Flag Day ~ Flags Across America

Flag Day ~ June 14

Fort McHenry

The sight that inspired Francis Scott Key

to write the poem

The Star-Spangled Banner

Iwo Jima - Marine Memorial

The Flag at Arlington House

Arlington National Cemetery

The Flag at the National Archives

The 50 Flags of the States

Washinton Monument

Fredricksburg National Cemetery

The Flag at the Stonewall Jackson Shrine

The site where he died.

Flag at Petersen Gardens in Oregon

Mr. Petersen scoured the desert for rocks and glass and built some incredible stuctures from them. This flag has 48 stars.

World War II Memorial

Flag at Fort Meade Parade Grounds

Flag at Vietnam War Memorial

Pueblo, Colorado

Flag at the Painted Hills

John Day National Monument

Flag at Home

Summer and Winter


Photos from my personal collection and travels

Flag Day

On 14 June 1777, the Marine Committee of the Continental Congress adopted a resolution, which gave birth to our National Flag. The resolution read: "Resolved that the Flag of the United States be made of 13 stripes, alternate red and white, that the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."

General George Washington explained: "We take the stars from heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing liberty."

We thank our troops - those who have served throughout our history and those who are serving still - for keeping our flag flying high!

Postage Stamps Honor Air Force One & Marine One

Air Force Col. Margaret H. Woodward, commander of the 89th Airlift Wing; David Failor, the U.S. Postal Service's executive director of stamp services; and Marine Col. Andrew W. O'Donnell Jr., commander of Marine Helicopter Squadron One, participate in a May 18 ceremony that kicked off this year's Joint Services Open House and previewed new postage stamps commemorating Air Force One and Marine One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. Photo by Gerry J. Gilmore

"We really appreciate this opportunity to recognize our banner aircraft in the Air Force fleet," Col. Woodward said. "Air Force One is, of course, more than an airplane. It's a traveling monument to freedom. It is instantly recognizable to millions of people all over the world, serving as a beacon of hope, democracy and so many other things that this great nation stands for."

The Marine One helicopter transport fleet is based at Quantico Marine Corps Base, Va., and consists of two specially equipped Sikorsky helicopters. The fleet is operated by Marine Helicopter Squadron One, commanded by Col. Andrew W. O'Donnell Jr. The Marine helicopter squadron has "the important and prestigious responsibility" of transporting the commander in chief, O'Donnell said during the ceremony. "On behalf of all the Marines and sailors serving in HMX-1, I want to thank you, and certainly thank the postal service for recognizing their service."

These two aircraft represent not only the power of the presidency, David Failor said, but they also symbolize "the extraordinary military professionals that stand behind that power and epitomize the meaning of duty, honor and country."

Air Force One Stamps will be $4.60 for Priority Rate.

Marine One Stamps will be $16.25 for Express Rate.

The stamps go on sale June 13 - TODAY

Dallas Fort Worth Welcome

This video is from February. Well worth watching!

Wednesday Hero ~ Bert Brady

69-year-old Bert Brady has never stepped foot in Iraq or Afghanistan, yet many soldiers who have know who he is and appreciate what he's done for them. You see, for the past year Mr. Brady has made a trip to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport nearly every morning to welcome home returning American troops. Bert Brady, along with fellow veterans, is a member of the Welcome Home a Hero program. They make sure that every soldier who steps off a plane in Dallas gets a special homecoming.

Brady shows up each day with the goal of making soldiers feel appreciated and proud of their service. He's often joined by veterans of the Vietnam and Korean wars who did not get a warm reception when they returned from battle.

"We are not going to forget them like a lot of Vietnam soldiers have been forgotten," Brady said. "We are not going to forget the soldiers of today."

To read more about Bert Brady, you can go to ABCnews.com

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.


This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll.

A Face of Freedom ~ CWO George Greyhek

A Face of Freedom ~

CWO George Greyhek

Chief Warrant Officer George Grayhek, Intelligence Electronic Warfare officer with the 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion, 504th MI Brigade, helps serve dinner to Soldiers at Camp Slayer during his tour in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Photo courtesy of 502nd MI BN

From ODs to ACUs, Vietnam to OIF

7-Jun-07 By Spc. Stephanie Homan

MNC-I PAOBAGHDAD —

“What were they called? BDUs? Yeah, I missed that entire era,” said Chief Warrant Officer George Grayhek, intelligence electronic warfare officer for 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion, 504th MI Brigade.

