Wounded Warrior, American Hero

Yesterday, once again, Taylor was given a gift. One that can't be found in any store or bought on line for any amount of money. She got to visit a wounded warrior, Joshua Hoffman.

I have sat and tried to think of ways to describe the visit so that it does justice to Joshua and what he has been through. There is no way to do that, other then to speak from the heart.

We didn't know what to expect, or how he would react to having a 'kid' there to visit him. We walked into the apartment and Josh was in the middle of the room with his special chair. Taylor came around to his side, he moved his eyes to focus in on her. I introduced myself first and he nodded, but moved his eyes back to Taylor. She got closer to his side and let out 'Nice to meet you Marine, my name is GySgt Taylor Batten, but that would be GUNNY to you son' Josh's whole face lit up!!!!

It was an incredible visit, because Josh can't speak, but yet, he speaks volumes. He was funny, animated, truthful and a smart ass! He does this through his eyes, face, head movements and his spirit and soul! We were there for 3 hours, but it didn't feel like it, time really flew by and I know that Taylor could have sat along side him all day long.

He got a kick out of her and her famous 'suck it up cupcake' line to the Sgt. she made drop and give her 20 and to sound off like he had a pair. He REALLY liked that.

I was able to tell Josh about Taylor and her health and the things she can't do because of it. I told him of the things she has done though BECAUSE of it. There was one profound moment between the 2 of them when talking about not being able to do things that you want....she told him it flat out sucked and he looked right at her and agreed with his whole being. I have a picture of the two together and it is one of my all time favorites. It is my favorite because here are two people with bodies that will not allow them to do what they want, what they desire. Yet, these two with damaged bodies, have the spirit that will NOT allow those bodies to make them anything less then what they are, warriors. Inspiration is all I kept thinking in watching them together.

You bet he wishes he wasn't in the condition he is in, just the same goes with Taylor. But, they both are taking what they have and they are making it work. They are making themselves be true, hard core, inspirations for all to follow.

They both have to work harder then the average person to do what everyone else takes for granted. They both face not what they thought their lives would be. They both struggle when it is hard to understand why those struggles were given to them. Yet, they both smiled, they both joked, they both love and they both are alive.

Josh has an amazing fiance, Heather. I was awestruck by her love for him. When we walked into that apartment, it was clear the minute we saw her speak to him and take care of him. She loved Josh how he was before and she loves him how he is now. So many people could learn so much from her and him being together. They are what love is about. I am so fortunate that Taylor and I got to spend a day with them and we plan on making a pest of ourselves and becoming a permanent fixture in their life.

I forgot to ask permission to post about how Josh was wounded and his story, if it is alright, I will post here for you all to know just how amazing his story is.

I am going to apologize to Josh right now, one of his pictures, his eyes are closed. I actually took the picture a couple of different times and each time, his eyes just didn't want to agree with the camera. I love the picture though because it captures one of his expressions and believe me when I say this, meeting him and seeing his expressions, left a life time IMPRESSION on Taylor.

Gunny's Veterans Ride

July 12th has come and gone. There was much work to be done in such a little time, often when planning an event, you have a long time to plan, we had only a few months to put together 'Gunny's Veterans Day'.

There was such an outpouring of generosity from donors as far as door prizes and raffles and food to helping out with funding. We are so very grateful for each and every donor.

The weather was not our friend that day, as there were severe storms predicted, starting at the time the ride was to begin all the way to when the 'party' was to start. We watched the radar and there was a nasty line coming our way. We had many phone calls come in to us from friends that were supposed to come from afar and they were not going to come because of how bad the weather looked.

Despite that, we had many people show up and brave what was to come. The riders took off and the wind picked up and it started to drizzle. The band decided to not set up outside just knowing they would be facing certain death if they stayed out. We moved some tables around getting ready for the horrible stuff coming. Guess what? NOTHING CAME!!!!! Every place around us got down pours, but where it was predicted for, it didn't happen. So, we were so happy for that, but so disappointed as well because it stopped many from coming in.

We had great food and the band was WONDERFUL even if many people didn't get to hear them. Many people left with not one prize, but multiple prizes. Most of all, everyone was so generous with giving their money to Taylor to help out her beloved veterans.

We plan on doing this again next year with hopes of it being bigger and better and beautiful weather!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED, WHO CAME AND WHO GAVE! YOU ALL DID A WONDERFUL THING BY HELPING TAYLOR HELP THE VETERANS. I WANT YOU ALL TO REMEMBER THAT BY HELPING TAYLOR DO THIS, YOU HELP HER GET STRONGER AND BRAVER IN FIGHTING HER HEALTH. YOU ALL HELP HER CAUSES AND IT GIVES HER DETERMINATION TO GO ON. WITHOUT YOU, SHE COULDN'T DO THIS.

4th of July

Another 4th of July has come and gone. For many people, it is a long weekend, a sale, a party. To us, it is a time to be thankful for our nation we call home, and a time to celebrate those that made it possible for us to do just that.

Taylor was invited to ride with the veterans in the Schoolcraft parade. This parade is a parade like no others, they do it in grand style (I however HATE to see it turn into a political hey day to get a vote)

This parade has always had a great showing of veterans, but this year, we were shocked when we actually saw how many were there. There were 5 big hay wagons of veterans! All these men proud to show they served and sadly, for those that we have lost. Taylor sat proud amongst these men. Some knew of her and the others that didn't were just very curious about her. I did have one man break down and sob over her and even as I type this, it still breaks me down over his reaction to her.

