Semper Gratus! » True Heroes

Pre-Memorial Day at Walter Reed

GunnNutt — Sun, 24 May 2009 02:35:47 +0000

We had a good turnout this week: 15 patriots to 9 stinking pinkos. Only one abusive nutbag in a car. I don’t write about Friday nights at Walter Reed much anymore ’cause it’s all the same and sameness is boring. But tonight something rather special did happen.

A soldier who is a patient in the hospital came out to visit us. Nothing new there.

He went down to the Pinkos and talked to them, too. Ditto. Nothing new.

When he came back up to the “right” side, I went over to say “Thank you” and to talk. Still nothing new.

Then, the bombshell: This soldier was at the White House yesterday and came face to face with Zero and .. refused to shake his hand!

Part of me thinks his action was disrespectful, but this warrior has the right to express his opinion and that was certainly a powerful way of doing so. What cojones!! I’m so proud of him… *sniff*

Remembering “the Herd”

GunnNutt — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:47:41 +0000

Thanks to TankerBabeLC I got to play taxi to 3 real purty soldiers and attend several very special memorials on the day before Veteran’s Day.

Young and old veterans meet and greet.

Standing at attention while Taps is played.

The 82nd Airborne’s Color Guard along with the colors from the 173rd Airborne (front).

The official memorial for the 173rd.

SGT Pitts places flags in memory of his fallen breathren.

A ceremony led by LtCol. Roy Lombardo to honor Major General “Butch” Williamson.

The most touching memorial of all. Three young warriors, all wounded at the battle of Wanat, pay tribute to one of their own who died there. SPC Sergio Abad, rest in peace soldier.

Fly These Friendly Skies!

GunnNutt — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:15:40 +0000

Whoowee! A hat-trick of feminine flyers. Check out this story on CJTF82 about the Smith Sisters.

Army Chief Warrant Officer Amber Smith (left) and Air Force Capt. Kelly Smith (right) celebrate at a graduation for their younger sister, Army Chief Warrant Officer Lacey Smith (center). All three Smith sisters are pilots in the armed forces. (Courtesy photo)

OK, so the Taliban and al-Qaeda may not find the skies so friendly, but the rest of us can sleep soundly at night knowing these fine ladies have us covered.

Surf’s Up III!

GunnNutt — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:43:27 +0000

Once again the great folks at AmpSurf will be hosting a group of Wounded Warriors for a week of surf, sand, sun and fun. I posted about the first event in “These guys will try anything!” if you would like to see pics and read the story from Donna, Los Osos. I got the heads-up about this year’s event from Dana Cummings, AmpSurf’s Executive Director:

Hey all:
Please note that we did this again in 2007 and are doing it this year August 14th-18th, 2008. If you would like to come out and Volunteer we would love to have you. Also if you are a veteran and would like to learn to surf please contact us to participate. Just go to the website http://www.ampsurf.com and click on Operation Restoration III.

Yeehah!! A great pic by Desiree Cobb of an incredible athlete.

Check it out! I hope there’s lots of coverage of this year’s event since I won’t be able to be there again… Donna, I’m counting on you for another full report!

An Eastern Shore Veterans Day

GunnNutt — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 02:32:14 +0000

Thanks to the American Legion, Jeff Davis Post 18 and America’s Wounded Heroes, 4 Wounded Warriors from Walter Reed were treated to a very special Veteran’s Day this year.

SGT Josh Sparling, SSG Sean Cannon, CPL Robert Schubert, SPC Chase Matthews with their ducks and shotguns.

4 shotguns were donated for the guys! A Charles Daly from Ducks Unlimited, an H&K from Bass Pro Shop and 2 Brownings from Safari International and MD Waterfowl Association.

Action shot!

Chase shoots with his dad, Rudy, looking on.

Josh concentrating.

The Times Herald of Port Huron, MI, did a really nice article this weekend about the charity America’s Wounded Heroes and the duck hunt event. Unfortunately, we didn’t get all the pics edited and uploaded in time for them to be included in the article. For all the fun stuff and some serious photos, check it out here.

Josh and Mike Sparling.

The great Veterans and spouses of the American Legion Jeff Davis Squadron and Post 18, Centerville, MD made the whole weekend wonderful! They made our young heroes feel like superstars (which, of course, they are!). There ~~will be more news and updates on the AWH website once I get it updated~~ IS more news and stuff on the New, the Improved, America’s Wounded Heroes website!