Soldier of fortune

Image courtesy: Facebook

Sgt. Ethan Hardin had big dreams. After traveling the world in defense of his country, he planned to start a small business in his native city of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Soldiers who served with Hardin, from Europe to the Middle East, were in awe of his ambition.

"He fought better, played harder and made his fortune because he couldn’t be kept down. Any time things got rough or difficult; there was a quick smile and a joke," said Spc. Erik Mitchell. "He was simply the one [soldier] I knew would never let this year overwhelm me or anyone else, but now he’s moved on."

According to the Pentagon, Sgt. Hardin, 25, was killed on January 7 in Afghanistan's Logar province. He died alongside Pfc. Ira Benjamin Laningham IV, 22, who this blog recently profiled. Officials said the soldiers, who served with the Army's 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, were attacked by terrorists using improvised explosive device and small arms fire.

Tom Hardin, the departed warrior's father, told 40/29 TV in northwest Arkansas that his son was heavily guided by faith.

"As a family we have a close relationship with Christ and we know that Ethan did," Tom Hardin said.

With that deep belief in God and commitment to service came a sense of humor that earned him the nickname "EZ" -- for his easygoing manner -- from fellow soldiers and friends back home.

"He was always concerned with making sure everyone was happy. He was definitely the peacemaker of our group," sixth grade classmate Olivia Marie Yates posted on a Facebook tribute page. "The last text he sent me...all he was talking about was how our class needed to get back together. He just wanted everyone to love each other."

"Little did he know how much we all love him," she continued. "He will be so missed."

At an Afghanistan memorial service, which was covered by Sgt. 1st Class Matt Meadows, the grieving soldiers of Task Force Patriot echoed those authentic sentiments. They feel fortunate to have served with Sgt. Ethan Hardin.

"His spirit, his drive to live life to its fullest, does not move on with his passing," continued Mitchell. "Remember Hardin as the man he was - a man of limitless talent, a man with an undying spirit."

The impact of Hardin's death also echoed through one of our nation's most powerful chambers, when Arkansas Congressman Steve Womack spoke about one of his state's fallen heroes on the House floor.

"Nicknamed 'EZ' for his easygoing personality, Sgt. Hardin was also a veteran of the conflict in Iraq," Rep. Womack said. "Sgt. Hardin was the product of a loving Christian family, and a 2004 graduate of Fayetteville Christian School. His dedication to God and country defined him, as both man and soldier."

One cause important to Ethan Hardin, who the Army posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant, was protecting military funerals from hateful and disruptive protesters. To their infinite credit, the Patriot Guard Riders were there to shield Sgt. Hardin's loved ones after his tragic passing.

"I know he would want all of us smiling and like Olivia said, loving each other," Doug Francis wrote in the memorial group. "He really was a peacemaker, and a good man."

Image courtesy: U.S. Army

Angel in the sky

Images courtesy: Sgt. Derek Carlson

Lt. Sarah Ballard is a flight surgeon for the United States Navy. During her previous deployment to Iraq and current tour in Afghanistan, she has earned infinite gratitude and respect from United States Marines. That's because instead of worrying about herself, she is constantly concerned about Marines in combat, going well above her assigned responsibilities to provide world-class care.

"She is selfless in her duties as she volunteers to fly on combat missions in support of the infantry as an aerial observer and on-call [casualty evacuation] doctor," said Lt. Col. Thomas Pecina, commanding officer for Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 362, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward). "I am extremely proud of all of her accomplishments."

Sgt. Derek Carlson reports that Lt. Ballard, who is currently stationed at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, has won the annual Richard Luehrs Memorial Award. She's the flight surgeon of the year.

"It has been a great experience working with this squadron," said Ballard. "The commanding officer truly cares about the Marines, which makes our job much easier."

Sgt. Carlson writes that the humble lieutenant graciously attributes her success to her three corpsmen, who have helped her deal with everything from flu outbreaks to meticulously keeping medical records during HMM-362's combat mission. While deployed to Iraq, Ballard worked directly with civilians to help them make advances in women's health. After her tour in Afghanistan ends, she will continue her world-class medical studies at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

Every day, I am further awed by the unparalleled level of skill and compassion displayed by U.S. service members in Iraq and Afghanistan. Occasionally, our military is subjected to ugly stereotypes, with volunteer warriors being referred to as downtrodden members of society who had no other choice but to enlist. On the contrary, I believe our military is filled with many of our nation's bravest and most talented citizens, as the stellar achievements of Lt. Sarah Ballard demonstrate.

Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 362 is nicknamed "the Ugly Angels." As Marines play a critical role in the drive toward victory in Afghanistan, by air and land, they know their angel in the sky is watching.

The Super Bowl

Images courtesy: Lance Cpl. Clayton Vonderahe

There is a lot to complain about when it comes to air travel. But after seeing this picture of Marines flying to Afghanistan, trying to get some much-needed rest before their lengthy combat deployment, I remembered how good we have it on the homefront because of the men and women protecting us overseas.

"Chaplain Todd, take good care of our Marines!" Loraine Todd posted on Facebook.

Regimental Combat Team 8 of the 2nd Marine Division will be deployed in some particularly dangerous areas, and the success of their mission is critical to the overall Afghanistan war effort. For these warriors, this is what they've been practicing for since they first joined the military. It's their bottom of the ninth in Game 7, deciding field goal, or game-winning shot.

"This is for my son: I love you and miss you," Michelle Dolan posted on the RCT-8 Facebook page. "I can't wait until we can talk soon, I hope."

Brave service members entering the war zone include Lance Cpl. Justin McCourt, a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense specialist, pictured here loading gear before the flight to war. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Keith Olson, a religious programs specialist, also made the long trip with his brothers in arms.

At least one Marine had a smile on his face as he headed into Afghanistan. That's because his favorite team just won the NFC Championship Game, and will face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV.

"I heard from my Marine, Joshua Taylor! He is doing well!" Amy Taylor posted. "I hope he gets to watch his Packers play in the Super Bowl!"

So do we. If it weren't for all the men and women who have stepped up their games since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, national days of recreation like Super Bowl Sunday would not be possible.

