[sunrico90]

Many of us have familly members and friends that served this great country and many are from Florida. Share your stories/tributes to the military service men/women who have served during wars, present and past.

As a retired members of the USAF I desire for the swift return of our troops. Pray for their safety....



Casualties in Iraq
American Deaths
Since war began (3/19/03): 3431 2821
Since "Mission Accomplished" (5/1/03) (the list)

3292

2713
Since Capture of Saddam (12/13/03): 2970 2515
Since Handover (6/29/04): 2572 2188
Since Election (1/31/05): 1994 1925
American Wounded Official Estimated
Total Wounded: 25378 23000 - 100000

[sunrico90]

Florida 137
Alva Silva, Marco A. Staff Sergeant 13-Mar-2006
Apopka Mastrapa, Arthur S. (Stacey) Sergeant 16-Jun-2004
Apopka Dwelley, Jason B. Petty Officer 2nd Class 30-Apr-2004
Auburndale Ginther, Ronald A. Petty Officer 3rd Class 02-May-2004
Boca Raton Mchugh, Scott R. Petty Officer 2nd Class 02-May-2004
Boca Raton Sorensen, Ryan J. Lance Corporal 06-Nov-2005
Bradenton Schmidt, Justin B. Specialist 29-Apr-2004
Bradenton Cobb, Christopher R. Private 1st Class 06-Apr-2004
Bradenton Dougherty, Scott Eugene Lance Corporal 06-Jul-2004
Brandon Roman-Cruz, Alexis Specialist 16-Nov-2005
Brandon Smith, Kevin J. 1st Lieutenant 08-Dec-2005
Brevard Schrage, Dustin H. Corporal 06-May-2004
Brooksville Mills, Lea R. Sergeant 28-Apr-2006
Cape Coral Lopez III, Manuel Corporal 12-Apr-2005
Carol City Randle Jr., Edmond Lee Sergeant 17-Jan-2004
Casselberry Bowling, Theodore A. Corporal 11-Nov-2004
Cedar Key Buesing, Brian Rory Lance Corporal 23-Mar-2003
Clearwater Rubado, Charles R. 2nd Lieutenant 29-Aug-2005
Cooper City Riviere, Christopher T. Private 1st Class 26-Sep-2006
Crawfordville Garcia, Javier J. Sergeant 05-Apr-2005
Davie Gonzales Cordova, Ramon E. Staff Sergeant 08-Aug-2005
Davie Cann, Adam Leigh Sergeant 05-Jan-2006
Daytona Anderson, Michael C. Petty Officer 2nd Class 02-May-2004
Deltona Rogers, Nicholas K. Specialist 22-Oct-2006
Edgewater Williams IV, Arthur C. Sergeant 08-Dec-2004
Eustis Gibson, Derek A. Private 1st Class 04-Apr-2007
Fort Walton Beach Tipton, John E. Captain 02-May-2004
Fort Walton Beach Mahdee, Marcus Lance Corporal 09-May-2005
Fort Walton Beach Walden, Brett Eugene Sergeant 1st Class 05-Aug-2005
Gainesville Jones Jr., Raymond Edison Staff Sergeant 09-Apr-2004
Gainesville Wershow, Jeffrey M. Specialist 06-Jul-2003
Hileah Gonzalez, Armando Ariel Corporal 14-Apr-2003
Hilliard Mitchell, Keman L. Sergeant 26-May-2003
Hillsboro Phillips, James R. Lance Corporal 23-Dec-2004
Hollywood Holmes Ordóñez, Terry Corporal 10-Jul-2004
Hollywood Osbourne, Pamela G. Sergeant 11-Oct-2004
Hollywood Burke, Timothy Specialist 04-Oct-2006
Homestead Segura, Juan E. Lance Corporal 09-Nov-2004
Homosassa Boles, Dennis J. Sergeant 24-Oct-2004
Inverness Weaver, Aaron A. Chief Warrant Officer 08-Jan-2004
Inverness Flanagan, Dennis J. Sergeant 20-Jan-2006
Jacksonville Hartman, Jonathan N. Sergeant 17-Apr-2004
Jacksonville Woods, Julian Petty Officer 3rd Class 10-Nov-2004
Jacksonville Lord, Richard M. Sergeant 18-Aug-2004
Jacksonville Seamans, Timothy J. Private 1st Class 18-Aug-2005
Jacksonville Johnson, Leon M. Sergeant 10-Oct-2005
Jacksonville Gallagher, Patrick J. Lance Corporal 02-Apr-2006
Jacksonville Watkins, Joshua C. Corporal 21-Oct-2006
Jacksonville McCormick, Clinton T. Private 27-Dec-2006
Jacksonville Rechenmacher, William J. Corporal 18-Jan-2007
Lake Worth Sapp, Brandon R. Private 1st Class 15-Aug-2004
Lake Worth Brangman, David J. Private 1st Class 13-Feb-2005
Largo Niedermeier, Louis E. Private 1st Class 01-Jun-2005
Lawtey Jones, Charles S. Chief Warrant Officer 28-Jan-2005
Lee Fribley, David Keith Lance Corporal 23-Mar-2003
Leesburg Estep, James E. Staff Sergeant 15-Nov-2005
Leesburg Lake Clark, Michael J. Staff Sergeant 20-Jul-2004
Lehigh Acres Shelton, Jimmy Lee Corporal 03-Dec-2005
Lithia Delgado, Marc A. Private 1st Class 24-Nov-2005
Longwood Miller, Marco L. Sergeant 05-Dec-2006
Margate Mayorga, Pablo V. Corporal 15-Apr-2006
Miami Sims, Charles M. Private 1st Class 03-Oct-2003
