Bunny In The Foxhole
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Kathi
2nd Lt. Christopher E. Loudon
22 years old from Brockport, Pennsylvania
1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division
October 17, 2006
2nd Lt. Christopher Loudon graduated from Slippery Rock University with a Baccalaureate Degree in Environmental Health in 2005. Upon graduation, he entered the United States Army on September 9, 2005. He received his commission as an Infantry officer and was assigned to 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 4th Infantry Division at Ft. Hood, Texas. He deployed to Iraq in July 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
2nd Lt. Loudon’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Ranger Tab.
He was KIA in Baghdad, Iraq when an IED detonated near his vehicle. Also killed with him were; Corporal David M. Unger, 21, of Leavenworth, Kansas ;Corporal Russell G. Culbertson III, 22, of Amity, Pennsylvania and Specialist Joseph C. Dumas Jr., 25, of New Orleans, Louisiana.
He leaves behind his parents, Randy and Susan Loudon ; his wife, Jacey Loudon ; a daughter, Isabel Loudon ; two brothers, First Lieutenant Nicholas Loudon ,and Jonathan Loudon ; his paternal grandmother, Florence Loudon and his maternal grandfather, Everett William Campbell.
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived
This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
22 years old from Brockport, Pennsylvania
1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division
October 17, 2006
2nd Lt. Christopher Loudon graduated from Slippery Rock University with a Baccalaureate Degree in Environmental Health in 2005. Upon graduation, he entered the United States Army on September 9, 2005. He received his commission as an Infantry officer and was assigned to 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 4th Infantry Division at Ft. Hood, Texas. He deployed to Iraq in July 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
2nd Lt. Loudon’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Ranger Tab.
He was KIA in Baghdad, Iraq when an IED detonated near his vehicle. Also killed with him were; Corporal David M. Unger, 21, of Leavenworth, Kansas ;Corporal Russell G. Culbertson III, 22, of Amity, Pennsylvania and Specialist Joseph C. Dumas Jr., 25, of New Orleans, Louisiana.
He leaves behind his parents, Randy and Susan Loudon ; his wife, Jacey Loudon ; a daughter, Isabel Loudon ; two brothers, First Lieutenant Nicholas Loudon ,and Jonathan Loudon ; his paternal grandmother, Florence Loudon and his maternal grandfather, Everett William Campbell.
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived
This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
WBC- Do not bring your circus of hate to Maryland again
Huge fine for anti-gay US church
A church whose members cheered a soldier's death as "punishment" for US tolerance of homosexuality has been told to pay $10.9m (£5.2m) in damages.
The Westboro Baptist Church was taken to court by the father of Lance Cpl Matthew Snyder, a marine who died serving in Iraq in March 2006.
The church cited its constitutional right to free speech in its defence.
But Albert Snyder's lawyer urg More..ed the jury to ensure the damages were high enough to stop the church campaigning.
Members of the church - based in Topeka, Kansas - have denounced homosexuality for years, initially targeting the funerals of Aids victims.
But they later extended their pickets to the funerals of soldiers, who they say are being punished by God because of America's tolerance of homosexuality.
Do not bring your circus of hate to Maryland again
Craig Trebilcock
Attorney for Albert Snyder
Louis Theroux on the most hated family in US
Last year they caused outrage when they attended the funeral of Matthew Snyder with signs reading "Thank God for dead soldiers" and "You're going to hell".
On Wednesday, the jury ordered the church and three of its leaders to pay $2.9m in compensatory damages, and an additional $8m for invasion of privacy and for causing emotional distress.
Albert Snyder's attorney, Craig Trebilcock, had urged jurors to agree an amount "that says 'Don't do this' in Maryland again. Do not bring your circus of hate to Maryland again".
Defence attorney Jonathan Katz's argument that the $2.9m in compensatory damages already far exceeded the defendants' net worth and would be enough to "bankrupt them and financially destroy them" was ignored.
The church, which is unaffiliated with any major denomination, is headed by Fred Phelps. Most of its 70-odd members belong to his extended family.
Appeal
Albert Snyder sobbed when he heard the verdict.
"I hope it's enough to deter them from doing this to other families. It was not about the money. It was about getting them to stop," he said, according to Reuters news agency.