I wish the pictures had turned out a bit better. We were so incredibly proud to see Taylor take her place with these men and for them to open their arms and hearts to her.

Iwo Jima

On 4th of July, Taylor was invited to ride on a float with veterans. She was very excited about this and was very honored. It was at this parade last year, she met her friend, Floyd Holes. He fought on Iwo Jima and he was with Joe Rosenthal when the famous picture was taken. Floyd was a communicator with the 28th Marines 5th Division.

Taylor was able to meet with Floyd on several occasions and just sit and talk with him. He was a bit hard of hearing, but sharp as a whip and a memory that was amazing. He had written a book about his time and he gave Taylor a copy of it and signed it for her.

We went to a military appreciation dinner and Floyd and his wife Millie were guest of ours. There is a post about Floyd further down on Taylor's blog.

Why am I writing about this again? Because Taylor was so incredibly excited to ride on the float and to be with Floyd again. When we saw Floyd, we could tell right away how much he had aged since we last saw him in the fall. He was now using a walker and he looked much older. Taylor almost trembled with excitement as he got closer. He got to where she was and she just threw her arms around him, so happy. Sadly, Floyd did not remember his 'little Marine gal' as he so affectionately had called her on their many visits together.

It took some work to get Floyd up on the float, but once they did, Taylor climbed right up to be with him. She told him who she was and he just didn't remember. He told her the a few of the stories he had already told her, but she sat there and listened to him as if she had never heard them before. I could tell she was sad, but she smiled at him and listened intently. While Floyd may not remember her or many things from recent history, when he spoke of his time on Iwo Jima, he was very clear on what he had to say.

I post about Floyd and Taylor's heart break so that any of you reading this realize, this great generation of WW11 veterans are leaving us fast. Do not wait, do not hesitate to visit with a veteran. Do not wait or hesitate to find out their story. Even if you know them, and they act as if they don't know you and tell their story to you again, listen with your heart. There will be a time, in the very near future you won't be able to hear that story first hand. There will be a time in the very near future you won't be able to look into the eyes and a real hero as you shake their hand and thank them for what they did for this country.

ANYSOLDIER.COM fundraiser

We went once again to Missouri to be a part of the anysoldier.com fund raiser. Great time, GREAT CAUSE!

Last year, Major B and Taco (Lt. Col. Bell) were there and this year they were not, for they have both volunteered to go back to Iraq and Afghanistan and they are serving our country, so we dearly missed them. Sue, we missed you as well!

The weather was great, no rain gods mad this year like last! It was a bit on the warm side, but no rain so that was a trade off. Della did a wonderful job as usual in getting things organized. However, the morning of the ride, there was a funeral for a fallen Marine and many people couldn't make the ride due to being at the funeral to give this hero his proper send off. We still had an outstanding showing of people there.

Last year, we went through some beautiful mountain scenery and it just went on and on and on. This year, the route was different and part of it was even closed off because of the flooding going on. We actually got to see some of it. In the one picture we have on here, you see water up to the road. That is not supposed to be there. The river was about 8 miles away and that is how far in it was in that spot.

The roads were scary, and we followed in the anysoldier.com van, driven by Marty's son, Jesse. He was an excellent driver, I can say that for certainty. On the roads we were on, once it was white line, there was no more road, no dirt, no nothing but drop off's and he did an outstanding job in making sure the Batten family made is back safely! Thanks Jesse!!

Taylor had a great time being there. http://www.anysoldier.com/ is something she believes in with her whole heart and it is one of the many organizations she is very proud to be a part of. Thank you Marty for all the hard work you do to make sure our deployed are taken care of, and thank you for making sure that my Gunny is taken care of!

Ways to support the troops

After the parade on Friday night, we set up a booth all day Saturday, giving our literature on how to support the troops. Taylor was there all day long, shaking hands of the veterans that came to her booth.

She talked of Hope For the Warriors, anysoldier.com, The Patriot Guard Riders, Dog Tags for Kids. A few booths down from us was a pretty incredible woman. She came over to talk to us and she was wearing a Home For the Troops running shirt. Come to find out, she runs marathons in hopes of raising money for our disabled troops. Right up our alley! Right now, she is focusing on LCpl. Josh Hoffman from our great state of Michigan. If you would be interested, please check her personal page out http://www.homesforourtroops.org/site/TR?px=1120641&pg=personal&fr_id=1070

We are hoping that Taylor was able to raise some interest on how to be supportive and places you can do to do that. She also was able to give out several of her flyers for the upcoming Gunny's Veterans Ride, scroll down a few entries and you will see what that is about if you don't already know!

Parade

Taylor was in a parade this past Friday night, 6-13-08, for the Water Fest. She invited her neighbor, Jack Palmer, a B 17 top turret gunner to ride with her, he said YES. She also invited a Korean army veteran, Merlin Huff to ride with her, he said YES. The whole idea of being in the parade was to bring awareness to supporting the troops and our veterans, and that is what the signs said on the truck, along with the American flag and POW flag.

SFC. Noble, US Army, rode in the back with Taylor. He is one of the recruiters that helped Taylor when she had her Military Appreciation Night. While Taylor may kid him (you know how Marines are!) she really likes him. He has been wonderful to her and has offered up all his help for Taylor's Gunny's Veterans Ride. In fact, the whole recruiting office of the Army has been extremely supportive and have offered up their help and other things for Taylor. We are so incredibly appreciative of these guys, especially SFC. Noble. He rode with Taylor, he smiled and waved to the crowd as they stood and clapped for him, for Taylor and for our 2 wonderful veterans we had with us.

