Honor Our Vets

We have many Hero's who protect our safety and freedom.

When was the last time you told one, "THANKS"?

Veterans

Soldiers

Sailors

Airmen

Marines

National Guard

Coast Guard

Reservist

Police Officers

Firemen

Correction Officers

Border Patrol

First Living Soldier Since Vietnam Awarded Military's Highest Honor
On Oct. 25, 2007, 22 year-old Army Spc. Salvatore Giunta raced head-on into an enemy ambush to save the lives of two American soldiers during a deadly fire fight in one of the most inhospitable regions of eastern Afghanistan.

Giunta saved the life of one soldier and prevented Sgt. Josh Brennan, who later died of his wounds, from being carried away by Taliban fighters.
Giunta, who has since been promoted to sergeant, got a call two years later from President Obama -- he was to be the first living soldier since the Vietnam War to receive the Medal of Honor.
Giunta says he doesn't feel like a hero. "No more than every single service member in the United States military today,"
But he'll be the first living recipient to receive the award from either Iraq or Afghanistan, and a hero's treatment is what he's likely to receive.
Army Sgt. Salvatore Giunta is the first living soldier to be awarded the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War. 
"Sgt. Giunta distinguished himself by acts of gallantry at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty
Brennan's father, Mike Brennan, told news sources that if it wasn't for Giunta's actions, "we may never have gotten my son back."

Giunta, born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is now the eighth service member to receive the award since the start of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. All those before him received the award posthumously.

Well Done Sgt. Giunta !  You are a true American Hero.

September 11th.

Please fly your flag today in Honor and Respect for all who lost their lives on 9/11 and all who are currently serving and for those who have lost their lives defending our freedom

Today marks the end of America's combat mission in Iraq. We salute all our brave servicemen and women for all that they have done and all that they continue to do. Now let's bring them home safe!

Honoring Those Who Serve Event

Dean Smittle, USAF (ret.), military analyst for WLW radio's Jim Scott Show and for Cincinnati's WCPO-TV Morning News, will speak at Custenborder Park at 1 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 2, in conjunction with "Honoring Those Who Serve," a Vietnam War veterans-appreciation event presented by the Shelby County Historical Society.

Area high school students will attend the lecture and the public also is invited. There is no admission charge. Attendees should take their own lawn chairs to sit on.
A disabled veteran, Smittle has just been elected to the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame. He will speak about dedication to country and the sacrifices made by individuals and families. He will recount stories from World War II, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam War, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

www.buildinghomesforheroes.org/

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.(I grew up saying this every morning in school - it's a shame we no longer do that for fear of offending ......someone).

A U.S. military member is somewhere in the world tonight missing his/her family while you are safe at home. In the minute it takes you to read this, military members all over the world are not only saving lives, but sacrificing their own for your freedom. It's Military Appreciation ...Week.

Lt. Gen. George S. Patton, U.S. Third Army commander, pins the Silver Star on Private Ernest A. Jenkins of New York City for his conspicuous gallantry in the liberation of Chateaudun, France. October 13, 1944

Photo Story and Quotes

A local Army pilot has earned one of the nation's highest military honors for saving more than three dozen of his fellow troops during violent combat in Afghanistan. Captain Matthew Kaplan, a 2001 graduate of Lakota West High School, has been awarded the distinguished Flying Cross for what the Army calls tremendous valor, tactical skill, and leadership ... actions which directly saved the lives of 37 U.S. soldiers.

Matt Kaplan's father served in Vietnam, his grandfather was at Guadalcanal in World War Two, and Matt's parents could tell that, even at a young age, Matt wanted to be in the military. It's not unusual for a mom to have pictures of her son on the office wall or on her computer. But not every mom has pictures of a son who has won the distinguished Flying Cross for bravery in combat.

Kaplan is a helicopter pilot. Last October, he was stationed in Afghanistan and ended up leading a rescue support mission at what a British journalist described as one of the most dangerous places in the war
Combat outpost Keating was overrun by Taliban insurgents on October 3rd. Captain Kaplan gave up his fully operational helicopter to another crew, and flew a damaged aircraft to the rescue, frequently putting his chopper between enemy fire and other helicopters evacuating American soldiers.

Knowing he didn't have a fully functional helicopter or weapons system, Captain Kaplan flew in and saved 37 lives.

Well Done Captain Kaplan !

Soldiers Surprising Their Loved Ones: PART TWO

Please visit the Welcome Home Site

http://www.welcomehomeblog.com/

PVT Eric Shipp

US Army

1997

My youngest Son~Eric

December 1997

US Army

Ft. Leonard Wood

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