“My wife said I could have two years in the sandbox with the Soldiers and I want the two years,” he said, but he knew it would not be easy.

Grayhek, a Washington state native, first served in the Army from 1959 to 1979, then retired as a chief warrant officer. He returned to duty in 2006.

“I am (part of a) very special group of people that recognizes the Army is undermanned and I wanted to do more than send a package or a card,” said the 65-year-old maintenance Soldier. “I had to help. I am financially stable, my kids are doing great, and my grandkids are doing great. I have the time. I am one of the few people (at my age) who is fortunate enough to be able to be here and I should be here.”

Sgt. 1st Class Verlon Land, intelligence electronic warfare foreman with 502nd MI BN, works with Grayhek on a daily basis and has a lot of respect and admiration for the chief’s reunion with the Army.

“Chief fought so hard to get to come to Iraq,” Land said. “He just wanted to serve one more time. He brings a little bit of the ‘old’ Army back to us.”

Grayhek said there is a lot of prejudice when you are over 60 years old and that people make it seem like you have one foot in a geriatric clinic.

“People really hold age against you,” he said.

In July 2005 the Army had more than 3,300 retired Soldiers who applied and said they would come back to the Army if they were needed, Grayhek said.

“Some people count each day until they can get out of the uniform. I count every day until I have to get out of the uniform,” he said. “We want to give the battlefield commander 100 percent strength if we can do it.”

Grayhek traveled to two other states outside his own to find someone who would endorse him for active duty. He believes the Army is to thank for a big majority of his success in life.

“I wasn’t sure I wanted to go to college (in 1959),” he said. “The Army is my Alma Mater. They trained me, invested in me, gave me a security clearance and a sense of purpose. I took all that (in 1979) when I got out and went to work. I had no trouble finding a job anywhere I (went).”

Land said that Grayhek goes out of his way to work with the Soldiers on missions. The Soldiers reinforce the reason he returned to duty.

"I like to go with the Soldiers rather than just telling them to go take care of it. That’s the fun of it,” Grayhek said.

He said he prefers to be out in the field with fellow Soldiers.

“I’ve always been a field Soldier, and I wanted to come to Iraq because I have never been here. It is fantastic to see these Soldiers and work with them. I have to be here. When I look at the machine I work on, and when I look at the Soldiers, it reinforces that.”

NASCAR Honors Troops at Talladega

Marine Sgt. Noah Tretter thanks Pace Car Driver Brandon Thompson for three 120 mph-plus laps around the newly paved Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Amy Kirk

From Left: Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Virginia Mayo, Marine Sgt. Noah Tretter, Comedian Jeff Foxworthy and Army Staff Sgt. Matthew Olson pose for a snapshot after the NASCAR driver's meeting before the start of the Aaron's 499 race at Talladega Superspeedway, April 29, 2007. Foxworthy served as the event's grand marshal. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Amy Kirk

America Supports You: NASCAR Honors 'Why We Serve' Troops at Talladega

By Petty Officer 1st Class Amy Kirk, Special to American Forces Press Service

TALLADEGA, Ala., April 30, 2007 - A soldier, a sailor, an airman and a Marine received expressions of thanks over and over again from members of the crowd at Talladega Superspeedway during the Aaron's 499 yesterday.

Army Staff Sgt. Matthew Olson, Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Virginia Mayo, Air Force Tech Sgt. Robert Jubie and Marine Sgt. Noah Tretter attended the race as part of the Defense Department's "Why We Serve" program. Under the auspices of the program, troops travel on a speaker's circuit across the country telling their personal experiences from Iraq and Afghanistan.

All four servicemembers were nominated by their respective commands to be a part of the "Why We Serve" program and share their own personal stories with the country.

For all the time they have given overseas and for sharing their stories, NASCAR decided to give a little back to this group, starting with a few laps around the Superspeedway in the pace car, then moving on to a special introduction to the drivers and the race's Grand Marshal, comedian Jeff Foxworthy.

"This was my first NASCAR event," Mayo said. "The people have been so great. NASCAR fans seem to be the heartbeat of America, and I think I am quickly going to become a part of the NASCAR nation."

