Two Wednesday Heroes

Sgt. Kelly Keck
34 years old from West Liberty, Kentucky


Secretary of the Army Pete Geren congratulates Sgt. Kelly Keck after presenting him the Purple Heart.

On September 13, 2008, Sgt. Kelly Keck, a combat medic serving in Afghanistan, was wounded while trying to aid his fellow soldiers who's truck had just been struck by an IED. "I stepped off the road to try to get to the side of the truck, and the next thing I know I hear a loud boom, and I'm laying on the ground," he said. Sgt. Kelly had stepped on a land mine. He was flown to a field hospital in Jalalabad where he ended up loosing three fingers on his left hand and his right leg below the knee. "It was quite an ordeal," the soft-spoken soldier said.


These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.



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This Weeks Post Was Suggested And Written By Brat

Sgt. Patrick Tainsh
33 years old from Oceanside, California
Troop E, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment
February 11, 2004


Five years ago today, Sgt. Patrick Tainsh sacrificed all as the mounted unit he
was part of was hit by an IED in Baghdad. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze and Sliver Stars saving the lives of his commanding officer and other soldiers before succumbing to his own wounds. Also killed in the attack was Pfc. William C. Ramirez from Portland, Oregon.

On Veteran’s Day, 2007, Deborah Tainsh, Sgt. Tainsh's mother, attended a school in Columbia, Georgia, and shared a story she had written called "A Boy Named Patrick."

Here is part of the story :

…a little boy named Patrick who loved football, beaches, surfing, and
skateboarding, and especially reading. Patrick watched his dad be a Marine for
over twenty years. During this time Patrick kept reading not only surfing and
skateboarding magazines, but history books, too. One day when Patrick was a man, he told his dad and best friend, “I want to do something that will make a
difference in the world, I’m going to be a soldier.” And so he did. And in 1999
he went to Fort Knox, Kentucky for boot camp and then went to Fort Polk,
Louisiana where he worked and trained hard to become a United States Army
Cavalry Scout. Then in 2003 Patrick had to say good bye to his mom and dad
because he had to go fight a war in Iraq to protect his country, friends, and
family from terrorists and to help fight for the freedoms of the boys and girls
in that country where they and their families were treated very badly by their
country’s leader. Patrick once wrote a letter to his mom and dad telling them
that he cried for the children because they were hungry and he didn’t have food
to give them. He said he couldn’t understand how a country’s leader could treat
the people so badly and make them live in such dirty conditions with trash and
wild dogs everywhere. And so Patrick's mom and dad keep a photo in their living
room of Patrick surrounded by Iraqi children.

You can read the story in it's entirety here.

Sgt Tainsh came to the military later than some, but rose through the ranks fast. In his last letter to his parents, Sgt Tainsh shared his thoughts about his mission. And in 2006, Sgt. Tainsh's mother wrote a book called Heart Of A Hawk about her son's life and her and her husband's struggles since their son was killed.


These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Where Dreams Come True

Entrance to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida which houses half-a-dozen theme parks.

With only one available day in the area, we decided to visit Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park which used to be called MGM Studios. This 122 feet tall Sorcerer's hat is at the center of the park.

Although we were there off-season, I was happy to see the economy did not deter people from visiting the park. Our 1-day admission price was almost US$80 per person.

- Karen

Fitness is for the Birds

Dear Readers: I will be out of town for a week. Thank you for your patience. I hope to have even more photos when I return. Take care!

Along the walking pathway of the San Francisco Bay is a fitness trail with signs to show people different exercises.

In this instance, I saw pigeons hovering by this fitness sign. Does it look like the pigeons are doing a knee lift as suggested by the sign?

- Karen

The McDonald Train

I noticed this very unusual McDonald's restaurant in Barstow, California's bus station.

As you can see, part of the train is attached to the main McDonald's restaurant.

The interior of the train has been made into a seating area for McDonald's customers.

To read more about this interesting station's history, click here. I also read that the same McDonald's was badly damaged in 1986 when a car at the drive-thru window caught fire and in 1997 a gunmen shot several customers including killing a young child. Hmmm, I did not know about its sordid history until I started my research to write this post.

