Just The Girl Next Door

My Blog has moved

2010-07-27T13:05:00.001-04:00

my blog has moved, please check out the new one here:

http://angelwingsandacus.blogspot.com

New MyCAA Rules

2010-07-20T15:28:00.001-04:00

DoD officials explain new spouse tuition rules

By Karen Jowers - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Jul 20, 2010 13:50:51 EDT

The My Career Advancement Accounts tuition program for military spouses will reopen to new enrollees Oct. 25, with some major restrictions on eligibility and funding, defense officials announced Tuesday.

The popular MyCAA program’s tuition assistance will be open only to spouses of junior service members in paygrades E1 through E-5, W-1 and W-2 and O-1 and O-2, said Clifford Stanley, under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness. Spouses of National Guard and reserve members in those paygrades are eligible if their service member has been activated on Title 10 orders.

An estimated 363,000 spouses will be eligible.

About 136,600 spouses are now in the program. Pentagon officials said about about 73,900 of those spouses no longer will be eligible for the program after Oct. 25 because of the new restrictions, although if they are in a class at that time, they will be allowed to finish the semester.

The career counseling aspect of the program, however, will be eligible to all military spouses, regardless of rank or activation status of the military member. Career counselors also can help spouses identify other sources of funding for their education, Stanley said, noting that all the counselors have at least masters’ degrees.

Other changes:

• Monetary assistance will not be available for four-year degrees. That was not the original intent of the program, Stanley said. Money will be available primarily for associates degrees, certificates and licenses.

• The total lifetime tuition cap will be reduced to $4,000 from the previous cap of $6,000. Spouses also will have an annual cap of $2,000 a year, with waivers in some cases of up to $4,000, which would mean spouses could use their entire benefit in one year.

• Spouses must use their $4,000 benefit within three years of the start date of their first class.

The changes were necessary to make the program viable and sustainable, Stanley said. “What we have now is the fiscal reality of where we are,” he said. “As we look at now sustaining the program … we want to make sure we’re taking care of them as they move from duty station to duty station, most importantly our youngest.”

Sustaining the program and being responsible in managing and monitoring it are key, he said. “If you’re going to do something like this, we don’t want to start it and stop it. This is something we want to continue because it’s important to take care of our families.”

MyCAA was abruptly halted on Feb. 16, less than a year after it was launched, because the system was overwhelmed with applications and close to exhausting its available funding. After spouses loudly voiced objections to defense officials and their congressional representatives, the program was reinstated in March for those already enrolled, but remained closed to new enrollees.

Stanley said officials have compiled actuarial projections of costs, and how many spouses will be eligible. Program costs will run about $215 million through the end of September and spike to about $250 million in fiscal 2011 because of the additional spouses who will be eligible as of Oct. 25. In fiscal 2012 and beyond, the program will cost an estimated $192 million a year.

MyCAA will continue as is until Oct. 25, said Virginia Penrod, acting deputy under secretary for military community and family policy. That means currently enrolled spouses may request funds for the fall semester, regardless of the rank of their service member, and even if they are in a four-year college program. But after Oct. 25, the new program rules will apply.

Defense officials will e-mail each enrolled spouse to explain the changes, Penrod said.

Recipe Time

2010-07-20T14:04:00.001-04:00

Strawberry Pineapple Smoothies

2 cups- Fresh Strawberries, halved and chilled

1 cup- chopped fresh pineapple

3/4 cup- chopped mango

1/3 cup- unsweetened pineapple juice

2 cups- ice cubes

In a blender, combine strawberries, pineapple, mango, and pineapple juice. Cover and blend until Smooth. With blender running, gradually add ice cubes. Blend until smooth after each addition of ice.

Serve in a chilled glass with optional strawberry garnish.

