The League of
Disgruntled Majors

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Friday, June 24, 2005

Received from Patti - don't even have words for this one.

posted by Pam @ 1:00 PM |

Soldiers Angels at Volunteer Recognition at the Fisher House Landstuhl

received from Willie in Germany --

In April 2005 Kathy Gregory wrote me, "...Mrs. Fisher will be here at the 15 June for Volunteer Recognition at 1000-1200. Can you come to meet her and be here with us?..." So I was there with 60 filled backpacks at LRMC, 50 ones we have given the Marine Liaison Office and 10 we let in the Fisher House. All backpacks we had with us had a handmade blanket, underwear, socks, T-shirt, personal items, card game, get well cards and candies in it.

As I waited on the Gate 3 for Kathy, Mrs. Audrey Fisher and James D. Weiskopf Vice President for Communications at the Fisher house Foundation arrived at the same time as I. Later at the Fisher House II a lot of people, Americans and Germans were there. All guests, military and civilian were volunteers at the Fisher House or support wounded soldiers, or military family members from wounded soldiers who are standing in the Fisher House Landstuhl or in the
hospital.

Fisher House Foundation ambassador Audrey Fisher
with Nancy Edelman, wife of trustee and Fisher family attorney Martin Edelman

After a coffee Mrs. Audrey Fisher, Vice Chairman of the Fisher House Foundation and Kathy Gregory said thank you to all Volunteers and handed out them a nice blue Fisher House cup. As Mrs. Fisher called me, I said to her, "I must say Thank You to the Fisher House, too. The Soldiers Angels could not support the wounded soldiers with out all the help from Kathy Gregory. We are so glad that she gives us the great opportunity and her time to support the wounded soldiers with backpacks here in Landstuhl."

If you are interested to read more about the Fisher House look at http://soldiersangels.homestead.com/Fisher-House-Germany.html, too.

Fisher House Landstuhl "a home away from home"

Do you know that a Vietnam veteran is striding to raise money for Landstuhl's Fisher House?

Norm Raynal is a 64-year-old diabetic staring at retirement. While most men his age are planning to take it easy after decades of work, Raynal is going to walk five marathons this year to raise money for families of wounded U.S. Soldiers!

Look at http://www.sponsormywalk.info, and Read his Story.

Later I met Chaplain (Capt.) Joel Warren and told him that we are looking for more shoes for LRMC and the Kleber Barracks. Later I have given him 4 greetings books "4th of July" for the TV rooms on the wards. Thank you to all Angels and friends who have sent us get well greetings for the wounded soldiers, to make the book ready. In the afternoon I visited the Deployed Warrior Medical Management Center (DWMMC) and has given the SSG 2 poster for the 4th of July from kids from PA.

Nita is this week with new 30 backpacks for the National Guard Liaison Office in LRMC. I am back in Landstuhl with 60 backpacks in July/August. If anyone interested to help us to support the wounded soldiers in Landstuhl with backpacks, blankets, phone cards and more so contact me.

Willie
Wilhelmine Aufmkolk, Germany
"May No Soldier Go Unloved"
http://www.soldiersangels.org

posted by Pam @ 12:21 PM |

Korean War Hero Finally Coming Home

PFC John Strom, from Minnesota, enlisted in the US Army in 1950 at the age of 17.

In September of 1950, PFC Strom went to Korea with D Company, 1/8 Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. In November, his unit was reportedly wiped out by Chinese soldiers. PFC Strom's body was not recovered, and he has been listed missing ever since. He was posthumously promoted to Corporal.

Finally, John Strom is coming home.

Read the story here:

WCCO: Remains Of Korean War Soldier Coming Home

posted by Pam @ 11:17 AM |

My Hero...

Joni sends along this photo of her hero, Phil B., who volunteered to return to Iraq.

Here is a photo of my hero... God Bless him.

Thanks, Joni, for sending this.

Phil, keep your head down and your helmet on.

Thank you for all you do, and we hope you'll be home safe soon.

Update: Joni sends this message about Phil B:
Phillip B...is our special hero that is in the sandbox fighting with all the other heroes. He has two wonderful children, Bruce and Annie and they miss him more then anything.. We love you and miss you keep up the good work and come home safe.. God Bless you Handsome you are always in our prayers..

