Let's Thank Our Vets......all of them (villages, family, run)

[B4U]

Military loved ones battle for the ‘First Smooch’
By Barbara Hijek November 7, 2010 07:34 AM

The night before the USS Taylor arrived at Naval Station Mayport, family and friends gathered to celebrate — but they gathered mostly to find out which lucky loved one would win the First Kiss, reports First Coast News in Jacksonville.

That's correct: Some lucky loved one wins the First Kiss lotto.
A military homecoming usually consists of a first smooch and only one lucky person is the one to plant that first kiss on their loved one.
It's a coveted prize: Not only does the winner be the first to see their loved, but the winner also then avoids the crowds that form as sailors walk off the ship.
And there is a method to the madness: The names of dozens of women are placed inside a heart-shaped box. The names are submitted when they attend a military family event. Thus the more events they attend during their loved one's deployments, the more chances they have to win that special privilege, reports First Coast News.
Stefanie Sturgill of St. Augustine was the lucky name drawn. Her boyfriend, Zack Gurganus, missed her 24th birthday while on deployment, so winning the First Kiss lotto is her birthday present, she told First Coast News.
Photo: First Coast News
More FloriDUH

[crazyworld]

^^^^^ Great post. Thank you for brightening my day.

[DOUBLE H]

Originally Posted by crazyworld

^^^^^ Great post. Thank you for brightening my day.

Myself as well. Rich. I appreciate those those pics!

And I also appreciate The Greatest Generation! God knows where we would be at if it wasn't for them and their efforts.

[Poncho_NM]

Sailors assigned to Navy Operational Support Center Minneapolis transfer the remains of Petty Officer 3rd Class
Gerald Lehman, fireman, for burial. Lehman was killed in action while serving aboard the battleship USS Oklahoma
during the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7th. 1941. Lehman's remains were identified through DNA testing by
the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command and were transported to Minneapolis en route to Hancock, Mich. U.S. Navy
photo by Lt. j.g. Michael Sheehan.
100611-N-7163S-013
Date taken: Jun 11, 2010

[Poncho_NM]

PEARL HARBOR, December 6th, 2010, Sailors render honors as the amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor
(LSD 52) passes the USS Arizona Memorial during a scheduled port visit in Hawaii. Pearl Harbor is part of the Peleliu
Amphibious Ready Group transiting the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of responsibility returning to homeport in San Diego after
a seven-month deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Russell.
101206-N-7948R-301




Colonel Robert Rice, commanding officer, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Retired Brigadier General Jerome T. Hagen, and
Navy Captain David Cutter, commodore, Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 2, tend to the wreath laying at
the annual Kaneohe Klipper Memorial Ceremony, December 7th, 2010. Kristen Wong,
VRIN# 101207-M-4605W-002.jpg, Unit Marine Corps Base Hawaii.




FARMINGDALE, N.Y. -- Gerard Barbosa was a 17-year-old gunner's mate sailor when his ship, USS Raleigh, was
attacked at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Barbosa, an East Meadow resident, was among four Pearl Harbor survivors
recognized on the 69th anniversary of the attack at the Dropping of the Roses / Pearl Harbor Memorial Ceremony,
here, December 7th, 2010. This is the 20th year of a tradition started by the late Joseph Stanley Hydrusko to honor
those he served with at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Each year roses are dropped over the Statue of Liberty marking the
time of the attack. In the attack, 21 ships were sunk or damaged, 188 aircraft were destroyed, and 2,335 service
members were killed. America answered with an island-hopping campaign culminating with the iconic Marine Corps
flag raising on Iwo Jima more than three years later. Official Marine Corps photo by Sergeant Randall A. Clinton.
101207-M-4003C-011

[B4U]

Aggressors on the prowl - Two F-15 Eagles fly in formation with an F-22 Raptor April 24 during a support mission near Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The F-15s act as "aggressors" to replicate potential adversary air force capabilities, tactics, training and equipment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Scott Reed)

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'Operationalizing' Intelligence
Photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald (May 08, 2008)
A Utah Army National Guard Soldier from the 19th Special Forces is hoisted up to an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter during a combat search and rescue integration exercise over the Utah Test and Training Range in Sandy, Utah, on May 3, 2007.

[CENTER][/CENTER]

[Poncho_NM]

FARMINGDALE, New York - William Halleran, a Pearl Harbor survivor is recognized by the crowd inside the American
Airpower Museum, during the Dropping of the Roses / Pearl Harbor Memorial Ceremony, here, December 7th, 2010.
Halleran is 92 years old and has been making annual appearances at this ceremony for the last decade. Official Marine
Corps photo by Sergeant Randall A. Clinton.







U.S. Navy Command Master Chief Kathleen A. Hansen, assigned to Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD),
presents an American flag to retired Chief Electrician's Mate Stuart Hedley, a Pearl Harbor survivor and president of
Chapter 3 of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, during the commemoration of the 68th anniversary of the attack
on Pearl Harbor at NMCSD, California, December 4, 2009. Photo courtesy U.S. Navy, photo by Mass Communication
Specialist 2nd Class Chad A. Bascom. 091204-N-7032B-152

[Poncho_NM]

A U.S. military color guard presents the colors at the National World War II Memorial December 7th, 2010, during a
ceremony commemorating the 1941 Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor. DOD photo by Fred Baker III

[Poncho_NM]

Santa Arrives, December 4th, 2008. Transported in style by the municipal Fire Department from Schinnen,
Netherlands, Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive to greet fans at US Army Garrison (USAG) Schinnen's Tree Lighting
Ceremony. By Sarah J. Schmidt, USAG Schinnen PAO.

[Poncho_NM]

U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots help brighten Christmas - Santa Claus contributes to the Toys for Tots box as First
Sergeant James Watson, Tots for Tots coordinator, looks on. The Albany Mall hosted the annual Toys for Tots and Red
Kettle, a Salvation Army campaign, November 19th, 2010.
20101119-M-7313-J-003