Honoring their memories

Today is about remembering our troops who have fallen in battle, men and women like Sgt. Adam Cann, 1st Lt. Laura M. Walker, Sgt. Robert G. Davis, Pfc. Devon Gibbons. Remember their lives and honor their sacrifice. John of Argghhh remembers.

Remembering 9/11

I remember arriving at work around 7am (pacific time) as usual on this day in 2001, not having listened to the radio on the drive. As always, I sat at my computer and scanned email, and ran through the morning ritual of checking on customer cases for our support team. I don't remember the time, but it wasn't long until my cube neighbor said "The World Trade Center in New York is burning", as he was checking the news feeds on his computer. Then he said "One of the towers is gone!". We thought that impossible to imagine, and the picture on his screen was too small to see well. Then we moved to the conference room, and on the TV feed we could clearly see he was right - there was only one tower left, and the images of the dust cloud across Manhattan. We stood numbly watching, comforting one another, and many cried as the second tower collapsed. Throughout the day the horror overload continued, and we realized there were virtually no support calls - because the country was doing the same thing we were. I haven't forgotten, and this song remains one of my favorites. Others who are remembering today ... Bill John Kat Dusty Lex FbL Also, it's interesting to note which of the popular internet search sites are remembering the day. Pictures at the Castle.

Have you Forgetten?

One of my favorite Darryl Worley songs...

When helicopters fall

We mourn for the families and friends of the soldiers lost in the crash of a Blackhawk helicopter in Iraq - some of whom were based here at Fort Lewis. Killed were the following soldiers assigned to the 4th Squadron, 6th U.S. Air Cavalry Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash.: Capt. Corry P. Tyler, 29, of Georgia. Chief Warrant Officer Paul J. Flynn, 28, of Whitsett, N.C. Sgt. Matthew L. Tallman, 30, of Groveland, Calif. Spc. Rickey L. Bell, 21, of Caruthersville, Mo. Also killed were the following soldiers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii: Capt. Derek A. Dobogai, 26, of Fond du Lac, Wis. Staff Sgt. Jason L. Paton, 25, of Poway, Calif. Sgt. Garrett I. McLead, 23, of Rockport, Texas. Cpl. Jeremy P. Bouffard, 21, of Middlefield, Mass. Cpl. Phillip J. Brodnick, 25, of New Lenox, Ill. Cpl. Joshua S. Harmon, 20, of Mentor, Ohio. Cpl. Nathan C. Hubbard, 21, of Clovis, Calif. Spc. Michael A. Hook, 25, of Altoona, Penn. Spc. Jessy G. Pollard, 22, of Springfield, Mo. Spc. Tyler R. Seideman, 20, of Lincoln, Ark. I'll be helping out with the Operation Backpack handout tomorrow at Fort Lewis. The event ought to be a time for children to giggle as they ready themselves for school. This changes the tone a bit, but we'll make sure that the kids are taken care of, while remembering the sacrifice of all of the fallen. As at the Castle, now is the time when we dance In Memoriam.

This humbles me ... Again

While every story of our brave men and women in uniform has the dual effect of inspiring and humbling me, the stories of Major Doug Zembiec, the "Lion of Fallujah", maxes both impacts for me. I thought that I could not be more inspired after reading his story at Blackfive. I was wrong. Go read the letter this fine Marine wrote to the family of another fallen Marine. Take the hanky with you. You'll need it. Zembiec Family Photo - Captain Doug Zembiec, April 2004 *** Update *** Just when I cleared the blurriness from my vision, my blog-son brings it back again, with the simple word Friend. Go read Living With Our Scars to see how far Major Zembiec's words reach.

Memorial Day 2007

Before you take off today for picnics or cookouts, or boating or golfing, whatever enjoyment awaits you with family and friends, remember those who have died in uniform. They served, and whether they fell in uniform or passed on in later years, we should take time to honor their service. That is the real meaning of Memorial Day, and it is sometimes lost. John Donovan remembers , and his memory is long, and broad. Blackfive remembers. Francis Marion remembers. Maj Pain remembers. Lex remembers. Sgt. Hook remembers. We remember 1st Lt. Laura M. Walker and Sgt. Robert G. Davis, who died in Afghanistan. We remember Pfc. Devon Gibbons, who died from wounds received in Iraq. We remember Sgt Adam Cann/USMC, who died in Iraq. I remember my father, Robert M. Stanley, who joined the Army in 1943 as a gawky teenager to fight against Hitler, and came home to marry the girl next door and live the American Dream. ** Update ** Fellow Denizenne Kat created a beautiful and moving video tribute, which she shares in her post Remember Them - Memorial Day. Enjoy your day ... and Remember the reason that you have the freedom to do so.

