A Mom's Memories: A Military Wife's Everyday Experiences

Wednesday Hero: 1/18/2012

2012-01-18T02:48:00.001-07:00

Capt. Eddie S. Ray
57 years old from Seattle, Washington
Company B, 1st Light Armored Infantry Battalion,
Task Force Shepherd, 1st Marine Division

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Eddie S. Ray, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Commanding Officer, Company B, First Light Armored Infantry Battalion, Task Force Shepherd, FIRST Marine Division, in the Emirate of Kuwait on 25 February 1991. During the early morning hours of G+1 of Operation Desert Storm, an Iraqi mechanized division counter-attacked elements of the FIRST Marine Division in the vicinity west of the flame and smoke engulfed Burgan Oil Fields in Southeastern Kuwait. As dense black smoke shrouded the battlefield, an Iraqi mechanized brigade engaged the FIRST Marine Division Forward Command Post security forces. During the ensuing intense ten hour battle, Captain Ray repeatedly maneuvered his Light Armored Vehicle Company in harm's way, skillfully integrating his Light Armored Infantry weapons, reinforcing TOW's, and AH-1W Attack Helicopters to decisively defeat main Iraqi counter-attacks. Leading from the front and constantly exposed to large volumes of enemy fire, Captain Ray led swift, violent attacks directly into the face of the vastly larger enemy force. These attacks shocked the enemy, destroyed 50 enemy Armored Personnel Carriers, and resulted in the capture of over 250 Iraqi soldiers. Operating perilously close to the attacking enemy, Captain Ray's courage, composure under fire, and aggressive war fighting spirit were instrumental in the defeat of a major enemy effort and the successful defense of the Division Forward Command Post. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Captain Ray reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

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 Wednesday Hero. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero: 1/4/2012

2012-01-04T05:24:00.000-07:00

1st Lt. Loren Douglas Hagen
25 years old from Fargo, North Dakota
U.S. Army Training Advisory Group
February 25, 1946 - August 7, 1971

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Loren Douglas Hagen, United States Army (Reserve), for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as the team leader of a small reconnaissance team with the U.S. Army Training Advisory Group, in action against enemy aggressor forces while operating deep within enemy-held territory in the Republic of Vietnam, on 7 August 1971. At approximately 0630 hours on the morning of 7 August 1971 the small team came under a fierce assault by a superior-sized enemy force using heavy small arms, automatic weapons, mortar, and rocket fire. First Lieutenant Hagen immediately began returning small-arms fire upon the attackers and successfully led this team in repelling the first enemy onslaught. He then quickly deployed his men into more strategic defense locations before the enemy struck again in an attempt to overrun and annihilate the beleaguered team's members. First Lieutenant Hagen repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire directed at him as he constantly moved about the team's perimeter, directing fire, rallying the members, and resupplying the team with ammunition, while courageously returning small arms and hand grenade fire in a valorous attempt to repel the advancing enemy force. The courageous actions and expert leadership abilities of First Lieutenant Hagen were a great source of inspiration and instilled confidence in the team members. After observing an enemy rocket make a direct hit on and destroy one of the team's bunkers, First Lieutenant Hagen moved toward the wrecked bunker in search for team members despite the fact that the enemy force now controlled the bunker area. With total disregard for his own personal safety, he crawled through the enemy fire while returning small-arms fire upon the enemy force. Undaunted by the enemy rockets and grenades impacting all around him, First Lieutenant Hagen desperately advanced upon the destroyed bunker until he was fatally wounded by enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire. With complete disregard for his personal safety, First Lieutenant Hagen's courageous gallantry, extraordinary heroism, and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty, at the cost of his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon him and the United States Army.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

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. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero: 12/14/2011

2011-12-14T05:52:00.001-07:00

Click Image For Full SizeMarguerite Gene Arenesen (left) a member of the Coast Guard in World War II, George Warren (standing), a Canadian-born immigrant who became a naturalized American citizen at age 17 and joined the Army Air Corps shortly after the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor and Thomas M. Sugg, a Navy veteran, share a moment in front of a Christmas tree at the Veterans Home in Barstow, California.
Photo Courtesy United States Marine Corps Taken By Keith Hayes

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

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. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero: 12/7/11

2011-12-07T05:01:00.001-07:00

This Post Was Written By Cindy

Pearl Harbor was originally a shallow embankment called Wai Momi (Pearl Water) or Pu'rloa (long Hill). It was considered the home of the shark goddess, Ka'ahupahua, and her brother, Kahiuka. Tradition says that Keaunui, the legendary chief of the Ewa chiefs is the one w ho created a navigable channel near the present day Pu'uloa saltworks. The estuary known as "Pearl River" was then accessible to shipping. It was never used for large shipping because of the shallow entrance. As whaling and trading began to use the islands as a half-way point in the Pacific, by 1820 the US was looking for a major harbor. It was not until the turn of the century that Pearl Harbor began to be refitted for larger naval vessels. The naval base we know today was formally opened when the dry dock was open to flooding on August 21, 1919. As early as February 1, 1933, the Navy staged a mock attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese. The exercise was a disaster. Even in 1933 it was known that Pearl Harbor's defenses were considered, after the mock attack by Japan, a failure. It makes the events of December 7, 1941 even more heart-wrenching. The War Department knew the attack was coming. They did not know when. They did not realize that Pearl Harbor, which was basically a sitting duck, was to be the location of the attack. It was assumed the attack would come in the Philippines.

Click For Full Size
Photo taken by a Japanese plane shows Battleship Row at the
beginning of the attack, along with the strike on the USS Oklahoma

"...Under the command of Admiral Chuichi Nagumo, the attack was devastating in loss of life and damage to the U.S. fleet. At 06:05 on December 7, the six Japanese carriers launched a first wave of 183 aircraft composed mainly of dive bombers, horizontal bombers and fighters. The Japanese hit American ships and military installations at 07:51. The first wave attacked military airfields of Ford Island. At 08:30, a second wave of 170 Japanese aircraft, mostly torpedo bombers, attacked the fleet anchored in Pearl Harbor. The battleship Arizona was hit with an armor-piercing bomb which penetrated the forward ammunition compartment, blowing the ship apart and sinking it within seconds. Overall, nine ships of the U.S. fleet were sunk and 21 ships were severely damaged. Three of the 21 would be irreparable. The overall death toll reached 2,403, including 68 civilians, and 1,178 injured. Of the military personnel lost at Pearl Harbor, 1,177 were from the Arizona. The first shots fired were from the destroyer Ward on a midget submarine that surfaced outside of Pearl Harbor; Ward sank the midget sub at approximately 06:55, about an hour before the attack on Pearl Harbor. Japan would lose 29 out of the 350 aircraft they attacked with...."

Click For Full SizeUSS ArizonaThe attack on Pearl Harbor, called Hawaii Operation or Operation Al by the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters was designed to prevent the US Pacific Fleet from interfering with their military actions in Southeast Asia, against overseas territories of the United Kingdom, Netherlands, and the US. The Japanese attack was so thorough that only 29 aircraft and five midget submarines were lost. The US death toll was 2,403. Only 65 Japanese servicemen were killed or wounded. One Japanese sailor was captured.
Click For Full Size
USS Arizona MemorialJoint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam WWII In The Pacific ">

Wednesday Hero: 11/2/2011

2011-11-02T04:10:00.000-06:00

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Beth & Cindy

1st Lt. Ashley White, Sgt. First Class Kristoffer B. Domeij & Pfc. Christopher Horns
October 22, 2011

On Saturday, October 22, 2011, three United States Soldiers were killed in Kandahar, Afghanistan. They were 1st Lt. Ashley White, 24, 230th Brigade Support Battalion, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, North Carolina National Guard; Sgt. First Class Kristoffer B. Domeij, 29; and Pfc. Christopher Horns, 20, both with 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

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. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero: 10/26/2011

2011-10-26T19:22:00.000-06:00

Sgt. James Hinson

Sgt. James Hinson, Marine Barracks Washington motor transportation operator, prepares a dish for a homeless person during a So Others Might Eat volunteer event in northwest Washington, D.C., Oct. 20, 2011. Fifteen Barracks Marines volunteered to assist the SOME staff in feeding homeless men and women from the nation's capitol region.
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

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. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero 10/19/2011

2011-10-18T06:01:00.001-06:00

Lt.Richard Biedermann (Ret.)
89 years old from Tulsa, Oklahoma
May 28, 1922 - October 3, 2011

When Dick Biedermann asked the organizing committee of the Oklahoma Honor Flights how much more was needed to be raised he was told $10,000. His response was "Piece of cake. I can raise that". And in only four weeks he did just that. In fact, he raised $16,000 and in doing so was able to help send 105 of his fellow WWII veterans to D.C. to see the national WWII Memorial back in February of this year. He was scheduled to go with them but he had taken a fall the week before and was unable to go. But this was nothing new for the retired Naval Lieutenant. He was always helping others. The Ronald McDonald House, the United Way, the Tulsa Chapter of Alzheimer’s Association and so on. He saw it as his mission.Sadly, Richard (Dick) Biedermann passed away on October 3 after a long battle with heart disease. He was buried on October 6 with full military honors by the VFW and Patriot Guard Riders.

You can read more about Dick Biedermann here and view his obituary here.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

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. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero: 10/12/2011

2011-10-13T07:20:00.000-06:00

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Cindy

Capt. Theodore "Ted" Williams (Center)
83 years old from Inverness, Florida
VMF-311, Marine Aircraft Group 33
(MAG-33)August 30, 1918 - July 5, 2002

Everyone knows Ted Williams as one of the greatest Baseball players of all time, but many may not know that he also served his country during W.W.II and Korea. Williams joined the V-5 program to became a Naval aviator after enlisting in the Marine Corps in 1942. He received his pilots wings two years later in 1944. He never saw action as Japan surrendered as he was in Pearl Harbor awaiting orders. He did, however, in the Marine Forces Reserves and was later recalled in to active duty during the Korean War. He flew 39 combat missions before being hospitalized with pneumonia which resulted in the discovery of an inner ear infection that ultimately disqualified him from flight status.

You Can Read More About Williams here and here

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

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. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero: 9/28/2011

2011-09-28T06:06:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Greta Perry & John Donovan

Second Lt. Perla Kimes

Second Lt. Perla Kimes has her bars of gold pinned on during a commissioning
ceremony this summer at the Leader Development and Assessment Course
on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

Photo Courtesy U.S. ArmyThese brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

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. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero: 7/14/2011

2011-09-14T06:06:00.000-06:00

Seaman Sha'Quanda Jacobs

Religious Programs Specialist Seaman Sha'Quanda Jacobs rings the bell during commemoration ceremony of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States at Naval Air Station Oceana.

Photo Courtesy U.S. Navy Taken by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Terah L. Mollise

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

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. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero: 8/31/2011

2011-08-31T06:00:00.001-06:00

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Kathi

Russell E. Tucker Sr.
72 years old from Buffalo, New York
1899? - 1971

Seven years shy of a century later, Russell E. Tucker Sr. got his due Friday at a ceremony where he was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds he suffered as a Marine in World War I. In June of 1918 Russel Tucker and his fellow Marines marched into German machine gun fire in Belleau, France and drove the enemy back. Russel, then only 19-years-old, was shot in the temple and in the right hand losing part of his knuckle on his index finger. But because there was no such award as the Purple Hart at the time it's taken almost a century for it to finally be awarded.