Please read the letter

Image courtesy: Petty Officer 1st Class Stephen Hickok

At the bottom of a new letter sent to every American service member in Afghanistan, Gen. David Petraeus, commander of U.S. forces in the country, handwrote a personal message to the left of his signature.

"Thanks for your great work!"

Like Eisenhower and other great generals before him, Petraeus believes that personal communication with the men and women he commands is crucial. Similar to letters he once wrote to U.S. troops in Iraq, he also believes that hard times and personal sacrifices should be acknowledged by the man in charge, as the below excerpt demonstrates.

"To be sure, nothing about the past year's achievements was easy. To the contrary, our successes entailed hard fighting, tough losses, and periodic setbacks along the way. Moreover, you had to transition from intense combat to complex stability operations -- and back again -- on innumerable occasions, sometimes on the same day. Your versatility, skill, determination, and courage have truly been the stuff of history -- and we have sought to capture your accomplishments and recognize individuals and units accordingly."

On January 17, Gen. Petraeus personally attended a reenlistment ceremony in Afghanistan's Zabul province. On that special day at Forward Operating Base Lagman, four soldiers with the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment made another commitment to serve our country during a time of war.

Staff Sgt. Shawn Purdy, Bluefield, West Virginia
Spc. Jared Slate, Casper, Wyoming
Spc. Sutham Chanthasouvanh, Waianae, Hawaii
Sgt. Alexis Means, Durham, North Carolina

Sgt. Means, pictured below, and her brothers in arms did an incredible thing by volunteering more of their blood, sweat, and tears in the years ahead. While it would be impossible for their commanding general to attend every reenlistment ceremony, I'm sure these soldiers deeply appreciated the chance to shake his hand.

On January 13, Capt. Pete Hegseth and Lt. Wade Zirkle (Ret.) of Vets For Freedom wrote in The Wall Street Journal that Petraeus deserves to join an elite group of generals who have been awarded a fifth star. They have also launched a Facebook group, 'Let's Get General Petraeus his 5th Star', to promote the effort.

Since I haven't had the honor of serving in the military, I will leave this decision to far more qualified individuals. Instead, I will humbly borrow Gen. David Petraeus' handwritten message to his brave troops fighting in Afghanistan. Thanks for your great work!

Image courtesy: Sgt. Gerald Wilson

'She was ready to take on the world'

Image courtesy: U.S Army

It's been almost five years since Pfc. Amy Bullock Sinkler graduated high school. Yet even to this day, one of her teachers still remembers the look on her face the night she took such an important step toward becoming a productive member of society.

"She had that big smile on her face that she had from the day she walked in here," Brian McClendy, who teaches at West Columbus High School in Cerro Gordo, North Carolina, told WECT-TV. "She had her diploma and she was ready to take on the world with that positive attitude she had."

That's exactly what she did. The Army said Pfc. Sinkler enlisted in August 2009, and was stationed at Alaska's Fort Richardson with the 109th Transportation Company, 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. Sinkler, whose maiden name is Bullock, married her high school sweetheart last year and was spending her first months as a newlywed in Alaska before deploying to Afghanistan.

After the 23-year-old motor transport operator arrived in the war zone, Sinkler's sister told WECT's Gavin Johnson that she experienced losing a friend in combat, which deeply shook the soldier. Two warriors from Sinkler's unit, Pfc. William Dawson, 20, and Pfc. Jaysine Petree, 19, died in a September 24 improvised explosive device attack between Ghanzi and Bagram Air Field. The devastating loss made Sinkler yearn for the arms of her loved ones.

Tragically, Sinkler was reunited with her family in a dignified transfer ceremony at Delaware's Dover Air Force Base on Saturday. According to the Pentagon, the soldier was killed January 20 in Baghlan province when terrorists attacked her unit with a rocket-propelled grenade. Sinkler leaves behind her husband in Alaska and many loved ones and friends in eastern North Carolina.

"Amy was a sweet, loving, kind hearted person," Britteny Bullock told the television station. "Everyone who met her loved her."

Less than a week after her death, more than 500 people have already joined a Facebook tribute group called "In Loving Memory of Amy Renee Bullock-Sinkler."

"We drive vehicles," a fellow Army motor transport operator posted. "It's dangerous, but we have no fear. We are amongst the bravest. Other soldiers look up to us as a sign of relief and hope when we come. Road Dogz!"

As she smiled and proudly displayed her high school diploma on a warm spring evening in 2006, Pfc. Amy Bullock Sinkler could have done anything she wanted with her life. She eventually chose to risk everything in service to her country. On this cold 2011 winter morning, she has the respect and admiration of the grateful nation she stepped up to defend.

Image courtesy: U.S. Air Force/Roland Balik

The bracelet

Images courtesy: Spc. Breanna Pye

One lonely day in Afghanistan, Spc. Amber Lewis received a letter from her eight-year-old nephew back in Romney, West Virginia. He wanted to thank her for a bracelet she gave him before leaving home.

"In the letter, he told me he was never going to take my bracelet off because it was like having me there with him," Lewis, 21, told Spc. Breanna Pye.

Deeply inspired by the young boy's words, Spc. Lewis, who is assigned to the 372nd Military Police Company, 504th Military Police Battalion, decided to spend her free time making bracelets for her nephew's entire third grade class. The article explains that the soldier is using 550 cord, which is often used as utility cord by military personnel, to weave bracelets, key chains, and lanyards for the kids.

"After reading that letter, I started thinking I could do this for more than just my nephew," Lewis said. "I could give his whole class a positive piece of my history to carry around with them throughout their lives."

Bracelets are an important part of military culture. One family friend, a Marine combat veteran who served in Iraq, wears a bracelet at all times to honor a fallen comrade. In an upcoming Creators Syndicate column, you will be able to read about a military family that never removes its identical bracelets honoring a loved one killed in Afghanistan.

Tragically, there will be more memorial bracelets worn in the coming years to honor fallen U.S. service members, including seven identified during the past week as casualties of the war in Afghanistan. Six of these tragedies are listed by the Pentagon as combat-related, while Maj. Mooldyk's death is categorized as a non-combat incident.

