[Bastiat]

Originally Posted by TooBad

I try to personally thank every soldier that I encounter in my daily errands for their service and bravery. And living in the N. VA area, I run into quite a few every time I go to the grocery or am forced to use the Metro system. They seem to appreciate my meager efforts to honor them.

Didn't realize we travel the same neighborhood. I, too, make it a point to talk with the military people I run into on Metro (which usually isn't hard because the damn train has broken down between stations ) many have done tours in Iraq. Because of the route I take (Bethesda Naval Hospital actually called "Medical Center") is one of the stops so many of the soldiers are in the medical field in some fashion.

[Sarge]

Originally Posted by TooBad

Sarge, great point! While all those that have died were extremely brave men who should be honored for their bravery, dying does not automatically bestowe hero status on a soldier. I was hoping someone would know of and post a hero that made it out alive as I believe that you also do not have to die to be a hero.

I try to personally thank every soldier that I encounter in my daily errands for their service and bravery. And living in the N. VA area, I run into quite a few every time I go to the grocery or am forced to use the Metro system. They seem to appreciate my meager efforts to honor them.

Ill be headed to VA later in the year for ANCOC (Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course) at Fort Eustis. Hopefully in the summertime, VA beach! Yes Baby!

[Sarge]

Col. Stephen K. Scott
US Army


Hometown: New Market, Alabama, U.S.

Age: 54 years old

Died: April 6, 2008 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit: Army, 356th Quartermaster Battalion, Laurel, Miss.

Incident: Killed when insurgents attacked his unit with indirect fire in Baghdad.

[Sarge]

Pvt. George Delgado
US Army


Hometown: Palmdale, California, U.S.

Age: 21 years old

Died: March 24, 2008 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit: Army, 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Incident: Died March 24 in Baghdad from wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an a makeshift bomb on March 23.

Sign Pvt. George Delgados Guestbook:
http://legacy.com/WashingtonPost/GB/...onID=106478059

[Sarge]

1LT David Bernstein
US Army
Awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart

1LT David Bernstein - 508th Parachute Infantry, KIA in Iraq on 18 October, Lt. Bernstein was on a patrol in his humvee along with several other vehicles. Their mission was to locate and destroy an enemy position from which RPGs had been fired at his company.

Ambushed, with his vehicle hit and bleeding profusely from a leg wound, David helped free his driver who was pinned down by the overturned vehicle. He then returned fire to the enemy. Gen. Brooks presented David's parents with a bronze star and a purple heart that had been awarded to their son

[Sarge]

Staff Sgt. Christopher M. Hake
US Army



Hometown: Enid, Oklahoma, U.S.

Age: 26 years old

Died: March 24, 2008 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit: Army, 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Incident: Died March 24 in Baghdad from wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered a makeshift bomb on March 23

Sign Staff Sgt. Christopher M. Hake's Guest Book
http://legacy.com/WashingtonPost/GB/...onID=106325052

[Sarge]

Staff Sgt. Raymond Bittinger
US Army
Awarded the Silver Star medal with Valor



FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARHORSE, Iraq, July 20, 2004 — The 1st Infantry Division Commander, Maj. Gen. John R.S. Batiste, awarded the Silver Star medal with Valor, one of the highest military decorations, to Staff Sgt. Raymond Bittinger, an infantryman from the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment and attached to the 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery, according to 1st Infantry Division officials.

About 200 soldiers attended the ceremony July 19, held on Forward Operating Base Gabe in Baqubah, Iraq. Bittinger, a 33-year-old Chicago native, earned the medal for valorous actions leading to the defeat of enemy forces and saving the lives of friendly forces on April 9, 2004, in Buhritz and Baqubah.

Lt. Col. Steven Bullimore, Task Force 1-6 commander presided over the ceremony. “As Americans, we love our heroes,” he

said. “We wonder in our heart of hearts what it is that makes them. In the example of Staff Sgt. Ray Bittinger, two things stand out. First, he has always been good at what he does. Second is the simple selflessness of a true professional.”

Bittinger said he was humbled by the all of the attention and the remarks.

“I consider myself a soldier, not a hero,” said Bittinger after the ceremony. “I’m an infantryman. It’s my duty; it’s my job.”
http://patriotfiles.org/HOH_SS_OIF.htm

[Sarge]

Spec. Jose A. Rubio Hernandez
US Army

Hometown: Mission, Texas, U.S.

Age: 24 years old

Died: March 24, 2008 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit: Army, 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Incident: Died March 24 in Baghdad from wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered a makeshift bomb on March 23.

[TooBad]

Originally Posted by Bastiat

Didn't realize we travel the same neighborhood. I, too, make it a point to talk with the military people I run into on Metro (which usually isn't hard because the damn train has broken down between stations ) many have done tours in Iraq. Because of the route I take (Bethesda Naval Hospital actually called "Medical Center") is one of the stops so many of the soldiers are in the medical field in some fashion.

You forgot we talked about motorcycle riding in the past as you have a new bike. The weather is getting nice, I've gone on several nice short rides.

As to soldiers on the Metro, I go through the Pentagon almost every time so I see quite a few. Many have been in Iraq or Afghanistan and I wish I had more time to talk with them as to their perspective. Their character is of the highest order and their stories are inspirational.

[Bastiat]

Originally Posted by TooBad

You forgot we talked about motorcycle riding in the past as you have a new bike. The weather is getting nice, I've gone on several nice short rides.

As to soldiers on the Metro, I go through the Pentagon almost every time so I see quite a few. Many have been in Iraq or Afghanistan and I wish I had more time to talk with them as to their perspective. Their character is of the highest order and their stories are inspirational.

That correct, I had forgotten. You've got a Vulcan correct?

[NICK G]

Good thread, Sarge.

I was hoping someone would know of and post a hero that made it out alive...

Dead does not automatically make one a hero.
Anyone who puts others ahead of their life to save those others is a hero.
Firemen who rush into burning buildings...
Police who shoot it out with crack dealers or bank robbers...
Soldiers who take orders, do a job no one else would do, get in harms way to save others,
spend a year or 2 or 3 or 4 on foreign soil in the name of freedom...
These are heroes all.
One makes it through the flames without being singed, captures the crack dealer or
bank robber without injury, makes it home from a devastating war without permanent
physical injuries are heroes.
Dead in the line of duty is the ultimate sacrifice. KIA. But putting ones self in a position to
become dead in an instant is a sacrifice also.
Yes, remember the fallen always. But remember all that were not mortally wounded but
maimed for life. Remember all that chose to fight a cause you may not agree with.
A hero can be anyone at any time.
Thank you to all that came before and after me. I will never forget...EVER.

[TooBad]

Originally Posted by Bastiat

That correct, I had forgotten. You've got a Vulcan correct?

No, Beemer, '03 R1150R. Very smooth ride!

[Guyzer]

Lets see if we can get this thread back on track.........

#9 - Corporal Paul Davis ( Nova Scotia )
2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
Killed in Afghanistan March 2, 2006

[Guyzer]

#10 - Master Corporal Timothy Wilson ( Alberta )
2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
Killed in Afghanistan March 2, 2006

[Guyzer]

#11 - Private Robert Costall
1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
Killed in Afghanistan March 29, 2006