Remember "The Chosen Ones", Remember Their Families

The first Memorial Day - then called Decorations Day - was held in 1866, when a group of women visited a cemetery to decorate the graves of Confederate soldiers who had fallen in battle at Shiloh. Nearby were the graves of Union soldiers, neglected because they were the enemy. Disturbed at the sight of the bare graves, the women placed some of their flowers on those graves, as well.

Today, we have this generation's fallen to remember and honour. Across America, there will be public ceremonies as we pause to reflect about the "chosen ones". Last year I came across a piece written in honour of Adam Cann. K9 Handler "V" wrote:


" I know there are a lot of good people that are proud of this country and the military that's protecting it, but I just want to reflect, that this weekend, be proud and give thanks for the freedoms you have, b/c others gave their lives to protect it...."

"...On a personal note, I will be remembering my friend and co-worker Sgt Adam L. Cann/USMC, Camp Pendleton K-9 (Dogs of War) who was killed in action by a suicide bomber in Ramadi, Iraq on January 5th, 2006. He was only 23. He was the LAST person you would have thought could die over here b/c he was so full of life and energy. He lived the good life, fought the good fight and gave the ultimate sacrifice. We shall never forget him or others like him...." here



Yes, there are public ceremonies this weekend, but to the families of our "chosen ones" Memorial Day also brings a personal reflection, remembering. It is the families I am remembering this weekend. Families of heroes. Billy Walkabout did not die in battles, although he most definitely IS a hero to me and to many. A hero worthy of remembering for not only how he conducted himself in the heat of a war zone, but in how he lived his life in the aftermath.

Billy Walkabout

You may not know of this fine American, but you can read more on him here

Another special young man - a "chosen one" - is the beloved son of a Gold Star Family I am now humbled to call friends. Deb Tainsh wrote a piece last year about her and husband Dave's meeting with the President at the White House.

I first 'met' this family in January 2007. Deb had written a book called Heart of a Hawk (review to follow later) that tells of her family's journey as their son went to Iraq to make life better for the children there.

Patrick Tainsh and his father Dave

Since those dark days of the soul, Deb and Dave have worked tirelessly right across America to ensure that the mission their son gave all for, continues on. I am sure that for them, every Memorial Day is very personal. They are always in my thoughts.

Today, as some of our Gold Star Families join in public memorials, I know for each of them this day is very personal. The Stokely family is another family who I have come to know.

Mike Stokely

I have been blessed to meet Robert Stokely, Mike's dad, and I know that everything he does (including the Mike Stokely Foundation) is part of what he, Robert, calls "a special privilege of sacrifice". Not a day goes by that I do not think of Mike's family, and the work they do across America - and in Iraq - to honour Mike's legacy.

Heart of a Hawk written by Deb Tainish

So many Americans have stepped up and given all in service to their country. So many names that most of us will never know. Throughout America's history many families have given their loved ones to maintain the freedoms most of us take for granted. Another family I will be thinking of even more than usual as we pause to remember, and give thanks, is the Wiens family. Kory and Cooper were a team in Iraq, a highly specialised team. July 2007 Kory and Cooper both gave all in Iraq.

Kory and Cooper
MNF-Iraq

And the legacy of Kory and Cooper lives on. (Read more on Kory and Cooper here.)

Also watch an amazing video tribute which Moe, a part of the K9 unit that Kory and Cooper worked with, here.

Part of America's legacy is the public honour given to these precious sons and daughters. I am sure that as they go to public events today, every single one of these families will be rewinding in their hearts the snapshots of the lives they lived together. Many young widows will be replaying the heart-held memories of their husbands as they raise the precious children. Donald May gave all and now his wife Deborah raises their young children; these families' service to America never ends. That is Don's picture over there on the left. Here at Tanler bros, we remember him - and his family - every day.

Many names, many families who hold their loved ones close as they wonder if America remembers. Andrew Olmsted, Capt Thomas Casey, Casey Sheehan are but a few of the loved ones we remember. A Vietnam veteran a Marine - who is always in my thoughts, today and every day, is Kenneth Nixon, with whom I formed a special bond.

Kenneth Nixon
My eternal hero
Kassie/TB

Kenny's legacy also lives on in ways he could never have imagined. And I remember. Read more on Kenny here.

