I really cannot grasp just how incredible a human being you must be to face the things our brave service members do.  I will always be eternally grateful to them for their willingness to do what I’d never have the courage to do – please join me in remembering all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for this great country.

image by Beverly & Pack

Christopher M. Alcozer, 21, Army Private, Nov 19, 2005 Villa Park/DeKalb, Illinois
Jonathan F. Blair, 21, Army Corporal, Nov 19, 2005 Fort Wayne, Indiana
Dominic Joseph Hinton, 24, Army Specialist, Nov 19, 2005 Jacksonville, Texas
Michael J. Idanan, 21, Army Sergeant, Nov 19, 2005 Chula Vista, California
Edward Karolasz, 25, Army Staff Sergeant, Nov 19, 2005 Powder Springs, New Jersey
Anthony R. C. Yost, 39, Army Master Sergeant, Nov 19, 2005 Millington/Flint, Michigan
Dennis W. Zilinski, 23, Army 1st Lieutenant, Nov 19, 2005 Freehold, New Jersey
Miguel Terrazas, 20, Marine Lance Corporal, Nov 19, 2005 El Paso, Texas
Tyler J. Troyer, 21, Marine Lance Corporal, Nov 19, 2005 Tangent, Oregon
Dominic J. Sacco, 32, Army Sergeant, Nov 20, 2005 Albany, New York
John Wilson “J.W.” Dearing, 21, Army National Guard Private 1st Class, Nov 21, 2005 Hazel Park, Michigan
Denis J. Gallardo, 22, Army Sergeant, Nov 22, 2005 St. Petersburg, Florida
Aram J. Bass, 25, Army Staff Sergeant, Nov 23, 2005 Niagara Falls, New York
Allen J. Knop, 22, Army Specialist, Nov 23, 2005 Willowick, Ohio
William B. Meeuwsen, 24, Army Sergeant, Nov 23, 2005 Kingwood, Texas
Ryan D. Christensen, 22, Army Private 1st Class, Nov 24, 2005 Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey
Marc A. Delgado, 21, Army Private 1st Class, Nov 24, 2005 Lithia, Florida
Eric P. Pearrow, 40, Army Sergeant 1st Class, Nov 24, 2005 Peoria, Illinois
Steven C. Reynolds, 32, Army Staff Sergeant, Nov 24, 2005 Jordan, New York
Javier A. Villanueva, 25, Army Specialist, Nov 24, 2005 Temple, Texas
Gregory L. Tull, 20, Army National Guard Sergeant, Nov 25, 2005 Pocahontas, Iowa
Brett E. Angus, 40, Marine Master Sergeant, Nov 26, 2005 St. Paul, Minnesota
Donald J. Hasse, 28, Army Sergeant, Nov 29, 2005 Wichita Falls, Texas
Jerry W. Mills Jr., 23, Army Sergeant, Nov 29, 2005 Arkansas City, Kansas
Grzegorz Jakoniuk, 25, Army Sergeant, Nov 30, 2005 Schiller Park, Illinois
William D. Richardson, 30, Marine Staff Sergeant, Nov 30, 2005 Houston, Texas
Joshua D. Snyder, 20, Marine Corporal, Nov 30, 2005 Hampstead, Maryland
William G. Taylor, 26, Marine Corporal, Nov 30, 2005 Macon, Georgia
Brent A. Adams, 40, Army National Guard Sergeant 1st Class, Dec 01, 2005 West View, Pennsylvania
Daniel J. Clay, 27, Marine Staff Sergeant, Dec 01, 2005 Pensacola, Florida
John M. Holmason, 20, Marine Lance Corporal, Dec 01, 2005 Suprise, Arizona
David A. Huhn, 24, Marine Lance Corporal, Dec 01, 2005 Portland, Michigan
Adam Wade Kaiser, 19, Marine Lance Corporal, Dec 01, 2005 Naperville, Illinois
Robert Alexander Martinez, 20, Marine Lance Corporal, Dec 01, 2005 Splendora, Texas
Anthony T. McElveen, 20, Marine Corporal, Dec 01, 2005 Little Falls, Minnesota
Scott T. Modeen, 24, Marine Lance Corporal, Dec 01, 2005 Hennepin, Minnesota
Andrew G. Patten, 19, Marine Lance Corporal, Dec 01, 2005 Byron, Illinois
Andy A. Stevens, 29, Marine Sergeant, Dec 01, 2005 Tomah, Wisconsin
Craig N. Watson, 21, Marine Lance Corporal, Dec 01, 2005 Union City, Michigan
Philip Allan Dodson Jr., 42, Army National Guard Sergeant, Dec 02, 2005 Forsyth, Georgia
Marcus S. Futrell, 20, Army National Guard Sergeant, Dec 02, 2005 Macon, Georgia
Philip L. Travis, 41, Army National Guard Staff Sergeant, Dec 02, 2005 Snellville, Georgia
Jimmy Lee Shelton, 21, Army Corporal, Dec 03, 2005 Lehigh Acres, Florida
Daniel M. Cuka, 27, Army National Guard Staff Sergeant, Dec 04, 2005 Yankton, South Dakota
Richard L. Schild, 40, Army National Guard Sergeant 1st Class, Dec 04, 2005 Tabor, South Dakota
Thomas C. Siekert, 20, Army Private 1st Class, Dec 06, 2005 Lovelock, Nevada
Brian A. Wright, 19, Army National Guard Specialist, Dec 06, 2005 Keensburg, Illinois
Michael C. Taylor, 23, Army Sergeant, Dec 07, 2005 Hockley, Texas
Joseph P. Bier, 22, Marine Corporal, Dec 07, 2005 Centralia, Washington
Kevin J. Smith, 28, Army 1st Lieutenant, Dec 08, 2005 Brandon, Florida

Another week, another Military Monday.  There is no lack of brave men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom.

