Wednesday Hero

No Wednesday Hero post this week. We'll start fresh in the new year. Happy 2011 everyone.

Censorship

Music Czar Monday

This might be the final MCM. Not sure if I'm going to continue in the new year or not.

I hate to end this joyous month on a dark note, but Wednesday marks the 120th anniversary of the massacre at Wounded Knee and I couldn't let it pass.


Ghost Dance by Robbie Robertson & The Red Road Ensemble

Merry Christmas

I want to wish everyone a Happy Holidays Merry Christmas. I hope the day is filled with joy and laughter. Stay safe and I hope Santa brought you everything you asked him for.

Letters To Santa

The following are letters to Santa that some local 2nd graders wrote. These are only sample as there are WAY too many to post. One thing I noticed was that a lot of kids want a 4-wheeler, Star Wars (awesome), Nintendo DS, PS3, 360 or an iPhone. Ain't no 2nd grader need an iPhone. But one of the most original gifts was a lot of the kids want pictures of Rudolph. How cool is that? Anyway, enjoy.

Read more »

Wednesday Hero

I sat here trying to think how to start this post. What did I want it to say? How long did I want it to be? I wasn't sure how to begin. I turned on some Christmas music to help get me in the right frame of mind to write a Christmas Wednesday Hero post, but it wasn't really helping. I mean, how do you properly thank a group of people who have given up everything in their lives to serve you and protect people all over the world with just a single post on a silly blog? Many of these Men and Women haven't seen their friends and families in months and many won't be seeing them for many more months. How do you thank them? They are away from home during the time of year when everyone should be together. How do you thank them for that? Some of them will never see their home or loved ones again because they laid down their life for a complete stranger. How do you thank them for that? I guess the better question would be are we able to thank them enough?

To all those who have completed their service, the ones who are serving, the ones who have payed the ultimate sacrifice and those who may have never served but help those who have and are, Thank You and Merry Christmas.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Music Czar Monday

I love this song. Her voice is amazing.


Christmas Cannon Rock by Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Things That Piss Me Off

Animal rights activists

Flash

These stupid "talent" shows and games shows that try to call themselves reality. Simon Cowell and Mark Burrnett are Satan. And I am waiting for the day when it all blows up in the faces. God, that day can't come soon enough

Eco Nazis

Justin Bieber and the teenage girls who have made him as big as he is. Damn you all to Hell

People who "push the envelope". Morons

People who feel the need to constantly tell the world how much they hate Soccer. Oh..my..God, get over it. If you don't like it, don't watch it. Just shut up about it. You don't hear me bitching about how much I hate basketball or that ignorant game we call football

People who refer to all MP3 players as an iPod. Same goes for search engine/Google and pop/Coke

Guys who take photos of themselves without a shirt and use it as their profile picture. I don't care how "ripped" you are, put on a damn shirt

Celebrity gossip shows

E!

Anyone under 25

Wednesday Hero

SSgt. Brent Schneider
From Amarillo, Texas
2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment


A Green Country military mom is especially proud of her soldier son. He's on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan, and now he's been honored for his bravery under fire with a Silver Star.

It's not his first medal.

For a mother with a son in a war zone, Lisa Wheat is pretty cool, calm and collected.

"I'm comfortable because I know the training he's had. He's had excellent training. And I just have all of the confidence in the world in him," Lisa Wheat said.

You can read the rest of the article here and the Stars & Stripes piece here.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Music Czar Monday

The is the one that really brought TSO into the mainstream. Every house that syncs lights up with music has to use this song.


Wizards In Winter (Live) by Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Military Gift Registry

Sears is helping military families this Christmas. When you make a donation to Heroes At Home Gift Registry Sears, along with various non-profit organizations, will use that money to give gift cards to military families for the holiday. Head over and see how you can help.

Wednesday Hero - Memorial

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Cindy



This started out as a Wednesday Hero post but because of the heavy casualties that 3rd Battalion, 5th Regiment, 3/5 Darkhorse, suffered, 25 Men KIA in seven months, I decided to make it a memorial post. Semper Fi, Marines.

