Thursday, November 12, 2009

We must not forget - Freedom Is Not Free!

Afghanistan Coalition Military Fatalities By Year
Year US UK Other Total
2001 12 0 0 12
2002 49 3 17 69
2003 48 0 9 57
2004 52 1 7 60
2005 99 1 31 131
2006 98 39 54 191
2007 117 42 73 232
2008 155 51 89 295
2009 288 95 85 468

Total 918 232 365 1515


Iraq Coalition Military Fatalities By Year
Year US UK Other Total
2003 486 53 41 580
2004 849 22 35 906
2005 846 23 28 897
2006 822 29 21 872
2007 904 47 10 961
2008 314 4 4 322
2009 141 1 0 142

Total 4362 179 139 4680










Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Here's to the Heroes: A Military Tribute ... to whom we owe so much! We salute them all!

We shall not forget!

A PRAYER FOR MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY

Father in Heaven, watch over America's sons, daughters, husbands, wives, fathers and mothers, in their hour of peril. Bring them home safely to their loved ones. Wrap your loving arms around the wounded, and bring to your side the ones who have lost their lives. Let their loved ones know peace of mind from the pain of having lost those who were so dear to them. Let their children learn wisdom as they grow up without their mothers and fathers.
Amen

A gentle, humble and true reminder:
It's the Soldier, not the reporter
who has given us the freedom of the press!
It's the Soldier, not the poet,
who has given us the freedom of speech!
It's the Soldier, not the politicians,
that ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness!
It's the Soldier who salutes the flag,
who serves beneath the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag!

Note: Remember to mute the music - upper right. The following may be slow loading due to activity - be patient, it's worth it.

Here's to the Heroes: A Military Tribute
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL-0mdEg0U4&feature=player_embedded

The WWII/Korean War Version of "Before You Go"
http://www.beforeyougo.us/play_byg

The Vietnam War Version of "Before You Go"
http://www.beforeyougo.us/play_byg_vn

And more:
Bill's Country - Honoring Georgia's Heroes (leave a COMMENT to remember someone - it's Veteran's Day)
http://bcgaheroes.blogspot.com/

God bless America, our troops and their families, Amen.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

To Sergeant Hurtt and family, all members of his unit and their families;

To Sergeant Hurtt and family, all members of his unit and their families;
from the ole 73yy former guardsman (48th Armored Division, 148th Aviation Battalion) and volunteer firefighter:

I was honored to meet Sergeant Hurtt and his beautiful family at the Cracker Barrel at I-20 and Thornton Road on Saturday, October 24, 2009. Be it known by one and all, this is a warm, beautiful and devoted family proudly representing Georgia and the entire USA.

Such a man and family is what makes America special, great, strong, free, defended and protected. And sets America apart from all other nations, countries and peoples. I'm confident that Sergeant Hurtt's unit and their families are equally such great Americans.

So please join Betty and I in remembering them, being grateful for them and constantly praying for them as they deploy and serve for a year defending and protecting America, our freedom and liberty, and the Constitution of the United States of America. And likewise all others currently serving, and all those before them -- now over 43,000,000 in our 233 year history.

A gentle, humble and true reminder:

It's the Soldier, not the reporter
who has given us
the freedom of the press!

It's the Soldier, not the poet,
who has given us
the freedom of speech!

It's the Soldier, not the politicians,
that ensures our right to
Life, Liberty and the pursuit
of happiness!

It's the Soldier who salutes the flag, Align Center
who serves beneath the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag!

A PRAYER FOR MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY


Father in Heaven, watch over America's sons, daughters, husbands, wives, fathers and mothers, in their hour of peril. Bring them home safely to their loved ones. Wrap your loving arms around the wounded, and bring to your side the ones who have lost their lives. Let their loved ones know peace of mind from the pain of having lost those who were so dear to them. Let their children learn wisdom as they grow up without their mothers and fathers. Amen

For the members of Sergeant Hurtt's unit, and their families, and all others serving:
** simply return here to be assured you are not alone,
** you are not forgotten,
** you are missed,
** you are constantly being prayed for,
** to just listen to the music accompanying this Blog, or my other Blogs, for it is my hope this music will add to you day and truly make a difference -- yes, that's my prayer,
** all are invited and encouraged to post a comment and/or a prayer, -- just fellow the instructions, they are simple really, and free,
** if you wish to post a photo, send to bill73yy@gmail.com, with "Photo" as 1st word in 'Subject' line.

Thank you for your visits, comments and prayers for our military. Also, please refer others here to support ours troops and their families. FYI, as time and resources permit, we are planning a Blog or Blogs for all lost in Iraq and Afghanistan arranged for and by each individual State.

God bless you and yours, America, our brave troops and their families. We Must Not Forget!

Betty and Bill

P.S. Scroll down, and click on older posts to proceed to earier posts.

Special videos for my Heroes - STOP music tracks, upper right; click back button at end of video to return here:

Surprise #1

Surprise #2

Our friend Brad Latham, Dallas, Georgia

Brad again


Sunday, August 2, 2009

Honoring Navy Capt. Michael "Scott" Speicher




Remembering and Honoring

Navy Capt. Michael "Scott" Speicher
of Jacksonville, Fla.; "We will be bringing him home."


