Archive for the ‘Honoring Our Military’ Category

I read about the problems and incompetency at Arlington National Cemetery last June but to think this wasn’t a top priority to remedy and bring comfort to the families of our fallen is just plain unconscionable. Now to read about the horror of this Gold Star father brings tears to my eyes.

As I read the comments at The Burnpit, I was made aware this is not the Veteran’s Administration, this is the Department of Defense (DOD). Secretary of Defense Gates obviously has put this horror to the backburner; I hope there is a media focus on this to restore the honor to Arlington that our fallen deserve!

Father Driven To Pick Through His Son’s Remains (Just imagine the horror)

His adrenalin already maxed and because of Arlington’s ineptness, the father instinctively jumps onto the truck in his dress clothes despite the rancid odor. The father begins digging through the water soaked; stench filled rotting dismembered remains of his son, in search of the severed arm with a tattoo on it. Meanwhile the Funeral Director is standing to the side, gagging. The father looks at the Funeral Director and tells him, “Get over here and do your job!”

Arlington’s assistance during this time consisted of providing him with latex gloves.

Can you imagine being this father? I am appalled and heartbroken for this Gold Star Father.

Continue reading.

h/t to This Ain’t Hell

Arlington National Cemetery, ANC, Sec Def Gates, DOD

I was forwarded this story by one of my fellow Patriot Guard Riders. I read the story on my cell phone as I was standing in a flag line for the visitation of Major Paul Egli, his funeral is tomorrow morning and the Patriot Guard will be there to stand in honor of his service to our country.

It’s good to know the Patriot Guard can make a difference.

Do the American people care about us anymore?

Posted 9/7/2010

Commentary by Maj. Jonathan G. Downing
437th Aircraft Maintenance commander

JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. — Do you ever wonder if the American people even care about its military members anymore? Does it really matter that we’re working so hard to push aircraft and people and cargo into a country like Afghanistan that doesn’t seem to hold the American public’s interest anymore?

We’ve been in so many surges, and experienced numerous surges to the surge, that the word ’surge’ has lost its meaning to most of us in Air Mobility Command, and especially, here at Charleston Air Force Base. Operation Enduring Freedom surge, Operation Iraqi Freedom surge, Haiti Surge, another OEF surge, OEF deployment surge, OIF redeployment surge … it all blurs together. So who really cares?

History demonstrates that after an attack on the United States, the American public is whipped into a patriotic militaristic frenzy and demonstrates what many historians have termed “Rage Militaire,” which is defined as a passion for arms. Prime examples of the American public’s demonstration of Rage Militaire were toward the British at the onset of the American Revolution after the Battles of Lexington and Concord and toward the Japanese after the attack on Pearl Harbor at the onset of World War II. The most recent example of Rage Militaire, which we have all personally experienced, was after the Terrorist Attacks of 9/11.

Rage Militaire is an extremely powerful force, but history also demonstrates that after the outcome of the war is secure and we no longer feel threatened, and after the American public has satiated their thirst for revenge, they tend to quickly revert to their feelings and beliefs about the military prior to the onset of conflict. Instead of extreme patriotism and support for its military members, law makers and the public begin focusing on more domestic and budget issues and support for the military and its personnel seems to wane. Since the military consumes a large portion of our budget, it’s a natural target during difficult economic times and shrinking budgets.

After almost nine straight years of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, Rage Militaire is long gone and you may be tempted to think the American people don’t care about us anymore and don’t support us like they used to, but let me reassure you, this is not the case. As many of you know, we lost one of our own this past month, when Staff Sgt. Joseph Villasenor was killed in a single vehicle accident near Ladson, S.C. on Aug. 9. I had the privilege of traveling with three other members of my squadron to meet Joe’s family in Conroe, Texas, just outside of Houston. On Aug. 13, we flew down to Texas to meet with the family a day early to help them grieve as they prepared to meet the casket and remains of Sergeant Villasenor, which were being escorted by another member of my squadron, Staff Sgt. Joel Shope.

