Marine's mother: Support the fight
Dyer among the Marines killed in the August 3 bombing in Iraq
08/17/05 09:19 PM, EDT
The mother of a Marine killed in Iraq urged mourners Wednesday not to let their anger and sadness turn them against the U.S. fight in Iraq.
FULL STORY - from CNN.com

Our hearts are with this Marine Mom.

1787 - In Budapest, Jews are granted permission to pray in groups.
1846 - The U.S. acquires Los Angeles.
1863 - Federal batteries and ships bombard Fort Sumter, in South Carolina.
1870 - In Washington state, the first ascent of Mt. Rainier occurs.
1877 - Asaph Hall discovers the Martian moon Phobos.
1940 - F.D.R. and Canada's P.M. William M. King agree to a joint defense commission.
1942 - U.S. bombers stage their first independent raid on Europe, attacking Rouen, France.
1948 - Alger Hiss denies being a Communist agent.
1955 - Hurricane Diane, following hurricane Connie floods the Connecticut River, killing 190 and doing $1.8 billion worth of damage.
1958 - The world's first Lunar probe, the U.S.'s Thor-Able, explodes at T+77 seconds.
1959 - A 7.1 earthquake strikes Yellowstone National Park.
1960 - Francis Gary Powers' U-2 spy trial opens in Moscow; Gabon gains independence from France.
1961 - The Kennedy administration establishes the Alliance for Progress.
1962 - East German border guards shoot and kill Peter Fechter, 18, during his attempt to cross the Berlin Wall into the western sector.
1966 - Pioneer 7 is launched into a solar orbit.
1969 - Hurricane Camille claims more than 250 lives.
1970 - The U.S.S.R. launches Venera 7 for a soft landing on Venus.
1978 - The Eagle II makes the first manned balloon crossing of the Atlantic Ocean.

Birthdays
1786 - Davy Crockett, American frontiersman/adventurer/politician (killed at the Alamo)
1844 - King Menelik II of Ethiopia (1896-1913)
1870 - Frederick Russell, developer of the first successful typhoid fever vaccine
1876 - Eric Drummond, first Secretary-General of the League of Nations (1919-33)
1900 - Quincy Howe, newscaster (CBS Weekend News)
1905 - John Hay Whitney, publisher (NY Herald Tribune 1961-67)
1914 - Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr., son of F.D.R. (Rep-NY, 1949-55)
1929 - Francis Gary Powers, USAF vet, American U-2 pilot (shot down / captured by U.S.S.R. in the 1959 U-2 incident)
1952 - Kathryn C. Thornton, Ph.D. / astronaut (STS 33, sk: 49)

Passings
1850 - Jos‚ Francisco de San Martin South American revolutionary hero, dies
1987 - Rudolph Hess Nazi, dies at 93, after 46 years in Spandau Prison
1988 - Franklin D Roosevelt Jr (Rep-D-NY, 1949-55), dies on 74th birthday
1988 - Mohammad Zia Ul-Haq pres of Pakistan (1978-88), dies at 63 in plane crash

Reported Missing in Action
1966
Brand, Joseph William, USAF (IL); F105F shot down (pilot), remains returned by SRV September, 1977

Kemp, Freddie, US Army (NY); fell while crossing river, presumed Killed

Singer, Donald Maurice, USAF (PA); F105F shot down (electronic warfare officer), remains returned by SRV September, 1977

1967
Dion, Laurent N., USN (RI); RA5C shot down, KIA, body not recovered

Hom, Charles David, USN (CA); RA5C shot down(w/Dion), KIA, body not recovered

1968
Gartley, Markham L., USN (ME); F4B shot down (pilot), released September, 1972

Hoffson, Arthur T., USAF (TX); F4D shot down (navigator / bombadier, w/Powell), released by DRV March, 1973 - retired as a Colonel - alive and well as of 1998

Mayhew, William J., USN (WV); F4B shot down (w/Gartley) - records show remains were returned, but was released alive March, 1973

Powell, William E., USAF (TX); F4D shot down (pilot, w/Mayhew), remains returned December, 1985

1969
Loepke, Malcolm "Buck," US Army; helicopter shot down by North Korea, held for 180 days (captured with three others; not noted in PMSEA) **Korean War Vet**

1970
Wellons, Phillip Rogerson, USAF (NC); F4E shot down, KIA, body not recovered

1972
Pitzen, John R., USN (IA); F4J shot down (pilot, w/Pender), remains recovered November, 1994 - ID'd March, 1996

Pender, Orland J., USN (RI); F4J shot down (radio intercept officer, w/Pitzen), remains recovered November, 1994 - ID'd March, 1996

Raebel, Dale V., USN (SD); A7A shot down, released by DRV March, 1973 - retired as a Captain - alive and well as of 1998

OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM -- Senior Airman Peter Allen takes aim during an exercise at a forward deployed location in the British Indian Ocean Territory. Airman Allen is deployed from the Kansas Air National Guard and assigned to the 40th Expeditionary Security Forces Flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jocelyn Rich)

On January 13th of this year, Soldiers' Angels lost one of its heroes, PFC Gunnar D. Becker. To all the Angels (and others) who knew him, Gunnar was someone special. He was only 19 when he was killed defending freedom for others.

