Thanks to my friend Marine Vet Stu for the opportunity to submit this post

VE Day
 Forgotten In The USA

Today is the day that almost all of Europecelebrates as Victory Day! It is the date that Nazi Germany, the Third Reich, officially gave up and surrendered to the Allied forces under Gen. Dwight David “Ike” Eisenhower. In the former Soviet Unionit is a BIG holiday. In England, Belgium, etc, it is a major holiday but here in the USAwe seem to have lost sight of this historically memorable day! My question is…WHY?
We had a great many men that died making this happen. We had a great deal to do witht the success of the Allied victory. We have only a very few of the veterans of WW-2 left alive and they have not forgotten this important day!
Join me in celebrating this day!

It's been a while since I have posted. 
I have since made a life change.  My wife and I are now retired.  This has been a very interesting change in our lives.  Should have more time to post now.

 HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky - "Bye daddy!"

Those are the words uttered by so many young ones as they send off their soldiers.

 

And that's what hundreds did at The Bank of Kentucky Center—say goodbye to the 1204th Aviation Support Battalion, Kentucky’s Army National Guard troops departing for Iraq for Operation Dawn.

The 1204th is made up of nearly 600 Soldiers from Kentucky, Alabama, Florida and Maryland, with approximately 325 from the Commonwealth.

Based in Independence, Ky., this unit will provide logistical, maintenance and signal support for the combat aviation brigade in support of Operation New Dawn, the U.S. Forces withdrawal from Iraq.

Gods Speed Soldiers:  Praying for your safe return.

~ Standing Guard Over His Hero ~

Navy SEAL Jon Tumilson lay in a coffin, in front of a tearful audience mourning his death in Afghanistan. Soon an old friend appeared, and like a fellow soldier on a battlefield, his loyal dog refused to leave him behind.

(No Soldier Left Behind)

Squirrel blamed for flag thefts from Toledo memorial

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — Police in Ohio have discovered that small flags being swiped from a police memorial were being squirreled away.

Two Toledo officers watched on Wednesday as a squirrel quickly snatched a flag off its wooden dowel and ran off with it. Lt. James Brown told The Blade newspaper the bushy-tailed critter was too quick to catch.

Later, police noticed a squirrel hanging out on a tree branch outside a third-floor window at their headquarters building. They also spotted a squirrel's nest made of leaves and branches — and at least two of the little flags.

Brown says at least three of the flags have gone missing in recent days.

He's careful to point out he can't prove all were the work of the same squirrel.

Hey:  Everyone American Has the Right to Display the American Flag ~ Even Our Squirrels :)

Standing Guard Over Our Heroes

Once A Marine, Always A Marine

U.S. Veteran Faces Legal Action for Flying American Flag
A retired U.S. Army chaplain is being threatened with legal action for flying the American flag in his front yard.

Fred Quigley, 77, of Macedonia, Ohio, a minister who served active duty during the Vietnam War, has been told by the homeowners’ association that his flag violates the property rules.

Members of the local American Legion post joined Quigley last week in a flag-raising ceremony in protest at the association's policy.

(It's time to change the "property rules")

General Eisenhower’s Message Sent Just Prior to the D-Day Invasion

June 6th. 1944

Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon a great crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers in arms on other fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened, he will fight savagely.
But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man to man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our home fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to victory!
I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!
Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.
 Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower

Edwin J Donley, beloved husband of the late Anna M. Donley. Loving father of Michael Donley, Linda (the late Jerry) Sandusky, and Scott Donley. Grandfather of Michael, Kelly, Tim, Alex, Nick, Abby, Megan, Erin and Scott, great-grandfather of Ashley, Kristin, Allison, Justin, Brandy, Maggie, Colt, Max, Henry, and the late Conner. During WWII, Mr. Donley served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps, earning a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. He participated in the battles on Iwo Jima, Saipan, and Tinian. Edwin passed away Friday, April 29, 2011, at age 90. A Memorial Service will take place at 4:00 P.M. Thursday, May 5, 2011 at Patriot Pointe, located at 10980 Thornview Drive in Sharonville. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southwest Ohio 7625 Camargo Road #200 Cincinnati, OH 45243.

Published in The Cincinnati Enquirer on May 1, 2011

I had the honor or working with the Gentle-Man for many years

Rest In Peace My Friend

Freedom isn't FREE!

Our first President George Washington once said, "If we desire peace it must be known at all times that we are ready for war." Since 1776 no generation of Americans has been spared the responsibility of defending freedom through armed conflict with the forces of tyranny and oppression. More than 40 million men and women have put on the uniform of a United States soldier, sailor, Marine, Coast Guardsman, or pilot. Of these, more than ONE MILLION paid the price of freedom with their lives.

"LAND OF THE FREE....

....HOME OF THE BRAVE"

The Mighty Oak Ridge Boys~National Anthem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39Y3-XqdWHQ&feature=player_detailpage

Soldiers Home After Year In Afghanistan

A hero's welcome greeted more than 100 soldiers Saturday.

Members of the 377th's Military Police Company returned to Cincinnati after spending the past year in Afghanistan.
A lot happens in a year. Some of the soldiers became fathers, others missed their children's birthdays. Some soldiers left behind spouses and fiances.
Those moments were forgotten, replaced by the love found in those very first hugs at the Woodrow High School homecoming ceremony.
"He's coming home and I can't wait," said Debbie Pegoli who was waiting for her son.
Byron Wilber's birthday present arrived early. His wife asked him what he wanted as a present and he said his son.
"My birthday's Monday. He's going to be home," he said.
Families and friends gathered with posters, flags and cameras waiting.
Together, those left behind waited for their loved ones to return. One by one the soldiers stepped onto Cincinnati soil. One last time they stood as a unit, walked as a unit, listened to their commanders as a unit. Then, "377th, dismissed."
For the first time in months, families hugged, fathers kissed their babies and spouses embraced.
"It feels awesome to be back home," said one soldier, "Just to feel the love coming off, honestly, you can't put it into words."
Many soldiers looked forward to the simple things - relaxing, eating dinner with their families and returning to their homes.
The 377th MP Company is with the Army Reserves.

Wecome Home Soldiers !

Frank Buckles, the last American veteran of World War I

Buckles died at his home in Charles Town, West Virginia, about 300 miles northeast of Charleston, on Feb. 27. He was 110.

Rest In Peace~Soldier

'Band of Brothers' Commander Richard 'Dick' Winters Dies

Richard "Dick" Winters, the Easy Company commander whose World War II exploits were made famous by the book and television miniseries "Band of Brothers," died last week in central Pennsylvania. He was 92.

An intensely private and humble man, Winters had asked that news of his death be withheld until after his funeral, Jackson said. Winters lived in Hershey, Pa., but died in suburban Palmyra.

The men Winters led expressed their admiration for their company commander after learning of his death.
William Guarnere, 88, said what he remembers about Winters was "great leadership."
When people asked whether he was a hero, he echoed the words of his World War II buddy, Mike Ranney: "No, but I served in a company of heroes."

Rest in Peace~Soldier