Other people's funerals

Image courtesy: Facebook

As a pastor, one of Rev. Ron Ross' most solemn duties is to counsel families forced to say goodbye to their loved ones. He understands loss, and has devoted his life to helping others find faith and purpose, especially during times of tragedy. But when Pastor Ross lost his 22-year-old son, Cpl. Justin Ross, in Afghanistan on Saturday, the stunned father admitted to feeling lost himself.

"I'm a pastor, so I'm doing other people's funerals a lot of times," Ross told WLUK-TV. "You never think it's going to come back to you."

Fox 11 reporter Ben Krumholz spoke with the pastor and his wife, Debbie, doing an admirable job telling the emotionally difficult story embedded here. From Green Bay, Wisconsin, a hard-working city of champions, the Ross family clearly instilled a strong set of values in their son. He may have grown up a Packers fan, but what he became more closely embodies the title of New England's football team. He was a patriot.

"If I were in the military, he's definitely someone I'd want in my foxhole," Zach Clark, a boyhood friend, told The Green Bay Press-Gazette.

The newspaper article by Paul Srubas tells the story of a young man who was far more mature than his 22 years. Cpl. Ross may have not been the most outgoing person, sometimes retreating for a quiet afternoon of fly-fishing. But when you needed him, he was always there.

"Justin was such a great friend to myself and my husband-to-be Tom," Melissa Favorito posted on the RIP Army Cpl. Justin Ross Facebook page. "For the family and the two brothers, I know what it's like to lose your brother. Mine died eight years ago, and he too was in the Army."

While the free world's attention is currently on Libya, it needed Justin Ross in Afghanistan's violent Helmand province, where terrorists would murder and intimidate with even more frequency were it not for valiant men like him. Ross answered the call to fight with fellow troops in the 863rd Engineer Battalion, giving all on his combat deployment up to the moment of his March 26 death, which the Pentagon said came as a result of enemy small arms fire.

"Please pray for the Ron Ross family," William Otley posted on Facebook. "Pray that the God of all comfort will minister to this precious family and church during this time."

While joining in this prayer, I plan on adding one of my own. My hope, and goal in continuing to run this blog, is that when a fine volunteer warrior like Cpl. Ross is killed, we don't view him or his grieving family as people we don't know.

While respecting the grief and privacy of a fallen hero's loved ones, I believe it is appropriate to take the death of an American man or woman in uniform personally. They are our brothers and sisters, flying to faraway lands for months and years on end to confront evil with force, skill, and compassion. They do so voluntarily, so the rest of us won't have to.

Perhaps this soldier's death, while devastating and tragic, can help us find light amid darkness, like one of his father's sermons. When Cpl. Justin Ross is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, we will notice, because he wasn't just another guy. He was one of us.

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

Note: For information on how to help the Ross family with funeral expenses, please click here.

Thanks for all you do

Moments after arriving at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on Tuesday and passing a security check, our bus parked outside a large hangar. Most in our tour group of about two dozen USO employees and volunteers had no idea what was in store next, including myself.

When the door opened, the first thing I saw was a huge, glistening white and blue jet with "United States of America" proudly displayed on the side. I was told this was the 757 used by the Vice President Biden, known as "Air Force Two" when he is on board.

While I will always remember being led inside the plane and even sitting in the vice president's chair, there is something else that left me even more impressed. Every single airman I met was warm, genuine, and gracious. That's why whenever I shook one of their hands, the first words out of my mouth were "thanks for all you do." And the 89th Airlift Wing does a lot, as only exemplary Air Force personnel get this close to the commander-in-chief and other important officials. Simply put, the men and women on Joint Base Andrews are at the top of their game.

I have to admit, though, the planes we saw were pretty cool!

As we learned in the briefing pictured above (I apologize for the blurriness), the 757 and Gulfstream jets we saw are also used by the first lady, first daughters, and secretary of state. Adm. Mike Mullen and Gen. David Petraeus have also been on both jets.

The airmen I met answered every single question our group had and even pressed us to ask more. Even the "flight attendants" -- all highly trained, stellar airmen -- spoke with excitement about cooking Joe Biden or Michelle Obama's food in a space so small that they can barely move more than a few feet. The men and women of the 89th Airlift Wing love what they do, and to say they're good at it would be an understatement.

The next time you see the president, first lady, vice president, or secretary of state land somewhere on TV, think for a moment about all the incredible American service members who make these high-security, high-stress moments seem routine. The most powerful people in the world wouldn't have much power without the men and women who protect our nation and its leaders.

To every single man and woman serving in the United States military, we say thanks for all you do.

So far away

Image courtesy: Petty Officer 3rd Class Scott Pittman

When I saw this WCTI-TV story last week, I held off on posting it, as a report about 2,200 Marines heading to Libya did not seem to mesh with President Obama's declaration that no ground troops would deploy inside Libya. Indeed, the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit issued a clarification to various media reports.

"Ground forces from 26th MEU are currently not in Libya nor are there current planning efforts to do so," the release, written by Capt. Rich Ulsh said.

A group of Marines landed inside Libya on March 22, however, to rescue the Air Force pilot who crashed east of Benghazi. They then returned to the USS Kearsarge off the north African coast. On this point, there is no confusion: the Marines who carried out this critical 90-minute rescue operation, along with the pilot they saved from Moammar Gadhafi's wrath, are American heroes.

“Our success from the air as part of the coalition effort is significantly reducing Gadhafi's ability to harm innocent Libyan civilians,” said Col. Mark Desens, commanding officer of 26th MEU. “That is how we are taking care of business.”

Whether you or for against U.S. military intervention from the air in Libya, there are two important points that need to be made about this crisis.

First, as media pundits and politicians speak about this issue, first and foremost on their minds and tongues should be the men and women in harm's way, not the war's impact on political polls or TV ratings. Second, the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq are not pausing simply because we happen to be seeing Libya most frequently on television. In the days ahead, this blog will focus heavily on events on the ground in those countries, which sadly continue to be virtually ignored by most American journalists.

Wherever our troops serve, on whatever mission, we must support them unconditionally. Even as someone who hasn't served in the military, I can promise you that the aforementioned 2,200 Marines would much rather be home with their loved ones than aboard the USS Kearsarge. But putting their personal wishes aside, they're following the orders of their commander-in-chief. That's something we can all be proud of.

Top Gun

Images courtesy: Anna Sokolov

When future U.S. Navy pilot Miroslav Zilberman lost his grandfather, a Russian World War II aviator who spent almost a full year as a prisoner of war, he searched for the right words to honor his hero.

"I will always remember him as a loving and caring grandfather," Zilberman, then training to become a pilot, said at the cemetery. "The next time I come here, I will proudly be wearing my uniform, and with honor, salute my grandfather and remember his life."

