tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299818402009-11-04T20:27:50.534ZMaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05401586680893064560noreply@blogger.comBlogger1487125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981840.post-47443786316429726952009-11-04T17:32:00.001Z2009-11-04T20:00:33.036Z

PV1 Caven Cox of the U.S. Army's 2nd Platoon Apache Company of 2nd Battalion 87th Infantry Regiment performs a rendition of the song "I'm a Little Tea Pot" in front of his platoon as penalty for making a mistake on a recent patrol at Combat Outpost Tangi in Afghanistan's Wardak Province Saturday Aug. 15, 2009. AP.If the team for the teeniest, tiniest service branch - namely the MARINES - ends up

MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05401586680893064560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981840.post-47320688616143657622009-11-03T22:49:00.002Z2009-11-03T22:58:22.384Z

Just like back "in the day" in Iraq, General Petraeus walks the walk. LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan- Gen. David Petraeus, commander of United States’ Central Command, met with U.S. and Afghan Soldiers, as well as Baraki Barak Sub-Governor Mohammed Lodin and local businessmen at Combat Outpost Baraki Barak, Oct. 30. Petraeus removed his body armor and made his way out the gate into the bustling

MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05401586680893064560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981840.post-35861501876276338802009-11-03T10:40:00.002Z2009-11-03T10:44:26.114Z

The flight crew of the 37th Airlift Squadron’s last E-model C-130 cargo plane steps out to the aircraft en route to Poland on Monday from Ramstein Air Base, Germany. The 36-year-old plane is being leased to Poland. Photo: Ben Bloker / Stars and Stripes.With the wing and U.S. Air Forces in Europe shifting to the bigger, faster and stronger C-130J Super Hercules, 14 E-models were phased out this

MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05401586680893064560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981840.post-62483401604131414922009-11-02T21:13:00.011Z2009-11-03T22:07:56.268Z

"Those who say we are in a time when there are no Heroes... they just don't know where to look."- President Ronald ReaganPlease join us in supporting those who have sacrificed so much for all of us. The Valour-IT MARINE TEAM.Update: More about Aaron and Diana Mankin from Cassandra.Update: Thank you Michelle Malkin for your support of Valour-IT.

MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05401586680893064560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981840.post-21866422621305971982009-11-02T16:36:00.003Z2009-11-02T16:44:49.053Z

AFP: NEW YORK — The USS New York, a naval vessel whose bow was forged in part with steel from the World Trade Center towers destroyed on 9/11, sailed for the first time Monday into the city's harbor.The newly built 684-foot (208-meter) amphibious assault ship, designed to carry up to 800 marines and helicopters, marked its maiden voyage into New York with a 21 gun salute just off Ground

MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05401586680893064560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981840.post-65114344874609998492009-11-02T14:29:00.007Z2009-11-02T16:00:33.072Z

"Guardian Angel": A Marine from 1st BN, 4th Marines stands guard outside an emergency ordinance disposal site. By Michael D. Fay.Lots of great items now up for auction at the Soldiers' Angels Valour-IT eBay site, all of them generously donated by their owners to raise money for Valour-IT.The print above, called "Guardian Angel" is signed by USMC combat artist Michael D. Fay. Image size: 9” x 13”.

MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05401586680893064560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981840.post-32758696211378813902009-11-01T19:30:00.003Z2009-11-01T19:44:49.569Z

Medics Spc. Jessica Damitz, left, and Spc. Chasity Moment play cards with Spc. Mathew Murphy of the 10th Mountain Division’s 2-87 Infantry Battalion on Aug. 12. Murphy, who was injured in an IED explosion while on patrol and suffered a traumatic brain injury, beat both the medics at gin rummy. Photo: Erin Grace Trieb / PANOS.The therapy started by these caring medics by playing gin rummy with

MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05401586680893064560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981840.post-65546799332613584422009-10-29T11:51:00.004Z2009-10-29T17:29:20.571Z

