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Monday, May 26, 2008

We Remember

Honoring our nation's Heroes - past, present, and future - this Memorial Day.



We will never forget.



America...the Home of the Free - Because of the Brave

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One Young Hero



On Memorial Day, I always pause to remember PFC. Gunnar Becker, who was killed in Iraq in January, 2005.

You can learn more about Gunnar here, here, here, and here.

And if you have a moment today, please stop by and let Debey - Gunnar's Mom - know we will never forget.


We are soldiers.
We are soldiers in the United States Army.
We are trained to be all we can be.

We fight for the freedom of many citizens of the United States.
We are all ready to meet our fates.

We all volunteer to defend the red, white and blue.
Not only the flag, but for the citizens of our great country too.

Since our country's birth for all these years,
we have been trained to be the best on Earth.

Many times we have went to war.
We will be involved in many more.

Generation by generation soldiers continue to enlist.
Some of us will go to war and definitely be missed.

Some soldiers will return and some won't.
Those who do not, we won't forget and we hope you don't.

Many of us are going to Iraq.
Some of us won't be coming back.

We have loved ones we are leaving behind.
They will always be in our prayers, hearts and mind.

If we don't make it home safely at the end of the war,
just remember we died defending the beliefs of those of many more.

-- PFC Gunnar Becker, November, 23, 2003

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A Tribute to a Hero for Memorial Day


For My Father, Robert H. Phillips
Captain US Army, WWII, China/Burma/India



MY DAD

My dad............
sat in the dark
cried out in the night
never ate rice
had a strong sense of "right" -
Hid in a phone booth
when he came home
straight off the bus
and feeling alone.
Not sure quite yet
that his family was real;
not sure, inside,
quite how he should feel;
fought hand to hand
till a soldier was dead
(which must have replayed
many times in his head) -
Struck out at my mom
thinking she was the foe.
She woke him too fast,
and he woke too slow.
"Don't waste your food
when children are dying"
(he would have known -
he'd seen them crying)....
I wish he had told us
what happened to him.
Sometimes we were angry
when he seemed so grim.
Scared of the outbursts
he often went through;
He was my Dad
and I say this to you.
I'm just fitting together
the man that I knew -
with the man who re-lived
in his dreams
WWII.



©Copyright March 1998 by Christina

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ROLLING THUNDER - Motorcycle riders cruise through Washington, D.C., during the 21st Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom, May 25, 2008. The bikers ride to raise awareness about prisoners of war, troops missing in action and veterans' benefits. Defense Dept. photo by John J. Kruzel More Photos - Story

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In Today's News - Monday, May 26, 2008

Quote of the Day
"These fallen heroes represent the character of a nation
who has a long history of patriotism and honor -
and a nation who has fought many battles
to keep our country free from threats of terror."
-- Michael N. Castle

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Report: Iran 'Paid Iraq Insurgents to Kill U.K. Soldiers'
Motorcycle Homicide Bomber Kills 4 Near Baghdad
U.S., Iran and Arab neighbors to meet on Iraq
Iraq says 6 suspected teenage bombers detained

Homeland Security / War on Terror / Hamas-Hezbollah Happenings
Five killed in Sri Lanka train bombing
U.S. urged to target militants in Pakistan
Mideast governments increasingly ignore U.S. views

Fallen Heroes
Honoring Fallen Heroes
Last Known Living U.S. WWI Veteran Honored
'Rolling Thunder' Honors U.S. Military With Annual Biker Pilgrimage
Veterans' Burials Nonstop at National Cemeteries
Last Known WWI Vet Honored for Memorial Day
Bush Honors Fallen Soldiers on Memorial Day - PHOTOS
ON THE SCENE BLOG: Remembering U.S. Heroes in Italy
Commission Urges Americans to Pause, Reflect on Memorial Day
MND-B Soldiers remember fallen heroes, comrades (Baghdad)
MND-B Soldier dies of non-combat related cause (Baghdad)