Tanner and Kevin walked in front of us, holding the banner that the Daughters of the American Revolution had made up for Taylor for her outstanding patriotism. I was driving the truck and I will freely admit that there were several times I was brought to tears. When you stand on the side lines of a parade and you see the veterans come, you hear only your section clap. Driving down the road, except for a few small areas, everyone clapped. And I finally got to see first hand how many people do indeed do the right thing. We will keep working on the ones that don't.

One incredible moment happened, gives me goose bumps........We got about half way through the parade and a lady came right up to the truck and talked to our neighbor Jack. She had a very heavy accent and she asked him if he had been over the Netherlands. I stopped the truck for her to talk to him and I am so glad I did. Her husband was liberated by the Americans. She was so grateful, to hear her voice and the passion in which she spoke, it was like nothing I have ever heard. I HATED to have to get going again but the parade was now backed up because of us and I had to go. It was an amazing moment.

Once the parade was over, Taylor jumped down and asked me if I heard all the people clapping and all the people yelling THANK YOU, I told her I did and it was one of our neater moments I have to say!

Memorial Day Parade

Many people view Memorial Day as another day to catch up on things, or to get a good deal on all the sales that are going on. Taylor asked why on earth there would be Memorial Day sales. I do not have an answer for her on that, for that is something I don't understand myself. We did not catch up on things, nor did we do any shopping.

For Memorial Day, we went and watched Taylor march in a parade to honor those that have fought for this country. Taylor stood once again amid many great men, and had the distinctive honor of standing and marching next to a Pearl Harbor survivor. As the crowd stood and clapped as these men walked by, along with one small girl with the biggest heart, I was brought to tears many times. She stood tall and gave the proper salute and showed just what respect and honor is. Taylor was even allowed the job of lowering the flag down and up again. Good job Taylor!

GUNNY'S VETERANS RIDE

Ride is set for July 12 at the American Legion Post #170, 59990 S. Main St, Three Rivers, MI

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO VETERANS!!!

Come by motorcycle, car, truck, van, horse, it doesn't matter! Rain or shine, we will be there to show our veterans we care.

Local band will be playing, food, raffle, door prizes and a few other great ideas in the works.

Please help Taylor show our veterans we care!

Upcoming, Gunny's Veterans Ride

Mark your calendar for July 12 for Gunny's 1st Annual Veterans Ride!
A man by the name of Danny Lucas, who has been VERY good to Taylor, called up one day and said that he and a few others (Norm) were impressed by Taylor and her drive to help out our troops and veterans, so they were putting together a motorcycle/car ride in Taylor's name with 100% of the proceeds going to local veterans! You can only imagine Taylor's pure joy and delight in this...

We will be going on a route that is approximately 70 miles and they will be stopping at several American Legion and VFW's. Afterwards, there will be food and some great door prizes.

Once we have more details, will post on here along with the flyer.

Oliver North

Yes, that is Taylor standing with Col. Oliver North's arm around her! This past Saturday, a real gift was given to Taylor and I. We got to have dinner with Oliver! It was a fund raiser for the Fallen and Wounded Soldier Fund, 2 tickets were given to us to attend and it was a fantastic evening. Taylor however was not happy with her attire, seeings that we were going to be around some uber rich people and this was a fancy event, she had to 'dress up'. She tried a dress on and that was amazing for her, but once it was on, it came right back off. 'Can't I wear my boots?' she asked me (meaning her combat boots!!!).

We were given access to the VIP lounge and wouldn't you know it, as soon as Oliver came out, he was right at our table and he and Taylor talked for a minute. He called her sweetheart. Taylor put her hands right on her hips and told him directly that she was no sweetheart, she was a Gunny!

As things were winding down in the VIP lounge and it was getting close to dinner time, Taylor was able to go up and talk with Oliver again. This time, she was able to talk to him about her passion, helping the deployed, our veterans and our wounded warriors. He told her he was so proud of her and her work and boy, did Taylor ever smile. She told him she has to go back to Washington in the fall for her own medical testing and that she would like for him to be with her when she goes and visits the wounded again. We will cross our fingers that this may happen.

I have to tell you, even before he got done speaking his sentence about how the media treats our troops, Taylor was clapping her little hands as hard as she could, yelling OOH RAH and AMEN. He hit it on the head in speaking of how piss poor our media has treated our deployed troops. In fact, he got very passionate about his disdain and it was great to see.

He gave a check for $1,000 to go to the FWSF only under the condition that at least 10 other people did the same. Within a minute, he had over $42,000. How outstanding is that? By the end of the evening, over $250,000 was given!

We also got to meet a young man by the name of Robert LaMarche, 82nd Airborne, 73rd Cavalry 1st Squadron. In June of 2007, he was shot in the neck in Baghdad. He was paralyzed from the chest down and told he would never walk again. Saturday night, we watched him walk up on the stage with the help of a cane. A real miracle. He was as humble as all the other wounded warriors that Taylor and I have had the honor of meeting, he was just doing his job he said. He thanked Taylor for her work and she thanked him, he just smiled this sweet smile to her and she gave it back. It was a moment between the two that only they knew what was what. Sadly, I did not get a picture of her and him together, but I know that my little Gunny will always remember him.

I am so fortunate in that I am able to sit back and watch Taylor enjoy herself doing what she loves. I love being able to sit and listen to her talk to people about her cause. We were sitting next to one gentleman whose name I never got, but he and Taylor talked for awhile. As he left, he gave Taylor $40.00 to help with a care package. How nice of him!