Serves: 6

Wednesday Hero

2010-07-14T12:49:00.000-04:00

This 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

2010-07-07T19:30:00.000-04:00

This Weeks Post Was Suggested & Written By Mary Ann

Corporal Rodolfo P. Hernandez
Company G, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team

Cpl. Hernandez, a member of Company G, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. On May 31, 1951 near Wontong-ni, Korea his platoon, in defensive positions on Hill 420, came under ruthless attack by a numerically superior and fanatical hostile force, accompanied by heavy artillery, mortar, and machine gun fire which inflicted numerous casualties on the platoon.
His comrades were forced to withdraw due to lack of ammunition but Cpl. Hernandez, although wounded in an exchange of grenades, continued to deliver deadly fire into the ranks of the onrushing assailants until a ruptured cartridge rendered his rifle inoperative. Immediately leaving his position, Cpl. Hernandez rushed the enemy armed only with rifle and bayonet. Fearlessly engaging the foe, he killed 6 of the enemy before falling unconscious from grenade, bayonet, and bullet wounds but his heroic action momentarily halted the enemy advance and enabled his unit to counterattack and retake the lost ground. For his actions on that day, Cpl. Hernandez was awarded the distinguished Medal Of Honor on April 21, 1952. The indomitable fighting spirit, outstanding courage, and tenacious devotion to duty clearly demonstrated by Cpl. Hernandez reflect the highest credit upon himself, the infantry, and the U.S. Army.

Wednesday Hero

2010-06-30T19:14:00.000-04:00

First Lieutenant Randall Lee Ashby
Second Platoon, Company B, 317th Engineer Battalion, 2d Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3d Infantry Division (Mechanized)
Army" src="http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/6231/armycl8.gif">
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers) Randall Lee Ashby, United States Army, for gallantry while serving as the Platoon Leader of Second Platoon, Company B, 317th Engineer Battalion, 2d Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3d Infantry Division (Mechanized). First Lieutenant Ashby consistently demonstrated valor in executing his engineer missions as the lead sapper platoon leader for Task Force 2-69 Armor. Serving with Team ASSASSIN, he voluntarily executed dangerous missions in order to contribute to the engineer's success. First Lieutenant Ashby's personal bravery and selfless actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Third Infantry Division "Rock of the Marne," and the United States Army. NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD: For gallantry in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the country of Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. First Lieutenant Ashby distinguished himself while serving as Platoon Leader with Second Platoon, Company B, 317th Engineer Battalion, and attached to 2d Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3d Infantry Division (Mechanized). First Lieutenant Ashby exhibited extreme gallantry on multiple occasions in over 25 days of continuous combat operations. He spearheaded engineer movement for the Division for roughly 200 kilometers to OBJ CLAY, the Highway 1 Bridge across the Euphrates located to the west of An Nasiriyah. On the night of 21 March 2003, First Lieutenant Ashby led the engineer effort at OBJ CLAY under Team Assassin by providing the first reconnaissance of this key bridge as elements of the Iraqi 11th Infantry Division defended the area. First Lieutenant Ashby, while under fire, conducted a difficult classification mission and ensured the safe passage of an armored company onto OBJ CLAY NORTH. Moreover, after the Task Force had established a tactical assembly area to the west, First Lieutenant Ashby returned to OBJ CLAY to reconnoiter a construction bridge adjacent to the Highway 1 Bridge amid enemy artillery fire from the northern shore. Later, as Team Assassin conducted a dangerous linkup with elements of 3-7 Cavalry south of the city of Al Kifl, First Lieutenant Ashby directed his platoon's emplacement of vital blocking obstacles to prevent enemy penetration of the company's sector for more than seventy hours of continuous enemy contact. In addition, under his leadership 2d Platoon destroyed 300 pounds of TNT intended by the enemy for use on the Al Kifl Bridge. In southern Al Kifl, his platoon gained entry using demolitions to a water-bottling factory with a water supply greatly needed by both the Task Force and the local populous. First Lieutenant Ashby again distinguished himself on 1 April 2003 by emplacing explosive obstacles along RTE VENEZUELA to the east of the key city of Karbala at OBJ LEE. He led the emplacement with Team Assassin under fire from Saddam Fedayeen RPG ambushes and T-62 tanks. On 6 April 2003 again with Team Assassin as the lead element of the Task Force's attack into the Taji region north of Baghdad against Republican Guard and Saddam Fedayeen units, First Lieutenant Ashby personally destroyed with, MK-19 fire, eight enemy RPG teams and dismounted enemy soldiers over a 55 kilometer attack to OBJ MONTY. He displayed calm leadership following a fatal enemy RPG strike on one of his M113 armored personnel carriers, providing stability for his men as they treated two other soldiers wounded in action. While escorting a D9 Dozer, a Division high value asset, to OBJ MONTY, First Lieutenant Ashby protected the dozer from an enemy vehicle intent on ramming them. First Lieutenant Ashby's personal bravery as the lead sapper platoon leader for Task Force 2-69 Armor are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Third Infantry Division "Rock of the Marne," 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