The first American lost in the Persian Gulf War, when his FA-18 Hornet fighter jet was shot down over the Iraq desert on the first night of the 1991 war, over west-central Iraq on Jan. 17, 1991.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Captain Speicher's family for the ultimate sacrifice he made for his country."

We are extremely grateful to all those who have worked so tirelessly over the last 18 years to bring Captain Speicher home.


We must never forget

that freedom is not free!

Monday, July 6, 2009

Honoring Staff Sergeant John C. Beale

I received this from a friend of mine.

What a tribute for America! I lived in Atlanta for two years and was there during 9-11, so I can attest to the level of patriotism that exists; but this just blew me away.

As a veteran, I can only hope we never lose the spirit that is obviously still alive in Georgia. Forward as you see fit.

Rest in Peace Brother!
Killed in action, the body of Staff Sergeant John C. Beale was returned to Falcon Field in Peachtree City, Georgia, just south of Atlanta, on June 11, 2009.

The Henry County Police Department escorted the procession to the funeral home in McDonough, Georgia. This happened all from a simple notice in local papers indicating the road route to be taken and the approximate time. Nowadays one can be led to believe that America no longer respects honor and no longer honors sacrifice outside the military. Be it known that there are many places in this land where people still recognize the courage and impact of self-sacrifice. Georgia remains one of those graceful places.


An American and Georgia Hero from Riverdale, Georgia, Staff Sergeant Beale was a member of the 1st Battalion, 108th Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition Squadron, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Georgia Army National Guard. Killed near Kapisa, Afghanistan, on June 4, 2009.

Click here to continue a short travelogue with it's own special music of that day's remarkable, and painful journey. But only watch this if you wish to have some of your faith in people restored.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Happy Flag Day

HAPPY FLAG DAY AMERICA











For them we must work and strive

to protect and defend

the Constitution of The United States of America

- and may we always have the heart and wisdom to keep

it the same and unchanged as our founding fathers intended,

and America,

"the land of the free, and home of the brave",

so help us God !

--

Red Skelton's Pledge of Allegiance

-

Click "Back" arrow to continue to the next below;

clicking on each 'title':

--

The Pledge of Allegiance

-

Click "Back" arrow to continue to the next below:

--

Pledge Story

-

Click "Back" arrow to continue !

--

It is Flag Day, and I just don't get tired of hearing about our Flag,

Old Glory, and seeing the different videos!

God Bless America !

God Bless the U.S.A. by Lee Greenwood

and

Click "Back" arrow to see this moving video

and powerful truth:

Final Call

God bless them all !

Monday, May 25, 2009

Celebrating Memorial Day 2009 ! Freedom is not free!

Today is Monday, May 25, the 146th day of 2009 with 220 to follow.
We are celebrating Memorial Day 2009!

Freedom is not free!


The 'Arrogance' of America ...




1- The American Cemetery at Aisne-Marne , France . A total of 2289 of our military dead.

We Apologize.



2- The American Cemetery at Ardennes , Belgium . A total of 5329 of our dead.

We are arrogant.






















3- The American Cemetery at Brittany, France . A total of 4410 of our military dead.
Excuse us.








4- Brookwood , England American Cemetery. A total of 468 of our dead.

















5- Cambridge , England . 3812 of our military dead.







6- Epinal , France American Cemetery. A total of 5525 of our Military dead.


















7- Flanders Field , Belgium . A total of 368 of our military.



8- Florence , Italy . A total of 4402 of our military dead.
















9- Henri-Chapelle , Belgium . A total of 7992 of our military dead.





10- Lorraine , France . A total of 10,489 of our military dead.





















11- Luxembourg , Luxembourg . A total of 5076 of our military dead.




12- Meuse-Argonne. A total of 14246 of our military dead.






















13- Netherlands , Netherlands . A total of 8301 of our military dead.





14- Normandy , France . A total of 9387 of our military dead.




15- Oise-Aisne , France . A total of 6012 of our military dead.
















16- Rhone , France . A total of 861 of our military dead.



17- Sicily , Italy . A total of 7861 of our military dead.














18- Somme , France . A total of 1844 of our military dead.


19- St. Mihiel , France . A total of 4153 of our military dead.
























20- Suresnes , France . a total of 1541 of our military dead.







IF I ADDED CORRECTLY, THE COUNT OF OUR MILITARY DEAD IN THESE TWENTY MEMORIALS ON FOREIGN SOIL IS 104,366.




That represents 35.8% of our total combat deaths in all theaters of World War II
(i.e., in Europe and the Pacific combined); or 25.7% of combat and other deaths in service (nontheater).



These were American military members that did not come home to 'rest in peace' near their homes and families, but were buried in far away lands of France, Belgium, England, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.




We should apologize to no one. Remind those of our sacrifices. And don't confuse arrogance with leadership.




As Americans, let's all look forward to the next elections to find a president who doesn't think we need to be ashamed.




These 104,366 military members, and their families
- parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, wives and husbands, and children and grandchildren -
are the ones, and the only ones, that are due any form of an apology by any and all
Americans, including any elected or appointed government representatives. To do otherwise is gross disrespect and dishonor of their devoted service and duty to our nation, America, the United States of America.