She was able to sit and tell people of the Wounded Warrior Barracks and Hope For the Warriors. When she was asked how she found people to send to, by did she ever rattle on about Marty and his site, http://www.anysoldier.com/ It was kind of funny to watch some of these very well to do people stand back and not say a word and Taylor filled them in. There are a few times when she is approached, she is almost sort of timid, but not when it comes to what she believes in, she has no trouble finding the words. There are many people that do not believe in this war. Taylor said it perfectly when one told her this, 'it doesn't matter if you believe in it or not, our guys NEED our help and that is what is important'. The mom pride came out full blast on that!!! Why can't more people see it that way my child does? Plain and simple, help the guys out no matter what.

WHAT CAN I DO?

This is just a reminder to one of Taylor's favorite conversations. One time she was asked 'what can I do to help?' It amazed her that she was asked this, for she knows how to be patriotic and she knows how to be a supporter. It wasn't always like this though, there was a time that WE asked 'what can I do to help?' Taylor loves to educate those that ask, and even those that don't ask.

Go visit a veteran, or when you see a veteran you make it a point to go up and say THANK YOU. Send cards (see post below).

You can help the wounded, this is something Taylor feels very strongly about. One of her favorites, http://www.hopeforthewarriors.org/ is an excellent place to donate to. She was able to see first hand the work they do when she was at Camp Lejeune.

You can go to http://www.anysoldier.com/ (which leads to http://www.anymarine.com/ http://www.anyairman.com/ http://www.anysailor.com/ http://www.anycoastguardsman.com/ ) Find a contact to send to. You know, sad as it is to say, our government doesn't supply 100% of what our troops need over seas. You might be very surprised at just how slim it is for them at times.

Our beautiful and strong daughter has stepped up to do her part and then some, she invites everyone to help her out!

Cards for veterans

Taylor is still collecting her cards to deliver to veterans in the nursing homes. To date, she has over 900! She is so excited about this project, as she feels veterans do not get the proper recognition they deserve. She took this project on so that some veterans will know they are loved and not forgotten.
(blogspot isn't allowing pictures right now, once I can I will post a picture with her and the cards)

Remember, if you want to help out on this, you can send cards to
VETERAN IN CARE OF TAYLOR BATTEN
PO BOX 350
MENDON MI 49072

Daughters of the American Revolution

Taylor has received another award from the Daughters of the American Revolution. She has won the national award of Mary Desha Founders Youth Award!

We got to go to Lansing and have a wonderful dinner, and watched many other young adults get their awards as well. I tell you, it is so uplifting to sit in a room and listen to what these kids have done. Gives you great hope for the future!

Taylor's medal had not gotten to the State Regent in time for the presentation, but she was the first one called up to the podium and the State Regent talked of all that Taylor has done for the troops, deployed, wounded and veterans. This last week, we were invited to another luncheon where Taylor got her medal. While there, we were able to hear a presentation on the WW11 Navajo code talkers, very interesting!

Veterans

Taylor had gotten an invitation in the mail to join the celebration of the American Legion's birthday. When we got there, a lady came up and asked if she was Taylor and Taylor told the lady it was her. The lady then came over and put a flower on her. HHMM, why? She then told us that we had reserved seating, again, HHMM why?

The night went on with a great dinner and the naming of the past commanders that have died, then the names of the past commanders still living. Officers were thanked and many other things were talked about. Then, the commander started to talk about someone who had a heart bigger then the whole room. He got a bit emotional, composed himself and then started talking again. He started listing off things that sounded really familiar, and sure enough, he was talking about Taylor and all she has done for the troops and the veterans. We had NO clue this was going to happen!

Taylor was called up and given a very nice certificate and a heartfelt thank you on behalf of the Veterans of the United States of America.

It was a great night and Taylor sure did have a big ole smile the rest of the night!

Taylor is still collecting cards for the veterans. I don't have a real count at this time, but I can tell you it is over 600 cards she has gotten so far! If you haven't done so, please consider helping her out or send the information on to others! All cards will be delivered to homebound veterans and to local nursing homes as well as the VA nursing homes. Taylor is so excited about the amount of cards she has gotten so far and hopes to get many more and this way, the veterans she delivers to will be able to get more then one card each.

In honor of Sgt. Matt Maupin

Today marked a sad day for Sgt. Matt Maupin's family. Their hopes of finding Matt, who was ambushed in 2004 west of Baghdad and has been missing ever since, were put to rest today. The remains of Matt have been identified through DNA.

http://www.abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=4553871

We all can hold the family close and wait, so that we all may welcome Matt home and that he will now be able to rest in peace.

Not Ready To End The Fight

This video was sent to Taylor and she loves it. Cpl. David Thibodeaux pretty much puts it on the line and says how he feels and it is how Taylor feels to! (the video was made in response to the Dixie Chicks and their lack of patriotism and supporting the troops)

Taylor felt this young man deserves a huge OOH RAH and great recognition for saying how it should be. So, Taylor asked me to put it on her blog for everyone to see and for everyone to remember, there are indeed MANY troops who wish to stay the course........
http://youtube.com/watch?v=11fHIINaZDQ

THANK A VETERAN!

Taylor has a new mission and she needs YOUR help and anyone else you can think of. Here is a copy of the email she sent out:

Hello everyone, this is Taylor Batten. How are you doing? I am ok, a bit sick but nothing I can't handle.

