Monday, May 28, 2012

Taking a moment to remember and say thank you

Even though many of us spend Memorial Day grilling, out of town or spending it with family please take a moment to remember what this day is truly for-honoring the men and women who have served and died for our great country, after all, freedom is not free.  Many, many service men and women have given either part or all of their lives to ensure we remain free.  Here are a few photos of my favorite veteran over his five distinguished years of service:

Dining In, 2006

Promotion Ceremony in Iraq, 2007
Iraq, 2006-2008
Task Force Falcon Military Ball, 2008 
Returning to Afghanistan after R&R, 2010
Ft. Bragg, 2006
Redeployment from Afghanistan, 2010

Grant and Chris in Dress Blues, 2010

Even though our time with the US Army is over, I will always cherish the years C spent in service to our nation.  I'm so proud of his willingness to serve and the strong solider and leader he became!

I would also be remiss if I didn't mention the soldiers who served and gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving with Chris on Task Force Falcon while deployed to Iraq in 2006-2008 (thanks Grant for sharing this):

SFC Keith Callahan - KIA 24 January 2007, Arab Jabour (South Baghdad), Iraq
SPC Donovan Witham - KIA 23 August 2007, Arab Jabour (South Baghdad), Iraq
SSG Sandy Britt - KIA 23 August 2007, Arab Jabour (South Baghdad), Iraq
CPT Erick Foster - KIA 28 AUG 2007, Hembis, Diyala River Valley, Iraq
SGT Andrew Nelson - KIA 28 AUG 2007, Hembis, Diyala River Valley, Iraq
CPL Ryan Woodward - KIA 8 SEP 2007, Tarmiyah, Iraq
SGT Ricardo Rodriguez - KIA 3 OCT 2007, Sherween Village, Diyala River Valley, Iraq
SGT Bryan Tutten - KIA 25 DEC 2007, Diyala River Valley, Iraq
CPL Christopher West - KIA 3 February 2008, Diyala River Valley, Iraq
CPL Miguel Baez - KIA 5 FEB 2008, Diyala River Valley, Iraq
SGT John Osmolski - KIA 5 FEB 2008, Diyala River Valley, Iraq

Please take a moment to read these names and give thanks for each and every one of them.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good to see this blog. This is "THE WEEK" actually a little longer. Where we start on the 22nd Losing SPC Witham and then on teh 29th CPT Foster and end by losing SPC Woodward on the 8th.
This is what tries men's souls. Not the klling but the loss.

Thanks for your service, You were a good officer. Glad you are doing well.

OX

Chris said...

Thanks,

It was a rough week. Glad for my time with 1-73 and the memories of all the great guys there.

Hope you are doing well SGM, keep up the good work.

Chris