Zilberman, known as "Steven" by many of his relatives and friends, worked incredibly hard to turn his dreams into reality, becoming a Navy lieutenant. He grew up in Kiev, Ukraine, but quickly became endeared to America after moving here in elementary school, eventually even referring to Columbus, Ohio, as home. Yet other than his family, including a wife and two children, there is one thing he adored above all else.

"He loved to fly," Zilberman's mother, Anna Sokolov, told The Unknown Soldiers. "One time, I remember I called him, and he was in Texas, and he was not in a good mood, which was unusual. I asked him, 'Did something happen?'"

Zilberman told his mom that bad weather conditions would prevent him from flying that day.

"I said, 'So what, you'll fly tomorrow,' and he said, 'Mom, you don't understand,'" Sokolov recalled. "He breathed aviation."

Assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW-21), Zilberman soared into the skies, earning numerous educational and training achievements as a naval aviator. But as a dear friend who once helped a young Steven learn English noted, he did not make these sacrifices at his family's expense.

"At the same time, (Zilberman) fulfilled the lofty personal goals of remaining a loving son to his devoted parents, Anna and Boris (Zilberman), a loving husband to Katrina, the love of his life since age 18, and loving father to their two beautiful children, Daniel and Sarah," Marylin Rofsky said.

Tragically, those touching remarks were made at a memorial service for Zilberman at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., on April 8, 2010. The 31-year-old pilot's E-2C Hawkeye crashed in the Arabian Gulf on March 31 while returning to the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower from a mission over Afghanistan. Despite a frantic and extensive search, his body was never recovered.

"I thought that it could not be because I only had one child and I brought him to America for a better life," an emotional Sokolov told me. "Everything was all right in our family, even though my father was in two wars before he died at 92. It was horrible."

Zilberman's selfless actions in the moments before the crash earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross. According to numerous accounts, the pilot urged his three crewmembers to bail out as he battled a mechanical failure, keeping the plane steady just long enough to save their lives.

"Without his courageous actions, the entire crew would have perished," a Navy citation reads.

Zilberman's parents were unaware of many of their son's accomplishments until his memorial service.

"He was a top pilot, but we didn't know," his proud mother explained. "He was very modest and would never brag about his own accomplishments. To him, it didn't matter."

When we think of American military pilots, many of us still recall Maverick and Goose gliding around the skies in the classic '80s film "Top Gun," with roaring engines and rock music in the background. Yet as we are reminded by Zilberman's call sign of "Abrek," which means "valiant man" in Russian, the real protectors of the sky are in danger at this very hour, flying perilous missions over combat zones in Afghanistan and Libya.

Today, we find ourselves set where Lt. Miroslav "Steven" Zilberman once stood, searching for the right way to honor our heroes. Maybe we can start by living a little bit more like them: making our country better and following our dreams, while at the same time always putting our loved ones first.

COPYRIGHT 2011 CREATORS.COM

Strong enough

Image courtesy: Facebook

A few minutes ago, I took off from Reagan National Airport in Washington. Through thick clouds, the Pentagon, which was attacked by terrorists on September 11, 2001, appeared outside our plane's window. Seconds later, we passed over Arlington National Cemetery, where many of our nation's strongest men and women to step up since that terrible fall day are buried. Called upon to serve in Afghanistan and Iraq -- and now Libya -- hundreds of thousands of volunteer warriors have followed their orders without question, under two commanders-in-chief of different political persuasions.

Due to in large part to negligence by the American media, especially over the last few years, Iraq has gone from a centerpiece of the national conversation to a conflict that's all but forgotten. The story of Cpl. Brandon Hocking is a stark reminder that no matter what politicians or pundits might say, no war is over until every single one of our troops is out of harm's way. According to the Pentagon, Cpl. Hocking, 24, died on March 21 in As Samawah, Iraq, when terrorists attacked the soldier's unit with an improvised explosive device.

I haven't seen any national media coverage about this warrior's death since Monday, but fortunately, the soldier's hometown paper, The Seattle Times, honored the local hero, his family, and his unit with a fine article about his sacrifice.

"Cpl. Hocking was the eldest of six children and attended Federal Way and Decatur high schools," Seattle Times reporter Hal Bernton wrote. "He enjoyed fixing up old cars, sketching and playing the acoustic and electrical guitar."

Hocking's knack for fixing things was a perfect fit for the Army. Among many duties, he repaired weapons with the 87th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, based out of Georgia's Fort Stewart. The soldier was also a family man, with a wife and two young children on the home front. Hocking was killed in Iraq just ten days before he was scheduled to return home to his loved ones.

A close friend told the newspaper that Hocking originally joined the military to improve his life and provide a deeper sense of purpose.

"I think it probably made him a stronger man," Mike Davis said.

In the years following the 9/11 attacks, amid a persistent terrorist threat and wars raging around the world, Cpl. Brandon Hocking was strong enough to say "I'll go." Clearly, his selflessness and heroism will never be in doubt. The only remaining question is whether the nation he fought for is strong enough to contemplate the true meaning of his sacrifice.

It's easy to look the other way and divert our attention to whatever fluff is being thrown our way by a ratings-driven press. War, and its impact on so many wonderful families, is incredibly tough to think about, especially over the span of a decade. Whenever I feel myself losing focus, I think about September 11 and Arlington National Cemetery, which can still be seen through the mist. Our heroes still fight, and we must stand with them.

Fields of good

Images courtesy: Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason Johnston

First Lt. Landon Fisher could have simply continued his March 18 northern Afghanistan patrol when he saw two kids not feeling well in Nawbot village. After all, Afghanistan is a big country, and the United States can't help everyone, right?

Wrong.

“They did not have much so we wanted to help them,” Fisher, 1st Platoon Leader, A Company, 2-18 Infantry, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, said. “It’s good to make small differences because it will eventually lead to keeping insurgents out of these Afghans’ lives.”

A story by Ensign Peter Lee highlights the U.S. military's recent efforts in Baghlan province.

“Many of the troops have families and can relate when a child needs care,” added Fisher. “It’s rewarding to see these Afghan families happy when we are able to help."

Soldiers also visited an Afghan National Army checkpoint in Pul-E-Khumri that same day, traveling through the green, mountainous terrain to strategize and share resources with troops who will be eventually asked to protect their own country against insurgents and terrorists.

On the rare occasion when a U.S. service member is accused of wrongdoing in a war zone, the story is usually found on front pages for days, weeks, and even months. The stories of selflessness and sacrifice you read about on this military blog and others struggle to gain traction in newsrooms focused on fanning the flames of controversy, in the hopes that the extra smoke will produce ratings.