In one of the pieces Deb Tainsh sent me, and which I shared elsewhere, she said "Please don't forget Patrick." I have promised that I will never forget. On this Memorial Day, will YOU remember?





Brat

Wednesday Heroes

Sgt. John F. Thomas(Right) & Sgt. Ronnie L. Shelley, Sr.(Left)
33 & 34 years old from Valdosta, Georgia
2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, 48th Infantry Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard
July 24, 2005 & July 30, 2005


Sgt. Ronnie "Rod" Shelley and Sgt. John F. Thomas became best friends in the Georgia Army National Guard.

They both were ex-Marines, both about the same age, and both enjoyed searching for arrowheads and fishing together. As their friendship grew, Thomas often came over to Shelley’s house for steaks and ribs barbecued by his friend. And when their infantry unit was sent to Iraq in May of 2005, they went to war together.

When their unit was mobilized for combat duty in Iraq, Shelley promised to watch out for Thomas. "Ronnie said, 'Don't you worry, I'll bring him back safely,"' said Thomas' grandfather. But neither Sgt. Thomas or Sgt. Shelley made it back safely. Sgt. Thomas was killed July 24, 2005 by a roadside bomb near Baghdad. And Sgt. Shelley was killed six days later on July 30 by another roadside bomb, also near Baghdad.

Shelley was a family man, married with three children, who was obsessed with having a neat yard, his wife said. "The grass had to be two inches," she said. "If the neighbor mowed the grass, Rod had to mow. He also wanted the biggest, baddest lawn mower."

She said she fell in love with his "gorgeous blue ... eyes," and "he had a laid back attitude. I could not make him mad."

Thomas was married but had no children. His grandparents said he dreamed of becoming a forest ranger. "John wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail. Now the only trail he can walk is the trail in heaven," the grandfather said.

Mrs. Thomas, wiping back tears, said the soldier felt responsible for the others in his unit. "He cared for people," she said. "That's why he had so many friends. People cared for him."

Killed alongside Sgt. Shelley were Staff Sgt. David R. Jones Sr., Sgt. 1st Class Victor A. Anderson and Sgt. Jonathon C. Haggin and killed alongside Sgt. Thomas were Army Spc. Jacques E. Brunson, Army Staff Sgt. Carl R. Fuller and Army Sgt. James O. Kinlow.

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.

Courage Under Fire In Battle Of Coral

I read this article this morning and thought I would share it with you all. Somehow reading a personal account always helps to bring it home...

GEORGE Hulse learned a lot about himself as he huddled in a dugout during a hellish enemy bombardment in the Vietnamese bush 40 years ago. "That was the night I realised I wasn't bulletproof," the 65-year-old retired army lieutenant-colonel said at his Brisbane home yesterday. So intense was the shelling that Mr Hulse, then a 25-year-old lieutenant with a combat engineer troop, thought he was about to die. Crouching nearby, and harbouring similar thoughts, was his troop's corporal, Ken Ford. "Corporal Ford and I shared the same birthday," Mr Hulse said, "and we thought we were going to share the same death day." Both survived that terrible night, and the two old friends will carry the flag of their unit, the First Field Squadron, at a parade to be held in Canberra on Tuesday to mark the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Coral, one of the most significant events of Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War. Read more here...

I did some research after reading the article. Not to be mistaken for the Battle of the Coral Sea (which is most of what came up in the search), the Battle of Coral was one of strategy by the North Vietnamese in an attempt to disrupt peace talks. The following was written by Soldiers present for the Battle..