I'm hoping you've all heard about 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 3/5 Darkhorse, and the heavy casualties they took during their deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. Below is a list of the 3/5 Darkhorse Marines that payed the ultimate price I'm missing one name that I can't seem to find. If you know who it is, please let me know.

Marine Sgt. Ian M. Tawney
Marine Lance Cpl. James D. Boelk
Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph C. Lopez
Marine Lance Cpl. Alec E. Catherwood
Marine Lance Cpl. Irvin M. Ceniceros
Marine Pfc. Victor A. Dew
Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph E. Rodewald
Marine Lance Cpl. Phillip D. Vinnedge
Marine Cpl. Justin J. Cain
Marine Lance Cpl. John T. Sparks
Marine 1st Lt. William J. Donnelly IV
Marine Lance Cpl. James B. Stack
Marine 2nd Lt. Robert M. Kelly
Marine Lance Cpl. Randy R. Braggs
Marine Lance Cpl. Brandon W. Pearson
Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew J. Broehm
Marine Sgt. Matthew T. Abbate
Marine Cpl. Derek A. Wyatt
Marine Pvt. Colton W. Rusk
Marine Sgt. Jason D. Peto
Marine Lance. Cpl. Jose L. Maldonado
Marine Lance Cpl. Kenneth A. Corzine
Marine Cpl. Tevan L. Nguyen
Marine Lance Cpl. Arden Buenagua
Marine Sgt. Jason G. Amores



These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Music Czar Monday

Ah, Christmas time. My favorite time of the year. The weather. The decorations. The music. All throughout the month of December, MCM will be highlighting one of my all time favorite bands. Trans-Siberian Orchestra. If you've never heard TSO, they have a Rock/Operatic/Metal/Progressive sound. Meat Loaf meets Pink Floyd meets Metallica. Three of their best from one of the best albums ever recorded, The Lost Christmas Eve. Only three because on the final Monday I will be honoring something important to me that isn't related to Christmas. But more on that later. Now, I know only three songs aren't enough so be sure to check out my Twitter page every Friday as I will be posting a song there as well. There's one song I wanted to include but YouTube doesn't have it. Midnight Clear. It's only 90 seconds long but it's very good. If you find it check it out.

Start it off with the first song on the album. It starts out "traditional" enough as "The First Noel" but it quickly changes. That's when my Mom turned it off. Wasn't her cup of tea. Enjoy.


Faith Noel by Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

I've been a pretty good boy this year. I ain't done nothing too bad. Yes, there was that incident with the matches but that wasn't my fault. So, as I've been good, I would like you to bring me the following:

Stay Puft Caffeinated Gourmet Marshmallows

A Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader Lightsaber

Luxeed U5 Dynamic Pixel LED Keyboard

Bacon Salt and Baconnaise. Everything is better with bacon.

Serenity Keychain

USS Enterprise Bottle Opener

A set of Star Trek Insignia Pins

A Phaser

and a Sonic Screwdriver

There's more but this should hold me for now.

I Can't Even See The Jones's Anymore

So, we all know that technology is always on the move. Ever evolving. Every time a new piece of tech comes out it's already considered old and slow within a month. Apple is the biggest culprit of this with a new iPhone or iPod every 6 months. And it's a given that technology will surpass you. One day you're "with it" and the next you're you find yourself still messing with last generation doodads. Me, I still use a VCR and have dial up. But when technology passes us by it tends to be because we get older and can't figure out how to operate it. That really hasn't happened to me yet, though I've noticed that newfangled gadgets tend to have a lot of crap on them that I don't need. No, for me, and I suspect a lot of others, it's the monetary aspect. Many people are falling behind because we can't afford to keep up. Look at cellphones. What's your monthly bill? My Nephew has an iPhone and he pays $60 a month. That's insane. But the biggest culprit is broadband. The world is moving away from dinosaur dial up and before long you're going to need high speed internet access to do anything. Look at video games. If you're a gamer you've no doubt noticed that every game is all about multiplayer. Look at televisions. You buy one now and it has apps on it that connect to the internet. How long before you will be required to have broadband access to just watch tv? Will that ever happen? I don't know, but I can't say it won't. It's conceivable that one day your house will need to have access to the internet to even work. I've seen refrigerators and hot water heaters that connect to the internet. Don't know if it was required but who knows, one day. I would love to get broadband one day, but with the prices of everything going up, resulting in higher bills, that's not going to happen any time soon. Now this isn't a whining post. A "poor me, feel bad for me" type of thing. I was just bored and this is what's been on my mind.

