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One of America's heros.

Hi, I'm Claudia three years ago I met the man of my life on a dating site. Sgt. Richard Andrasic who is still in deployment in Syria. For the past year we have text each other and exchange emails photos bsck an fourth to each other. We are now on our 5 years in this long distance relationship in which its been hard for both of us. And we are in engaged to be married and about two months ago I diagnosed was with breast cancer. He miss my first surgery but has been there for me all this time from so far he is the reason i living his my rock he gives me that strength to go on and lose my self in this fight against cancer. At this time my cancer is gone for know in which his tired for so long to come home his filed his retirement papers and were accepted. But it's been really hard for to come with money we need to bring him home for good cause of my illness i cant work. Been trying to find a part-time job to work but nothing yet. I have lots of faith that i will find something soon to bring my soldier home to me and his family that miss him so dearly he is a great man friend, father, soldier to his country but most of all the best fiance a women like me have in her life. God bless our troops and bless you Sgt. Richard Andrasic i love you with all my heart Claudia.

Anonymous
Baldwin Park, CA

My Son, My Hero, My Marine

Our son left on Aug 6, 2012 at the ripe old age of 17 to Marine Corps Boot Camp in San Diego just a few short months after High School graduation, I was happy but scared at the same time, he was about to embark on a journey he had planned on since seeing the towers fall in elementary school to rid this world of Terrorists. To see him on Nov 2 2012 graduate Marine Corps Boot Camp was one of the most highest points in my life besides getting married and having my children. My dad was a Army man serving in both WW 11 and Korea as a combat medic and my husband served for over 11 years in the Army but when it comes to your own child it is way different. The emotional roller coaster is forever going while you are a Marine Corps mother, wife or child of a Marine. Then during his school in NC he got orders to Okinawa Japan. That was really hard to take for me knowing that he was going to be so far away if something happened to me you see I am a diabetic. The stress alone can effect your blood sugars. He had been away from home only once growing up besides school trips. To know your child is going to serve his country in another country is beyond stressful then in October of 2013 he calls to tell me he is deploying to the Philippines and the stuff going there was almost as bad as Iraq or the Sand Box. He was in harms way even in the Philippines. That deployment was 6 months of hell for this seasoned military mom.He is soon headed to his next PDS. I am so proud of the young responsible man that he has become and what the Marine Corps has taught him, he will someday make a very fine Police Officer which is his destination. I love that fine young man of ours and he will always make his family proud! Semper Fi & God Bless America

Anonymous
Wichita Falls, TX

My Hero

My Grandfather, Ed Creamer is my hero!! He was shot down over the Bering Sea in 1942, at the age of 21. He spent 1183 days as a POW.
He would tell people who would ask how he was treated by the Japanese, "that there were others who were treated worse." He never said anything bad about what he went through during his time as a prisoner. Many years later, when he was able to meet the man who shot down his PBY-5A plane, he shook his hand and said to him "you were just doing your job."

Papa was a life member of the American Ex-Prisoners of War, he was a guest speaker at POW-MIA ceremonies at our local base. He was one of the first inductees into the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Hall of Honor for his actions prior to and after his capture. He was also inducted into the Association of Aviation Ordnancemen Hall of Fame.

Papa never met a stranger, he liked all people. Papa was a true American, he loved his country. I only hope that I am half the person he was. He loved his family with all his heart and soul, especially my Grandma, Jeanette Creamer.

He died in August 2013 at the age of 91. Gone but never forgotten.

Misti Duvall
Jacksonville, FL

University of South Vietnam

I graduated high school in June of 1968. I did not want to go to Vietnam so I joined the army in august of 68. I was 17 so my parents had to sign papers for me to join. My mos was door gunner when I got to fort Rucker I was able to change my mos to air traffic controller. From their I went to keelesler air force base for AIT. Then in December of 1969 I went to Vietnam till March of 1971. I spent 15 and one half months in Vietnam and a total of 3.5 years in the army.

kirk cooke
hudson, FL

I'm Proud to be an Army Brat!

My Daddy Rat, Colonel Charles N. Bullard, US Army retired, served two tours in Vietnam, the second of which was voluntary. He is now disabled, and has Parkinson's from the Agent Orange utilized in the jungle. One of my fondest memories is of the year he had the honor of being the Parade Marshall in the opening of the Fourth of July festivities in Southport, North Carolina. He was in command at Sunnypoint, which was the largest amunition depot in the US. I was a cheerleader, at the time, and was in the same parade. What makes this so special is the fact that he headed up the front, while my fellow cheerleaders, and I, rounded up the back. This man has always been my biggest hero, and I am one of the luckiest girls on the planet to have had the honor of being raised as a Military Child. I want to thank all of the past, present, and future warriors, all of whom have my heart and soul. Without each of you, this great Nation would not be considered the land of the free. I sleep better knowing that each of you are sacrificing life and limb, and taking bullets for our citizens. I would most definitely take a bullet for each and every one of you! My father instilled the Warrior Ethos in me from day one, and held me to the highest of standards for which our Armed Forces are known. Before he got his Commission and went into the Army, he served in the Navy aboard the USS Midway. He knew both sides of the ranks, which gave him a unique perspective. He made me into the most diehard Brat, and so very proud to be an American. God Bless you all!!!