2010-06-23T22:01:00.000-04:00

Wednesday Hero has been mainly about honoring the Men & Women of the United States military and bringing to light what they do for us, but it's also honored those who've done something to help those same Men & Women. This week I want to introduce Jack Singer of Warwick, N.Y. You see, Jack recently celebrated his 10th birthday, and he did something very cool for a very good cause. He broke the world record for wearing the most pairs of underwear. 215 in fact. But why did he do this? To help raise money for Sgt. Eddie Ryan, a marine who was injured in Iraq five years ago. Now, think back to when you were 10 years old. How many of us could say that they would have forwent birthday presents to raise money for a good cause? I don't think I would have. Jack Singer is, hands down, one of the coolest kids on the planet and I'm proud to honor him.

A Tribute To Fallen Heroes

2010-06-16T15:12:00.001-04:00

So as I was tootling around Facebook this AM I came across this Picture posted by a fan of Soldiers’ Angels in their PIXT IN Album:

Talk about wow! So as I was looking below this amazing piece of Art To find out where it was from, I came to find out that not only was this a genuine peice of artwork on display put that the car is actually REAL.

The original Blog post of the real thing can be found HERE

Wednesday Hero

2010-06-16T11:24:00.001-04:00

Sergeant Victor R. Adams" src="http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/9299/victorradams.jpg" border="1">

Tech Sergeant Victor R. Adams
20th Special Operations Squadron
Air Force" src="http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/5760/airforceod3.jpg">
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Technical Sergeant Victor R. Adams (AFSN: 13533712), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as a UH-1F Helicopter Aerial Gunner of the 20th Special Operations Squadron, Nha Trang Air Base, Vietnam, in action near Duc Co, Republic of Vietnam, on the night of 26 - 27 November 1968. On that date, Sergeant Adams' aircraft was shot down by hostile ground fire and crashed in dense jungle. Disregarding his own injuries and the imminence of hostile activity, he assisted the co-pilot from the burning helicopter and returned to rescue the trapped personnel. He succeeded in pulling another man from the wreckage, before the severity of the fire and subsequent explosions forced him to abandon further rescue efforts. Through his superb airmanship, aggressiveness, and extraordinary heroism, in the face of hostile forces, Sergeant Adams reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Wednesday Hero

2010-06-09T23:18:00.001-04:00

Pvt. Carlton W. Barrett
18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division

For The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Carlton William Barrett, United States Army, for gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 6 June 1944, while serving with the 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of St. Laurent-sur-Mer, France. On the morning of D-day Private Barrett, landing in the face of extremely heavy enemy fire, was forced to wade ashore through neck-deep water. Disregarding the personal danger, he returned to the surf again and again to assist his floundering comrades and save them from drowning. Refusing to remain pinned down by the intense barrage of small-arms and mortar fire poured at the landing points, Private Barrett, working with fierce determination, saved many lives by carrying casualties to an evacuation boat lying offshore. In addition to his assigned mission as guide, he carried dispatches the length of the fire-swept beach; he assisted the wounded; he calmed the shocked; he arose as a leader in the stress of the occasion. His coolness and his dauntless daring courage while constantly risking his life during a period of many hours had an inestimable effect on his comrades and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.

All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com

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

2010-06-02T10:46:00.000-04:00

Sgt. James R. Graham III
25 years old from Coweta, Oklahoma
4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve attached to Regimental Combat Team 2, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward)
August 1, 2005

Sgt. James R. Graham II was killed in a suicide car bombing near Hit, Iraq, about 85 miles northwest of Baghdad, on August 1, 2005. He was was assigned to the Marine Reserve Unit in Broken Arrow, an anti-tank company. The military said Graham was "conducting combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom" when the bomber struck. He is survived by a wife and two children.
Graham had received three medals for his time served in Iraq, including the Good Conduct Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal and the Selective Marine Corps Reserve medal, said Christopher Logan, media officer for the Marine Forces Reserve. Graham will receive more honors as well, including a Purple Heart, Logan said.
Betty Willhoite, a next-door neighbor, said she has fond memories of Graham playing with his boys. "He would always be out there showing the oldest how to kick a soccer ball into the net," Willhoite said. "He was a nice man. He worked very hard and was such a good person. I just hate to see this happen to such a nice, young family. He felt like it was his duty."
Willhoite said she heard the news from Graham's wife, who was out in the yard. Willhoite said she asked the family pastor to add them to a church prayer list. "He was very gentle and a great father, a little on the quiet side," Willhoite said. "I've never heard him raise his voice."