15 Sign Santa Is Really A Woman

15. Santa *remembers* it's Christmas. 'Nuf said.

14. Reads children's letters in office instead of in bathroom.

13. Never explains what exactly you did to deserve that coal in your stocking; if you have to ask, maybe that's the problem!

12. Employs little people in a sweatshop and co-hosts TV talk show, "Regis and Santa Lee."

11. Despite the closet full of red coats with big black belts, *still* insists she has nothing to wear on Christmas Eve.

10. "Mrs. Claus" wears work boots, has a crew cut, and drives a '68 El Camino.

9. A man simply would not care if you were naughty or nice.

8. Actually seems to shake like TWO bowls full of jelly.

7. Bowl full of jelly, my ass. It's water retention.

6. Constantly whining about equality until it's time to clean out the reindeer stalls.

5. Matching shoes and belt? Only a woman would accessorize a pantsuit like that!

4. No guy would ever name his animals Dancer and Prancer.

3. Santa never, ever observed peeing off of rooftops.

2. The North Pole Blockbuster's been out of "The Horse Whisperer" for weeks.

1. With the way they build chimneys these days you'd *have* to be Calista friggin' Flockhart just to get in!

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Steve

Cpl. Ira H. Hayes
3rd Parachute Battalion, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 1st Headquarters Battalion, HQMC
January 12, 1923 – January 24, 1955


Ira Hamilton Hayes, participant in the famous flag raising on Iwo Jima, was a Pima Indian, born at Sacaton, Arizona, on 12 January 1923. In 1932, the family moved a few miles southward to Bapchule. Both Sacaton and Bapchule are located within the boundaries of the Gila River Indian Reservation in south central Arizona. Hayes left high school after completing two years of study. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps in May and June of 1942, and then went to work as a carpenter.

You can read more about Cpl. Hays here.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Music Czar Monday

Feuer Frei! (Live) by Ramms+ein

Project Little Soldier

Help the children of those deployed this holiday season. It's called "Soldier" but I think they help all branches. I got this from FNC so it is legit.

Project Valour-IT

And the final totals are in for Project Valour-IT.

TEAM ARMY $27,255
TEAM NAVY $12,327
TEAM AIR FORCE $9,224
TEAM MARINE $38,853
No Branch Specified $7,546
----------------
Total $95,205

Well, my call for the Marines to step it up seems to have worked but not so much for the Air Force. But these are some awesome totals and they will go a long way in helping.

Ho, Ho, Ho

Well, it's now only one month until Christmas. This year has gone by pretty fast. One of the side effects of getting older I guess. This was supposed to be my Christmas layout but Blogger isn't letting me upload the background or header images. Not sure why. I'll keep trying and hopefully it'll let me.

:UPDATE:
Score. It finally let me upload them. Now if only it would let me upload my favicon.

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Beth

PFC Chance Phelps
19 years old from Dubois, Wyoming
3 Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force
April 9, 2004


"I don't think anything can prepare you for two young men standing in the living room telling you your son’s been killed," said Gretchen Mack, mother of PFC Chance Phelps. "It's just surreal. They were crying." The last time she had talked her to son was a few days before his death. "He said, 'Mom, I'm fine.' He sounded great. It was really good to be able to talk to him. It made us feel better."

PFC Phelps was KIA while battling insurgents just outside of Baghdad, Iraq.

Friends recall Phelps as a fun-loving, hard-nosed kid. "He was big but didn't throw his size around to intimidate people", said Jarod Estey. "He was probably the toughest kid I knew growing up in grade school. He was probably the biggest kid, too — well-built and strong. But he was real easy going. He always had a smile on his face."

"He was very in tune politically," said his mother. "He knew what he wanted for this country. ... He told me after 9/11, 'I absolutely have to go. I've got to do something.'" But joining the military isn't anything new for the family. His father, John Phelps, is a Vietnam veteran. And his sister, Kelley, works at the Pentagon and is engaged to an Army sergeant.

