Please DON'T forget

[Tomtall]

Saturday Nov. 11th is Veterans day. Please remember our Veterans both past and present.


BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!!
WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE,
ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!!



A Simple
Thank You

While traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together. After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.
No, he responded.

Heading out I asked?
No I'm escorting a soldier home.

Going to pick him up?
No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq .I'm taking him home to his family.

The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days. I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.
Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign."
Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American.

So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.
signed: Stuart Margel -- Washington , D.C.

[Tomtall]

Pictures for thought

Also, here are two very touching photos honored at this years International Picture of the Year.


First Place
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."

[Tomtall]

Pictures cont.

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."

[Brett L. Pruett]

Thanks for the reminder Tom.
I thank our Vets. and shake their hand every chance I get.
My scouts will be performing a flag ceremony Sunday at the Gibraltar Community Center at 11:00 am during the pancake breakfast (7:30 – 12:00).
And I’ am thankful to be lucky enough to be able to make a call to my father (Navy 10 years, 9 months, 21days) to thank him for our way of life, and our right to vote.

[hydroracer25]

Tom,

Thank you for reminding everyone. Often we take all that we have for granted. These stories and pictures are great in the sense that many times we forget about the men and women who are overseas doing their jobs.

Thank you to my brother-in-law and his troops who are currently serving with the 2nd Platoon "Wolfpack", A Troop, 1-40 Cav(A) in Iraq. We are keeping you and your men in our prayers.

Mark

[HRTV]

Very powerful photos!

[Kristi Ellison]

I want to Thank all the Veterans today and everyday with special Thanks to my father-in-law who served 3 tours in Vietnam, All the soldiers here at Ft Bragg...Home of the 82nd Airborne and the XVIII Airborne Corps and My husband currently serving in Afghanistan as the Commander of the 759th Foward Surgical Team Airborne....Hooah!! I am proud to live in the Greatest Country on Earth.

It is the VETERAN , not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the VETERAN , not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the VETERAN , not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the VETERAN , not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the VETERAN , not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the VETERAN , not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the VETERAN ,
who salutes the Flag,

It is the veteran,
who serves under the Flag,!

Thank a veteran today that you are able to say whatever you want on this website and for the fact we don't speak German or another foreign language.

Kristi

[Kristi Ellison]

Thanks.....Kristi

[hydroracer25]

Operation Love and Support

Today is a special day for all of those who have served and who are currently serving. I've spent a lot of time today reflecting on the importance of Veteran's Day and what it now means to my family.

All my life I have always cared and respected our military men and women who serve for our country, but nothing brings it closer to home then having your loved one be sent overseas to participate in something that most of us just do not understand.

No matter how we feel about the war in Iraq, or the wars of the past....it's so very important and vital that we express our appreciation and support to these brave and selfless individuals.

My brother and his platoon arrived in Iraq three weeks ago. News coming home has been extremely disheartening!! Derek (Heavener) is the Platoon Sergeant of an incredible group of men (the Wolfpack). In dedication and support of their efforts - and to bring home a little closer to them...we have established a website that we (the platoon and their family and friends) utilize to stay in touch as often as we can. I was not aware at the time that this would become a full-time job!

Like you all - our racing family - I have found a brother in each of these men in only two short months. Their families are now our family, and I have to tell you....its been the most incredible feeling in the world to know how much this has meant to these men.

Please visit our site when you get a chance, and feel free to drop them a message in the guest book...they are eating up the attention!! Since August we have had over 5600+ visits to our site and nearly 600 posts to our guest book..... its been such a blessing!

The site is www.operationloveandsupport.com.

Another link you might like to check out in honor of Veteran's Day is:

http://objflicks.com/GladiatorAmericanStyle.htm

Thank you to all of you who are spending time today thanking our Veteran's...there just are not enough of us out here that care!

Heather Miskerik

[hydroracer25]

Wolfpack

Just a couple pictures of Derek and the boys.

First picture is of my brother (SFC Derek Heavener - right) and SSG Jon Floyd.

Second picture taken on 10/20 in Kuwait prior to departing to Iraq.

Third picture taken at their base in Ft. Richardson, Alaska.

Enjoy!

[Kristi Ellison]

Heather

Great photos...I bet it has not been fun for them climatizing from Alaska to Iraq. When my husband came home from his first tour to the war from Iraq he swore if it was less than 80 degrees in the house we were trying to freezw him! When he cam home from his 2 weeks of R&R in July from Afghanistan and showed up at the Nationals he laughed at all of us complaining how HOT it was in DePue.

Very nice post I will be sure to check out the website.

Kristi

[racnbns]

Heather

Great photos...I bet it has not been fun for them climatizing from Alaska to Iraq. When my husband came home from his first tour to the war from Iraq he swore if it was less than 80 degrees in the house we were trying to freezw him! When he cam home from his 2 weeks of R&R in July from Afghanistan and showed up at the Nationals he laughed at all of us complaining how HOT it was in DePue.

Very nice post I will be sure to check out the website.

Kristi

AMEN And Thanks To All Of The People Serving Abroad So We Can Be Safe And FREE!

Bruce

[bill boyes]

Go to www.wtvynews4.com/unclassified/4315032.html
Things you do not see on the news much. 10/9 water treatment plant. JR Long is my cousin Ricky.