How’s your Sunday? Pretty good around here. Lisa and Karen both have been by to see me today. Good sisters!

Greg is out digging my hole next to Aaron’s tree in the front. On this Friday, the 29th, I will bury a bunch of certificates, cards, dried flowers, stuff like that which has accumulated over the nearly four years. I guess it sounds a little crazy to bury it, but that way, Aaron and his stuff will always be a part of this house. I’ve kept the flowers semi-clean for just about as long as I can. These are mostly flowers that were sent to me at the time Aaron was killed. I dried them and have saved them in a large red, white and blue basket. When I received more flowers, I’d later dry them and place them on top of the others. It’s been impossible to throw anything away. I’ve tried—and I just can’t let it go out of my hand, even if it’s just his name or a copy of a copy of a copy of a photo…. So, Greg’s digging and Friday I’ll lay it in there and cover it up. No ceremony. Just me and the dirt and probably Cady. The boys will watch from the back, which is where they’ll all be buried. Yes, I have all this thought out. And you’re thinking: It sucks to be you??? LOL!

I know.

But this is my last first. Leap day of leap year was the last time his foot was on American soil—this is my first leap year without him. There was a time I’d never thought I’d have to last this long without him. And then something like the image I have displayed comes in the mail and I realize that I may have a very long time to go and had better buck up.

Our troops. How do they feel? I'll tell you, Semper Fi Mom's son was great to talk to and I am so happy for how things are in Fallujah right now. We've been doing this sort of thing for a long time, folks. Let's keep on keeping on, huh?

We live in a fantastic country. I love America. I love America. I love her troops, her liberty, her land.

Oddly enough, I feel good. Of course, I’m not the one digging the hole!

Mom still doesn’t have her computer and Lisa still doesn’t have her picture. What good are they?

Talk at you later!
De’on

Others called Home

My dearest in the world readers,

Last night we learned that Flag Gazer as well as others have recently lost warriors in the battle we fight for our lives to be free from terror. It is a forever battle, I fear, but with brave men and women to answer the call, others of us can relax, blog, read, write, discuss or argue politics. They give us so much that we may never even take the time to think about. Please click here to visit the tribute Flag Gazer has up for someone she held very close to her heart. You will be able to look and read about another brave and spiritual warrior that God has called home to be near our own and others like them. This family will desperately need our prayers (as you all know) and it's important to put faces with the names if at all possible. GOD BLESS AMERICA. KEEP HER STRONG AND KEEP HER GOLD STAR FAMILIES!

Wreaths Across America

Maine Wreath Convoy Arlington Bound

Portland Press Herald December 11, 2007

The 40-vehicle convoy was more than an hour behind schedule as it rolled down Route 1 south of Wiscasset late on the afternoon of Dec. 9.

The veterans, truck drivers and other "Wreaths Across America" volunteers had already visited two dedication ceremonies and watched countless well-wishers, old and young, wave from the side of the road.

Read full article here.

Sisters

I had to make a quick trip to the post office (who all mailed their Christmas cards for Operation Santa?) and I grabbed our camera because I’d been meaning to take a photo of Aaron’s memorial downtown. (We just call it Aaron’s as his name was singular for a very long time.) My sister, Lisa, has taken it upon herself to keep the flowers changed on it. (I love my sister).

In the photos, note the ladies and gentleman adding flowers, wreaths and ribbons to the previous war memorials. I asked to take a photo of them (they gave me their backs!) and told me this is the first year they’ve ever done this. (Now that I think of some of the faces I saw, this must be the Master Gardener’s of Lea County (I used to work in the Extension Office here at the courthouse) and if so, or if not, I do thank them for their efforts. After I got home and loaded the photos, I noticed the wreath and ribbon on Aaron’s memorial, well, I noticed it there too, but it took a while to dawn on me that this was something new to the memorial. I called Lisa to verify and she verified what I had thought. So the crew downtown there put the wreath and ribbon up at Aaron and the Major’s memorial.

It was this summer that the name of Major Tom Bostick, Jr. was added. As you can see from the photo, the Major had been in Afghanistan and I think that was his third trip there. He also had a deployment to Iraq under his belt. He is one of our heroes that enlisted straight out of high school, earned his hard stripes and education in the military, received his commission and led from the front. His death saved the lives of the enlisted that were with him at the time.