On the night of 12/13 May 1968 the Mortar of 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment part of 102 Field Battery and part regimental headquarters, 12 Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, were overrun by an estimated enemy battalion. Since then there has been a lot of discussion over a few beers, in fire support bases and on TEWTs as to what exactly happened that night and afterwards. To set the record straight I would like to give a brief outline of events as they occurred and which affected the Mortar Platoon of 1 RAR-the lessons to be learnt can perhaps be deduced by the reader. To fully understand the tactical situation at this it is necessary to consider the enemy:. His Strategic Aim. North Vietnam's strategic aim was clearly to win at the Paris Peace talks what she had been unable to win militarily-ousting the United States and taking over South Vietnam. To strengthen her bargaining position she needed a victory capable of psychological exploitation on the world scene. Saigon was the obvious target and while military activity was directed to keeping pressure on all cities and base complexes, Saigon was the main center of attention. His Tactical Aim. From early May 1968, enemy forces were committed to heavy sustained action to the West, North West and North of Saigon. 9 VC Division (271, 272 and 273 VC Regiments) was fully committed West and North West of Saigon and had suffered heavy casualties. 7 NVA Division (141 and 165 NVA Regiments) had been contacted in strength North of Saigon on 8 May. 165 NVA Regiment suffered heavy casualties but no identified contact had been made with 141 NVA Regiment. 5 VC Division (274 and 275 VC Regiments) had not yet been contacted in strength although reports indicated their presence North and North East of Saigon. Other independent enemy main force regiments were active close to the city of Saigon. All indications pointed to a continuation of a determined enemy effort to attack Saigon. Enemy artillery units (both rocket and mortar) were operating with companies widely dispersed or under operational control of different infantry regiments. The enemy mission was to disrupt normal activity in Saigon and render governmental control impossible. Read more here

As has become the way of our Armed Services, our Diggers did us proud. But the last paragraph of the article sums it up best I think...

His night of horror came on May 25, when a relentless barrage of mortar shells rained down on his position. The young officer struggled with conflicting emotions. "There were two parts of me," he said. "One was saying, 'Think of your flag, think of Australia, think of the Anzac tradition, think of yourself as a Portsea (officers' school) graduate. You can't possibly be weak in front of your soldiers. You have to be the leader, you have to be courageous, you can't show any fear'. Another part of you is starting to sneak up on you and it comes from the pit of your stomach and you realise that if you let this thing rise much further it's gonna take hold of you, and this thing is called fear." Mr Hulse says he turned his mind to Diggers of wars gone by, and that helped him overcome his fear.

AC

Show Of Support

Ok, so I just BAWLED my way through the WWE Holiday Tribute to the Troops DVD's. Yep, BAWLED!!

But for anyone who has never seen it, it is an amazing look at the young men and women who make up the US Armed Forces. I think no matter what the politics or beliefs, anyone who is willing to go to a war zone to entertain the troops deserves our respect. These people are putting themselves in harms way to show their support to those who fight for the freedoms we so enjoy. But these DVD's didn't just show a few wrestling matches and the usual day time soapie drama we usually attribute to the WWE. Not by a long shot.

What we see is the stars of the WWE mixing with the Troops, hanging out with them. I remember a couple of Soldiers I know telling me about their own experience with the WWE when they visited while they were deployed. These boys encouraged me to get the DVD (to see them) but to see what an awesome experience this was for them. What I saw just continuously brought me to tears.

Young Soldiers talking about the babies they have yet to see, the wives and girlfriends they are missing, the children taking steps, starting school, winning soccer games without them. One female Soldier talks of her husband who is also in the forces who is on the opposite rotation to her and the extended period of time they will spend apart. They hold up signs asking girlfriends to marry them, sending their love and support to those back home. If this doesn't warm your heart you don't have one.

Ok, so for me this is the jackpot in DVD form. Soldiers and Wrestling in one (double) DVD!! But to see these Troops so excited, cheering and smiling is just such an awesome sight.

Think I'll have to build the Snakepit so we can do the same.....

Watch out, AC's on a mission!!

Anyway, amazing what a little research can uncover. I found the following on a WWE website.

