Posted on 10/02/2005 6:58:30 PM PDT by The Mayor
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T.G.I.F. at the Finest |
Every Thursday at the Finest  |
Will wait and see and hope for the best :-)
Prayers for our Military, past and present.
Beautiful graphic, Dan Lacey
Marine's wish honored as mascot comes home
Plain Dealer Reporter
Kathy Wright can't replace her Marine son who was killed in Iraq, but later this week she will honor his request and adopt the company mascot, a dog named Beans.
Just weeks before Cpl. Jeffrey Allen Boskovitch, 25, was killed by small-arms fire outside Haditha, Iraq on Aug. 1, he emailed his mother about Beans.
The dog got the name because Boskovitch and his fellow Marines bought the mixed-breed pup from Iraqi villagers for a quarter and three jelly beans.
He hoped to bring the dog home with him when his tour of duty was up in August. Boskovitch was killed Aug. 1 along with five other Marine snipers.
Barring complications, his wish will come true when Beans arrives at the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment headquarters on Snow Road in Brook Park sometime this week.
Initially, the Marines and the military said it was against regulations to bring Beans to the United States on a military transport.
Wright's efforts to cut through red tape eventually led her to the Pentagon, to the office of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Michael W. Hagee.
"Gen. Hagee told the mother he would get it done," said Hagee's spokesman Maj. Jason Johnston. "He put his staff on it and it has been worked out.
The dog will be on her way. If Beans can comfort the mother of a fallen Marine, then it is our pleasure to help."
Maj. Jenny Potter, a spokeswoman for the Brook Park headquarters, said the dog's arrival is due to Wright's determination.
"She wanted this to happen, and she worked on it until she pushed it through," Potter said.
Wright said she will bring the dog to her home as soon as it arrives, but will isolate Beans from her other dogs, Chloe and Daisy.
"We'll keep her separated until I can have some blood tests done to make sure she is not carrying any illnesses from ticks or sand flies," she said. "I know everyone will get along."
She said she still believes Beans is part of her son's unit and that she will share the dog with the local Marines.
"If they want me to bring her to watch them march or train, I'd be glad to," she said. "Beans belonged to the whole company, not just my son."
She said getting Beans will provide a bit of relief.
"It's bittersweet," she said. "Beans is not a replacement for my son, but a welcome addition to my family."
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
msangiacomo@plaind.com, 216-999-4890
God Bless Our Military
I proudly fly my flag each day, put it out in the morning, take it in at night. After I put it in the flag holder, I give the pole a little tap, look up towards the sky and send a hello to my dear Dad (WW2 Navy). Hoping he has been seeing me from above, as I think of him each morning when I fly our beautiful American flag. Been doing this for many, many years. I love our country and I am so proud of all those who serve.
"That eagle is America! Harm him, you harm us all!
And though wounded, I assure you, that eagle will not fall!"
Yes, that eagle will not fall! Beautiful:-)
Ahhhh...deadhead! Tears came to my eyes when I thought of you tapping your flagpole in honor of your Dad every day. God bless him for his service to his country. He is my hero!
Thank you for your kind words :-)
[Need I point out the thrill it was for me to as Guidon Bearer for Company "A" in the Dedication Ceremony for the Iwo Jima Monument on the Parade Deck at Parris Island to carry Old Glory, literally leading the parade of eight full Companies?! It doesn't get any more special than that.]
That personal testimony reminds me of my time in boot camp.
In the latter weeks of boot camp, two recruits in our company of 80 recruits were chosen to be All-State flag bearers for the weekly graduation ceremonies. Dunn, from Nebraska and I were the one's chosen to be part of the Color Guard. Dunn carried Nebraska's flag and I had Utah. Those two grad ceremonies (the last one being our own graduation) were the first times we wore our Dress Blues. I remember the feeling of pride in my uniform and being fortunate to wear it as well as the pride of being chosen to part of the Color Guard.
Forty-two years later, the uniform rests, folded properly in the cedar chest. I pulled it out last November and wore it to a program at Christian's school where they honored our Nation's Veterans. It still fits - well, maybe a little tighter - and I think the pride of uniform is even greater than in those days of old.
Veteran's Day is coming up soon - Maybe I should send it to the cleaners. Besides, seeing me in uniform always has brought a smile to Mrsdd's face. :)
Next time ya get it on I hope you'll get MrsDD to take a picture so we can all see how cool you are in your uniform!
What a great tribute to your Dad.
Each day as I put ours out and take it in, I render a salute. It's much, much more that just a piece of cloth.
Beautiful, Billie.
You and Unknown have presented a masterpiece.
That sure is a good-lookin' "old Tin Can Sailor", Tonk.
We're mighty proud of you.
Thanks, Diver Dave.
My Dad died when I was 11, and I remember my Dad like it was yesterday. Am very proud that he served our great country.
"Each day as I put ours out and take it in, I render a salute."
And I am proud of you
One day I will get a nice flag pole with a light, so I can fly my flag all night.
My American Flag:
Thanks Brother
Won't be around for a few days but will check back in later in the week to see what Billie and the other hostesses have created for us this week (I miss being a hostess).
So sorry to hear this about (((INK)))
Hi all, just getting home from a long day. Boy politics and work creates a long day and seems to never end and never seems long enough. How's that for a mouthful...
Temple so sorry my friend, no it isn't easy at all.
Dub, Thank you and God Bless my friend.
Great post from everyone, as like the rest of you I am waiting and watching untill I make a decision on our next SCOTUS candidate. She was a dem once, donated to Gore's campaign supported Dukakis but then changed to Repub and joined in with W.
She is an evangelical Christian, we can only hope and pray she has come over from the dark side. I am trying very hard to trust President Bush, truely. I am having great difficulty with his spending and the borders. We need to support or Troops and continue to Pray for them everyday.
My God Almighty work in President Bush's life and we accomplish the goals set forth and sanctioned by God.
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