Members of the church, however, reportedly greeted the verdict with tight-lipped smiles.
"It will take the 4th Circuit of Appeals a few minutes to reverse this silly thing," said Rev Phelps.
Daughter Shirley Phelps-Roper - co-defendant along with another daughter, Rebecca Phelps-Davis - called the verdict a blow against free speech and vowed to continue picketing military funerals.
Why dont these jackasses move to Iraq er Afghanistan?? I'm sure collections could be taken to pay their air fares!!
Westboro Baptist Cult= 1 way ticket to hell.
Huge fine for anti-gay US church
A church whose members cheered a soldier's death as "punishment" for US tolerance of homosexuality has been told to pay $10.9m (£5.2m) in damages.
The Westboro Baptist Church was taken to court by the father of Lance Cpl Matthew Snyder, a marine who died serving in Iraq in March 2006.
The church cited its constitutional right to free speech in its defence.
But Albert Snyder's lawyer urg More..ed the jury to ensure the damages were high enough to stop the church campaigning.
Members of the church - based in Topeka, Kansas - have denounced homosexuality for years, initially targeting the funerals of Aids victims.
But they later extended their pickets to the funerals of soldiers, who they say are being punished by God because of America's tolerance of homosexuality.
Do not bring your circus of hate to Maryland again
Craig Trebilcock
Attorney for Albert Snyder
Louis Theroux on the most hated family in US
Last year they caused outrage when they attended the funeral of Matthew Snyder with signs reading "Thank God for dead soldiers" and "You're going to hell".
On Wednesday, the jury ordered the church and three of its leaders to pay $2.9m in compensatory damages, and an additional $8m for invasion of privacy and for causing emotional distress.
Albert Snyder's attorney, Craig Trebilcock, had urged jurors to agree an amount "that says 'Don't do this' in Maryland again. Do not bring your circus of hate to Maryland again".
Defence attorney Jonathan Katz's argument that the $2.9m in compensatory damages already far exceeded the defendants' net worth and would be enough to "bankrupt them and financially destroy them" was ignored.
The church, which is unaffiliated with any major denomination, is headed by Fred Phelps. Most of its 70-odd members belong to his extended family.
Appeal
Albert Snyder sobbed when he heard the verdict.
"I hope it's enough to deter them from doing this to other families. It was not about the money. It was about getting them to stop," he said, according to Reuters news agency.
Members of the church, however, reportedly greeted the verdict with tight-lipped smiles.
"It will take the 4th Circuit of Appeals a few minutes to reverse this silly thing," said Rev Phelps.
Daughter Shirley Phelps-Roper - co-defendant along with another daughter, Rebecca Phelps-Davis - called the verdict a blow against free speech and vowed to continue picketing military funerals.
Why dont these jackasses move to Iraq er Afghanistan?? I'm sure collections could be taken to pay their air fares!!
Westboro Baptist Cult= 1 way ticket to hell.
To the Men and Women of the United States military, and all the armed forces around the world, thank you for everything that you do. And to those who are laying their heads down tonight in a foreign land, away from your loved ones, thank you so very much. Stay safe, you're in our thoughts and our hearts. Merry Christmas.
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived
This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Melinda
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christian P. Humphreys
28 years old from Fallon, Nevada
6th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, Task Force 49
November 15, 2008
A funny, nice guy who loved to fly. That's how Christian P. Humphreys is remembered by his friends. "He was a great guy, always happy and had a joke," said Sean Whitney, a flight medic. "We used to play with our paintball guns in the cornfields behind his house."
Humphreys flew with the Fallon Naval Air Station Search and Rescue Longhorns from June 6, 2004, to May 5, 2006. He left the Navy and joined the Army as part of the "Blue to Green" program to become a helicopter pilot.
Humphreys, along with Chief Warrant Officer 3 Donald V. Clark, 37 years old from Tennessee, was killed when their OH-58 Kiowa helicopter crashed while on a mission over Mosul, Iraq. As a rescue crew chief, Humphreys was in charge of the operation behind the pilots. He made the decisions when to deploy rescue crews out of the helicopter to assist injured people, and he also took care of the equipment.