You can read more about Russel Tucker, Sr. here

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

Wednesday Hero: 8/17/2011

2011-08-17T05:01:00.000-06:00

On Saturday, August 6th, a CH-47 Chinook helicopter was shot down over Wardak province, Afghanistan killing 30 United States servicemen. It was the largest single day loss of life since the war began. Killed were:

U.S. Navy

Lt. Cmdr. (SEAL) Jonas B. Kelsall, 32, of Shreveport, La.
Special Warfare Operator Master Chief Petty Officer
(SEAL) Louis J. Langlais, 44, of Santa Barbara, Calif.
Special Warfare Operator Senior Chief Petty Officer (SEAL)
Thomas A. Ratzlaff, 34, of Green Forest, Ark.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Senior Chief Petty Officer
(Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist)
Kraig M. Vickers 36, of Kokomo, Hawaii
Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL)
Brian R. Bill, 31, of Stamford, Conn.
Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL)
John W. Faas, 31, of Minneapolis, Minn.
Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL)
Kevin A. Houston, 35, of West Hyannisport, Mass.
Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL)
Matthew D. Mason, 37, of Kansas City, Mo.
Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL)
Stephen M. Mills, 35, of Fort Worth, Texas
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Chief Petty Officer
(Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist/Diver)
Nicholas H. Null, 30, of Washington, W.Va.
Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL)
Robert J. Reeves, 32, of Shreveport, La.
Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL)
Heath M. Robinson, 34, of Detroit, Mich.
Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL)
Darrik C. Benson, 28, of Angwin, Calif.
Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Parachutist)
Christopher G. Campbell, 36, of Jacksonville, N.C.
Information Systems Technician Petty Officer 1st Class
(Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist)
Jared W. Day, 28, of Taylorsville, Utah
Master-at-Arms Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist)
John Douangdara, 26, of South Sioux City, Neb.
Cryptologist Technician (Collection) Petty Officer 1st Class
(Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) Michael J. Strange, 25, of Philadelphia, Pa.
Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class
(SEAL/Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist)
Jon T. Tumilson, 35, of Rockford, Iowa
Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL)
Aaron C. Vaughn, 30, of Stuart, Fla.
Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL)
Jason R. Workman, 32, of Blanding, Utah
Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL)
Jesse D. Pittman, 27, of Ukiah, Calif.
Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL)
Nicholas P. Spehar, 24, of Saint Paul, Minn.

U.S. Army

Chief Warrant Officer David R. Carter, 47, of Centennial, Colo.
2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment
(General Support Aviation Battalion)
Chief Warrant Officer Bryan J. Nichols, 31, of Hays, Kan.
7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment
(General Support Aviation Battalion)
Sgt. Patrick D. Hamburger, 30, of Lincoln, Neb.
2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment
General Support Aviation Battalion)
Sgt. Alexander J. Bennett, 24, of Tacoma, Wash.
7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment
(General Support Aviation Battalion)
Spc. Spencer C. Duncan, 21, of Olathe, Kan.
7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment
(General Support Aviation Battalion)

U.S Air Force

Tech. Sgt. John W. Brown, 33, of Tallahassee, Fla.
24th Special Tactics Squadron
Staff Sgt. Andrew W. Harvell, 26, of Long Beach, Calif.
24th Special Tactics Squadron
Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Zerbe, 28, of York, Pa.
24th Special Tactics Squadron

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.
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. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero: 7/6/11

2011-07-06T05:44:00.002-06:00

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Michael
2nd Lt. William Edward Metzger, Jr.
22 years old from Lima, Ohio
729th Bombardment Squadron, 452nd Bomb Group (Heavy)
November 9, 1944

On May 16, 1945 2nd Lt. William E. Metzger was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions six months earlier. His citation reads:"On a bombing run upon the marshaling yards at Saarbrücken, Germany, on 9 November 1944, a B17 aircraft on which 2d Lt. Metzger was serving as copilot was seriously damaged by antiaircraft fire. Three of the aircraft's engines were damaged beyond control and on fire; dangerous flames from the No. 4 engine were leaping back as far as the tail assembly. Flares in the cockpit were ignited and a fire roared therein which was further increased by free-flowing fluid from damaged hydraulic lines. The interphone system was rendered useless. In addition to these serious mechanical difficulties the engineer was wounded in the leg and the radio operator's arm was severed below the elbow. Suffering from intense pain, despite the application of a tourniquet, the radio operator fell unconscious. Faced with the imminent explosion of his aircraft and death to his entire crew, mere seconds before bombs away on the target, 2d Lt. Metzger and his pilot conferred. Something had to be done immediately to save the life of the wounded radio operator. The lack of a static line and the thought that his unconscious body striking the ground in unknown territory would not bring immediate medical attention forced a quick decision. 2d Lt. Metzger and his pilot decided to fly the flaming aircraft to friendly territory and then attempt to crash land. Bombs were released on the target and the crippled aircraft proceeded along to Allied-controlled territory. When that had been reached 2d Lt. Metzger personally informed all crewmembers to bail out upon the suggestion of the pilot. 2d Lt. Metzger chose to remain with the pilot for the crash landing in order to assist him in this emergency. With only 1 normally functioning engine and with the danger of explosion much greater, the aircraft banked into an open field, and when it was at an altitude of 100 feet it exploded, crashed, exploded again, and then disintegrated. All 3 crewmembers were instantly killed. 2d Lt. Metzger's loyalty to his crew, his determination to accomplish the task set forth to him, and his deed of knowingly performing what may have been his last service to his country was an example of valor at its highest."2nd Lt. Metzger's pilot, 1st Lt. Donald J. Gott, was also awarded the Medal Of Honor for his actions that day. A video tribute to the three men lost.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

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. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero: 6/22/11

2011-06-22T05:26:00.001-06:00

Homecoming

Aviators assigned to the Sunliners of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 81 walk to greet friends and family members after arriving on the tarmac during a homecoming at Naval Air Station Oceana. VFA-81, part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, returned home after a deployment aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.

Photo Courtesy Navy.mil Taken By Mass Communication Specialist Indra BoskoThese brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

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. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero: 6/8/2011

2011-06-08T06:44:00.000-06:00

Soldiers render salutes through a rendition of taps during a ceremony May 26 at the Mountain Post Warrior Memorial. Fort Carson honors the lives lost in support of Overseas Contingency Operations by adding names to the memorial stones.
Photo Courtesy Army.mil Taken By Dustin SengerThese brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

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. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero: 6/1/2011

2011-06-01T18:25:00.003-06:00

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Pet

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

In December 2009 Van T. Barfoot made national headlines when he wanted to fly his American flag in his yard but was told to take it down by his homeowners association. It's still flying proudly today. But that's just one small event in the life of Mr. Barfoot. Long before he decided to fly that flag he defended it during W.W.II.Barfoot joined the Army in 1940 and was shipped to Italy in 1943 where distinguished himself in 1944 when, in the course of a single day, he advanced alone through a minefield, took out a German machine gun with a hand grenade, single handily killed eight German soldiers, captured seventeen, disabled a tank with a bazooka and then returned to his own lines and helped two of his own wounded squad members. All which earned him the Medal Of Honor. So it comes as no surprise that when he wanted to fly the American fly he wasn't going to take no for an answer.

You can read more about Col. Barfoot hereThese 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.

Memorial Day Thoughts

2011-05-30T06:00:00.010-06:00

Memorial day is here and the time has come to remember those who sacrificed all for our freedom. If you are looking for ways to observe Memorial Day, Carl Francis wrote a great article on his blog:

Gone But Not Forgotten: 15 Ways to Observe Memorial Day

No matter how you pay tribute, take a minute to say "Thank You" to those who are serving, and give thanks to those who gave all in service their our country.

Dave's New Gig

2011-05-01T19:33:00.000-06:00

Happy Spring everone! We have been busy with Derek's Baseball season, work, and life in general. I just got back from training at Fort Hood, and Dave is now attending First Sergeant's Academy. He is so excited to be getting this opportunity. I am so proud of him and know he will be an amazing First Sergeant.

If you are wondering just what a First Sergeant does, here is a great article: http://www.incirlik.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123185706

I know Dave will embrace this new position with the same enthusiasm and sense of duty that he does in his love of Christ.

"Be shepherds of God's flock, the believers who are under your care. Serve as their leaders. Don't serve them because you have to. Instead, do it because you want to. That's what God wants you to do. Don't do it because you want to get more and more money. Do it because you really want to serve." 1 Peter 5:2 (NIRV)

He truly does want to serve the airmen in his care. His heart and mind are in this for all the right reasons, and I am so proud to be supporting him on this new path in his career... I'll be sure to keep you updated on how he is doing. He has three weeks of some intense training, so I will pray for him that he soaks it all in and has a great experience at school. If you think of him when you send up your prayers - I would be sooooo appreciative!

Wednesday Hero: 4/20/2011

2011-04-20T21:52:00.000-06:00

Capt. Lawrence Rollo

Capt. Lawrence Rollo cradles a Nigerian baby while visiting with locals during a community relations project at the Light of Dawn Government Junior Secondary School Tomarow as part of Africa Partnership Station (APS) West. APS is an international security cooperation initiative designed to strengthen global maritime partnerships through training and collaborative activities to improve maritime safety and security in Africa.Information And Photo Courtesy U.S. Navy. Taken by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Darryl Wood

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.

Wednesday Hero: 3/30/2011

2011-03-30T08:01:00.001-06:00

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Michael
Cpl. Lloyd Oliver 88 years old
from Glendale, Arizona
April 23, 1923 - March 16, 2011

"Am I a hero? I don't know. Yeah. I'll be a hero. I'll go for that. Yeah." Wednesday Hero profiled the Code Talkers way back in 2005. But this week it is honoring Cpl. Lloyd Oliver. Cpl. Oliver was one of the original 29 Navajo Code Talkers. He joined the Marines in 1942 at the age of 19 because he wanted to serve his country. Which he did, proudly, for three years. In 2001 he received the Congressional Gold Medal for being one of the original 29 Navajo Code Talkers. He passed away on March 16 of pancreatitis. Cpl. Oliver was only one of two remaining original Navajo Code Talkers. Not only have we lost a great man, a brave man, but a piece of history is another step closer to being gone forever. We must keep them, and their place in it, alive for future generations. You can read more about Cpl. Lloyd Oliver here and here.
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Spending a Week in Florida

2011-03-28T22:10:00.001-06:00

We are back in Florida this week while the kids are on spring break. It is nice to be back home for a little while. We had been looking forward to a little break.

Derek's schedule has been hectic (Dave is helping coach the baseball team this season) and he just got picked up for First Sergeant's Academy. Life is getting ready to be a little more hectic.

So, we are enjoying this little break while we can. More upates soon...

Wednesday Hero: 3/23/2011

2011-03-23T19:08:00.000-06:00

Wednesday Hero:This Weeks Post Was Inspired By Sgt. Epler
Sgt. Ed Eaton From Tillamook, Oregon

While many view snipers as the hidden (safe) threats in war based on their forays in First Person Shooter video games and movies like Saving Private Ryan and Enemy at The Gates, the fact of the matter is that snipers like any other soldiers in war are very successible to danger – especially in the case of Sergeant Ed Eaton’s brave protection and rescue of comrade in arms Major Mike Perkins when he had fallen injured in a night assault during the Vietnam war 1969 You can read more about Sgt. Eaton here. A quick caveat though. In doing research for this post this is the best site I could find for information on Sgt. Eaton. It's not a site that I would normally link to for Wednesday Hero, but, like I said, it has the best information. There's nothing really bad on it, but it may have some posts that some may not like.
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.

