October 16, 2013

This just shows the loyalty and dedication our soldiers have for what they do:

Army Ranger Josh Hargis was unconscious, hooked to a breathing tube at a military hospital in Afghanistan after losing both his legs in battle last week.

But when the Purple Heart ceremony began at Hargis' bedside, it turned out he was not unconscious, as doctors believed. Instead, he struggled with an attending doctor to raise his heavily bandaged hand to salute a commanding officer presenting him with the medal.

"I cannot impart on you the level of emotion that poured through the intensive care unit that day," the commander wrote to the Ranger's wife. "Grown men began to weep, and we were speechless at a gesture that speaks volumes about Josh's courage and character."

October 14, 2013

Removing the barricades at the Million Vet March

October 01, 2013

Twitchy reports a group of WWII veterans broke through barricades preventing visitors from entering a WWII memorial. The memorial was closed as part of the government shutdown.

As part of the Honor Flight project, World War II veterans have been taken to Washington DC, cost free, to see the memorial erected in their honor on the National Mall.

Due to the government shutdown, National Park Service police put up barriers preventing access. According to Leo Shane III, White House and Veterans Affairs reporter for Stars and Stripes, the veterans knocked over those barriers.

September 27, 2013

His name is Abdul Haji. When the gunfire started he went to the mall and began rescuing people. One of the families he rescued was that of Katherine Walton and her five children, Americans now living in Kenya. God bless him and every one else who ran towards danger to save the innocent.

Watch the interview here.

Can I ask, though, who it was that was taking pictures here? Savages are murdering people all around you and you think it's a good idea to ..... take a photo? Maybe you should have, I dunno, helped out instead?

September 26, 2013

Laughing Wolf went to Normandy and scored some interviews with the vets there commemorating the invasion.

August 30, 2013

Hundreds of mourners turned out for the funeral services of Delbert "Shortly" Belton, the World War II veteran who was beaten to death as he crossed a parking lot to enter a lodge in Spokane, Wash.

The 88-year-old who was injured in Okinawa was given full military honors at the service, which took place at a cemetery in Spokane, Fox News reported.

Friends spoke of Belton's love for pool and dancing. More than 500 motorcycle riders showed up for the service, described by family as overwhelming.

"I just can't believe it," said Belton's nephew, Ty Bennett, Fox News reported. "It's breathtaking and leaves me speechless, this turn out. How many people just care in the community." (Source)

July 11, 2013

Welcome Baily. And welcome back Kevin

More here.

Sniff. sniff.

July 03, 2013

Was in Nirvana? Check

Also Soundgarden? Check

Army Ranger, Special Forces, and kicked Taliban ass in Afghanistan? Check

Behold: The Real Most Interesting Man in the World

June 30, 2013

Please pray for the families of these brave heroes. They risked their lives to save others and to save property:

The Prescott Fire Department lost nearly its entire crew today - the Granite Mountain Hotshots - with 18 firefighters dying and one surviving.

A Prescott Fire spokesman told The Daily Courier the crew was battling the Yarnell fire, which has resulted in evacuations as it has grown to an estimated 1,300 acres in size.

May 27, 2013

Visit USBA's awesome photo essay of the story behind this

Also, a must read: A Tradition of Sacrifice, From Yorktown to Ramadi

Thank You!

While most of us only pause for a day, others take it upon themselves to always remember. In their silent vigil, the Tomb Guards remember every day, every minute, and every second.

"Soldiers Never Die Until They Are Forgotten; Tomb Guards Never Forget."

May 26, 2013

SSGT Tim Chambers was there holding his 3 hour salute (spot him in the video above at 4:22):

I haven't found a video of Tim for this year, so I'm using an older news report which tells a little about him:

This is an incredible documentary about the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It's an hour long, but well worth the time.

Everyone should watch at least once, especially younger generations who are growing up in a world with very little respect for our military.

May 23, 2013

Via Washington Free Beacon:

Sweet.

h/t CO2HOG

May 10, 2013

White House invited Muslim Cleric used the funeral of the Seal Team 6 to condemn and desecrate our soldiers:

A video of the ramp ceremony intended to honor the fallen American and Afghan servicemen shows an Imam praying over the caskets. According to the Vaughns, a certified translation of the Imam’s remarks revealed he "desecrated" and "damned" the bodies of the Americans in Arabic.