Memorial Day

2010-05-31T10:42:00.000-04:00

I wanted to thank those Men and Women who have laid down their lives so that I may live the life that I do. I hope everyone has a great, and safe, Memorial Day.

Wednesday HERO

2010-05-26T19:23:00.000-04:00

This Weeks Post Was Suggested And Written By Beth

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.

Support Troy!

2010-05-20T09:50:00.001-04:00

Angels Sponsor Hike

Soldiers' Angels is proud to support SPC Troy Yocum on this truly inspiring Hike For Our Heroes. "May No Soldier Go Unloved," encapsulates the motivation behind Soldiers' Angels. The volunteers of Soldiers' Angels work tirelessly to demonstrate active care and concern for veterans, the wounded, deployed service members and their families. Soldiers' Angels volunteers will spread the word in their communities before Troy's arrival in their area. Soldiers' Angels media team will also post updates on Troy's progress on their official sites at Twitter @soldiersangels, http://www.facebook.com/SoldiersAngelsOfficial and http://www.myspace.com/soldiersangelsofficial We are happy to have started off Troy's fundraiser efforts with a $1,000 donation and urge others to contribute.
Soldiers' Angels is a volunteer-led 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing aid and comfort to the men and women of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and their families. Founded by the mother of two American soldiers, we are an international, volunteer-led organization supporting America's men and women in uniform. With over 30 different teams and projects, our nearly 200,000 volunteers assist veterans, wounded and deployed personnel and their families in a variety of unique and effective ways. (HERE)

Wednesday Hero

2010-05-19T09:42:00.000-04:00

L/Cpl. Joshua M. Davis
19 years old from Perry, Iowa
1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force
May 7, 2010

Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Davis of Perry, Iowa, was a 2009 Perry High School graduate. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in March 2009. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Lejeune, N.C., he deployed to Afghanistan in March 2010 and was promoted to Lance Cpl. on May 1, 2010. He was killed in action on May 7, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal. Also killed alongside L/Cpl. Davis were Cpl. Kurt S. Shea, 21, of Frederick, Maryland and Lance Cpl. Christopher Rangel, 22, of San Antonio, Texas.

All Information Was Found On And Copied From 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

2010-05-12T09:40:00.000-04:00

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.

Technorati Tags: USMC,Wednesday Hero,Military

Wednesday Hero

2010-05-05T09:36:00.000-04:00

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.

Wednesday Hero

2010-04-28T16:39:00.000-04:00

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.

Technorati Tags: Army,Wednesday Hero,Military

Randomness

2010-04-27T20:36:00.001-04:00

Here are some random Graphics that I’ve collected, please do not save or claim as your own the designers that made them deserve credit where credit is due.

Girl Power at it’s finest

2010-04-23T14:17:00.001-04:00

Carson medic recalls attack that led to her Bronze Star

LANCE BENZEL

THE GAZETTE

enlarge

MARK REIS/The Gazette

Cpl. Helen Ruhl is congratulated by her father, Daniel Rosario, after Ruhl received the Bronze Star Medal with Valor Wednesday during a ceremony at Fort Carson. Ruhl earned the medal for actions she took after her convoy came under attack Sept. 24 in eastern Afghanistan.

There was no time to think, or even register fear, when a rocket-propelled grenade ripped into a Humvee and detonated in the driver’s lap.

“All I knew is: It was hot, I couldn’t see and I couldn’t breathe,” said Cpl. Helen L. Ruhl, one of four soldiers injured in the Sept. 24 blast in eastern Afghanistan.

There was no time to think, or even register fear, when a rocket-propelled grenade ripped into a Humvee and detonated in the driver’s lap.