Wednesday Hero: 3/9/2011

2011-03-09T05:20:00.000-07:00

Senior Airman Nicholas J. Alden and
Airman 1st Class Zachary R. Cuddeback
March 2, 2011

On March 2, a gunman walked into a Frankfurt, Germany airport and shot four people, killing two of them. They were:

Senior Airman Nicholas J. Alden who was 25-years-old from Williamston, S.C. He was assigned to the 48th Security Forces Squadron at RAF Lakenheath in England.

Airman 1st Class Zachary R. Cuddeback of Stanardsville, Va. He was assigned to the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Both Men were being deployed to Afghanistan. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say our thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and families these Men left behind.
Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com

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.

Wednesday Hero: 3/2/2011

2011-03-02T06:49:00.000-07:00

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Michael
Lt. Cmd. Edward Henry "Butch" O'Hare
From St. Louis, Missouri
Fighting Squadron Three (VF-3)
March 13, 1914 – November 26, 1943

From Butch O'Hare's Medal Of Honor citation: The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Lieutenant Edward Henry "Butch" O'Hare (NSN: 0-78672), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in aerial combat, at grave risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, as section leader and pilot of Fighting Squadron Three (VF-3), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON, on 20 February 1942. Having lost the assistance of his teammates, Lieutenant O'Hare interposed his plane between his ship and an advancing enemy formation of nine attacking twin-engine heavy bombers. Without hesitation, alone and unaided, he repeatedly attacked this enemy formation, at close range in the face of intense combined machinegun and cannon fire. Despite this concentrated opposition, Lieutenant O'Hare, by his gallant and courageous action, his extremely skillful marksmanship in making the most of every shot of his limited amount of ammunition, shot down five enemy bombers and severely damaged a sixth before they reached the bomb release point. As a result of his gallant action--one of the most daring, if not the most daring, single action in the history of combat aviation--he undoubtedly saved his carrier from serious damage. The U.S. Navy's first Flying Ace. Awarded the Medal Of Honor, Navy Cross, 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses & the Purple Heart. An airport and a Navy destroyer named after him. And a connection to Al Capone. You can read much more about Lt. Cmd. O'Hare here.
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero: 2/23/2011

2011-02-23T06:43:00.002-07:00

Cmd. David John Sperling
78 years old from Pensacola, Florida
Attach Squadron 153
April 3, 1929 - March 17, 2008

From the citation upon being awarded the Silver Star: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander David John Sperling (NSN: 0-555189), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as the Pilot of a jet aircraft while attached to Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE (VA-153), embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43). On 25 October 1967, Commander Sperling flew as a major group leader in a coordinated Air Wing assault on the Phuc Yen Air Base near Hanoi, North Vietnam. Being the prime operating base for MiG fighter aircraft, Phuc Yen was defended by the most concentrated and formidable array of surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft artillery and automatic weapons to be found in all of North Vietnam. Courageously leading his group of attack aircraft over 120 miles of hostile territory into this bastion of defensive armor, Commander Sperling exhibited outstanding airmanship and unwavering determination while maneuvering for the highly vulnerable attack position. In spite of the unprecedented barrage of surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft fire, he calmly established the essential bombing pattern and delivered his ordnance with exceptional accuracy on the revetted enemy airplanes to destroy or damage several parked MiG aircraft. His resolute actions and professional skill set the tone for the remainder of his force and succeeded in turning a potentially disastrous situation into a highly successful assault on the enemy. Commander Sperling's gallant and inspirational leadership upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Cmd. Sperling's obituary.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.

Wednesday Hero: 2/2/11

2011-02-02T06:54:00.002-07:00

Gunnery Sgt. Richard Romo

Gunnery Sgt. Richard Romo, team chief with Civil Affairs attached to 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 2, speaks to several Afghans during a patrol through the bazaar in Musa Qal'eh, Jan. 25. During the patrol the Marines inspected the location of an up-coming traffic circle in the bazaar.Photo Courtesy United States Marine Corps. 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.

HGTV Dream Home

2011-01-26T19:03:00.002-07:00

OK. Is anyone out there as obsessed with this as I am?

I have been entering the HGTV Dream Home Sweepstakes for about as long as they have been doing it. No lie. I sent in 100 postcards for the first drawing they did back in 1997 (yes kiddies - that was before we could enter these things en masse by using that brilliant online form). The 1997 prize was this gorgeous Log Cabin in Jackson Hole, WY.

You want to hear something embarassing? I entered it because that's where Harrison Ford lives. And yes, I was entertaining delusions of meeting him and having him fall madly in love with me and living happily ever after in that HGTV log cabin.

Ann if you're out there - I know you remember fueling that madness the way that good friends do. I think you may have even addressed some of the envelopes. And for that, I will love you always. :)

I don't know why I still enter that dang thing. But still I try -(Side note: I did not win that log cabin in 1997) definitely not for the same reasons. I am much happier with Dave than I am sure I would have ever been with Mr. Ford. (No offense Harry.)

Every January 1st I look at that form with giddy anticipation. I set an Outlook reminder to enter every day (though now days I am lucky to enter a couple times a week), and then I drool over the house on TV and on the website. Then, I watch as someone else gets awarded the fruit of my labor. LOL

Oh well, such is life. It's all in good fun. And it's free. Let's see... What shall I do with a house in Vermont...

Wednesday Hero: 1/26/2011

2011-01-26T06:36:00.000-07:00

Cpl. Jason A. Karella
20 years old from Anchorage, Alaska
2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment,
1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force
October 9, 2008

Cpl. Jason A. Karella died supporting combat operations in the Farah province of Afghanistan when the Humvee he was riding in rolled over. He had given up his, as his Father described "best seat in the armored Humvee" to the turret gunner who wasn't feeling well that day. "My son was proud of what he stood for," said his father, Kevin. "He had a fiancee named Beth and he said to me, 'Dad, I don't have to worry about Beth getting blown up in a market over there because we're keeping them busy here.'" Karella grew up in a strong military family, with his father a former chief warrant officer in the Army, and his brother Josh also having served in Iraq. Marines recognized Karella for his incredible strength, which he used to carry large amounts of ammunition with him in the battlefield. They referred to him as "the walking ammo supply point" and "the walking arsenal." Well-respected among his peers, he was awaiting a promotion to Sergeant at the time of his death. This page has a nice background piece on Cpl. Karell.
Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com
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.

Can't Sleep... Super Bowl Rambling

2011-01-25T22:01:00.000-07:00

Since I can't sleep, I thought I would write a little in here...

Dave is out of town, and I can never sleep well when he isn't here. He'll be gone for two weeks. No he's not TDY. He is in Dallas. For the Super Bowl.

And he is getting paid to be there!

That guy is soooo lucky when it comes to stuff like that! LOL He is working is butt off though. I love talking to him every day and hearing about his day. This is only the pre-event week, so I can't wait to hear about all his experiences during the hectic week of, and on game day. He doesn't get a seat at the game, but he gets to be in the stadium to watch the game. How cool is that?

The tickets to this game are ridiculous! I can't believe they are going for $2000 each! The hotels (if you are lucky enough to find one) are gouging people's pockets. I read somewhere that to tailgate and watch the game OUTSIDE the stadium costs $200. Wah?? I think it would be an awesome experience, but I couldn't pay that kind of money to do it. I'll just live vicariously through Dave I guess. I am stoked that he gets to do it though. It's a Bucket List item for him (though he'd rather it be the Giants playing).

I am even more stoked that he doesn't have to pay money to do it!

Triple stoked that they are paying him! LOL

Today was a slow day (for both him and I). It felt like it just dragged on and on... Hopefully tomorrow won't be so bad.

I better get to bed and TRY to sleep or I will be hating life in tha AM...

Monday Hero...

2011-01-24T14:04:00.000-07:00

If you read this blog, you know that most of my recent posts are Wednesday Hero posts. I don't get a whole lot of time to write any more, but I do want to post those without fail. Today is a little bit different.

I wanted to post a Monday Hero post about our dear friend, MSgt Brent Chadick. Brent is my one of my husband's best friends. His wife is one of my best friends. He left yesterday on an 8 month deployment. I don't want to post too much about his upcoming whereabouts, but do want to ask a very important favor.

For those of you that are the praying sort, please pray for his safety. Pray that his beautiful family will be OK and get the support they need in his time of absence. The kids and I are praying every day for them. His wife Lisa is a trooper and a tough cookie, but I know how she is feeling. Every day is going to be something different. We'll be there for her and the kids. But prayers and support in abundance are always a good thing.

I am proud of the job he is doing and of his and his family's sacrifices. They are true heroes.

Wednesday Hero: 1/19/2011

2011-01-19T06:57:00.000-07:00

This Weeks Post Was Suggested & Written By Beth
Maj. Dick Winters
92 years old from Hershey, Pennsylvania
Company E, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
January 21, 1918 – January 2, 2011

Maj. Richard "Dick" Winters passed away a couple of weeks ago and Beth has written a wonderful piece honoring his service and his life. Some of the awards Maj. Winters was honored with for his service: Distinguished Service Cross, Bronze Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation with one Oak Leaf Cluster, American Defense Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 service stars and arrow device, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, Croix de guerre with palm, French Liberation Medal, Oorlogskruis with palm, Belgian WWII Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge with 2 combat stars and the Medal of the City of Eindhoven
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.

Wednesday Hero: 1/12/11

2011-01-12T06:45:00.000-07:00

Seaman Leah King

Ship's Serviceman Seaman Leah King brushes off excess hair after cutting a Sailor's hair inside the barbershop aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are on a deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.
Information And Photo Were Found On And Copied From Navy.mil Photo courtesy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Travis K. Mendoza

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.

Wednesday Hero: 1/5/2011

2011-01-05T06:21:00.000-07:00

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Kathi
Jordan Brown An 11-year-old from Lebanon County in Pennsylvania, Jordan Brown has long been fascinated by World War II and one old soldier in particular -- Dick Winters, the Easy Company commander made famous by the HBO mini-series "Band of Brothers." Mr. Winters, a Lancaster native who lives in Hershey, is 92 and has Parkinson's disease. But a statue of him is going up in France, and Jordan has taken it upon himself to raise money for it by selling $1 rubber wristbands in the tradition of Lance Armstrong's yellow "Live Strong" bracelets. You can read the rest of the 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. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero: 12/16/10

2010-12-16T19:39:00.002-07:00

SSgt. Brent Schneider From Amarillo, Texas
2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment

A Green Country military mom is especially proud of her soldier son.
He's on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan, and now he's been honored
for his bravery under fire with a Silver Star. It's not his first medal.
For a mother with a son in a war zone, Lisa Wheat is pretty cool, calm and
collected. "I'm comfortable because I know the training he's had.
He's had excellent training. And I just have all of the confidence
in the world in him," Lisa Wheat said. You can read the rest
of the article here and the Stars & Stripes piece here.
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that
others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that,
I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died,
We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more
information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post
it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero: 12/8/10

2010-12-08T06:06:00.003-07:00

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Cindy

By now I'm sure you've all heard about 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines "Darkhorse" and the heavy casualties they've taken since being deployed to Afghanistan in September. Almost 20 causalities in October and November. Below is a list of the 3/5 Darkhorse Marines that I was able to find.

If I've missed anyone please let me know. I'm not able to profile them all individually, but you can go here to find more information on these men.