Mark J. Procopio, 28, Army National Guard 2nd Lieutenant, Nov 02, 2005 Stowe, Vermont
Gerald M. Bloomfield II, 38, Marine Major, Nov 02, 2005 Ypsilanti, Michigan
Michael D. Martino, 32, Marine Captain, Nov 02, 2005 Fairfax, Virginia
Darren D. Howe, 21, Army Specialist, Nov 03, 2005 Beatrice, Nebraska
Jeffrey P. Toczylowski, 30, Army Major, Nov 03, 2005 Upper Moreland, Pennsylvania
Daniel J. Pratt, 48, Army National Guard Sergeant 1st Class, Nov 03, 2005 Youngstown, Ohio
Kyle B. Wehrly, 28, Army National Guard Staff Sergeant, Nov 03, 2005 Galesburg, Illinois
Jason A. Fegler, 24, Army Staff Sergeant, Nov 04, 2005 Virginia Beach, Virginia
James M. Gurbisz, 25, Army Captain, Nov 04, 2005 Eatontown, New Jersey
Dustin A. Yancey, 22, Army Private 1st Class, Nov 04, 2005 Goose Creek, South Carolina
Timothy D. Brown, 23, Army National Guard Specialist, Nov 04, 2005 Cedar Springs, Michigan
Darrell W. Boatman, 38, Marine Gunnery Sergeant, Nov 04, 2005 Fayetteville, North Carolina
Thomas A. Wren, 44, Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel, Nov 05, 2005 Lorton, Virginia
Joel E. Cahill, 34, Army Captain, Nov 06, 2005 Norwood, Massachusetts
James F. Hayes, 48, Army Sergeant 1st Class, Nov 06, 2005 Barstow, California
Ryan J. Sorensen, 26, Marine Lance Corporal, Nov 06, 2005 Boca Raton, Florida
Brian L. Freeman, 27, Army Staff Sergeant, Nov 07, 2005 Caledonia, Mississippi
Robert C. Pope II, 22, Army Corporal, Nov 07, 2005 East Islip, New York
Mario A. Reyes, 19, Army Private 1st Class, Nov 07, 2005 Las Cruces, New Mexico
Justin S. Smith, 28, Army 1st Lieutenant, Nov 07, 2005 Lansing, Michigan
Alwyn C. “Al” Cashe, 35, Army Sergeant 1st Class, Nov 08, 2005 Oviedo, Florida
Jeremy P. Tamburello, 19, Marine Lance Corporal, Nov 08, 2005 Denver, Colorado
Michael C. Parrott, 49, Army National Guard Staff Sergeant, Nov 10, 2005 Timnath, Colorado
Joshua A. Terando, 27, Army Reserve Sergeant, Nov 10, 2005 Morris, Illinois
Daniel Freeman Swaim, 19, Marine Lance Corporal, Nov 10, 2005 Yadkinville, North Carolina
Tyrone L. Chisholm, 27, Army Sergeant, Nov 11, 2005 Savannah, Georgia
Donald E. Fisher II, 21, Army Corporal, Nov 11, 2005 Avon, Massachusetts
Antonio “Tony” Mendez Sanchez, 22, Army Private 1st Class, Nov 11, 2005 Rincon, Puerto Rico
Stephen J. Sutherland, 33, Army Staff Sergeant, Nov 12, 2005 West Deptford, New Jersey
David A. Mendez Ruiz, 20, Marine Lance Corporal, Nov 12, 2005 Cleveland, Ohio
Scott A. Zubowski, 20, Marine Lance Corporal, Nov 12, 2005 Manchester, Indiana
John M. Longoria, 21, Marine Corporal, Nov 14, 2005 Nixon, Texas
Ramon J. Mendoza Jr., 37, Marine Major, Nov 14, 2005 Columbus, Ohio
Christopher M. McCrackin, 20, Marine Reserve Lance Corporal, Nov 14, 2005 Liverpool, Texas
James E. Estep, 26, Army Staff Sergeant, Nov 15, 2005 Leesburg, Florida
Travis J. Grigg, 24, Army Private 1st Class, Nov 15, 2005 Inola, Oklahoma
Matthew J. Holley, 21, Army Specialist, Nov 15, 2005 San Diego, California
Nickolas David Schiavoni, 26, Marine Lance Corporal, Nov 15, 2005 Haverhill, Massachusetts
Dylan R. Paytas, 20, Army Private, Nov 16, 2005 Freedom, Pennsylvania
Alexis Roman-Cruz, 33, Army Specialist, Nov 16, 2005 Brandon, Florida
Roger W. Deeds, 24, Marine Lance Corporal, Nov 16, 2005 Biloxi, Mississippi
John A. “JT” Lucente, 19, Marine Lance Corporal, Nov 16, 2005 Grass Valley, California
Donald R. McGlothin, 26, Marine 2nd Lieutenant, Nov 16, 2005 Lebanon, Virginia
Jeremy E. Murray, 27, Marine Sergeant, Nov 16, 2005 Atwater, Ohio
Jeffry A. Rogers, 21, Marine Corporal, Nov 16, 2005 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Joshua J. Ware, 20, Marine Corporal, Nov 16, 2005 Apache, Oklahoma
Ivan Vargas Alarcon, 23, Army Staff Sergeant, Nov 17, 2005 Jerome, Idaho
Vernon R. Widner, 34, Army Corporal, Nov 17, 2005 Redlands, California
Anthony Alexander “Alex” Gaunky, 19, Army Private 1st Class, Nov 18, 2005 Sparta, Wisconsin
Luis R. Reyes, 26, Army National Guard Sergeant, Nov 18, 2005 Aurora, Colorado

I can’t believe it’s been so long since I last posted.  I sincerely apologize – file “do a better job with this” under the To-Do list. Please take some time out of your day to pause and reflect on those we’ve lost.  Since I’ve missed some time doing this, the names aren’t going to be the same as some of my fellow bloggers, but they should be remembered nonetheless, even as late as I’m getting to them.

Thank you again to Marilla for the names, and Yoyo for the nudge

Jose E. Rosario, 20, Army Specialist, Oct 19, 2005 St. Croix, Virgin Islands
Tommy Ike Folks Jr., 31, Army National Guard Staff Sergeant, Oct 19, 2005 Amarillo, Texas
Kendall K. Frederick, 21, Army Reserve Sergeant, Oct 19, 2005 Randallstown, Maryland
Norman W. Anderson III, 21, Marine Lance Corporal, Oct 19, 2005 Parkton, Maryland
Jacob D. Dones, 21, Army Sergeant, Oct 20, 2005 Dimmitt, Texas
Dennis P. Merck, 38, Army National Guard Staff Sergeant, Oct 20, 2005 Evans, Georgia
Richard T. Pummill, 27, Marine Staff Sergeant, Oct 20, 2005 Cincinnati, Ohio
Andrew D. Russoli, 21, Marine Lance Corporal, Oct 20, 2005 Greensboro, North Carolina
Steven W. Szwydek, 20, Marine Lance Corporal, Oct 20, 2005 Warfordsburg, Pennsylvania
Kenneth J. Butler, 19, Marine Lance Corporal, Oct 21, 2005 Rowan, North Carolina
Benny Gray Cockerham III, 21, Marine Corporal, Oct 21, 2005 Conover, North Carolina
Tyler B. Swisher, 35, Marine Captain, Oct 21, 2005 Cincinnati, Ohio
Seamus M. Davey, 25, Marine Reserve Corporal, Oct 21, 2005 Lewis, New York
Christopher W. Thompson, 25, Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class, Oct 21, 2005 North Wilkesboro, North Carolina
George T. Alexander Jr., 34, Army Staff Sergeant, Oct 22, 2005 Killeen, Texas
Jonathan R. Spears, 21, Marine Lance Corporal, Oct 23, 2005 Molino, Florida
Michael T. Robertson, 28, Army Sergeant, Oct 25, 2005 Houston, Texas
Benjamin D. Hoeffner, 21, Army Reserve Corporal, Oct 25, 2005 Wheat Ridge, Colorado
Christopher T. Monroe, 19, Army Reserve Specialist, Oct 25, 2005 Kendallville, Indiana
Ramon A. Acevedoaponte, 51, Army Sergeant 1st Class, Oct 26, 2005 Watertown, New York
Lewis J. Gentry, 48, Army Staff Sergeant, Oct 26, 2005 Detroit, Michigan
Thomas A. Wallsmith, 38, Army Master Sergeant, Oct 26, 2005 Carthage, Missouri
Evan S. Parker, 25, Army Reserve Sergeant, Oct 26, 2005 Arkansas, Kansas
James Witkowski, 32, Army Reserve Sergeant, Oct 26, 2005 Surprise, Arizona
Michael J. Mackinnon, 30, Army Captain, Oct 27, 2005 Helena, Montana
William W. Wood, 44, Army Colonel, Oct 27, 2005 Panama City, Florida
Daniel R. Lightner Jr., 28, Army National Guard Staff Sergeant, Oct 27, 2005 Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania
Robert F. Eckfield Jr., 23, Marine Lance Corporal, Oct 27, 2005 Cleveland, Ohio
Jared J. Kremm, 24, Marine Lance Corporal, Oct 27, 2005 Hauppage, New York
Dillon M. Jutras, 20, Army Private 1st Class, Oct 28, 2005 Fairfax Station, Virginia
Debra A. Banaszak, 35, Army National Guard 1st Lieutenant, Oct 28, 2005 Bloomington, Illinois
Kenny D. Rojas, 21, Army Private 1st Class, Oct 29, 2005 Pembroke Pines, Florida
Shaker T. Guy, 23, Army National Guard Sergeant, Oct 29, 2005 Pomona, California
Raymond D. Hill II, 39, Army National Guard Captain, Oct 29, 2005 Turlock, California
Joel P. Dameron, 27, Marine Staff Sergeant, Oct 30, 2005 Ellabell, Georgia
Michael Paul Hodshire, 25, Marine Sergeant, Oct 30, 2005 North Adams, Michigan
William J. Byler, 23, Army Specialist, Oct 31, 2005 Ballinger, Texas
Adam R. “A.J.” Johnson, 22, Army Private, Oct 31, 2005 Clayton, Ohio
David J. Martin, 21, Army Private 1st Class, Oct 31, 2005 Edmond, Oklahoma
Jonathan Tessar, 36, Army Sergeant 1st Class, Oct 31, 2005 Simi Valley, California
Robert C. Oneto-Sikorski, 33, Army National Guard 1st Lieutenant, Oct 31, 2005 Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
Derence W. Jack, 31, Army Reserve Specialist, Oct 31, 2005 Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
Matthew R. Kading, 32, Army Reserve Sergeant 1st Class, Oct 31, 2005 Madison, Wisconsin
Wilgene T. Lieto, 28, Army Reserve Staff Sergeant, Oct 31, 2005 Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
Daniel A. Tsue, 27, Marine Sergeant, Nov 01, 2005 Honolulu, Hawaii
Allan M. Espiritu, 28, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class, Nov 01, 2005 Oxnard, California
Dennis J. Ferderer Jr., 20, Army Specialist, Nov 02, 2005 New Salem, North Dakota
Tyler R. MacKenzie, 20, Army Private 1st Class, Nov 02, 2005 Evans, Colorado
Joshua J. Munger, 22, Army Specialist, Nov 02, 2005 Maysville, Missouri
Benjamin A. Smith, 21, Army Specialist, Nov 02, 2005 Hudson, Wisconsin

For this week’s Military Monday I wanted to shine a light on the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), an organization that I learned of through one of my favorite bands, O.A.R. The guys from O.A.R. (Of A Revolution, for those not familiar), together with IAVA, launched a campaign to grow support of our troops and veterans, called Open Up Your Arms.

