Marine Corporal Todd Nicely becomes honorary firefighter

And here's the news story about the Kickball fundraising event which took place the same weekend.



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Marine Corporal Todd Nicely comes home
The Prince and the Marine
Marine Corporal Todd Nicely update
"They got me home"
One of our Marines could use your prayers

Best friends killed 3 years apart to be buried together

Another moving story of brotherhood.

Lt. Travis Manion, killed in Iraq in 2007, was originally buried near his home town. Now, he will be moved to Arlington National Cemetary to lie next to his best friend and roommate at the Naval Academy, Lt. Brendan Looney, who was one of 9 troops killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan last week. Bonded in brotherhood through the military and both killed fighting for their country, their families are sure this is what Travis and Brendan would have wanted - to be together in life and side-by-side in death.

Read the whole thing.

Update: 6abc.com has added a video report to the story.



Update, October 4: CBS News covers the story, including part of the ceremony at Arlington.

Brothers

Two U.S. Soldiers injured during a roadside bomb attack hold hands as they are evacuated aboard a helicopter of the "Dustoff" medevac team from 101st Airborne Division, Task Force Shadow, Charlie Co, from a Tactical Control Point in Kandahar province, Afghanistan September 27, 2010. Reuters photo.

Montana ranch offers wounded warriors a chance to enjoy the outdoors

John Masters smiles as he waits to begin a horseback ride at the Howling Wolf Ranch in Shields Valley, Mont., on Sept. 16. Masters is one of six wounded warriors who spent six days at the ranch. AP photo.

“I’ve got this beautiful place here, why not share it with this great group of guys?”

- Bill Cohen, owner of a 520-acre ranch in Montana

Bill was inspired to share his ranch with wounded warriors after hearing about other similar projects.

“I just knew there was a need out there,” said Cohen, a retired managing director of a Wall Street firm.

Cohen has converted his six-bedroom home into a guest lodge of sorts for servicemen. Groups of six to eight soldiers are invited to enjoy a six-night stay at Cohen’s home and participate in activities such as horseback riding, fly-fishing, ATV riding and trapshooting.

This summer, Cohen hosted three groups of servicemen from major military hospitals at his 520-acre ranch in the Shields Valley.
...

Last Saturday, the group went out for some target shooting.

“They’re soldiers,” said Ross Colquhoun, who coordinates excursions for wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. “They enjoy putting a weapon back in their hands.”

Josh Rector, a 20-year-old Missouri Army specialist, has a prosthesis that allows him to operate a firearm after he lost his left hand and lower arm in the gears of a gun turret in Iraq four months ago.

“There’s a way to do everything I did before,” he said. “It’s just different.”

Rector said he grew up in the country, and being on the ranch reminds him of home.

“This trip is great,” Rector said. “I’m going to cry. We don’t want to leave.”
...

Cohen calls the program a “smashing success.”

“I just want to show them all that we all care,” Cohen said.

Read the whole story here.

Operation Dragon Strike

The combat phase of the long-awaited Kandahar offensive, known as Operation Dragon Strike, began last week. About 8000 U.S. and Afghan troops are involved in these anti-Taliban operations in the Arghandab, Zhari, and Panjwai districts of Kandahar. DOD video courtesy of William Bonnett via the Army Times.

Good luck, guys. You're in our prayers.

Gold Star Mother's Day

Words cannot express how much we love and honor you.

Civilian surgeons volunteer at Landstuhl hospital

Civilian vascular surgeons share their impressions of Landstuhl hospital after their recently completed 2 week volunteer service. "What I found was without a doubt the highest quality of medical and trauma care you can imagine," said Dr. RC Whalen.

Dr. Whalen and Dr. Anthony Comerota from the Jobst Vascular Center at Toledo Hospital traveled to Germany after learning of the U.S. military's shortage of vascular surgeons. Both of them plan to volunteer at Landstuhl again next year.

Marjah MEDEVAC

Earlier today near Marjah, Afghanistan.


U.S. Army flight medic SGT Tyrone Jordan of Charlotte, NC attached to Dustoff Task Force Shadow of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade surveys the area for a wounded Marine after jumping out of a MEDEVAC helicopter September 24, 2010 near Marja, Afghanistan. Two Marines were wounded at the location by an improvised explosive device (IED). Task Force Shadow is responsible for evacuating wounded Afghani and Coalition forces as well as local nationals throughout southern Afghanistan. Photo: Getty Images.

U.S. Army flight medic SGT Tyrone Jordan of Charlotte, NC attached to Dustoff Task Force Shadow of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade carries Marine LCpl. David Hawkins of Parker, CO to a MEDEVAC helicopter after he was wounded by a blast from an improvised explosive device (IED) September 24, 2010 near Marja, Afghanistan. Photo: Getty Images.

A U.S. Marine comforts a fellow Marine before he lifts off in a MEDEVAC helicopter September 24, 2010 near Marja, Afghanistan. The Marine was wounded by an improvised explosive device (IED) while on patrol. Photo: Getty Images.

SGT Derek Williams (L) and SGT Daniel Schluter of the 31st Combat Support Hospital help to remove a wounded Marine from a MEDEVAC helicopter at Camp Dwyer September 24, 2010 near Marja, Afghanistan. The Marine was wounded by an improvised explosive device (IED) while on patrol. The 31st CSH is responsible for treating wounded Afghani and Coalition forces as well as local nationals in the Marja region of Helmand, Province in southern Afghanistan. Photo: Getty Images.

Our Medics' Littlest Patients

U.S. Army medic Sgt. Adam Montavon and U.S. Army crew chief Spc. Bryan Channon from Dustoff Task Force Shadow, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, help an injured boy on a Medevac helicopter near Marja, Afghanistan. The child was flown to a U.S. Army field hospital after being injured in a motor vehicle accident. Photo by Scott Olson, Getty Images.

Remember Soldiers' Angels during the CFC season!

If you aren't familiar with the Combined Federal Campaign:

The mission of the CFC is to promote and support philanthropy through a program that is employee focused, cost-efficient, and effective in providing all federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all.

CFC is the world's largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign, with more than 300 CFC campaigns throughout the country and internationally to help to raise millions of dollars each year. Pledges made by Federal civilian, postal and military donors during the campaign season (September 1st to December 15th) support eligible non-profit organizations that provide health and human service benefits throughout the world.

Soldiers' Angels is part of the Combined Federal Campaign. If you are a federal employee, you can contribute directly to Soldiers' Angels with the CFC # 25131.