Wounded Warriors
Billionaire treats wounded soldiers to Vegas weekend

Worldwide Wackos
Iran wants closer Syria defense ties
Fidel Not an Obama Fan

Politics / Government
Obama Calls On Grads to Serve
Clinton Talks Up Faith in Face of Long Odds
Libertarians Tap Bob Barr as Party Nominee
McCain Backer Denies VP Hopeful Grilling at Cookout
McCain Defends Opposition to Veterans Package
Hillary Clinton seeks boost in Puerto Rico - Video
U.S., Iran and Arab neighbors to meet on Iraq
Obama pays tribute to liberal Edward Kennedy Video
Carter sees superdelegates prompting Clinton to quit - Video
Mass. Sen. Kennedy competes in Cape sailboat race
Sheriff: Guns found near bodies in California home
NY gov. to undergo cataract surgery this summer
Historic FDR artifacts up for auction in Texas
Burma Overwhelmingly Approves Constitution

In the Courts / Crime and Punishment / Law and Order
Family Found Dead at Calif. Home
Chicago Bulls player Joakim Noah charged for marijuana
Bride and Groom Shot During Ark. Wedding Ceremony
Defendant says Siemens bosses requested slush funds

Media in the Media / Bloggers in the News / Watching the Web
Yahoo buy not a strategy in itself: Microsoft CEO - Video

Science / Medicine and Health / Technology
'Indiana Jones'-Like Archaeologist Says He's Found Cleopatra's Tomb
NASA Spacecraft Makes Historic Landing on Mars
Scientists Claim First Sequencing of Woman's DNA
Space station crew may face another bumpy re-entry
Tech execs plan for economic troubles
Goldman adds Apple to Americas conviction buy list - Video
Rock acts ringing up sales via video games
Verizon seeks deal on cell phone cancellation fees
Spacecraft reveals look at Mars' polar region

Mother Nature
Powerful Tornadic Thunderstorms Tear Through Minnesota, Iowa, Killing At Least 8 - VIDEO - PHOTOS
STORM TRACKER: Live Interactive Radar and Warnings
Chinese Troops to Blast Quake Debris to Avert Flood
China Drops 1-Child Rule for Quake Victims
G8 environment ministers: halve emissions by 2050
Pioneers show Americans how to live "off-grid"
Norway seen as "Europe's battery" if develops wind
Britain needs personal carbon trading scheme: MPs
EU seeks U.S. biofuel details after dumping claim
Firefighters Make Progress On Calif. Blaze - PHOTOS
Aid workers ready for action after Myanmar promise - Video
Swelling China lakes a danger 2 weeks after quake - Video
Report: Divers Lost at Sea to Help Pay for Rescue
Officials: Nearly 40 Killed in Caste Riots in India
SUV Plunges Down Hollywood Hill, 1 Dead, 4 Injured
Iraq Teens: Man Forced Us to Become Bombers
Man Dies From 85-Foot Leap Into Hawaii Waterfall
SC toddler dies after fall from cliff at NC park
UN hopeful on getting aid to Myanmar survivors
Cat hired as station chief brings passengers back
China worries about flood threat in quake zone

News from My Neck of the Woods
Man Arrested in NYC Macy's for Carrying Pirate Sword
Cruise Ship Crashes Into Manhattan Pier
Yale gives Paul McCartney honorary degree

Oddities
Possible Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Kills Man Near Indy Track
Married? Sleazy? Web dater finds ways to pick losers
Book: Paris Under Nazis Was One Big Sex Romp

Other News of Note
Cargo Plane Splits in Two on Runway Before Takeoff in Belgium
Plane Splits in Two on Runway Before Takeoff - PHOTOS
Titanic Discovery a Cold War Cover-Up? - VIDEO
A day in the life of America's last lighthouse keeper

Fox News
FOXBusiness: Gas Puts Brakes On Travel - TRACKER
French Skydiver Prepares for Record-Breaking Jump
Patrick Swayze Makes First Public Appearance Since Cancer Announcement
World Record Skydive Attempt Postponed
U.S. Tourist Drugged, Robbed, Killed by Train in Italy

