Persian Gulf (July 23, 2005) - An Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) maneuvers into position on approach, while preparing to enter the well deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Kearsarge and her embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit are on a scheduled deployment conducting Maritime Security Operations in the Persian Gulf.
U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Sarah E. Ard

I have made my theories and opinions known many, many, MANY times about the need to support our men and women in uniform and their families.

The same holds true for our fallen heroes. They and their families deserve the same support and dignity that we would pay to those who still walk the earth; perhaps more because they have paid the ultimate price, so that we may be free to have our opinons about war or just anything.

The Soldiers' Angels family has experienced many losses of adopted soldiers recently - one loss is too many. And although these heroes were not blood relatives or coworkers, there is still a part of us who weeps and mourns as though it was our own brother or sister or neighbor who is gone.

I try not to make it a point to check the casualty list very often, but when I do go there, I can't help but scroll down that long list of names. The part that I think many people either don't want to, or can't realize is that every one of those names is a human being connected to a family and friends and an existence that will forever be changed because they are no longer part of the living world. They leave people behind - people who will never be made whole again - people who will hurt and feel grief and feel as though a part of them has also died.

When a soldier is lost, some of us may forget that those closest to that soldier do not get time to grieve - they have to get up and do their job - they must drive on to get the job done. And they do - they drive on.

We can tell the people who are left behind that their pain will go away in time, we can tell them that God won't give us what we can't handle or That which does not kill us makes us stronger or any other cliche ever invented. But the reality is that there is nothing anyone can do or say to make things better. We can only pay tribute to our fallen heroes, offer our respects, and every time we take a breath of air, remember those who gave all to provide us the blanket of freedom we sleep securely beneath every night.

To our soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen - your loss is our loss - you lose a brother or sister in war, and we lose a vital component of our freedom. You are on the frontlines, and we will support you always. Never feel alone, for you have an entire country of people who feel indebted to you for the sacrifices you have made just to do what you are doing. We are here, and we care - we will be your shoulder, we will be your rock, we will be your beacon in the storm to guide you back home.

To angels and families - just as our heroes have a job to do - so do we - we must continue with our support and encouragement so they will always know that not even one of our men or women in uniform died in vain. They must drive on, and so must we - until the last one comes home.

The song that is attached to the site linked below was adapted from a poem written during WWII for fallen heroes - amazing how something some 60 years later still holds the same truth and significance as it did then.

Take care all.

Much love.

Ingrid

http://home.fuse.net/wizardpygal/usa.html

CAR BOMBING — Iraqi security forces assess damage from a vehicle bomb detonated at the front gate of the Al-Rashid police station July 24. Police report that at least 40 Iraqi civilians were killed in the attack, and that dozens more were wounded. U.S. Army photo

1866 - Ulysses S. Grant is named the first General of the Army.
1868 - The Territory of Wyoming is created.
1898 - The first U.S. troops land and occupy Puerto Rice, at Guanica Bay.
1943 - Benito Mussolini is dismissed as premier of Italy.
1944 - The Messerschmitt 262 becomes the first jet fighter used in combat
1946 - At a Paris fashion show, the first bikini makes its debut.
1947 - The USAF, USN and the War Department form the U.S. Department of Defense; the U.S. Department of the Army is created;
1952 - The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is formed (Constitution Day).
1957 - In Tunisia, the monarchy is abolished in favor of a republic.
1963 - The U.S., Russia and England sign nuclear test ban treaty.
1973 - The U.S.S.R. launches Mars 5.
1981 - Voyager 2 encounters Saturn.
1983 - In San Antonio, TX, a baboon is the first nonhuman primate conceived in a lab dish.
1987 - The U.S.S.R. launches Kosmos 1870, a 15-ton Earth-study satellite.

Birthdays
1575 - Christoph Scheiner, astronomer
1775 - Anna Symmes Harrison, First Lady
1840 - Flora Adams Darling, founder of the Daughters of the American Revolution
1848 - Arthur Earl Balfour, British PM (1902-05) (Balfour Declaration)
1884 - Davidson Black, doctor of anatomy (identified Peking Man)
1924 - Frank Church (Sen-ID)
1954 - Walter Payton, NFL running back (Chicago Bears)
1978 - Louise Brown Oldham, world's first "test tube baby" (England).

Passings
1616 - Andreas Libavius, German alchemist
1934 - Engelbert Dollfuss, Austrian chancellor, assassinated by Nazis
1959 - Dr. Isaac Halevi Herzog, chief rabbi of Israel (1936-59)
1987 - Malcolm Baldrige, Secretary of Commerce

Reported Missing in Action
1967
Davis, Donald V., USN (NC); A4E shot down, died in captivity, remains returned 1997, ID'd April, 1998
Jarvis, Jeremy M., USAF (MI); F4C shot down (backseater to Lunsford)
Lunsford, Herbert L., USAF (MS); F4C shot down (pilot)

1968
Brown, Paul G., USMCR (MA); A6A shot down, released by DRV March, 1973 - retired as a Lt. Colonel - alive as of 1998
Fant, Robert, USN (SC); F4J shot down (RO), released by DRV March, 1973 - retired as a Commander - alive and well as of 1998
Parish, Charles C., USN (VA); F4J shot down (pilot), believed KIA, body not recovered

1970
Gregory, Paul Anthony, USN (VA); F4J shot down, KIA, body not recovered