Pfc. Amy Sinkler, 23, Chadbourn, North Carolina
Sgt. Jason Amores, 29, Lehigh Acres, Florida
Spc. Joshua Lancaster, 22, Millbrook, Alabama
Cpl. Joseph Whitehead, 22, Axis, Alabama
Pfc. Zachary Salmon, 21, Harrison, Ohio
Sgt. Zainah Creamer, 28, Texarkana, Texas
Maj. Evan Mooldyk, 47, Ranch Murieto, California

Because of Spc. Amber Lewis and her nephew, one West Virginia classroom is united in support and awareness for those who sacrifice. Perhaps these children can set an example for millions of adults no longer paying attention to daily events in Afghanistan or Iraq. Despite this frustrating lack of focus, at least one brave American service member sees reason for hope.

"It’s hard for deployed soldiers to be away from their families and loved ones, but we are constantly shown a humbling amount of support from complete strangers back home," said Lewis. "We get packages from church groups, schools and support groups from all over the United States that are full of little things that help brighten our day and help us through this deployment."

Half a world away, a soldier is weaving a bracelet. As the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks draws closer, it's time for every patriotic American to find space, whether on their wrists or inside their hearts, to honor the men and women protecting us.


Note: This post was updated at 8:47 p.m. EDT to reflect new information released by the Department of Defense.

Mystic river

Image courtesy: Sgt. Mark Fayloga

I have written extensively about 1st Lt. Scott Fleming (left) and Sgt. Joe Wrightsman (right), who died in September and July 2010, respectively, in Afghanistan's Helmand province. I had the privilege of attending a Georgia memorial service honoring 1st Lt. Fleming and have visited the graves of both heroes in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery on two separate occasions. Yet it wasn't until I saw the below photo that I truly began to grasp the sacrifices made by these Marines.

In Sgt. Mark Fayloga's moving photo, we see Maj. Gen. James Laster, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Division, presenting 2-year-old Macae Garcia, the son of Sgt. Wrightsman, with the Navy and Marine Corps Medal at a January 14 memorial service in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The little boy's father dove into the raging Helmand River trying to save an Afghan officer, who like Wrightsman, tragically drowned. While young Macae will likely end up accomplishing great things in his own life, he will always be the son of an The Helmand River Hero.

As I left 1st Lt. Fleming's memorial service in Roswell, Georgia on October 9, Van Morrison's "Into the Mystic" gently played on the Blessed Trinity High School auditorium's loudspeakers. I have listened to the song often since that emotional morning. This passage, written by Morrison in 1969, is particularly haunting.

When that fog horn blows you know I will be coming home
And when that fog horn whistle blows I got to hear it
I don't have to fear it

Fleming's wife, sister, and parents were individually comforted by Rev. Xavier-Zatown Bailey during the service. Attendees like myself learned that this Marine, who was killed protecting Afghanistan's election, believed he had no choice but to step up and fight after the September 11th attacks. An all-American boy who loved his country and grew up particularly close to his sister, this selfless patriot believed 'there has to be somebody' willing to defend freedom.

First Lt. Scott Fleming, 24, and Sgt. Joe Wrightsman, 23, were our brothers. They protected Americans and Afghans with equal strength, bravery, and vigor. Today, as you will see in the video of their Hawaii memorial service, their legacies flow stronger than any river and resonate more vividly than any dream. It is Americans like these who deserve our appreciation, respect, and celebration.


Video courtesy: Cpl. Colby Brown

The right stuff

Image courtesy: Staff Sgt. Jordan Jones

When you think about the war in Afghanistan, images of school desks, like Lt. Col. Thomas Nguyen and Lt. Col. Daniel Ooley are shown above evaluating, may not jump out in your mind. Yet for a compassionate military force that has boldly chosen to make improving the daily lives of Afghans a top priority, there are few moments more gratifying than helping children freed from the brutal Taliban's iron fist.

The whole idea of the Sir Asyab Girls High School in Kabul must infuriate Mullah Omar and the rest of his deposed regime, which treated women and young girls like animals while it clung to power. This school's February grand opening will be another sign that the hateful, repressive ideology shared by the Taliban and al Qaeda is being left on the ash heap of history.

Sensing that the enemy could possibly target Kabul's new bastion of learning, and also recognizing that the building is in a high-risk earthquake area, the allied engineers who designed the school insisted on the inclusion of a safety corridor.

"This corridor has extra-reinforced concrete quarter walls that will withstand an earthquake or fire," said Lt. Col. Ooley, "So the students can leave their classrooms and get safely out of the building."

In southeastern Afghanistan, right on the Pakistani border, U.S. military engineers oversaw the construction of large wall designed to protect children while they attend school in Chamkani. In the video embedded below, Sgt. 1st Class Steven Merrill reflected on why the project became so close to his heart.

"It makes me feel good that you know, in the future, these kids will feel safe coming to school," Sgt. 1st Class Merrill said. "They don't have to worry about anyone disrupting their education."

You almost certainly won't hear about either of these schools, or the Americans who risked their lives in war zones to help construct them, on tonight's evening news. But Lt. Col. Nguyen, Lt. Col. Ooley, Sgt. 1st Class Merrill, and their fellow troops aren't building and securing schools in Afghanistan to gain notoriety. They simply believe it is the right thing to do.


Video courtesy: Staff Sgt. George Maddon

From day to night

Image courtesy: Spc. Roland Hale

As reported on this blog's official Facebook and Twitter pages, three American troops were killed in Iraq on Saturday. Two days later, after all three families were notified, the fallen soldiers' names were released, along with more information about their tragic deaths.

The Pentagon said Spc. Jose Torre Jr., 21, was killed on January 15 in Baghdad when terrorists attacked his unit with a rocket-propelled grenade. The Garden Grove, California warrior was assigned to the Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, which is based out of Fort Riley, Kansas.

A second tragedy is one of the only recent incidents involving our troops in Iraq to get briefly mentioned by the national media. The Department of Defense said two soldiers with 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division were murdered in Mosul by an Iraqi soldier from the unit they were training. The Fort Hood, Texas service members died of the small arms fire wounds they sustained on January 15.

Sgt. Michael Bartley, 23, Barnhill, Illinois
Sgt. Martin Lamar, 43, Sacramento, California

Numerous media outlets are reporting that an unidentified third U.S. soldier was wounded in the attack. We stand united in hoping for this wounded service member's swift recovery.

