Hero Stories for April 2009

Pfc. Bryce E. Gautier, 22, of Cypress, California, died April 10, 2009, when his military vehicle was struck by a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device in Mosul, Iraq. Pfc. Gautier assigned to the 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado. </d

Sgt. Edward W. Forrest, Jr., 25, of St. Louis, Missouri, died April 10, 2009, when hi military vehicle was struck by a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device in Mosul, Iraq. Sgt. Forrest was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo. </d

This is my son Christopher Thomas Carabine. We miss you every minute and thank you for your service to our country. Janice Carb

There are about 30 Marines returning from Operation Enduring Freedom this Friday. The family support liaison has requested military veteran motorcycle clubs and riders to escort the returning Marines from Cleveland Hopkins Airport. The Battalion has asked that riders arrive at the 3rd Bn 25th Marines HQ at 5572 Smith Road Brookpark OH 44142. At approximately 1730 the assembled will ride escorted to the Cleveland Hopkins Airport where the motorcycles will stage while the Marines pass through...

Sunday April 19, 2009 will be the Seventh Annual Rally for Troops in downtown Cleveland's Public Square beginning at 11:00 AM. Parking is free in all Tower City parking lots. This year the Rally will include family members of three of Ohio's Fallen Heroes and speakers addressing Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) , Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Suicide. Due to the added stress of extended tours of 15 to 18 months in the Field of Combat, the concern is that the rate of suicide will con...

Please show your support for our veterans, active military and the families of Ohio Fallen Heroes, by attending the Rally for Troops on Sunday April 19, 2009 in Cleveland's Public Square at 11:00 AM. There will be free parking in the Tower City Parking Lots that morning. Jim Mantel of WGAR will MC and Monica Robins of WKYC will sing the National Anthem. Speakers include the father, wife and sister of three of Ohio's Fallen Heroes. The names of all of Ohio's Fallen Heroes will be honored duri...

Lance Cpl. Blaise A. Oleski, 22, of Holland Patent, New York, died April 8, 2009, while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Lance Cpl. Oleski was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. </d

What if only 25% of American's mourned the loss of life and attack on the United States of America on 09-11? When apathy towards the War on Terror has reached the level of today, when less than 25% of American's read, listen, or talk about the War on Terror what becomes of the American Soldier who gave his life for this Freedom? I ask myself that very question each and every day!  I am a father of a Fallen Soldier and work towards recognizing ALL of our service men and women who have given th...

In a surprise visit to Iraq today, President Barack Obama declared to troops in Baghdad that now is the time for Iraqis "to take responsibility for their country

There's an Army standard, then there's the Highlander standard. For the mechanics of the 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment, an Army National Guard unit from Spokane, Wash., keeping vehicles on roads for their perspective companies is their only purpose and they fulfill it with near perfect