Stacey Bullard
Arkadelphia, AR

Meet Cliff

During high school, my son; Cliff suffered an injury to his ankle. Post surgery I was told that he would never play football again and to withdraw him from ROTC (his passion). After graduation, he worked several jobs whose offers were limited. Exhausting insufficient pay and no benefits, Cliff talked with a recruiter. Cliff explained about his two year old injury. The recruiter told him to lie about it and say that he was in a motocycle accident. (not true) He was enlisted into the Army National Guard. In 2004 Cliff was activated with orders for IRAQ. I begged for him to disclose his injury so that he would not have to go overseas. Cliff strongly exclaimed; "Hell no! I am going to be with my troops!) In 2008, again he was on tour status. After 15 years of service and two deployments to IRAQ, Cliff' suffers from severe PTSD. Cliff is extremely anxious in a crowd, when around people , he watches their hands. While in a room , he must know where the exits are. He becomes overwhelmed at the slightest issue. He has panic and anxiety attacks, depression, insomnia, he isolates himself, and has a plan of suicide. Years of ruck-marching, strenous exercise and PT, has left him with limited mobilization. He is facing surgery to fuse his ankle to his lower leg bone. He has gained nearly 200 pounds. He cannot work. He recieves NO financial help. He is separated from his wife and son. Now that you have met Cliff, I hope that you understand, he is a hero in that, he did NOT have to go. He could have easily been discharged from his duties. He could have stayed behind. He could have reduced himself to a chicken! Cliff's mother, Linda Hendrickson

Linda Hendrickson
Gastonia, NC

World WarII.

James Calvin Smith, country boy from NC. Enlisted at Fort Bragg NC. He was part of the 609th Tank Division. Trained for two years and then to Europe. They were fighting their way into Germany and their tank was blown up by a mine. He was sent to a field hospital and when he and one of his buddies heard they were going to be attached to another unit, they were not happy, so they walked away from the hospital after a week or so and started out to find their unit they trained with. The 609th had moved on and James and his buddy was able to connect with their unit. Amazing to me how they were able to do this. But they did. They were never sited for being AWOL. He later fought at the Battle Of the Bulge at Bastogne. He is my hero and my Uncle Buck, my dads brother. After the war he came home to live until he was 85. He bore the scars of the war for the rest of his life. More emotional than outward. Thanks to my hero Uncle Buck.

Mary Smith Flowers
Saint Pausl, NC

Encouragement Needed

Whenever we go out, wherever we shop etc.. My husband and I like to encourage our veterans whom we notice in uniform or wearing a hat... Home on leave, or no longer active especially ... we leave words with whom we are talking with that have some wonderful reactions: "Thank you so much for your service to our country. It is becouse of those like you we here enjoy our freedoms that we do.". We as that to all of those veterans who read this message. Bless You.

Salzman, Linda & Scott
Sarasota, FL

Cold Warriors?

A fellow Cold War vet called me a “Cold Warrior” and I pointed out that I was only a flunky. So, who would qualify to be labeled a “Cold Warrior”?

For every combat veteran there are thousands of other military personnel doing the jobs they were ordered to do.

A friend of mine served in Vietnam and spent the entire tour in an air-conditioned building doing clerk work. Should he not be proud of his service? Another friend of mine spent two years in the Navy and never went to sea.

How can a man who serves on a sub be compared to one who puts a plane safely onto the deck of a swaying surface ship? Is the crew of a supply ship somehow of lesser value than the crew of a battleship that launches shells to a coast several miles away? Should the crews of the lone wolf ships Northampton and Wright be considered more heroic than the crews of the aircraft carriers which were heavily protected by escort ships? Were the officers aboard the Wright and Northampton who carried the code to launch nuclear weapons more important than the officers who sat deep in a bunker ready to press the button?

Should a veteran of the Marine Corps be honored more than an Air Force vet? What is the difference between a friend of mine who served as a Marine Reservist with a few months active duty and another Marine friend who completed several years with the regular forces?

It takes courage and determination to honorably complete a tour of military duty. Whether soldier, sailor, airman, guardsman, or Marine—they all are worthy of respect.

Every cook, clerk, mechanic, and musician should be proud of the service they gave to the United States of America.

(The complete article is on the author's website.)

Karl Priest
Poca, WV

Saving Fellow veterans.

My 2 min. YouTube video, "To Veterans with Invisible Wounds", used by VA's nationwide suicide prevention program, some senior West point faculty, 20 other groups serving vets & GIs, in PSYCHIATRIC TIMES, most widely-read psychiatric publication. All this is verifiable. PLEASE share w/all you know, & help me save another vet's life!!!
Message encourages troubled vets (PTSD, etc.) to seek help, & be a tool for their families, friends, & counselors. I'm just another vet & retired counselor (Master's on GI Bill). Recent heart attack means the video's gotta do my work for me.

Roland Van deusen
Clayton, NY