Reuters
Ethiopian court hands death sentence to Mengistu
Housing crisis hits senior living
Clock turns back on mortgage lending
Buyers tour foreclosed homes
Housing bill helpful but no panacea
Full Coverage: The Housing Market
French victory at Cannes hailed
Emotional triumph for French drama
Factbox: What the winners said
Full coverage: 61st Cannes festival
Married? Sleazy? Online losers revealed
More Living: Reuniting pet families
Spanish church blasts zombie parade
Teaching English with a kick
Oil rises above $133 on Nigeria, North Sea
Potato king J.R. Simplot, U.S. fry innovator, dies
Top U.S. seller gears up for Asia's largest wine auction
"Sex and the City" film poses "big" question
Cannes closes on last-minute high for French film
De Niro sends up Hollywood and Cannes in new film - Video
"Indiana Jones" leaves box office rivals in dust
Tributes pour in for stabbed teenage actor
Honda's CEO gears up for race
Unraveling Asian fuel subsidies
Boost for heavy equipment seen modest
Supervision, market discipline balance needed: Geithner
LG Elec says "carefully watching" Nokia
Hitachi: not interested in GE's appliances unit
South Africa's MTN now talks to India's Reliance
U.S. Treasury: markets healing, Japan should open up
Westpac Bank closer to sealing $16 bln St George deal
Distrigas shares halted as Suez talks with Eni
Spain's Criteria to buy 20 pct of Mexico's Inbursa
Meow, bow-wow: Japanese website reunites pet families
Top U.S. seller gears up for Asia's largest wine auction
In South Korea, they teach English with a kick
Spurs roar back into series with win over Lakers
Dixon celebrates Indy win
Federer makes light work of Querrey in Paris
Yankees even record with season-high fifth straight win

Associated Press
Plenty of 'For Sale' signs but actual sales lagging
Federer, Jankovic advance to French Open 2nd round
'Indiana Jones' unearths $126M in box office gold
Taiwan party chief visits China
J.R. Simplot, agribusiness giant, dies in Idaho
Kahne capitalizes on Stewart slip to win Coca-Cola 600

News Blaze
Iraqis, MND-B Soldiers Discover Weapons Caches
US Army National Guard Units Switch Out
Soldiers' Angels and Patriot Guard
Iraq News
Operations in Iraq
FOB Warhorse Memorial Photos
Videos

CENTCOM
Petraeus appears before Armed Services Committee
Odierno speaks to Senate at confirmation hearing
First class graduates from Ashraf police academy
Troops, State Dept. aid Iraqi mill owner

USJFCOM
Task Force Ramadi helps free enterprise take hold in Iraq
Command unveils new command and control vision - podcast
Command looks at future capabilities with DoD leadership - podcast
Joint Forces Reserve Officer Orientation Course begins

Multi-National Force - Iraq
Commanders in Iraq Will Get All Resources Needed to Win, Bush Vows
Caches Continue to Pour in to Coalition Forces
IA Soldiers seize numerous weapons in Sadr City
With improved security, GoI improves quality of life in Mada’in Qada

DefenseLink
MEMORIAL DAY REFLECTIONS
Mullen Remembers Sacrifices, Discusses Iraq During Memorial Day Interviews
Mullen Cites Importance of Remembrance in Memorial Day Message
Bush Urges Americans to Honor Holiday
Rolling Thunder Rumbles Into Capital
‘Flags In’ Tribute Begins Commemoration
Commentary: Iraq Veteran Reflects
Comrades, Loved Ones Contemplate Sacrifice
Progress Shown at Pentagon Memorial

IRAQ NEWS

General Reports on Northern Iraq
Coalition, Iraqi Forces Seize Weapons

AFGHANISTAN NEWS

Coalition Troops Target Enemy Fighters

MILITARY NEWS

USS Boxer Crew Provides Aid to El Salvador
Military to Integrate Gaming Into Training
Group Helps Veterans Visit WWII Memorial

WOUNDED CARE

Army Psychiatrist Calls Efforts to Reduce Mental Health Care Stigma a 'Total Team Effort'
New Program Offers ‘Care for Caregivers’

