LCpl Kyle Renehan U.S.M.C honored.

One of my favorite Jarheads, Brandon Strassler, sent me this story of a ceremony dedicating a classroom to LCpl Kyle Renehan. (click on the second story to view details)

A training room at the Air Traffic Control (ATC) School aboard NAS Pensacola was dedicated to the memory of LCpl Renehan, who died in Iraq on December 9, 2004 as the result of a morter attack on his position.

After the ceremony, RenehanÂ’s father said, "ItÂ’s special. He will live on down here with everyone who goes through here. The family wanted to find a way to keep his name alive, and this will help."

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Tribute to a Hero

Here is a picture of the wreath that will be placed on the grave of Sgt Adam Plumondor U.S. Army. from the Nation of Riflemen, of which I consider myself a proud member.

The leaf body is Laurel, to signify a Champion, The flowers are Yellow Roses, to signify one of the Colors of the Regiment, and to remind us that Adam waits for us, now, and so to remind us to our duty as he did his. The Ribbons are White, to signify the purity of the Honor and Devotion to Duty of this man of men. The words inscribed theron are Gold, to signify that no higher Honor may be expressed.

UPDATE: Riverdog attended the Memorial Service for Adam and two other members of the Stryker Brigade,SGT. Frank Hernandez, 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment and SPC Clinton Gertson, 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment. He has some photos of the catafalques of the fallen being honored; and a description of the ceremony that was so simple and yet so complete that it made you feel you were there as you were reading it.

Thank You for being our eyes and ears, from all of us who couldn't go to the Final Farewell, Major Schneider.

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God Speed to a Friend

Mamamontezz sent me this to post on her site. I have done so and would request that you go on over to Slaglerock's and wish him your best. While seemingly a "posh" posting, I believe that there may be some surprises in the road ahead.

That's OK, he can more than handle anything that may be thrown his way. He's a tough little M-F, even if he is "only" a Zoomy.

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Military Families

In the support and kudos we (rightfully) give our servicemen and women, there is an all but forgotton component of service life, and that is the families of these extraordinary people. Here is the story of one Marine wife and mother.

I would echo tim Chaves's statement when he writes:

And we should be proud of those on the home front who make the heroics in Iraq possible. Schools, civic groups and places of worship should take the time to boost the morale of these families — by letting the children know how much we appreciate them letting their daddies and mommies protect us, and letting the wives and husbands know their struggle is equally heroic.

We will win the war on terror because there is a Colleen on the home front standing behind every Mark in Iraq and Afghanistan. And that support lets daddies fight and sacrifice so other kids can be free.

We can never forget that a lot of the hero's involved with the services don't even serve in uniform themselves. They fight the daily battle of "normal living",not the guns and bombs of a vicious enemy. They fight this battle alone and with a level of courage equal to any seen on the battlefield, and all too often are forgotten as being major contributors to the war effort.

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RIP Another American Hero

I just learned from Kim du Toit's site of the loss of another American hero, U.S. Army Sergeant Adam J. Plumondore.

The loss is made all the harder to bear due to the fact that Sgt. Plumondore was the Adam of the "Walter and Adam Fund" that Kim has been sponsering in his bid to help the troops. I was unable to contribute to this effort ere now, but I will make it a point to do so at the earliest possible time...mortgage be damned.

I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to Sgt. Plumondore's family, I hope they can take some small measure of comfort in knowing that Adam died doing an important job. His sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Update: Kim has posted eulogy to Sgt Plumondore made by his C.O., LTC Kurilla. It is a most inspiring piece.

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Robots on the battlefield

Recently, I had a question asked of me: "was the loss of soldiers lives/severe injuries worth the cost in Iraq?" Then the asker went on to excoriate the increase in military spending...well, this is one reason for the increase. IF we can develop robotic combatants, it will go a long way toward decreasing the number and severity of our causelties. Robots will never replace combat soldiers in the forseeable future, and I'm not sure we would ever want them to; but with their help, maybe we can fight with a much lower cost in the lives of our servicemen and women.

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EXCLUSIVE!!!

Tech Central Station has an exclusive interview with the "soldier" purported to have been captured and held hostage by the insurgents Islamofacists in Iraq.

As much play as the MSM gave this story as an example of the "quagmire" we are finding ourselves in Iraq, I'm sure they will all want to try to give this interview the widest possible coverage! NOT.

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