Tuesday, October 18, 2005

A Tribute to the Coast Guard's Best....our very own....Joe Collins....
***Click on picture to enlarge....
Coast Guard's own, Joe Collins...
We salute you, Joe, and are very proud of you...
Dad, Kurt, does the honors....man to man tribute of......Love and Pride.
Proud Mom, Melissa....with one of her ...... heart's delight!


Welcome Home Our Hero...
LCPL Fernandez III

Thursday, October 13, 2005


Our Marine is home....safe and sound, Thank God....
Sees 6 mo. old son for the first time....

Carlos M. Fernandez III and
Carlos M. Fernandez IV meet at last!


Monday, October 10, 2005

U.S. Marines from 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, inventory a weapons cache they discovered while on patrol in Hit. (yep - that's the real name for this place.
ask Pipo/Dez of the 4th AA BN.4th Div.)
Pic: Lance Cpl. Michael R. McMaugh, U.S. Marine Corps
U.S. Marines from 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, inventory a weapons cache they discovered while on patrol in Hit. (yep - that's the real name for this place. )
Pic: Lance Cpl. Michael R. McMaugh, U.S. Marine Corps


Soldiers of 3/7 Cav, 2nd BDE, of the 3rd Infantry Division conduct a MEDCAP mission in Salman Pak.
MEDCAPS are conducted to give the local populace medical care.
Pic: SPC David Kobi
With Love....From Beth to Steve....in Iraq!

I Do Not Like This Dust and Sand!

This poem is credited to a Kentucky Army National Guard chaplain who is currently serving in the sandbox.

"I Do Not Like This Dust and Sand"

I do not like this dust and sand
I do not like it on my hands
I do not like dust in my head
I do not like it in my bed
I do not like sand in my hair
I hate it in my underwear
I do not like this dust and sand
I used to like the color tan
I do not like dust on my clothes
I despise it up my nose
I do not like sand in my face
Invading all my private space

I do not like dust in my mouth
I do not like it north or south
I do not like sand east or west
Nowhere is where I like it best
I do not like dust in my ear
It's hard to reach, I cannot hear
When it gets in my drink and food
It affects my attitude
I like it not with ham and eggs
I do not like sand on my legs
I like it not in socks and boots
Nor on my veggies, meats and fruits
This dust and sand floats everywhere
It dances in the desert air
I like a dust storm even less
Because it leaves a gritty mess
I want to leave this sand and dust

But until then..... in God I trust.
Pray for Peace
Serbian church in Cernica, Kosovo guarded by US Forces

Thursday, October 06, 2005



Smallest US Post Office in the Everglades, Florida

Welcome Home....
...4th AA BN 4th MAR DIV
2nd PLT.....God Bless You!
We hear you are 'in transient' and
will be on US soil before the week is out....
Thank God!
Your loved ones are so anxious to have you back
in our/their arms and homes....
Congratulations on a job 'Well Done'!

Wednesday, October 05, 2005


Who Are They?






He's a recent High School graduate;
he was probably an average student,pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away.
Or he may have a wife and new baby waiting and praying anxiously for his return...
He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or country, jazz or swing and.... 155 mm Howitzer. He is 10, 15 or even 25 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk.
He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can fieldstrip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must. He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.
He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march.



He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts. If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.
He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands.
He can save your life -- or take it, because that is his job.
He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and death then he should have in his short lifetime.

He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them.
He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combatand is unashamed.
He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand,remove their hat, or even stop talking.
In an odd twist, day in and day out,far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.
Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom.
Beardless or not, he is not a boy.
He is theAmerican Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.
He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding.
Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.


And now we even have women over there in danger as well...




He has a face and a name....like....Chuckie/Pipo/Dez, Sanchez, Caruthers, Cooley, Chris, Covell, Bickerstaff....



Prayer for our military ... "Lord, thank you for these wonderful troops... Please protect them as they protect us. Bless them and all their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need.. Give them your favor as they return, weary, from war and doing their jobs for their country....Heal their many wounds, physical, emotional, mental and spiritual....Lord, help us to never take these wonderful hero's for granted....Bless them abundantly, it is for this I pray....Amen,"