NASCAR has been a member of the America Supports You program since the beginning of the program. America Supports You recognizes the support of American individuals, groups and organizations for military men and women, and it communicates that support to troops at home and abroad.

NASCAR has been working to help raise awareness about the organizations' efforts by including signs at tracks, airing public service announcements on Nextel Vision and placing decals on race cars.

Jubie said the thanks he received from NASCAR and the race fans meant a lot to him.

"It really makes me feel appreciated," Jubie said. "I wish more people would be this way."

Army Staff Sgt. Matthew Olson was very humble about his experience with the NASCAR fans.

"It's a little awkward," he said. "I don't really consider myself a hero. There are way better people they could take photos with. I was just over there doing my job."

Olson added that the Why We Serve program allows the servicemembers to tell a part of the story that doesn't make it into news reports.

"I like being able to talk about the good stuff," said Olson. "In my unit, we were a tight knit group. Morale was good, and we supported each other. We got care packages from home and if we saw someone didn't, we shared. You don't see that side of it."

Trotter said that receiving support from Americans is very important to the troops.

"I know when I put the uniform on that people are going to stop me. I stop, shake hands, listen to their stories and smile," Trotter said. "We couldn't do what we do without the support of the people."

(Petty Officer 1st Class Amy Kirk is assigned to Navy Recruiting District Atlanta.)

History is Our Stories ~ D-Day Memories of Kurt Ullman

Normandy memories live on after 63 years
Supply pilot had to ditch wounded plane in ocean

This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press on Wednesday, June 6, 2007.

By TITUS GEE Valley Press Staff Writer

QUARTZ HILL - Kurt Ullman did not fly one of the airplanes that dropped paratroopers on France 63 years ago during D-Day, June 6, 1944. There was no plane left for him, the retired airman said, so his war started the next day, June 7, carrying supplies into the hot zone under heavy fire.

"It was just at dawn, we were going across the coast," said Ullman, now 86 and steady on his feet, with a firm handshake.

"The sky just glared red," he said. "I don't know how anyone got through."

The day had started about 2 a.m., Ullman recalled, when a new man called a "drop master" reported to 1st Lt. Ullman's four-man crew. Theoretically, the young fellow was a specialist in dropping the supply loads, but he told Ullman he never had been aloft. The lieutenant rousted his copilot, radio man and crew chief and ran the lot of them through drills on emergency bail-outs, crash landing and "ditching."

Shortly after dawn those drills probably saved their lives in the waters of the English Channel. Their C-47 supply plane dropped its load but caught a hail of anti-aircraft flak as it turned back toward home. Ullman took a chunk in the leg, but said that hardly held his attention as he fought to keep the damaged bird headed west.

"I was fully occupied," he said.

Finally, Ullman told the crew they were going down.

The stick went dead.

They crashed into the water and put their recent drills to practice. All five made it into the dinghy and back to the rescue boats. Ullman's leg wound was the only injury among them.

That was his first flight and the last time Ullman got shot down, though he flew missions beyond counting. His gun-less airplane carried paratroopers, supplies, even medical teams running evacuation missions.

"We flew every day," he said. "It was seldom - seldom - that you didn't fly. . When Patton got moving up there, we were hauling gasoline - sometimes two runs a day."

Ten days after the crash that landed him the Purple Heart, Ullman was back in the cockpit. By the end of the war he had seven battle stars - Normandy, Southern France, Northern France, Rome-Arno, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe.

They worked so hard the doctors started stepping in to keep them on the ground long enough to rest, he said.

He missed the Battle of the Bulge by one day.

"My name was on the board," he said - at a time when American planes were going down in waves, leaving one or two to limp home after each run.

"You don't say, 'No, I won't go.' You're name is up, you go," the retired pilot said.

That kind of attitude pervaded America culture in that era, he explained.

"We were all of a mind," he said. "There was nobody that I know of thinking, 'Hey I'm going to get out of this.' You're thinking, 'Hey, I'm gonna go.' "

Ullman left active duty at 25 but continued as a reservist for more than 20 years and retired as a lieutenant colonel.

Those raw and violent early days may loom large in retrospect, but Ullman said he rarely thinks of them except on Memorial Day - or when there's a reporter sitting across the table.

"You get out and you think about it, but you go to work, get married. You have kids. You get it behind you," he said. And that's just what he did. Ullman went on to be a farmer, a bank president and a manager of Palmdale Regional Airport. He's still active in investing.