Marine Sgt. Ian M. Tawney
Marine Lance Cpl. James D. Boelk
Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph C. Lopez
Marine Lance Cpl. Alec E. Catherwood
Marine Lance Cpl. Irvin M. Ceniceros
Marine Pfc. Victor A. Dew
Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph E. Rodewald
Marine Lance Cpl. Phillip D. Vinnedge
Marine Cpl. Justin J. Cain
Marine Lance Cpl. John T. Sparks
Marine 1st Lt. William J. Donnelly IV
Marine Lance Cpl. James B. Stack
Marine 2nd Lt. Robert M. Kelly
Marine Lance Cpl. Randy R. Braggs
Marine Lance Cpl. Brandon W. Pearson
Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew J. Broehm
Marine Sgt. Matthew T. AbbateMarine Cpl. Derek A. Wyatt
Marine Pvt. Colton W. Rusk

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.

Wednesday Hero: 12/1/2010

2010-12-01T05:50:00.002-07:00

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Steve
Cpl. Ira H. Hayes
3rd Parachute Battalion,
2nd Battalion, 28th Marines,
1st Headquarters Battalion, HQMC
January 12, 1923 – January 24, 1955

Ira Hamilton Hayes, participant in the famous flag raising on Iwo Jima, was a Pima Indian, born at Sacaton, Arizona, on 12 January 1923. In 1932, the family moved a few miles southward to Bapchule. Both Sacaton and Bapchule are located within the boundaries of the Gila River Indian Reservation in south central Arizona. Hayes left high school after completing two years of study. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps in May and June of 1942, and then went to work as a carpenter. You can read more about Cpl. Hayes here.
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may
enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died,
We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll.
For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would
like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero: 11/17/10

2010-11-17T05:12:00.001-07:00

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Cindy
SSgt. Salvatore Giunta 25 years old from Ceder Rapid, Iowa
173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team

Yesterday, SSgt. Salvatore Giunta became the first living recipient of the Medal Of Honor since the Vietnam War. From the official citation: Then-Specialist Salvatore A. Giunta distinguished himself by acts of gallantry at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a rifle team leader with Company B, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment during combat operations against an armed enemy in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan on October 25, 2007. When an insurgent force ambush split Specialist Giunta’s squad into two groups, he exposed himself to enemy fire to pull a comrade back to cover. Later, while engaging the enemy and attempting to link up with the rest of his squad, Specialist Giunta noticed two insurgents carrying away a fellow soldier. He immediately engaged the enemy, killing one and wounding the other, and provided medical aid to his wounded comrade while the rest of his squad caught up and provided security. His courage and leadership while under extreme enemy fire were integral to his platoon’s ability to defeat an enemy ambush and recover a fellow American paratrooper from enemy hands.” 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.

Wednesday Hero: 11/10/10

2010-11-10T06:53:00.000-07:00

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Kathi

Capt. George Vujnovich 95 years old
from Queens, New York

66 years after he was instrumental in the rescue of almost 500 bomber pilots who had been shot down over Nazi-occupied Yugoslavia, Capt. George Vujnovich was finally awarded the Bronze Star in October. You can read the rest of Capt. George Vujnovich'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. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero: 10/27/10

2010-10-27T02:36:00.000-06:00

GySgt. Carlos Hathcock
May 20, 1942 – February 23, 1999

Carlos Hathcock was a United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant sniper with a service record of 93 confirmed kills. Hathcock's record and the extraordinary details of the missions he undertook made him a legend in the Marine Corps. His fame as a sniper and his dedication to long distance shooting led him to become a major developer of the United States Marine Corps Sniper training program. He was honored by having a rifle named after him: a variant of the M21 dubbed the Springfield Armory M25 White Feather.
You Can Read More About GySgt. Hathcock Here
You can watch an interview with Gunny Hathcock Here Here and Here
I have to say that it's kind of sad that the best source of info I could find on Gunny Hathcock was on Wikipedia. There should be a lot more sites honoring this man.

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.

Wedneay Hero: 9/22/2010

2010-09-22T16:53:00.000-06:00

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Mike Golch
Lt. Ronald Markiewicz

The year is 1971. A Lieutenant in the United States Army by the name of Ronald Markiewicz is serving near the Laotian border. He is a helicopter pilot. In March of that year he is sent out to fly two missions. The first one was to resupply a group of Vietnamese Marines and pick up wounded service members. The second mission was to allow troops to recover the crew of a downed helicopter. One both occasions he faces anti-aircraft fire and is wounded each time. Fast forward to 2010 and Lt. Ronald Markiewicz finally received the Silver Star and a Distinguished Flying Cross. The awards he earned 39 years ago. All Information Was Found On And Copied From ArmyTimes.com 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.

Wednesday Hero: 9/8/10

2010-09-08T17:21:00.000-06:00

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Mike
Pvt. Barney F. Hajiro
93 years old from Waipahu, Hawaii
442nd Regimental Combat Team

On September 16 Mr. Hajiro will turn 94 years old. His family immigrated from Japan during WWI and he had to drop out of school and work to help support his family. After Pearl Harbor was attacked he was drafted in the United States Army. In March 1943, he volunteered to join the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, composed of Nisei (second-generation Japanese Americans) like himself. He was shipped to Europe in 1944 first to Italy then to France where, over ten days in October, Pvt. Hajiro repeatedly distinguished himself in battle by exposing himself to enemy fire while assisting an allied attack. On October 29, 1944 Pvt. Hajiro single-handedly destroyed two German machine gun emplacements before being shot in the shoulder and wrist partially paralyzing his left arm. For his actions he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. In 1948 he was awarded the Military Medal by the British government, in 2000 was was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Bill Clinton and in 2004 he was awarded the Légion d'honneur by France.

Barney F. Hajiro is the oldest living Medal Of Honor recipient.
From his Medal Of Honor Citation: For The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Barney F. Hajiro, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 36th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 19, 22, and 29 October 1944, in the vicinity of Bruyeres and Biffontaine, eastern France. Private Hajiro, while acting as a sentry on top of an embankment on 19 October 1944, in the vicinity of Bruyeres, France, rendered assistance to allied troops attacking a house 200 yards away by exposing himself to enemy fire and directing fire at an enemy strong point. He assisted the unit on his right by firing his automatic rifle and killing or wounding two enemy snipers. On 22 October 1944, he and one comrade took up an outpost security position about 50 yards to the right front of their platoon, concealed themselves, and ambushed an 18-man, heavily armed, enemy patrol, killing two, wounding one, and taking the remainder as prisoners. On 29 October 1944, in a wooded area in the vicinity of Biffontaine, France, Private Hajiro initiated an attack up the slope of a hill referred to as "Suicide Hill" by running forward approximately 100 yards under fire. He then advanced ahead of his comrades about ten yards, drawing fire and spotting camouflaged machine gun nests. He fearlessly met fire with fire and single-handedly destroyed two machine gun nests and killed two enemy snipers. As a result of Private Hajiro's heroic actions, the attack was successful. Private Hajiro's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon him, his unit, and the United States Army.
All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com 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.

Wednesday Hero: 9/1/10

2010-09-01T07:54:00.000-06:00

Thank you Kathi. For the fourth year now you've been kind enough to put together this look back at the past year of posts for us. xoxoxox

Wednesday Hero - 2009/2010
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.

Wednesday Hero: 8/18/10

2010-08-18T18:17:00.000-06:00

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Mike Golch

Sgt. David "Mad Dog" Dolby
May 14, 1946 – August 6, 2010

Mike has posted a piece on his blog about the Medal Of Honor awarded Sgt. Dolby:On Friday David C. Dolby passed away.He was a Medal Of Honor winner.Let's keeep him and his family in our prayers.

David Charles Dolby (May 14, 1946 – August 6, 2010) was a United States Army soldier who received the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Vietnam War.

Dolby was born on May 14, 1946, in Norristown, Pennsylvania.[1] His father, Charles L. Dolby, was a personnel manager for B.F. Goodrich Company in Oaks, Pennsylvania. He had a younger brother, Daniel.[2]

Dolby joined the Army from Philadelphia and by May 21, 1966, was serving in the Republic of Vietnam as a specialist four with Company B, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). On that day, his platoon came under heavy fire which killed six soldiers and wounded a number of others, including the platoon leader. Throughout the ensuing four-hour battle, Dolby led his platoon in its defense, organized the extraction of the wounded, and directed artillery fire despite close-range attacks from enemy snipers and automatic weapons. He single-handedly attacked the hostile positions and silenced three machine guns, allowing a friendly force to execute a flank attack.[1]

Dolby was subsequently promoted to sergeant and awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle.[1] The medal was formally presented to him by President Lyndon B. Johnson on September 28, 1967.[3]

In addition to the 1965–66 tour in which he earned the Medal of Honor, Dolby was deployed four more times to Vietnam. In 1967 he served there with the 101st Airborne Division, in 1969 with the 75th Ranger Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, in 1970 as an advisor to the Vietnamese Rangers, and in 1971 as an advisor to the Royal Cambodian Army.[4]

Dolby married but had no children. After his wife Xuan's death around 1987, he lived quietly in southeastern Pennsylvania. Over the last 20 years, Dolby attended many veterans events around the U.S. and once opened the New York Stock Exchange on Veterans Day. He most recently worked to bring attention to the neglected Medal of Honor Grove at the Freedoms Foundation in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Dolby died at age 64 on the morning of August 6, 2010, while visiting Spirit Lake, Idaho, for a veterans' gathering. The cause of death has not been announced, and funeral arrangements at Arlington National Cemetery are pending.[5]

Medal Of Honor Citation

Dolby's official citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty, when his platoon, while advancing tactically, suddenly came under intense fire from the enemy located on a ridge immediately to the front. Six members of the platoon were killed instantly and a number were wounded, including the platoon leader. Sgt. Dolby's every move brought fire from the enemy. However, aware that the platoon leader was critically wounded, and that the platoon was in a precarious situation, Sgt. Dolby moved the wounded men to safety and deployed the remainder of the platoon to engage the enemy. Subsequently, his dying platoon leader ordered Sgt. Dolby to withdraw the forward elements to rejoin the platoon. Despite the continuing intense enemy fire and with utter disregard for his own safety, Sgt. Dolby positioned able-bodied men to cover the withdrawal of the forward elements, assisted the wounded to the new position, and he, alone, attacked enemy positions until his ammunition was expended. Replenishing his ammunition, he returned to the area of most intense action, single-handedly killed 3 enemy machine gunners and neutralized the enemy fire, thus enabling friendly elements on the flank to advance on the enemy redoubt. He defied the enemy fire to personally carry a seriously wounded soldier to safety where he could be treated and, returning to the forward area, he crawled through withering fire to within 50 meters of the enemy bunkers and threw smoke grenades to mark them for air strikes. Although repeatedly under fire at close range from enemy snipers and automatic weapons, Sgt. Dolby directed artillery fire on the enemy and succeeded in silencing several enemy weapons. He remained in his exposed location until his comrades had displaced to more secure positions. His actions of unsurpassed valor during 4 hours of intense combat were a source of inspiration to his entire company, contributed significantly to the success of the overall assault on the enemy position, and were directly responsible for saving the lives of a number of his fellow soldiers. Sgt. Dolby's heroism was in the highest tradition of the U.S. Army.[1]
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.

Wednesday Hero: 8/4/10

2010-08-04T09:40:00.000-06:00

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Aaron
Lt. Dan Cnossen

Standing on his own legs, Lt. Dan Cnossen used to be about 5 feet, 9 inches tall. Now on his two mechanical legs, he is roughly the same height. Somehow, though, he seems to stand taller. That isn't what the Topeka man would say. But while this is his story, it is often his mother's telling, and she can't believe how far he has come. His latest feat came late last month when he walked a six-mile race on his prosthetic legs. You can read the rest of Lt. Cnossen'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. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero: 7/14/10

2010-07-14T06:45:00.001-06:00

his Weeks Post Was Suggested By Cindy Wednesday Hero does not support this, or any other, candidate running for political office. It is only honoring his service.