Military brass prohibited "any mention of a Judeo-Christian God" at the ceremony the press statement says, but "invited a Muslim Cleric to the funeral for the fallen NAVY SEAL Team VI heroes who disparaged in Arabic the memory of these servicemen by damning as infidels to Allah."

In contrast, here is how the United Kingdom's Prince Harry honored American's War Dead at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier:

(Hat Tip: Gateway Pundit)

UPDATE: Harry also left flowers and a note of condolences for American War Heroes who lost their lives fighting for freedom. Click HERE for a picture. Pure class. (Thanks, Vinnie!)

April 29, 2013

Ahhh, sniff:

Visit http://WelcomeHomeBlog.com for more military surprises!

"After receiving orders to a new duty station, I decided to take some leave. However, I told my mother my new base needed me right away and I was flying straight there. Needless to say, her reaction was priceless!"

Video/story submitted to Welcome Home Blog by Michael M. on 4/26/2013. For media inquiries, send a message through the form on ttp://welcomehomeblog.com/contact/

April 25, 2013

A memorial service was held today in Waco,Texas honoring the first responders who lost their lives last week in a explosion at a fertilizer plant in West, Texas.

Faces of the Fallen.

WACO (April 25, 2013)—Firefighters sounded a bell 12 times Thursday as the names of the 12 men who died in the massive fertilizer plant explosion in West were read in a traditional salute to the fallen during a memorial service at Baylor’s Ferrell Center attended by thousands.

Tears flowed freely Thursday afternoon as family, friends and colleagues remembered the 12 in video eulogies as men who loved their families, their communities and who were bound together by a dedication to service and a willingness to risk their lives to save others.

The arena was filled to capacity by 1:30 p.m. and those who couldn’t get in were directed to alternative viewing sites at Waco Hall, the Bill Daniel Student Center and the Student Life Center as well as at the Turner Riverfront Athletic Complex.

The service started late because Marine One, carrying Mr. Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama from Dallas where they attended the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, circled West several times en route to Waco.[...]

Earlier, a long, solemn procession of firefighters from around Central Texas, the state and the U.S. moved from a staging area a half-mile from the Baylor campus to the arena.

Firefighters from departments that lost members in the explosion carried the helmets of the fallen first responders into the Ferrell Center.

The procession was so long that police scrambled to find space for firefighters to park the trucks.

Brian Crawford, the fire chief in the Dallas suburb of Plano, accompanied 11 other firefighters from his department.

He said he wanted to show "we are all a family."

The service was organized by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and Texas Line of Duty Death Task Force to remember the firefighters and first responders who died in the April 17 explosion in West.
[ Continue reading and view more images ]

I don't mean to be nasty, but Obama was late? Is it always about him? Could he not have toured the devastation before hand, like on the ground?

Slaps self.

April 23, 2013

Note, a few tissues may be needed while watching this:

A commenter noted:

For those who care, if you remember the picture of the guy kneeling over and hugging one of the injured girls after the bombing, that's her on the right

April 17, 2013

I am not a fan of Mother Jones but this is a story that deserves to be shared.

Soldiers from Massachusetts National Guard were participating in their annual
"Tough Ruck" race to honor fellow soldiers killed in action. They ran the Boston Marathon in full gear, including a 40lb backpack.

But as they completed the challenge, bombs ripped through the crowds. The soldiers sprang into action and tore through the barriers, allowing medical teams quick access to the victims.

Tasneem Raja writes:

When the explosion went off, Fiola and his group immediately went into tactical mode. "I did a count and told the younger soldiers to stay put," Fiola says. "Myself and two other soldiers, my top two guys in my normal unit, crossed the street about 100 yards to the metal scaffoldings holding up the row of flags. We just absolutely annihilated the fence and pulled it back so we could see the victims underneath. The doctors and nurses from the medical tent were on the scene in under a minute. We were pulling burning debris off of people so that the medical personnel could get to them and begin triage."

Once the victims were transported away for further medical care, Fiola and the others stood guard around the blast area. "We switched to keeping the scene safe, quarantining the area and preventing people from entering. There was a guy behind me covered, just covered, in his own blood, and I started to smell some smoke. I turn around to look and he's actually on fire, from a piece of whatever caused the explosion. I saw the smoke coming from his pocket so I reached in and pulled it out. It was his handkerchief, on fire."