"He was a funny guy, a nice guy, a lot of character," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Schmidt. "The guy was always entertaining, always had something to say, but like everyone here, he displayed the professionalism in saving lives."
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christian P. Humphreys leaves behind a wife and parents.
All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived
This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
28 years old from Fallon, Nevada
6th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, Task Force 49
November 15, 2008
A funny, nice guy who loved to fly. That's how Christian P. Humphreys is remembered by his friends. "He was a great guy, always happy and had a joke," said Sean Whitney, a flight medic. "We used to play with our paintball guns in the cornfields behind his house."
Humphreys flew with the Fallon Naval Air Station Search and Rescue Longhorns from June 6, 2004, to May 5, 2006. He left the Navy and joined the Army as part of the "Blue to Green" program to become a helicopter pilot.
Humphreys, along with Chief Warrant Officer 3 Donald V. Clark, 37 years old from Tennessee, was killed when their OH-58 Kiowa helicopter crashed while on a mission over Mosul, Iraq. As a rescue crew chief, Humphreys was in charge of the operation behind the pilots. He made the decisions when to deploy rescue crews out of the helicopter to assist injured people, and he also took care of the equipment.
"He was a funny guy, a nice guy, a lot of character," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Schmidt. "The guy was always entertaining, always had something to say, but like everyone here, he displayed the professionalism in saving lives."
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christian P. Humphreys leaves behind a wife and parents.
All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived
This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
38 years old from Highlands Ranch, Colorado
769th Engineer Battalion, Louisiana Army National Guard
November 13, 2008
Louisiana National Guard spokesman Maj. Michael Kazmierzak said Spc. Jonnie L. Stiles had been serving as a gunner on a Humvee doing route clearance when and IED detonated near his vehicle in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. He said the job typically involves checking roads for bombs and insurgents.
Stiles' wife, Launa, said that he was nearly killed last month when a suicide bomber blew up a military vehicle in front of his. She said he was still able to rescue three other soldiers and returned to duty before his 30-day recovery period was finished.
"He was strong and really cared for his men," she said.
Stiles was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and graduated from Littleton High School in Colorado. He served in the military for 17 years, first joining the Marines and then switching to the Army in 1999. He served three years at Fort Carson, left the Army and then returned as a member of the Colorado Air National Guard in the Summer of 2007.
All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived
This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
$1,500 in gifts stolen from Toys for Tots
The Corps’ most high-profile charity has lost $1,500 in donated gifts.
A city spokeswoman in Suffolk, Va.
, said there is “understandable outrage” following the theft from a local Toys for Tots facility (http://www.toysfortots.org/)
“The community is reaching out accordingly,” Suffolk spokeswoman Debbie George said.
George said the suspect or suspects made off with six bicycles, 20 MP3 players, 20 digital cameras, 20 watch and wallet sets, and a heart necklace set.
The theft occurred at a storage facility in a rural part of Suffolk between Nov. 29 and Dec. 1, George said. There was no sign of forced entry, but police did find a defective lock on one of the doors.
George was unsure whether the building was identified as a Toys for Tots storage facility, but she said the crooks most likely knew who their victim was.
Toys for Tots was founded by Marine Corps Reservist Maj. Bill Hendricks in Los Angeles in 1947 with a campaign that collected 5,000 toys, the first being a Raggedy Ann doll.
In 2006, Marines and volunteers distributed more than 19.2 million toys to 7.6 million needy children, according to the organization’s Web site.
This is getting absolutely RIDICULOUS! Do people have no shame anymore?!?! How can anyone steal from kids?? I just dont get it.I know deep down it was drug users,anything to support their habit..sheesh. One of these days they will get whats coming to them.
The Corps’ most high-profile charity has lost $1,500 in donated gifts.
A city spokeswoman in Suffolk, Va.
, said there is “understandable outrage” following the theft from a local Toys for Tots facility (http://www.toysfortots.org/)
“The community is reaching out accordingly,” Suffolk spokeswoman Debbie George said.
George said the suspect or suspects made off with six bicycles, 20 MP3 players, 20 digital cameras, 20 watch and wallet sets, and a heart necklace set.
The theft occurred at a storage facility in a rural part of Suffolk between Nov. 29 and Dec. 1, George said. There was no sign of forced entry, but police did find a defective lock on one of the doors.