Saturday morning, we traveled with the immediate family to the Houston International Airport to meet the Delta flight that was carrying Sergeant Shope and the body of Sergeant Villasenor. The efforts the airport authorities went to was amazing. We were escorted on to the ramp by 10 police cars with their lights on. When the plane landed, they had fire engines stationed on either side of the gate and sprayed the plane with water. The Department of Homeland Security had their own color guard there with a U.S. flag. I would estimate there were almost 40 police officers present lined up in formation.

Sergeant Shope was allowed to deplane first and came around to the cargo compartment where he removed the carton around the casket. The flag draped casket was then brought down the conveyor and all members rendered salutes. The entire planeload of passengers was held on the jet, and the entire ramp essentially came to a stop as we transported his casket into the awaiting hearse. We were then escorted off the tarmac by the same long procession of police cars with lights flashing.

Once we got off the airport property, we were met by four members of the Patriot Guard Riders on motorcycles. The Patriot Guard Riders is an organization that was formed in August 2005 when many veterans were appalled that some extremists were loudly protesting at the funerals of American service members. Their stated mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission they undertake has two basic objectives:

1. Show their sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities.
2. Shield the mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors.

The Patriot Guard Riders surrounded the hearse with two motorcycles in front and back with huge American flags flying behind their motorcycles. We then were escorted the entire 45 minute drive back to the funeral home by Texas Constables and Police Officers with lights flashing and stopping traffic the entire way.
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On August 9th, 2010 the DOD News Release:

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two Marines who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

The following Marines died Aug. 7 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan:

Lance Cpl. Kevin M. Cornelius, 20, of Ashtabula, Ohio.

Pfc. Vincent E. Gammone III, 19, of Christiana, Tenn.

Cornelius and Gammone were assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Then I read this further information at Online Wall Street Journal:

In a separate incident, two Marines were killed in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan Saturday after struggling with a detainee who tried to escape from a prison, a coalition statement said.

The detainee slipped out of a prayer service, grabbed a rifle and started shooting at the Afghan and American forces that jointly run the prison, killing the two Marines in the firefight before being shot dead.

The story released by the DOD contains some truth but then there was a key element left out of the truth.

Here’s the rest of the story:

The Afghan guard was escorting a Taliban prisoner to wash his feet prior to attending a prayer service. While escorting the prisoner the Afghan guard laid down his weapon and left the prisoner alone while the guard supposedly went to the bathroom. The prisoner then took the weapon and shot the 2 Marines who he encountered while trying to escape the prison.

I was angry when I heard the WHOLE story and then read the ’spin’ put out by the DOD I felt this needed to be clarified and exposed. The Afghan guard collaborated and provided the weapon to the Taliban prisoner for his escape. Where is this Afghan guard now? This is not an isolated incident when it comes to the Afghan police and army. They can not be trusted. How many of our troops have been killed because of the Afghan’s betrayal? How many contractors have been killed? We aren’t hearing about this from our government, it’s being covered up. All we hear about is protecting Afghan civilians. How about protecting our Troops?

Here’s a story about an Irish contractor killed in the Helmand Province due to a ‘prisoner escape’. I can’t say that this is the same incident but it sure looks that way to me.

We now have 2 Marines killed due to a ‘coalition partner’ and one is from Tennessee. I’ll be occupied with Patriot Guard this weekend to honor PFC Vincent E. Gammone III, 19 of Christiana, TN.

Ken McGonigle, LCPL Kevin M Cornelius, PFC Vincent E Gammone III, Helmond Province taliban escape

Please join in Honoring and Remembering at Middle Tennessee Veteran’s Cemetery(7931 McCrory Lane Nashville, Tennessee 37221)on Sunday May 30th at 11:00am in the reading of the names of Tennesseans who have died and have been buried at the Middle Tennessee Veteran’s Cemetery since Memorial Day 2009. At 2pm there will be a Memorial Service. Go to the gazebo at the top of the hill.

Music from Trace Adkins

Memorial Day History

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service.