Image if just for one day, a major American newspaper devoted an entire issue to all the good the U.S. military is doing around the world. Reporters would have no trouble finding hundreds of moving stories from the homefront to Libya, Japan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Germany, Italy, Korea, and around the world. The efforts of brave, compassionate soldiers like 1st Lt. Fisher equal real news that's fit to print.

The danger zone

File image courtesy: Staff Sgt. Craig Seals

As we have been discussing on this blog, the commander-in-chief's decision to use military force to protect civilians in Libya from Moammar Gadhaf's vicious regime has put American pilots in danger. Today, we saw why our support, thoughts, and prayers for service members carrying out Operation Odyssey Dawn are so important.

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Eagle crashed in Libya on Tuesday due to an apparent mechanical failure, with two crew members ejecting from the aircraft. Stars and Stripes reports that fortunately, both are safe and back in American hands. According to Patrick Dickson's article, a Marine Corps Osprey search and rescue aircraft helped retrieve the pilot, while his crew mate, a weapons officer, was rescued by Libyan rebels.

I am so relieved that neither aviator was seized by Gadhafi's forces, as both may have been paraded before cameras and held hostage by the terrorist dictator. Both suffered minor injuries, but are expected to be fine.

Like the plane shown in the above file image, the F-15E Eagle that crashed was based at RAF Lakenheath, England. B-2 bombers, like the ones that flew all the way from Missouri to Libya over the weekend, are also participating in the mission, as well as F-16 fighter jets. As Gadhafi's statements become more and more delusional and bizarre, the unmatched airpower of the United States, along with coalition partners, will be critical in protecting the men, women, and children he is trying to slaughter.

Hopefully, the unidentified rescued pilot and weapons officer have both had a chance to call their loved ones and let them know everything is okay. At this hour, these military families, along with a grateful nation, are exhaling.

Because my daddy fought for me

Images courtesy: Crissie Carpenter

In the wee morning hours of March 18, Landon Paul Carpenter entered a world that his father left as a hero.

Baby Landon's proud mother is Crissie Carpenter, who I interviewed shortly after the tragic February 19 death of Landon's father, Lance Cpl. Andrew Carpenter, who was shot on Valentine's Day in Afghanistan.

Mommy and that wonderful 8 lb., 4 oz. baby are said to be doing well, with a proud daddy smiling so brightly from the heavens that I would be willing to bet the sun was shining just a little bit brighter last Friday in Columbia, Tennessee. Crissie posted a caption on Facebook to the above photo, which I wanted everyone to see:

"Andy picked out this Teddy as his first toy," the new mom wrote. "He is also wearing a onesie his daddy bought him! I will post a pic of it later. We love you, daddy!"

Another onesie was made for baby Landon by a nurse at the hospital where he was born.

"Born free," it reads. "'Cause my daddy fought for me."

Congratulations to Andrew and Crissie Carpenter on the birth of their beautiful son.

Note: Contributions to "Landon's Fund" can be made at any Regions Bank in middle Tennessee.

An enduring odyssey

Image courtesy: Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Sunderman

Tomahawk cruise missiles continue to rain down on Libya, where terrorist dictator Moammar Gadhafi has refused to stop his brutal assaults on rebels and innocent civilians. Called upon by their commander-in-chief to act along with our allies, the U.S. military is performing with remarkable precision during Operation Odyssey Dawn. In one instance, B-2 bombers flew all the way from Missouri to Libya to perform missions crucial to the coalition effort to protect Libyan civilians.

Media coverage of the Libya conflict has been solid and substantial, which raises a question. With the national press obviously still capable of covering a war, why have Afghanistan and Iraq languished outside the limelight for so long?

The answer, in my humble opinion formed through eight years working in newsrooms, is that Libya is "new" to news executives, who see an opportunity to increase ratings with 24/7 coverage. While American troops have been on war footing every day since September 11, 2001, the national media shows a sense of urgency only when convenient.

Unless you were closely following Afghanistan on war-themed websites or Pentagon press releases over the weekend, you probably didn't hear about the following U.S. service members, who died on the war front over the past five days.

Sgt. Travis Tompkins, 31, Lawton, Oklahoma
Lance Cpl. Christopher Meis, 20, Bennett, Colorado
Cpl. Donald R. Mickler Jr., 29, Bucyrus, Ohio
Pfc. Rudy Acosta, 19, Canyon Country, California
Staff Sgt. Mecolus McDaniel, 33, Fort Hood, Texas
Staff Sgt. James Malachowski, 25, Westminster, Maryland

As the families of these fallen heroes mourn losses that are almost impossible to comprehend, additional events of importance during Operation Enduring Freedom are also being overlooked. On Saturday, the 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment officially took over security and a wide host of additional responsibilities at Camp Leatherneck, a large and critical U.S. stronghold in the volatile Helmand province, from the 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment.

“I don’t think many people truly understand what the battalion assigned to this mission does on a day-to-day basis,” Col. Michael Sweeney said. “It’s a very complex mission. It’s a broad mission, and in some extents, it’s broader than an infantry battalion out in a different [area of operations]. They are responsible for an awful lot.”

In an even broader sense, I don't think the American public fully grasps all the fine work being done by our troops in Afghanistan on a daily basis, let alone Iraq. While it is wonderful that we're being given such a broad, technologically advanced look into operations in Libya, where the American military is making us proud, the sacrifices being made in two other post-9/11 conflicts are just as worthy of attention as the ones made in the days following the respective invasions.

The U.S. military has been multitasking ever since hijacked planes slammed into the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and a Pennsylvania field. It's time for the national media to follow its lead.

Image courtesy: Cpl. Brian Gabriel Jr.

Note: This post was updated at 10:20 a.m EDT on March 22 to reflect new casualty information from the Department of Defense.

Holding His Hand

Images courtesy: Susan Porter

One fall day in Guthrie, Okla., Glenda Porter was preparing to call her younger sister to wish her a happy birthday. But before she could dial the number, her phone rang. It was Angie, the wife of her son, Sgt. Rusty Dunagan, who was deployed to an undisclosed location in southwest Asia.

"She asked me if I was sitting down, and I just started crying," Glenda, 55, tells The Unknown Soldiers. "I said, 'Just tell me he's alive."

This is the call that she, and every military mom with a son or daughter overseas, dreads beyond imagination.

"She said he was alive, but he lost both his legs," Glenda says. "I started to lose it, and then she said, 'He also lost his arm.'"

Glenda hung up, cried and began frantically contacting relatives. Her sister, Susan Porter, who had recently moved to Pennsylvania, was expecting some 48th birthday shenanigans from her sibling, until picking up the phone and hearing a sound she'll never forget.

"She was screaming," Susan says of Glenda. "She wasn't making any sense to me, and I thought something happened to our father, but it was about Rusty."