He continued to fly for recreation until his hearing began to dim. Then many of the memories dimmed as well.

"With the passing of time you forget names; you forget routes," he said.

These days, he said, he appreciates the public recognition of the military and its service, but he doesn't go to the reunions.

"The ranks are getting thinner," he said. "Every one of my friends have died, of the ones I knew well - every single one of them."

He said he marvels sometimes at the public obsession with losses in Iraq, but he understands the personal cost of every casualty.

"They (the casualties in Iraq) are very minor compared to so many other things . and yet no life should be considered minor," he said. "It's not funny when it's your family."

And yet, he said, "We don't like fighting over there, but it's better than fighting here. . It's an old saying, but it's true - freedom isn't free."

Chad Hunt - Photographs of Afghanistan

“Chad Hunt’s arresting and revealing images of young American soldiers in Afghanistan, serve as a center for the entire exhibition that, like the war they depict, are impossible to ignore.”

The Center for Photography at Woodstock, Photography Now ‘07

Juror Alison D. Nordström, Curator of Photographs, George Eastman House.

CPW’s annual juried exhibition presents the newest voices in photography spanning the United States, from Massachusetts and New York to California, Illinois, Texas, and Oregon! Out of over 270 applicants, Alison D. Nordström selected nine featured photographers whose work crosses boundaries, charts new territory, and exemplifies what is new and now in photography in 2007!
Admission to the Center for Photography at Woodstock’s galleries is free and open to the public, Wednesday-Sunday 12-5pm

OPENING RECEPTION Saturday June 9, 2007 from 5-7 pm -

Map of Center For Photography: 845-679-9957 59 Tinker St Woodstock, NY 12498, US/ Woodstock, New York

Anyone in the area is welcome to attend!!!

Tribute to a Coalition Partner ~ Belgium

Tribute to a Coalition Partner~

Belgium

Belgium is a small European country, slightly larger than the state of Massachusetts.

Belgium is an ally in the Great War on Terror.

Belgium currently has contributed forces to Kosovo Force (KFOR), Democratic Republic of Congo, Laos/Cambodia (Demining operations), Caribbean (Anti-drug operations), and Afghanistan.

In Afghanistan, they are providing a protection force and airfield support at Kabul Airport, a force at the Provincial Reconstruction Team Konduz, and headquarters personnel at HQ ISAF.

Belgium Air Force C-130's have transported humanitarian aid to Afghanistan including 90 metric tons of UNIMIX for the starving children of Afghanistan in December 2001, as well as 250,000 vaccinations for the children. They also transported food for the children of Iraq through 2003.

We thank you for your stand in the War on Terror.

Free Phone Cards for the Troops!!!!!

Free Phone Cards for the Troops

Really and truly!! You can get a free phone card sent to the troops. To do so, you have to take a 10 question quiz on Bill O'Reilly's site - it takes two minutes and it doesn't make any difference on how you score and they don't ask for your name. So Click the link, take the test and a phone card will be on the way to the troops!!!

http://billoreilly.com/quiz?categoryID=1&promotion=true

VFW Card Delivered

VFW Delivers

Giant Thank-You Card

to Vets

Once again, thank you for signing the VFW's giant Thank You Card for the veterans receiving care at the Kansas City VA Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri.

On Memorial Day, May 30th, Ron Cherry, VFW National Headquarters service officer, presented the giant greeting card to Judy K. McKee, Associate Director of the facility. The card was signed by more than 14,000 caring VFW Members and Supporters.

"On behalf of all our veterans here, please know how much we appreciate this incredible gesture," said McKee. "This card lets our veterans know that they are not forgotten by their fellow Americans."

Thank you for caring about our nation's defenders and helping make this powerful Memorial Day message possible.

Operation Overlord ~ June 6, 1944 ~ D-Day

Operation Overlord

June 6, 1944

D-Day

Operation Overlord - The Battle of Normany - D-Day

1,425,000 troops from the United States, Great Britian, Canada, Free France and Poland headed across the English Channel to the shores of Normandy to drive the Germans out of France. The Supreme Allied Commander of Operation Overlord was General Dwight D Eisenhower.

This was a bold and difficult plan, and one that Eisenhower was prepared to take responsibility for loosing. The Allies prevailed, though the days ahead were dark and difficult.