A major player in providing critical care to wounded warriors, the Ramstein CASF is scheduled to complete its 100,000th patient movement in late October 2009. The facility receives patients who are medically evacuated from Iraq and Afghanistan for treatment at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.Video follow up to this story. Thanks to the Airmen of the 86th CASF at Ramstein for taking such good

MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05401586680893064560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981840.post-82177664195859649942009-10-28T18:50:00.008Z2009-10-29T19:57:49.114Z

“I think Dickison’s sacrifice and my sacrifice are what led to 18 other guys being alive. I went back to Fort Riley and got to see some of the soldiers who were near the explosive that day. One of my soldiers that I knew very well, his wife just had a baby. I think to myself, 'Well, what would have happened if we didn’t find that device and disabled it? Then he wouldn’t be here.' If I have to go

MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05401586680893064560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981840.post-69373230489085415482009-10-28T16:11:00.004Z2009-10-28T17:24:55.821Z

And Marines don't spit them up afterwards, either. (You'll have to click on that link to get the joke.)It's Day 2 of the Soldiers' Angels Valour-IT fundraising competition and so far over $20,000 has been raised for this worthy cause. We're neck-and-neck with the Army so keep spreading the word and donate to Valour-IT via the MARINE TEAM.Go Valour-IT MARINE TEAM!!UPDATE: The father of our MARINE

MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05401586680893064560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981840.post-75019623847613456462009-10-27T19:24:00.002Z2009-10-27T19:29:00.057Z

An F/A-18F Super Hornet flies in front of two F/A-18C Hornets, one of which, center, is re-fueling with the assistance of a U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender over Afghanistan, Oct. 13, 2009. The F/A-18s are part of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, which is on a routine deployment to the region. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Kyle Terwilliger.Just giving these services a little love, seeing as their

MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05401586680893064560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981840.post-23110723208256492162009-10-27T17:01:00.005Z2009-10-27T17:21:33.740Z

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Laura Small, 86th Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility medical technician, unloads gurneys at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. The gurneys will be used to transport wound warriors to an aircraft taking them to Walter Reed Army Medical Center for further medical treatment. U.S. Air Force photo: Senior Airman Nathan Lipscomb.Another part of the incredible chain of

MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05401586680893064560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981840.post-44142463544453192062009-10-27T16:41:00.004Z2009-10-27T16:45:35.973Z

Soldiers' Angels humbly announces the impending receipt of the prestigious Spirit of Hope Award, to be presented by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and Joint Chiefs of Staff. Trustee Richard M. John and Operations Manager Toby Nunn will be in Washington, DC tomorrow to receive the award in the form of a unique bronze medallion, which is being bestowed in recognition of the many troop

MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05401586680893064560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981840.post-40671263940291840822009-10-27T14:06:00.002Z2009-10-27T14:13:12.471Z

Soldiers' Angels Conducts 4th Annual Online Valour-IT Fundraising CompetitionPASADENA, Calif., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Divided among four "virtual teams," a wide variety of bloggers and other New Media mavens are competing on the Internet to see who can inspire the most donations to help wounded troops. Part of the Soldiers' Angels fifth annual online Valour-IT Veterans Day

MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05401586680893064560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981840.post-45524984736215276082009-10-27T13:50:00.002Z2009-10-27T13:55:57.647Z

If you're on Facebook head over to the new photo album at the Soldiers' Angels Germany Fan Page to view a photo essay of patients, staff, and angels at Landstuhl hospital. (And become a fan of SA Germany while you're there.)God bless our Wounded Warriors and all who take care of them at Landstuhl hospital.

MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05401586680893064560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981840.post-77297885258712694782009-10-26T18:06:00.004Z2009-10-27T13:29:59.998Z

As of the time of this post, the MARINE TEAM is leading the next-closest team in donations by over 2 to 1.Update: Curses! The Doggies have pulled ahead!Update: We've retaken the lead!Let's keep it up, people! And remember, we don't accept applications - only commitments.

MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05401586680893064560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981840.post-63343237733684807412009-10-26T10:51:00.008Z2009-10-29T17:28:43.686Z

Today marks the start of the 2009 Valour-IT Blogging Fundraiser Competition, which will continue until Veteran's Day. As always, the "competition" is between blogging teams representing the 4 service branches, Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines to raise funds for Valour-IT. All donations go into one fund and will of course be used for members of all service branches.Readers of this blog are

MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05401586680893064560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981840.post-34825832951810847772009-10-25T09:58:00.000Z2009-10-25T09:58:00.347Z

The Way We Get By - Trailer from The Way We Get By on Vimeo.On call 24 hours a day for the past five years, a group of senior citizens has made history by greeting nearly 900,000 American troops at a tiny airport in Bangor, Maine. The Way We Get By is an intimate look at three of these greeters as they confront the universal losses that come with aging and rediscover their reason for living. Bill

MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05401586680893064560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981840.post-65020167875122225782009-10-24T07:59:00.001Z2009-10-24T07:59:00.885Z

Marine LCpl Richard "Ricky" SlocumFeb 2, 1985 - October 24, 2004When you remember me, it means that you have carried something of who I am with you, that I have left some mark of who I am on who you are. You can summon me back to your mind even though countless years and miles may stand between us. It means... that if we meet again, you will know me. It means that even after I die, you can still

MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05401586680893064560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981840.post-20957255517173915692009-10-23T14:43:00.004Z2009-10-23T14:53:47.460Z

"Through these fields of destructionBaptisms of fireI’ve watched all your sufferingAs the battles raged higherAnd though they did hurt me so badIn the fear and alarmYou did not desert meMy brothers-in-arms"From Brothers-in-arms: 'They came in peace' by Lance Cpl. Jeffrey A. Cosola. Read the rest here.Beirut bombing victims, left to right, Lance Cpls. Burham Matthews, Lovelle Moore and Mike J.

MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05401586680893064560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981840.post-54453032901173878952009-10-23T11:01:00.003Z2009-10-23T11:06:31.738Z

Staff Sgt. Luis Elias has no problem with his push-ups. He also finished the Ironman run, 13.1 miles in just over two hours. Photo Credit: Charmain Z. Brackett.Drill Sergeant determined to return Army Strong A freak accident may have cost Staff Sgt. Luis Elias his hand, but it hasn't stripped him of his positive attitude or impacted his plans for the future. "Hopefully, in about a month or so,

MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05401586680893064560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981840.post-78529412800084841822009-10-22T20:43:00.005Z2009-10-22T21:06:55.217Z

Dr. Steven Scott, chief of rehabilitation medicine at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Tampa, Fla., has treated countless wounded warriors - some of them over a period of years. Scott helps the servicemembers — many whose injuries would once have confined them to nursing homes — learn to drive without fingers, communicate with the movement of their eyes and, in one case, steer a sailboat rudder

MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05401586680893064560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981840.post-43328754248121649052009-10-22T19:20:00.006Z2009-10-22T19:48:40.870Z

I was inspired by today's cartoon at Delta Bravo Sierra to kick this off. (See also previous SA installments here and here.)It's that time of year again! Starting 26 October and continuing through Veteran's Day, the (mostly military) blogosphere will be raising funds for Soldiers' Angels Project Valour-IT, which provides technology to our wounded service members.To make things "interesting",

MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05401586680893064560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981840.post-41157768962757787872009-10-20T11:57:00.004Z2009-10-20T12:13:34.706Z

Children in Chaghcharan, Afghanistan. From Michael Yon's latest, 'Adopt-a-stan'.VFW National Commander Urges Decisive Action in AfghanistanKANSAS CITY, Mo., October 15, 2009-The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is concerned that the intense debate in Washington over the assessments and recommendations by the U.S. military commander in Afghanistan is posing a direct

MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05401586680893064560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981840.post-73666187439378471922009-10-20T09:14:00.000Z2009-10-20T11:57:36.865Z

A U.S. Navy F-18 Hornet aircraft receives fuel from a KC-10A Extender aircraft during a mission over Afghanistan, Oct. 5, 2009. The KC-10A crew is assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael B. Keller.

MaryAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05401586680893064560noreply@blogger.com0