Cpt. Steven Edward Pearce(Ret.)

What is a hero? U.S. Army Captain John Williams was quoted recently in the June 2010 Special Edition of The Stars and Stripes article called "In Search Of Heroes" described it this way: "If it goes down and if you're in (a bad situation), these guys are not going to stop trying to help you out, even if it means getting killed." Steven Edward Pearce is a hero. While serving in Vietnam with the U.S. Air Force Steve Pearce received three personal military decorations for heroism. The Distinguished Flying Cross and two Air Medal's. In addition to those he also received 2 Air Force Expeditionary Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Philippines Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm Device, Air Force Combat Readiness Medal, Air Force Expeditionary Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Longevity Service Award and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon. You can read more about Steve Pearce here. These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero. We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero: 5/26/10

2010-05-26T06:15:00.001-06:00

Capt. Kyle Comfort 27 years old
from Jacksonville, Alabama
Fire Support Officer Company D, 3rd Battalion,
75th Ranger Regiment
May 8, 2010

Kyle Comfort had just recently been promoted to Captain and been assigned to a Ranger Regiment in the Army. His accomplishments as a Soldier, in such a short time, were a testament to the fact that he was an excellent Soldier. Unfortunately, in this war, it doesn’t make a lot of difference how good you are at your job. The difference seems to be left to chance. Where you are sitting in your vehicle or which vehicle you are sitting in when you hit an IED or where you are standing on your FOB when the mortars come in. All chance and circumstance. It has to be that way. The enemy that is fighting us now could never win a legitimate war with our Soldiers. So they fight as insurgents and use tactics that they know make our Soldiers vulnerable. That is how they got CAPT Kyle Comfort. With an IED just a month into his tour of duty in Afghanistan. If they had fought him face-to-face, they never would have gotten him.You Can Read The Rest Here

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero. We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

The Shoe On the Other Foot?

2010-05-17T21:26:00.000-06:00

You are never going to guess where I am. Right this minute. I am in a hotel room far away from my family. Why? I am TDY.

Yes. The military wife has gone TDY.

It is a strange feeling since I am the one that always stays back home. I got a new job about two months ago and I have been go go go ever since. Although I love the job, I really don't like being away from the kids and my hubby... I have a new appreciation of what he feels like when he is TDY.

He has a new appreciation for what I went through at home as well.

The first TDY was about a week long. I left Monday morning and came back Friday afternoon. We talked on the phone constantly and he had everything under control. It was a funny thing he said to me one night on the phone:

"You did this for 4 MONTHS?"

I addmitedly thought the same of his TDY experience. I can't imagine being away from our children for 4 months. They at least keep life interesting and busy. Those days sometimes feel like they fly by...

Turns out that both sides of a TDY are not as easy as they seem to the other person. Though we have only a few years left until his military retirement, I will remember these experiences and take them to heart during his next TDY. He always appreciates my keeping up the homefront, but now it is also nice to know that he knows exactly what that entails...

Wednesday Hero: 5/12/10

2010-05-12T06:38:00.000-06:00

Sgt. Kristopher J. Battles

Sgt. Kristopher J. Battles, the combat artist with the National Museum of the Marine Corps, stands in front of his paintings, May 5, 2010, at the John F. Kennedy School of Government for Harvard University. Battles showed several paintings, sketches and portraits for residents and tourists to see the artwork of a combat artist, in Cambridge, Mass., to help tell the Marine Corps story during Marine Week.Photo Courtesy United States Marine Corps. 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.

Wednesday Hero: 4/5/2010

2010-05-05T20:39:00.002-06:00

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Keith Dewayne Andrews, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action during the ground assault of Operation DESERT STORM. Sergeant Andrews showed extraordinary courage once he observed that air support had by-passed two Iraqi machine gun positions, leaving a Humvee with five soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division pinned down by enemy cross fire. Sergeant Andrews negotiated a minefield while fighting his way to the top of the enemy bunker, destroying it with a fragmentation hand grenade. Being out of ammo, Sergeant Andrews resourcefully obtained the enemy machine gun using it to fight his way up the second Iraqi fighting position. Over all, Sergeant Andrews single-handedly killed some twenty-five enemy combatants to secure two enemy bunkers. This allowed for the quick evacuation of the five wounded soldiers thus saving their lives. These brave and selfless actions of Sergeant Andrews bring great credit to himself, his unit and the 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.

Wednesday Hero: 4/14/2010

2010-04-14T06:21:00.000-06:00

Sgt. Maj. James E. Booker Second Battalion, Fourth Marine Regiment, FIRST Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Major James E. Booker, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Sergeant Major, Second Battalion, Fourth Marine Regiment, FIRST Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, U. S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from February to September 2004. Sergeant Major Booker courageously exposed himself to enemy fire while leading Marines and eliminating enemy forces in several battalion engagements. On 31 March 2004 the forward command element came under intense machine gun and rocket-propelled grenade fire. With utter disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Major Booker dismounted the vehicle, engaged the enemy and forced their withdrawal. He pursued his attackers down several darkened city streets and mortally wounded a rocket-propelled grenade gunner who was engaging the Command Group. Sergeant Major Booker subsequently led a search that resulted in the arrest and capture of an eight-man cell and several weapons. On 10 April 2004, the forward command element came under fire from insurgents during cordon and search operations. He calmly led a team of Marines in a counterattack, personally clearing several buildings, eliminating one insurgent fighter, and facilitating the evacuation of a severely wounded Marine. Sergeant Major Booker's efforts enabled the forward command element to regain freedom of maneuver and inspired Marines to fearlessly engage the enemy. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and loyal dedication to duty, Sergeant Major Booker reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.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.

Wednesday Hero: 4/7/10

2010-04-07T20:21:00.002-06:00

Airman Sasha Sales and Sgt. Richard Montes

Aviation Support Equipment Technician Airman Sasha Sales, from Gulf Shore, Ala., looks away as Sgt. Richard Montes, from San Antonio, Texas, draws blood samples during a blood drive at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.Photo Courtesy United States Navy taken by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nardelito Gervacio 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.

Wednesday Hero: 4/27/10

2010-04-02T08:35:00.000-06:00

This Post Was Suggested By Mark Bell

Capt. Ed W. Freeman November 20, 1927 - August 20, 2008 For The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Captain Ed W. Freeman, United States Army, for numerous acts of conspicuous gallantry and extraordinary intrepidity on 14 November 1965 while serving with Company A, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), action against enemy aggressor forces at LZ X-Ray, Ia Drang Valley, Republic of Vietnam, on 14 November 1965 As a flight leader and second in command of a 16-helicopter lift unit, he supported a heavily engaged American infantry battalion at Landing Zone X-Ray in the Ia Drang Valley, Republic of Vietnam. The infantry unit was almost out of ammunition after taking some of the heaviest casualties of the war, fighting off a relentless attack from a highly motivated, heavily armed enemy force. When the infantry commander closed the helicopter landing zone due to intense direct enemy fire, Captain Freeman risked his own life by flying his unarmed helicopter through a gauntlet of enemy fire time after time, delivering critically needed ammunition, water, and medical supplies to the besieged battalion. His flights had a direct impact on the battle's outcome by providing the engaged units with timely supplies of ammunition critical to their survival, without which they would almost surely have experienced a much greater loss of life. After medical evacuation helicopters refused to fly into the area due to intense enemy fire, Captain Freeman flew 14 separate rescue missions, providing life-saving evacuation of an estimated 30 seriously wounded soldiers -- some of whom would not have survived had he not acted. All flights were made into a small emergency landing zone within 100 to 200 meters of the defensive perimeter where heavily committed units were perilously holding off the attacking elements. Captain Freeman's selfless acts of great valor, extraordinary perseverance, and intrepidity were far above and beyond the call of duty or mission and set a superb example of leadership and courage for all of his peers. Captain Freeman's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. In 2002, Capt. Ed "Too Tall" Freeman was portrayed by actor Mark McCraken in the movie "We Were Soldiers". Capt. Freeman passed away in 2008 due to complications of Parkinson's. Here is a great article on Capt. Freeman and his award ceremony.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.

Wednesday Hero: 3/31/10

2010-03-31T06:20:00.001-06:00

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Toni
LTC Tim Karcher

Lieutenant Colonel Tim Karcher was shot in the shoulder in Iraq back in 2006. After just 5 months of healing at home that included 7 surgeries, he chose to go back to war. "My unit was over there, they were taking casualties. It felt terrible to be here, it felt wrong," he said. Reunited with his troops, Karcher was in Baghdad last summer for the historic transfer of power from the U.S. to the Iraqis. But 10 days after that historic day, Karcher's vehicle was bombed and he lost both of his legs in the explosion. "I'm very proud of him, he's fought for his life, he fought the whole summer to stay alive and he's taking it and running with it, he's so positive," said Alesia Karcher, Tim's wife. Karcher says the tragedy of losing his legs made him realize what he still had including a wife and three children who need him. "I could sit around and have a pity party everyday, but it's not going to grow my legs back," he said. "Life kicks you in the teeth every now and again, you get to decide how you react to it." You can read more about LTC Karcher here and here.
All Information Was Found On And Copied From Here These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero. We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero: 3/17/10

2010-03-17T06:05:00.002-06:00

Cpl. Charles Aldieri(Ret.) & 1st Lt. Jack Jewell(Ret.)

Lt. Col. David Hurley, commander of Schweinfurt, Germany's 15th Engineer Battalion, presents unit coins to two 9th Infantry Division World War II veterans -- Charles Aldieri, a former corporal with the 746th Tank Battalion (shaking hands) and Jack Jewell, a former first lieutenant with Company B, 39th Infantry -- during a March 8 ceremony honoring the division's efforts in capturing the famed Remagen Bridge in the closing days of World War II. The commemoration took place in the Remagen Bridge and Peace Museum now housed in the remains of the span, which collapsed 10 days after its capture on March 7, 1945.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.

New Experiences Ahead

2010-03-16T12:29:00.000-06:00

Welp. I have gone and done it.

I applied for a job. My previous boss from 8 years ago called with a heads up on a position that was opening up with the company here at our current location. It involves a little travel and training new employees (both of which are a little out of my comfort zone). But I ended up applying.

I got the job.

So - for the first time in 8 years I am actually heading back out into the work force. The pay is pretty good, and I am really looking forward to starting. I am still a little apprehensive since it has been so long. I start on Monday. I will let you all know how it goes! Yikes!