- Karen

Wednesday Hero

Gunnery Sgt. Nick Popaditch


In 2003, Sgt. Popaditch, along with 1st Tank Battalion, rolled into Baghdad from Kuwait at the start of the Iraq War. They had just taken the city and the tank that Sgt. Popaditch was in had rolled up to a 40-ft statue of Saddam. I think we all remember that statue. Popaditch was given a cigar by a fellow Marine and as he smoked it an AP photographer snapped a picture of him.

Fast forward to April 7, 2004. Sgt. Popaditch's wife was vacationing with their son when she received a phone call informing her that her husband had been injured in an attack. The turret of his tank, that he was situated in, had taken two direct hits from RPG's. He fell through the hatch to the floor of the tank. As he struggled to his feet, he began to shout orders to his men but go no response. He then realized that the attack had caused him to go deaf in both ears. But that was only temporary. He then reached up and felt that his head was wet and knew it wasn't good.

In the aftermath of the attack, Gunnery Sgt. Nick Popaditch had lost his right eye. And because of that he now proudly wears a prosthetic eye with the Marine Corps. logo embossed on it. On November 10, 2005 Gunnery Sgt. Nick Popaditch was awarded the Silver Star, the nation's third-highest award for heroism in combat. He also has a book out titled Once A Marine.

You can read more about Gunnery Sgt. Nick Popaditch here and here.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Bit O' Denmark in California

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, Solvang is a city in central California and is re-created to look like a Danish town. Several of the shops and restaurants in the area have windmills like this one.

I have never been to Denmark, but I imagine this building looks very similar to the real thing. If anyone knows, I would love to hear from you.

Imagine yourself having coffee and a warm, sweet Danish pastry here.

- Karen

Danish Phone Booth

While vacationing in Solvang, California, I noticed this unusual looking telephone booth.
Solvang founded in 1911 by Danish teachers is modeled after a Danish community complete with Danish bakeries and restaurants with a taste of Denmark.

I guess this telephone is no longer in use. Does the telephone booths in Denmark really look like this if they still exist?
If you look around your community, public telephones are a thing of the past.

- Karen

It's the Bubba Gump Shrimp

As I was walking back to my car from the Santa Monica Pier, what did I see coming towards me? It was the Bubba Gump Shrimp mascot. If you are not familiar with Bubba Gump, it was a character from the movie "Forrest Gump" and have since been made into a restaurant with the same name.

Here is a close up of the live shrimp. Should he be so happy dressed like that? I guess it's a job.

- Karen

Trapeze School

A New York Trapeze School in California?
I'm a little afraid of heights so this is one school that I will skip.

- Karen

No Trespassing

Does it look like this pelican can read and is obeying the sign? Or, is he hoping no one is watching so he can sneak across the fence? Or, is he thinking of something else?

- Karen

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested And Written By Cynthia

Sgt James E. Craig
27 years old from Hollywood, South Carolina
1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
January 28, 2008


James, 27, was killed on January 28, 2008, in Mosul, Iraq, along with four other soldiers when the unit encountered an IED, followed by an ambush from a nearby Mosque. It has been a year since James was killed. I miss him each day.

James was on his third deployment to Iraq. There are so many things about James that I admired. He was 'loud' and funny and articulate and sweet - even calling himself 'Sweet Soldier' - and brave and tough. He was a devout Christian and more comfortable with telling people he was than anyone I ever knew - he had a enviable, easy comfort with this faith. It would be so easy to write and write about James, but let me share some portions of his letters - his long and articulate letters.

"...I am very much looking forward to this war being over. However, I fully support everything that is going on over here ever since I saw first hand what the real situation was. Our media doesn't portray the truth of this operation or the necessity to the people here. They need freedom and desperately cry out for someone to help them. ... I know one thing, God wants me here."

"The war here is stating to come to an end. It will be a slow transition period where the responsibility of the battle space is handed over to the growing Iraqi Army. It all depends on the Iraqis if we are able to leave them with it safely."

