[DWar]

An American Hero.

[RaceBannon]

Windsor Locks Connecticut bump!

[Illbay]

I never knew that Johnny Appleseed was in the Air Force.

[JAWs]

The other Air Force Cross recipient for this war is Senior Ariman Jason Dean Cunningham.

[JAWs]

[sneakypete]

An American Hero.

Amen,brother,amen!

[sargunner]

It is not often that the PJs and CCT members receive the acknowledment for the jobs that they do. As a former Jolly Green crewmember, I have personally witnessed the selfless deeds performed by such men as Cunningham and Chapman. It is only when we lose one of these exceptional men that the AF begrudgingly admits that there are zoomies who do get their hands dirty doing extremely low-tech things. This is not what the AF PR machine wants to admit. .

As a participant in over 100 CSAR ops, the ultimate acknowledgement came from seeing the look on the face of the survivors as they were hoisted aboard. These missions were not always successful and many JG crews never returned. Being a member of the half-mission club myself, I can personally attest that under those circumstances, the most wonderful words that one can hear on your URC is the SANDY lead tell you , "We have your position. Jolly inbound. Pop your smoke on my call" followed by the unmistakable 'Sikorsky Symphony' of minigun fire and rotorwash, and later being greeted by the friendly face of a PJ as he decends on the penetrator as if from the heavens.

Poetic isn't it? But seriously, these men would not characterize their exploits as being 'heroic'. It is just simply what they do.

My heartfelt thoughts go out to the families of these fine young men and also many thanks to all the FRVets for their service.