Apache tribute

Need to satisfy that urge for some helo action? Check out the video at Guidons, Guidons, Guidons. The video is a tribute to the Apache AH-64D community, and especially to the memory of two fallen pilots: CW4 Keith Yoakum and CW2 Jason Defrenn. After that, you can learn more about these two heroes in Wayne's "Above and Beyond" post at Savannah Daydreamin'. It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived. ~ Gen. George S. Patton ~

Honoring the Fallen

It has been a tough week for the Washington state military community. Six soldiers from Fort Lewis were killed on Sunday, from the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division: Staff Sgt. Vincenzo Romeo, 23, of Lodi, N.J. Sgt. Jason R. Harkins, 25, of Clarkesville, Ga. Sgt. Joel W. Lewis, 28, of Sandia Park, N.M. Cpl. Matthew L. Alexander, 21, of Gretna, Neb. Cpl. Anthony M. Bradshaw, 21, of San Antonio, Texas. Cpl. Michael A. Pursel, 19, of Clinton, Utah. On May 3rd, two soldiers from Company B, 321st Engineer Battalion of the U.S. Army Reserve, Hayden Lake, Idaho were killed. Staff Sgt. Coby G. Schwab, 25, of Puyallup, Wash. Spc. Kelly B. Grothe, 21, of Spokane, Wash. Coby's unit was one of those adopted for the Operation Support Our Troops Santa's Soldiers event that I took part in last November. His wife PFC Mallory A. Schwab serves in the 296th Brigade Support Battalion, 3-2 SBCT, also out of Fort Lewis. Operation Support Our Troops is planning a tribute at the Freedom Bridge for this weekend: When: Saturday, May 12, 2007 Where: Exit 122 off I-5 Madigan (Freedom Bridge) Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. To show our Love and Respect for our Fallen Heroes and their families, we will be paying tribute at noon with the playing of Taps, a moment of silence and prayers at the small white cross memorial at the entrance to Madigan Hospital. Six soldiers from Fort Lewis were killed in Iraq on Sunday and the entire military community is grieving the loss of these Heroes. Let's show them the civilian community grieves with them. This is an especially painful time for us, because SSG Coby Schwab was also killed in Iraq this week. Coby was assigned to the 321st Engineers from Hayden Lake, Idaho. OSOT adopted Coby's unit this past Christmas and his wife, PFC Mallory Schwab's unit for Easter. Coby was the son-in-law of Stacey Fenton, one of OSOT's Core Team members. May Coby rest in peace and know that his service will always be deeply honored by us. To borrow from Echo9er ... May God hold them in his hands and may their families carry them forever in their hearts.

A Eulogy to a great Father and Marine

Losing a beloved parent is very tough, and I knew my friends HanyaP and MrMan, her terrific husband, were struggling to deal with the loss of Mr. Man's dear father. What I didn't realize was how eloquent MrMan can be when pouring out his heart.  Nor did I know of the depths of his father's love of country and sacrifice in its service.  Not just in one war, but in two - and not just in one uniform, but in three.    "He was a great teacher, a great story teller, a great father, and a great friend."   Here is definitely Someone You Should Know.

The Acidman departs

I had just barely posted up the news about Pfc Devon Gibbons, when I clicked over to Castle Argghhh for something to lighten my mind. Instead I found that the blogosphere has lost one of our own. Rob Smith, better known as the Acidman, has passed away. After all Rob had been through in the past year, I still can't believe it. I figured he wouldn't go without making one helluva racket. Dayum, Rob -- The blogosphere won't be the same without you.

Pfc. Devon Gibbons, R.I.P.

Port Orchard Soldier Dies of Injuries from Iraq War By Kitsap Sun staff June 24, 2006 Army Pfc. Devon Gibbons, a former Port Orchard resident and soldier who was critically wounded in Iraq, died Friday afternoon. For the past 10 weeks, Gibbons had fought for his life in an intensive care burn unit at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. He had suffered burns over 90 percent of his body when a roadside bomb detonated under an armored vehicle he was driving April 11 in Iraq. Doctors were forced to amputate both his legs and part of his right arm because of the burns. Gibbons' parents have been in Texas since their son was transferred to the Texas hospital. "Devon is a true Calvary Scout and a Valiant Man. His determination and strength kept him with us long enough to be an example to all of us and for him to turn his heart to the Lord," they wrote on a Web site, set up to keep family and friends updated. "He loved much, he loved life, he fought a great fight and finished the course. Devon returned to the loving arms of the Savior about 3:30 pm on Friday, June 23rd, 2006, San Antonio time. He went peacefully, his heart stopped suddenly so he did not suffer and he is no longer in pain. ..." You fought the good fight, now it's time to join the others at Fiddler's Green. To Devon's parents and love ones, thank you for sharing your brave son, and supporting him in serving his country.