FACE OF DEFENSE

Wounded Warrior Leads Medical Battalion

AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU

Judd Rocks Walter Reed - Photos
Challenge Coins Thank Veterans
Chrysler Supports Memorial

Weather
Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar Ghurian Herat Kabul Qandahar

Germany
Ansbach Aschaffenburg Berlin Berlin-Tempelhof Berlin/Schonefeld Bremerhaven
Darmstadt Frankfurt Frankfurt/Main Freiburg/Breisgau Garmisch
Garmisch-Partenkirchen Geilenkirchen Gelnhausen Giessen Kitzingen
Hanau Am Main Heidelberg Mainz Mannheim Nurnberg Stuttgart Trier
Wiesbaden Wurzburg

Gitmo

Guam
Agana Agana Heights Agat Andersen AFB Asan Barrigada

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

Japan
Kadena Air Base Okinawa Tokyo Yokohama

Today in History
0961 - German King Otto II crowned
1798 - British troops kill about 500 Irish insurgents at the Battle of Tara.
1805 - Lewis & Clark first see the ocky Mountains; Napoleon is crowned king of Italy.
1824 - Brazil is recognized by the U.S.
1861 - The Union blockades New Orleans & Mobile.
1864 - The territory of Montana is formed.
1865 - Battle of Galveston, TX.
1868 - President Andrew Johnson avoids impeachment by 1 vote.
1896 - The last Czar of Russia, Nicholas II, is crowned.
1922 - Lenin suffers a stroke.
1924 - President Coolidge signs the Immigration Law (restricting immigration).
1937 - San Francisco Bay's Golden Gate Bridge opens.
1941 - An Ark Royal airplane sights the German battleship Bismarck.
1942 - The Nazis require Belgian Jews to wear a Jewish star; The African corps faces the British Army in a tank battle at Bir Hakeim.
1943 - Jews riot against Germany in Amsterdam.
1944 - 82nd Airborne division landsat La Haye du Puits to Ste Mère Eglise (D-Day).
1945 - The U. S. fire bombs Tokyo.
1946 - A patent is filed in the U.S. for the H-Bomb
1948 - The entire Hagana armed forces are sworn-in as Israeli soldiers; South Africa elects a nationalist government with an apartheid policy.
1961 - A USAF bomber flies the Atlantic in a record of just over 3 hours.
1981 - A Marine jet crashes on the flight deck of the USS Nimitz, killing 14; Soyuz T-4 returns to Earth.
1987 - Supreme Court rules that dangerous defendants can be held without bail.

Birthdays
1566
- Mohammed III, Sultan of Turkey
1835 - Confederate Artillery Brigadier General Edward Porter Alexander
1867 - Mary queen, of Great Britain/North Ireland
1877 - Sadao Araki, Japanese general/minister of War
1899 - Pieter Menten, Dutch war criminal
1903 - Estes Kefauver (Senator-TN)
1910 - Adolfo Lopez Mateos, President of México
1924 - Cooper Evans (Representative-IA)
1951 - Muhammed Ahmad Faris Syria, cosmonaut (Soyuz TM-3); Sally Kristen Ride, first U.S. woman astronaut (STS-7, STS 41G)
1968 - Frederik, Heir Apparent Crown Prince of Denmark

Passings
1421 - Mohammed I, sultan of Turkey
1512 - Bajezid II, Governor of Amasja/8th Sultan of Turkey, dies
1818 - Michael A. Barclay de Tolly, Russian field marshal/War Minister
1883 - Abd el-Kader, Algerian sultan/religious ruler
1939 - Cornelis J. Cutters, supreme commander of Navy
1996 - Halka Grossman, resistance fighter/politician

Reported Missing in Action
1966
Glandon, Gary A., USAF (TN); F4C crashed (Weapons Systems Officer, w/Griffey), Killed / BNR

Griffey, Terrance H., USAF (IA); F4C crashed (pilot, w/Glandon), Killed / BNR

1967
Mecleary, Read Blaine USN (CT); A4E shot down, released by DRV March, 1973 - retired from active duty as a Captain, then served in the USNR, retiring as an O-6 Captain - alive and well in 1998

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