"He had an unusual amount of zest," said his mother. "He just possessed this quality that he had to be in the thick of things all the time. He was very, very positive, very funny. ... His main thing in life was making people laugh."

You can read more here.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Music Czar Monday

Awesome song. Awesome performance.


Mein Teil (Live) by Ramms+ein

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Cindy

SSgt. Salvatore Giunta
25 years old from Ceder Rapid, Iowa
173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team


Yesterday, SSgt. Salvatore Giunta became the first living recipient of the Medal Of Honor since the Vietnam War.

From the official citation:

Then-Specialist Salvatore A. Giunta distinguished himself by acts of gallantry at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a rifle team leader with Company B, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment during combat operations against an armed enemy in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan on October 25, 2007. When an insurgent force ambush split Specialist Giunta’s squad into two groups, he exposed himself to enemy fire to pull a comrade back to cover. Later, while engaging the enemy and attempting to link up with the rest of his squad, Specialist Giunta noticed two insurgents carrying away a fellow soldier. He immediately engaged the enemy, killing one and wounding the other, and provided medical aid to his wounded comrade while the rest of his squad caught up and provided security. His courage and leadership while under extreme enemy fire were integral to his platoon’s ability to defeat an enemy ambush and recover a fellow American paratrooper from enemy hands.”

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Holiday Mail For Heroes

Something very cool. They want to be able to send out 1,000,000 cards to active duty Men and Women, their families and veterans this year. If you would like to send a card head over to find out how. The deadline is December 10th.

Music Czar Monday

Perhaps their most danceable song. You can actually picture this being played in a German nightclub and a guy yelling "Dance Hans, dance". Plus the shotgun sound effect is pretty cool.


Wollt Ihr das Bett in Flammen Sehen (Live) by Ramms+ein

Want To Be On TV?

Greta over at Hooah Wife received an email informing her of a reality show that will be airing on the Lifetime network. Below is a description of it.

Lifetime network, home of the hit TV series “Army Wives,” is producing an exciting new reality show that will honor the great sacrifices and celebrate the emotional reunions of service members – from all five branches of the Armed Forces – with their loved ones.

These wonderful moments are perfect opportunities for heartfelt and poignant stories, as well as fun and unexpected surprises. Please let us know if you’re interested in crafting the perfect reunion with your parent, spouse, fiancé, best friend or pen pal!

We’re filming these reunions with service members on leave or redeployment from mid-November until mid-March. The production has approval from the Department of Defense. Please send contact information, date and location of return/reunion, and a few photographs. Include a bit about yourself, your service member, and why creating an amazing reunion is important to you!

If you're interested in participating you can contact them at militaryshow@rrstaff.com

Veterans Day

Some have fought and bled for us while others never saw action. Yet they are all Heroes who deserve our deepest respect and thanks. They've done so much, yet ask for so little in return. Some who have come back were lucky and have been able to pick up their lives while others need our help. On this Veterans Day take time and remember these brave Men and Women who stood up and served this country and it's people.

To all the Men and Women who have worn the uniform of the United States military, Thank You.

Also, if you haven't done so yet, head over and add your message of thanks to their wall. And head over to Hulu to see stories of our Men and Women in uniform.

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Kathi

Capt. George Vujnovich
95 years old from Queens, New York


66 years after he was instrumental in the rescue of almost 500 bomber pilots who had been shot down over Nazi-occupied Yugoslavia, Capt. George Vujnovich was finally awarded the Bronze Star in October.

You can read the rest of Capt. George Vujnovich's story here.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

USMC

Happy 235th birthday, United States Marine Corps. Yeah, I know it tomorrow, but so is Wednesday Hero so I won't be able to post it then.

Music Czar Monday

Ich Will (Live) by Rammstein

Project Valour-IT

Valour-IT numbers as of November 6:

Army $18,513
Navy $5,615
Air Force $3,845
Marines $21,740

Seems my call for the Marines to step it up worked. Dang.