Over on the SA Germany blog, earlier this month, Maryann posted a poem by Angel Amber. She put into words what a lot of Angels felt, a keen sense of the loss of this special Hero.

And then an amazing thing happened yesterday in the comments section:

Comment from: debey senska [Visitor]
I Am Gunnar's MOM!!!!THANKYOU!!!!for the wonderful poem...please contact me.....debey
08/16/05 @ 11:02

And as if that wasn't enough,

Comment from: Dianna [Visitor]
I am Gunnars Grandmother...thanks so much for the beautiful tribute to his memory. It is still hard but we must go on..he died doing what he felt was right and that is what keeps me going..we miss him so much..love always Dianna and Dean..
08/16/05 @ 15:04

Gunnar's mom also left a link to this site, started by members of Gunnar's platoon to honor his memory: http://www.b263bandits.com/memorial.htm. I've added a link to that page in the "Fallen Heroes" section to the left.

Please visit the SA Germany blog, read the poem, and leave a message for Gunnar's family in the comments section, to let them know that we remember.

Labels: Fallen Heroes, Gunnar Becker

Sgt. Daniel Mabe, from 70th Engineers, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, maneuvers the mechanical arm of the “Buffalo” to a roadside object outside Taji, Iraq. The Buffalo is used to locate improvised explosive devices without putting Soldiers in harm's way. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Russell Cooley IV.

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Triple Homicide Bombings Kill at Least 43 in Baghdad

Operation Enduring Freedom
Airborne, Enemy Clash in Operation Neptune

Homeland Security / War on Terror
Third California Terror Arrest
Terror Cleric, Bali Bombers' Prison Sentences Reduced
Pakistan police charge militant in Daniel Pearl case

Moonbat Watch
Anti-War Protesters to Move Closer to Bush Ranch

Moonbat Swatting
Protest Crosses Mowed Down (Can't say I agree with the method here...)

Other News of Note
Third Hollywood studio sets sights on 9/11 drama

News of the Weird
But when they get the munchies, watch out!

Fox News
BTK to Be Sentenced
Worm Causes Chaos on Corporate Computers
No More Negotiation
U.S. Jews Divided on Pullout
U.N. Funds Palestinian Campaign

Video:
Will the Pullout Bring Peace?
At Least 50 Protesters Arrested

Photo Essays:
Israel Begins Forcible Evacuations
Historic Pullout From Gaza Begins

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq
Annan accuses Sudan rebels of banditry
Israel begins forcible evacuation in Gaza
Woman sets herself on fire in Israel
Palestinian farm family could lose land
Greek plane crash focuses on past problems
Opponents complain of Mubarak praise
Gaza residents dedicate ritual bath Arabs see withdrawal with mixed feelings
Unresolved issues in Iraq constitution
Background to Gaza withdrawal plan

Reuters: Top News
OPEC nudges up forecast for 2006
S.Korea, U.S. to discuss North's civil atomic use
Pressure on London police grows over dead Brazilian
Israel begins forced evacuation of Gaza settlers
Israel says crisis defused with U.S. on arms exports

Department of Defense
Rumsfeld Confident in Iraqi Vote Schedule — Story
U.S. Ambassador Details Negotiations — Story
Airmen Focus on Work to Move Supplies — Story

ON THE GROUND
First Air Force Stryker Unit Deploys to Iraq — Story
Iraqi Tankers Turn Trash into Treasure — Story Photos

IN IRAQ
101st Airborne Div. Headquarters Nears Completion
Alaska’s Sherpa Crews Tackle Desert Duties Photos
Joint Missions Search for Insurgent Materials

IN AFGHANISTAN
Medical Outreach Visit Treats Afghan Villagers

FACE OF DEFENSE
Chef, Boxer, Soldier: Specialist Does it All — Story

AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU
'Angels in Iraq' Provide Comfort — Story

TOP NEWS
IN IRAQ
Bush Lauds Constitutional Efforts
Vehicle Accident Kills 3 U.S. Troops (also see this post)
Abu Ghraib Inmate Found Dead
Iraqis Extend Constitution Deadline
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps
Iraq Daily Update
Multinational Force Iraq
Iraq Progress Fact Sheet (pdf)
Weekly Progress Report (pdf)

IN AFGHANISTAN
Forces Kill 6 Enemy Combatants
Afghan Valley to Get Funds
Center Serves Afghan Soldiers
U.S., Afghans Battle Insurgents
Army Opens Medical Center
Afghanistan Daily Update
Maps

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

MILITARY NEWS
Troops, Families Enjoy Cookout
Initiative Focus: Preparedness
Chairman on Tour to Visit Troops
Photos: Myers, USO in Kuwait
Photos: Myers, USO Hit the Road
Kosovo: Important Success Story
VJ Day Remembered
National Guard, Reserve Update

HONORING THE FALLEN
Vehicle Operators Remember Fallen — Story

Weather
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" post coming later ***