I need your help please. I am trying to get emails and cards for veterans and when I get them all, I am going to take them to local nursing homes and then the VA nursing homes and deliver them to our veterans. It doesn't have to be a holiday or Veteran's Day to say thank you to a veteran does it? I don't think so and I want our veterans to know they are appreciated. Especially our older veterans in the homes, they might not get many visitors and might not feel like they are loved. Can you help me? You can send an email back to me marked VETERAN and then we will print it out. I will cross out your email address if you want to. Or you can send a card marked VETERAN in care of Taylor Batten and I will not open the card but take it to the homes and let the veterans open them. Also if you can, pass this around to anyone you know that you might think will help me.

My email address is cab24@verizon.net and the address to send cards to is:
VETERAN in care of Taylor Batten
PO Box 350
Mendon, MI 49072

I will be collecting for a couple of weeks to make sure I get them all. Thank you very much if you can help me! And remember, pass this on to other people if you think they can help. It is our duty to make sure our veterans know they are appreciated and this is one way I can do that.

Thank you,

GySgt. Taylor Batten

So, as you can see, this IS a worthwhile project. One that she holds close to her heart and one that is so very important. In contacting some of the nursing homes, we were told that some of the veterans don't get any visitors and it totally appalled Taylor. She has enlisted the help of her entire school system and is setting her sights on other schools as well. PLEASE HELP TAYLOR THANK OUR AMERICAN HEROES!

HELP!

This was sent to us tonight and we have to say, all it will take is a few minutes to send an email, or a card to these guys. That is the amount of time it takes you to read an email joke and then forward it on. HELP THESE GUYS. Because this is Taylor's blog, I will not say how disgusted I feel over the betrayal these guys must feel over the article that was written on them in the New York Times. I can tell you how heartbroken Taylor was to read it and the look on her face said it all........


http://www.blackfive.net/
Paratroopers Fighting in Afghanistan Need to Hear from You!Posted By Blackfive
Not too long ago, Blackfive readers, joined by thousands of readers from other blogs, sent over 30,000 emails of support to Marines in Iraq. The Marines had to shut down the email address because you all were causing bandwidth issues with the support we were sending.
Now, as if the Taliban and Al Qaeda, bad weather, and lack of support here at home weren't bad enough, the New York Times has published a one-sided view of the paratroopers tour in Afghanistan.
And so now we have cause to band together again and send massive support down range. Here's why:
Even though spring hasn’t officially arrived the snow line is beginning to move up the mountains in Kunar and surrounding provinces in Afghanistan. The Taliban have already begun attacking the KOP, Firebases and Observation Points where elements of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team from Bamberg and Schweinfurt, Germanicenza, Ily, are deployed. Almost 4,000 Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry (Airborne), 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry (Airborne) and 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry were deployed to Kunar and surrounding provinces in Afghanistan in May 2007 for a 15 month rotation. This region of eastern Afghanistan in the Hindu Kush mountains bordering Pakistan has been designated the most dangerous place on earth for military personnel.

A Paratrooper from 2nd Platoon, Able Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), navigates a steep incline during a patrol to Omar in Kunar province in Afghanistan Jan. 11. Date Taken: January 11th, 2008. Location: Kunar province, AF. Photographer: Sgt. Brandon Aird, Joint Combat Camera Center
This winter has been particularly harsh. Many of the Soldiers are living in mud huts and tents with little or no heat, no running water, intermittent use of generators, supply drops via air to drop zones that require a hike of up to 40 minutes each way in order to retrieve the supplies, 30+ days out on missions at the firebases without showers or daily hot meals before rotating back to the KOP or Camp Blessing for hot showers, hot meals and the ability to communicate with their families and friends.

Photo courtesy of a Sky Soldier
The Sky Soldiers have trudged through up to seven feet of snow on patrols day in and day out often at altitudes of 7,000 feet and higher. Each Soldier carries between 60 and 100 pounds of gear on these patrols. They Soldier-On each day despite the loss of many friends and comrades and substantially high numbers of wounded. Untold numbers of great Americans have provided amazing amounts of support to these Soldiers during this deployment. Public, private and civic organizations have provided direct support or indirect support.
A recent article by Elizabeth Rubin in the New York Times painted one Platoon of this Brigade in a less than favorable light. The article sensationalized the facts in a negative way, which served only to cause undue stress on the Soldiers and family members. The author failed to mention successes within the Brigade such as substantial humanitarian aid (tons of food and clothes) delivered to local villages, medical care for local children and adults, road projects, clean water projects, training of Afghan National Army personnel, distribution of school supplies, etc. [Don't worry, friends, Deebow is preparing a more detailed take down of Elizabeth Rubin. Stay tuned for that.]
Historically, spring is a time of heavy fighting in this region as the terrorists and insurgents emerge from their caves after the harsh winter temperatures and snows. Let’s show these Soldiers how much support they have from home to help them through the spring and the remainder of this long and dangerous deployment., Americaatroopers are in the fight of their lives and they need to hear that America loves them.
Please send an email of support to skysoldiers173rd@gmail.com
Or you can mail cards to:
Leta CarruthP O Box 100Cordova, TN 38088
Due to security reasons in Afghanistan please do not put addresses or phone numbers on any correspondence. All emails will be printed out here in the US and mailed to Afghanistan as they do not have the resources to receive a large number of emails. All letters and emails will be vetted to make sure there are no negative comments. These are letters of support, so please keep them positive and uplifting.
A Huge THANK YOU to the proponents of (and the leaders of) this effort - Tanker Babe and Mrs. Diva!