Even after this senseless act of violence, U.S. forces will continue training Iraqis, despite risks to their own personal safety. A recent story by Pfc. Angel Washington detailed a December training exercise in Mosul held for Iraqis by U.S. infantrymen assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.

"Our goal was to take them out on a patrol from day to night and teach them how to set up observation posts," said Spc. Myrle Polk, an infantryman from Winter Haven, Florida. "We’re helping to better train them so they can train their guys. We want the Iraqis and the Kurds to work together because they're one country, not just ethnic groups."

While I haven't served in the military, this six-mile patrol with Iraqi trainees through urban areas strikes me as difficult and dangerous. I don't feel like the thousands of U.S. troops remaining in Iraq are getting enough credit at home for the hard work they perform every single day, from sunrise to sunset.

"We learned a lot from the American soldiers and now we can do our job and do it well," said Cpl. Saber Ismael of the Iraqi Army.

The terrorists who fired a rocket-propelled grenade at Spc. Jose Torre and the Iraqi soldier who betrayed his country by killing Sgt. Michael Bartley and Sgt. Martin Lamar failed to intimidate the United States military. While these tragedies are mourned and the fallen remembered, Operation New Dawn will succeed because our men and women in uniform care deeply about their mission. While it may no longer dominate our TV screens, Americans know the war in Iraq is not over until every hero is home.

Image courtesy: Pfc. Angel Washington

Honeymoon in Afghanistan

Image courtesy: Facebook

Pfc. Ira Benjamin Laningham IV married Pfc. Stephanie Laningham on October 18, 2010. Four days later, the newlyweds deployed to Afghanistan.

"Meeting you was fate. Becoming your friend was a choice. But falling in love with you I had no control over," the Army bride posted on her Facebook page.

As Elizabeth Findell reports in The Monitor, "Ben," as some friends and family members called him, and Stephanie joked that their deployment was a first honeymoon, while a trip to Disneyland after they came home would be their second.

"When you are in love you can't fall asleep because your reality is finally better then your dreams," Stephanie posted on Facebook.

Pfc. Ben Laningham's wife, mother, father, and siblings, including one brother who is a U.S. Army private, all worried about his safety while he was in Afghanistan. But as the occupation section of the volunteeer warrior's Facebook profile reads, Pfc. Laningham took enormous pride in his job. It says "currently enlisted in the U.S. Army, and proudly serving my country."

Even though Pfc. Stephanie Laningham got to see her husband much more often than a normal military wife, she knew the dangers of serving in a war zone.

"When I saw you I was afraid to meet you, when I met you I was afraid to kiss you, when I kissed you I was afraid to love you, now that I love you I'm afraid to lose you," she posted.

On January 7, everyone's worst fears became tragic reality. According to the Pentagon, Pfc. Ben Laningham, 22, was killed in Logar province when terrorists attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. Another Soldier who this blog will profile in an upcoming piece, Sgt. Ethan Hardin, 25, also died in the attack. They were assigned to 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, based out of Fort Polk, Louisiana.

Pfc. Ben Laningham's flag-draped casket arrived Saturday at Dover Air Force Base, where his devastated mother, relatives, and friends waited quietly for a moment they hoped would never occur. Then there was the long journey to Zapata, Texas, which gave a hero's welcome to its departed warrior.

"Your goal is to live life knowing that at any moment it could be your time," his brother, Pvt. Joseph Cantu, 20, told The Monitor. "(Ben) was pretty good at that, even before the Army."

Instead of planning their honeymoon to Disneyland, Pfc. Stephanie Laningham is paying tribute to her husband.

"God has added another Soldier to His army of angels. To look over, to protect, and to fight for his loved ones," she posted. "I wish I could see you in my dreams. But I know you're still in Afghanistan, fighting with your boys, making sure they return back home. That's my Infantry. My hero. My love. Until then, Ira, I'll be waiting for the night you come to visit me in my dreams."

The story of Pfc. Ira Benjamin Laningham IV teaches us to live every day like it's our last. It also shows us that we can be better husbands and wives. No matter what challenges we face in our relationships, few eclipse the difficulty of spending only four days together on U.S. soil before deploying to a primitive war zone halfway around the world. If Ben and Stephanie's bond grew stronger, maybe ours can too.

"Love is much like a wild rose. Beautiful and calm, but willing to draw blood in its own defense."

Image courtesy: U.S. Air Force/Jason Minto

Fighting to win

Image courtesy: Sgt. Justin Howe

Like most southern Afghanistan provinces, the security situation is unpredictable in Ghazni. While coalition forces have made great progress in the region, terrorists, when they're able, plant improvised explosive devices on and around the critical Kabul to Kandahar road. The Taliban, which places imposing its brutal rule above all other goals, wants to cut off the commerce and trade that often flows through Ghazni to starve the area and alienate citizens from allied forces.

By most measures, the terrorists are not succeeding. Yet on Wednesday, the U.S. Army experienced a tragedy that will impact many fellow troops, military families, and friends. According to the Pentagon, three Soldiers with the 7th Engineer Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division were killed when their unit was attacked with an improvised explosive device.

Sgt. Omar Aceves, 30, El Paso, Texas
Spc. Jarrid King, 20, Erie, Pennsylvania
Pfc. Benjamin Moore, 23, Robbinsville, New Jersey

Judging by a Google news search, this national tragedy is merely a blip on the national media's radar screen. But patriotic Americans understand the gravity of losing three fine volunteer warriors, especially in the dark hours after their families received knocks on the door from military messengers. All three Soldiers were Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipients. According to The Watertown Daily Times, Sgt. Aceves and his wife were raising six children together.

On Tuesday, January 18, flags at all state buildings in New York, where these three fallen heroes were stationed at Fort Drum, will be lowered to half-staff in honor of their sacrifices.

"On behalf of all New Yorkers, I extend our deepest sympathy to the family, the friends, and the fellow soldiers of Sergeant Aceves, Specialist King, and Private 1st Class Moore," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. "We mourn their loss but we remember their service to our nation and honor them for it."

The motto of the 7th Engineer Battalion is "Fight to Win!" These three Americans clearly devoted everything to that cause.