Phone Home

Help a Soldier call home. Actually, help a few Soldiers call home

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested And Written By Michael

Lt. Wilson W. Brown
Company F, 21st Ohio Volunteer Infantry
Dec. 25, 1839 - Dec. 26, 1916

Private Wilson W. Brown was part of "The Great Locomotive Chase" or Andrews' Raid. It was a military raid that occurred April 12, 1862, in northern Georgia during the American Civil War. Volunteers from the Union Army commandeered a train and took it northwards toward Chattanooga, Tennessee, doing as much damage as possible to the vital Western & Atlantic Railroad (W&A) from Atlanta, Georgia to Chattanooga as they went, pursued by other locomotives. Because they had cut the telegraph wires, no warning could be sent to Confederate forces along their route. The raiders were eventually captured and some were executed as spies. Some of Andrews' Raiders became the first recipients of the Medal of Honor, including Pvt. Wilson Brown who was able to escape and later promoted to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. His citation read:

"One of the 19 of 22 men (including 2 civilians) who, by direction of Gen. Mitchell (or Buell), penetrated nearly 200 miles south into enemy territory and captured a railroad train at Big Shanty, Ga., in an attempt to destroy the bridges and track between Chattanooga and Atlanta".

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Military Care Package

I've just about got my first care package I'm sending overseas done. It's not much. Like SRV sang, "Money's tight, nothing free... won't somebody come and rescue me, I am stranded.." Sorry. Got carried away there for a second. And so what with Christmas coming up things have to be budgeted but I was able to find a little something extra. I've some eye drops, lip balm, cotton swabs, a few bars of soap, 3 big bags of sunflower seeds and a huge bag of Lifesavers. I was tempted to keep those for myself but thought better of it. Forget to get sandwich bags so I'll be getting those later this week. And maybe a few other things. FYI, if you want to seed a care package, and have it there by Christmas, I think the deadline is next Saturday the 13th.

UPDATE
Ok, I've just been informed that the deadline for the area I'm shipping this package to is December 10 via priority mail. So that means I have more time than I thought to maybe get a few more things. Cool.

Military Stuff

Return The Favor
They're trying to raise $111,000 and 1,100 thank you notes for veterans by the end of the month. Check them out.

Donate to Project Valour-IT

And lastly, don't forget the USMC's birthday next Wednesday. OORAH!

Project Valour-IT

Here are the totals as of 12am November 1

ARMY $9,162.00
NAVY $3,490.00
AIR FORCE $1,905.00
MARINE $3,885.00

Come on Navy, Air Force and Marines. You're letting Army trounce you.

Music Czar Monday

If you're a fan of German Industrial Techno Metal then Ramms+ein is the band for you. If not, then hopefully I'll make you one by the end of the month. Ramms+ein is the band your parents threatened you over, or they took you to one of their show. I don't know your parents. But they're a crazy band. Not GWAR crazy, but crazy. October would have made more sense, Octoberfest and all, but November has five Mondays. Five Mondays = five songs. That's what's called using the old noggin And don't expect commentary from me as I don't speak German and therefor have no idea what they're talking about. They're just loud and heavy and that's really all we need to know. NOTE: I am not responsible for whatever happens to be in these videos. Just a warning. Also, there's one song that I just couldn't post. It's way too graphic. But look at their album Liebe Ist Für Alle Da and you'll see it. It's right there. It's a good song. Go to YouTube and check it out. WARNING: The only one they're allowed to show is the censored version but it's still Adult. If you want the uncensored version you can search for it, but, like the song, it's pornographic. Still amazed that I got this album at Wal-Mart.

Read more »

Happy Halloween!

Project Valour-IT

I don't know if these are the totals raised so far or just yesterday but I think these are what was raised on October 29:

Army $7521
Navy $1000
USAF $1405
USMC $1615

For a grand total of $12,042

Nothing To See Here Folks

FTC Drops Investigation of Google Less Than a Week After Company Exec Hosts Obama Fundraiser.

Tis The Season Of Giving

It's Project Valour-IT time again. Don't know what that is? Then you haven't been paying attention the past few years. It's an awesome fund raising drive to help our wounded heroes. I know times are kinda tight right now, but if you're able to give a little something-something do so. It's good Karma.