After realizing that there had been an explosion on Sept. 22, 2010 and that her nephew was fighting for his life in Germany, Susan asked Glenda how she could help.

"I told her that we need as many people to pray for Rusty as possible," Glenda says. "I told her to get on Facebook and put it on there, and she did."

What happened next has reinforced Glenda's unshakeable belief in God and the nation her son fought for. Thousands upon thousands of compassionate citizens began joining the page, "Hold My Hand," to send prayers to Rusty and his family.

"People have just been so kind," Glenda says about the Facebook page, which now has almost 20,000 supporters. "It really shows you how great America is."

Susan thinks her nephew's resolve caused the massive outpouring on the Facebook page she created.

"We get so busy and caught up with life, we're used to conveniences and certain things," Susan, who is planning an Aug. 6 benefit for her nephew in their hometown of Guthrie, says. "But when we hear about tragedy, and you can really put a face and name to it ... it becomes a resource for people to be encouraged and for people to do something."

In the first days following the explosion, Glenda would wait for 4:30 a.m. phone calls from a friend at the hospital in Germany. News was sometimes encouraging and sometimes grim. When I ask the soldier's mom how many surgeries Rusty has underwent since September, Glenda says she's "lost track."

"He almost bled to death during his first surgery, and it seemed like he was having surgeries and blood transfusions almost every other day," Glenda painfully recalls. "But he's really strong — Rusty is so strong."

Today, Dunagan, 30, is continuing his long recovery in San Antonio. There have been bad days, but also some good ones, like when the wounded hero got to see his three stepchildren for the first time since the explosion.

"I was concerned about how that would go," Glenda admits. "But they didn't act like anything was wrong; they went straight up to him and started hugging."

Dunagan, who has a nine-month-old baby with his wife, has gone through more uncertainty than most of us will in a lifetime. But through faith and genuine appreciation of his remaining blessings, this soldier is still fighting.

"Someone asked him why he's so positive," his mom says. "He said it's because he didn't pass out — he remembers the explosion — he looked down and saw his legs and an arm gone, and yelled for the medic."

"He thought he would die then, and thought he would die after it happened," Glenda continues. "But he didn't, and he believes it's a gift. That's his attitude."

When Glenda got that heartbreaking phone call from her daughter-in-law, she wanted to be told that Dunagan was alive. He is, with a grateful nation holding the hand he has left.

COPYRIGHT 2011 CREATORS.COM

Former Senate Majority Leader and World War II veteran Bob Dole meets with Sgt. Rusty Dunagan, who was wounded in southwest Asia.

The final countdown

Image courtesy: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jesse Awalt

Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi is a terrorist and butcher of innocent men, women, and children, including many Americans. Unless he quickly changes course and stops killing his own people, Gadhafi will be confronted by the most powerful military force in human history, joined by its allies.

At about 2:30 p.m. eastern, the commander-in-chief of the U.S. military announced unconditional terms for the end of Gadhafi's reign of terror against Libyan rebels and civilians. President Obama said that if the killing does not stop immediately, a U.S.-led coalition will begin enforcing a no-fly zone, which would put American and allied pilots in harm's way over Libya.

"I have no doubt that the men and women of our military are capable of carrying out this mission," the president said. "Once more, they have the thanks of a grateful nation and the admiration of the world."

President Obama said that no U.S. ground troops will deploy to Libya. Military experts said enforcement of the no-fly zone would involve bombing Gadhafi's air defenses, followed by missions over Libyan airspace. While American military pilots are the world's best, their flights would not be without significant risk.

"There is no decision I face as your commander-in-chief that I consider as carefully as the decision to ask our men and women to use military force," the president said. "At a time when our military is fighting in Afghanistan and winding down our activities in Iraq, that decision is only made more difficult."

At this hour, U.S. warships stand ready to follow the commander-in-chief's orders in the north African seas. At remote outposts in Afghanistan, American troops are carrying out dangerous missions and missing their loved ones. In Iraq, our forces are working with Iraqis to develop a government, reinvigorate commerce, and prevent more violence against civilians. In Japan, compassionate American service members are bringing critical supplies to thousands of people suffering from indescribable loss, as the world worries about radiation leaks from the country's nuclear reactors.

If Moammar Gadhafi thinks the world's most highly-skilled, diverse, and adaptable fighting force can't also deal with a coward like him, he is dead wrong. Our thoughts and prayers are with our men and women in uniform around the globe, who continue to take our collective breath away with their bravery and brilliance.

Friends

Image courtesy: Gunnery Sgt. Leo Salinas

The 5th Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment recently returned from a war zone filled with violence, uncertainty, and terrorism. Today, many of the same Marines enter a disaster zone filled with flooding, carnage, and radiation. It's what they do.

"Our focus was on Afghanistan," 1st Sgt. Leland Chartier said. "Then, the day we get here, Japan is hit with an earthquake and tsunami - any clime and place."

Romeo Battery is made up of about 130 Marines of the 5/10, according to an article by Sgt. Rebekka Heite. They are in Okinawa, Japan, joining the III Marine Expeditionary Force in a massive relief operation named "Tomodachi," the Japanese word for "friends," helping distribute thousands of water bottles and other essential items for desperate flood victims.

The U.S. military's earthquake and tsunami relief efforts spread around the world, including a place where Japan and America once fought, as enemies, during a day of infamy. Saturday at Pearl Harbor, U.S. airmen quickly loaded a C-17 with generators and other critical cargo being rushed to our Japanese friends.

"This is a good thing -- getting this equipment loaded on the plane," Tech Sgt. Jared Cunningham said. "This is good work, because you know it's going to help the people in Japan."

Generators are absolutely essential, as events at Misawa Air Base in quake-stricken northern Japan have shown. The American military installation's 35th Medical Group Maternity Ward, running on generator power, was the site of two babies being born on March 15, just four days after the most powerful earthquake in Japanese history. An article by Petty Officer 1st Class Matthew Bradley drives home the impact of this natural disaster on military families living in the Pacific.

"After the earthquake we didn't have power, hot water, or heat at home," Rugeana Moreno, wife of Airman 1st Class Hansel Moreno, said about the days before giving birth to the couple's son, Elijah. "It was scary, but when we came here we had those things, and it helped ease my fears."

The proud father of the other Misawa Air Base baby born on March 15 agreed.

"I always knew that the medical group here was good at keeping things going," said Staff Sgt. Ian Regan, whose wife, Kristie, gave birth to their daughter, Brook, on March 15. "So I had no doubt that things would be any different, even under these trying circumstances."

Elijah Moreno and Brook Regan entered the world in the trying hours after so many innocent Japanese left it. These children will grow up hearing about the extraordinary circumstances under which they were born, and someday, might ask why their parents were even in Japan.

