremony I thanked some of the vets that were there. One AF guy told me that he retired after Desert Storm. I told him my brother just retired a few years ago from the AF. I told him that my brother had been in Oman during Desert Storm. He told me he had lost his entire squad while he was there. :( I told him how sorry I was to hear that. After talking to him I went on to sign a card for a guy who was recently wounded from this town. Then there was a Viet Nam Vet who had a picture album he was sharing I listened to his story. He recommended a movie "Hearts and Minds". I thanked a lady who was a WW2 vet. I told her I was grateful for her service to our country. I told her how I was so proud of our great countries military, past and present.

Happy Veterans Day to all the vets out there. Thank you so very much for your service.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Thanks to All for supporting the troops

I've already told my hubby that this is what I want for Christmas. I really want to support those who support the troops. Even if they are not our fellow Americans. Thank-you Beccy Cole. And thank you "diggers" for standing right there with our troops. I don't know how to put this on my blog but you can see "Poster Girl" here

I found this at http://www.barking-moonbat.com/

First, a little history. Beccy Cole is an Australian country music singer. Last Christmas she went to Iraq to entertain Aussie troops, “diggers” as they’re called - kinda like our “grunts”. When she returned to Australia, some fans contacted her to let her know they were taking her poster off their walls and wouldn’t buy any more of her albums - because of her support for “an unjust war”, as they called it.

Sound familiar? Yes, it’s the direct opposite of what happened to Natalie Maines. You could say Beccy is the “anti-Dixie-Chick”. Personally, I think Beccy is a downright pretty young lady with a beautiful voice. Take a look at her official web site and see if you agree.

This is something you should read about. Read the rest of it here

Sunday, October 08, 2006

Merry Christmas to the ACLU

I received this email. :) This was around last year, but I think it deserves another go round, so that we more conservative types can make our point too. Christmas: This is coming early (really early) so that you can get ready to include an important address to your Christmas card list. Read on........What a GREAT idea!
Fun with the ACLU...... Wanna have some fun this CHRISTMAS? Send the ACLU a CHRISTMAS CARD this year. As they are working so very hard to get rid of the CHRISTMAS part of this holiday, we should all send them a nice, CHRISTIAN, card to brighten up their dark, sad, little world. Make sure it says "Merry Christmas" on it. Here's the Address, just don't be rude or crude. (It's Not the Christian Way, you know!)

ACLU
125 Broad Street 18th Floor
New York, NY 10004

Two tons of Christmas cards would freeze their operations because they wouldn't know if any were regular mail containing contributions. So spend 39 cents and tell the ACLU to leave Christmas alone. Also tell them that there is no such thing as a "Holiday Tree". . . . It's a Christmas Tree even in the fields!!And pass this on to your email lists. We really want to communicate with the ACLU! They really DESERVE us!!

Saturday, October 07, 2006

The harvest moon

I was at my 2 younger daughters high school Home Coming game on Friday. The harvest moon was out shining brightly. It was so beautiful I had to take a picture. Too bad the wind was still and our equally beautiful flag wasn't flying straight out.

I'm not sure what that little spot is to the right of the flag. Alien space craft, Drew??? Naw probably just dust on the lens.

They creamed the other team by the way 38 to 21.

Monday, October 02, 2006

My first birthday gift

I got my first birthday gift for this birthday. It's not for 8 days but my brothers in law didn't know if we'd see them before next week so he gave it to me yesterday. It's pretty spiffy kewl. It's a cermanic pan to make~~~~MONKEY bread. And some monkey bread mix. And a red spatula, it had to be red, Jim made them take the one that was on there off and put on a red one. My kitchen is red and white, with accents of cobalt blue. So for those of you who don't know, monkey bread is a sweet dough cut into globs of dough. Then you put this cinnamon sugar mixture on the globs and put them into the special monkey bread pan:

and then you bake it and it turns gooey sugary caramelly cinnamony yummy bread. I can't wait to try it....
I love it guys thanks so much....

Saturday, September 23, 2006

Hang with Toby

This is for Linda. http://www.fordvehicles.com/hangwithtoby/ A contest to hang with Toby. I don't care about the new Ford truck, but I sure would like to go see one of his videos made. If I win Linda, you can go with me. I'm sure I'll be hit by lightning before I win, but a girl can dream.

What's with Toby's new movie??? It's not showing anywhere near me....grrrrr I don't want to wait until it comes out on video. I wanna see it NOW.

I still haven't heard from Toby yet regarding going on his next trip to Iraq :(

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Rolling Victory Fast time again

YAY! It's my time to fast in honor of our soldiers. I completely believe in our presidents choices to be where we are today. I also believe in our Armed Forces. I know that they will get the job done right. I do question the media's choices of selective reporting though. There really are some great stories coming out of Iraq. You just usually have to look for them. They are not on the front pages or on CNN. Usually they are on a soldiers blog.

So any way today my fast is dedicated to: Specialist Casey Sheehan. If you haven't already read his story I suggest you do so. It's really an awesome story. It shows how dedicated SPC Sheehan was to what he was doing.There is an awesome story about him here. Thank-you Black Five for sharing SPC Sheehan's story with us.