Miami Kenny, Christopher J. 1st Lieutenant 03-May-2004
Miami Ewing, Jeremy Ricardo Private 1st Class 29-Apr-2004
Miami Jimenez II, Romulo J. Corporal 10-Nov-2004
Miami Jonaus, Jude R. Staff Sergeant 06-Sep-2005
Miami Vilorio, Franklin R. Sergeant 06-Sep-2005
Miami Calderon-Ascencio, Roland E. Private 1st Class 12-Apr-2006
Miami Jordan, Alexander Corporal 10-Sep-2006
Miami Martinez, Rene Lance Corporal 24-Sep-2006
Miami Suarez-Gonzalez, Roger A. Private 1st Class 04-Dec-2006
Middleburg Ellenburg, Kevin J. Private 1st Class 01-Nov-2006
Molino Spears, Jonathan R. Lance Corporal 23-Oct-2005
Naples Shanaberger III, Wentz Jerome Henry Staff Sergeant 24-Mar-2004
New Port Richey Rowe, Michael D. Sergeant 28-Mar-2006
North Lauderdale Martinez, Oscar A. Private 1st Class 12-Oct-2004
Ocala Lake, Chad W. Sergeant 13-Feb-2005
Ocala Blair, Robert E. Specialist 25-May-2006
Okaloosa Laramore, Tracy L. Specialist 17-Mar-2004
Opalocka Polo, Joe Sergeant 29-Mar-2007
Orlando Dossett, Trace W. Petty Officer 2nd Class 02-May-2004
Orlando Gil, Carlos J. Sergeant 18-Feb-2005
Orlando Smith, Antoine D. Lance Corporal 15-Nov-2004
Orlando Davis, Daryl A. Specialist 29-Nov-2004
Orlando Conde Jr., Kenneth Sergeant 01-Jul-2004
Orlando Tharp, Sean D. Private 1st Class 28-Mar-2006
Orlando Hawkins, Gene A. Sergeant 12-Oct-2006
Orlando/Orange Saintvil, Gael Lance Corporal 26-Jan-2005
Oviedo Cashe, Alwyn C. "Al" Sergeant 1st Class 08-Nov-2005
Palm Bay Creighton-Weldon, Michael Russell Private 1st Class 29-Mar-2003
Palmetto Mardis Jr., Paul C. Staff Sergeant 15-Jul-2004
Panacea Hanson Jr., Charles A. Lance Corporal 28-Nov-2004
Panama City Wood, William W. Colonel 27-Oct-2005
Pasco Dickinson, Joshua W. Lance Corporal 12-Dec-2004
Pembroke Pines Rojas, Kenny D. Private 1st Class 29-Oct-2005
Pensacola Clay, Daniel J. Staff Sergeant 01-Dec-2005
Petersburg Messer, Christopher P. Sergeant 27-Dec-2006
Plant City Missildine, Jody W. Private 08-Apr-2006
Plant City Winston, Peter E. Lieutenant Colonel 13-Nov-2006
Pompano Beach Negron, Julio E. Sergeant 28-Feb-2005
Port Charlotte Woodliff, Michael R. Sergeant 02-Mar-2004
Port St. Lucie Zook, Ian T. Corporal 12-Oct-2004
Riviera Beach Jacobson, Elizabeth Nicole Airman 1st Class 28-Sep-2005
Rockledge Deem, Michael S. Specialist 24-Feb-2005
Ruskin Orr, Cody J. Private 1st Class 17-Jan-2004
Sarasota Jackson, Kyle E. Chief Warrant Officer 2 13-Jan-2006
Sarasota North, Christopher M. Private 1st Class 21-Apr-2007
Sarasota Woodall, Peter Sergeant 27-Apr-2007
St. Augustine Rapicault, Patrick Marc M. Captain 15-Nov-2004
St. Cloud Burnett, Jason K. Lance Corporal 11-May-2006
St. Petersburg Gallardo, Denis J. Sergeant 22-Nov-2005
Stuart Jenkins, Robert B. Petty Officer 2nd Class 02-May-2004
Sunrise McNeill, Phillip D. Sergeant 20-Jan-2007
Tallahassee Wise, Robert A. Specialist 12-Nov-2003
Tallahassee Gifford, Alan Nye 1st Sergeant 16-Sep-2005
Tallahassee Chaires, Daniel B. Private 1st Class 25-Oct-2006
Tallahassee Woodall, Julian M. Corporal 22-May-2007
Tamarac Weiner, Timothy R. Technical Sergeant 07-Jan-2007
Tampa Wilt, Nicholas Lance Corporal 03-Sep-2004
Tampa Waruinge, Kevin G. Lance Corporal 03-Aug-2005
Tampa Baez, Roberto C. Private 1st Class 03-Oct-2005
Tampa Luckey, Bryan C. Sergeant 29-Jun-2006
Tampa Smith, Paul Ray Sergeant 1st Class 04-Apr-2003
Tampa Davis, Wilbert Staff Sergeant 03-Apr-2003
Tampa Rivero, John Travis Corporal 17-Apr-2003
Tampa Hartman Jr., John L. Staff Sergeant 30-Nov-2006
Tampa Quinn, Michael B. Staff Sergeant 27-May-2003
Tampa Walker, Antwan L. "Twan" Sergeant 18-May-2005
Tampa Aviles, Andrew Julian Lance Corporal 07-Apr-2003
Titusville Cummings, Branden C. Private 1st Class 14-Feb-2007
Unknown Manuel, Ian D. Chief Warrant Officer 08-Jan-2004
Webster Gilmore, Joseph A. Specialist 19-May-2007
West Palm Beach Felsberg, Paul M. 2nd Lieutenant 13-Oct-2004
West Palm Beach Henry, Chassan S. Private 1st Class 25-Feb-2005
Winter Haven Williams, Christian B. Sergeant 29-Jul-2006
Winter Park Roberts, Robert D. Corporal 22-Nov-2003
Winter Park Blaney, Christopher T. Private 1st Class 29-Sep-2006