Saying it how she feels

Taylor brought home her work she had to do in class the other day. She had to write about something and she chose to write about how she felt about the war going on. Now mind you, this is coming from a child. Some sentences are in fact, factual. Some, just how she feels in her heart, others that she has read on the internet, through milblogs, or seeing it on the news. Some of it when you read, might not make sense. But in her heart and in her mind, it makes sense to her and I believe in HER sense a heck of a lot more then I believe in some of the so called people that should know better! Once again, we are very proud of her, for having the courage to stand up and say how she feels.

The War in Iraq

Hundreds of thousands of men, women and children have been abused or killed in Iraq by insurgents. Thousands of men were forcefully oppressed into the Iraqi Army Regime. They had to worry about their wife and kids being tortured or killed with no reason at all. Their families would be killed for speaking their minds, or stating their opinion. Entire families would be beheaded even for something as stupid as the way a woman wore their turbans over their face. It is WRONG the way that the Iraqi people were forced to live. The terrorists have killed hundreds of thousands of their own people as well as our own troops and our own innocent civilians on the home fronts of America during 9/11. Do you think that it is our duty to America as well as Iraq to help free and liberate the Iraqi people from these awful criminals who spread terror across the nation, and to have a sense of mind that we put a stop to the terrorism and hatred? I do. Don't you want the bad guys locked up and or killed for their actions so we know they will never do this again? I do. This war is not about revenge, but I sure do believe that we have a purpose over there, and that is why I am here today, to talk about the war in Iraq.

I am for the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. I am for what our troops are doing in those places. I don't just believe, I KNOW we are an essential role in Iraq and Afghanistan, and are making slow but sure progress. It is my personal opinion along with many others, that if we pull out now, it is a sign to the terrorist that they could get away with their ways and with 9/11 and can attack again, and say that they defeated the United States of America on the battle front. I don't want this to happen.

The tide in Iraq is turning and here is proof. Just a few short months ago, the situation in Ramadi, Anbar Province was unstable to the point where going outside was dangerous. But the U.S. military in cooperation with the Iraqi Army have improved security significantly and can now go to work to improve the quality of life in the area. In addition, USMC Sgt. Brody Zeigler of the 3rd Battalion 7th Marines wants to provide for local children by giving them school supplies, food and athletic equipment. There are now over 2,500 renovated schools and 32,000 certified teachers. If we could all send care packages to our troops with something in it for the kids, it will be much easier to liberate and win trust of the Iraqis. How do you do that you ask? You talk to families that have people serving, you get on the web and find military websites, you use www.anysoldier.com What to send? Well, even if it is a beanie baby, it will make a difference to those children who have had to go through so much. Hard candies, chocolate in the winter are favorites as well (ONLY and I mean ONLY send chocolate in the winter, otherwise you would have some chocolate milk and not the cold kind!) Some of the troops even share their own things that were never meant for the kids, but they share them. Notebooks, pencils, pens, even chalk can make those kids happy. They are Iraqis future.

My second reason for the war in Iraq is that the top military commander in Iraq said that violent attacks in the country had fallen by 60 percent. 60 PERCENT!! That is amazing. Even compared to a short couple of months ago, when attacks were the norm, however, he said that the security gains were tenuous and fragile. In addition, there has been fewer numbers of IED attacks in the past three months. The secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, says that the direction in Iraq is headed in a significantly more positive direction.

My third by not last reason is, the top Marine General told reporters that fatalities cause by insurgency was steadily declining. John Burns of the New York Times recently braved the notoriously dangerous Haffia street in Baghdad, but found signs for sure of the tide shifting. He noted encouragingly that two Iraqi battalions were patrolling the area. It is the first time that any homegrown brigade had secured a combat zone. These are no longer the sweaty, overweight Iraqis of Gunner Palace. Now they are ready to fight. General David Petraeus has said there are over 200,000 Iraqi Army troops on duty and patrolling and securing. I think that is very good and promising progress.

I admit there has been death. There has been bloodshed and there has been hard times. But if you look at previous wars, like WW2, we lost 291,557 troops. The valiant actions in Vietnam cost the lives of 60,000. We can't pull out for the 3,900 that have died in Iraq, they can't be lost in vain. They gave their lives for the good of other people.

If you go to Iraq, you see people waving the Iraqi and American flags. The violence has gone down, I don't need to tell you that. We haven't found Osama Bin Laden, that is true, but he has to constantly move because we are still hunting for him. We will find him. It is the duty of the United States of America to finish off the bad guys that came and hurt us in unimaginable ways. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on Dec 7, 1941, we went into immediate action and defeated the Japanese. If we could do it then, we can surely do it now.

In our day and age, we are concerned about where we are going to eat or what we are going to watch on TV and not for our troops overseas. That needs to change!!!! Our troops need our support and morale so they can fight for you and for the innocent people of Iraq. If you want the world to be a better place, then help out the troops. They will make it happen. You look at history and we can and will prevail. All we need to do is pull together and make this happen. It is our troops that make this a free country and a safe country. We need to respect that.

I do not think people in congress should take our troops out of Iraq. It is the troops on the front lines that make the difference. The troops who are getting down and dirty and sweaty and fighting, know what is going on over there. Not some person in a suit, working behind a desk in an air conditioned room.

Even though there are over 200,000 Iraqi troops, they cannot be trained over night, just like our troops can't be trained over night. That is why the Iraqi troops are not ready to defend and fight for their country, they are not ready and they still need training. It is up to us to train them so that they can really fight for what is right. We can't just pull out now, because they can't fight, then there will be another dictatorship and we will just have to go back anyways.

