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

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."