Winter warriors

Image courtesy: Creative Loafing Atlanta

You may have heard on the news about the snow and ice storm that has paralyzed much of the Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area for the last four days. Parts of the southern city, which is ill-equipped to deal with this level of winter weather, remain shut down. While northern roots make me a bit more seasoned to these conditions, this is easily the worst snow and ice storm I've experienced in my five and a half years here.

Angela Morgan, a Labor and Delivery Nurse at Grady Memorial Hospital, couldn't take a snow day, as babies will be born regardless of weather. Recognizing that her skills and services were essential, the Georgia National Guard stepped in to help Nurse Morgan get out of her neighborhood and into the downtown Atlanta hospital.

Spc. Joshua Blevins and Staff Sgt. Wilbur Bourque, both with the Georgia National Guard's 178th Military Police Company, spent several hours picking up hospital employees and bringing them to work so they could save lives. In Nurse Morgan's case, the Soldiers helped her bring new lives into the world.

"I'm so thankful that the National Guard came and picked me up because there's no way I could have made it into Grady," she said.

From the snowy streets of Georgia to the snowy mountains of Afghanistan, the National Guard is making a difference. Hopefully, the parents of the babies Angela Morgan helped deliver know who helped their nurse get to work.



Video courtesy: Staff Sgt. Gerard Brown

Note: Special thanks to Capt. Natasha English for alerting me to this story.

Not gone

When Staff Sgt. Joshua Mills joined the Army in 2005, his family prepared for many holidays apart, including Christmas. Yet as his older brother told The El Paso Times, the Green Beret would almost always manage to find his family on December 25.

"He would always try to surprise you," Quent Mills said, his voice breaking with emotion. "He'd come into town, but he wouldn't tell you. He would just show up on your doorstep."

I learned of Staff Sgt. Mills' story on Christmas 2010, while walking through Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery. While every resting spot on this sacred ground is important, Mills' headstone stood out because of moving, carefully placed decorations on and around the Soldier's headstone.

As you can see in the above photo, a loved one or friend pasted his picture and a "hero" sticker on each side of "U.S. Army," while the small tree and candy cane on each side of the headstone signify the true meaning of Christmas: Sacrifice, love, and family.

When Mills was deciding on his career path, Chris Roberts reports that he decided to follow the noble path of his dad, Tommy Mills, who had a distinguished career as an Army warrant officer. One of his brothers, Travis Mills, serves in the Air Force. Joshua Mills' inner call to serve was so strong that he left the University of Texas to enlist, trading dorm rooms and fraternity parties for 5 a.m. wake up calls and demanding tests of physical skill and emotional willpower. Training was hard on the aspiring Soldier, but it all paid off when he became part of the Army's elite Special Forces.

On September 16, 2009, the 24-year-old Green Beret was on his second deployment to Afghanistan when an improvised explosive device planted by terrorists took his life in Helmand province. Killed alongside Mills were Sgt. 1st Class Bradley Bohle, 29, and Sgt. Shawn McCloskey, 33. All three departed warriors served with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, based out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

"Josh loved his family, he loved his country, and he loved being a Green Beret," his older brother said.

December 25, 2010, marked the second Christmas since Mills was taken from his family. Not long beforehand was the second birthday of his young son, Malaki, who is learning about his father's heroism from his mother, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. A deeply moving Batman-themed birthday party invitation attached to the fallen Soldier's headstone shows us that dad will always be an integral part of his son's life.

"We feel you near...'Ki Ki' seems to sense your presence and says things and points when no one else is there. We know you are are NOT GONE -- you will always be with us -- especially in our hearts."

Cars were permitted to pass through most roads inside Arlington National Cemetery on Christmas, perhaps because officials knew how many relatives and friends wanted to visit their fallen heroes on the special holiday. Just as I was leaving, a large pickup truck pulled up with a huge tribute to Staff Sgt. Joshua Micah Mills on the back window. Once again, this proud, patriotic American family was together for Christmas.

'This is the reason I joined'

Image courtesy: Master Sgt. Michael Voss

On the evening of December 24, several members of an Afghan family were about to have dinner when an explosion shattered everything. A propane tank that helped heat the house blew up, killing two and injuring six others, including five children.

The only fortunate aspect of this awful tragedy for Ghulam Hazrat and his injured daughter, grandson, and other relatives was the U.S. military's capability and willingness to help. According to an article by Master Sgt. Michael Voss, Airmen at Craig Joint Theater Hospital at Bagram Air Field have been working "around the clock" for two weeks to save three burn patients it received from the explosion.

"This is the reason I joined," said Senior Airman Mabel Aguirre, a 455th Expeditionary Medical Operations Squadron medic who is pictured above. "I almost cried tears of joy when I got my tasking letter, I love waking up and coming here every day."

It's hard for someone who hasn't served in the military, like myself, to understand how tears of joy could be the reaction of an Airman finding out she will deploy to Afghanistan. But for so many of our valiant service members, the call of duty is so deep and the level of compassion so high that a war zone deployment is seen as the opportunity of a lifetime. Senior Airman Aguirre has certainly seized that chance, as all three burn patients are now on the road to recovery after several hours of intense surgeries. Here are the words of the Air Force surgeon who helped save the life of a one-year-old boy injured in the blast.

"I called my wife after finishing Ajamal’s first surgery to tell her about the experience," said Lt. Col. Robert Sheridan, 455th Expeditionary Medical Operations Squadron burn surgeon. "What a privilege. You don’t get to spend as much time with patients as a surgeon, but I think everyone gets connected to the kids."

Lt. Col. Sheridan, the privilege is all ours for having such a brave, skilled American doctor representing our nation in Afghanistan.

Around the war-torn country, U.S. troops are busy trying to save lives. A December 31 article by NATO's Matthew Milham talks about coalition efforts to prevent roadside bomb attacks like a vicious, cowardly December 30 assault that killed 14 innocent Afghans. An Air Force colonel explained several crucial aspects to preventing IED attacks before they occur, including active hunts for terrorists who build and plant the bombs.

"It’s more than just a couple of guys in a garage," said U.S. Air Force Col. Richard Moorehead, a member of ISAF’s Counter-IED Advisory Plans and Policy Team. "There’s a whole bunch of people behind them making it happen. And you have to figure out, where are the critical points ... and where are we going to put our assets to try to stop them?"