Love your Girl and Bruce and Annie

posted by Pam @ 10:26 AM |

From BLACKFIVE: Help Protect the Troops

BlackFive has an update on his T-shirt sales, and a reminder of how much Soldiers' Angels needs ongoing help with the Armor Up project.

Thanks to your Blackfive t-shirt purchases and Soldiers' Angels donations, SA is sending two kevlar blankets to a unit in which I served in Germany (Send Me!) that is now in Baghdad...

See More at: BLACKFIVE: Help Protect the Troops

posted by Soldiers Angels @ 10:14 AM |

A Poem by a Soldiers' Angel

I recently wrote this for [the soldier] that we just adopted.

After I sent it to him, I realized it stands for every soldier deployed.

We thank you for your bravery
Your heart is on line
Your patriotic nature
Is of one we can't define

You left your friends and family
For others great in need
And the sacrifice you make each day
Seems more than just a deed

We know conditions aren't the best
The loneliness is great
The simple things to just survive
Can sometimes be your fate

We watch you on the news each day
And wonder where you are
And know that God is close behind
He's never very far

And should you feel he's not around
Please know his eye's on you
He's only glanced to help a man
Who's lying close to you

We ask you try and keep yourself
As safe as you can be
And come home with your head up high
To friends and family.

Submitted by: Colleen E., Texas

Thanks for sharing it, Colleen!

posted by Pam @ 10:11 AM |

U.S. Marines with 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Assault Amphibious Battalion, and U.S. Army Soldiers with Charlie Company, 224th Engineer Battalion, work together moving an assortment of small arms, rockets, mortars, and explosives that were found while conducting cache sweeps throughout the Northern Security Zone of Iraq on June 5, 2005. The Marines and Soldiers attached to 2nd Marine Division, continuously conduct counter-insurgency operations with Iraqi Security Forces to isolate and neutralize Anti-Iraqi Forces, support the continued development of Iraqi Security Forces, and to support Iraqi reconstruction and democratic elections in order to create a secure environment that enables Iraqi self-reliance and self-governance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Paul Mancuso)

posted by Pam @ 9:55 AM |

In Today's News - Friday, June 24, 2005

Quote of the Day
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last."

-- Winston Churchill

News of Note
Forces Destroy Zarqawi Hideout
U.S. Convoy Hit, Casualties Reported
Iraq PM says U.S. forces must stay for now
Looted art said used to fund terrorists
Saudi terror suspect said killed in Iraq
Forces Take Pride in Afghanistan's Progress

Fox News
Iran Votes in Crucial Runoff
Iraqi Leader in D.C.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq
Car bomber slams into U.S. convoy in Iraq
Palestinian forces hunt cop's killers
A glance at issues for next Iran leader
Main duties, powers of Iranian president
Polls open in Iran's presidential runoff
Groups demand Lebanese president resigns
Vanunu appeals to have letters returned
Sunni Arabs endorse 15 for Iraq committee
U.S.: Syria operatives still in Lebanon

Reuters: Top News
Iraqi PM opposes setting troop withdrawal date
Iranians vote in tight presidential run-off race
Syrian 'regime' can change itself - Rice
Marines hit by suicide bomber in Iraq, casualties
Anti-Taliban drive ends, top guerrillas elusive

Yahoo! News: War with Iraq
Iraq's jailed ex-FM Aziz will not testify against Saddam
Rumsfeld: US not losing Iraq war

Department of Defense
Troop Return Timetable Would Be Mistake — Story Rumsfeld Prepared Testimony (pdf)
Rumsfeld: Political Process Stays on Schedule — Story
Rumsfeld: Ops at Guantanamo 'Transparent' — Story
Transformation in Europe Aiding Terror War
Review Looks at Nonlethal Weapons Training — Story

ON THE GROUND
Afghan Crash Site to Become Training Area — Story Photos
Soldiers Train Iraqi Firefighters to Save Lives — Story

IN IRAQ
Marine Unit Spearheads Operation Spear Photos
Tiger Brigade Honors Chaplain, Fathers

IN AFGHANISTAN
Afghan Village Benefits from Students' Efforts

FACE OF DEFENSE
Marine Becomes Air Force Nurse — Story

AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU
Summer Camps Start Second Year – Story
Group Supports Troops Worldwide
Group Lends Heroes a Hand
'Helping Hand' Helps Families

TOP NEWS
IN IRAQ
Forces Complete Operation Spear
Officials: Funds Properly Dispersed
Conference to Build Partnership
Iraq Daily Update
Maps
Weekly Progress Report (pdf)
'Eye on Iraq' (pdf)

