Cpl. Katrina Hodge, aka “Combat Barbie”, Royal Anglian Regiment, Medal of Bravery recipient for actions in Iraq has become Miss England.
It’s been a long torturous road for this hero of WWII.
Airman 1st Class Arthur Carl Miller was killed in action on the island of Peleliu on September 13, 1944, two days before the invasion of the island by the 1st Marine Division. He was filling in as a gunner on a TBM Avenger flying from the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. The mission, to bomb the japanese held Peleliu airfield, came to a disastrous end as the aircraft was hit by murderous anti-aircraft fire, exploded and crashed north of the airfield. More details here.
Remains, identified as another crewman, Wesley Stuart, were returned to his family in California. Mrs. Stuart refused to believe they were the remains of her son, but she vowed to take care of some other mother’s son and so the remains were interred in their family mausoleum in San Joaquin.
In 2008, Mary Ellen Roberts, sister of Wesley Stuart, had the remains disinterred and flown to Hawaii for DNA testing to resolve the long standing family issue. Her mother’s intuition was proven correct, the boy kept so long in their keeping was not Wesley Stuart, and a search would find that he was Carl Miller of Poughkeepsie, NY. More here.
Dennis reports:
On Saturday morning, Nov 7. 2009 a full military ceremony (Navy) was held for Radioman First Class at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. It was a beautiful autumn day with bright sunshine and mild to crisp temperatures.
Radioman First Class Miller was a crew member (Radio and gunner) of a Grumman Avenger that was shot down in 1944. He was officially listed as MIA until several months ago when his remains were identified and his closest next of kin (his son, who was born 6 months after his father’s death) was notified. His son requested a military funeral at the family plot in Poughkeepsie. His son also asked around in search of veteran participation in what would be a modest ceremony.
Gathering of Eagles, Rolling Thunder, Patriot Guard Riders, and the American Legion all participated. RFC Miller’s remains were escorted to the cemetery by Rolling Thunder and PGR. encircling the Navy pall bearers, rifle team was a flag line of about 75 members of the groups in attendance holding American flags with a few Navy, Navy Jack, POW/MIA, and 1 Gadsden flags. Also conspicuously present was a homemade sign saying “Welcome Home Sailor” It was truly an honor to be invited to pay our respects to a true American hero. The family was very moved as were we all.
Airman Miller’s son, Arthur Miller, Jr. and family:
The sign says it all:
More of Steve’s pictures here.
Background on Airman Miller’s service written by his son.
Special thanks to PacificWrecks.Org for their background material and some photos on this story.
Also attending the service were members of The Bent Prop Project.
For more background on the Battle of Peleliu.
The following is a statement released by Retired Lt. Col. Allen West:
This past Thursday 13 American Soldiers were killed and another 30 wounded at a horrific mass shooting at US Army installation, Ft Hood Texas. As I watched in horror and then anger I recalled my two years of final service in the Army as a Battalion Commander at Ft Hood, 2002-2004.
My wife and two daughters were stunned at the incident having lived on the post in family housing.
A military installation, whether it is Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, or Coast Guard, is supposed to be a safe sanctuary for our Warriors and their families. It is intended to provide a home whereby our “Band of Brothers and Sisters” can find solace and bond beyond just the foxhole but as family units.
A military installation is supposed to be a place where our Warriors train for war, to serve and protect our Nation.
On Thursday, 5 November 2009 Ft Hood became a part of the battlefield in the war against Islamic totalitarianism and state sponsored terrorism. Continue Reading »
He says it all!
America’s Future Fund asks if they can run America’s ENTIRE Healthcare System.
And can they keep cronyism and favoritism out of it?
We think we know the answer.
Keep Government Hands Off Healthcare!
Kill The Bill!
Word on the street is that AARP will be selling its senior citizen members down the river tomorrow by endorsing the Healthcare Plan before Congress.
Don’t let the AARP aid and abet the destruction of American Healthcare just so it can profiteer from selling additional Medigap Insurance policies after your Medicare Advantage policies are taken away by government fiat.
There are at least three alternatives to AARP, dump the socialist enablers and get a responsible advocate!
American Seniors Association (ASA)
Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC)
And call AARP to tell them to expect your torn up membership card in the mail!
We have not lost in NY 23, the war is not over, we have just begun to fight and we are finding our way!
The Revolution was not won in a single day or a single campaign.
Every battle taught lessons that made the colonials better, more determined, fighters.
NY 23 will be in play again next year along with many other Congressional Districts in New York.
Let us take the lessons learned here and apply them everywhere across the state.
- Do not let nominations go unchallenged.
- Fight for principle.
- Know the issues that are important locally as well as nationally.
- Never, ever, give in.
Now go and celebrate the huge victories in Virginia and New Jersey and carry the fight to Washington this Thursday!
Then return and we shall go to work for next year.
A good after action analysis of the NY 23 election is here. More here and here.
A new video from the League of American Voters:
Robert Stacy McCain reports on the message of the Doug Hoffman campaign and why it is important!
Doug Hoffman’s name is only on the “D’ row, D for Doug!
Doug Hoffman gave a last campaign speech in Watertown:
Victory in 23!
The USS New York (LPD-21) arrived in New York harbor in preparation for her christening on November 7th into the United States Navy.
The Vigilant Squirrel Brigade was there to video the arrival and honors at the World Trade Center.
The ship incorporates some steel from the World Trade Center towers which were destroyed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. This steel represents the United States’ commitment to punishing those responsible for the attacks and never forgetting the sacrifice of the almost 3,000 Americans killed that day.
After docking, reporters and the public were allowed to tour the ship.
More on the arrival here and here.
Welcome to New York! Never Forget!