Roadside bombs are killing men, women, children, and coalition service members in Afghanistan. On January 7 in Logar province, two American Soldiers with the 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division were tragically killed by an improvised explosive device and small arms fire in Logar province.

Spc. Ethan Hardin, 25, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Pfc. Ira Laningham IV, 22, Zapata, Texas

While everyone who risks their personal safety to volunteer for our Armed Forces has different individual reasons, all are united by bravery, service, and patriotism. Whether it's saving burn patients, hunting for IED's and the terrorists who plant them, or providing security in remote regions like Afghanistan's Logar province, there is no group of warriors doing more good for the world than the United States military. Writing about them is a privilege.

Image courtesy: Sgt. Mark Fayloga

We love rock and roll

Images courtesy: Sgt. Debra Richardson

Last night in Kuwait, about 400 of our men and women in uniform got to have some fun. Thanks to the U.S. military and the USO, rock legend Joan Jett and country music star Kellie Pickler played a special January 9 concert at Camp Buehring.

Sgt. Debra Richardson was at the show, and reports that Jett had the audience rocking and singing along all night, especially during her biggest hit, "I Love Rock and Roll." That's no small accomplishment since Jett, 52, was selling out arenas before many troops in attendance were even born.

"She was really in-tune with the audience and received a lot of participation from the crowd, even though many of the Soldiers probably weren’t very familiar with her," explained Chief Warrant Officer 4 Ralph Wegner. "I’m old enough to know who Joan Jett is; I grew up listening to her during her hay day."

Pickler opened the show, and a Soldier from from West Virginia was one of the many volunteer warriors in the audience thrilled with her performance.

"It was nice to hear that country twang again," said Spc. Jeremiah Morgan.

I'm glad I checked Kellie Pickler's official Twitter page before posting this article, because she deserves a ton of credit for spending this week with our troops, considering what's going on in her life.

"Never imagined I would spend part of my honeymoon in the Persian Gulf," Pickler tweeted on January 8. "But, it's sooooooo worth it!"

According to the USO, this is Pickler's fourth USO tour and Jett's third. My favorite part of Sgt. Richardson's article is the section about Jett and Pickler staying around Camp Buehring for more than three hours after their performances to visit with troops, sign autographs, and say goodbye. They truly appreciate the sacrifices of America's humble patriots.

In an upcoming Creators Syndicate column, you will hear from a film and television actor who told me that while there are wonderful supporters of the troops in Hollywood like Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna, overall awareness and urgency about Iraq and Afghanistan is low. That seems to mirror the national media's dwindling coverage of both conflicts. Fortunately, celebrities like Jett and Pickler, along with actor Mark Wahlberg, who quietly visited troops in Afghanistan last month, are taking it upon themselves to pick up the slack.

I admire many actors, directors, musicians, sports figures, and celebrities for their amazing talents. But my deepest respect is reserved for those who use their fame to support the men and women protecting our nation. Our fine volunteer warriors deserve many more nights like the one they just enjoyed in Kuwait.

National tragedies

Image courtesy: Office of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords

I had just gotten off the phone with the younger sister of a fallen Navy SEAL hero on Saturday when news of a horrific grocery store shooting in Tucson, Arizona, broke. Several people were shot, and Rep. Gabrielle Giffords had been hit. Sunday, as the congresswoman clings to life, six families, including those of U.S. District Judge John Roll and a nine-year-old girl, are experiencing tremendous loss after their loved ones were murdered. Eleven others were wounded in the attack.

This shocking tragedy has deeply affected the military. Rep. Giffords is the only member of Congress married to an active duty military service member. Her husband, Capt. Mark Kelly, is a Naval aviator, Desert Storm veteran, and NASA astronaut scheduled to command the final space shuttle mission. His twin brother, Capt. Scott Kelly, is also a Naval aviator and astronaut. The Kellys are the only siblings who have both been to space.

In a statement released Saturday night, Defense Secretary Robert Gates noted Rep. Giffords' military ties.

"She is a strong supporter of America's national defense, cares deeply about our men and women in uniform, and has pursued her oversight responsibilities with dedication," Gates wrote. "Our thoughts are also with her husband, Navy Captain Mark Kelly, an aviator and astronaut of great distinction, as well as the families of the other victims of this attack."

On Sunday morning, Capt. Kelly was by his wife's side at a Tucson hospital.

The Washington Post and several cable news outlets erroneously reported that suspected shooter Jared Loughner, 22, may have been a military veteran. Responding to the false rumors, the U.S. Army issued the following statement.

"The Army has confirmed that the suspect was never in the Army. He attempted to enlist in the Army but was rejected for service. In accordance with the Privacy Act, we will not discuss why he was rejected."

As America mourns yesterday's senseless shootings, more tragic news has reached our shores. On Saturday, the Department of Defense announced the recent deaths of three American service members in Afghanistan.

Lance Cpl. Joseph Giese, 24, Winder, Georgia
Sgt. 1st Class Robert Pharris, 48, Seymour, Missouri
Spc. Christian Romig, 24, Kenner, Louisiana

At this hour, many in Georgia, Missouri, and Louisiana are expressing grief and heartbreak after the violent deaths of their hometown heroes. Millions are rightfully outraged by Saturday's horrific events in Arizona, and the cowardly tactics of the Taliban and al Qaeda in Afghanistan continue to infuriate patriotic Americans as well. Putting politics aside, there is no doubt that Rep. Giffords and Capt. Kelly understood the sacrifices being made by our brave military service members. Now, the military prays for them.

Dark hours like these remind us of September 11, 2001, the same day that Tucson shooting victim Christina Taylor Green, the nine-year-old girl who was taken from her family yesterday, was born. In the days, weeks, and months after terrorists attacked us in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, America came together. While we could let violence at home and abroad tear our country apart, this is a day for Americans to unite. For every psychotic murderer or terrorist, there are thousands of people who quietly spend their lives dedicated to love, honor, and peace.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Arizona shooting victims and their families, as well as the loved ones and fellow troops of the fallen Afghanistan war heroes identified on the same day. You will not be forgotten.

Image courtesy: Lance Cpl. Andrew Johnston

Note: The memorial service displayed above was held to honor Sgt. Garrett Misener, who was killed on December 27, 2010 in Afghanistan. Like Lance Cpl. Giese, Sgt. Misener was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force.