Incidentally, the cowboy hat hero in my earlier post was with the Massachusetts National Guard. He was there to honor his sons, one who was killed in Iraq and the other who committed suicide after his brother's death.

From The Pentagon News Channel, in this video you can see the National Guardsmen tearing down the barriers, and you can see Carlos Arredondo (in his cowboy hat) on the other side of the fence helping victims:

March 19, 2013

Sad news:

An explosion at a military ammunition storage facility in Nevada during a Marine Corps training exercise killed seven U.S. Marines and wounded several others, military officials said.

The North Carolina-based Marines with the 2nd Marine Division were killed late Monday when a 60-millimeter mortar exploded during a live-fire training exercise at Hawthorne Army Depot as they were preparing to fire it.

Our prayers are with the families.

February 13, 2013

h/t Vic

February 06, 2013

Via The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation:

Happy Birthday Mr President.

Gone but not forgotten.

February 05, 2013

[Photo credit: WFAA]

Dallas Cowboys stadium to host memorial on February 11th at 1pm for former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle.

First Baptist Church in Midlothian will hold memorial for Kyle's friend and fellow Veteran Chad Littlefield on February 8 at 2 p.m.

Our thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones.

RIP heroes.

February 04, 2013

Remember the hero Chris Kyle who was murdered over the weekend? You may recall that when he caught Jesse Ventura dishing out his 9/11-was-an-inside-job-false-flag-operation bullshit at a bar, Kyle responded by giving the former pro-wrestler a fist in the mouth.

Because kicking a guy's ass sometimes is the right response.

So, if you meet any of these people who responded to Kyle's death with shouts of glee, you might want to remember Kyle's example.

And if the local DA takes umbrage, just remember the "fighting words" defense. Some words are so vile that simply saying them are cause enough for violence. IMHO, laughing at the death of a true American hero rises to that level.

Update (Vinnie) Who needs a good ass kicking? Ron Paul, that's who.

February 03, 2013

Chris Kyle was known as America's most lethal sniper. He holds the record for the most confirmed enemy kills. He died doing what he loved doing most, helping his fellow soldiers.

SOFREP reports:

Today Chris Kyle was shot and killed at a shooting range at the Rough Creek Lodge in Texas, murdered along with a second individual.

Chris had been volunteering his time to help Marine Corps veterans suffering from PTSD and mentoring them. Part of this process involved taking these veterans to the range where one of them snapped and killed Chris and his neighbor for reasons that remain unknown at this time. The perpetrator then stole Chris’ vehicle in an attempt to escape but we have received word that the police have since arrested him.

A little more about Chris:

SEAL Team 3 Chief Chris Kyle served four combat tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom and elsewhere. For his bravery in battle, he was awarded two Silver Stars, five Bronze Stars with Valor, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and one Navy and Marine Corps Commendation. Additionally, he received the Grateful Nation Award, given by the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs. Following his combat deployments, he became chief instructor for training Naval Special Warfare Sniper and Counter-Sniper teams, and he authored the Naval Special Warfare Sniper Doctrine, the first Navy SEAL sniper manual.

R.I.P., Hero.

You can get Chris Kyle's book at Amazon.

Hat Tip: Vinnie

January 29, 2013

I seem to have something in my eyes..

'About' below fold:

"On December 7th, 2012 my husband surprised me and the kiddos at the Art of Animation resort upon his return from his year long deployment to Afghanistan. I knew he was coming - the kids did not - but I had no idea Disney was going to come together like this and completely surprise us like they did. Over 300 cast members and staff got together to learn and do this dance. It was truly magical, and will be something we talk about and remember for the rest of our lives.

My kids thought we were flying to Ft. Benning, Georgia to go to Daddy's welcome home ceremony. We flew out of Boston and took a direct flight to Orlando instead. Well, once we were through security, 'Daddy called' to say his flight had been cancelled, and he didn't know if he was going to be able to make it to Georgia. We were sitting at our gate (which amazingly... the next flight was actually going to Georgia) when the kids got the news. They were so upset. So, I went over to the gate booth and told the lovely workers what was going on, to let them in on the surprise. They were on board for helping me out... and one lady asked the kids if they would like to go to Orlando instead, and she was able to "change our tickets" for us. Jackpot!