Wednesday Hero: 3/10/10

2010-03-10T06:00:00.002-07:00

Cpl. Jason L. Dunham 22 years old from Scio, New York Rifle Squad Leader, 4th Platoon, Company K, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines (Reinforced), Regimental Combat Team 7, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced) April 22, 2004

For The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Corporal Jason L. Dunham, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Rifle Squad Leader, 4th Platoon, Company K, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines (Reinforced), Regimental Combat Team 7, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), on 14 April 2004. Corporal Dunham's squad was conducting a reconnaissance mission in the town of Karabilah, Iraq, when they heard rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire erupt approximately two kilometers to the west. Corporal Dunham led his Combined Anti-Armor Team towards the engagement to provide fire support to their Battalion Commander's convoy, which had been ambushed as it was traveling to Camp Husaybah. As Corporal Dunham and his Marines advanced, they quickly began to receive enemy fire. Corporal Dunham ordered his squad to dismount their vehicles and led one of his fire teams on foot several blocks south of the ambushed convoy. Discovering seven Iraqi vehicles in a column attempting to depart, Corporal Dunham and his team stopped the vehicles to search them for weapons. As they approached the vehicles, an insurgent leaped out and attacked Corporal Dunham. Corporal Dunham wrestled the insurgent to the ground and in the ensuing struggle saw the insurgent release a grenade. Corporal Dunham immediately alerted his fellow Marines to the threat. Aware of the imminent danger and without hesitation, Corporal Dunham covered the grenade with his helmet and body, bearing the brunt of the explosion and shielding his Marines from the blast. In an ultimate and selfless act of bravery in which he was mortally wounded, he saved the lives of at least two fellow Marines. By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Corporal Dunham gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com 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.

Wednesday Hero: 3/3/10

2010-03-03T06:55:00.000-07:00

Sgt. Charlie McGowen
August 22, 1921 - December 5, 2009
1940-1945

In 1942 he was drafted into the Army Air Corps. He was sent to England. His trip there took him through Warrior, Alabama, Ft. McClellan, Ft. McPherson, Gulf Port, Mississippi, Chanute, Salt Lake City, El Paso, Alamorgoro, and New York City. Then he took the Queen Mary to the Fifth of Clyde in Scotland. Upon arriving he was sent to the Wending base in England. In his military service he was part of the World War II: 32 Bomb Group 578 and 579 Bomb Squadron Second Air Division, 8th Air Force, ETON 117 Wending, Norfolk, England. While stationed in Wending, he went to Piccadilly Circus in London. While he was there he visited the American Red Cross Center with friends. The center was Rainbow Corner. While there he was introduced to a lovely English lady named Margaret (Peggy) Johnston. It was love at first sight. They were married on January 13, 1945. They moved back to Alabama after the war and raised six children. They have ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.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 LivedThis 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.

Wednesday Hero: 2/24/10

2010-02-24T06:37:00.000-07:00

Lance Cpl. Andrew Koenig

It is hard to know whether Monday was a very bad day or a very good day for Lance Cpl. Andrew Koenig.On the one hand, he was shot in the head. On the other, the bullet bounced off him.In one of those rare battlefield miracles, an insurgent sniper hit Lance Cpl. Koenig dead on in the front of his helmet, and he walked away from it with a smile on his face."I don't think I could be any luckier than this," Lance Cpl. Koenig said two hours after the shooting.You can read the rest of Lance Cpl. Koenig'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 LivedThis 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.

Wednesday Hero: 2/17/10

2010-02-17T06:42:00.001-07:00

Wed
Capt. Ferris W. Butler

Capt. Ferris W. Butler, former platoon leader with D Company, 214th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain, 2nd Brigade Combat Team out of Fort Drum, N.Y., talks to the Soldiers at Morale, Welfare and Recreation east Feb. 5 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Butler, a Port Tobacco, Mass., native, participated in Operation Proper Exit, which brings Veterans who were injured in Iraq back to the country to revisit the area and share their stories.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 LivedThis 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.

Snow Day in Louisiana!

2010-02-12T14:45:00.000-07:00

Yep - the weather has been crazy this year! We left Cheyenne, Wyoming in a blizzard last October only to wake up this fine morning in Louisiana to this:

The kids were so excited to have a snow day today, plus a 4 day President's Day Weekend... We've had a fun day at home. Now I hear it is snowing near my hometown in Florida. Crazy weather eh?

Enclosing a Porch, Replacement Windows, House Stuff...

2010-02-12T09:22:00.001-07:00

We have been contemplating closing off the patio and making it a Sunroom or sorts (actually an office)… We love this house, but really miss having an extra room. It is really strange how this house has more square footage, but because of the layout, we lost some office space. We have more living space but the dedicated space for our computers and my scrapbooking stuff is sorely missed.

That being said, we LOVE this house. It is everything we ever wanted in a house: my dream kitchen, his gorgeous wood flooring, a master bath suite, a great back yard…The backyard has a porch that already has a roof and 3 sides - we've been wondering how much it would cost to enclose it and recapture some extra square footage?

I have been perusing websites and trying to get ideas about how to go about enclosing it and then making the outside covering with insulated vinyl siding vs. brick due to cost. Vinyl siding sure has come a LONG way - there are some really attractive options out there now. I saw someone in our neighborhood who had a sunroom installed on their brick house, where the outside wall is white vinyl - it looked really pretty.

There are so many other things I would love to do for this house (especially to make it "greener"). I would love to replace the windows with vinyl replacement windows or some other type of energy efficient replacement windows. I would love to replace the water heater with a tankless water heater system. And when I am feeling really industrious, I dream about finishing out the attic... Dave thinks I am crazy with all the home projects spinning around in my head... He thinks I watch WAY too much HGTV. But hey, a girl with a tool belt can dream!

Wednesday Hero: 2/10/10

2010-02-10T06:00:00.001-07:00

This Week's Post Was Written By Mark In Honor Of His Wife's Grandfather
Marvin Glenn & His Wife, ChristinaMarvin Glenn was born in Oklahoma, joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1939, and married his wife of over 60 years. Marvin enlisted in the Navy in 1944, becoming a member of the Greatest Generation. He chose to serve, despite being exempt due to a heart murmur. He went on to serve on the Escort Carrier USS Copahee. After his discharge Marvin became a brick layer, a job he continued to perform until he was 82 despite only having one eye. Along with being a brick layer, Marvin maintained a garden which he and his wife used to provide for themselves, and those in need. The life Marvin lived, in service to others, inspired his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and anyone who came to know him. Marvin was laid to rest in Henryetta, Oklahoma on January 16, 2010, at the age of 92, with full military honors.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 LivedThis 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.

Congrats to the Saints!

2010-02-08T08:37:00.002-07:00

My family watched the Super Bowl last night just as many American families did. Even though I was secretly hoping for Peyton Manning to do well (I am a huge fan of Peyton even though I am a Giants fan and root for his little bro), I was glad to see the Saints get their first Super Bowl win. Newly transplanted in the Shreveport area, it was really cool to see all the Saints pride during the football season, and to see that pride swell once the Saints made it in to the big game.

The people in this area have been excited to say the least! All the kids at my youngest son's school wore their Saints pride on Friday. A neighbor painted a HUGE fleur de lis onto his yard. There have been flags, banners, and all kinds of decor all over the city. When we were saying good bye to our guests last night, we had to laugh... We opened the front door and heard the neighbors hooting and hollering and shooting off fireworks - awesome!

But one of the BEST things about the evening? This:

We had to rewind this commercial over and over again - we laughed so hard. The kids laughed so hard. Even better? This commercial wasn't made by a high priced, fancy ad agency. It was made by a regular Joe as part of the Crash the Superbowl Contest by Doritos. I had no idea, but all the other Doritos ads that aired during the Superbowl were also the contest winners who won cash for their ads - how fun!

Those of you out there with film making skills should get on it for next year!

We Have a Winner!

2010-02-05T07:33:00.001-07:00

Using high tech methods (my youngest drew a name) we have a winner for our Disney Lithograph giveaway! The winner of the Limited Edition Disney Lithographs is....

Mary Hunt in Massachusetts!

Congrats to Mary - I hope you enjoy these Lithographs - thanks so much for reading! :)

Wednesday Hero: 2/3/10

2010-02-03T14:31:00.002-07:00

Airmen from the Kentucky National Guard's 123rd Contingency Response Group help to offload wounded Haitian refugees and medics from Puerto Rico National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters at the air hub Jan. 25, 2010, in Barahona, Dominican Republic.Photo Courtesy U.S Air Force Taken By Tech. Sgt. Dennis FloraThese 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 LivedThis 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.

Getting Fit and Healthy in 2010

2010-01-29T15:47:00.001-07:00

Here it is, January of the new year almost over and I have slowly been working towards my fitness goals for the new year. At first, I told myself I wasn’t going to make any new year’s resolutions this year, and in a way I haven’t. I really hate calling them that because I don’t have a great track record at keeping them! Getting myself back into shape is always at the top of my goals list no matter what time of year it is.
However this post at Twittermoms really got me thinking (i.e. feeling guilty) about being kinda lax about setting specific goals for myself this year. So, I am going to sit here and hash them out. “On paper”. This way I can hold myself accountable. So…

These are my top 5 goals for getting fit and healthy in 2010:

1. I need to set myself up on a CONSISTENT workout schedule. This is number one. In my crazy day, my workout will ALWAYS be the first thing to get cut from my To-Do list. I have to stop doing this. I need to make time for my workouts instead of just squeezing them in here and there.

2. I also need to be able to track my workouts in a consistent manner so that I can see (and be motivated) by my progress. Consistently. I see a pattern here. I need to be consistent. I know this goal will keep me motivated.

3. Eat out less. We usually eat out once a week. It is almost never a salad that I order. It is usually something like pasta, bread, beer. Yikes. I need to east out less. A lot less. I can't be trusted to order a taco salad at a Mexican restaurant so it's best I not go so much.

4. Focus on strength. I really want to get buff. Not like Lou Ferrigno buff, but I want to be proud to wear a tank top with nice, defined biceps. I did it before, I can do it again.

5. TAKE CONTROL of what I put in my mouth. Take control and be accountable – even if this means I have to carry around a notebook in my purse and keep a food journal. This worked for me before – I just got lazy about it. For a few years. Yikes.

You know what I really want? This:

I REALLY REALLY want to get this Your Shape Wii Game. I think this awesome tool could really help me with goals 1, 2, and 4. I love that it has a video camera that projects you doing the exercises on the TV. It is like having your own personal trainer! Being the techie geek that I am, if it is an electronic way to keep my workouts on track, I know I will use it (and have fun doing so).

Any tools I can use to help me are well worth it - I need all the help I can get! Wish me luck!

Wednesday Hero: 1/27/10

2010-01-27T05:40:00.001-07:00

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Pet

Specialist Brandon K. Steffy23 years old from
Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan

178th Military Police Detachment, 89th Military Police Brigade, III Corps
October 29, 2009

He came into to this world a rather large baby, so big the doctor thought that he’d just walk home with his mother. Brandon was well mannered, polite, and tough with a contagious laugh that lit up those around him. In 2005 he graduated from Brimley High School and in 2006 enlisted in the United States Army, following a tradition of family military service.He served in Iraq as a gunner from May 2007 until July 2008 and was deployed to Afghanistan in June 2009 where he was a canine tracker handler for Forward operating Base Fenty Kennel in the Laghman Province. He and his K-9 dog Maci were inseparable, working on tracking terrorists; Maci specialized in tracking the scents of IED making materials.

Spc. Brandon Steffy was killed when the vehicle he was riding in was attacked. His decorations and awards include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal-Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.Spc. Steffy is survived by his wife, daughter, parents and his sister.Brandon made people laugh and he made them cry. There was not one dry eye at his funeral, from every day townsfolk, to big construction workers to police officers; they all recalled Brandon, this "Gentle Giant." They want everyone to know that if you never knew Brandon, then you really missed out.

All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com & Freedom RememberedThese 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 LivedThis 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.