The toll of the invasion was high.
The Allied casualties were 57,200 dead and 173,000 wounded or missing.

We must never forget the great sacrifice made so that we could prevail and continue to enjoy life in the greatest country on earth.

Wednesday Hero~ COL David Sutherland

Col. David Sutherland(Left)
45 Years Old From Toledo, Ohio
Commander, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division


Since being deployed to the Diyala province of Iraq in November 2006, Col. David Sutherland, along with brigade Chaplain Maj. Charlie Fenton, pictured on the right, has made it a point to visit every wounded soldier and say goodbye to each and everyone of his men who've lost their life. Four of his soldiers died on one day in April 2007 and the bad news arrived at his office in waves -- a knock on the door, a note handed in by an aide, heads bowed, knowing glances exchanged. Aides say Sutherland walks to the mortuary affairs tent at his base and embraces the dead bodies of his men. "I hug all my fallen soldiers", said Sutherland. "They are my own".

Diyala province is one of the worst places in Iraq. Public beheadings of Iraqi police, tribal wars, sectarian wars and al-Qaida. "I didn't come here thinking it'd be easy. No one told me, 'You're gonna get 9 hours of sleep a night and you're not gonna lose soldiers'. But I believe this is the place for me."


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.


This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll.

Farewell Senator Craig Thomas

Senator Craig Thomas

Marine, Cowboy, Statesman

Farewell and Deepest Gratitde

Wyoming Senator Craig Thomas died Monday evening, June 4, at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. He had been receiving chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia.

“Wyoming had no greater advocate, taxpayers had no greater watchdog, and rural America had no greater defender than Craig Thomas,” Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said Monday night. “The Senate is a lesser place without Craig here, but the state of Wyoming and our nation are much better places because he was here.”

This conservative Republican Senator always inspired me because he was such a statesman. He did not get involved in the cat fights common in the Senate. He served to represent his constituents and their interests. And, he represented them well. He was in his third Senate term, reelected in 2006 with 70% of the vote.

Senator Thomas was raised on a ranch near Cody, but has made his home in Casper for more than 20 years. He attended public schools and graduated from the University of Wyoming in Laramie with a degree in Agriculture. After college, he served four years in the United States Marine Corps. Craig is survived by his wife Susan Thomas, a public school teacher for special needs students, and four grown children.

Senator Thomas will be missed for the person he was - Marine, Cowboy, Statesman.

Cards of condolence can be sent to his Wyoming office:
To the family of Senator Thomas
P.O. Box 22201
Casper, WY 82602

Soldier Running Marathon for Fisher House

Half a World Away, in Iraq, a soldier-blogger has been training to run the Chicago Marathon. He is collecting pledges for his Chicago Marathon run. He has 18 weeks to collect his pledges. All pledges will go to benefit Fisher House (see yesterday's post!) It is quite easy to participate. Go here. If everyone gives a couple of dollars it will add up quickly!!!! And, it is for an EXCELLENT cause and organization.

Once again, our Soldiers teach us about generosity and kindness. I pledged, I hope you will, too. It doesn't have to be a lot - forego a latte and pledge the $5.00!

Hat Tip to Kathi!!!!

Fisher House

On my sidebar, I have a link to Fisher House. This is an amazing organization, and one I support. Fisher Houses are built and operated with private funds.

Currently, there are 35 Fisher Houses on the grounds of military and VA medical centers across America. They also have 2 houses at Landstuhl, Germany. Lodging is provided free to the family members, so that they might be near their loved ones while they are hospitalized.

Because members of the military and their families are stationed worldwide and must often travel great distances for specialized medical care, Fisher House™ Foundation donates "comfort homes," built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful times - during the hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury.

Fisher House was founded by Zachary Fisher. His is a story worth reading!!!

For those with combat casualties, Fisher House has provided lodging for families and for the wounded on an out-patient basis.

More than 110,000 families have been served with over 2 million lodging days. It has saved military families over $90 million.

To read more about Fisher House - www.fisherhouse.org

Saturday's Super Site

What an Honor!

I was just given the honor of being awarded Saturday's Super Site.
The previous honorees are listed in the Blogroll - what a fine company to keep.

