Sunday, February 28, 2016

Semper Fidelis America Memorial for Mike Titus

Semper Fidelis America Memorial for Mike Stryker 91 Titus at the VFW Post 4287 on Saturday February 27, 2016


"Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep" is a poem written in 1932 by Mary Elizabeth Frye.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there; I did not die.

After Five Tours Veteran Writes About Hardest Battle--Being Home

St. Cloud Vet’s Book Explores Struggles After War 
WJON News AM1240 
By Isaac Schweer 
February 27, 2016
ST. CLOUD — A St. Cloud veteran of the U.S. Air Force has taken the struggles he’s experienced firsthand and channeled them into what he calls a reintegration tool for soldiers returning home from overseas.

Todd Kuikka served five tours in Iraq, Afghanistan and other conflict areas performing explosive ordinance disposal duties. Since his return home, he has suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) — something he says is somewhat of a taboo subject.

“I think it’s pretty typical, but not spoken about very often,” Kuikka says. “The hardest battle that I fought was not actually on the battlefield — it was trying to re-enter civilian life.”
read more here

Community Gives Final Tribute to Sgt. Turner's Life

Memorial held in Florala for fallen Alabama Marine 
WTVM News
By Allen Henry
Saturday, February 27th 2016
The two marine helicopters flew over Lake Jackson at the end of the service as a final tribute to Sgt. Turner's life.


Sgt. William Joshua Turner was 25 years old.
FLORALA, AL (WSFA) - Hundreds of friends, family and community members gathered in Florala on Saturday to honor the life of Sgt. Joshua Turner.

Two United States Marine Corps helicopters greeted Turner's family at the Florala Airport early Saturday morning.

Community members lined the side of Route 331 to pay their respects, some knowing the pain the family is feeling all too well.
read more here