I truly believe I am so blessed to have been born in this country. When I think about what a great life I have I also think about those who are away from their family and friends keeping my life safe and as I know it. And because I'm me, I can't help but make one small smarty pants comment :) Thanks MG and Cav Tanker and all the others for staying those dozen or so steps between me and that burka over there.

Remember if you see a member of our armed forces please remember to tell them thank-you.

In support of our troops :)-

Have you seen this guy? His story is here. Apparently he's not going to shave until Bin Laden is caught. Soooo I'm going to copy his idea. I have decided in support of the Tanker Brothers upcoming deployment, I will not shave my legs until they are home safe. bwaaahahahahahahaha. Ok just joking....

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Here's to our heroes

Just a quick thank-you to all of my heroes who are here, there and everywhere. Thank you for doing what you do so we are free to do what we want to do. Thank you for keeping terrorism out of my yard. Just a little tissue alert for this video...it's a good one :)

Monday, September 11, 2006

2,996 tribute to Jorge Luis Leon

I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN.....

In memory of: Jorge Luis Leon, 43, of Union City, New Jersey, quality assurance analyst, Cantor Fitzgerald.

I could find no info on the person assigned as WTC victim tribute.

It's officially fasting time

I am starting my fast. It is 12:30 pacific time. My last food was about 5 1/2 hours ago. (homemade pizza. yummm) I will be fasting until 12:00 tomorrow night. I am fasting today in memory of the 2996 victims of the WTC disaster. Also for the 2662 KIA in OIF and the 329 KIA in OEF. (Total of 2991) Heroes we lost in fighting this very necessary war on terrorists.

You can read about the Rolling Victory Fast here Go visit the Tanker brothers. They have a kewl blog. Sign up for a day of fasting. Show our boys we support them!

Saturday, September 09, 2006

How to explain??

I was recently talking with a friend and she asked me: Why do you think (pausing, I believe she was thinking how to ask delicately) you uh, (one more pause) uh involved in doing all you do for our Armed Forces. (READ: why the heck are you soooo freaking obsessed with soldiers) Hmmm tough question. I know every other word out of my mouth is soldier (I'm meaning that generically for armed forces. Is there one word to describe soldiers, marines, airmen, coasties etc??) So here is an exaggerated conversation with me. Her: So did you hear about blah blah blah. me: Oh not really but let me tell you this about my soldier. Soldier, soldier soldier soldier soldier. Her: oh ok well what are you going to do this weekend. Me: Soldier blah blah soldier soldier soldier. OK it really is an exaggeration. I'm not quite that bad.
So my answer. I FEEL GUILTY for one reason. My Heroes are deployed ALL over the world keeping our country safe. Everytime I walk down to the kitchen to get some ice cream or cookies and milk or even just a drink of water. I feel guilty. I know that soldier doesn't have those option. He/she can't walk into the other room and kiss his wife. Or walk into the baby's room and watch them sleeping. Things I take for granted daily.

And the second reason. I don't know how to explain it. There is just something about angel-ing that is indescribable. That feeling when you pack your flat rate box with so many goodies. That feeling of getting a signed picture of a sports star he mentioned and sending it and other birthday goodies off to him. That feeling when you open your mailbox. And WHHHHHOOOOOO HHHOOOOOO there's FREE MAIL. I really can't explain why I do all this. How do you explain being a Soldiers Angel? No word I can think of on how it feels to be an Angel, to do things for your guys. If you want the most incredible feeling in the world go to Soldiers Angels. Adopt a soldier. But be warned ALL of your conversations will sound like this: Soldier soldier, deployed, soldier, care package for my soldiers, sometimes followed by the words NOOOOOOO don't touch, it's for the soldiers. lolololololol

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Fingernails

While poking around online I found a link to a code pink web site about how a pinko fasts. I believe it came from Michelle Malkin's blog. Anyway I was reading, then read some of their tips on how to fast. One of the pinkos was saying how hard it was to fast. Then she'd look at her pink fingernails and be reminded of why she was doing it. YUCK! I love love love pink fingernails or should I say loved. She ruined it for me. So when I wnet to get my nails done I did them in a very American red. And until the Tanker Brothers come home from their upcoming deployment I will have one yellow pinky. It's my personal yellow ribbon.

Monday, September 04, 2006

Thank an Armed forces member

The other night I went to pick up dinner for hubby and I. Mmmmm Sharkeys. So I ordered and went to get salsa. I noticed a clean cut, in shape guy with super short hair. His shirt read on front: Got Freedom? and on back: Thank a Marine. So my little pea brain put 2 & 2 together and came up with: Hey this guy MUST be a Marine. He, his wife and 2 kids were at a table close to the door. So I went up (they weren't eating yet or I wouldn't have) and said: Are you a Marine? he said Yes I am. I said thank you. His wife said thanks for saying that. I said love the shirt and walked away. I suppose I should've told him how much I appreciate all of our armed forces, or something besides thanks. I wish I had said I REALLY appreciate all your sacrifices to protect our country, both to him and his wife. But I just said thanks and love the shirt and walked away. I hope he got all my well wishes in those few words...