My Own Political Party

SSgt. Andy Pena Staff Sgt. Andy Pena performs in-flight calibrations on a HH-60 Pave Low while flying Sept. 3 over Ellington Field, Texas. He and members of the 55th Rescue Squadron deployed from Davis-Mothan Air Force Base, Ariz., to Ellington Field in response to Hurricane Gustav with less than 24 hours after notification. Sergeant Pena is an aerial gunner. These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For ... Read More

Spc. Matthew A. Koch 23 years old from West Henrietta, New York Company C, 70th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division March 9, 2005 Spc. Matthew A. Koch was on his second tour of duty when he was killed by an IED that was detonated near his vehicle in Taji. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He previously was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Service Ribbon and medals for service in the fight against terrorism. Koch enlisted ... Read More

1st. Lt. Thomas M. Martin 27 years old from Ward, Arkansas C Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division October 14, 2007 An Eagle Scout, Thomas M. Martin took on cleaning up an old red train caboose as a service project. "He remodeled it to make it where people could go inside. If you saw it before and looked in it after he was through - it was daylight and dark", said his former principal, Robert Martin, who ... Read More

Spc. Kisha Makerney 23 years old from Fort Towson, Oklahoma 120th Engineers, Oklahoma Army National Guard U.S. Army Spc. Kisha Mackerney isn't being profiled today because of something she did on the battlefield. She's being profiled because her spirit and determination. In 2002, Makerney joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard out of a sense of patriotism, because, as she put it, "I love our country and our people." Between 2004 and 2005, she served in Iraq as a gunner and helped provide battalion ... Read More

I missed presenting this hero last week and wanted to post it today. Click Image For Full SizeLance Cpl. Julie Martinez Lance Cpl. Julie Martinez, a radio operator with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, checks the communication capabilities during a backload of Marines from Combat Logistics Regiment 3 to the USS Essex June 9. These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call ... Read More

This Weeks Hero Was Suggested by Mary Ann Staff Sgt. Jude Voss 1st Battalion, 3d Special Forces Group (Airborne) His courage illustrates a combat truth to these veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam: Soldiers arenʼt thinking about glory or ideals in the midst of a battle. They fight for the men to the left and right of them. And that's just what SSgt. Jude Voss did in September of 2006 when, without consideration to his safety, SSgt. Voss ran through enemy fire and ... Read More

Army Spc. Jeffrey A. Williams 20 years old from Warrenville, Illinois Support Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment September 5, 2005 SPC. Jeffery A. Williams was killed in action when an IED was detonated near his combat patrol in Tal Afar, Iraq. Your time with us was far too short Dealing with your loss will be hard, When I think about what this world has lost I want to just shut out the world and cry, But I will not do that. Because you gave your life for something much greater than you ... Read More

Gen. Benjamin S. Griffin General Benjamin S. Griffin, commanding general, U.S. Army Materiel Command, talks with Brig. Gen. Shallal Abdul Rasool Habeeb These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero. We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For ... Read More

Sgt. John F. Thomas(Right) & Sgt. Ronnie L. Shelley, Sr.(Left) 33 & 34 years old from Valdosta, Georgia 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, 48th Infantry Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard July 24, 2005 & July 30, 2005 Sgt. Ronnie "Rod" Shelley and Sgt. John F. Thomas became best friends in the Georgia Army National Guard. They both were ex-Marines, both about the same age, and both enjoyed searching for arrowheads and fishing together. As their friendship grew, Thomas often came over to Shelley’s house for steaks and ... Read More

This Weeks Hero Was Suggested By Cindy Petty Officer 2nd Class Chris Davila From Sierra Vista, Arizona On the sixth anniversary of the terrorist attack on the United States, Petty Officer 2nd Class Chris Davila raised an American flag over Camp Korean Village, Iraq, he brought with him from Arizona. Tuesday, May 6, 2008, Sierra Vista firefighter and emergency medical technician Chris Davila presented that flag to Fire Chief Randy Redmond as fellow firefighters looked on. Monday, May 5, 2008, was Davila’s first day back ... Read More