IN AFGHANISTAN
More Election Violence Expected
40 Insurgents Killed in Attack
Afghanistan Daily Update
Maps

WAR ON TERRORISM
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

MILITARY NEWS
Army Engineer Discusses IEDs
Marine Corps Goal: IED Protection
Officials Address Intolerance
Americans, Aussies Train Together
Humanitarian Assistance Advances
National Guard, Reserve Update

CASUALTIES
Officials Identify Army Casualty — Story

Weather
from The Weather Channel

Iraq
Al Azamiyah Al Basrah Al Hillah Al Karkh Al Kazimiyah Al Kut An Nasiriyah Baghdad Baqubah Mosul Najaf Nineveh Tall Kayf

Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar Ghurian Herat Kabul Qandahar

Gitmo

Today in History
1314 - At the Battle of Bannockburn, Scotland regains independence from England.
1322 - Jews are expelled from France
1509 - King Henry VIII of England is crowned.
1540 - Henry VIII divorces his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves.
1793 - In France, the first republican constitution is adopted.
1813 - Battle of Beaver Dam (War of 1812)
1861 - Tennessee becomes the eleventh, and final, state to secede.
1898 - American troops drive Spanish forces from La Guasimas, Cuba.
1930 - Radar detection of planes is first used in Anacostia NAS, DC.
1932 - In Thailand, a coup ends in the establishment of an absolute monarchy.
1939 - Pan Am Airlines makes its first U.S.-to-England flight.
1940 - France signs an armistice with Italy.
1947 - While searching for the wreckage of a U.S. Marine transport plane, civilian pilot Ken Arnold reports sighting nine unknown objects over Mt. Rainier; reporters term them "flying saucers" - it sticks.
1948 - The Soviet Union begins the Berlin Blockade; the Berlin Airlift begins.
1966 - The period of (relative) peace following WW II exceeds that following WW I.
1968 - The deadline for redeeming silver certificate dollars for silver bullion.
1977 - The IRS reveals that Jimmy Carter paid no taxes in 1976.
1982 - The Equal Rights Amendment is defeated; Soyuz T-16 lifts off.
1983 - Chalenger 2 lands at Edwards AFB after the 7th Space Shuttle mission.
1985 - Discovery 5 returns after the 18th Space Shuttle mission.
1986 - In Alabama, Guy Hunt is elected (the first Republican governor of that state in more than 100 years).

Birthdays
1842 - Ambrose Bierce US, satirist (The Devil's Dictionary)
1946 - Ellison S. Onizuka, Major, USAF/astronaut (STS 51C, 51L-Challenger disaster)

Passings
1908 - Grover Cleveland, 22nd & 24th U.S. President
1922 - Dr. Walter Rathenau, German foreign minister, killed by anti-semites
1971 - Kenneth Washington, actor (Sgt Baker-"Hogan's Heroes')

Reported Missing in Action
1965
Van Campen, Thomas C. , US Army (CA); wounded and separated from unit when it came under enemy sniper fire, believed KIA, body not recovered.

1966
Ellis, William, US Army (SC); disappeared while going to get help for a wounded Soldier.

1967
Sherman, Robert C., USMC (IL); Died in captivity November 1968, remains recovered March, 1985

1968
Carpenter, Nicholas Mallor, USN (OH); A6A shot down, remains returned September, 1990
Mobley, Joseph S., USN (IN); A6A shot down ( ejected), released by DRV March, 1973 - alive as of 1998

1972
Beekman, William D. USAF (OH); F4 shot down, released by DRV March, 1973 - retired as a Colonel - alive as of 1996
Grant, David B., USAF (TN); F4 shot down, released by DRV March, 1973 - retired as a Lt. Colonel - alive and well as of 1998
Jackson, Charles A. , USAF (WV); F4D shot down by air-to-air missile, released by DRV February, 1973 (injured) - alive and well as of 1998
McCarty, James L., USAF (TX); F4D shot down by air-to-air missile, remains returned September, 1990 - ID'd June, 1997

** SEE Echo9er for the story of another MIA hero who is finally coming home **

posted by Pam @ 8:56 AM |

Iraq War Today is...
...News and photos of Heroes deployed to the Middle East and elsewhere. IWT is dedicated to all of our military Heroes - past, present and future.