“All I knew is: It was hot, I couldn’t see and I couldn’t breathe,” said Cpl. Helen L. Ruhl, one of four soldiers injured in the Sept. 24 blast in eastern

Yet Ruhl could — and did — manage to act.

Despite her own injuries, the 24-year-old Fort Carson medic is credited with helping to save the driver’s life by stanching his bleeding and then returning fire on insurgents as her comrade was taken away for treatment.

She received a Bronze Star for valor Wednesday in a ceremony on Fort Carson. It’s the military’s fourth highest award for valor.

The driver lost a leg but may not have survived without Ruhl’s quick thinking, a top commander said.

“She’s the kind of medic I would like to have on a combat patrol,” Fort Carson Deputy Commanding General for Support Brig. Gen. James Pasquarette said after pinning Ruhl with the award.

Her father, Daniel Rosario of Cape Coral, Fla., stood at his daughter’s side while Pasquarette praised Ruhl’s “awe-inspiring” actions before an audience that included soldiers in the 4th Brigade Combat Team’s rear detachment.

Ruhl serves in the 4th Brigade Combat Team’s 704th Brigade Support Battalion.

The attack came as Ruhl’s Humvee was returning to Jalalabad in northern Afghanistan after a supply mission.

After an insurgent fired an armor-piercing RPG into the vehicle, Ruhl helped get the driver out of the vehicle, applied a tourniquet to his leg and then provided cover fire to allow for his escape.

“You go through (the training) so much, so often, that when do have to do it, you don’t have to think about it,” she said, describing the firefight as a “terrible way to win a wonderful honor.”

Ruhl, of Vero Beach, Fla., suffered permanent hearing loss and was hospitalized for three months, in part because the blast ruptured a previously undetected cyst in her brain, causing temporary blindness. The cyst was not malignant, and Ruhl has been returned to duty, although Army doctors will not allow her to return to combat.

She said she plans to become a nurse and seek a commission in the Army.

Wednesday Hero

2010-04-21T21:09:00.000-04:00

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Cindy

John "Jack" Agnew (Right)
506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division

Technorati Tags: Wednesday Hero,US Army,WWII,Veteran

John "Jack" Agnew, one of the original members of an Army unit that operated behind enemy lines in World War II and is often credited with having loosely inspired the movie "The Dirty Dozen", has died at age 88.
Agnew belonged to the Filthy Thirteen, an unofficial unit within the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. He was pronounced dead last Thursday at Abington Memorial Hospital after becoming ill at his home in the Maple Village retirement community in Hatboro, where he and his wife moved about a year ago, his daughter Barbara Agnew Maloney said.

You Can Read The Rest Of The Article Here And More Info On The "Filthy Thirteen" Can Be Found 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.

Semper Fi Marine-Fight Hard

2010-04-20T15:57:00.001-04:00

Jake’s Story

Please consider donating at the link Below”

Jakes Fund

"Wiggles"

Jake Waggoner has recently been informed by doctors he has six months to live. Jake and his wife Selamawit are the parents of a beautiful little girl, and are currently expecting their second child around the time doctors have told Jake he will pass away. To many Jake is a father, husband, son, brother, and a friend. I know him best as the United States Marine I have had the privilege of serving beside for the past six years. Wiggles, as Jake has come to be known by his fellow Marines, has definitely left his mark on those he’s come in contact with over the years. His uncanny ability to alleviate any situation with his unique brand of humor and larger than life personality is what I’ve come to admire the most about him. This quality of Jake’s was a God send during our deployment to Iraq with Combat Logistics Battalion 1 in August, 2006, through March, 2007.

Whether you’ve known Jake your whole life, or have simply been fortunate enough to have had your paths cross, we encourage you to add to his story. Share a memory, or an experience you’ve shared with Jake. Let the world know what kind of a man Jake Waggoner is. Most importantly, we encourage you to donate whatever you can, be it your time or your money, to ensure Jake’s final days are ones in which he doesn’t need to worry about the family he leaves behind. Thank you for your support, and may God and his blessings be with the Waggoners in their time of need.

DID YOU KNOW?

