Hero Stories for November 2009

Until I received my HeroBracelet in 2004, I had never heard of LCpl. Cedric E. Bruns of Vancouver, WA. I later found that Cedric died in a non-hostile vehicle accident in Kuwait when the pick-up truck that he was driving was struck on the driver's side by a logistics vehicle system. He was a reservist assigned to the 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Force Service Support Group, Eugene, Oregon. He was 22 years old when he died on May 9, 2003. One time in Tokyo I was having a conversation wi...

Lance Cpl. Shawn P. Hefner, 22, of Hico, Texas, died November 13, 2009, while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Lance Cpl. Hefner was assigned to 2nd Amphibious Assault Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. </d

Spc. Christopher J. Coffland, 43, of Baltimore, Maryland, died November 13, 2009, in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. Spc. Coffland was assigned to the 323rd Military Intelligence Battalion, Fort Meade, Maryland. </d

Friends, One of the soldiers killed last week at Fort Hood is from Plymouth, IN. We have been asked to present the Gold Star Flags to his parents, Daniel DeCrow, Rhonda & Todd Thompson, and his widow & daughter, Marikay & Kylah DeCrow. Please help us fill condolence books for them as well. I've expanded my normal "list" to include my Gold Star family as well. We know what the family is going through right now, the shock, the pain, the disbelief of that knock on the door. Many of us also know ...

Jeremiah J. Monroe, 7th engineer, afghanistan KIA Thank you for all you have done I love you and miss you so much your are my hero! Echo Kiz

Happy Veterans Day: On this day we recognize and honor all our veterans show have served in the Armed Forces. Thanks for your service, your commitment and your sacrifices for our freedoms. I was asked to speak today at Brooklawn Elementary School in Cleveland Ohio about Veteran's Day. My main message was that we need to express our gratitude to all Veterans today and everyday throughout the year. You are the difference maker and peace keepers that enables us to enjoy freedoms many take f...

As the responsible drawdown of U.S. troops and equipment from Iraq continues, the Central Receiving and Shipping Point at Contingency Operating Location Marez in Mosul, Iraq, will be instrumental in managing the movement of both equipment and personn

Lance Cpl. Justin J. Swanson, 21, of Anaheim, California, died November 10, 2009, while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Lance Cpl. Swanson was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California. </d

Staff Sgt. Stephen L. Murphy, 36, of Jaffery, New Hampshire, died November 9, 2009, as a result of a non-hostile incident in Anbar province, Iraq. Staff Sgt. Murphy was assigned to 2nd Intelligence Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. </d

There is a crisp breeze on this overcast day, a reminder that, even in Iraq, fall is approaching. For U.S. forces here, that means a lot of things, but for the children of Ramadi, it means school is back in sessi