[sunrico90]

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920). While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established.

General John A. Logan
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [LC-B8172- 6403 DLC (b&w film neg.)]

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.

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.

Traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country.

There are a few notable exceptions. Since the late 50's on the Thursday before Memorial Day, the 1,200 soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry place small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. They then patrol 24 hours a day during the weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing. In 1951, the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of St. Louis began placing flags on the 150,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery as an annual Good Turn, a practice that continues to this day. More recently, beginning in 1998, on the Saturday before the observed day for Memorial Day, the Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts place a candle at each of approximately 15,300 grave sites of soldiers buried at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park on Marye's Heights (the Luminaria Program). And in 2004, Washington D.C. held its first Memorial Day parade in over 60 years.

To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps."

The Moment of Remembrance is a step in the right direction to returning the meaning back to the day. What is needed is a full return to the original day of observance. Set aside one day out of the year for the nation to get together to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country.

But what may be needed to return the solemn, and even sacred, spirit back to Memorial Day is for a return to its traditional day of observance. Many feel that when Congress made the day into a three-day weekend in with the National Holiday Act of 1971, it made it all the easier for people to be distracted from the spirit and meaning of the day. As the VFW stated in its 2002 Memorial Day address: "Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed greatly to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."

On January 19, 1999 Senator Inouye introduced bill S 189 to the Senate which proposes to restore the traditional day of observance of Memorial Day back to May 30th instead of "the last Monday in May". On April 19, 1999 Representative Gibbons introduced the bill to the House (H.R. 1474). The bills were referred the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Government Reform.

[macguy]

JUST A COMMON SOLDIER
(A Soldier Died Today)
by A. Lawrence Vaincourt

He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past.
Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, every one.

And tho' sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.

He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life.
Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,
And the world won't note his passing, though a soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell their whole life stories, from the time that they were young,
But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land
A guy who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life?

A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives
Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives.
While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal and perhaps, a pension small.

It's so easy to forget them for it was so long ago,
That the old Bills of our Country went to battle, but we know
It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,
Would you want a politician with his ever-shifting stand?
Or would you prefer a soldier, who has sworn to defend
His home, his kin and Country and would fight until the end?

He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say,
Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.


© 1987 A. Lawrence Vaincourt

[wacahootaman]

Made it to Arlington


YouTube - Made it to Arlington


Here is another tribute


YouTube - Marines Vietnam / Tribute from a Vietnam Vet

Viet Nam mai mai!

RVN 68,69 and 70

[wacahootaman]

Hollywood bump.


YouTube - Paint It Black - Vietnam War

[OoAnd1]

"Since "Mission Accomplished""?? Seems hardly worth noting in a timeline since there was no official declaration of anything being accomplished, just a dumb banner.

Thanks to all the men and women that serve our country and I pray for their safe return.

[Edvard]

It cost a whole *****tload of blood to live like we do. Or more.
Can't ever repay that.
81 that men and women/ Ooooh-Rah!

[wacahootaman]

YouTube - Bagpipes Cryin'


YouTube - Tribute to Cpl. Robert (Bobby) Warns II


YouTube - Fallen Comrades - 12th AVN BDE

[wacahootaman]

Memorial Day Bump

"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because courageous men and women do violence in their behalf"

With apologies to George Orwell