From the site: “After meeting our injured troops at Walter Reed and later in Iraq we felt a very personal connection to the plight of the physically and emotionally injured warrior. We believe it’s time we opened up our doors, minds, and hearts to the men and women who need our support.  “War Song” is a song written through and for the warrior,” said O.A.R. lead singer Marc Roberge.

I woke up this morning with an overwhelming need to hear this song.  I don’t know how or why, considering I had the Juicy Fruit jingle stuck in my head from watching the Family Guy “Something Something Something Darkside” DVD last night. Irrelevant, I know, but I had to throw it in there

The last time I saw O.A.R. was at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, NYC – it was a private show benefiting the chain’s Imagine There’s No Hunger campaign (supporting the WHY organization). I was impressed by how involved O.A.R. is in different causes, and that good will makes my affinity for the group that much stronger. They performed War Song during that show, and it resonated more with me than ever before.  Some moments I captured:

I am happy to support Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and figure you might appreciate knowing more about the good work they strive to accomplish.

“Today, veterans are facing new battles at home trying to navigate a complex VA health care system, access mental health care treatment for combat stress, or find a job to support their families in an uncertain economy. As Americans, we have an obligation to support these men and women and to ensure our nation’s newest generation of veterans receives access to top-notch health care, a chance to pursue a quality education on the new GI Bill, a fair chance at a good job.”

I recommend taking a few minutes to learn more about how you too can show your support for our troops and veterans, as well as remembering those we’ve lost.  You can also watch the video for O.A.R.’s War Song.  Thank you YOYO and Marilla, as always.

Marshall A. Westbrook, 43, Army National Guard Sergeant, Oct 01, 2005 Farmington, New Mexico
Timothy J. Roark, 29, Army Staff Sergeant, Oct 02, 2005 Houston, Texas
Roberto C. Baez, 19, Army Private 1st Class, Oct 03, 2005 Tampa, Florida
Bryan W. Large, 31, Army Sergeant, Oct 03, 2005 Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Jacob T. Vanderbosch, 21, Army Specialist, Oct 03, 2005 Vadnais Heights, Minnesota
Sean B. Berry, 26, Army National Guard Sergeant, Oct 03, 2005 Mansfield, Texas
Larry Wayne Pankey Jr., 34, Army Reserve Sergeant, Oct 03, 2005 Morrison, Colorado
John R. Stalvey, 22, Marine Corporal, Oct 03, 2005 Conroe, Texas
Andrew D. Bedard, 19, Marine Private 1st Class, Oct 04, 2005 Missoula, Montana
Brian K. Joplin, 32, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class, Oct 04, 2005 Hugo, Oklahoma
Jeremiah W. Robinson, 20, Army National Guard Corporal, Oct 06, 2005 Mesa, Arizona
Shayne M. Cabino, 19, Marine Lance Corporal, Oct 06, 2005 Franklin, Massachusetts
Nicholas O. Cherava, 21, Marine Corporal, Oct 06, 2005 Ontonagon, Michigan
Jason L. Frye, 19, Marine Private 1st Class, Oct 06, 2005 Landisburg, Pennsylvania
Patrick Brian Kenny, 20, Marine Lance Corporal, Oct 06, 2005 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Daniel M. McVicker, 20, Marine Lance Corporal, Oct 06, 2005 Alliance, Ohio
Carl L. Raines II, 20, Marine Lance Corporal, Oct 06, 2005 Coffee, Alabama
Eric A. Fifer, 22, Army Sergeant, Oct 07, 2005 Knoxville, Tennessee
Nicholas J. Greer, 21, Army Private 1st Class, Oct 07, 2005 Monroe, Michigan
Sergio H. Escobar, 18, Marine Lance Corporal, Oct 08, 2005 Pasadena, California
Gary R. Harper Jr., 29, Army Staff Sergeant, Oct 09, 2005 Virden, Illinois
Leon G. James II, 46, Army Lieutenant Colonel, Oct 10, 2005 Sackets Harbor, New York
Leon M. Johnson, 28, Army Sergeant, Oct 10, 2005 Jacksonville, Florida
Brandon K. Sneed, 33, Army Sergeant 1st Class, Oct 10, 2005 Norman, Oklahoma
Jerry L. Bonifacio Jr., 28, Army National Guard Staff Sergeant, Oct 10, 2005 Vacaville, California
Jeremy M. Hodge, 20, Army National Guard Sergeant, Oct 10, 2005 Ridgeway, Ohio
Matthew A. Kimmell, 30, Army Staff Sergeant, Oct 11, 2005 Paxton, Indiana
Donald D. Furman, 30, Army Sergeant, Oct 12, 2005 Burton, South Carolina
Lorenzo Ponce Ruiz, 26, Army Sergeant, Oct 12, 2005 El Paso, Texas
James T. Grijalva, 26, Army National Guard Specialist, Oct 12, 2005 Burbank, Illinois
Kenneth E. Hunt Jr., 40, Marine Master Sergeant, Oct 12, 2005 Tucson, Arizona
Robert W. Tucker, 20, Army National Guard Sergeant, Oct 13, 2005 Hilham, Tennessee
Howard E. Babcock IV, 33, Navy Petty Officer 1st Class, Oct 13, 2005 Houston, Texas
Samuel M. Boswell, 20, Army National Guard Corporal, Oct 14, 2005 Elkridge, Maryland
Bernard L. Ceo, 23, Army National Guard Corporal, Oct 14, 2005 Baltimore, Maryland
Brian R. Conner, 36, Army National Guard Sergeant, Oct 14, 2005 Baltimore, Maryland
Thomas H. Byrd, 21, Army Specialist, Oct 15, 2005 Cochise, Arizona
Jeffrey W. Corban, 30, Army Specialist, Oct 15, 2005 Elkhart, Indiana
Richard Allen Hardy, 24, Army Specialist, Oct 15, 2005 Bolivar/Newcomerstown, Ohio
Vincent E. Summers, 38, Army Staff Sergeant, Oct 15, 2005 South Haven, Michigan
Timothy D. Watkins, 24, Army Specialist, Oct 15, 2005 San Bernardino, California
Mark P. Adams, 24, Marine Reserve Sergeant, Oct 15, 2005 Morrisville, North Carolina
Paul J. Pillen, 28, Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer, Oct 17, 2005 Keystone, South Dakota
Daniel Scott R. Bubb, 19, Marine Lance Corporal, Oct 17, 2005 Grottoes, Virginia
Chad R. Hildebrandt, 22, Marine Lance Corporal, Oct 17, 2005 Springer, New Mexico
Christopher M. Poston, 20, Marine Lance Corporal, Oct 17, 2005 Glendale, Arizona
Lucas A. Frantz, 22, Army Corporal, Oct 18, 2005 Tonganoxie, Kansas
Daniel D. Bartels, 22, Army Specialist, Oct 19, 2005 Huron, South Dakota
Arthur A. Mora Jr., 23, Army Sergeant, Oct 19, 2005 Pico Rivera, California
Russell H. Nahvi, 24, Army Specialist, Oct 19, 2005 Arlington, Texas

Last night I was so worn out.  Having slept pretty badly Sunday night, then braving the mall for some gifts for the mom and hunting through FOUR supermarkets to find buttermilk to make red velvet cupcakes for Christmas, the day handed my rear end to me.  So it’s no wonder I fell fast asleep forgetting completely to update with this week’s Military Monday.  So I thought to myself that I could just let it go since I already missed it.  But then it dawned on me that I’ve missed a couple of weeks, so I’m channeling an old cliche and saying: BETTER LATE THAN NEVER.

I recently clicked through to Blog 4 Mom because one of the PR/Social Media/Marketing pros I follow, Chris Brogan, tweeted his thoughts were with this woman and her family.  I remember at the time reading her tweets (which are now private) regarding her son.  Out of respect for her privacy, I won’t discuss the details I recall, but she did lose her child and I hope she knows my thoughts, too, are with her and her family.  I hope they find the peace and quiet they need to mourn their loss.