"...it is a tale of my wonderful journey where I made memories I will never forget and stood up for something that I believe in...that sweet taste of freedom when the day is done and the knowledge that I have done something to ensure the positive future of my loved ones. And, you should know that it comforts me the most that what I do protects wonderful people like you."

To read more about Sgt James Craig, go here.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Santa Monica Pier

Continuing my road trip from a few weeks back, we stopped off here at the famous Santa Monica Pier in Southern California.

This is the long boardwalk over the water opened back in 1909. To read more about this historic tourist site, click here.

One side of the pier is Pacific Park.

The other side is this beautiful beach.

- Karen

"Hero on the Hudson" Welcomed Home

Most of the world has probably heard about the US Airway pilot, Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, who landed his plane safely on New York's Hudson River last week after a flock of geese was sucked into the plane's engines during take-off and disabled the plane. Because of his skills and the crews training, everyone survived the ordeal.

Today, Sully's hometown of Danville, CA gave him a hero's welcome home ceremony. Since Danville is approximately 45 miles away from me, I decided to attend. Unfortunately, I could not get there early enough, I could only get a vantage point with an annoying pole in the way; however, no heads were blocking my view.

A big banner in front of the town's library welcomes Sully home.

Sully and his wife, Lorrie, arrives to the ceremony.

Sully and Lorrie enter onto the stage.

Lorrie emotionally speaks about her husband's heroic achievement.

Sully speaks briefly to the crowd. If you look closely, you can see Lorrie seated wiping away tears.

Sully receives a flag gift that had flown at the U.S. Capitol.

Sully receives a departmental group photo from the local police department.

The local high school marching band was on hand to lead off the event.

Parking sign for the media.

Media frenzy at center stage.

Several thousand people attended the event. I was lucky to find a parking space.

To read more about today's event, click here to read the article published on the San Francisco Chronicle's website.

Laughlin

During our roadtrip, we drove through Laughlin, Nevada. Laughlin is about 90 minutes south of Las Vegas and is also a gambling town on a much smaller scale. Laughlin is unique because of its location next the mightly Colorado River as you see in this photo.
To read more about Lauglin's brief history, click here.

The bridge you see in the distance separates Arizona from Nevada. About 2000 cars cross it on a daily basis. If you don't have a car, there are also water taxis that take you across the stateline.
What confuses tourists is the timezone difference between the two states. Arizona is on Mountain Time and Nevada is on Pacific Time. By crossing the the river, the time changes by 1 hour. I don't know what happens when you straddle the stateline.

My dog Maverick can now officially say he set his paws on the Colorado.

- Karen

Oldtime Gas Station

This is a model gas station on display at the Route 66 Museum. Remember the days of Full-Service when an attendant would fill up your gas tank, cleaned your windshield, and checked your engine oil?

This old pump shows gasoline was only 14-9/10 cents per gallon

The U.S. Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 required the elimination of lead in gasoline by 1996. I am not sure if this affected gasoline overseas, does anyone know?
Today, "Unleaded gasoline" is allowed to contain no more than 5/100ths of a gram of lead per gallon.

- Karen

Route 66 Sofa

Saw this sofa at the Route 66 Museum's library. I could use one of these at home.


Close-up of the sofa's pattern.

- Karen

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Cindy

Petty Officer 2nd Class Mike A. Monsoor
29 years old from Garden Grove, California
September 29, 2006


In April 2008, Michael Monsoor (who had already been posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his actions in a May 9, 2006 incident, when he and another SEAL pulled a wounded team member to safety amidst gunfire) was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. His funeral, attended, in the words of President Bush, by "nearly every SEAL on the West Coast," was held on October 12, 2006 at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. During Monsoor's funeral service, as the casket was taken from the hearse to the gravesite, fellow SEALs lined up in two columns to slap and embed the gold Tridents (a pin awarded for successful completion of SEAL Qualification Training) from their uniforms onto the top of Monsoor's coffin.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Mike A. Monsoor's Summary Of Action.


"The procession went on nearly half an hour, and when it was all over, the simple wooden coffin had become a gold-plated memorial to a hero who will never be forgotten." - President George W. Bush

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.