To honor the 105 men of the USS Bennington killed on May 26th 1954,and also the many men who were severly burned.A feew of we Corpsman and Dr's from Chelsea Naval Hospital were flown to Quonset Point RI that fatefull day.May the good lord be holding our lost men in his arm's and also though the many passed years have taken care of the burn case's.They went though a liveing hell that day,and may God bless them all
Erick Lagerberg former HN that day.I have been made an honorary shipmate of the Bennington crew and also am very proud of that
God Bless them all
Erick

bob turnbull was a high school friend of mine. a nice ,quiet young man, who has a twin brother ,bill. i didnt know bob had lost his life in a place no one wanted to go, and do a job no one wanted to do. he was awarded the D.S.C.(posthumously) and still all these years later , i still miss him. i visit him almost daily at the VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL WALL, and always say , thanks bob, job well done.

I can never forget all the values you instilled in me for God and Country.All of our hunting and fishing trips and the love of family.I will forever be in gratatude for all you have given me.Dad was a Vietnam Vet. 1/92 FA,1967-68 B Battery cheif of smoke. 1931-1989 Buried at Ft.Bragg NC.Mom passed away on Dec.5,2009 and is buried with Dad,So I know you two are together once agin.Dad retired with 28 years service and i can't been any more prouder of him than i am.I miss you both and love you dearly.

Royal Canadian Air Force - Air Defence Command
September 1955 to September 1970

Born: 21 July 1937
Died: 29 October 1985

For Service to The Queen & Canada, in the defence of freedom. As so many of his generation, who faught the Cold War, and years after serving, "died of wounds".

They shall grow not old,
as we who are left, grow old.

Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun,
and in the morning,
We Will Remember Them.

I miss you Daddy but you are with our Lord now (Revelations 21:4). I will cherish our song I use to sing to you "Change My Heart Oh God", for ever and ever.

Proud WWII Army Daughter of
Julian L. Casas
Army (South Pacific)
Went to be with the Lord on: 2/15/2010

Served 2 tours as a Marine in Vietnam.He was VERY proud to serve his country and now has gone to be with the Lord.Stand down soldier your mission is complete.

put his boots in africa, sicily, omaha beach and the entire ww2 conflict defending freedom with his rifle, bayonet, knife , entrenching tool, helmet and his hands. here's to you "ACE"

I miss you grandfather and I will always love you.

"It is the soldier, not the reporter,
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.It is the soldier,
Who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag."
Father Denis Edward O'Brien, USMC


"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go. Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always. Take what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own. And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind.”

THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH
I LOVE YOU ALL AND THANK YOU AGAIN... SO MUCH!

I am only 12 years old and my 7th grade L.a. teacher assigned us an essay supported by the VFW (vetrans of foriegn war)called patriots pen and I figured it would be easy because I knew so much about the war and every thing else... but I didnt. I started to research even after I had turned the essay in because i needed to know more about my past and country... I logged onto a page or two but when i got onto your page i just bursted into tears. I didnt know the past could be so sad. I just want tho thank all of our vetrans and the people currently serving and just to say I love you all and thank you so very much.... Brooke Burkey

for the love of life.my marine. his very words are"all men should serve their country,learn to take orders,become strong and grow up" he was 17 and just out of high school. went to Camp lajune in carolina and served in the Koren conflict. bob showed us stength, protection,and guidence all through his life. as said when he passed our lives will never be the same without him--i know mine isn't and i wait for the day to join him again in another life. God bless all who give of themselves for the rest of us.

My dearest Husband, I want you to know how very proud I am of you. Serving in the Army's Big Red One, 9th Infantry Division you showed that our generation hasn't forgotten what the previous generation provided for us-FREEDOM, Love of our country, and the ability to make a better nation for our children and grandchildren. You came from a family of veterans and learned the value and sacrifices that sometimes must be made in order to keep America home of the free..and the brave. We love you so much. And I love you beyond words my dearest husband. Thank you for dedicating your life to those whom you didn't even know so that they too can be free to make their own choices in their lives. You are a perfect example of a soldier my dear. So respectful, so ready to defend our nation, so disciplined and patriotic. Our children are fortunate to have you as their dad,our grandchildren blessed to have you as their grandpa who would stand and fight for their freedom endlessly and I am blessed beyond words to have you by my side! I know that as an Army Soldier you "Did more by 9am than a civilian does all day". I love you dear. Our nation and I thank you!