I bring this to light for my Military Monday post because while looking through her site, there was a posting that struck me and I wanted to share it in the context of the MM posts.

Operation Love Reunited is an organization that arranges free professional photography sessions to service members and their families to capture the moments surrounding deployment.  This group of photographers volunteer to shoot the pre-deployment, deployed, or their homecoming/reunion – at no charge to the family.  “Pre-Deployment & Deployment sessions help you say goodbye and cope with being away” while photographers shooting returning sessions “will want to accompany your family to the welcoming home of your spouse or loved one, and capture that first glimpse, that first embrace, and all the love that surrounds every person who walks off that plane, into their families arms.”

All you have to do is use the locator to find a photographer in your area, contact them and let them know you’d like to be photographed as part of the program.  The photographer should take it from there.  It’s a beautiful and touching service (look through some of the images if you need a good, cathartic cry) and if you’re a photographer with the means and the resources, an excellent way to show your gratitude for the real heroes of our country.

Thank you once again to YOYO for inspiring us to participate in Military Monday, and to Marilla for being on time with her posts, allowing me to find the names for the week.  After the jump is a long list, since I missed a couple of weeks.

Robert Lee Hollar Jr., 35, Army National Guard Staff Sergeant, Sep 01, 2005 Griffin, Georgia
Lonnie J. Parson, 39, Army Sergeant 1st Class, Sep 02, 2005 Norcross, Georgia
Matthew Charles Bohling, 22, Army Sergeant, Sep 05, 2005 Eagle River, Alaska
Jeffrey A. Williams, 20, Army Corporal, Sep 05, 2005 Warrenville, Illinois
Luke C. Williams, 35, Army Corporal, Sep 05, 2005 Knoxville, Tennessee
Jude R. Jonaus, 27, Army Staff Sergeant, Sep 06, 2005 Miami, Florida
Franklin R. Vilorio, 26, Army Sergeant, Sep 06, 2005 Miami, Florida
Robert N. Martens, 20, Navy Hospitalman, Sep 06, 2005 Queen Creek, Arizona
Christopher L. Everett, 23, Army National Guard Staff Sergeant, Sep 07, 2005 Huntsville, Texas
Kurtis Dean K. Arcala, 22, Army Sergeant, Sep 11, 2005 Palmer, Alaska
Jeremy M. Campbell, 21, Army Sergeant, Sep 11, 2005 Middlebury, Pennsylvania
Robert D. Macrum, 22, Navy Seaman Apprentice, Sep 12, 2005 Sugarland, Texas
Alfredo B. Silva, 35, Army National Guard Sergeant, Sep 15, 2005 Calexico, California
Shane C. Swanberg, 24, Marine Lance Corporal, Sep 15, 2005 Kirkland, Washington
Matthew L. Deckard, 29, Army Sergeant, Sep 16, 2005 Elizabethtown, Kentucky
David H. Ford IV, 20, Army Specialist, Sep 16, 2005 Ironton, Ohio
Alan Nye Gifford, 39, Army 1st Sergeant, Sep 16, 2005 Tallahassee, Florida
Regilio E. Nelom, 45, Army Staff Sergeant, Sep 17, 2005 Queens, New York
Mark H. Dooley, 27, Army National Guard 1st Lieutenant, Sep 19, 2005 Wallkill, New York
Michael Egan, 36, Army National Guard Sergeant, Sep 19, 2005 Pennsauken, New Jersey
William L. Evans, 22, Army National Guard Specialist, Sep 19, 2005 Hallstead, Pennsylvania
William V. Fernandez, 37, Army National Guard Sergeant, Sep 19, 2005 Reading, Pennsylvania
Lawrence E. Morrison, 45, Army Reserve Sergeant 1st Class, Sep 19, 2005 Yakima, Washington
William Alvin Allers III, 28, Army National Guard Staff Sergeant, Sep 20, 2005 Leitchfield, Kentucky
Pierre A. Raymond, 28, Army Reserve Sergeant, Sep 20, 2005 Lawrence, Massachusetts
Travis M. Arndt, 23, Army National Guard Sergeant, Sep 21, 2005 Bozeman, Montana
Kevin M. Jones, 21, Army Corporal, Sep 22, 2005 Washington, North Carolina
Scott P. McLaughlin, 29, Army National Guard Sergeant, Sep 22, 2005 Hardwick, Vermont
Mike T. Sonoda Jr., 34, Army National Guard Sergeant, Sep 22, 2005 Fallbrook, California
Andrew Joseph Derrick, 25, Army Sergeant, Sep 23, 2005 Columbia, South Carolina
Paul C. Neubauer, 40, Army National Guard Sergeant, Sep 23, 2005 Oceanside, California
Daniel R. Scheile, 37, Army National Guard Staff Sergeant, Sep 24, 2005 Antioch, California
Brian E. Dunlap, 34, Marine Reserve Sergeant, Sep 24, 2005 Vista, California
Shawn A. Graham, 34, Army National Guard Sergeant, Sep 25, 2005 Red Oak, Texas
Casey E. Howe, 32, Army Sergeant 1st Class, Sep 26, 2005 Philadelphia, New York
Tulsa T. Tuliau, 33, Army Master Sergeant, Sep 26, 2005 Watertown, New York
Howard P. Allen, 31, Army National Guard Sergeant, Sep 26, 2005 Mesa, Arizona
Andrew P. Wallace, 25, Army National Guard Sergeant, Sep 26, 2005 Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Michael J. Wendling, 20, Army National Guard Specialist, Sep 26, 2005 Mayville, Wisconsin
Elijah M. Ortega, 19, Marine Private, Sep 26, 2005 Oxnard, California
Jason A. Benford, 30, Army Staff Sergeant, Sep 27, 2005 Toledo, Ohio
Elizabeth Nicole Jacobson, 21, Air Force Airman 1st Class, Sep 28, 2005 Riviera Beach, Florida
Daniel L. Arnold, 27, Army National Guard Staff Sergeant, Sep 28, 2005 Montrose, Pennsylvania
Oliver J. Brown, 19, Army National Guard Private 1st Class, Sep 28, 2005 Carbondale, Pennsylvania
Steve Morin Jr., 34, Army National Guard Sergeant, Sep 28, 2005 Arlington, Texas
George A. Pugliese, 39, Army National Guard Staff Sergeant, Sep 28, 2005 Carbondale, Pennsylvania
Eric W. Slebodnik, 21, Army National Guard Sergeant, Sep 28, 2005 Greenfield Township, Pennsylvania
Lee A. Wiegand, 20, Army National Guard Specialist, Sep 28, 2005 Hallstead, Pennsylvania
Joshua J. Kynoch, 23, Army Corporal, Oct 01, 2005 Santa Rosa, California
Jens E. Schelbert, 31, Army Staff Sergeant, Oct 01, 2005 New Orleans, Louisiana