In 1915, inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields,” Moina Michael replied with her own poem:

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

She then conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. Later a Madam Guerin from France was visiting the United States and learned of this new custom started by Ms.Michael and when she returned to France, made artificial red poppies to raise money for war orphaned children and widowed women. This tradition spread to other countries. In 1921, the Franco-American Children’s League sold poppies nationally to benefit war orphans of France and Belgium. The League disbanded a year later and Madam Guerin approached the VFW for help. Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922 the VFW became the first veterans’ organization to nationally sell poppies. Two years later their “Buddy” Poppy program was selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans. In 1948 the US Post Office honored Ms Michael for her role in founding the National Poppy movement by issuing a red 3 cent postage stamp with her likeness on it.

Memorial Day, Trace Adkins, Arlington National Cemetery, Middle TN Veterans Cemetery, Tennessee

I got this in an email from a friend who also added his comment:

“Makes a man proud to know that not all of Washington DC has been infected with “Progressive Liberalism”. As long as our soldiers raise to their duty as these young men did, there is hope for our country inspite of our politicians.”

Not All of D.C. Was Shut Down Last Week.

These guys were given the time off during the bad weather but every one of them refused and manned their posts. This is Arlington at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

Arlington National Cemetery, Tomb of the Unknown, US Military

It’s Veteran’s Day, a day to honor, thank and remember our Veterans.

Now is the time to order your Wreaths from Wreaths Across America. You could order wreaths for Arlington National Cemetery or you can order wreaths for your local national military cemetery. If you live in Middle Tennessee the Middle Tennessee Veteran’s Cemetery at McCrory Lane in Nashville could really use your help.

This year WAA has a mission of delivering a truck load of wreaths (5,000 wreaths) to each of the 50 states. If you can sponsor a wreath please go to http://wreathsacrossamerica.org/sponsor-a-wreath.htm. You can select the participating location that will receive your donated wreath from their list of over 350+ participating locations. Individual wreath – $15, Family (4) wreaths – $60, Small Bus (10) – $150 and Corporate (100) – $1,500. Wreath sponsorships must be received no later than November 25th, 2009.

Location ID TNMTVN Location Leader Annette Robeck

Please join us in honoring our Fallen Heroes on Saturday Dec. 12th at 11:00 am at the Middle Tennessee Veteran’s Cemetery

“Wreaths Across America is about the spirit of Appreciation for what we have, and a determination to give something back.”

The Wreaths Across America story began 15 yrs ago when Worcester Wreath Company began a tradition of placing wreaths on the headstones of our Nations fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery during the holidays.
In 2006 this ceremony of wreath laying was expanded to Veteran Cemeteries across the country to run concurrently with Arlington Cemetery at 12 noon EST. The ceremony runs around 30 minutes, we will be in the enclosed gazebo on the hill with the large windows to view the cemetery, seating is also provided. After the ceremony we will be laying the wreaths at the graves, you are welcome to join us.

Please bring your children, we will be having all the children stand up to say the Pledge of Allegiance. We have Janna and Keith Landry (back up singers for Lee Greenwood) to sing the National Anthem and bagpiper Todd Boswell to play TAPS and play while we lay the wreaths at the graves.

Middle Tennessee Veteran’s Cemetery
7931 McCrory Lane
Nashville, TN 37221
Tel: (615) 532-2238

Veteran’s Day 2009, Wreaths Across America

VFW Commander-in-Chief Thomas J. Tradewell, Sr., plans to carry the signed pledge with him throughout the year as he visits with America’s defenders. Veterans and service members around the world will see your signature and know our nation still cares.

Thank you for pledging to honor the true meaning of Veterans Day.

VFW Veterans Day Pledge, VFW, Veterans Day

Marine Sgt. Michael Ferschke of Maryville, TN married the love of his life, Hota by a proxy marriage. The couple had plans on marrying upon his return from his tour of duty in Iraq. But life had different plans for them, Hota found out she was pregnant after Sgt. Ferschke deployed. When Hota announced to him that a pregnancy test came back positive, he was thrilled and they married by paper proxy.

Unfortunately, Sgt. Michael Ferschke, Alph Co.,3rd Recon Bn.,3rd Marine Division was killed in action August 10th, 2008 in Salah ad Din province in Iraq. Michael H. Ferschke III was born in a military hospital so he is a US Citizen. Things have not worked out for Michael’s mother Hota.

