Let's Thank Our Vets......all of them

[Poncho_NM]

Marine Corps JROTC Color Guard, Veterans Day Ceremony, November 2007, Photo by Rich Sanchez, New Mexico.


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[Poncho_NM]

Nathan Blevins, son of Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Robert Blevins, was one of the first to place a wreath on a
veteran's headstone in Arlington National Cemetery, December, 2008. Some 10,000 wreaths were laid in Section 12 of
the cemetery as part of "Wreaths Across America," an annual event in its 17th year.

Photo Courtesy of U.S. Army. Photo by C. Todd Lopez.


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Rich
R

[Poncho_NM]

Standing at parade rest, Soldiers from 2nd HBCT listen as Mayor Richard Davis of Richmond Hill, GA gives a speech and
reads a poem during the Memorial Day service held at J.F. Gregory Park, May 2009. Photo Courtesy of U.S. Army. Photo
by PFC Gregory Gieske, 2nd HBCT, 3rd Infantry Division, Public Affairs.







Rich

[Poncho_NM]

Vietnam veteran Willie Van Vactor of Hazel Green bows his head in remembrance of the nation’s fallen heroes during the
Memorial Day Ceremony at Maple Hill Cemetery. Van Vactor, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, attended the
ceremony with his daughter, Kathy Hooper. He was a guest flag bearer of the Patriot Guard Riders. His son, Captain Jerry
Van Vactor, is serving his third deployment to Afghanistan and has also deployed to Iraq. June 2009. Photo Courtesy
of U.S. Army. Photo Credit: Kari Hawkins, Redstone Rocket Staff.

[Poncho_NM]

President orders flags to half-staff

Nov 6, 2009

Fort Hood graphic

WASHINGTON (Nov. 6, 2009) -- President Barack Obama has ordered American flags to be flown at half-staff until Veterans Day in honor of the victims of yesterday's shooting at Fort Hood, Texas.

Twelve Soldiers and a civilian were killed and 30 others were wounded when Maj. Nidal Malik Hassan allegedly opened fire on the base in what the president described yesterday as a "horrific outburst of violence."

From now until the Nov. 11 Veterans Day observance, flags will fly at half-staff at the White House and other federal buildings.

"This is a modest tribute to those who lost their lives even as many were preparing to risk their lives for their country," Obama said today in the White House Rose Garden. "And it's also a recognition of the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect our safety and uphold our values.

"We honor their service, we stand in awe of their sacrifice, and we pray for the safety of those who fight and for the families of those who have fallen,"

[EarthBound?]

Poncho_NM,

Thats the patch of my first Unit from 1979 at Ft Sill Oklahoma, 3rd Corps Artillery. I didn't know they moved it to Ft Hood. I was with the 1st BN, 17th FA, C-Btry. And damb proud of it, Too.

[crazyworld]

Unbelievable tragedy this week.

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by EarthBound?

Poncho_NM,

Thats the patch of my first Unit from 1979 at Ft Sill Oklahoma, 3rd Corps Artillery. I didn't know they moved it to Ft Hood. I was with the 1st BN, 17th FA, C-Btry. And damb proud of it, Too.

17th FA still exists at FT Sill !!! It is part of III Corps Artillery, 75th Fires Brigade. There are two FA Brigades Sill. 3rd Corps HQ is at Ft Hood.

Was that Howitzer? I went to an orientation course in the late 60's at Ft Sill which included the 155 mm howitzer. Then on to Ft Bliss.

I guess I owe you a beer if you visit Nuevo México!



Rich

[Poncho_NM]

Jamie Anderson holds a candle for her daughter, as her grandmother, Jo Ellen Freleigh, of New York, protects her candle from the
wind at Fort Hood, Texas. About 300 people attended a candlelight prayer vigil held November 6, 2009, at the Hood Stadium to
honor those who were killed and wounded November 5, when a lone gunman opened fire in the Soldier Readiness Processing
Center on post. Photo Courtesy of U.S. Army. Photo Credit: Michael Heckman.





Rich

[Poncho_NM]

Chaplain (Col.) Mike Lembke, III Corps, plays guitar leading mourners in song durng a candlelight vigil held to commemorate Soldiers
and civilians killed and wounded Nov 5, 2009 by a lone gunman inside and near the post's Soldier Readiness Processing Center. Photo
Courtesy of U.S. Army. Photo Credit: Michael Heckman.





Rich