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

http://www.nragive.com/ringoffreedom/index.html

As we enter this weekend lets remember what Memorial Day stands for ........Thank you to the men and women who served and who serve our country!

Today is Armed Forces Day

Please Honor Our Troops

My Grandson~Airborne Ranger (Joey Shipp) deploys for Afghanistan this Friday

See Something ~ Say Something

T-Shirt vendor/Vietnam Vet-Duane Jackson,  in NYC, saw something and spoke up; 

 This is what it is all about America !

 ~Terrorism Awareness and Prevention ~

Early Sunday morning, Gov. David Paterson issued a statement commending the police department.

"Tonight, we owe an incredible debt of gratitude to the heroic actions of the New York City Police Department and to a single vigilant New Yorker who identified a suspicious vehicle near Times Square in New York City," he said.
This Bloggers Comment:
The Mayor and Police Chief stated that they are investigating this as a Terrorist Act;  Guess what, Any time someone attempts to or completes an act of fear, intimidation, injury, or death, it is Terrorism.  Terrorism come in all forms, it does not have to be a Muslim. 
Mr. Duane Jackson~Vietnam Vet;  Thank You, You are a true "American" Hero !

Corporal Matthew Bradford is sworn in by Lt. Col. David Barnes as he re-enlists in the Marines at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas April 7, 2010. Tom Reel/Staff
He has no legs and no eyesight, but Marine Cpl. Matthew Bradford has four more years of military service ahead of him after becoming the first blind double-amputee to re-enlist.
The rifleman was injured in January 2007 in Iraq when a roadside bomb exploded right under him.
But after years at the Center for the Intrepid, a privately funded, cutting-edge rehabilitation center, Bradford, 23, has learned to walk with prosthetic limbs and navigate without his vision, and he only regrets that he can’t return to combat duty in Iraq, the paper reported.
Instead the Kentucky native will head to Camp Lejeune, N.C., where he will work with other wounded Marines in hopes of helping them cope with anger, depression and other issues.
"I'm paving the road for the rest of them who want to stay in but think they can't," he told the Express-News. "I'm ready to get back to work."

If you are ashamed to stand by your colors, you had better seek another flag

A man's feet must be planted in his country, but his eyes should survey the world.


George Santayana

God Bless Our Finest ..!!

God Bless The U.S.A.

Spent a wonderful weekend at Ft. Benning, Ga. with my Grandson (Airborne Ranger) Joseph Shipp, his Mom and Dad (Toby and Cathy), and his Sister (Catie).

The 75th Ranger Regiment, composed of three Ranger battalions, is the premier light-infantry unit of the United States Army. Headquartered at Fort Benning, Ga., the 75th Ranger Regiment’s mission is to plan and conduct special missions in support of U.S. policy and objectives. The three Ranger battalions that comprise the 75th Ranger Regiment are geographically dispersed. Their locations are:

lst Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.
2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash.
3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.

• Joey has now been assigned to the 1st. Battalion and will be transferring to Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah Ga. on Tuesday.

The Army maintains the Regiment at a high level of readiness. Each battalion can deploy anywhere in the world with 18 hours notice. Because of the importance the Army places on the 75th Ranger Regiment, it must possess a number of capabilities.

These capabilities include:

Infiltrating and exfiltrating by land, sea and air
Conducting direct action operations
Conducting raids
Recovery of personnel and special equipment
Conducting conventional or special light-infantry operations

Blogging from Ft. Benning today.
This proud Grandfather is spending the weekend with my Grandson, Airborne Ranger Joseph Shipp.

Bellevue icon Jeff James dies at 54

BELLEVUE - There was no bigger Bellevue High School sports fanatic than Jeffrey Lee James. For 37 years, he charged onto the field as head manager of Tiger football.