George was unsure whether the building was identified as a Toys for Tots storage facility, but she said the crooks most likely knew who their victim was.
Toys for Tots was founded by Marine Corps Reservist Maj. Bill Hendricks in Los Angeles in 1947 with a campaign that collected 5,000 toys, the first being a Raggedy Ann doll.
In 2006, Marines and volunteers distributed more than 19.2 million toys to 7.6 million needy children, according to the organization’s Web site.
This is getting absolutely RIDICULOUS! Do people have no shame anymore?!?! How can anyone steal from kids?? I just dont get it.I know deep down it was drug users,anything to support their habit..sheesh. One of these days they will get whats coming to them.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Slain Soldier's Mother Robbed
Daily Breeze|by Denise Nix
After her son died fighting for his country, Linda Ferrara wanted to do something for soldiers like him who sacrifice their safety for others.
So in the year since U.S. Army Capt. Matthew Ferrara was killed in Afghanistan, his mother has dedicated hours collecting clothes and crafting handmade blankets for wounded soldiers overseas.
The Torrance resident had planned to ship the goods today to a U.S. Army hospital in Germany. Instead, she's despondent over the weekend theft of hundreds of socks, sweat shirts, pajama pants, boxers, blankets and other items.
"I don't want to let them down," Ferrara said. "This wasn't just stuff, this was going to wounded soldiers."
The items were being stored in the Ferrara family's RV, which was parked outside their Bay Cities Italian Bakery on a dead-end street among industrial buildings near California State University, Dominguez Hills.
Ferrara and her family suspects someone was watching as they stockpiled the goods, and expect the thieves will try to sell the items. She estimates that at least $6,000 worth of clothes were stolen, along with the priceless patriotic fleece blankets she and other volunteers spent hours sewing.
At one point, they auctioned three of the blankets for $410, which they were able to use to buy fabric for 30 more blankets, she said.
Matthew Ferrara, 24, graduated from West Point Military Academy before he was shipped to Afghanistan. He was killed, along with five others, on Nov. 10, 2007, when insurgents ambushed their NATO-led patrol.
Two of his brothers also graduated from the prestigious academy, while another brother is in the ROTC program at USC. The Ferrara family's deep roots in the military were only strengthened after Matthew's death, his mother said.
People from around the world have contacted them to share stories about her son's life, and the circumstances of his death.
"It brings you closer to the whole rest of the world," Ferrara said.
That was how she came to meet MaryAnn Phillips of Soldiers' Angels Germany. Soldiers' Angels is an organization through which people can send care packages to soldiers overseas. In Germany, Phillips supports wounded and sick troops undergoing treatment at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.
Many of them are transferred there directly from the front lines, and have nothing more than the clothes on their backs, Ferrara said.
Already involved with the West Point Parents Club of Orange County, Ferrara recruited support from other parents and volunteers to collect items for the wounded soldiers.
Her RV was packed with boxes, and the Parents Club had printed thank-you letters to the "wounded warriors" to be distributed with the clothes. On Sunday morning, Ferrara first realized something was amiss when she found empty boxes outside the RV and her inventory lists on the ground.
Inside, she discovered almost all the collected items missing. Also, some of the letters were torn to shreds. Compton sheriff's deputies took a report and fingerprints, she said.
Meanwhile, her insurance company has told her not to expect help. Because she planned to give the items away, they technically didn't belong to her.
Anyone with information about the theft should call the Compton sheriff's station at 310-605-6500.
Anyone who would like to donate items for the wounded soldiers should e-mail Ferrara at lindaferrara@aol.com
How sick and sad! What the hell is wrong with people?!? I dont care if the economy is chit,and yes,I know it IS,thats still no reason to go stealing! I have my own opinion on likely suspects,but I prefer to keep that to myself,since I'd rather not be accused of stereotyping etc.I hope when these jackasses try to pawn these things that someone recognizes the items and calls cops.Ugh.Karma will come back on these losers sooner or later.
I'd also like to know who the insurance company was...that way I NEVER use their "services"! The items were still in HER possession,so,imo that make them HERS.Any little loophole they can find to get out of paying a claim they have NO shame in using,how sad and greedy.