About WWE's Support of Our Troops... WWE Superstars regularly visit military bases and hospitals, including Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital, to bolster the morale of our troops. Since 2003, the WWE has produced WWE’s Holiday Tribute to the Troops with WWE Superstars performing before troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2004, the USO of Metropolitan Washington presented WWE with the first ever “Legacy of Hope” award for our extensive support of our troops and the USO’s Operation Care Package program. WWE is also a proud supporter of the National Guard’s ChalleNGe program which assists underprivileged youth obtain their GED or other technical trades. Foley Meets American Heroes As he has for the last several years, Mick Foley was a special guest at the USO of Metropolitan Washington’s annual dinner in Washington, D.C., on March 25. WWE is a long-time supporter of USO Metro, and WWE Vice President Gary Davis is a member of its Board of Directors. USO Metro awarded the WWE its Legacy of Hope Award for its ongoing support of our men and women in uniform. Mick has developed a special relationship with the USO chapter, regularly visiting Walter Reed and Bethesday Naval military hospitals to give hope and a few laughs for the military wounded recovering there. Mick was joined at the dinner by Miss America 2008 Kirsten Haglund, Daniel Rodriguez "America's Beloved Tenor", and Jon Stewart, host of Comedy Central's “The Daily Show” and an avid supporter of the troops who regularly visits Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval hospitals. Stewart received the USO’s Metro’s Merit Award at the dinner. During the day, Mick spent time with Stewart and Miss America visiting Walter Reed and Arlington Cemetery. Mick said the dinner was one of the best he has ever attended. “There was such emotion this year, with 34 Medal of Honor winners in attendance, and some amazing testimonials from young men wounded in Iraq,” said Mick. “Supporting the USO and visiting our wounded heroes is something I find immensely rewarding and I intend to keep doing if for as long as I can.” Photo caption: Mick with American heroes Erick Lieb, Brent Hendrix, Jeff Lynch and Andrew Kinard More here...

Oh, and did we all know members of the US Armed Forces can get FREE tickets to Raw and Smackdown shows?? Details on the site!!

Anyway, check it out...

AC

Just a quick footnote...

I have to say, one of the most stirring sites I have ever seen is a Soldier standing to attention while their national anthem plays.

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Hero Was Suggested By Cindy

Petty Officer 2nd Class Chris Davila
From Sierra Vista, Arizona


On the sixth anniversary of the terrorist attack on the United States, Petty Officer 2nd Class Chris Davila raised an American flag over Camp Korean Village, Iraq, he brought with him from Arizona.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008, Sierra Vista firefighter and emergency medical technician Chris Davila presented that flag to Fire Chief Randy Redmond as fellow firefighters looked on. Monday, May 5, 2008, was Davila’s first day back on the job with the department after being gone for nearly nine months, with seven of those months deployed as a Navy Reserve corpsman serving with a Marine unit near the Jordanian and Syrian border area in Iraq.

And, as luck would have it, on his first shift saw him responding to a blaze in Sierra Vista. "Right back to work," he said with a laugh.

You can read the rest of PO 2nd Class Davila's story here.

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

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

Patti Wins America's Favorite Mom

SOLDIERS’ ANGELS FOUNDER WINS! Patti Patton Bader Named “America’s Favorite Mom” PASADENA, CA May 11, 2008 –Soldiers’ Angels founder Patti Patton Bader was named “America’s Favorite Mom” in a primetime television show Sunday night on NBC. Sponsored by Teleflora and hosted by Donnie and Marie Osmond, the show highlighted fifteen outstanding mothers who had distinguished themselves in categories ranging from Working Moms to Military Moms and “Non-Mom” Moms. Humbled by the honor, Bader is thrilled to be able to use it to continue the Soldiers’ Angels mission of “May No Soldier Go Unloved.” As the grand prize winner, she will receive $250,000, a set of household appliances, and other valuable items. Bader hopes to apply the winnings to her plans for a small ranch that will allow newly returned soldiers to relax with their families after deployments. “I really am lucky to know so many heroes in my life,” said Bader, who herself has two sons in the Army, one currently deployed to Iraq. “Whether they are the troops who serve our country or the amazing mothers here on this America’s Favorite Mom program, I am honored to be in the presence of such inspirational people and also am humbled to know that America thinks the same of me.” Bader is also excited about the opportunities this platform gives her to help people learn more about America’s military heroes and options for supporting them and their families. The attention she has received through the America’s Favorite Mom events has already drawn a number of new volunteers who want to use their talents and connections to help support the troops. In a nationwide online poll last March, Bader was voted “America’s Most Inspirational Mom” after having been nominated by her eldest son for founding and leading Soldiers’ Angels. On May 5 she appeared on the Today show as one of three selected finalists in the “Favorite Military Mom” category. A nationwide online poll was again conducted, and the results were announced on May 11, with Bader being named winner in both the “Favorite Military Mom” and “America’s Favorite Mom” categories. More information is available at www.americasfavoritemom.com. Soldiers’ Angels is a grassroots 501(c)(3) non-profit comprised of around 200,000 volunteers in over twenty different teams and programs with unique and effective ways to support members of the U.S. military. Soldiers’ Angels operates internationally to provide letters, care packages, and comfort items to the deployed, and support for their families at home. They also provide assistance to the wounded, continuing support for veterans, remembrances and comfort for families of the fallen, and immediate response to unique difficulties. For more information, see www.soldiersangels.org or call (615) 676-0239. America's Favorite Mom was presented by NBC Television and Teleflora, America's leading source of hand-arranged floral bouquets, plants, and gift baskets. For more information, see www.americasfavoritemom.com.