Wednesday Hero

GySgt. Carlos Hathcock
May 20, 1942 – February 23, 1999


Carlos Hathcock was a United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant sniper with a service record of 93 confirmed kills. Hathcock's record and the extraordinary details of the missions he undertook made him a legend in the Marine Corps. His fame as a sniper and his dedication to long distance shooting led him to become a major developer of the United States Marine Corps Sniper training program. He was honored by having a rifle named after him: a variant of the M21 dubbed the Springfield Armory M25 White Feather.

You Can Read More About GySgt. Hathcock Here

You can watch an interview with Gunny Hathcock
Here
Here
and Here

I have to say that it's kind of sad that the best source of info I could find on Gunny Hathcock was on Wikipedia. There should be a lot more sites honoring this man.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Attention Military Families

If you or a loved one are getting set to deploy soon then this is something that may interest you. Hallmark has these things for children called Recordable Storybooks. They let you record your voice and add it into the story. So while you're overseas your child will still be able to have that connection to you when they read the book. If you would like a chance to receive one head over to Hooah Wife & Friends to find out how. I'm not sure when this contest ends but I know it's soon so let them know ASAP.

Music Czar Monday

Pink Floyd's magnum opus. It's one of the most amazing pieces of music I've ever heard. This was done just before DSOTM so they were still one cohesive unit and were creating some of the best songs ever. This was actually recorded at Pompeii with no audience or anything. Just the band alone and they managed to capture something spectacular.

Read more »

Stoopid

This is one of the dumbest things I've read in some time. I'm not voting in this election. 1) I'm just not that into politics as I have been in the past. 2) There's no one running that catches my eye. They're just Republicans and Democrats who have been in power so long they're corrupted or are just wanting their piece of the power pie. And 3) This is the worst election cycle I've ever seen. I can not accurately describe just how much I am turned off by the people. If I'm to be honest, I don't care anymore. I don't like to say it but I really don't. I want to. I know I need to, but... Meh. Maybe by the time 2012 rolls around and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie runs for president I'll be more involved.

Friendship

Please bare with me. This post might get a little cheesy. Names have been withheld to protect the guilty.

What exactly is a friend? Webster's defines one as

A: one attached to another by affection or esteem
B: acquaintance

That's kinda cold. I, along with most people, I think, would define a friend as someone who's there for you when you need them. Maybe not necessarily in person. You're best friend could live halfway around the world. That don't make them any less your friend. There have been less than a handful of people in my life I would call a friend. I'm not a people person. I'm what they call "antisocial". Whatever. I don't like people so I'm not very adept at making friends. There is, however, someone I've known for a few years that I've considered a friend. I can't say that I took that friendship for granted, mainly because I didn't realize that I was. This person has stuck by me for years and I've only just recently realized that they are my best friend. But here's the kicker. I've never met them. This person lives in another state and chances are we'll never meet face to face. But that doesn't make them any less a friend. I realized all this when I was dealing some personal issues a couple of months back and this person was there for me when I needed someone to just listen to me ramble on. All this while they were dealing with some personal issues of their own. I thank them for that and I only hope I've been able to return the favor in some small way.

Only 2 Months

Think I'll try to get a start on the Christmas layout this weekend. Been messing with Bloggers new Template Designer and I think I just about got the hang of it.

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Beth

SSgt. Robert J. Miller
24 years old from Wheaton, Illinois
Company A, Third Battalion, Third Special Forces Group
January 25, 2008


Staff Sgt. Robert J. Miller was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously in a Pentagon ceremony on Wednesday, October 6, 2010. He died in Afghanistan saving his fellow soldiers in an act of heroism that is honored as courage above and beyond the call of duty.

You can read the rest of SSgt. Miller's story here.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Music Czar Monday

Jackyl have been mistaken for AC/DC a number of times because their singer, Jesse James Dupree, sounds a bit like Brian Johnson. So what do they do? They bring Johnson in and record a song with him. And it's \\m// AWESOME \\m//


Locked And Loaded by Jackyl w/ Brian Johnson

Wednesday Hero

First Lieutenant Gregory F. Ambrosia
28 years old from Knoxville, Tennessee
2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade

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Wednesday Hero On Facebook

The Wednesday Hero facebook page is up in case anyone is interested. It'll mainly be where I post the WH posts but it'll also have military stories that I find around the net. And if you have stories or pictures or anything you'd like to share about your time in the service or a loved one or any story pertaining to the military feel free to share them.