I told the kids I would find a hotel to stay at for a few days... maybe we could stay on Disney property while we waited for word on Daddy's flight. Once we landed and took the magical express bus, we arrived at the Art of Animation resort. Carl, the amazing guy who put this entire thing together, was there waiting for us. He got us checked in right away and told the kids our room wasn't ready yet, and asked them if we'd like to watch a dance they'd been practicing while we waited for the room to be readied.

Of course, the kids were super excited to see a Disney dance. They had no idea they would be seeing their Daddy. I knew of this plan... but I was told Art of Animation could probably get about ten people to do the dance. When the hundreds of people started filling in the lobby, I was so shocked and overwhelmed. I couldn't believe this was happening. I had no idea they would be surprising us with my husband at the end of the dance (They even picked him up from the airport)!

The dance was so cute and entertaining and it sucked the kids right in. They had no idea their daddy was hiding behind a picture of Ariel. (I had seen his boots shuffling along the floor and almost lost it. He was that close. Then... TA DA! They pulled the picture away and every single one of the kids were stunned. We all just sat there... too shocked to even get up. I wanted to jump up and just hug him and never let him go, but our son (who hadn't seen his dad since he was one) was a little unsure about the whole thing, so I stayed where I was. I let Daddy come to us.

The response and the hugs, and the tears... it was all worth it. It was truly magical, and such a blur, and overwhelmingly amazing."

Video/story submitted to Welcome Home Blog by Melissa P. on 1/29/2013. For media inquiries, send a message through the form on http://welcomehomeblog.com/contact/

<

He wrote the letter on 'red construction paper', his dad's favorite color:

1/28/2013 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF RICHARDSON, Alaska (AFNS) -- MacAidan "Mac" Gallegos was only 5 when his father, Army Sgt. Justin Gallegos, was killed in Afghanistan in 2009. Not a day goes by that he doesn't think about him. On days like Jan. 24, his father's 31st birthday, he has found a special way to celebrate his birthday and honor his memory.

"I wanted to write my dad a letter and get it as close to heaven as possible," said Mac[...]

Helping American Veterans Experience Alaska, or HAVE Alaska, was stood up in 2010 by Moxley and his wife Carla to provide opportunities for Veterans to experience hunting and fishing excursions in Alaska.

A few emails and phone calls later Mac, his mother and his step-father, Army Master Sgt. Jeremy Marr, were meeting Senior Airman Jennifer Dunham, 90th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief who gave them a tour of the Raptor.

Before stepping to fly Lt. Col. Brian Baldwin, a Reserve F-22 pilot assigned to the 302nd Fighter Squadron, met Mac at his F-22 where the little boy handed over the letter to his father written on red construction paper, his dad's favorite color.

"It is an honor to fly with Mac's letter," said Baldwin. "His father gave the greatest sacrifice to our country and I am humbled to be able to do something for him and his family."

[Read It All]

Sniff

h/t @meankitteh1.

January 03, 2013

A drill instructor from Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego instructs the players of the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl East Coast Team of what he expects from them during the players' first practice on Dec. 31, 2012 at Fullerton College in Fullerton, Calif. The Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl is the second annual event of its kind and serves as a tool for Marines to pass on their core values to the nation's top high school football athletes. The Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl will be nationally televised live on the NFL Network from the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., at 6 p.m. PST Jan. 4.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Gabby Bustos)

December 29, 2012

My heroes:

A Twitter person, and I use that term loosely, had this to say about the @USArmy's Tweet about the photo:

@jonletman: @USArmy @TIME The same year the US Military invaded Iraq, bombing that nation and killing untold thousands of civilians

It would be a small world if he does, just sayin.

December 24, 2012

(Hat Tip: Carol's Blog)

The speaker is Maj. Dan Rooney, founder of The Folds of Honor Foundation.

November 15, 2012

Tragic, just tragic. 25 Wounded Warriors arrived in Midland, TX yesterday afternoon. "The group of 25 was brought in for a week full of events to show them gratitude for their service."

No words...

DEVELOPING -- At least four people were killed and dozens injured Thursday after a train crashed into a trailer carrying veterans during a parade in Texas.

At least four deaths have been reported and at least 17 people were injured, and seven of them are listed in critical condition.