I don't know what more I have to say to make you guys realize that our troops are not criminals, they are not monsters and they are not wrong doers, they are just like you and me. They have family and friends. They fight for our country and for freedom. In fact, I hope that you can see they are kind and caring. I cannot stress how important it is to support our troops. They need morale boosters. It is not hard to send a letter to say THANK YOU. A letter to a Marine or soldier can make a big difference. It shows you care. Just support our troops, it is that simple.

Here are some great things from the war in Iraq. The whole international community has pledged 38 billion dollars for schools, health care and infrastructure. That will go a long way for make the schools a better and safer environment. Also, there are more up to date hospitals with better trained nurses. The Iraqi civilians who are hurt by the insurgents can not get proper medical care. A UN resolution will move Iraq towards self government. If Iraq can govern itself, than all we need to do is train the Iraqis, help the Iraqis provide security and do humanitarian work. NATO will help train and equip Iraqi forces to a greater level. More Iraqi security means less of our troops would have to be on the front lines. We could then focus on humanitarian aid. Food and electricity and now evenly distributed across the country. Nearly all of Iraq has food and electricity. Nearly 2,500 schools has been renovated. Just think, those kids can now go to school without consequences. 32,000 teachers in country, teaching can open up jobs and get this country off the ground. After all, the mind is the greatest tool. Health care spending has increased 30 fold since liberation. That means there is more money in the health care system. 2.5 million barrels of oil are being shipped all over the world and that means big bucks for the nation and that helps out everyone in the long run. Free press is one of the most important freedoms. While under Saddam, no one had a right to speak their mind, or do anything really. There was not a whole lot of information being passed around. Knowledge is the greatest thing to have and now they are gaining more and more. Small businesses are starting to thrive. Getting more businesses going would help us get out faster to. Iraq's currency is getting more stable, where as when Saddam was in charge, there wasn't even bartering going on. So you see, all of these are great stepping stones to the beginning of a new nation.

My call for action is to support your troops and support the war in Iraq. We need to help those people over there. We are doing this for the better good of the United States and for Iraq. We are now going to send our troops more heavily into Afghanistan and do what we are now doing in Iraq. I think this is going to be a long war, it already has, but if you look at our name, The United States of America, you see united. We as Americans need to unite and support our troops so they can get the job done!! I hope that you all have learned something from this. I know I have. Our troops are doing a heckuva lot more good then most people think. Thank you for your time.

A story about an American Hero

This past weekend, I took Taylor to the Kalamazoo Air Zoo. She just loves the old war planes and we decided to make a day of it. Do you believe in fate? I DO!

While we were there, Taylor was able to get into the cockpit of a B 25. It was very cool and as she was sitting there, the man that let her up there asked her a few questions like she was a 'little girl'. By the time we got done talking, his jaw was hanging down! She first started telling him what she knew about the B 25 and he was impressed. Then he got a very small scale story about Taylor and once she said she was a GySgt, he about fell out of the plane as he yelled 'A GUNNY? YOU ARE A GUNNY?!' Of course, this always tickles Taylor when she gets that type of reaction. She talked further with the man and told him her all time favorite WW11 planes were the Mustang and the mighty B 17. The man got a bit quiet and told her he had something for her. When we got out of the plane, he told her to walk a certain way and when she saw a man in a wheelchair to stop by and say hi.

So, we wandered a bit and came up on a little old man sitting in a wheel chair. He had on his WW11 veteran hat and he had on a uniform shirt that was just full of ribbons. She shook his hand and thanked him for his service. He talked to her for a few minutes then asked her if she knew anything about the B 17. She told him 'yes sir, that is my favorite bomber'. His eyes settled on her, took her hand and asked her if she would like to talk to him for a bit.

The man that was holding Taylor's hand, was a B 17 pilot, Larry Jenkins. Taylor and I promptly sat right down in the middle of the floor to listen to him talk.

He was just out of high school and was playing cards with a bunch of his buddies when on the radio came word that Pearl Harbor had been hit. He knew then, he was going to go sign up. He wanted to be a pilot and he went through a lot of schooling to become the B 17 pilot.

He told us that he was so excited, he was young, fearless and that at that time, the guys were actually excited to go to war. That was, until his first mission. Once up in the air and they got shot at with the anti air craft artillery came up and was hitting their plane, taking chunks of it off. They landed safely and all marveled at the damage and that they survived. He was very afraid after that, but he couldn't let it stop him from doing his job.

Being a new crew, they usually got the older planes that had issues. On one mission, the plane they got had TROUBLE written across the nose, he knew it wasn't a good sign. They were over enemy territory in Romania with a full bomb load when they lost an engine. They were losing speed and had to turn away from the formation. He knew he had to drop the bombs, so they flew and found some railroad tracks and destroyed them.

They lost another engine and are now flying with only 2 and they were over 300 miles away from a safe zone and all alone. A mountain range was coming and they had to get over it. But the B 17 is massive and heavy and they only had 2 engines. Larry told the crew to get rid of any and everything in the plane, except their chutes. He made them get rid of their guns, ammo, bomb scope. But they kept losing altitude. He got the idea that if they could get rid of the ball turret, which was pretty heavy, they might be ok. While flying on 2 engines, fighting with every ounce he had, he helped figure out how to get the ball turret off. They were still to heavy. He ordered all the doors be taken off as well. Larry had a hard time maintaining speed so that plane didn't stall, but he somehow managed to skim over the mountain range. Once they got back to safety, they had to face a 45 mph cross wind and he had to put the plane down in the middle of a hay field, most of the plane was missing, but he brought his crew back safe. He got the Distinguished Flying Cross for that mission.