Hota has run into immigration bureaucracy because the marriage was by proxy.
However, she says the family is facing a new challenge when it comes to permanent residency.

She says a 1952 law is the problem. According to her, the law does not permit citizenship for Hota, because she did not consummate the marriage, given that the two married by proxy, and Sgt. Ferschke was killed before they reunited.

snip..There is a law that should cover Hotaru Ferschke. It is called the Armed Forces Naturalization Act of 2003. It reads in part-

(4) SURVIVING ALIEN SPOUSES, CHILDREN, AND PARENTS OF CITIZENS WHO DIE WHILE ON ACTIVE-DUTY SERVICE IN ARMED FORCES-

`(A) BENEFITS FOR SURVIVORS-

`(i) IN GENERAL- The benefits under this paragraph shall apply only to a surviving spouse, child, or parent of a person who, while a citizen of the United States, died during a period of honorable service in the Armed Forces of the United States as a result of injury or disease incurred in or aggravated by such service.

`(ii) DETERMINATIONS- The executive department under which the citizen so served shall determine whether the citizen satisfied the requirements of clause (i).

`(B) SPOUSES- Notwithstanding the second sentence of subsection (b)(2)(A)(i), a person who is a surviving spouse described in subparagraph (A), and who was living in marital union with the citizen described in such subparagraph at the time of death, shall be considered, for purposes of subsection (b), to remain an immediate relative after the date of the citizen’s death, but only until the date on which the surviving spouse remarries.

Consulate officials are sticking to the letter of the 1952 law and reading the 2003 in the strictest possible way. Was it Congress intent to penalize people like Hotaru Ferschke just because her husband died in action before their marriage was consummated?

Hota’s temporary visa expires in January by order of our own government, the same government her husband lost his life for.  Hota and Michael and the Ferschke family needs your help.

Rep. J Duncan of Tn has sponsored a personal bill to remedy this wrong.

H.R.3182
Title: For the relief of Hotaru Nakama Ferschke.
Sponsor: Rep Duncan, John J., Jr. [TN-2] (introduced 7/10/2009)
Cosponsors (None)
Private bill
Latest Major Action: 7/20/2009 Referred to House subcommittee.
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

Where are the rest of the Tennessee legislators in sponsoring this bill? We need to get support for this bill from more than just Tennessee Congressman and Senators. I know Congress is pretty busy right now trying to spend the country into oblivion but I think they could take some time out from their spendthrift ways to support a fallen hero and his family. Time is quickly running out. Please call your Representatives and Senators to sponsor this bill for this fallen Marine’s family.

VolunteerTV.com out of Maryville, Tn has also been following this story.

Sgt. Michael Ferschke, Hota Ferschke, HR 3182, Tennessee Marine

This little girl knows sacrifice. Her Daddy deployed to Iraq for a year. Through Patriot Guard we do many mission to send off troops and welcome home troops. The send offs are always sad and bittersweet for the families. The welcome homes are great joy and celebration.

Little Girl Can’t Let go as Sergeant Daddy Leaves For Iraq
Some things are just not allowed when soldiers are standing in formation. One of them is 4-year-old girls.

However, there was no soldier stern enough to pry Paige Bennethum of Laureldale, Pa. from her father as he prepared to leave last July for a year-long deployment in Iraq.

Abby Bennethum captured her daughter’s emotions in a photograph that she passed along to the Reading Eagle, the newspaper in Berks County, Pa. The image immediately captured many other people’s emotions.

Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Brett Bennethum was preparing to depart from Fort Dix, N.J., for Iraq, leaving behind his pregnant wife and two little girls. His family was there to see him off. His commanding officer didn’t have the heart to tell Paige she had to let go of her daddy.

Tomorrow the Patriot Guard of Tennessee will be welcoming home Tennessee National Guard, 168th Military Police Battalion.

Time for Great Joy and Celebration!

Thank you to Mailloux at Redstate for the heads up on this story.

Staff Sgt Brett Bennethum, Paige Bennethum, Luareldale PA, Patriot Guard Tennessee, TNG 168th MP BTN

Freedom isn’t Free!

July 4th, President Ronald Reagan, freedom is never more than one generation