A flatbed 18-wheeler truck was reportedly carrying 24 veterans and their families for the " Hunt for Heroes" parade in Midland when it was hit by a train.

"Show of Support" president and founder Terry Johnson tells the Midland Reporter-Telegram that a Union Pacific train slammed into a trailer that was on its way to the wounded veterans event about 5 p.m. Thursday.

November 13, 2012

This National Guard soldier gives a new meaning to hero, what a amazing story:

Update: I had to put the video below the fold, slow loading.

Caution, tissues needed:

God Bless you soldier and thank you for your service to our country.

Vietnam Veterans, thank you also and God Bless. We have never forgotten your service to our country.

Does someone have a tissue?

h/t @USNationalGuard

What religion could this be?

TORONTO — Police are investigating after a war memorial was vandalized on Remembrance Day in Toronto.

The Victory Peace memorial in Coronation Park was defaced with the words “Canada will burn praise Allah” written in what appeared to be black marker.

City workers were called in to clean the bronze memorial, built in the 1990s[...]

The Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations says it condemns the vandalism, calling it “senseless” and “ignorant.”

CBC is stating the vandalism will be treated as a hate crime.

"But police aren’t drawing any conclusions on who may be responsible"

"The Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations released a statement saying that both "Islam and Canada’s proud heritage are denigrated by this ignorant act."

Dear Canadian readers, I hope those responsible for dishonoring your heroes are apprehended and not treated with kid gloves by Islams useful idiots, the PC crowd.

November 11, 2012

God Bless those who served, and those who gave all.

Thank you for keeping us free

November 10, 2012

Hoo-rah!!

God Bless Marines past, present, and those who gave all protecting our great country.

You are my heroes.

Last, but not least, their K-9 companions.

The working dogs:

November 05, 2012

Visit http://WelcomeHomeBlog.com for more surprise military homecomings!

"At the time of the video (May), our kids had been separated from their dad for almost 3 months. They thought they wouldn't be seeing him until December. My son had stated that he wanted a Star Wars party so he could be Luke and fight Darth Vader (whom he thought was going to be his older cousin). My husband came home for 96 hours to surprise our son at his birthday party... dressed as Darth Vader. The little Princess Leia in the video is our daughter, too! My husband is currently deployed (his first deployment) and we are counting down the days til he's home!"

Video submitted to Welcome Home Blog by Susie W. on 11/4/2012. For media inquiries, send a message through the form on http://welcomehomeblog.com/contact/

May The Force be with their daddy until he returns home.

October 31, 2012

"People come up to us and say 'I wonder if the people at FEMA know how much we need them'"

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all affected by Sandy, especially the heroes above.

Aerial view from yesterday of New York and New Jersey:

October 30, 2012

Caution, lots of tissues needed.

October 29, 2012

Spc. Brett Hyde, Tomb Sentinel, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), keeps guard over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during Hurricane Sandy at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., Oct. 29, 2012. Just like the Sentinel’s Creed says “Through the years of diligence and praise and the discomfort of the elements, I will walk my tour in humble reverence to the best of my ability”, Hyde lives by this creed. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Jose A. Torres Jr.)

Spc. Brett Hyde, Tomb Sentinel, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), maintains his vigil during Hurricane Sandy while guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., Oct., 29, 2012. In 1948 the Old Guard assumed the post following the unit’s reactivation in the nation’s capital. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Jose A. Torres Jr.)

Spc. Brett Hyde, Tomb Sentinel, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), takes his twenty-one steps across a water soaked mat while guarding the Tomb during Hurricane Sandy at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery, Va., Oct. 29, 2012. The Tomb is guarded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Snow, rain, wind or heat has never stopped the Tomb Sentinels from guarding the tomb for over 64 years. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Jose A. Torres Jr.)

Besides the above:

A Firing Party from Delta Company, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), leaves the columbarium area after conducting a funeral for a Veteran at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., Oct. 29, 2012. Even with Hurricane Sandy bearing down on the Eastern Seaboard the Old Guard are still committed to honoring our Nation’s Veterans. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Jose A. Torres Jr.)

Thanks to Moshe for reminding me about this. Apparently, a photo from September of this year is being used as today's image. As you can tell above, those are today's images.

On Twitter, @The_Old_Guard is reminding the media and others of the correct images.