Héroes Americanos

File image courtesy: flickr.com

Thursday was a day of pride in Puerto Rico, as the islands celebrated second baseman Robert Alomar's Wednesday election to the Hall of Fame. Alomar is only the third Puerto Rican to have an honorary plaque in Cooperstown, joining baseball legends Roberto Clemente and Orlando Cepeda.

Sadly, the excitement in Puerto Rico has been tempered by tragic news from Iraq, which was announced on Thursday. The Pentagon said Spc. Jose Delgado Arroyo and Sgt. Jose Cintron Rosado were killed January 2 in Taji when terrorists attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device. The Soldiers were assigned to the 1013th Engineer (Sapper) Company of the Puerto Rico Army National Guard, based out of Aguadilla.

Media coverage of the Iraq war, now officially called Operation New Dawn, is scant. Therefore, it has been difficult to find more information about these fallen heroes, although I do have a call into the Puerto Rico National Guard.

Spc. Delgado Arroyo was 41 years old and hailed from the capital city of San Juan. Sgt. Cintron Rosado was 38 years old and lived in Vega Alta. The warriors have returned to the United States in flag-drap caskets, as a dignified transfer ceremony was held at Delaware's Dover Air Force Base on Wednesday.

Tens of thousands of American troops still face danger in Iraq, and in my humble opinion, the war is not over until our brave men and women are out of harm's way. The Unknown Soldiers will continue following events on the ground in Iraq and bringing you the stories of the volunteer warriors serving there.

Spc. Jose Delgado Arroyo and Sgt. Jose Cintron Rosado are the first U.S. Soldiers to make the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq this year. They will be remembered, appreciated, and saluted for years to come.

Image courtesy: Senior Airman Andrew Lee

Faraway places

Images courtesy: Sgt. Brian Kester

While the above photo is clouded by blowing sand, one fact is crystal clear. Conditions are far from ideal for Marines in Badghis province, Afghanistan, which is in the northwest part of the country not far from the border with Turkmenistan. While temperatures and terrain vary around Afghanistan, which is roughly the size of Texas, troops serving in the country must adjust to a primitive environment that would shock some Americans who take things like running water, toilets, and heat for granted.

Soon, more Marines will join their thousands of brothers and sisters in arms in Afghanistan. The Wall Street Journal reports that 1,400 additional Marine warriors will deploy to the post-9/11 war zone as early as mid-January. For each Marine that takes this dangerous journey, there are dozens of loved ones, friends, and fellow troops worried about their safety. The impact of these types of deployments on the military community cannot be overstated.

I have watched several hours of cable news coverage in the past two days and heard next to nothing about events on the ground in Afghanistan or Iraq. From the death and capture, respectively, of two senior terrorist leaders, to the life-saving measures Polish troops used to rescue a pregnant Afghan woman and help deliver her baby, there is plenty of fascinating news to report. Instead, cable news is obsessing over the new Congress, which is an important political development, but something everyone knew would happen for months.

For the thousands of coalition troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, life is intensely unpredictable and immeasurably different than home. While the national media isn't particularly interested in their personal sacrifices, I strongly believe that the majority of the American public deeply appreciates what these brave men and women do every day. As we go about our lives at home, our fellow Americans are attacking the enemy where it murders, plots, and plans. To our brave service members: Thank you for standing guard in faraway places.

'America cannot be beaten'

Images courtesy: Pete Hegseth

In the summer of 2010, I needed someone to give The Unknown Soldiers blog a chance to succeed at a higher level. Capt. Pete Hegseth, then the Executive Director of Vets For Freedom, stepped up to help.

"Vets for Freedom is thrilled to partner with Tom Sileo and The Unknown Soldiers blog," Hegseth said in a July written statement. "Tom is a top-notch journalist who keeps the focus on the warfighter, telling the stories of service and sacrifice that the mainstream media often ignores. We look forward to amplifying his message, thereby honoring and supporting the troops and their mission."

While I deeply appreciate the support of Capt. Hegseth and Vets For Freedom, Pete is the one who deserves praise. The Bronze Star recipient will soon begin a year-long deployment to Afghanistan with a Stryker battalion from the 25th Infantry Division. With a wife and child at home, a year apart won't be easy on the Hegseth family. But considering all he accomplished after his 2005-2006 deployment to Iraq -- leading a major national veterans organization and pursuing a Master's degree at Harvard -- Pete is poised for a lifetime of success. But before those personal pursuits continue, the volunteer warrior feels he must serve.

"We may not get victory parades — or be given the chance to win on some battlefields – but if we have learned one lesson from our fight, it’s resolve," Hegseth wrote on November 11 in The National Review. "Despite a multitude of military and political mistakes, and the expense of much blood and treasure, we have learned that success can be born of setbacks. Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan know that, with the courage to confront, the flexibility to adapt, and the perseverance to overcome, America cannot be beaten."

Hegseth holds passionate political views, but is setting those aside to carry out the mission set by the commander-in-chief in Afghanistan. Like World War II veteran John F. Kennedy said in his inaugural address, Pete asks not what his country can do for him, but what he can do for his country.

"America’s warriors have answered the call for over 230 years," Hegseth wrote. "The challenge for this generation of veterans — as some continue the fight and others enter the political fray — is to harness our shared lessons to ensure that America’s best days remain ahead."

Because of valiant warriors like Capt. Pete Hegseth, we can still be confident that America will remain a shining city on a hill, as Ronald Reagan was fond of saying. Thank you for believing in my work, Pete. I certainly believe in yours. Stay safe and Godspeed.

Note: Capt. Pete Hegseth plans to periodically post updates from Afghanistan during his deployment. You can sign up for his unique reports at PeteHegseth.com.

The blanket of freedom

Spending part of Christmas morning at Arlington National Cemetery taught me a great deal about what holidays mean to families of fallen troops. Since my third visit to Section 60, where many heroes of America's post-9/11 conflicts rest, I have been thinking about a young woman I saw sitting on a blanket. With one hand on her well-behaved dog and the other on the precious headstone in front of them, she wished her loved one a Merry Christmas. Even the frigid December wind could not stop her tears from falling on the cold, sacred ground.

