US Marines Vs. Call Me Maybe

U.S. Marines stationed in Afghanistan dance, lip-sync to Carly Rae Jepsen's hit song.
It's good to see our soldiers having some fun.
LINK: Youtube

Sgt. Chris Vinderslev: Interview

Sgt. Chris Vinderslev of the 134th Brigade Support Battalion with the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division of the Minnesota National Guard talks about his responsibilities with the unit during the deployment, housing the transient Soldiers passing through the camp and his feelings on the draw down. The Minnesota National Guard has played a significant role in the war in Iraq. Since 2003, more than 8,000 Minnesota National Guard Citizen Soldiers and Airmen have been deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and operation New Dawn. Today, more than 2,700 members of the Minnesota National Guard are currently deployed in Kuwait, and are providing security for remaining convoys as they withdraw from Iraq, in addition to managing and protecting the military bases throughout Kuwait. Through the professionalism of the Soldiers and support of their hometown communities, employers, and families, the Minnesota National Guard completed all missions in Iraq with success and honor. LINK

Service Members Sing the Star Spangled Banner for July 4th

Montage of over 150 U.S. military service members singing the United States National Anthem. Each note is represented by at least one service member. Produced by Staff Sgt. Joash Buenavista. Provided by American Forces Network Iraq. LINK: Youtube

"If I Die Before You Wake" Tribute to Armed Forces

This video is a tribute and a thank-you to all those who have served our country. The song is "If I Die Before You Wake" by Dustin Evans. LINK: Youtube

Amazing Grace - Fallen heroes

My Apology, I should have had this posted yesterday. LINK: Youtube

A touching video to our fallen Heroes the following below are those in the video.
Army Pfc. Ryan R. Berg
Marine Sgt. Gary S. Johnston
Army Sgt. James J. Regan
Marine Capt. Jennifer J. Harris
Army Spc. Jonathan K. Smith
Army Sgt. Robert M. McDowell
Army Pfc. Katie M. Soenksen
Army Spc. Astor A. Sunsin-Pineda
Army Cpl. Gregory N. Millard
Marine Cpl. Christopher G. Scherer
Army Sgt. Keith A. Kline
Army Spc. Kamisha J. Block
Navy Master-at-Arms Seaman Anamarie Sannicolas Camacho
Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 2nd Class Kevin R. Bewley

Portraits of the Fallen

This is a story about an artist in Utah who paints the portraits of the fallen. She has painted 250 of them and brought out of love to the surface of a canvas, visual memories to be given to the families of these fallen soldiers. She does what she can to praise them. She uses her talents to bring them back, to make their presence available to them again. LINK

Hundreds expected for LTD Motorcycle Tour honoring fallen area vets

By Leslie Ehrenberg

Appleton Press

It’s about honor. It’s about remembering. It’s also about fun.

The organizers of the 5th Annual LTD Motorcycle Memorial Tour are asking area Americans to come out and support the ride in honor of the three soldiers who lost their lives and all soldiers serving their country.

The ride begins in Montevideo with registration at 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 24, and the tour stops in Morris at about 3 p.m.

The annual ride is in memory of Staff Sgt. David Day, Sgt. Jesse Lhotka and 1st Lt. Jason Timmerman, who died in Iraq on Feb. 21, 2005.

Chad Turner, president of the LTD event, noted the LTD ride has come to be known as one of the bigger events of the summer in this area.

“It is an opportunity for the public to confirm they haven’t forgotten the sacrifices of these three young men from Minnesota, and the many men and women who have served our country,” Turner said.

The first year, following the return of the area Guardsman from their first deployment to Iraq, 176 supporters participated in the ride.

The second and third years included about 650. 2009’s attendance was even better with approximately 750 people.

This year, since the local soldiers are home, they are planning for a phenomenal turnout of nearly 900.

“The route will be very similar to the previous years,” he said.

Riders will take off at 10 a.m. with their first drive through in Marshall around 11:30 a.m. After driving through Canby, the riders will stop in Madison at approximately 12:45 p.m. for dinner at the Madison TACC/Armory.

The ride continues through Ortonville at about 2:15 p.m., Clinton at 2:30 p.m. and Graceville at 2:40 p.m. The rider’s next stop will be in Morris at approximately 3:09 p.m.

The last drive through will be Holloway at approximately 4:25 p.m., and riders will reach their final destination in Appleton at approximately 4:30 p.m.

In Appleton, at Hering Avenue, the riders travel down Lhotka Avenue to Munsterman Street. They will then travel down Munsterman Street to the Swift County Fair Grounds for a meal and raffle drawing will be held.

The band Pandora will play for the public starting at 6:30 p.m. The concert is in the Chuck Brown Building. Those not on the LTD ride can attend the dance and will be charged admission.

For more information about the LTD Motorcycle Memorial Tour, check out the Web site www.ltdbikers.com, or contact Chad Turner at (320) 333-8615. LINK

Chad Turner, president of the LTD event is my nephew. The annual ride is in memory of Staff Sgt. David Day, Sgt. Jesse Lhotka and 1st Lt. Jason Timmerman, who died in Iraq on Feb. 21, 2005.

THE 4×4 HELICOPTER

“This helicopter that changes Transformers-like into a rugged 4×4 may one day be ferrying troops around Iraq and Afghanistan, helping them avoid the constant threat of roadside bombs. The futuristic design is the latest brainchild of the Texas-based AVX Aircraft Company. It can carry four fully-equipped soldiers and travel 250 miles by land and air on a single tank of fuel. The company says that almost any soldier could drive and fly it, and that they would not need a pilot’s license. Unfolding the rotor blades for flight should convert the vehicle from 4×4 to aircraft in just one minute. The company says the vehicle would be especially suitable for use in Iraq and Afghanistan where troops face constant danger from roadside bombs, or IED – improvised explosive devices. The Pentagon is now considering the design.” w/ photos. LINK

Sniper Sets World Distance Record With 8,120 Foot Kill - Diggnation Daily

It was silent but deadly. A British sniper set a world sharpshooting record by taking out two Taliban soldiers in Afghanistan from more than a mile and a half away. To put it into American terms, the distance was just about from the Statue of Liberty to Battery Park. Even crazier, a shot from that distance has no visible source and no audible shot. LINK: Youtube

How to Remember Soldiers on Memorial Day

(Daily Motion link), Via: Neatorama

For further information, you can visit the links mentioned in the video:

The Memorial Day Foundation.

National Moment of Remembrance.

The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.

FULL VIDEO of Military Parade in Moscow on Victory Day 2010

"FULL VIDEO of Military Parade in Moscow on Victory Day 2010 - Part 1"

(Part 1 of 2) RT is bringing you full coverage of the Victory Day parade from the Red Square, the heart of Moscow. This year's parade is the largest commemoration since 1945, when Nazi Germany was defeated by the USSR and the Allies. Today, for the first time ever, France, Britain and the U.S. have sent their own soldiers to parade past the Kremlin wall. Narrator Peter Lavelle. LINK: Youtube

"FULL VIDEO of Military Parade in Moscow on Victory Day 2010 - Part 2" LINK: Youtube

The Big Picture: Flip

Special Army soldiers flip simultaneously as they demonstrate their martial arts skills during a rehearsal for the 61st anniversary of Armed Forces Day at the Gyeryong military headquarters, South Korea. South Korea will celebrate the 61st Armed Forces Day on 1 October. LINK

Photo: Ahn Young-joon/AP