Anthony N. Kalladeen, 26, Army National Guard Sergeant, Aug 08, 2005 Purchase, New York
Hernando Rios, 29, Army National Guard Private 1st Class, Aug 08, 2005 Queens, New York
Ramon E. Gonzales Cordova, 30, Marine Staff Sergeant, Aug 08, 2005 Davie, Florida
Miguel Carrasquillo, 25, Army Specialist, Aug 09, 2005 River Grove, Illinois
Nathaniel E. “Nate” Detample, 19, Army National Guard Private 1st Class, Aug 09, 2005 Morrisville, Pennsylvania
John Kulick, 35, Army National Guard Specialist, Aug 09, 2005 Harleysville, Pennsylvania
Ryan S. Ostrom, 25, Army National Guard Staff Sergeant, Aug 09, 2005 Liberty, Pennsylvania
Gennaro Pellegrini Jr., 31, Army National Guard Specialist, Aug 09, 2005 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Francis J. Straub Jr., 24, Army National Guard Sergeant, Aug 09, 2005 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Michael A. Benson, 40, Army Sergeant 1st Class, Aug 10, 2005 Winona, Minnesota
Evenor C. Herrera, 22, Marine Lance Corporal, Aug 10, 2005 Gypsum, Colorado
Rusty W. Bell, 21, Army Specialist, Aug 12, 2005 Pocahontas, Arkansas
David L. Giaimo, 24, Army 1st Lieutenant, Aug 12, 2005 Waukegan, Illinois
Brian K. Derks, 21, Army Specialist, Aug 13, 2005 White Cloud, Michigan
Toccara R. Green, 23, Army Specialist, Aug 14, 2005 Rosedale, Maryland
Asbury F. Hawn II, 35, Army National Guard Staff Sergeant, Aug 14, 2005 Lebanon, Tennessee
Gary L. Reese Jr., 22, Army National Guard Sergeant, Aug 14, 2005 Ashland City, Tennessee
Shannon D. Taylor, 30, Army National Guard Sergeant, Aug 14, 2005 Smithville, Tennessee
Jose L. Ruiz, 28, Army Specialist, Aug 15, 2005 Brentwood, New York
Joshua P. Dingler, 19, Army National Guard Specialist, Aug 15, 2005 Hiram, Georgia
Paul A. Saylor, 21, Army National Guard Sergeant, Aug 15, 2005 Norcross, Georgia
Thomas J. Strickland, 27, Army National Guard Sergeant, Aug 15, 2005 Douglasville, Georgia
Michael J. Stokely, 23, Army National Guard Sergeant, Aug 16, 2005 Sharpsburg, Georgia
Nathan K. Bouchard, 24, Army Sergeant, Aug 18, 2005 Wildomar, California
Jeremy W. Doyle, 24, Army Staff Sergeant, Aug 18, 2005 Chesterton, Maryland
Ray M. Fuhrmann II, 28, Army Specialist, Aug 18, 2005 Novato, California
Timothy J. Seamans, 20, Army Private 1st Class, Aug 18, 2005 Jacksonville, Florida
Willard Todd Partridge, 35, Army Sergeant, Aug 20, 2005 Ferriday, Louisiana
Elden D. Arcand, 22, Army Private 1st Class, Aug 21, 2005 White Bear Lake, Minnesota
Brian Lee Morris, 38, Army Staff Sergeant, Aug 21, 2005 Centreville, Michigan
Joseph C. Nurre, 22, Army Reserve Sergeant, Aug 21, 2005 Wilton, California
James J. Cathey, 24, Marine 2nd Lieutenant, Aug 21, 2005 Reno, Nevada
Hatim S. Kathiria, 23, Army Specialist, Aug 22, 2005 Fort Worth, Texas
Joseph Daniel Hunt, 27, Army National Guard Sergeant, Aug 22, 2005 Sweetwater, Tennessee
Victoir P. Lieurance, 34, Army National Guard Staff Sergeant, Aug 22, 2005 Seymour, Tennessee
Ramon Romero, 19, Marine Private 1st Class, Aug 22, 2005 Huntington Park, California
Carlos J. Diaz, 27, Army 1st Lieutenant, Aug 23, 2005 Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico
Chris S. Chapin, 39, Army National Guard Master Sergeant, Aug 23, 2005 Proctor, Vermont
Trevor J. Diesing, 30, Army Sergeant 1st Class, Aug 25, 2005 Plum City, Wisconsin
Ivica Jerak, 42, Army Master Sergeant, Aug 25, 2005 Houston, Texas
Timothy M. Shea, 22, Army Corporal, Aug 25, 2005 Sonoma, California
Joseph L. Martinez, 21, Army Corporal, Aug 27, 2005 Las Vegas, Nevada
Obediah J. Kolath, 32, Army Sergeant 1st Class, Aug 28, 2005 Louisburg, Missouri
Dennis P. Hay, 32, Army Chief Warrant Officer, Aug 29, 2005 Valdosta, Georgia
Charles R. Rubado, 23, Army 2nd Lieutenant, Aug 29, 2005 Clearwater, Florida
Gregory J. Fester, 41, Army Reserve Major, Aug 30, 2005 Grand Rapids, Michigan
Jason E. Ames, 21, Army Specialist, Aug 31, 2005 Cerulean, Kentucky
Monta S. Ruth, 26, Army Sergeant, Aug 31, 2005 Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Lowell T. Miller II, 35, Army National Guard Captain, Aug 31, 2005 Flint, Michigan
George Ray Draughn Jr., 29, Army National Guard Sergeant, Sep 01, 2005 Decatur, Georgia

Adrian J. Butler, 28, Army Specialist, Jul 27, 2005 East Lansing, Michigan
Edward L. Myers, 21, Army Specialist, Jul 27, 2005 St. Joseph, Missouri
John O. Tollefson, 22, Army Specialist, Jul 27, 2005 Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Benjamin D. Jansky, 28, Army Reserve Captain, Jul 27, 2005 Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Christopher P. Lyons, 24, Marine Reserve Lance Corporal, Jul 28, 2005 Mansfield/Shelby, Ohio
Andre L. Williams, 23, Marine Reserve Corporal, Jul 28, 2005 Galloway, Ohio
Ernesto R. Guerra, 20, Army Private, Jul 29, 2005 Long Beach, California
Jason D. Scheuerman, 20, Army Private 1st Class, Jul 30, 2005 Lynchburg, Virginia
Robert A. Swaney, 21, Army Private 1st Class, Jul 30, 2005 West Jefferson, Ohio
Victor A. Anderson, 39, Army National Guard Sergeant 1st Class, Jul 30, 2005 Ellaville, Georgia
Jonathon C. Haggin, 26, Army National Guard Sergeant, Jul 30, 2005 Kingsland, Georgia
David R. Jones Sr., 45, Army National Guard Staff Sergeant, Jul 30, 2005 Augusta, Georgia
Ronnie L. “Rod” Shelley Sr., 34, Army National Guard Sergeant, Jul 30, 2005 Valdosta, Georgia
James D. Carroll, 23, Army National Guard Sergeant, Jul 31, 2005 McKenzie, Tennessee
Jeffrey A. Boskovitch, 25, Marine Reserve Corporal, Aug 01, 2005 Seven Hills, Ohio
Roger D. Castleberry Jr., 26, Marine Reserve Lance Corporal, Aug 01, 2005 Austin, Texas
David J. Coullard, 32, Marine Reserve Sergeant, Aug 01, 2005 Glastonbury, Connecticut
Daniel Nathan Deyarmin Jr., 22, Marine Reserve Lance Corporal, Aug 01, 2005 Tallmadge, Ohio
James R. Graham III, 25, Marine Reserve Sergeant, Aug 01, 2005 Coweta, Oklahoma
Brian P. Montgomery, 26, Marine Reserve Lance Corporal, Aug 01, 2005 Willoughby, Ohio
Nathaniel S. Rock, 26, Marine Reserve Sergeant, Aug 01, 2005 Toronto, Ohio
James D. McNaughton, 27, Army Reserve Staff Sergeant, Aug 02, 2005 Middle Village, New York
Thomas C. Hull, 41, Navy Petty Officer 1st Class, Aug 02, 2005 Princeton, Illinois
Jerry Lewis Ganey Jr., 29, Army National Guard Sergeant, Aug 03, 2005 Folkston, Georgia
Mathew V. Gibbs, 21, Army National Guard Specialist, Aug 03, 2005 Ambrose, Georgia
Charles Houghton Warren, 36, Army National Guard Sergeant 1st Class, Aug 03, 2005 Duluth, Georgia
Adam J. Strain, 20, Marine Lance Corporal, Aug 03, 2005 Smartville, California
Timothy Michael Bell Jr., 22, Marine Reserve Lance Corporal, Aug 03, 2005 West Chester, Ohio
Eric J. Bernholtz, 23, Marine Reserve Lance Corporal, Aug 03, 2005 Grove City, Ohio
Nicholas William B. Bloem, 20, Marine Reserve Lance Corporal, Aug 03, 2005 Belgrade, Montana
Michael J. Cifuentes, 25, Marine Reserve Lance Corporal, Aug 03, 2005 Fairfield, Ohio
Christopher Jenkins Dyer, 19, Marine Reserve Lance Corporal, Aug 03, 2005 Cincinnati, Ohio
Grant B. Fraser, 22, Marine Reserve Lance Corporal, Aug 03, 2005 Anchorage, Alaska
Bradley J. Harper, 25, Marine Reserve Sergeant, Aug 03, 2005 Dresden, Ohio
Justin F. Hoffman, 27, Marine Reserve Sergeant, Aug 03, 2005 Delaware, Ohio
David Kenneth J. Kreuter, 26, Marine Reserve Corporal, Aug 03, 2005 Cincinnati, Ohio
Aaron H. Reed, 21, Marine Reserve Lance Corporal, Aug 03, 2005 Chillicothe, Ohio
Edward August Schroeder II, 23, Marine Reserve Lance Corporal, Aug 03, 2005 Columbus, Ohio
David S. Stewart, 24, Marine Reserve Corporal, Aug 03, 2005 Bogalusa, Louisiana
Kevin G. Waruinge, 22, Marine Reserve Lance Corporal, Aug 03, 2005 Tampa, Florida
William Brett Wightman, 22, Marine Reserve Lance Corporal, Aug 03, 2005 Sabina, Ohio
Nils George Thompson, 19, Army Private 1st Class, Aug 04, 2005 Confluence, Pennsylvania
Chad J. Simon, 32, Marine Reserve Staff Sergeant, Aug 04, 2005 Monona/Madison, Wisconsin
Brett Eugene Walden, 40, Army Sergeant 1st Class, Aug 05, 2005 Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Robert V. Derenda, 42, Army Reserve Sergeant 1st Class, Aug 05, 2005 Ledbetter, Kentucky
Terry W. Ball Jr., 36, Marine Gunnery Sergeant, Aug 05, 2005 East Peoria, Illinois
Brahim J. Jeffcoat, 25, Army National Guard Sergeant, Aug 06, 2005 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Kurt E. Krout, 43, Army National Guard Specialist, Aug 06, 2005 Spinnerstown, Pennsylvania
Chase Johnson Comley, 21, Marine Lance Corporal, Aug 06, 2005 Lexington, Kentucky
Seferino J. Reyna, 20, Army Private 1st Class, Aug 07, 2005 Phoenix, Arizona