I’m still the only Gold Star Mom in Lea County. The Major had gone to school here through junior high and then his family moved to Texas, however, his extended family, grandparents, aunts and uncles still live here in Lovington. I went to school with his Aunt Bobbie and she called me when it happened. When people think of aunts, I sometimes think they view them as someone “a lot lower down the ladder than the mom.” What they may forget is that by merit of being an aunt, someone along the way was a sister or brother, and in our family, that’s major business for sure. I nursed Kayla to my very own breast and there is absolutely nothing Lisa would not have done for Aaron. Aaron adored her and called on her frequently.

Anyway, wanted to share these photos with our readers and while I’m on the sister bit, I wanted to tell everybody that soon, very soon, maybe like twelve days before Christmas, gUnZ uP’s very own “THE ERMA BOMBECK OF CHRISTMAS” (Lisa) will share her very own HELPFUL HINTS FOR THE SEASON. Some of you may remember her comments last year as she carried on her busy schedule and provided us a glimpse of adding more. This year I’ve invited her back but have asked her to do it as a post so it won’t get lost in the comments. She’s agreed, but said she’d just write it down on scratch paper along the way (busy, busy) and give it to me to put up. Something to look forward to as my little sister is quite humorous and has a hideous family to back up Erma’s column of old. Let me clarify, they are precious and hideous. You know, don't you have one? LOL!

Merry Christmas!
De’on

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month

Armistice Day Becomes Veterans Day

World War I officially ended on June 28, 1919, with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. The actual fighting between the Allies and Germany, however, had ended seven months earlier with the armistice, which went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. Armistice Day, as November 11 became known, officially became a holiday in the United States in 1926, and a national holiday 12 years later. On June 1, 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor all U.S. veterans.

In 1968, new legislation changed the national commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. It soon became apparent, however, that November 11 was a date of historic significance to many Americans. Therefore, in 1978 Congress returned the observance to its traditional date.

Tomb of the Unknowns
Official, national ceremonies for Veterans Day center around the Tomb of the Unknowns.

To honor these men, symbolic of all Americans who gave their lives in all wars, an Army honor guard, the 3d U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard), keeps day and night vigil.

At 11 a.m. on November 11, a combined color guard representing all military services executes "Present Arms" at the tomb. The nation's tribute to its war dead is symbolized by the laying of a presidential wreath and the playing of "Taps."

Unknown Soldier Identified
On Memorial Day (which honors U.S. service people who died in action) in 1958, two more unidentified American war dead, one from World War II and the other from the Korean War, were buried next the unknown soldier of World War I.

A law was passed in 1973 providing interment of an unknown American from the Vietnam War, but because of the improved technology to identify the dead, it was not until 1984 that an unidentified soldier was buried in the tomb.
In 1998, however, the Vietnam soldier was identified through DNA tests as Michael Blassie, a 24-year-old Air Force pilot who was shot down in May of 1972 near the Cambodian border. His body was disinterred and reburied by his family in St. Louis, Missouri.

Go here to check out other interesting info. Thanks to all of our Veterans!

Dearest Friends and Faithful Readers,

Dad passed away at approximately 11:50 AM CDST on Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas. His funeral was so beautiful and was held at Hammons Funeral Home in Littlefield, Texas and Dad was then buried next to his wife and parents on Weston’s birthday, August 24th. Weston was a pallbearer and enjoyed his role immensely.

When I arrived at Dad’s apartment on Monday the 13th, Dad wasn’t in good shape. I took him to the hospital and he was eventually taken by ambulance to Lubbock that evening. Emergency surgery was done on him and it was found that cancer covered his colon, pancreas, liver, and probably elsewhere in his body.

We were able to spend several days with Dad in which he was weak but coherent. His last few hours were cut mercifully short and Dad passed peacefully. Lisa, Gary, Karen and I, as well as a minister and a couple of women from Hospice were all in the room with him.

We miss him. We always will.

Thank you, Lord, for your Time.

And for your people.

Love,
De’on

Canada Day

Three fallen soldiers remembered on Canada Day weekend
MELANIE PATTEN
Canadian Press
June 30, 2007 at 6:21 PM EDT

While Canadians prepared to celebrate Canada Day with concerts and parties, solemn celebrations of life took place across the country on Saturday as families and friends said goodbye to three soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

Funeral services for Sergeant Christos Karigiannis, Corporal Stephen Bouzane and Private Joel Wiebe were held in Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador and Alberta, respectively.