2010-04-18T19:45:00.002-04:00

Technorati Tags: Pentagon,Army,Friday

Fridays at the Pentagon
      By JOSEPH L. GALLOWAY
      McClatchy Newspapers
      Over the last 12 months, 1,042 soldiers, Marines, sailors and
Air Force personnel have given their lives in the terrible duty that is
war. Thousands more have come home on stretchers, horribly wounded and
facing months or years in military hospitals.
      This week, I'm turning my space over to a good friend and
former roommate, Army Lt. Col. Robert Bateman, who recently completed a
year long tour of duty in Iraq and is now back at the Pentagon.
     Here's Lt. Col. Bateman's account of a little-known ceremony
that fills the halls of the Army corridor of the Pentagon with cheers,
applause and many tears every Friday morning. It first appeared on May
17 on the Weblog of media critic and pundit Eric Alterman at the Media
Matters for America Website.
      "It is 110 yards from the "E" ring to the "A" ring of the
Pentagon. This section of the Pentagon is newly renovated; the floors
shine, the hallway is broad, and the lighting is bright. At this instant
the entire length of the corridor is packed with officers, a few
sergeants and some civilians, all crammed tightly three and four deep
against the walls. There are thousands here.
    This hallway, more than any other, is the `Army' hallway. The G3
offices line one side, G2 the other, G8 is around the corner. All Army.
Moderate conversations flow in a low buzz. Friends who may not have seen
each other for a few weeks, or a few years, spot each other, cross the
way and renew.
      Everyone shifts to ensure an open path remains down the
center. The air conditioning system was not designed for this press of
bodies in this area.
      The temperature is rising already. Nobody cares. "10:36 hours:
The clapping starts at the E-Ring. That is the outermost of the five
rings of the Pentagon and it is closest to the entrance to the building.
This clapping is low, sustained, hearty. It is applause with a deep
emotion behind it as it moves forward in a wave down the length of the
hallway.
      "A steady rolling wave of sound it is, moving at the pace of
the soldier in the wheelchair who marks the forward edge with his
presence.
    He is the first. He is missing the greater part of one leg, and
some of his wounds are still suppurating. By his age I expect that he is
a private, or perhaps a private first class.
      "Captains, majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels meet his
gaze and nod as they applaud, soldier to soldier. Three years ago when I
described one of these events, those lining the hallways were somewhat
different. The applause a little wilder, perhaps in private guilt for
not having shared in the burden ... yet.
      "Now almost everyone lining the hallway is, like the man in
the wheelchair, also a combat veteran. This steadies the applause, but I
think deepens the sentiment. We have all been there now. The soldier's
chair is pushed by, I believe, a full colonel.
      "Behind him, and stretching the length from Rings E to A, come
more of his peers,
    each private, corporal, or sergeant assisted as need be by a
field grade officer.
      "11:00 hours: Twenty-four minutes of steady applause. My hands
hurt, and I laugh to myself at how stupid that sounds in my own head. My
hands hurt. Please! Shut up and clap. For twenty-four minutes, soldier
after soldier has come down this hallway - 20, 25, 30.. Fifty-three legs
come with them, and perhaps only 52 hands or arms, but down this hall
came 30 solid hearts.
      They pass down this corridor of officers and applause, and
then meet for a private lunch, at which they are the guests of honor,
hosted by the generals. Some are wheeled along. Some insist upon getting
out of their chairs, to march as best they can with their chin held up,
down this hallway, through this most unique audience. Some are catching
handshakes and smiling like a politician at a Fourth of July parade.
More than a couple of them seem amazed and are smiling shyly.
      "There are families with them as well: the 18-year-old
war-bride pushing her 19-year-old husband's wheelchair and not quite
understanding why her husband is so affected by this, the boy she grew
up with, now a man, who had never shed a tear is crying; the older
immigrant Latino parents who have, perhaps more than their wounded
mid-20s son, an appreciation for the emotion given on their son's
behalf. No man in that hallway, walking or clapping, is ashamed by the
silent tears on more than a few cheeks. An Airborne Ranger wipes his
eyes only to better see. A couple of the officers in this crowd have
themselves been a part of this parade in the past.
      These are our men, broken in body they may be, but they are
our brothers, and we welcome them home. This parade has gone on, every
single Friday, all year long, for more than four years.
      "Did you know that?

Wednesday Hero

2010-04-14T14:45:00.001-04:00

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.

Wednesday Hero

2010-04-07T15:46:00.000-04:00

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
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