"Bellevue has truly lost an icon in the passing of Jeff James," Bellevue Independent Schools Superintendent Wayne Starnes said. "There is no doubt he was loved and respected by the entire learning community of Bellevue."
The school will show its appreciation when it opens the Ben Flora Gymnasium for James' visitation from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday. A funeral follows the visitation, with interment at Highland Cemetery.
James, 54, formerly of Bellevue, died Tuesday at St. Elizabeth Florence.
He was an inspiration because he never allowed his Down syndrome to be an obstacle, said Starnes, who first met James as an assistant football coach in 1977.
James was embraced by subsequent coaches and witnessed his team win several state championships. He was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.
A scholarship fund was established in his name in 2005.
Bellevue Mayor Jack Meyer said James also earned the respect of residents. He said James' mother, Jill Freppon James, included him in all activities.
"Ms. James was ahead of her time," Meyer said. "She mainstreamed Jeff before people knew what mainstreaming was. It was unique back then to see people with Down syndrome to be as involved as Jeff was in the community."
He marched in the Bellevue-Dayton Memorial Day parade with city council members for more than 25 years. James was chosen as an honorary mayor and also earned a proclamation for "Jeff James" day in Bellevue.
Meyer said he was motivated by James' strong work ethic. He worked for New Perceptions of Edgewood for 35 years.
"He was as much of a support and friend to us as we were to him," said Bob Ryan of New Perceptions, a non-profit serving people with disabilities in Northern Kentucky. "After so many years, he became part of our family."
After burial Saturday at Highland Cemetery in Fort Mitchell, there will be a reception at Bellevue Vets, where James celebrated his 50th birthday.
"There was an Elvis impersonator," Ryan said. "Jeff was an avid Elvis fan. Needless to say, he got up and helped Elvis sing his own songs."
Survivors include his mother and brothers, Greg James of Highland Heights and Chris James of Cincinnati.
Dobbling, Muehlenkamp-Erschell Funeral Home, Bellevue, is handling arrangements.
Memorials: New Perceptions Inc., 1 Sperti Drive, Edgewood, KY 41017; or Bellevue High School, c/o Jeff James Scholarship Fund, 201 Center St., Bellevue, KY 41073.

Thanks Jeff, You helped prove that:  "This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in"

God Bless You Jeff

One of Nation's Most Highly Decorated Soldiers Laid to Rest

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Ret. Colonel Robert L Howard

One of the nation's most highly decorated veterans was being laid to rest on Wednesday.
Ret. Colonel Robert L Howard, a Medal of Honor recipient who was awarded eight Purple Hearts for his service in the Vietnam War, was to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.
Howard, who died on Dec. 23, was 70.
Howard was wounded 14 times during 54 months of combat duty — five tours — in Vietnam. He retired from the Army as a full colonel in 2006 after 36 years in the U.S. military — including more than 33 years on airborne status.
He was hailed as one of the nation's most heroic soldiers — and the most highly decorated soldier since World War II.
According to a biographical sketch issued by the U.S. Army Special Forces Command (Airborne), Howard also participated in two movies starring John Wayne, making a parachute jump in "The Longest Day" and appearing as an airborne instructor in "The Green Berets."
President Richard Nixon presented the Medal of Honor to him on March 2, 1971.

Thank You For Your Service: Rest in Peace, Soldier

Local Marines Return Home From Iraq

CINCINNATI -- After five months overseas in Iraq, some local Marines have finally come home – with plenty of smiles and hugs upon their return.
The Marine detachment from Communications Company, Headquarters Battalion, 4th Marine Division touched down at noon this Saturday at the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport.
After landing, the Marines were then taken to Cincinnati State Technical & Community College in Clifton to be reunited with their families.
That's where the real party started, as cheers erupted as the company walked through the doors.
And for one of the Marines, that moment was overwhelming.
"Honestly, there's no words to describe it," said Lance Corporal Chad Hoeffler. "You will never understand that feeling unless you walk through those doors yourself. So, it was pretty intense. It was a wonderful feeling – it's great to be home."
While over in Iraq, the company maintained security and helped train Iraqi forces.

Thank You for Your Service and Welcome Home Marines !

Ind. college lifts 116-year ban on national anthem


GOSHEN, Ind. - An Indiana Christian college rooted in Mennonite traditions is lifting a century-old ban so the national anthem can be played at sporting events.
Critics say Goshen College's decision to play an instrumental version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" strays from Mennonites' pacifist beliefs because its lyrics refer to war and the military. Goshen President Jim Brenneman says the anthem will help unify visitors and students who aren't Mennonites.
Supporters of the change say the instrumental arrangement is a good compromise because it lacks the lyrics that are the root of the concern. The anthem will be played beginning next month at many traditional sporting events.
A prayer will then follow the song. The school will review the policy in June 2011.

Four freedoms:
The first is freedom of speech and expression - everywhere in the world.
The second is freedom of everyone to worship God in his own way, everywhere in the world.
The third is freedom from want . . . everywhere in the world.
The fourth is freedom from fear . . . anywhere in the world.
Franklin D. Roosevelt

No man is good enough to govern another man without that other’s consent.
A. Lincoln: 1854