“(Karigiannis) knew the stakes that lied ahead,” Sergeant Dwayne Mac Dougall, who commanded troops alongside Sgt. Karigiannis, said before the service in Laval, Que., north of Montreal.

“But (he was) more than willing to sacrifice and put his life down for his country and for any member of his section.”

cont'd here

The Window of Time

Just now I put his name into Google. I type out Demetrius Sumlin and just as before, no matches. I add his hometown, his state. Same thing. No matches found.

Much has changed since the Army lost a good man. Back then, CD’s were just coming out. Internet was just heard of and costly. I can’t remember where or if Gore actually fit in to the scheme of things. I’m thinking not. We certainly didn’t have debit cards as some folks were still having a hard time adjusting to the whole Direct Deposit course, though it was highly encouraged.

And then again, how do I tell a short story of a short time with a huge back story? I still find myself unsure about that. I want to do it right. So I’ll work.

Yes. Sumlin has been important to me a long time. The photo of us, me on the 4K and him on the flat-bed, was placed in my bathroom window a long time ago. Before Kayla’s Easter bunny and way before the two white roses.

I miss you, Sumlin, and like my son, I know exactly where you are. How was it to meet the kid you’d worked with, ate with, the kid I loved. How long did you know before me, Sumlin? How wise are you and Lance Corporal Austin now?

I look forward to understanding. I know it must be brilliant there.

Always,
Specialist Austin

P.S. How goes it with your Mama?

More Threes

Name the 3 trees (Tree 1, 1, 2; respectively.) What three things are in 2 of the 3 trees.

WW II, Midway and to you, Mom.... get your tissues!

Veterans Commemorate Battle of Midway
Associated Press June 05, 2007

MIDWAY ATOLL - Holding their hands over their hearts, six veterans of the Battle of Midway stood as a Navy band played the national anthem to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the fight that marked a turning point in World War II.


About 1,800 people ventured to this remote atoll Monday to honor those who served in the U.S. victory on the atoll 1,300 miles northwest of Honolulu, including other veterans and relatives of those who died.


"We salute the fallen warriors of the Battle of Midway. We remember their great victory and tremendous sacrifice," said Adm. Robert F. Willard, the U.S. Pacific Fleet commander. "We honor them with our eternal vigilance and combat readiness."

click here for article at Military.com

Memorial Park

Amarillo, Texas

personal photo

May 19, 2007

Civil War ...

... can we even think it?

Korea: NEVER FORGOTTEN!

In the Korean War, the United States casualties are as follows:
Dead—54,246 (33,652 KIA)
Wounded—103,284
MIA—8,196
Captured—3,746

Source
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The Korean War was a war fought from 1950-1953 on the Korean Peninsula that was divided by the post-World War II Soviet and American occupation zones. The war began on June 25, 1950, when the communist Democratic People's Republic of Korea invaded the capitalist Republic of Korea. The conflict ended when a cease-fire was reached on July 27, 1953.

The principal support on the side of the North was China, with limited assistance by Soviet combat advisors, military pilots, and weapons. South Korea was supported by United Nations (U.N.) forces, primarily from the United States, although many other nations also contributed personnel. When the conflict began, North and South Korea existed as provisional governments competing for control over the Korean peninsula after the Division of Korea.

In South Korea, the war is often called 6·25, from the date of the start of the conflict or, more formally, Han-guk Jeonjaeng ( literally “Korean War”). In North Korea, it is formally called the Fatherland Liberation War . In the United States, the conflict was officially termed a police action — the Korean Conflict — rather than a war, largely in order to avoid the necessity of a declaration of war by the U.S. Congress. However, it is more commonly referred to as the "Korean War." The war is sometimes referred to outside Korea as “The Forgotten War” because it is a major conflict of the 20th century that garners far less attention than World War II, which preceded it, and the controversial Vietnam War, which succeeded it. In China, the conflict was known as the War to Resist America and Aid Korea but is today commonly called the “Korean War” (Chaoxian Zhanzheng).

from Wikipedia

FROM MY FAMILY TO YOURS....

Our Home that Aaron shared ... shares

A final Memorial Day 2007 salute to my son and those who love him

The thank you letter sent to the newspapers shortly after Aaron was killed. As you can see, I wrote it from Aaron's perspective.

I want to thank, truly thank everyone today for making it so memorable. Your comments and your visits here and to Aaron's message board have meant a great deal to me and my family. While I hate what may have brought you here, I appreciate the support.

Thank you,

Regulars at gUnZ uP.

Michelle.