Music Czar Monday

What a great party song. And he's right, today's music ain't got the same soul. And I do like that old time Rock & Roll.


Old Time Rock & Roll(Live) by Bob Seger

Wednesday Hero

Sgt. 1st Class Brandon McGuire


The early morning April sky dawned clear over Forward Operating Base Iskandaryia, Iraq. Sgt. 1st Class Brandon McGuire, a platoon sergeant with 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment, whose home base was Fort Richardson, Alaska, and his spotter settled in for their third day of looking for insurgents.

"We were observing a stretch of road that had recently been cleared of IEDs (improvised explosive devices)," said McGuire, now first sergeant of Fort Polk's Alpha Troop, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 509th Infantry Regiment.

"The area had also seen a lot of mortar activity. We had several Soldiers killed and severely wounded along that stretch of road by IEDs and mortars."

As the two Soldiers gazed across the expanse between their hiding place - an abandoned shed - and their target area, they noticed a man in local garb sauntering up and down through a series of canals. When he dug into a canal bank and uncovered a mortar tube, McGuire said he knew this was a target.

You can read the rest of Sgt. 1st Class Brandon McGuire's story here.

Photo Courtesy Army.mil

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Music Czar Monday

This is the first time Led Zeppelin has been on MCM and I apologize for that oversight. Ask most people what their favorite Zeppelin song is and chances are they'll say "Stairway To Heaven". I blame radio. Don't get me wrong, I love Stairway. It's an amazing song but, in my opinion, they have songs that much better. "Kashmir", for instance, is miles better. It's on a whole nother level. The lyrics, the sound, the imagery. It's almost spiritual. I know, just go with it. When Robert Plant belts out "Tryin' to find where I've beeeeeeen...." Chills. You lucky SOB's get a twofer today. The original studio cut and the live Page & Plant Unleadded version which is simply amazing. And if I find out anyone likes that Sean Combs abomination I will disown you.

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Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Lt. Schneider

Cpl. Brian Downard


Brian Downard was 23 years old, a father, a country music fan, and a corporal of Marines. He joined the Marine Corps in July of 2005, and would do two deployments to two different scenic locales. The first was to Iraq, where he served from November of ’06 to April of the following year. While in Iraq, Brian suffered a concussion from an IED strike while patrolling. Undeterred, Brian stayed in the Marines and deployed to Burma in 2008 when Marines and sailors with the Essex Amphibious Readiness Group provided humanitarian assistance operations to aid the cyclone-stricken country. He would eventually leave the service just last July, after four honorable years of service.

One month after separation, he discovered that he had testicular cancer, and a very aggressive strain at that. The cancer spread quickly to his muscles and fatty tissues, and Brian suffered so greatly with the pain that they put him on morphine. He was released from the VA to enjoy his last days with the love from his mom and his 7-year-old son Jesse.

You can read the rest of Cpl. Downard's story here.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Music Czar Monday

I can't quite put my finger on it, but this song always gives me nice warm feeling when I hear it. And pirates. I keep seeing pirates and the color red for some reason. But I can't figure out why.


Moving In Stereo (Live) by The Cars

Christmas Time Is Coming

We are only three months away from Christmas and this is the first year that I'm not sure whether or not I'll be in the mood. I haven't thought about doing any kind of shopping. Hell, I haven't even started on my Christmas theme for the blog yet. By now I'm usually on my third or fourth version. Maybe when the temps start to cool off and it starts to feel more like Winter I'll get in the spirit.

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Mike Golch


Lt. Ronald Markiewicz


The year is 1971. A Lieutenant in the United States Army by the name of Ronald Markiewicz is serving near the Laotian border. He is a helicopter pilot. In March of that year he is sent out to fly two missions. The first one was to resupply a group of Vietnamese Marines and pick up wounded service members. The second mission was to allow troops to recover the crew of a downed helicopter. One both occasions he faces anti-aircraft fire and is wounded each time.

Fast forward to 2010 and Lt. Ronald Markiewicz finally received the Silver Star and a Distinguished Flying Cross. The awards he earned 39 years ago.