Four days later, I drove through Hagerstown, Maryland on the way to visit relatives for New Year's. It's a relatively large city in semi-rural western Maryland, sandwiched in between the West Virginia and Pennsylvania borders. According to The Herald-Mail, Hagerstown and surrounding Washington County didn't experience the death of a hometown hero in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2010. Tragically, that all changed on New Year's Day 2011.

According to the Pentagon, Lance Cpl. Maung Htaik, 20, was spending his holiday conducting combat operations with fellow Marines in Afghanistan's Helmand province when he was killed. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

In the Marine's U.S. hometown paper, Don Aines wrote that Lance Cpl. Htaik graduated with honors from his Hagerstown area high school in 2008. Another article by Martin Weil in The Washington Post, said that Htaik, who let people call him "Sam" because his name was difficult for some to pronounce, felt very loyal to America even though he originally came here from Southeast Asia.

There has been an outpouring of sympathy since this volunteer warrior's death, especially in an online forum for Marine parents.

"Just heard of this on local news. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of LCpl. Maung P. Htaik," Jody, the proud mother of two Marines, posted in the forum. "May our Lord grant them comfort and strength as he welcomes this brave young Marine into his loving arms."

The Herald-Mail article contains a picture of the fallen Marine being saluted by grieving troops as his flag-draped casket arrived at Delaware's Dover Air Force Base on the second day of 2011. Even though this young man wasn't born here, he is now appropriately honored as an American patriot. Htaik will forever be remembered as the first departed warrior from the Afghanistan conflict in his western Maryland county, which is named after our first president.

Arlington National Cemetery is about 70 miles from Hagerstown. It is not known if Lance Cpl. Maung Htaik will be interred there, or another resting spot of his grieving family's choosing. Yet in the days, months, and years after taps is played and the 21-gun salute is fired, you will likely find a loved one sitting quietly on a blanket near his headstone. Regardless of how much we hear these days on national newscasts about Afghanistan and Iraq, these wars are very real and command our utmost attention.

Image courtesy: WTTG-TV

The year of the Eagle

Image courtesy: U.S. Army

A few hours after a Medal of Honor hero helped America mark a New Year, I wrote that 2011 is off to a good start. While Staff Sgt. Sal Giunta's stirring moment was undoubtedly positive for a nation at war, recent developments in Afghanistan, where Giunta served with such valor, show that my statement was only correct in part.

The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), based on the Kentucky-Tennessee border at Fort Campbell, is making extraordinary sacrifices in Afghanistan. From brave paratroopers like Sgt. Mark Foster to the six Screaming Eagles who tragically fell on December 12, the war in Afghanistan is bringing out the best in this Division of proud warriors. Yet as some Americans seemed to forget, judging by much of the soft, stale content that filled cable news for the last two weeks, Operation Enduring Freedom didn't pause for the holidays.

New Year's Eve was not a night of celebration for the 101st's 2nd Brigade Support Troop Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. As the ball dropped in Times Square and millions of Americans around the country partied with family, friends, and strangers, Sgt. Michael Beckerman, pictured above, was out on patrol in Kandahar province, perhaps the most crucial region for coalition forces to secure during the drive to victory in Afghanistan. According to KSDK-TV, the 25-year-old Ste. Genevieve, Missouri native had been in the Army seven years, served previous tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and was very passionate about life.

"He was the type of person that you could look up to and respect. He loved his family. He loved his daughter. He loved his wife," said Rosie Weisbrod, a family friend.

According to KDSK's article, Sgt. Beckerman, an explosive ordnance disposal technician, was serving in the military with his wife, Spc. Margaretta Beckerman. Instead of continuing their honorable shoulder-to-shoulder journey, a wife is bidding her beloved husband and fellow warrior farewell. According to the Pentagon, Sgt. Michael Beckerman was killed on December 31 by an improvised explosive device planted by terrorists.

I have talked with several 101st Airborne paratroopers over the past year, and all have conveyed how deeply these losses affect troops and their families. In this tragic case, an American Soldier has become a Gold Star wife, and we cannot imagine her pain. We can only hope and pray for the well-being of Spc. Beckerman and the couple's daughter. In honor of brave fallen warriors like this Soldier's husband, the Screaming Eagles continue taking the fight to the enemy, while also showing compassion to those caught in the middle of the war al Qaeda terrorists started on September 11, 2001.

Pictured below is Capt. Charles Choi, a Queens, New York native who works with Task Force Med. On January 2, he took time to hand out toys to children at a Bagram Air Field hospital. Despite being deployed in a combat zone with needs of their own, 101st Airborne Division paratroopers with Company C, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, generously donated these helpful and entertaining items to Afghan kids who will treasure them.

The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) lost many of its own in 2010, including Sgt. Michael Beckerman on the year's final day. Yet the Screaming Eagles continue to selflessly put the interests of others before their own. During the first days of another year at war, Americans should all be thankful to have these fine men and women on our side.

Image courtesy: Sgt. Grant Matthes

2011: A hero's welcome

Image courtesy: New York City Mayor's Office

It would be a privilege to ask Staff Sgt. Sal Giunta what was going through his mind as he stood in Times Square on Friday night to help the nation he defended ring in the New Year. Was the moment one of well-deserved joy and relaxation, or did the Medal of Honor recipient flash back to the snow and screaming gunfire of Afghanistan's unforgiving Korengal Valley?

When I saw Staff Sgt. Giunta on the big screen at the New Year's Eve party I attended with friends and family, I thought about how bittersweet these big moments must be for this American hero, who lost one of his best friends, Sgt. Joshua Brennan, in Afghanistan. In an incredible act of bravery, Giunta charged toward and killed several Taliban fighters to recover his wounded buddy from the enemy's grasp. As Giunta has said on numerous occasions, he would give every award back if it meant Sgt. Brennan, Spc. Hugo Mendoza, and more fallen heroes of the valley could come home.

I hope our nation's most recent Medal of Honor recipient and his wife enjoyed their night in Manhattan. I also hope the millions of Americans who watched the valiant Soldier help New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg start the ball drop realized what this volunteer warrior went through before last night's special moment. Just a few miles from Ground Zero, an American treasure of the war in Afghanistan was the most notable figure in star-studded Times Square.

2011 will be another tough year for our military. But at least it's off to the right start.