Family.

Friends.

Aaron.

Billy.

My Point Blog Radio.

Father God.

And thank you, FAMILIES OF THE FALLEN

and of course, THE FALLEN.

SEMPER FI,

De'on

We hold in loving memory, as Aaron did....

Marine Lance Cpl. Brad S. Shuder, 21, of El Dorado, California.
Shuder died from hostile fire in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California. Died on April 12, 2004.


Marine Lance Cpl. Robert P. Zurheide, Jr., 20, of Tucson, Arizona.
Zurheide died from hostile fire in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California. Died on April 12, 2004.

Operation Vigilant Resolve: To the Brothers

Two flags are missing?

What flags do you think they are?

gUnZ uP Remembers LCpl. Harold Eugene Hager, USMC

HAROLD EUGENE HAGER

Age: 18
Race: Caucasian
Sex: Male
Date of Birth Feb 16, 1949
From: LOVINGTON, NM
Religion: PROTESTANT
Marital Status: Single



LCPL - E3 - Marine Corps - Regular

Length of service 1 years
His tour began on Sep 26, 1967
Casualty was on Jan 6, 1968
In QUANG NAM, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
OTHER EXPLOSIVE DEVICE
Body was recovered

Panel 33E - Line 57

Second Annual 'Time of Remembrance'

2006 Children

Due to the political sorrow brought our way, I wasn’t able to concentrate as much as I wanted to on the posts for the last few days. I’m sorry for letting it all get to me. I suppose that I am very green when it comes to things like that.

May 20, 2007 was the second annual gathering of families who’ve lost a loved one in Afghanistan or Iraq. While Greg and I were not able to attend this year, we did attend in 2006.

I know it must have been special for the families this year. It meant a great deal to us on May 21, 2006. I know I’ve shown some of our 2006 photos before, and I’m certain I’ve shown these two, but thought I’d share them again for new readers.

Greg and I sat at the very back so that he could take photos. The lady directly in front of me lost her son on the USS Cole. I’ll never forget the few moments we shared.

To all of the families: God’s Peace.


De'on & Greg
May 21, 2006


2007 Children
Quincy Jallah, son of a fallen soldier, honors the presentation of colors during the “Time of Remembrance” ceremony today near the Washington Monument. Photo by Melinda L. Larson (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Families of Fallen Honored During ‘Time of Remembrance’
By Melinda L. Larson
American Forces Press Service


WASHINGTON, May 20, 2007 – More than 3,100 families and friends of servicemembers lost in Iraq and Afghanistan gathered on the grounds of the Washington Monument today to remember their loved ones during a “Time of Remembrance” tribute.

The event, in its second year, was initiated by the White House Commission on Remembrance, established by Congress in 2000. Its purpose is to encourage Americans to honor those who died for their country’s freedoms by giving something back to the country in their memory.

Family members from all 50 states attended and many traveled from as far away as Guam, Germany and India.

“The families here today paid the highest price a family can pay for freedom - the loss of a loved one who gave his or her life in service to our country,” R. James Nicholson, secretary of Veterans Affairs, said during his remarks. “Those of you here today and all of the families of fallen soldiers will still bear the mortal weight of the final victory.”

For Florence Jallah, whose husband, Army Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis Jallah Jr., served during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, words could not describe what the ceremony meant to her and her seven children.

“I can’t use words to describe how I feel because the feeling is so profound,” she said. “Watching my children here today, remembering their dad in his battle dress uniform or his class As, brings back the memories of him and the kids always asking him, ‘Daddy where are you going? When will you be back? Can we come?’”

Jallah’s 16-year-old son Quincy was touched that others cared about his father.

“This ceremony means other people care and value what soldiers have done for our country. That means a lot to me,” he said.

Click here for continued story.

Light a Candle

This is such a great site that Diane sent to me. Click here to light a candle. This group is USMC, but you can start your own group.

Thanks, Diane!

Laid to Rest

Marine and Navy officers carry Maj. Douglas A. Zembiec from the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis, Md., following a service in his honor. Zembiec, former commander of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment was brought home to rest at Arlington National Cemetery May 16 by the Marine who served by his side. Zembiec once said his Marines 'fought like lions' during combat in Fallujah. The Lion of Fallujah is now at rest.

+ + +


John Harrell’s mom sent me this link the other day. I apologize for not posting it sooner. There are many photos as well as another beautiful article about Major Zembiec’s funeral.

Click here for the link.