It's because the Americans and the Japanese, 65 years after being enemies, have become the dearest of friends.

Image courtesy: Petty Officer 1st Class Matthew Bradley

More than luck

Today marks the 250th Saint Patrick's Day parade in New York, which has become the largest event of its kind in the world.

Since 1851, a group of rugged, proud American patriots, the New York Army National Guard's storied 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, has led the massive commemoration of Irish heritage. According to the New York National Guard, 40 soldiers from Ireland's 58th Reserve Infantry Battalion are marching with their American counterparts through the heart of Manhattan.

About a year ago, I read an astonishing book called The Fighting 69th: From Ground Zero to Baghdad, written by combat veteran Sean Michael Flynn. It chronicled the transformation of The Fighting 69th from an antiquated, disorganized force to a polished, battle-tested machine.

The 9/11 terrorist attacks were very personal to these soldiers, many of whom participated in the recovery and security effort in lower Manhattan. A few years later, those same volunteer warriors fought side-by-side in in Iraq. The Fighting 69th has since deployed to Afghanistan, and will quite possibly return.

"What worries our enemies is that men and women of different races, religions, and social status can come together to work toward a common purpose," Gen. Martin Dempsey, commander of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, said after the 2009 parade.

Spc. Francis Obaji, who you may have read about before on this blog, embodied that spirit. The Nigerian immigrant joined the National Guard after witnessing both hijacked planes hit the World Trade Center, believing that he owed his very best to a land giving him so many new opportunities. He was embraced by the traditionally Irish-American Fighting 69th, and mourned after his tragic 2005 death in Baghdad.

When you see clips of today's parade on the news, remember that the soldiers marching for the 160th straight year are not there for scenic purposes. While the Luck of the Irish is always in their back pockets, these warriors have worked very hard and sacrificed more than we can imagine while wearing those uniforms.

The Fighting 69th has spilled its blood, which contains a shade of green, in every conflict from the Civil War to Iraq and Afghanistan. To these patriots, and all our troops serving around the world, we raise our glasses.

Image courtesy: Pfc. Andrew McKee

Don't panic

Images courtesy: Sgt. 1st Class Mark Burrell

The visceral photograph displayed above was taken on Sunday, March 13, in Afghanistan's Hindu Kush mountains. It shows the bleeding, tattooed arm of Pfc. Garrett Hartman, an Army infantryman who needed an IV due to unseasonably hot conditions in the middle of a brutal 12-hour joint combat patrol. Despite challenges that very few could bear, Pfc. Hartman and his Task Force No Slack brothers summoned all their energy, and kept going.

Sgt. 1st Class Mark Burrell's photo embodies the spirit of the American military. Despite losing precious blood in foreign lands, our men and women in uniform, as Hartman's tattoo reads, don't panic.

Over the past five days, the following U.S. troops have died in Afghanistan, according to the Department of Defense. The first four fallen service members listed were killed in action, while the final departed warrior died in a non-combat incident.

Pfc. Arturo Rodriguez, 19, Bellflower, California
Staff Sgt. Eric Trueblood, 27, Alameda, California
Sgt. 1st Class Daehan Park, 36, Watertown, Connecticut
Cpl. Ian Muller, 22, Danville, Vermont
Pfc. Andrew Harper, 19, Maidsville, West Virginia

Allied forces fighting the Taliban and al Qaeda suffered another casualty on Tuesday, March 15, in eastern Afghanistan. The fallen hero's identity will be released after his or her family is notified.

Americans are not panicking over the tragic events of the last five days in Afghanistan, but for the wrong reasons. Instead of showing poise in the face of danger, like the heroes of Task Force No Slack, the public is ill-informed about the sacrifices being made by U.S. service members around the world on a daily basis. That's because the national media is not devoting consistent attention to this country's post-9/11 conflicts.

The terrible earthquake and tsunami devastation in Japan is certainly the world's top story at the moment, commanding extensive, widespread press coverage. But speaking as someone who spent about eight years inside local and national newsrooms, there is no reason that 24-hour news networks and websites can't devote meaningful coverage to two wars our country is engaged in at the same time, especially as our military springs into action to help Japan.

A well-written, well-intentioned March 10 blog post by CNN's Wayne Drash addressed the recent disparity in coverage between the deaths of troops in Afghanistan and the scandal involving Charlie Sheen, which you may have also read about here on March 8. Sadly, Drash's admirable call to action appears to have been quickly forgotten, as Afghanistan was missing entirely from CNN.com's top story, top video, and latest news homepage sections as of 12:26 a.m. eastern Wednesday. As the following headlines show, it wasn't just because of Japan coverage.

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I submit that the five fallen heroes listed above were more relevant, interesting, and consequential to America than any of those five stories. Yet this post is not meant to single out or mock CNN, where I worked for four and a half years. It is to demonstrate that the national media has a big opportunity, as well as plenty of airtime and homepage space, to start making things right.

Fortunately, we know that no matter who is paying attention, our brave men and women in harm's way won't panic. Don't take it from me; take one more look at the bloody arm of Pfc. Garrett Hartman, who along with his fellow warriors, climbed 12 hours in the choking heat to make everyone a little safer.

American Buffalo

Image courtesy: U.S. Army

Less than a week before his death, Cpl. Loren Buffalo posted this link to a music video on his Facebook page. The song is called 'If I Die Young,' by The Band Perry. "Amazing," Cpl. Buffalo, 20, said of the recording.

"The sharp knife of a short life, well I’ve had just enough time," one line of the hit country song reads. By all accounts, Buffalo was certainly a sharp knife, as a warrior, hunter, and horseman.

Buffalo, who could often be found hunting in the forests of Mountain Pine, Ark., came from a long line of service, as his father and uncle both had Army careers, and his great-grandfather flew a B-17 bomber in World War II. An article by Jenn Ballard in The Sentinel-Record said that while Buffalo loved to take risks, he was not reckless in his quest for adventure, showing uncommon maturity from a young age.

While Buffalo's deployment to Afghanistan with the 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) was tough, he was thrilled that his dangerous job in southern Afghanistan allowed him to utilize one of his favorite skills: horseback riding.

"I really gotta find something to help me sleep...my mind is so busy it seems," Buffalo posted from Afghanistan on February 25. "Oh well; a productive day overall due to my new bad ass horse."

On March 1, Buffalo posted that he only had about one month left in Afghanistan and that he was excited to come home. Ten days later, his flag-draped casket arrived at Delaware's Dover Air Force Base.

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

According to the Pentagon, Buffalo was killed by an improvised explosive device planted by terrorists in Kandahar province. The promising young volunteer warrior's tragic death has touched many people, including many he didn't know in life.