Daily Breeze|by Denise Nix
After her son died fighting for his country, Linda Ferrara wanted to do something for soldiers like him who sacrifice their safety for others.
So in the year since U.S. Army Capt. Matthew Ferrara was killed in Afghanistan, his mother has dedicated hours collecting clothes and crafting handmade blankets for wounded soldiers overseas.
The Torrance resident had planned to ship the goods today to a U.S. Army hospital in Germany. Instead, she's despondent over the weekend theft of hundreds of socks, sweat shirts, pajama pants, boxers, blankets and other items.
"I don't want to let them down," Ferrara said. "This wasn't just stuff, this was going to wounded soldiers."
The items were being stored in the Ferrara family's RV, which was parked outside their Bay Cities Italian Bakery on a dead-end street among industrial buildings near California State University, Dominguez Hills.
Ferrara and her family suspects someone was watching as they stockpiled the goods, and expect the thieves will try to sell the items. She estimates that at least $6,000 worth of clothes were stolen, along with the priceless patriotic fleece blankets she and other volunteers spent hours sewing.
At one point, they auctioned three of the blankets for $410, which they were able to use to buy fabric for 30 more blankets, she said.
Matthew Ferrara, 24, graduated from West Point Military Academy before he was shipped to Afghanistan. He was killed, along with five others, on Nov. 10, 2007, when insurgents ambushed their NATO-led patrol.
Two of his brothers also graduated from the prestigious academy, while another brother is in the ROTC program at USC. The Ferrara family's deep roots in the military were only strengthened after Matthew's death, his mother said.
People from around the world have contacted them to share stories about her son's life, and the circumstances of his death.
"It brings you closer to the whole rest of the world," Ferrara said.
That was how she came to meet MaryAnn Phillips of Soldiers' Angels Germany. Soldiers' Angels is an organization through which people can send care packages to soldiers overseas. In Germany, Phillips supports wounded and sick troops undergoing treatment at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.
Many of them are transferred there directly from the front lines, and have nothing more than the clothes on their backs, Ferrara said.
Already involved with the West Point Parents Club of Orange County, Ferrara recruited support from other parents and volunteers to collect items for the wounded soldiers.
Her RV was packed with boxes, and the Parents Club had printed thank-you letters to the "wounded warriors" to be distributed with the clothes. On Sunday morning, Ferrara first realized something was amiss when she found empty boxes outside the RV and her inventory lists on the ground.
Inside, she discovered almost all the collected items missing. Also, some of the letters were torn to shreds. Compton sheriff's deputies took a report and fingerprints, she said.
Meanwhile, her insurance company has told her not to expect help. Because she planned to give the items away, they technically didn't belong to her.
Anyone with information about the theft should call the Compton sheriff's station at 310-605-6500.
Anyone who would like to donate items for the wounded soldiers should e-mail Ferrara at lindaferrara@aol.com
How sick and sad! What the hell is wrong with people?!? I dont care if the economy is chit,and yes,I know it IS,thats still no reason to go stealing! I have my own opinion on likely suspects,but I prefer to keep that to myself,since I'd rather not be accused of stereotyping etc.I hope when these jackasses try to pawn these things that someone recognizes the items and calls cops.Ugh.Karma will come back on these losers sooner or later.
I'd also like to know who the insurance company was...that way I NEVER use their "services"! The items were still in HER possession,so,imo that make them HERS.Any little loophole they can find to get out of paying a claim they have NO shame in using,how sad and greedy.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
23 years old from Cedar Park, Texas
2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment
April 06, 2008
"He was a very creative kid, and when he wasn't in a challenging environment, he tried to make life interesting," Glenn Morris, father of Spc. Morris, said. "He excelled in a military school structure and in a team environment."
Before enlisting in the Army in 2005, Morris attended the Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro, Virginia where he met a history teacher who inspired him to want to become an educator. "After his service, he wanted to go back to school and get a four-year degree to become a teacher," said his mother, Lisa. "He wanted to make a difference and give back to the community."
Spc. Morris was killed when his vehicle encountered an IED in Balad, Iraq. Also killed in the attack was Cpt. Ulises Burgos-Cruz.
All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived
This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
