God Bless Our Troops!

Here are two very very touching photos honored at this years
International Picture of the Year...
First Place ......
Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News
When 2nd Lt. James Cathey's body arrived at the Reno Airport, Marines
climbed into the cargo hold of the plane and draped the flag over his
casket as passengers watched the family gather on the tarmac.

During the arrival of another Marine's casket last year at Denver
International Airport, Major Steve Beck described the scene as so
powerful: "See the people in the windows? They sat right there in the
plane, watching those Marines. You gotta wonder what's going through
their minds, knowing that they're on the plane that brought him home,"
he said. "They will remember being on that plane for the rest of their
lives. They're going to remember bringing that Marine home. And they
should."

Second Place....
From :Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News
The night before the burial of her husband's body, Katherine Cathey
refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the
last time. The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below
the flag. Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and
played songs that reminded her of 'Cat,' and one of the Marines asked if
she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept. "I think it
would be kind of nice if you kept doing it," she said. "I think that's
what he would have wanted."

LCPL Chad Codwell, from Baltimore, Maryland, with Charlie Company 1st Battalion 5th Marines, carries an experimental urban combat skateboard which is being used for maneuvering inside buildings in order to detect tripwires and sniper fire.

God Bless Our Troops!

Certificate of Appreciation presented by the Pinellas County Chapter 522 of Vietnam Veterans of America to our Marine, Chuckie, and all the other Marines from Tampa who were involved with Iraqi Freedom ....
It reads...."In Grateful Appreciation For Your Service And Outstanding Performance During Operation Iraqi Freedom".....
"Never Again Shall One Generation of Veterans Abandon Another"

Tribute should be paid for those people who willingly and knowingly use their life in order to secure peace, freedom and protection for their fellow man.

Such a life should not be taken for granted for we owe them gratitude of the highest degree. Theirs is a life dedicated to honor, integrity and the preservation of that which is sacred and precious.....freedom.
Any person who has carried this responsibility in such a noble way - should be awarded the highest honor of our land....a grateful and appreciative heart from the people who has thus been served...

It is with great thankfulness that I salute ALL who have procured my country's freedom with your commitment to such a noble endeavor....

May God Hold YOU in the Palm of His Hand and Bless you Abundantly....

We appreciate YOU!

Freedom Team
S A L U T E

LCPL Carlos M. Fernandez III
For outstanding service to the Nation as a United States Marine Soldier. You are being recognized for your patriotism and continued support of the Marine tradition….of the Marine family. Your legacy is today's Marines and the values Soldiers such as yourself exhibit while fighting the Global War on Terrorism. All combined efforts
are a direct reflection of your service, and the United States Marines and a grateful Nation thank you.
Welcome Home from Iraqi Freedom Tour

Happy Veteran's Day to all of you!

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

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!

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