Free Republic

Likely the last major anniversary with veterans, now it’s on the living to pay tribute to the soldiers who fought the war, rebuilt the towns, then left.The eyes of the world are falling on the beaches at Normandy, France, as leaders mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day. For most nations whose troops risked and sacrificed their lives at the landings, the beaches are far away in time and place. But locals are resolved to carry on eternal salutes to their liberators.World War II touched every continent, and even the greatest armada ever assembled — while a huge set piece —...

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2007 – Two Navy SEALs who recently returned from Iraq shared some of their combat experiences and described the progress they witnessed in Anbar province, during a panel discussion yesterday at the Naval Heritage Center here. Petty Officer 2nd Class Brian, a heavy weapons operator and breacher, and Lt. Chris, SEAL Team Five Bravo Platoon’s commander -- who are identified only by their first names for security reasons. They spent seven months in Anbar province training Iraqi security forces to operate independently. The SEALs painted an unfiltered picture of their experience on Camp Corregidor in the...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (April 12, 2006) -- The morning of Oct. 4, 2005 had a different feel than other mornings Company L had experienced in Iraq, said 2nd Lt. Matt J. Hendricks, Weapons Platoon commander. Sensing the anxiety in the air, he approached Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathaniel R. Leoncio, serving as platoon corpsman, 4th Platoon, Company L, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 2nd Marine Division. “That morning, right before we pushed off, I approached Leoncio and said, ‘You’re the angel on my shoulder.’ He said, ‘Yeah, you’re mine too, sir,’” said Hendricks. Those statements were foreshadowing of...

WASHINGTON, D.C. --(Army News Service, March 28, 2005) Better late than never for Stephen Lawrence, who received the Distinguished Service Cross at the Pentagon March 25, more than 33 years after his heroic actions in Vietnam. “What an appropriate place to honor one of our American heroes who served in Vietnam,” said Gen. Richard A. Cody, vice chief of staff for the Army, who served as the presenter of the award at the Hall of Heroes. “On Oct. 5, 1971, Warrant Officer [2] Stephen Lawrence was a pilot serving with 3rd Platoon of the 135th Assault Helicopter Company in Vietnam,”...