"Loren, I was one of your Loadmasters off of the C-17 that took you to Kuwait," Senior Master Sgt. Roger George posted on Facebook. "I never knew you, but it was an honor and a privilege for me and my crew to fly you on your last ride home to eternal rest. I know it was worth everything."

Rep. Mike Ross, who represents Arkansas' 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, issued the following statement.

"A respected soldier and proud American, Cpl. Buffalo will be missed by all who knew him and we must never forget his selfless sacrifice on behalf of all Americans," Congressman Ross said. "Our nation is safer, stronger and freer because of patriots like Cpl. Buffalo and my thoughts and prayers are with his parents and the rest of his family and friends during this tragic time."

The fallen soldier leaves behind his father, Army veteran Cecil Buffalo, and his mother, Anjanette Buffalo, also of Arkansas.

"Lord make me a rainbow, I’ll shine down on my mother,"
the song this soldier loved goes. "She'll know I’m safe with you when she stands under my colors."

If Cpl. Loren Buffalo was a rainbow, his colors would be red, white, and blue.

Ring of fire

Video courtesy: Staff Sgt. Xavier Ortiz

When the most powerful earthquake in Japanese history struck on Friday, U.S. service members dove under their desks at Misawa Air Base. With the devastation in northern Japan quickly becoming apparent on Saturday, amid fears of powerful aftershocks, more flooding, and a possible nuclear meltdown, the American military is stepping up to help.

Marines with the 3rd Expeditionary Brigade, III Marine Expeditionary Force left Okinawa on Saturday to fly to Yokata Air Base in central Japan. Pictured below, these brave, compassionate Americans will coordinate with U.S. Forces Japan to stream crucial resources to hard-hit areas that desperately need assistance.

According to the U.S. Navy, the USS Ronald Reagan was supposed to be performing a test off the Korean coastline today, but has been redirected to Japan to help with tsunami and earthquake relief. At least seven more Navy ships from the 7th Fleet will be helping out with the humanitarian effort as well. If the Japanese government makes a formal request for disaster response help from the United States, the military will be ready to rescue people from one of the most active sections of the Pacific Ring of Fire.

"We obviously have huge sympathy for the people of Japan, and we are prepared to help them in any way we possibly can," Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in a statement. "It's obviously a very sophisticated country, but this is a huge disaster and we will do all, anything we are asked to do to help out."

Japan was once an enemy of the United States and the free world. 65 years later, the Land of the Rising Sun is beloved around the globe for its innovation, kindness, and friendship. In a region where so many Americans fought and died for freedom, America is once again doing the world's work.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with everyone affected by this international tragedy.

Image courtesy: Lance Cpl. Dengrier Baez

It Is What It Is

Images courtesy: Courtney Helton Photography & Video

Moments after making the most difficult decision of her life, Crissie Carpenter thought she heard her husband's voice, softly whispering in her ear.

"It is what it is," he said.

A simple saying, it was also Lance Cpl. Andrew Carpenter's favorite. And it gave comfort to his wife, eight months pregnant, as she made the crushing choice to remove him from life support from roughly 4,500 miles away, unable to fly to Germany with her due date so near.

"I told his mom to hold his hand and that I didn't want to be on the phone when it happened," the Marine's widow told The Unknown Soldiers. "I spoke to him three different times — they put the phone up to his ear for me."

Five days earlier, on Valentine's Day 2011, the love of Crissie's life was shot through the neck by an enemy sniper in Afghanistan. It was a tragic moment that her husband knew was coming, as evidenced by their final conscious phone call, which occurred three weeks before he was shot.

"We said 'I love you' 20 times before hanging up on that last phone call because I wouldn't say goodbye," Crissie said. "I have a feeling that he knew."

Andrew, 27, told his wife that he was often at the front of combat patrols while serving in Afghanistan's volatile Helmand province with the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. He fought valiantly, but was also deeply worried about what would happen to his wife and unborn son, Landon, after he was killed.

I hope the events of Feb. 28 in Columbia, Tenn., put the fallen hero's fears to rest. On that gray, somber Monday, I witnessed a city of 38,000 stand shoulder to shoulder with the Carpenters in a seminal display of genuine compassion and resounding patriotism. The funeral home's chapel and overflow room were packed beyond capacity. Thousands of citizens, including children and the elderly, stood in the cold mist to salute the hometown Marine's funeral procession.

"It means so much to me," Crissie wants her fellow Tennesseans to know. "Andy was a hero — he is a hero. Having everyone's support, even people I don't know, it makes you stronger. It's indescribable."

In a memorial service full of touching moments, I learned about how Andrew, himself a child at heart, adored kids. He still collected action figures, even keeping the harmless secret from his wife. He loved to play soccer with his nephew, Caleb, an activity he missed deeply in Afghanistan, where millions of children still suffer in the shadows of terrorism.

"He loved kids, and I really liked that about him," Crissie said. "He had a great, awesome personality — a very nice, genuine person. I never heard him say anything mean about anyone."

The only comforting aspect of the last three weeks' devastating events is that Andrew got a head start on meeting his little boy.

"He isn't here yet," Crissie poignantly wrote of baby Landon in his father's funeral program. "Right now he's still in heaven with Andrew."

I asked Crissie what she would tell Landon about his dad.

"I want him to know how excited (Andrew) was about him, what happened in Afghanistan and why his father is a hero," she responded. "When he writes a school paper about who his hero is, I want him to write 'my dad.'

"The simple fact of knowing what type of person Andy was, I think, will make Landon a better person, too," Crissie continued.

The last song played at the celebration of Andrew's life was Sarah McLachlan's 'Angel,' which brought about 500 people, from battle-tested Marines to funeral home employees, to an authentic moment of reflection.

"You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here."

"Prayer and God are the main things getting me through this," Crissie said. "I feel at peace with the way it was supposed to be."

To sum up this overwhelming post-9/11 ordeal of tragedy, selflessness, bravery and sacrifice, Crissie Carpenter returned to her husband's motto.

"It is what it is."

COPYRIGHT 2011 CREATORS.COM


Note: Contributions to "Landon's Fund" can be made at any Regions Bank in middle Tennessee.

Rising sun

Image courtesy: Petty Officer 1st Class Brock Taylor

Americans woke up to devastating news out of Japan, where an 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami have caused chaos on an almost unimaginable scale. With parts of the northern Japanese coast underwater and nuclear power plants in peril, thousands of U.S. military personnel stationed in the Pacific continue to closely monitor this frantic situation.

There are about 35,000 U.S. troops stationed in Japan, along with many more family members and Department of Defense employees. The Pentagon said early Friday that all U.S. military personnel in Japan, including the Navy's 7th Fleet in Yokosuka, have been accounted for.