2010 Disney World Military Discounts - Comment and WIN

2010-01-26T12:57:00.001-07:00

As a military family, our vacations are few and far between. It always seems we are using our vacation time and money to visit our families as they live in other states (which of course still count as vacations, but you know what I mean... LOL) So when we do get to take vacations, it is always SOOO nice to find deals like these. Disney usually has GREAT discounts for military families. Here are there offerings this year:

Disney World Tickets: You can purchase up to (6) 4-Day Passes for $99 per person. With this ticket, you can visit one Disney Theme Park each day. For these special discount tickets, you can purchase them on base or at Guest Services at the front entrance to any of the Disney Theme Parks with your military ID.

Disney World Hotels: You can save even more money with special Disney World Resort discounts on a Military Package that includes room discounts up to 40% off. This discount package is available for vacations through September 30, 2010. These prices are normally less money than staying at Shades of Green.

Disney World Meals: You can then save even more money, by adding one of the Disney Dining Plans. The Basic Dining Plan is always the most popular meal plan including sit down meals that can be used at over 125 restaurants at Disney World including the Character Dining. The Basic Dining Plan is a saving of 30% off of meals at Walt Disney World.

Active and retire military can get 60% discounts on tickets, 30% of meals, and up to 40% off Disney Resort. These are great discounts!

Destinations Florida: As an added bonus, if you book with the Destinations in Florida aegency you will receive free Disney Merchandise and services to make your vacation even more magical. How fun! You can get a jump on your souvenir shopping!

WIN Disney Merchandise!

The folks at Destinations Florida have generously sponsored a giveaway here on this blog. Just leave a comment on this post and one winner will be randomly drawn to win this set of 4 Disney Parks limited edition lithographs featuring special attractions from each Disney Park (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park) and Mickey Mouse ($75 Value).

So leave your comments until Febraury 1, 2010. We'll draw a winner on the 2nd. And if you are a military family and are planning to visit Disney this year - be sure to check out these discounts - and Destinations in Florida.

Love to Read on the Go? Win a Sony Reader at Military Wife's Mayhem

2010-01-21T08:12:00.001-07:00

I love to read. I will read anything. fiction, non-fiction, newspapers, textbooks, instruction manuals... If it has the printed word, I will read it. I love books. I definitely get this love from my Dad (all hail his floor to ceiling computer room library). Normally, my wonderful David is supportive of my interests. This last move however, we were about 1000 lbs over our allotted weight. Books aren't light. So, I have really looked into starting to read more ebooks. A handheld ereader would be AWESOME.

Vanessa at A Military Wife's Mayhem did a great review of the Sony Digital Reader Touch Edition. What a handy little gadget. It holds 350 books in a light little hand held package, with the capacity to store more with the purchase of memory sticks. And even better? She has partnered with Borders to generously give one away to a fellow military wife/active duty military member! So if you are a military wife or active duty military member, click the link below to win yourself one!

Enter To Win a Sony Reader

Thanks Vanessa!

Can The Hectic Life of a Mom Be Simplified - in under 4lbs?

2010-01-20T07:15:00.009-07:00

Yes it can!

I have always loved tools and technology that makes managing my life easier. As a military wife and mother, my career has always had to be flexible, adaptable, and most of all - portable. I need tools that meet these needs. I need small tools that pack a huge productivity punch. The perfect solution? Winning this:

I want an HP Mini 311!

Now how can a simple little laptop help simplify my life you say? Easily. By putting everything I need in one, little, portable, powerful, 3.22lb package. With this wonderful little tool I can:

* Blog anytime anywhere
* Work on my (ever elusive) Masters Degree
* Communicate with my husband when he is deployed
* Keep sane while my kids are hogging the house PC
* Keep my life and business going the next time we PCS
   (ie. the next time the military moves us)
* Surf the internet for fun during my downtime
   (whenever I find any)
* Finish this book while at baseball/football/whatever
   sport my two boys are playing at the time and become
   an awe inspiring fiction writer

Ok. I have lofty goals.

This beautiful piece of technological goodness can help me achieve them. Really! Have you seen the commercials for Windows 7? You can leap tall buildings in a single bound with Windows 7! I love that this laptop comes loaded with Windows 7 - I have been dreaming of ways I can use the snap, shake, and pin to help manage my crazy hectic day. Just look at the way Dara Torres uses hers:

Disclaimer: I in no way shape or form compare my life to how hectic this fabulous five-time Olympian has it (though some days to me it sure feels like it). But if Dara Torres can manage her busy life with it - I am sure it can handle my "military wife/aspiring writer/college student/baseball mom/oh man I have to get dinner on the table/What time is baseball practice?/We're moving WHERE?" life. I bet it can help you get a handle on yours too.

Are you a busy Mom? Would you like to win an HP Mini 311 too? HP, Windows 7, and The Mom Bloggers Club have teamed up to give away 3 of these to random comment posters on contest entrants' blog. Just leave a comment on my blog for a chance to win your very own - good luck!

Wednesday Hero: 1/20/10

2010-01-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Toni

Stephen Cochran
2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force

Stephen Cochran had it all in front of him. Collage, a fiancée and an offer for a professional recording contract. But life had other plans for him. The day was September 11, 2001. "It was just so horrific," Cochran said. "It's like I'd been called. I'd never been pulled so hard to do something."

It may have been the audacity of the attacks, but more likely it was his family's long history of military service that drew him to enlist, he said. Both grandfathers served, as did an uncle and several other relatives.

So he dropped out of college, walked away from the record deal and joined the United States Marine Corps. "I've always been raised very, very patriotic. It's just what I had to do."

After serving in Iraq, he and his entire battalion volunteered to go to Afghanistan with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit where Cochran was injured in an ambush. 20 yards inside Kandahar, the vehicle he was riding in hit an anti-tank mine and he was thrown from the vehicle and broke the five vertebrae in his lower back.

Read The Rest Of The Story

stephencochranmusic.com
@stephen_cochran
facebook.com/stephen.cochran1

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.

What Happened at the Job Fair

2010-01-19T18:19:00.000-07:00

Welp the job fair went like I thought it was going to... Later in the week I found out that it was manly for those in the Intelligence/Security fields (and those who have a security clearance). So not really my forte. My friend Lisa called the Airman Family Readiness Center (the agency who sponsored the job fair) and they said that we should go anyway. So go we did.

As soon as I walked in, I gave two copies of my resume to a man manning the registration table. As part of going to the job fair, we got to have our resumes reviewed for free. I should be getting the results of that review soon. That in itself probably made the job fair worth it.

We visited most of the booths. I dropped of my resume at a few, but just talked to people at others. I probably won't get called back anytime soon for an interview (most of the jobs were in fields I had no experience in), but it was good to get back out there and network. I visited the University of Phoenix booth. This is where I got some GREAT information.

It seems that military spouses get $6,000 to go towards higher education under a new program called MyCAA. I had no idea such a program existed. I have wanted to pursue my Masters Degree but wasn't sure how I was going to fund it. This bit of news has pretty much made my mind up. I just have to find the right school with the right program, and the time (oh yeah the time?!), and this is what I am committing to this year. Wish me luck!

Wednesday Hero: 1/13/10

2010-01-13T06:30:00.001-07:00

Culinary Specialist 1st Class Tremayne Brown

Culinary Specialist 1st Class Tremayne Brown, from Tulsa, Okla., receives stores for the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56). John S. McCain is one of seven ships assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 and is permanently forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan.

Photo By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Mike Mulcare Courtesy of Navy.mil

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.

At A Crossroads?

2010-01-12T11:33:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel like you are at a crossroads in your life? Do you feel like there are so many options open to you and that your whole future hinges on important choices you need to make right now? This is what I have been feeling since the new year. Actually, I have been feeling this since this last military move last October. My kids are getting older (one is in 2nd grade, the other is in 8th) and my husband's military career are winding down. I really love what I do right now (and I will still continue to manage DirectSalesMoms.com), but I feel like I need a little more. I need to figure out what I want out of my life. My family life is wonderful and I wouldn't change a thing. However, as a woman and a mother I am always wondering the age-old question:

"What kind of career do I want to pursue?"

Part of me likes the fact that I am a stay at home Mom. I like being there when my kids get home. I like being at the ready to help with homework, or get them ready for their baseball/football/whatever sport they are playing at the time. However, another part of me misses being a part of the workforce. Being a professional out there in career-land. I used to be the "go-to girl" at the office.

I was in transition for a while... I had been pursuing my Bachelor's Degree. I graduated last August, and now I am trying to find a job to use said degree. This is probably one of the worse times in history to be looking for a job, much less a career change - especially when the last career on your resume is "shuttling kids to baseball". OK that's not really what I listed, but still.

A friend and I are going to a career fair this week. I am both excited and mortified. I know I am competent, intelligent, and proficient at many different skills, but I still feel very under qualified. That feeling really sucks.

I will keep you posted how the job fair goes...

Wednesday Hero: 1/6/2010

2010-01-06T13:06:00.000-07:00

Cpl. Carlos E. Gil Orozco
23 years old from San Jose, California
2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force
September 10, 2007

Carlos Gil Orozco wasn’t a great student, but one goal pushed him to hit the books: becoming a Marine.

"He was kind of a troublemaker, you know, he got bad grades and wouldn't do his homework," said his sister, Myriam Johanna Gil Orozco. "But he wanted to be a Marine. So he studied real hard, especially algebra. He'd stay up all night studying.

Cpl. Orozco's parents moved the family from Colombia to the U.S. when he was 8 years old, hoping to give their children a better education. They became frustrated when their son didn't do well in school and thought the Marines would be good for him.

"My dad was actually happy," Myriam said. "He'd rather have him be a Marine than out on the streets being in gangs or doing drugs."

Cpl. Carlos Orozco was killed while conducting combat operations in Ashraf, Iraq when the tank he was riding in encountered an IED. Also killed in the blast was Lance Cpl. Jon T. Hicks Jr. of Atco, New Jersey.

Cpl. Orozco leaves behind his sister, his parents, his wife and two sons.

All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com

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.

About Me

2010-01-01T10:00:00.004-07:00

This blog is an online personal diary of my life and times. My name is Elena and I am a military wife and Mom to two boys. I am practically slipping around in all the testosterone over here - even most of our animals are male. So if I make little sense or sound kinda goofy, forgive me - I may have taken a spill that day and bumped my head!

I have been married to my husband David (a Technical Sergeant in the US Air Force) for almost ten wonderful years now. Our life together is not always easy, is in some ways pretty simple, is never really glamorous, but is always fun. I wouldn't have it any other way.

These are the everyday adventures of us: A Dad, Mom, their two boys, two dogs, and chinchilla. Yes it is a zoo over here... I am so happy you stopped by.

Much Love,
Elena

P.S. - Please leave comments - I welcome the adult conversation! :)

Updated Blog Archives

2010-01-01T09:56:00.000-07:00

These links show the last three months of posts from this blog. Forolder posts, please refer to the Blog Archive in the sidebar - thanks!

Janurary 2010

December 2009

November 2009

Wednesday Hero: 12/30/09

2009-12-30T14:54:00.000-07:00

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.

Merry Christmas to You...

2009-12-22T10:32:00.000-07:00

With only a few days until Christmas, I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and send a reminder to keep our brave men and women abroad in your thoughts and prayers. They are separated from friends and family this time of year, so pray for their comfort and safety, and thank them for their service and sacrifice.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed new year...

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.

Wednesday Hero: 12/16/09

2009-12-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

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.

Wednesday Hero: 12/9/09

2009-12-09T06:53:00.000-07:00

Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Elsey

Abdul Rashid, a 5-year-old resident of the Nawa district of Afghanistan, receives a dressing for a wound on his face from Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Elsey, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, while a linguist translates at a medical aid station at Patrol Base Jaker Dec. 3. Rashid was injured by a motorcycle earlier that day. Navy hospital corpsmen like Elsey routinely see local residents and children here to treat their wounds.

