Marines Searching for Toys for Tots Across the USA

Marines dance with seniors, celebrate Toys for Tots drive
Blue Ridge Now
By Nathaniel Axtell
Times-News Staff Writer
Published: Sunday, December 14, 2014

U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. James Holbert and Staff Sgt. Wes Russell dance with two seniors during Carolina Village Retirement Community's Christmas party on Sunday.
Photo by Nathaniel Axtell/TIMES-NEWS

They were few, but they weren't too proud. For the night, at least, two local Marines were willing to put aside their reputation as rigid, disciplined warriors and cut a rug in their dress blues.

U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. James Holbert and Staff Sgt. Wes Russell arrived at the Carolina Village Retirement Community's annual Christmas dinner Sunday evening to pick up more than 825 gifts for the Corps' WNC Toys for Tots campaign.

Pressed into service, however, they also danced with several Carolina Village residents to the timeless dance grooves of Asheville-based covers band Dashboard Blue.

Peachy Brady, for one, didn't need to be asked twice about the chance to dance with a handsome Marine. The 89-year-old described herself as “a kid at heart. I'm old and I'll never grow up. Two glasses of wine and I'm ready to go!”

Brady and Russell tangoed to Stevie Wonder's “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” and bopped to “Gimme Some Lovin'” by the Spencer Davis Group before taking a break and letting the community's activities director, Betty Hensley, cut in.
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Man sought in death of six people in Pennsburg PA

SUSPECT IDENTIFIED IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY KILLING SPREE; SIX DEAD
ABC News
Updated 4 mins ago

PENNSBURG, Pa. (WPVI) -- Authorities have identified the man sought in a Montgomery County killing spree that left six people dead.

Bradley William Stone, 35, of Pennsburg, Pa. is being sought in the deaths of those six people. All of the victims had a 'familial' relationship with Stone, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office said.

The Montgomery County DA says Stone is described as 5'10" tall and weighs 195 pounds. He has a red or auburn beard and mustache with closely cropped hair.

Stone is known to use a cane or walker to assist him, the DA said, and he may be wearing military fatigues, in either sand or green color.

The DA says: "Stone should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information about Stone's whereabouts is asked to call 9-1-1 immediately. Do not approach him."

"Police are conducting an extensive search in and around Pennsburg, at both known and outdoor locations where Stone may be located."

"People in that area should remain indoors, keep their doors locked and call 9-1-1 if they think they have seen the suspect."
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UPDATE

6 dead in Montgomery County shooting spree, police hunt for suspected gunman
MCALL.com
By Dan Sheehan, Pat Lester, Manuel Gamiz Jr.
Of The Morning Call
December 15, 5:38 PM

A military veteran from Pennsburg diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder killed his estranged wife in Lower Salford Township, neighbors say, the start of a shooting rampage Monday that Montgomery County authorities say claimed five more lives.

Bradley W. Stone, 35, allegedly killed a total of six family members in Lower Salford, Lansdale and Souderton, according to the district attorney's office, and seriously wounded another.

Stone is still on the loose and considered armed and dangerous. He may be wearing military fatigues and using a cane or walker to get around.

The shootings took place in three different locations in Montgomery County.
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UPDATE 12/16/2014
Montgomery County Shooting Spree Suspect Bradley Stone Found Dead in Woods

Wreaths Across America Honors Fallen Back to Revolutionary War

Wreaths Across America ceremony honors fallen colonial soldiers
Newark Post Online
By Josh Shannon
Mon Dec 15, 2014

NEWARK POST PHOTO BY JOSH SHANNON
Wreaths Across America
Kevin Conley's service dog Angus, who helps him control his PTSD symptoms, mingles among the crowd at the Wreaths Across America ceremony at Pencader Heritage Museum on Saturday.

As part of a nationwide observance, dozens gathered Saturday near the site of the Battle of Cooch’s Bridge to lay wreaths in honor of the 24 colonial soldiers who died in the only Revolutionary War battle fought in Delaware.

“When our forefathers came to this ground in 1777, on their lips and in their minds was what freedom really stands for: independence and liberty,” State Rep. Earl Jaques told the crowd gathered at the Pencader Heritage Museum on Route 72. “They gave us that with their blood and with their ultimate sacrifice.”

Jaques, a brigadier general in the Delaware National Guard, was one of 10 people chosen to lay the wreaths, which are part of the Wreaths Across America program.

The effort began in 1992 when the Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine, had a surplus of wreaths and arranged to have them laid on graves at Arlington National Cemetery. The tradition continued, largely unnoticed, until 2005, when a photo of the wreaths went viral online.

The attention led to an influx of funds and volunteers, and the project expanded. Today, more than 540,000 wreaths are laid at 900 locations in all 50 states and in cemeteries on foreign soil.
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Glenn Miller "He gave his life when he didn't need to,"

Museum marks Glenn Miller's disappearance
Des Moines Register
Linh Ta
December 14, 2014

"He gave his life when he didn't need to," Yellin said. "The young people have to understand that they have to be up close and personal."

The museum displays items from musician Glenn Miller’s life and World War II service on Sunday.
(Photo: Linh Ta/The Register)

It's been 70 years since musician Glenn Miller disappeared over the English Channel during World War II, but even now, his music lives on.

On Sunday, the Glenn Miller Birthplace Museum in Clarinda remembered the disappearance of the Iowa native, and held a ceremony in honor of not only his musical contributions, but his contributions to the U.S. Army.

Miller, known for leading the Glenn Miller Orchestra to several top hits in the late 1930s and early 1940s, enlisted in the Army at age 38, despite making $15,000 to $20,000 a week in his musical career. After being denied at first because of his age, he was assigned to the Army Air Forces, and used his music to boost troops' morale.

"He felt that the biggest impact he could have was joining the service," said Rick Finch, director of the museum. "I think that we sometimes forget that service now."
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Ret. Command Sergeant Major Thomas Colvin Wants to Honor All Veterans

Looks like I'm not the only one thinking all veterans should matter and not just the one making the news today.

"Only when proper recognition is given to veterans who have gone before us, will I be proud of a highway named in our honor." Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Thomas Colvin

Honor all veterans
Gadsdey Times
Published: Sunday, December 14, 2014

During its regular session in 2014, the state Senate passed SJR3. As the resolution read, “Naming a portion of United States Highway 411 from Etowah-St. Clair County line north to the intersection of United States Highway 411 and I-759 in Gadsden as the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Memorial Highway.”

As a veteran of Operation Desert Shield/Operation Desert Storm (1990-1991), Iraqi Freedom (2003) and Operation Enduring Freedom (2005-2008), I declare it unnecessary to do so. Why, you may ask, would you not want a highway named in our honor? As the resolution further states; “WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that we show them that we shall not forget their service, sacrifice and dedication in protecting our nation.”
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