His crew finally got a new plane but they stuck out like a sore thumb because it was shiny, it hadn't been painted the drab green yet and they had a bad feeling. On July 16, 1944 on a mission over Austria (they had been here before and knew it was going to be bad), they dropped their bombs and had turned back around over the city to leave and they were hit 2 times, direct hits. It killed his bombardier instantly and wounded his navigator. The #3 engine burst into flames and Larry realized he had been hit. He was blinded and could only see the bright lights from the flames of the engine, but he knew they were spinning out of control. He was still in his seat and somehow managed to get his chute on, but he had to take off his flack jacket to do so. He stood up to get out of his seat and fell. Both of his legs were broken.

He crawled his way back to the bomb bay doors, hoping someone had opened them. They were closed. He tried to push with his legs, that is when he realized how badly his legs were broken, both were compound fractures. He had lost a lot of blood and oxygen. He prayed, Lord, I will be with you soon.

He felt a hand on his shoulder. Everyone had bailed, except one guy, Ray Voss. Ray talked with Larry 33 years later and told him when he got to the bomb bay doors, Larry was unconscious. Ray left and was going to jump and leave Larry because of how severe Larry's wounds were, but at the last minute he couldn't do it, he couldn't leave Larry there.

He opened the bomb bay doors and rolled Larry out, hoping the cold would wake Larry up enough for him to pull his own rip cord. Larry did, but passed out again. He came to as he was being shot at, and hit on his way down. When he landed, he was surrounded by Germans.

That began his journey as a POW under some very horrific conditions. He was a POW until May 10, 1945. If you would more details on this time, you can email and I will tell you. The conditions were horrendous and what he and the others suffered through were and are heartbreaking.

Yet, here he sat, in his wheel chair talking so incredibly proud. Taylor never once took her eyes off of him and many times, he looked directly to her as he talked, as if they were the only 2 left.

When he came back to the states, he spent several years at the Percy Jones Army Hospital in Battle Creek which is now the Hart-Doyle-Inouye Federal Center.

He told Taylor he had no regrets, none. He asked 2 things of Taylor as he gave her a book that was written about him and he signed his name under one of his pictures. He asked her to take care of his book, his story, forever. The last thing he asked of her, to always remember him, Larry Jenkins, B 17 pilot.

I can't even tell you how profound this meeting was. When we were done, he pulled himself out of his chair and he saluted. GULP, I had tears just flowing. What an amazing man, what an amazing story, what an amazing American Hero!

The best day at the Air Zoo, that is for sure!

LCpl Harper receives the Bronze Star

As most of you know, Taylor spent a week at Camp Lejeune and got to do some outstanding and amazing things. Throughout the week, she had 2 wounded warriors that were able to 'shadow' her and they were able to do the things she did. It was really cool for them and for her to be with them.

Taylor's school library gets the magazine Leatherneck and she always checks it out. She got off the bus this week running wildly to the house. She threw open the magazine and here was a picture of one of the wounded warriors she spent the whole week with, LCpl Harper.

Here is the article: (sorry I have to type it out, but if I try to scan it, it doesn't show up, I am not that computer savy remember?)

Decorated Lance Corporal's Advice:
Don't Panic, Follow Orders, Do What You Are Told.

Lance Corporal Albert R Harper, a vehicle operator with the 3d Battalion, Sixth Marine Regiment, Second Marine Division, Regimental Combat Team 6, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), was awarded the Bronze Star medal with combat "V" at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug.23, 2007, for heroism and courage while under fire. He also was presented the Purple Heart for wounds suffered while conducting combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom Feb. 16, 2007.

Harper was leaving Camp Corregidor, near Ramadi, Iraq, when an 82 mm mortar round hit his vehicle.

"The mortar round struck the roof of the vehicle just behind the driver's seat," Harper said. "It sent shrapnel rounds through the vehicle and through my right shoulder blade all the way to my right arm."

In the attack, the convoy's leader, Captain Todd Seibert, was killed, which forced the the battalion gunner to take charge. After the attack, Harper's battalion gunner assessed the situation and instructed him to take over the controls and drive the vehicle.

Harper drove the vehicle an additional three kilometers through hostile urban terrain to evacuate several remaining injured Marines despite being in tremendous pain and rapidly losing blood and consciousness.

Harper gave advice for Marines preparing to deploy and about facing challening situations. "Remain calm no matter what," he said. "Panic is not the answer. Follow orders and do what you are told."

Brigadier General David H. Berger, assistant division commander of 2dMarDiv, pinned the medals on Harper. "No Marines that get awarded medals of valor or Purple Hearts ask for it," the general explained. "At the right time and the wrong place, they took the right action."

Taylor and I had the great pleasure of being with this young man for a week and he was so nice and kind. He was quiet, but he was wonderful to be around. To LCpl Harper, OOH RAH and Semper Fi from the Gunny!

Free Throw winner again!

Well, Taylor stared her old advisary down and she beat it! The last few years, she has been in a free throw contest and she always got to the next level, but when it came to this last level, she could never win. Mad her so mad to!

This year, she took it on and won! Now, she moves to the next level. We are very proud of her on this. She can't play sports and she is going up against girls that have played all along, as well as them all being twice her size. She had to do her 3 warm up shots and missed. UGH, I kept looking at her dad and saying, she is talking herself out of it. Before hand, she listened to her Marine Corp Hymn again, wore her Marine shirt and thought of her beloved Major B who just arrived in Iraq. She got into a zone and made 19 out of 25! We still are amazed at how she does it, as small as she is and given she has visual spatial issues....

To top it off, her brother and her brought home their report cards and BOTH of them got all A's and B's!! WAY TO GO!