Photo Courtesy United States Marine Corps

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.

Wednesday Hero: 12/2/09

2009-12-02T06:42:00.000-07:00

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.

Wednesday Hero: 11/25/09

2009-11-25T10:41:00.000-07:00

Rear Adm. Ned Deets

Rear Adm. Ned Deets speaks with Frank Chebatar, president of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, at the conclusion of the base consolidation ceremony. The two bases consolidated to form Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Fort Story.

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.

Wednesday Hero: 11/18/09

2009-11-18T12:53:00.000-07:00

Staff Sgt. Dennisur Thompson

Staff Sgt. Dennisur Thompson, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, overcompensates a left turn while on a driving simulator as a part of the Save a Life Tour in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

Photo Courtesy of 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.

Wednesday Hero: 10/28/09

2009-10-28T08:30:00.001-06:00

Spc. Justin Slagle

Spc. Justin Slagle returns to Forward Operating Base Lane in a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter after an air assault mission in the Zabul province of Afghanistan, Oct. 15, 2009. Even as leaders in Washington struggle with the next steps in Afghanistan, troops there are moving to better protect the Afghan people by separating them from Taliban influence and intimidation.

Photo Courtesy of 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.

Wednesday Hero: 10/14/09

2009-10-14T07:21:00.001-06:00

This Week's Post Was Suggested By Beth

Cpl. Benjamin S. Kopp
21 years old from Rosemont, Minnesota
3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment
July 18, 2009

Ben Kopp has been a fighter since the day he was born. When he was born his mother was given morphine to stop her labor so the doctors could deliver her via a cesarean section. But it caused his heart rate to slow and when he was born he wasn't breathing. But he recovered to the amazement of everyone. "Ben has always been up for a challenge," said his mother, Jill Stephenson. "He came into the world a fighter."

On July 10, 2009, Cpl. Benjamin Kopp was wounded in the Helmand province of Afghanistan. He was hit in the knee that hit his popliteal artery and the loss of blood caused him to go into cardiac arrest on the operating table at a battalion surgical center. As a result of his injuries, Cpl. Kopp developed swelling in his brain was put into an induced coma to try and save his life. But he died on July 18.

But his service didn't end with his passing. Upon his death, by his own desire, his organs were donated to people in need saving their lives.

"Please continue to say prayers for all of the men and women who so proudly serve our country," Stephenson wrote online. "Ben had a deep love of country and has just left a legacy of heroism for all of us to cherish. Be as proud of him as I was as his mother."

You can read much more about Cpl. Benjamin S. Kopp here.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero: 10/7/09

2009-10-07T06:34:00.000-06:00

Sgt. Michael Egan
36 years old from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
104th Cavalry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard
September 19, 2005

News of Egan’s death came to Pennsauken shortly after 6 a.m. Tuesday, Krista Egan, Sgt. Egan's sister-in-law, said. His mother, Irene, was on the telephone when an Army sergeant walked up to the door. "My mother-in-law was talking on the telephone to Mike’s wife, Maria, when he came. Maria had just got the news. The Army sergeant told my mother-in-law it was his first time notifying a family."

Sgt. Egan served in the Marine Corps for eight years, was a civilian for a year, then joined the National Guard. As a Marine, he had been previously served in Afghanistan.

"He was well-liked by everyone," Patrick Egan, Sgt. Egan's brother, said.

Sgt. Michael Egan was killed when an IED detonated near his vehicle while on patrol in Ramadi. Also killed in the attack were Spc. William Evans, 22, of Hallstead, PA, Spc. William Fernandez, 37, of Reading, PA and Lt. Mark Dooley of the Vermont National Guard.

Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com & You Can Read Much More About Sgt. Michael Egan Here.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

On The Move...

2009-10-04T08:36:00.002-06:00

Well here we are again...

The USAF is moving us on what may be the final PCS of David's career... I sit here looking at my half empty, disheveled house and wonder what lies ahead for us. The move is very exciting yet bittersweet. While I am excited to be moving with our best friends (we were lucky enough to get orders to the same base they did), we'll be leaving behind very fond memories of this place and other good friends. Such is military life I suppose.

The movers are coming to start packing us up tomorrow and there is still much to be done today. We close on our new home at the end of October, which means we'll be living out of suitcases for three weeks. The kids think that is so exciting, whereas Dave and I know better. ;)

We are nervous and excited and anxious for what the future holds. But, we are also feeling altogether very blessed indeed...

Wednesday Hero: 9/30/09

2009-09-30T06:33:00.000-06:00

This Week's Post Was Suggested By Cindy

1st Sgt. Jose San Nicolas Crisostomo
59 years old from Spanaway, Washington
August 18, 2009

You can read Sgt. Crisostomo's story here and here.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero: 9/23/09

2009-09-23T12:44:00.000-06:00

Lt. John Madea

Lt. John Madea holds his daughter as she is baptized with holy water from the ship's bell of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46). This is the fourth person baptized aboard Tortuga since the ship's christening in 1988, and her name will be inscribed inside the bell as a tradition of the U.S. Navy.

Photo Courtesy U.S. Navy
Taken By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Geronimo Aquino

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.

Wednesday Hero: 9/16/09

2009-09-16T06:03:00.000-06:00

This Week's Post Is Via Gazing At The Flag

PFC Thomas Lowell Tucker
24 years old from Madras, Oregon
B Company, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division
June 16, 2006

Flag Gazer has a great post up on the dedication of the PFC Thomas Tucker memorial.

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.

Make a Promise & Donate a Meal to a Child in Need...

2009-09-11T10:30:00.003-06:00

I thought this was a GREAT initiative and wanted to share it...

Oscar Mayer Lunchables has teamed with Feeding America in providing free meals for children in need, and providing encouragement for children all across America.

This week, drop a little note of encouragement in your child's lunch, and they'll donate a meal to a child in need. You can read more about the initiative here.

So make the promise and help Lunchables reach their goal of 100,000 meals while boosting your child's spirits in the process - definitely a win-win... ;)

Wednesday Hero: 9/9/09

2009-09-09T06:00:00.000-06:00

This would have been with last weeks post, but Kathi, who's done these for the past three years without even being asked to do so, was super busy and wasn't able to get to it. So after you view it, head over to her site and thank her.

Yahoo Deals - Cash In On the Fun

2009-09-01T07:25:00.002-06:00

I thought I would share this fun giveaway that Yahoo is doing. Everyone could use $20K right? I know I sure could! It's easy. All you have to do is go to Yahoo Deals once a day until September 7th and answer the daily question.

That's it.

That's all.

Just answer the question and you are entered.

Have fun - and good luck! :)

Wednesday Hero: 8/26/09

2009-08-26T06:02:00.000-06:00

Sgt. 1st Class Donald Johnson

Sgt. 1st Class Donald Johnson, the electronic warfare officer of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Multi-National Division-Baghdad, talks with local Iraqi kids while on a patrol.

Photo courtesy of United States Army
Taken by Pfc. Evan Loyd

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.

Wednesday Hero: 8/19/09

2009-08-19T05:08:00.000-06:00

Pfc. Tavonte Johnson

Pfc. Tavonte Johnson, a field radio operator with Headquarters Company, 7th Marine Regiment, provides security after a simulated attack by a suicide bomber on Aug. 8, as part of 7th Marine Regiment’s pre-deployment training exercise.

Photo courtesy of United States Marine Corps

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.

Wednesday Hero: 8/12/09

2009-08-12T15:44:00.000-06:00

Yeoman 1st Class Timothy Gilbert

Yeoman 1st Class Timothy Gilbert, assigned to Headquarters Company of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB 74), donates blood during a blood drive for his six-year-old daughter at the Naval Construction Battalion Center base chapel. Gilbert's daughter has been diagnosed with atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor and is receiving chemotherapy at Tulane Childrens Hospital.

You can read more about Yeoman Gilbert and his daughter, Timia, here.

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan G. Wilber courtesy of United States Navy.

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.

Back to School Laptop Deal

2009-08-10T14:00:00.003-06:00

Can you believe it is Back to School time already? I am registering the kids for school this week. Since we're moving I get to do that bunch of fun in another two months. Yay. Lot of you are probably doing the same - some of you have kids that are already back in school!

I thought I would share this deal at Amazon:

Toshiba Satellite A505-S6973 16.0-Inch Laptop - Black/Grey

It is a great laptop at a great price. I had a Toshiba that lasted me over 5 years (my Dad has had it since I upgraded a couple years ago). This one has great specs:

2.1GHz Intel Core2 Duo T6500 Processor (fast!)
4GB RAM (My HP only came with 2GB and cost me $200 more. Dang.)
500GB Hard Drive (Nice amount of space)
DVD Multidrive (You can use it as a portable DVD player)
16" Screen (nice size)

So if you are in the market for a laptop for that Junior High/High School/College bound child, this looks to be a good buy. Actually, it makes me want to consider replacing mine!

Here are some other good deals at Amazon.com - definitely worth a peek:

College Essentials

Back to School Savings

$10 Off Selecct Denim Orders

Bags and Backpacks

Backpack Bundles

School Shopping by Grade

Textbook Store

Rest in Peace Friend...

2009-08-07T07:44:00.003-06:00

Rest In Peace Dear Friend - Chewy 1999 - 2009

Wednesday was a really bad day... We took Chewy (our 10 year old Chocolate Lab) in to see the vet. He hadn't been his usual happy go lucky self lately. He has always been a finicky dog, so we just chalked it up to him getting older (he just turned 10 last month) and slowing down.

That wasn't the case.

He had lost his appetite a few days ago, but he did that from time to time. He was a really finicky dog. What was alarming was how swollen his belly was on Wednesday morning. He was also having a hard time breathing. So we took him in that day.

The vet checked him out and had some suspicions. She thought it could be bloat, or that maybe he had eaten something that got lodged in his bowel (he wolfs those rawhide chips down). She wanted to take some X-Rays of his abdomen. After the X-Rays were done and she called us back. We heard the news. It wasn't bloat, or a mis-routed rawhide. She was about 70% sure it was cancer.

The vet wanted to take a chest X-Ray to be 100% sure and to see how far along this cancer had progressed. If it hadn't metastasized Chewy would have 6 months or so with chemo. It turned out that Chewy didn't even have that long. She called back and let us know that it had indeed metastasized - to his heart. Chewy didn't have months. He was already living on borrowed time. We packed up the family (our kiddos wanted to come too) to go back up to the vet - not to take him home, but to say goodbye.

We didn't want to be selfish and take him home(though we came close). We didn't want Chewy to suffer (as he most certainly would have in the coming days). We weren't ready to say goodbye just yet, but knew in our hearts that it was the best option for our faithful friend.

Though we have other dogs (who miss him dearly) the house is just not the same without his presence. We'll miss you Chew. Thank you for being such a true friend.

Thank you.

Wednesday Hero: 8/5/09

2009-08-05T07:00:00.000-06:00

Lance Cpl. Jeremy P. Tamburello
19 years old from Denver, Colorado
1st Light Armor Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force
November 8, 2005

His parents didn't want him to enlist, but it was his passion for helping people that led L/Cpl. Jeremy Tamburello to the military. "He was a very noble, very compassionate, very brave man" said L/Cpl. Tamburello's father, Kevin. "He knew that he was going to have to go to Iraq and he knew that he might die, but he went anyway."

L/Cpl. Tamburello was killed by an IED while conducting combat operations near Rutbah, Iraq.

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.