According to a news release, the United States Marine Corps activated its Base Emergency Operations Center in Okinawa, and evacuated residents at Camp Foster, lower Camp Lester, and Camp Kinser as a precaution, since the areas are low-lying.

This crisis is also directly impacting the United States. Evacuations began quickly in Hawaii, where tsunami waves from the Japanese quake came ashore Friday morning. A separate 4.5 magnitude earthquake also hit the state overnight.

"The decision has been made for ships at Pearl Harbor to remain in port," a Navy Twitter post said at about 5 a.m. eastern. "We continue to monitor the situation closely."

The military made shelter plans for service members stationed in Hawaii.

"NCTAMS PAC in Wahiawa has opened its gymnasium as a refuge location for Sailors and their families living on the North Shore of Oahu," Navy Region Hawaii's Twitter page said.

News from Guam, so far, is fortunate.

"USS ships didn't sortie, no evacuations reported, and no reports of damage," the Navy posted on Facebook.

Our thoughts are with our brave U.S. forces stationed in Japan and around the Pacific, as well as their families. In the days and weeks ahead, many of these men and women will almost certainly help during the massive rescue and clean-up ordeal to come. In this time of crisis, the good people of Japan, who are in our prayers, can count on America's help.

"The United States stands ready to help the Japanese people in this time of great trial," President Obama said. "The friendship and alliance between our two nations is unshakeable, and only strengthens our resolve to stand with the people of Japan as they overcome this tragedy."

Image courtesy: Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse

Note: This post was updated at 11:07 a.m. eastern time.

Victory rally

Image courtesy: Staff Sgt. Ryan Smith

When a politican, Republican or Democrat, visits our men and women serving overseas, it is often written that he or she is "rallying the troops." Yet as I suspect Defense Secretary Robert Gates himself would acknowledge during his current trip to Afghanistan, the troops are rallying him.

"You guys have done an astonishing job out here," Secretary Gates told Marines of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment on Wednesday at Forward Operating Base Jackson. "I'm very, very proud of you."

Staff Sgt. Ryan Smith wrote that Gates met with Brig. Gen. Joseph Osterman and Lt. Col. Jason Morris during his visit. As the secretary and the president he serves are certainly aware, the 3/5 has paid a heavy price during the Afghanistan conflict, losing many fine Marines in the ongoing war against the Taliban, al Qaeda, and the evil ideology these terrorist organizations promote.

"I write condolence letters to the families of the fallen, so, I feel a tremendous personal responsibility to each and every one of you," Gates told the Marines. "I feel your hardship and your sacrifice, and for your families more than you can possibly imagine. But I also relish in your victories, take pride in your achievements, and take satisfaction as you strike fear into the hearts of the Taliban."

The day Gates visited was filled with more victories and sacrifices. ISAF Joint Command confirms that a service member was killed on Wednesday by an improvised explosive device planted by terrorists in southern Afghanistan. Per protocol, the nationality and identity of the fallen hero will not be released until loved ones are notified.

Also in the south, several suspected terrorists are where they belong, imprisoned, because of Monday and Tuesday raids that destroyed a Taliban IED cell.

It is reprehensible and morally unacceptable that Afghan women and children should have to walk around their home country in fear of bombs hidden beneath roads, village gathering spots, and trash heaps. Whether or not you support the continuing post-9/11 mission in Afghanistan, it is a victory for all of us whenever these bombs are found and disabled by our brave forces, who also feel the consequences of these terrorist devices when a friend is injured or killed.

Gates, who works in a building that was attacked by terrorists on September 11, 2001, said he spends each day thinking and praying about the men and women taking the fight to a vicious enemy that seeks to attack America again.

"Everyday I monitor how you’re doing, and everyday you return to your FOB without a loss, I say a little prayer," said Gates, addressing the Marines in formation. "Alongside your Afghan brothers, you’ve written a new chapter in the Marine Corps role of honor with your sweat and your blood; against the toughest odds and in the most difficult terrain."

Image courtesy: Pfc. Justin Young

Breaking news

Image courtesy: Angela George

For a while now, and especially over the last four days, the national media has been obsessing over the Charlie Sheen scandal in Hollywood. During the same time period, three American troops from California have been identified as killed in action in Afghanistan. The chasm in airtime between Sheen and these American heroes is appalling.

These were three brave men, not two and a half. They deserved better than being virtually ignored at the national level while a clownish celebrity melts down on the front pages.

Cpl. Jordan Stanton, 20, Rancho Santa Margarita, California
Spc. Jason Weaver, 22, Anaheim, California
Staff Sgt. Mark Wells, 31, San Jose, California

A check of the three major cable news outlets' websites confirms what we've known for a while. Some inside the national press, using ratings as an excuse, have given up on our men and women serving overseas.

As of 10:33 a.m. eastern time, Afghanistan and Iraq are nowhere to be found in CNN's top stories and top video sections on its homepage. Unfortunately, this Charlie Sheen story can't be missed. It's the same on MSNBC, where Afghanistan and Iraq are absent, with Charlie Sheen near the top.

Fox News, which I have criticized in the past for choosing celebrity over sacrifice, gets a thumbs up this week. 'Special Report' anchor Bret Baier is in Afghanistan this week, talking to troops and civilians about the war effort and its progress. On Monday, his show aired an exclusive interview with Gen. David Petraeus.

Despite the fine work of this anchor and his crew, FoxNews.com places Sheen in the third most prominent spot on its website, with Baier's interview missing from the top stories or sub-headlines. As a former copy editor, that story placement, especially considering the resources the network is spending to cover the war, makes little sense.

The closest Charlie Sheen ever came to sacrificing something for his country was by pretending to be a soldier in 'Platoon.' These three American heroes did it for real, every single day.

Image courtesy: Lance Cpl. Sarah Anderson

'He's the reason I am still here'

Image courtesy: 151st Expeditionary Signal Battalion

Staff Sgt. Steven Kemper, left, would have retired from the Army already were it not for his son, Spc. James Kemper, right. When he found out his boy was deploying to Afghanistan, Staff Sgt. Kemper told the Florida National Guard he wanted to be there at the same time.

"Knowing where [my son] is at is better than hearing things on the news," the concerned father said.

Capt. Michelle Lunato wrote a nice profile about the father and son tandem, who are deployed to different parts of Afghanistan, but recently had the chance to meet up.

"It is a great time to spend with just dad," the grateful son said. "It will make for good stories to tell the kids, and I kind of get to keep an eye on him."

This is the second time Steven, a multi-channel transmission systems operator-maintainer with the 151st Expeditionary Signal Battalion, has deployed overseas with a son. Randy Kemper deployed to Iraq with his dad in 2008.

James, a parachute rigger with the 3rd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group, also served in Iraq, and said this stint to Afghanistan is a little different than his 2006 deployment.