Thank you to Sunni who gave me the award-
Rantings, Ramblings, and Other Miscellaneous Stuff

http://captaindramaticsmom.blogspot.com/

Conspiracy or Lunacy?

People love a good conspiracy theory, which may be one of the reasons that actor Charlie Sheen is going to narrate a documentary about how the World Trade Towers were brought down by the U.S. government. About the same time, Rosie O'Donnell added her credibility to the project... A lot of the tin-foil hat crowd, have at least a little in common with Sheen and O'Donnell. They just don't like to think about how much our enemies actually hate us. It's easier to escape down a rabbit hole to a land where our own government is tricking us into thinking the world is a dangerous place." -Sen. Fred Thompson

US Troops Honor Massoud, the Lion of Panjsher

Spc. Stoney M. Archambault, an 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper, looks out across a valley in Panjsher province, Afghanistan, May 17, as he works as security during a ceremony honoring Massoud, the Lion of Panjsher. Archambault is a member of Combined Joint Task Force-82 and is a native of Raleigh, N.C.

A picture of Massoud, the Lion of Panjsher, stands in front of his tomb. A ceremony honoring him with an inscribed tablet was held by the U.S. Marine Corps, May 17, in Panjsher province, Afghanistan.


An Afghan National Policeman looks at an artist’s rendering of the finished tomb of Massoud, the Lion of Panjsher, May 17, in Panjsher province, Afghanistan. The tomb is currently under construction.

An Afghan soldier stands guard at the tomb of Massoud, the Lion of Panjsher, May 17, in Panjsher province, Afghanistan. A ceremony was held by the U.S. Marine Corps to honor Massoud who was killed two days before the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.

Spc. Stoney M. Archambault, an 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper, stands guard as fellow service members, within Combined Joint Task Force 82, and Afghan officials and guests enjoy refreshments following a ceremony honoring Massoud, the Lion of Panjsher, in Afghanistan, May 17. The tomb of Massoud, which is currently under construction, can be seen in the background. Archambault is a member of Combined Joint Task Force-82 and is a native of Raleigh, N.C.

U.S. service members, Afghan officials and guests walk to the tomb of Massoud, the Lion of Panjsher, May 17, in Panjsher province, Afghanistan. The U.S. Marine Corps honored Massoud with an engraved tablet during a ceremony there.

PANJSHIR, Afghanistan – The U.S. Marine Corps honored the “Lion of Panjshir,” May 17, at the tomb that guards his body in the Panjshir Valley.

The Lion of Panjshir, Ahmad Shah Massoud, was honored by Marine Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis, the commanding general of U.S. Marine Forces Central Command and the commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force with a tablet inscribed in three languages during a ceremony in the tomb.

“We Americans stand beside you today as guests brought together by fate and history,” said Mattis.

He went on to say that Americans fighting in Afghanistan are here as part of Massoud’s vision for Afghanistan.

Mussoud’s vision was a place where the Afghan people could live in peace, said Wali Massoud, the son of the “Lion of Panjshir.”

The people of Afghanistan will “do the utmost to prevail in his vision,” he added.

The tablet presented by the Marines reads as follows in Dari, Pashto and English; “The enemies thought that by killing my father, the hero Ahmad Shah Massoud, they could kill his dreams. They did not know that Massoud was more than just a mortal. He was an idea, a vision.”

According to Mattis, “(Massoud was) a leader who could fight like a lion and keep compassion for his people.”

The Lion was a resistance fighter born in the Panjshir Valley. He was part of the Mujahedeen, which fought against the Soviet Union in the 1980s, and was a leader in the “Northern Alliance,” which fought against the Taliban in the 1990’s. He was also an ally of the U.S.

On the field of battle, neither the Soviets nor the Taliban could kill the “Lion of Panjshir.” A deceptive plot by al-Qaida killed the “Hero of Afghanistan.”

Two days before the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, the Lion was killed by two suicide bombers posing as journalists.

“Massoud made the ultimate sacrifice for his people [days] before thousands of people…lost their lives in New York City,” Mattis noted.

Massoud “died at the hand of terror,” said Wali. “(However), his thoughts and ideas are with us.”

The tomb, which houses the fallen leader, is located on a plateau in the Panjshir Valley overlooking a river. It is still under construction by the Afghan people.

Story and Photos By U.S. Army Sgt. Jim Wilt
Combined Joint Task Force-82