Now that Thanksgiving over and done with, it’s officially the Christmas season.  It’s a time of year that if at no other time throughout the year, we pause to think of all our blessings.  We spend time with family and loved ones.  We give a little more, and think a little less of ourselves.

This Military Monday, maybe we can think about ways to give back to the brave souls of our military.  The American Red Cross has some wonderful ways to help our service members and their families.  You can put your contribution towards a number of different options, from phone cards for those deployed overseas to reach out to family ($20) to training classes for families to learn how to cope with the deployment of loved ones ($250 – which is actually just 1/4 of the total cost of said training).  Check it out.

It’s one of many options for showing support of those who support us, bravely and willingly.  Please take a moment to read through some of the service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice, after the jump.  Thank you again to YOYO for encouraging us to participate in Military Monday, and to Marilla for the use of her list of names.

photo courtesy BL1961

Regina R. Clark, 43, Naval Reserve Petty Officer 1st Class, Jun 23, 2005 Centralia, Washington
Carlos Pineda, 23, Marine Corporal, Jun 24, 2005 Los Angeles, California
Charles A. Kaufman, 20, Army National Guard Specialist, Jun 26, 2005 Fairchild, Wisconsin
Matthew S. Coutu, 23, Army 2nd Lieutenant, Jun 27, 2005 North Kingstown, Rhode Island
Keith R. Mariotti, 39, Army Chief Warrant Officer, Jun 27, 2005 Elkton, Maryland
Steven E. Shepard, 30, Army Chief Warrant Officer, Jun 27, 2005 Purcell, Oklahoma
Rafael A. “T. J.” Carrillo Jr., 21, Army Specialist, Jun 28, 2005 Boys Ranch, Texas
Manny Hornedo, 27, Army National Guard Sergeant, Jun 28, 2005 Brooklyn, New York
Robert E. Hall Jr., 30, Army Reserve Specialist, Jun 28, 2005 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Chad M. Mercer, 25, Army National Guard Sergeant, Jun 30, 2005 Waycross, Georgia
Jeremy A. Brown, 26, Army Staff Sergeant, Jul 03, 2005 Mabscott, West Virginia
Ryan J. Montgomery, 22, Army National Guard Sergeant, Jul 03, 2005 Greensburg, Kentucky
Scottie L. Bright, 36, Army Staff Sergeant, Jul 05, 2005 Montgomery, Alabama
Lyle J. Cambridge, 23, Army Corporal, Jul 05, 2005 Shiprock, New Mexico
Christopher W. Dickison, 26, Army Specialist, Jul 05, 2005 Seattle, Washington
Anthony M. Mazzarella, 22, Army Private, Jul 05, 2005 Blue Springs, Missouri
Deyson K. Cariaga, 20, Army National Guard Sergeant, Jul 08, 2005 Honolulu, Hawaii
Hoby F. Bradfield Jr., 22, Army Specialist, Jul 09, 2005 The Woodlands, Texas
Eric Paul Woods, 26, Army Private 1st Class, Jul 09, 2005 Omaha, Nebraska
Joseph P. Goodrich, 32, Marine Reserve Staff Sergeant, Jul 10, 2005 Allegheny, Pennsylvania
Ryan J. Kovacicek, 22, Marine Reserve Lance Corporal, Jul 10, 2005 Washington, Pennsylvania
Timothy J. Sutton, 22, Army Sergeant, Jul 11, 2005 Springfield, Missouri
Benyahmin B. Yahudah, 24, Army Specialist, Jul 13, 2005 Bogart, Georgia
Timothy J. Hines Jr., 21, Army Private 1st Class, Jul 14, 2005 Deer Park/Fairfield, Ohio
Tricia L. Jameson, 34, Army National Guard Staff Sergeant, Jul 14, 2005 Omaha, Nebraska
Clifton Blake Mounce, 22, Marine Corporal, Jul 14, 2005 Pontotoc, Mississippi
Christopher D. Winchester, 23, Marine Corporal, Jul 14, 2005 Flomaton, Alabama
Jared D. Hartley, 22, Army Specialist, Jul 15, 2005 Newkirk, Oklahoma
Jorge Luis Pena-Romero, 29, Army Staff Sergeant, Jul 16, 2005 Fallbrook, California
Travis S. Cooper, 24, Army National Guard Sergeant, Jul 16, 2005 Macon, Mississippi
Ronald T. Wood, 28, Army National Guard Sergeant 1st Class, Jul 16, 2005 Cedar City, Utah
Ronnie D. Williams, 26, Army Specialist, Jul 17, 2005 Erlanger, Kentucky
Frank F. Tiai, 45, Army Reserve Staff Sergeant, Jul 17, 2005 Pago Pago, American Samoa
Efrain Sanchez Jr., 26, Marine Lance Corporal, Jul 17, 2005 Port Chester, New York
Lavena L. Johnson, 19, Army Private, Jul 19, 2005 Florissant, Missouri
Arthur R. McGill, 25, Army Sergeant, Jul 19, 2005 Gravette, Arkansas
Jefferey J. Farrow, 28, Army Reserve Staff Sergeant, Jul 19, 2005 Birmingham, Alabama
Steven P. Gill, 24, Marine Reserve Corporal, Jul 21, 2005 Round Rock, Texas
Travis L. Youngblood, 26, Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class, Jul 21, 2005 Surrency, Georgia
Bryan James Opskar, 32, Marine Sergeant, Jul 23, 2005 Princeton, Minnesota
Ernest W. Dallas Jr., 21, Army Specialist, Jul 24, 2005 Denton, Texas
Jason W. Montefering, 27, Army Staff Sergeant, Jul 24, 2005 Parkston, South Dakota
Milton M. Monzon Jr., 21, Army Sergeant, Jul 24, 2005 Los Angeles, California
Christopher J. Taylor, 22, Army Sergeant, Jul 24, 2005 Opelika, Alabama
Ramon A. Villatoro Jr., 19, Army Private 1st Class, Jul 24, 2005 Bakersfield, California
Jacques Earl “Gus” Brunson, 30, Army National Guard Specialist, Jul 24, 2005 Americus, Georgia
Carl Ray Fuller, 44, Army National Guard Staff Sergeant, Jul 24, 2005 Covington, Georgia
James Ondra Kinlow, 35, Army National Guard Sergeant, Jul 24, 2005 Thompson, Georgia
John Frank Thomas, 33, Army National Guard Sergeant, Jul 24, 2005 Valdosta, Georgia
Adam J. Harting, 21, Army Specialist, Jul 25, 2005 Portage, Indiana

Good morning, and thank you for visiting Karma Cooler.  This is a nice short work week, which I am very thankful for.  Seems a little trite to be thankful for something like that when there are so many more blessings in my life.  Like I mentioned last week, I am extremely thankful for, and owe a debt of gratitude to those brave men and women willing to put themselves in harm’s way to secure our freedoms and preserve our liberties.

My heart breaks for the families of our fallen soldiers, and I wish they could all know just how eternally grateful so many of us are for the bravery and sacrifice of their loved ones.  Please remember them when you pause to consider all you are grateful for this Thanksgiving.