The Route to Democracy

Two Ft. Lewis soldiers were killed August 18th in Afghanistan. That other war front that is sometimes neglected in all of the news coverage, what with Cindy Sheehan and others taking up front-row-center. According to the DoD release, the soldiers were killed when an IED detonated under the HMMWV. They were both assigned to the Army's 864th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy), 555th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (Provisional), Fort Lewis, Washington : 1st Lt. Laura M. Walker, 24, of Texas. Sgt. Robert G. Davis, 23, of Jackson, Mo. I was pleased to find that the Seattle Post-Intelligencer carried a good story on them, especially regarding 1LT Walker. Walker, recently named the public affairs officer for the Fort Lewis-based 864th Combat Engineer Battalion, 555th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, nicknamed the "Triple Nickel," and Davis, from the same unit, were riding in a convoy during an assault when the explosion occurred, the Pentagon said. Walker, who graduated with a degree in political science from West Point, had served in Iraq in 2004 with the Triple Nickel. She went to Afghanistan with the unit's Company B, completing her 15 months as platoon leader before taking over as public affairs officer for Task Force Pacemaker, the Army construction unit in Kandahar. In that capacity she was chronicling what it takes to build a road that will help people cut 15 hours of travel to three hours, a road built through mountainous terrain where the Taliban still operates. You can read the complete P-I story here. On the face of it, there is balance between the loss of the soldiers, and the positive mention of the good work of the Triple Nickel. I can't help wondering, though ... Why couldn't the story about the building of this amazing road have been reported before the loss of these two soldiers?? This is just one tiny example of the good work our military is doing, either directly - in the building of roads and other infrastructure, or indirectly - by providing training and security. But we only get to hear this as a counter to the bad news. Why didn't we hear before about the piece that Lt. Walker wrote about the Route to Democracy before she was killed? It's a good article, explaining the problems faced in the planning and building of this 117 km long road : Fifteen hours is a tremendous barrier. It is the obstacle preventing one village from attaining the assistance of another and surviving a drought. It is the reason a trip to the hospital, or receiving an education, aren’t realistic options. Fifteen hours is what stands in the way of commerce between two provinces. It prevents communication between neighbors only 80 kilometers apart. Fifteen hours is the reason for isolation. Before Task Force Pacemaker began work, the drive between Kandahar and Tarin-Kowt took fifteen hours. Upon completion of the road it will take only three. The end of geographical isolation will be a new beginning for hundreds of thousands of people in Afghanistan. ... I especially liked her description of the care needed to deal with the local residents along the path of the road : ...It is critical to establish the projected route prior to entering any towns. Soldiers must be able to articulate their intentions to the surrounding locals, in particular the village elder, before barging through. There are often different factions within a town and the path of the road has been adjusted by mere feet to accommodate the wishes of local farmers. 1LT Brian Meister, the earth moving platoon leader of C/864th lists civilians on the jobsite as the single biggest security challenge in the south. “They are everywhere and impossible to keep entirely off. The enemy is not easily identified, so anyone driving a pickup through the jobsite could pose a potential risk.” 1LT Patrick Sullivan, the earth moving platoon leader in A/864th has experienced the same type of concerns on the northern effort. While we were standing on the hill, looking down at the proposed route, an audience began to form. The children came out first, and then the men of the village... as the crowd grew larger. I began to get just a little nervous. I told the captain who has been in the country for about a year; he quickly turned around and began shaking hands with the crowd, so I followed… It was an event that I will never forget. There are some bad people in the area, but for the most part, the population is tired of the last twenty years of war and corruption. They were just happy to see the guys who were building them a road. Please read the complete article, it's worth the time. Farewell, Lt. Laura Walker ... I'm sorry that I'll never get to meet you. But I'm mighty glad you chose to serve. Linked from the Mudville Gazette Dawn Patrol

In Memoriam (updated)

I was shocked and saddened to learn that Mike Reed, known to us as Bunker Mulligan, passed away Friday morning ... at only 52, much too young. Mike was kind and funny, and always demonstrated his intense pride in his children. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Please go to Mike's site and read the Goodbye posted there by his son Andy (Slice). Michael James Reed 1953-2005 Several bloggers have posted their memories of Mike ... Dave Clary Wallace-Midland, Texas of Big Gold Dog MajorDad1984 Sara of Trying to Grok John Donovan at Castle Argghhh [Note - John has many more links to other blogs as well] *new* Michael at the Armageddon Project has more links... UPDATE I should have posted this information on the plans provided by the family ... Bunker will be laid to rest on Friday, 10 June, at the San Antonio National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, we request any memorials for him be made to Homes For Our Troops. Further information can be found at www.homesforourtroops.org. In addition to being a father / grandfather - he was also A loving Husband. Andy notes that the family is definitely reading all comments - so share your memories of Mike if you feel inclined. "When I play my best golf, I feel as if I'm in a fog, standing back watching the earth in orbit with a golf club in my hands." Mickey Wright Quote from 10K Truth

And the world moves on...

It's been a strange week. Much debate raged over Terri Schiavo, who is now at rest - though the controversy is not. I hope that the debate over the choice for Life, versus the cult of Death, continues ... in a constructive way. Pope John Paul II died today, and Catholics and non-Catholics around the world mourn his passing. I am not Catholic, but I remember him best standing strong against communism. It will be a challenged to find a new spiritual leader capable of touching non-Catholics as much as he did. John Donovan at Castle Argghhh reminds us of the broad impact that he had on our world, as does Bunker Mulligan, who also points to some good reading material . Phil at Red Guy in a Blue State has some insights on what we should hope for in the next man selected as Pope. It's a new month, spring is popping out all over here in the pacific northwest. And tonight is the night we lose an hour of sleep. Don't forget to change your clocks, folks!