Daddy, I miss you so much. There are not words to explain the hole that it has left in my heart when you went to your heavenly home to guard the gates of heaven...as a US MARINE during the Korean Conflict you were not only brave, strong, and determined to defend your nation; but you also had insight as to the fact your service was going to protect your future family and secure their freedom. You were much more than a soldier, you were and are always my buddy, my mentor, my daddy forever. Nothing can ever take the place of your handsome brown eyes, your intense love for your family, your extreme pride in your nation, and the UNCONDITIONAL love you freely gave to your family. We intensly miss and love you my precious daddy. As a US MARINE I know you are guarding heavens gate and will hopefully greet us all one day as we too go to our true home. Momma is lost without you. Know that you instilled in me an undying pride and love for all veterans, and my heart will forever have a hole until we meet again. Your grandchildren feel such sorrow, your daughters are aching to hold you again, and daddy you have THREE great grandchildren now...your memory will live FOREVER, YOU will live forever, for I will never let your memory pass...they WILL know their great grandpa's stories, and we know that you sent them from angel's wings with a kiss. Semper Fi my dearest buddy...until we meet again.
Your buddy forever, Your Patty

I too still have and wear the POW/MIA bracelet of Major Robert Rausch. I purchased it at Air Force Basic Training at Lackland AFB, in April of 1972. They were on sale in front of the BX, and I purchased it on my first base liberty pass. I chose his name because we have the same set of initials. In fact, I was sometimes known by the moniker "Double R" back then, and still am to this day on my personalized license plate. I'll never forget his name, or the date he went missing,16 April 1970. May that Double R ever rest in peace, and his family be consoled in the knowledge that he gave his life for all of us, doing what he loved and felt obligated to do.

I was assigned to fly in this aircraft back to Lincoln AFB but was removed to return one day earlier. I had just landed in Lincoln when the news came over a Lincoln Radio Station that the plane was missing. I personally knew about 40 of these Airmen and still think of them often and have wondered all these years what happened. I still have photos of some of these Airmen. I will never forget them.

Known to many of his friends as 'Pap', and to his shipmates as 'Happy', my grandfather served in the U.S. Navy during the second World War aboard the DE-330 USS O'Reilly. To his four grandsons, he was known as 'Pabbles', thanks in part to the youngest grandson, Wesley...(he had trouble saying Pa-Paw, and it came out Pabbles). Pabbles was called home back in 1994 and has been missed everyday since. On September 8, 2000, Erin 'Mackenzie' Ricks, Pabbles' first great-grandchild was born to Eric, the oldest grandson. Then on March 21, 2005, a second one named Benjamin Isaac Ricks came along, also to Eric. I really wish that Pabbles could spend these years visiting with Mackenzie and Ben instead of only watching from above, but I know he is bragging about them all around Heaven.

Pabbles, always know that you are missed by your three remaining grandsons, Eric, Coy and Wesley and know that your great-granddaughter, Mackenzie and great-grandson Ben, will learn all about you as she grows up. I'm sure her great-grandmother will have many stories to tell her.
Be sure to tell Brian "Hello" from all of us.

I. M. Hopkins
04SEPT24 - 05JULY94

To Jawg in Jawja, a loving husband, father, grandfather and fellow Veteran.
May I offer this Navy Prayer to you.

The Lord was your pilot, you did not go adrift;

He led you through passage across dark channels;

He steered you through the deep waters,

He kept your log.



He has guided you by the evening star for your safety's sake.

Yea, though you have sailed mid the thunders and tempests of life,

you have feared no peril, for Thou art with you,

Thy stars and heavens, have comforted you.

The vastness of thy sea upheld you.



Surely fair winds and safe harbors shall be found

when you pass through the Gates Of Heaven;

you shall moor, fast and secure, forever.




Amen.

It never gets any easier. We miss you every day. Love Mom, Dad and Jeff

Floyd passed away 5 years ago on 6-6-2004, he served in the army in Veitnam, he got throat cancer from the agent orange that they spayed over there...we love and miss you Floyd, you will forever be in our hearts!!

Rob served in the navy for 12 1/2 years. He was very proud of this and proud of his country. Although he was a disabled vet, he lived his life to the fullest....Rest in peace Rob...

A dear friend of mine who is currently serving his 4th tour in Iraq. I have watched him grow into quite a fine young man who gives his all for his country. May God keep him in his loving care and bring him home to us safely once again.