Thank you to Cupcake Rehab for the lists, both this week and last.  Thank you topstitch for always inspiring us to stop and appreciate.

Phillip T. Esposito, 30, Army National Guard Captain, Jun 08, 2005 Suffern, New York
Roberto Arizola Jr., 31, Army Reserve Sergeant, Jun 08, 2005 Laredo, Texas
Marc Lucas Tucker, 24, Marine Lance Corporal, Jun 08, 2005 Pontotoc, Mississippi
Mark O. Edwards, 40, Army National Guard Staff Sergeant, Jun 09, 2005 Unicoi, Tennessee
David Joseph Murray, 23, Army National Guard Sergeant, Jun 09, 2005 Felixville/Clinton, Louisiana
Daniel Chavez, 20, Marine Lance Corporal, Jun 09, 2005 Seattle, Washington
Dustin V. Birch, 22, Marine Reserve Lance Corporal, Jun 09, 2005 Saint Anthony, Idaho
Thomas O. Keeling, 23, Marine Reserve Lance Corporal, Jun 09, 2005 Strongsville, Ohio
Devon Paul Seymour, 21, Marine Reserve Lance Corporal, Jun 09, 2005 St. Louisville, Ohio
Brad D. Squires, 26, Marine Reserve Corporal, Jun 09, 2005 Middleburg Heights, Ohio
Mario Alberto Castillo, 20, Marine Lance Corporal, Jun 10, 2005 Brownwood, Texas
Andrew J. Kilpela, 22, Marine Lance Corporal, Jun 10, 2005 Fowlerville, Michigan
Stanley J. Lapinski, 35, Army Corporal, Jun 11, 2005 Las Vegas, Nevada
Neil A. Prince, 35, Army Sergeant 1st Class, Jun 11, 2005 Baltimore, Maryland
Larry R. Arnold Sr., 46, Army National Guard Sergeant, Jun 11, 2005 Carriere, Mississippi
Casey Byers, 22, Army National Guard Sergeant, Jun 11, 2005 Schleswig, Iowa
Terrance D. Lee Sr., 25, Army National Guard Sergeant, Jun 11, 2005 Moss Point, Mississippi
Anthony D. Kinslow, 21, Army Specialist, Jun 13, 2005 Westerville, Ohio
Larry R. Kuhns Jr., 24, Army Sergeant, Jun 13, 2005 Austintown, Ohio
John J. Mattek Jr., 24, Marine Lance Corporal, Jun 13, 2005 Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Anthony G. Jones, 25, Army Sergeant, Jun 14, 2005 Greenville, South Carolina
Michael Ray Hayes, 29, Army National Guard Private 1st Class, Jun 14, 2005 Morgantown, Kentucky
Nathan B. Clemons, 20, Marine Private 1st Class, Jun 14, 2005 Winchester, Tennessee
Joshua P. Klinger, 21, Marine Private 1st Class, Jun 14, 2005 Easton, Pennsylvania
Jonathan R. Flores, 18, Marine Lance Corporal, Jun 15, 2005 San Antonio, Texas
Jesse Jaime, 22, Marine Corporal, Jun 15, 2005 Henderson, Nevada
Chad B. Maynard, 19, Marine Lance Corporal, Jun 15, 2005 Montrose, Colorado
Tyler S. Trovillion, 23, Marine Corporal, Jun 15, 2005 Richardson, Texas
Dion M. Whitley, 21, Marine Lance Corporal, Jun 15, 2005 Los Angeles, California
Cesar O. Baez, 37, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class, Jun 15, 2005 Pomona, California
Anthony S. Cometa, 21, Army National Guard Specialist, Jun 16, 2005 Las Vegas, Nevada
Erik R. Heldt, 26, Marine Lance Corporal, Jun 16, 2005 Hermann, Missouri
John W. Maloney, 36, Marine Captain, Jun 16, 2005 Chicopee, Massachusetts
Robert M. Horrigan, 40, Army Master Sergeant, Jun 17, 2005 Austin, Texas
Michael L. McNulty, 36, Army Master Sergeant, Jun 17, 2005 Knoxville, Tennessee
Noah Harris, 23, Army 1st Lieutenant, Jun 18, 2005 Ellijay, Georgia
William A. Long, 26, Army Corporal, Jun 18, 2005 Lilburn, Georgia
Adam J. Crumpler, 19, Marine Lance Corporal, Jun 18, 2005 Charleston, West Virginia
Christopher R. Kilpatrick, 18, Army Private 1st Class, Jun 20, 2005 Columbus, Texas
Christopher L. Hoskins, 21, Army Specialist, Jun 21, 2005 Danielson, Connecticut
Nicholas R. Idalski, 23, Army Specialist, Jun 21, 2005 Crown Point, Indiana
James D. Stewart, 29, Army Sergeant, Jun 21, 2005 Chattanooga, Tennessee
Brian A. Vaughn, 23, Army Specialist, Jun 21, 2005 Pell City, Alabama
Arnold Duplantier II, 26, Army National Guard Sergeant, Jun 22, 2005 Sacramento, California
Christopher W. Phelps, 39, Army Sergeant 1st Class, Jun 23, 2005 Louisville, Kentucky
Joseph M. Tackett, 22, Army Sergeant, Jun 23, 2005 Whitehouse, Kentucky
Holly A. Charette, 21, Marine Lance Corporal, Jun 23, 2005 Cranston, Rhode Island
Veashna Muy, 20, Marine Lance Corporal, Jun 23, 2005 Los Angeles, California
Chad W. Powell, 22, Marine Corporal, Jun 23, 2005 West Monroe, Louisiana
Ramona M. Valdez, 20, Marine Corporal, Jun 23, 2005 Bronx, New York

I haven’t actively participated in Military Monday yet on Karma Cooler but I figured why not start this week?  Miss YOYO and Marilla have been doing this every week – listing 100 soldiers who have died in Iraq, in order to honor them and always remember the great sacrifice they’ve made in the name of freedom.  It doesn’t matter whether you agree or disagree with the war – what matters is that we pay respect to the brothers and sisters we’ve lost and just as importantly, show our support for those who continue to defend and represent this great country.

I’d like to mention a quick and easy way you can show your support for our troops.  You can visit Let’s Say Thanks and enter a message to be sent via postcard to U.S. military personnel stationed overseas.  All it takes is a minute of your time.

And if you could, please take a few moments to remember those we’ve lost:

Charles T. Wilkerson, 30, Army Sergeant, May 22, 2005 Kansas City, Missouri
Carl J. Morgain, 40, Army National Guard Sergeant, May 22, 2005 Butler, Pennsylvania
John B. Ogburn III, 45, Army National Guard Sergeant, May 22, 2005 Fruitland, Idaho
Joshua T. Brazee, 25, Army Specialist, May 23, 2005 Sand Creek, Michigan
Russell J. Verdugo, 34, Army Staff Sergeant, May 23, 2005 Phoenix, Arizona
Bryan Edward Barron, 26, Army National Guard Specialist, May 23, 2005 Biloxi, Mississippi
Audrey Daron Lunsford, 29, Army National Guard Sergeant, May 23, 2005 Sardis, Mississippi
Saburant “Sabe” Parker, 43, Army National Guard Staff Sergeant, May 23, 2005 Foxworth, Mississippi
Daniel Ryan Varnado, 23, Army National Guard Sergeant, May 23, 2005 Saucier, Mississippi
Christopher S. Perez, 30, Marine Sergeant, May 23, 2005 Hutchinson, Kansas
Randy D. Collins, 36, Army Sergeant 1st Class, May 24, 2005 Long Beach, California
Charles A. “Chuck” Drier, 28, Army Sergeant, May 24, 2005 Tuscola County, Michigan
Dustin C. Fisher, 22, Army Specialist, May 24, 2005 Fort Smith, Arkansas
Jeffrey R. Wallace, 20, Army Private 1st Class, May 24, 2005 Hoopeston, Illinois
Peter J. Hahn, 31, Army National Guard Sergeant 1st Class, May 24, 2005 Metairie, Louisiana
Alfred Barton Siler, 33, Army National Guard Sergeant, May 25, 2005 Duff, Tennessee
David Neil Wimberg, 24, Marine Reserve Sergeant, May 25, 2005 Louisville, Kentucky
Ricardo A. Crocker, 39, Marine Reserve Major, May 26, 2005 Mission Viejo, California
Matthew Scott Lourey, 40, Army Chief Warrant Officer (CW4), May 27, 2005 East Bethel, Minnesota
Mark A. Maida, 22, Army Sergeant, May 27, 2005 Madison, Wisconsin
Joshua Michael Scott, 28, Army Chief Warrant Officer (CW2), May 27, 2005 Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Phillip N. Sayles, 26, Army Specialist, May 28, 2005 Jacksonville, Arkansas
Albert E. Smart, 41, Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel, May 28, 2005 San Antonio, Texas
Michael S. Barnhill, 39, Marine Reserve 1st Sergeant, May 28, 2005 Folsom, California
Victor M. Cortes III, 29, Army Staff Sergeant, May 29, 2005 Erie, Pennsylvania
Derek Argel, 28, Air Force Captain, May 30, 2005 Lompoc, California
Casey Crate, 26, Air Force Staff Sergeant, May 30, 2005 Spanaway, Washington
William Downs, 40, Air Force Major, May 30, 2005 Winchester, Virginia
Jeremy Fresques, 26, Air Force Captain, May 30, 2005 Clarkdale, Arizona
Jeffrey B. Starr, 22, Marine Corporal, May 30, 2005 Snohomish, Washington
Steven M. Langmack, 33, Army Sergeant 1st Class, May 31, 2005 Seattle, Washington
Miguel A. Ramos, 39, Army Reserve Sergeant, May 31, 2005 Mayaguez, Puerto Rico
Phillip C. Edmundson, 22, Army Corporal, Jun 01, 2005 Wilson, North Carolina
Louis E. Niedermeier, 20, Army Private 1st Class, Jun 01, 2005 Largo, Florida
Virgil R. Case, 37, Army National Guard Staff Sergeant, Jun 01, 2005 Mountain Home, Idaho
Linda J. Villar, 41, Dept. of the Army Civilian, Jun 03, 2005 Franklinton, Louisiana
Antonio Mendoza, 21, Marine Corporal, Jun 03, 2005 Santa Ana, California
Eric J. Poelman, 21, Army Specialist, Jun 05, 2005 Racine, Wisconsin
Brian Scott “Scotty” Ulbrich, 23, Army Private 1st Class, Jun 05, 2005 Chapmanville, West Virginia
Justin L. Vasquez, 26, Army Staff Sergeant, Jun 05, 2005 Manzanola, Colorado
Theodore S. Westhusing, 44, Army Colonel, Jun 05, 2005 Dallas, Texas
Carrie L. French, 19, Army National Guard Corporal, Jun 05, 2005 Caldwell, Idaho
Brian M. Romines, 20, Army National Guard Sergeant, Jun 06, 2005 Simpson, Illinois
Robert T. Mininger, 21, Marine Lance Corporal, Jun 06, 2005 Sellersville, Pennsylvania
Jonathan L. Smith, 22, Marine Lance Corporal, Jun 06, 2005 Eva, Alabama
Eric T. Burri, 21, Army Specialist, Jun 07, 2005 Wyoming, Michigan
Terrence K. Crowe, 44, Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel, Jun 07, 2005 New York, New York
Michael J. Fasnacht, 25, Army 1st Lieutenant, Jun 08, 2005 Mankato, Minnesota
Douglas E. Kashmer, 27, Army Private 1st Class, Jun 08, 2005 Sharon, Pennsylvania
Louis E. Allen, 34, Army National Guard 1st Lieutenant, Jun 08, 2005 Milford, Pennsylvania

It’s unfortunately too easy to be so busy living life that you momentarily lose sight of just how fortunate we are to experience all the freedoms, all the choices, all the opportunities we are given.  We owe an eternal debt of gratitude to the courageous men and women who put their own lives on the line – all for the sake of securing a country, and a world where its citizens can live freely and make a better life for themselves and their families.

On Veterans Day, and any day, there are things we can do to pay our respect and show our support for these incredible people. Here are just a few ideas, please add yours in the comments:

Visit a national park commemorating where they fought and served their country.  This idea stems from the NPS and according to their site, “contains a sampling of National Park Service sites that can help visitors gain an understanding of what America’s veterans fought for, and provides a link to our past, present, and future.”

Send an E-Card through the Easter Seals expressing your gratitude for their hard work and dedication. Easter Seals offers community-based services and support for America’s military service members, veterans with disabilities and their families. As service members return from Iraq and Afghanistan, the Easter Seals Military and Veterans initiative is responding to the needs of  injured military service members transitioning to civilian life.

Work with the USO – become a partner, make a donation, become a volunteer. They proudly serve the men and women who serve our country.  Learn more here: United Service Organizations

Scan the web – take some time out of your day today and visit sites like Honor Our Veterans.  Read up on the history of Veteran Day on military.com’s page.  The least we can do is take pause and reflect on their bravery and dedication.

Support great causes and spread the word about them – one I love is the Honor Flight Network. It was created to give veterans the opportunity to travel for free to visit the memorials created in their honor, because they may not have the financial or physical freedom to do so.

Participate and support your local chapters of veterans service organizations like the American Legion and VFW.  Keep your eyes and ears open for events run by your local chapters, and come out when they run tricky trays, blood drives, food drives.

photo courtesy of Wigwam Jones

Are you proud to be an American?  If you are, chances are you hold the country’s flag in very high regard.  You wouldn’t let it touch the ground, you would bring it to your local American Legion or VFW if it was “tattered and torn.” Chances are you would wear your red white and blue proudly on your body, you would get involved in projects to support veterans new and old and send packages to soldiers. You would take time out of your week to reflect on the sacrifice of our soldiers.  With pride comes respect and reverence – this is something most people who are deeply connected to their American pride understand.

How about this: are you *proud* to be a citizen of this earth?

Are you aware of how your daily life impacts the earth?  Seems a bit melodramatic, but when you add up all the lives and all the days, you get to a point where it’s big enough that 9,000+ bloggers are shining a light on the issue in an effort to affect change.

Climate change is the topic for this year’s Blog Action Day, and we’re hoping to reach out and encourage our readers to take pause and consider what’s happening around you and what you can do to lend a hand.

People use the word “GREEN” so much it makes me want to vomit.  No, scratch that – PROJECTILE vomit.  It’s so overused and so under-analyzed.  If you thought hard about it you could probably claim to be green for the littlest reason, and I honestly think a lot of companies and individuals hang their “green” hats on that baseline effort.  Winning sales by claiming GREEN is lame – and I challenge people to do their homework and hold companies to higher standards.

The idea is not to do as little possible and claim to be earth friendly. Individuals and companies alike can take some time to look at everything and try to go beyond the minimum.  I’m definitely no angel when it comes to conservation and preservation, but I’m arming myself with some knowledge to get in the game and try to make more of a difference.

Interested in seeing some of the effects of Global Warming?  Click to the Top 100 Effects of Global Warming.  Take it with a grain of salt, but be warned, some of this stuff is scary (and I’m not just talking about the possible eradication of pinot noir – read down to the parts about malaria, famine, natural disasters).

There are a number of resources on the internet for you to gauge your personal, household or company’s carbon footprint.  Check out some carbon calculators here:

At the end of some of these calculators, you are provided with options to offset your carbon footprint.  The first option typically seems to be making a donation – which is a very worthy and noble course of action.  But my first suggestion is to look at ways to minimize your impact on the earth.  Some things I can speak to that you might want to try include:

• Carry a tote bag to work every day with your meal(s) instead of grocery or brown bags.

• Invest in reusable grocery tote bags or at the very least, use plastic and bring them back to the supermarket for recycling

• Recycle cardboard, plastic, glass, aluminum and any household items that your city/town encourages.

• Buy one bottle of water on Monday and reuse it through the week, refilling it from the water cooler

• Save on gas and oil whenever and however possible. Carpool, buy more fuel efficient cars, use public transportation.

• Save energy and water when you can. Unplug electronics, don’t just power off.  Don’t keep the faucet running when you don’t need it.

For more ideas, visit Scientific American and be sure to click through the 4 short pages of solid information.

It’s October, it’s getting cold here in New Jersey.  You can bet your ass I’m freezing mine off when I emerge from underneath the very fluffy, very warm comforter in the mornings now.  But I’m resigning myself to the goal of sucking it up for as long as possible before begging for us to start up the heat That’s just one thing I’m going to try – but there will be more.

This blog is all about spreading good karma around the world – how about we take some time to read up on the world itself  and see how we can respect and nurture it?

No bit of difference is inconsequential.

earth egg image copyright azrainman