HOOAAAH!

Brat

Apparently Patriotism IS For Sale...

I have to tell you, it was going to take something pretty serious to get me writing today. I'm currently in bed with Tonsilitis and feeling like crap but this....this did it.

Stephen Kings Thinks Illiterate Join Military by Sean Hackbarth Legendary author Stephen King joins Sen. John Kerry in thinking the U.S. military is full of people who can’t read. Terry Ann Online grabbed the video. Here’s what he said to a group of young people at an event aired on C-SPAN’s BookTV Sunday 05.04.08: And you can see it all here

Now I have read Stephen King and always wondered what kind of twisted mind comes up with the type of works he does... Either somebody with a brilliant mind or someone teetering on the edge of sanity. After seeing this I'm going with the latter. So of course, I took myself over to Stephen Kings Official Biography site and what I found there was far more interesting than anything you will find between the covers of his books....

What appears to be the most prominent area talked about in the brief biography is that the Kings were very family orientated, looking after incapacitated members of the family. Could this be where the novel 'Misery' was born of?? Ok, as incapacitated as I may be, I really don't think I would like the authour of that particular novel caring for me....

It goes on to tell us how King supported the anti-war movement while in college. A case of those who can, fight and those who can't, protest I dare say considering he was declared unfit for service during the Vietnam War.

King went on to graduate college with a BA in English and qualified to teach at the high school level. So we can safely assume that Mr King then went straight into gainful employment in this area.... I mean he was supposedly literate and only iliterate people need to do menial work (or join the military) right??

Not quite. With hundreds of thousands of men and women in Vietnam fighting a war, King was STILL unable to find work as an English Teacher and had to resort to working in an Industrial Laundry while having short stories published in 'Mens Magazines' to survive.

Mind you, I think it better that a man with such a twisted mind was never allowed to join the military....

That being said I find Kings books alot of rabble. Sure he has sold millions, upon millions of them but have you ever really stopped to think about them?? I think we get so caught up in the middle that we neglect to realise that the beginning is nothing short of 2 - 3 chapters of mindless rambling while the ending happens so suddenly that you are actually shocked to turn the page and find the cover there.

Personally, I think the people he is attacking are better off following the career path they do. last thing the world needs is more Stephen Kings.


Thanks to MaryAnn for this one

AC

Military Spouses ARE the backbone of our military!

Friday IS Military Spouse Day in America:

Bush Recognizes Military Spouses at White House Military spouses have long been known as the backbone of the military in America. Yesterday at the White House, President Bush paid tribute to some very special spouses. No coincidence, yesterday was Military Spouse Day; a day set to recognise these special people by Ronald Reagan twenty four years ago. During his speech, President Bush acknowledged a few military spouses by name. They included: Army wife Colleen Saffron, Coast Guard wife Ramona Vazquez, Air Force husband Bob Davison, Navy wife Ellen Patton, Dawnle Scheetz, an Army Reserve wife and Kaprece James, a Marine Corps wife. To read the stories about these spouses who, along with the others at the White House yesterday, represent the best of America, read all of President Bush's speech. [ President Bush Commemorates Military Spouse Day ] Military Spouse Day at the White House White House Press Office President Bush awarded the spouses named above the Presidential Volunteer Service Award today for exceptional support to their communities and the nation. As he spoke of these spouses' invaluable contribution to America, President Bush said: "...that military spouses' contributions don't always get the attention they deserve. "But I can tell you that every one of your efforts matters," he said. "You do not do this only for your loved ones who are serving and sacrificing in distant lands, but for your entire community and for our country. "Your dedication, compassion and selflessness play a vital role in uplifting spirits," he said, "and our nation is deeply in your debt." [ http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49792 ]

Today, make the time to thank the military spouses you meet, and go read the rest of this piece, here.

Thank YOU from me to EVERY military spouse. You ALL rock!

Brat