All Information Was Found On And Copied From ArmyTimes.com

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Music Czar Monday

I love this song. Richard Wright was an amazing talent who is sorely missed.


Wearing The Inside Out (Live) by David Gilmour feat. Richard Wright

Life Lesson #1

You know, I never thought I would figure out the number one lesson in life. I always thought it would be like finding a Unicorn or a funny Will Ferrell movie. Impossible. But here it is. Life Lesson #1: Women always win. They do. They're smarter than us. They're stronger than us. They're better looking than us. They're just plain better than us.

Rewind

By now we've all heard of SSgt. Salvatore Guinta. But back in July of this year not many had. So, because of my post, I take full credit with his getting this award. No I don't. But if anyone deserves it it's SSgt. Guinta.

Wednesday Hero

Pvt. Daren A. Smith
19 years old from Helena, Montana
3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry)
December 13, 2007


Pvt. Daren A. Smith was born in Butte, Montana and lived there until he reached middle school, when he moved to Helena. He graduated from Helena High School in 2006 and completed a semester at the University of Montana-Helena College of Technology. He joined the United States Army in March of 2007 and was deployed to Iraq on November of that year.

Pvt. Daren A. Smith died on December 13, 2007 of non-combat related injuries. His funeral was held on a cold 20-degree Winter's day but that didn't stop hundreds of mourners from his hometown lining the streets to honor him.

"He was the kind of guy who would do anything for you," said a friend of Pvt. Smith. "He was just a great guy."

All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Tribute To The Troops

Gene Simmons pays tribute to our fighting Men and Women. If you've never seen this, enjoy because it's pretty much awesome.

Music Czar Monday

Wednesday marks seven years since I started this blog and I've been thinking about it some lately. The people I've met. Some have moved on while others have become friends. There are two people in particular that I wanted to single out by dedicating this weeks MCM to them. Greta and my Sister from another mister, Jessica. They were two of my earliest readers and have, for some reason or other, stuck around. Thank you ladies. I hope I picked the right songs.

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Cell Phones For Soldiers

Cell Phones For Soldiers is an awesome site where you send them your old cell phones and they in turn use them to get prepaid calling cards to send to troops overseas so they can call home. Come on, how cool is that? Go check them out.

9 Years Later

A 30-year-old resident of the Israeli port town of Ashdot, Alona Abraham was 11 days into her first vacation in the United States on Sept. 11. She was on United Flight 175, which crashed into the south tower of the World Trade Center.

Her cousin, Danny Raymond of Van Nuys, Calif., had been sending letters to his Israeli relatives for years, extolling the United States as exciting -- and peaceful.


An office worker, Abraham finally decided to visit, and in the process was hoping to meet a few nice Jewish boys who might make for a good life partner, Raymond said.


"Everything was really exciting to her, to be in a country she had only seen in newspapers and on TV," Raymond said. "She couldn't believe how different everything looked -- and that it was so peaceful."


Abraham's family were Mumbai (Bombay) Jews who emigrated to Israel in the 1950s. Raymond said Abraham was "all Indian" in appearance -- tall, with stunning black eyes and brown hair, a woman who found joy in being with friends and family -- "just the warmth, the heart, the goodness of being with someone."

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Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Mike


Pvt. Barney F. Hajiro
93 years old from Waipahu, Hawaii
442nd Regimental Combat Team

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Burning The Qu'ran

So a church in Florida wants to hold a Qu'ran burning. While I think it's down right stupid and don't agree with it, they do have the right. Just like we have the right to burn or destroy the Bible, or any book, CD or what have you, or the flag. Or like those Westboro Baptist asses have the right to protest. I think it's hate speech myself, but they're not breaking any laws. At least I don't think they are. What I would like to see is this much attention and outrage when someone burns the flag. That would be nice.

Music Czar Monday

How to describe this band. Electro-Punk? The Sex Pistols dropped some E, bought a synthesizer and went Hardcore? Maybe not.


Invaders Must Die by The Prodigy

Wednesday Hero

Thank you Kathi. For the fourth year now you've been kind enough to put together this look back at the past year of posts for us. xoxoxox

Wednesday Hero - 2009/2010

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.