"I did all my cool guy stuff in Iraq," he joked.

When Spc. Kemper was able to see his dad in Afghanistan, they posed with an American flag that will be sent home to Florida so his wife and little boy can see it.

"Even though I know they are not near each other, I feel like James having his father there, keeps him safe," his wife, Kameron, told Capt. Lunato.

The flag will also be shown to James' mother and Steven's wife, Kim.

"I really believe that the hardest job is truly the wife at home," she said. "But it goes by quickly and soon everyone will be home safely."

The Kemper family is making extraordinary sacrifices for our nation during this time of war. While a father and son being together in Afghanistan is an uplifting story, the eventual family reunion in Florida will be even better. We pray for the safe return of Staff Sgt. Steven Kemper and Spc. James Kemper.

The Cutting Edge

Image courtesy: Lance Cpl. Cindy Alejandrez

"A nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten," actor Gary Sinise, quoting President Calvin Coolidge, recently wrote to U.S. troops in a poignant letter. "I hope these 'Letters from Hollywood' will help to let you know that your nation has not forgotten."

Sinise, of course, is instantly recognizable around the world for his unforgettable portrayal of Lt. Dan in "Forrest Gump." He is also one of America's most determined supporters of our armed forces, as his fine work with the USO demonstrates.

Sinise wrote the letter because a fellow actor, D.B. Sweeney, asked for his help after noticing a glaring void of enthusiasm for the military in Tinseltown. It led Sweeney to launch "Letters from Hollywood," which gives celebrities a unique chance to reach out to men and women in uniform.

Sweeney, who starred in films such as "Eight Men Out," "Memphis Belle" and "The Cutting Edge," told The Unknown Soldiers that he believes a substantial number of Hollywood actors are oblivious to the daily sacrifices being made by thousands of fellow Americans in Afghanistan, Iraq and around the world.

"I don't think the majority really have views except what they've been handed," the actor said.

The Feb. 27 Academy Awards broadcast reinforced Sweeney's point of view. During the marathon 185-minute telecast, our men and women in harm's way received no substantial recognition.

In addition to keeping the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq in our national consciousness, without letting politics cloud the extraordinary accomplishments of troops ordered to carry out dangerous missions, Sweeney thinks the film community has a responsibility, especially in wartime, to portray the military fairly.

"There have been some movies in Hollywood that denigrate our troops with the cliche that they're poor, stupid or have no options," Sweeney, who held a special 2008 screening of the movie "Two Tickets to Paradise" for troops in Iraq, said. "I find the opposite to be true; in fact, I know high-ranking officers who have turned down higher salaries in the private sector."

Since launching the website in partnership with the U.S. Army, Sweeney has received heartfelt letters for the troops from celebrities like Oscar-winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr., "Rudy" star Sean Astin, Tom Wilson of "Back to the Future" fame, vampire slayer Kristy Swanson, rocker Ted Nugent and "Sopranos" tough guy Tony Sirico.

"I've been involved with WWP (Wounded Warrior Project) since 2004 after going to Iraq with Jim Gandolfini and witnessing what you proud patriots do for God and your country," Sirico, who played Paulie on the hit HBO show, wrote to the troops. "And I thought I was a tough guy?!?! Fughedaboutit!"

A particularly moving letter was written by Gina Elise, who I had the pleasure of meeting at a 2010 gathering of military bloggers. Elise tirelessly travels the globe visiting injured service members and veterans, and poses for pin-up calendars to benefit the wounded.

"Your sacrifices have shown me that life is about giving to and helping others. You are my role models," Elise, whose charitable calendars can be purchased at pinupsforvets.com, said. "Please know that we on the home front are thinking of you and wish every service member a safe return home."

Elise got an overwhelming response to her letter from warriors fighting on America's post-9/11 battlefields.

"It is such a morale booster when great Americans like you stand behind and support us," a U.S. service member serving his third overseas tour wrote to Elise from Afghanistan.

Sweeney is hoping more Americans, especially celebrities earning exorbitant salaries, will reach out to the men and women protecting our way of life.

"They don't join the Army for any other reason than to serve the country," Sweeney said of America's all-volunteer force. "We live in the greatest country in the world, and we're lucky to be born here."

There was a time when supporting our military was a top priority in Hollywood, which included actors like Jimmy Stewart and Henry Fonda, who selflessly volunteered to risk their lives after Pearl Harbor. As the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks approaches, a new generation of stars, led by genuine patriots like Gary Sinise and D.B. Sweeney, are ahead of their time.

COPYRIGHT 2011 CREATORS.COM

Image courtesy: Spc. Samuel Phillips

For his friends

Images courtesy: Facebook

As a terrorist opened fire on his brothers in arms outside Frankfurt International Airport, Senior Airman Nicholas Alden didn't retreat. Despite a wife and two children at home, whom he loved beyond any measure, he had to stop the gunman from killing his friends.

That's just the kind of person Nick was, according to those who knew him best. As a military police officer, Alden was trained to react to these types of frantic situations, even though a terrorist attack in Germany was probably not something he would have expected. But after the alleged gunman reportedly screamed "Allah Akbar" and murdered the driver of the Air Force bus, Senior Airman Alden immediately sprung into action.

"I don't know all of the details, but apparently he was instrumental in keeping the other people on the bus safe," the fallen airman's mother, Army veteran Cathy Garner, told The Anderson Independent Mail.

Kirk Brown's article said Alden's wife, Trish, is left to care for a three-year-old daughter and one-year-old son. While the pain she is experiencing at this hour is incomprehensible to someone who hasn't gone through it, I have no doubt that the patriotic Upstate South Carolina community of Williamston will band together to support this grieving widow and the couple's small kids when they return from England, where Senior Airman Alden was stationed.

"She is a wonderful woman," Garner said of her daughter-in-law.

Senior Airman Alden, 25, had already served in Iraq, and was headed to Ramstein Air Base, assigned to the 48th Security Forces Squadron, based out of RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom. He was preparing for an upcoming deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan, which is quite possibly the war on terror's most critical battlefield.

Yet on an unlikely front of this worldwide post-9/11 conflict, Alden dealt a major defeat to terrorists seeking to hijack our way of life. Even though he and another Air Force hero lost their lives, and two more were wounded, the accused attacker failed his stated goal to kill many more U.S. service members, due in major part to Alden's willingness to risk everything for the friends beside him.

What Trish Alden, Cathy Garner, and many more relatives and friends of Senior Airman Nick Alden are going through right now is heartbreaking and tragic. Another Air Force family is experiencing similar pain, and loved ones of two warriors injured in this terrorist attack are praying for their recovery. Yet because of the bravery we now know was on display in Frankfurt, there are many more families thanking God that their loved ones were spared.

That's what being a hero is all about.