Free Republic

With gratitude to Providence and thanks to all who kept me in their thoughts and prayers, I'm happy to be home from Iraq. I arrived in Ithaca last night at about 9 PM, about 43 hours after beginning the journey home from Baghdad. Naturally there were a few more plot twists along the way. Instead of traveling via Rota Spain and Dover, DE, etc., it was Qatar, Ramstein Germany, Charleston, Charlotte, Philly, Syracuse and Ithaca. I'll spare you all the details, but will say that the East Coast being socked in made for lots more time to appreciate the charms...

"Although the Southern Mountains contain merely 12 percent of the U.S. population, over 70 percent of the Medal of Honor recipients are from here."

Lord, Keep our Troops forever in Your care Give them victory over the enemy... Grant them a safe and swift return... Bless those who mourn the lost. . FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time. ...................................................................................... ........................................... U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel...

The following Pics sent to me by Mr. Greg Latino gclatino@rcn.com who attended the recent dedication of this new iwo Jima Memorial! Also attending were the now TWO living survivors of that event, Sgt Ray Jacobs, and Cpl Charles Lindberg. The memorial depicts the flag-raising on Mount Suribachi on 23 February 1945 (not the replacement flag--the first flag raising!). BTW, has anyone seen any national media coverage of this event? I have been watching for it, but I must have missed it. If, no media coverage, perhaps HQMC or Leatherneck magazine??? Semper Fidelis Dick GainesCLICK-HERE!!!!!