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We Remember and Honor You, Richard Overton

Richard Overton was born on May 11, 1906 near Austin, Texas. He was 112 years old when he died on December 28, 2018, at a rehabilitation facility near his home in Austin, Texas. He is the nations oldest World War 11 Veteran. Richard Overton was in his thirty’s when he volunteered for the Army and was at Pearl Harbor just after the Japanese attack in 1941. He served in the all-Black 1887th., Engineer Aviation Battalion in the Pacific Theater. He said that combat had helped his segregated unit gain acceptance. ” When we got out of the war, we were all together, there was no discrimination there.” Lives depended on it, he said. Mr. Overton met President Obama at the White House in 2013 and President Obama honored him at a Veterans Day Ceremony, at Arlington National Cemetery. He was at Pearl Harbor, at Okinawa and Iwo Jima. Overton said, ” I only got out of those places by the grace of God.” President Obama said, ” When the war ended, Mr. Overton did not get the respect he deserved from his service on the battlefield, but he held his head high and lived his life with honor and dignity.” He returned to Austin and worked at a furniture store and also as a courier at the State Capital, retiring in the 80’s. He was married twice but had no children. The Austin City Council recognized Mr Overton’s contributions to the state and Country by proclaiming a day in his honor and ceremonially renaming the street after him. Governor Greg Abbott of Texas said, ” Richard Overton made us proud to be Texans and proud to be Americans.” Forever grateful for your Service and Sacrifice to our Country! You are a True Hero and you will always be remembered!

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A Hero To Our Country, Jason Thomas

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Jason Thoas who was just outside of New York City, was informed that a plane struck the World Trade Center. He recently left active military duty, but he quickly put on his Marine uniform and drove twenty five miles toward the crumbling Towers to give his help. Along with another Marine, David Karnes, Thomas presented a plan for a search and rescue mission of the area and tried to enlist additional volunteers on site to help. The other people felt the mission was too dangerous to help them, so the two Marines were determined to help and with their flashlights and an Infantryman’s shovel, they climbed the scalding ruins calling out, ” United States Marines”, is anyone out there?” Finally hearing a response, the two Marines dug ceaselessly into the burning and twisting rubble to find two men, police officers injured, but still alive. Jason Thomas heroism that day is so remarkable that his actions are depicted in the 2006 movie, ” World Trade Center” directed by Oliver Stone. He said, ” This was one of the best programs I’ve organized in my professional career. Jason Thomas is absolutely phenomenal and every human being needs to experience this presentation.” Jason Thomas heroism that day is so remarkable . He is an extraordinary man who stands tall on 9/11 and saved the two Port Authority police officers from the rubble on that terrible day. Sgt. Thomas is unassuming and his efforts to save those trapped officers have made him a part of American history. The Thomas Family was the feature of a special two hour episode of ABC’s Extreme Makeover, which was nominated for an Emmy. We thank you, Jason Thomas for your courageous and brave service to our Country on that fatal day of September 11, 2001! You are a True Hero and we will always remember you!

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As a young man, straight out of high school, you chose to go into the military and become pilot. You served during the Korean Conflict. I’ll never forget the many stories you shared with me of the times you were flying your missions over Korea, and the planes next you were being shot down. The thought of abandoning the mission never crossed your mind and you continued with your objective which was to chase down the enemy. Your courage and dedication to our country will never be forgotten. Thank you for your service, Bill. You are a true war hero and we can never thank you enough.

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The labrador who worked as a service dog for President George HW Bush has been pictured resting beside his coffin, in a moving tribute.

Mr Bush, who served as the 41st US president between 1989 and 1993, died late on Friday at the age of 94. Sully the dog is travelling with the casket on the flight from Texas to Washington and back this week. Mr Bush’s body is due to lie in state this week ahead of a day of national mourning. The coffin is being flown from Texas to DC on board Air Force One – temporarily renamed Special Air Mission 41, in homage to the late president – and then back on Wednesday, with Sully accompanying the body throughout. Sully is named after the airline pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who landed a passenger jet on the Hudson River in 2009, saving all 155 passengers and crew on board.

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David Karnes is a twenty-three year Veteran of the Marine Corps. He was one of the heroes in the movie, “World Trade Center.” On that fatal day, September 11, 2001, after the second plane hit the World Trade Center, he started praying and decided he would go and help at the site of ground zero. He went home, got into his Marine uniform, went by his barbershop in Stamford, Connecticut and asked for ” a good Marine Corps squared off hair cut. Then he stopped by the storage facility were he kept his equipment, getting his rappelling gear, ropes, canteens of water, His Marine Corps K-Bar knife and a flashlight. A devout Christian he went by his Church and asked the Pastor and parishioners to say a prayer that God would lead him to survivors. He arrived at the site at 5:30pm., and with his uniform on, gained entrance to building 7 of the World Trade Center, a 47 story office structure adjacent to the fallen twin towers. He became acquainted with another Marine, Sgt. Thomas and they began their journey. Karnes saw the massive destruction, ” I just said, oh my God, it’s totally gone.” Karnes and Thomas disappeared into the smoke…….and we ran.” They kept shouting, ” United States Marine, if you can hear us, yell or tap.” Finally after an hour they heard, ” we’re over here.” They saved the lives of Port Authority Officers, Will Jimeno and John McLaughlin, who were buried twenty feet below the rubble. “It was a very long, very tiring rescue,” said Karnes. Returning to Connecticut a week after 9/11, Karnes re-enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve and has been serving ever since that fatal day. Thank you David Karnes for your brave service to our Country! We will always honor you and you will not be forgotten!

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Captain Brett Crozier, USN, was the skipper on the USS Theodore Roosevelt. He was fired abruptly from his duty on Thursday, April 3, 2020, for writing a letter describing the COVID-19 virus outbreak on the 4,800 person ship, pleading for help from his Senior Officers. His Aircraft Carrier is sidelined in port in Guam. What a touching and heart warming send off his Sailors gave him as he left his Ship. The Sailors chanted,” Captain Crozier, Captain Crozier,” and also clapped their hands. ” That is how you send off one of the greatest Captains you ever had, “said one of his Sailors. About 70,00 people have signed an online petition calling for the Skipper to be reinstated. Captain Crozier began having symptoms before he was removed from his Ship. Crozier pleaded with the Navy leaders, “that decisive action is required,” to remove a majority of ships personnel and isolate them for two weeks. Unfortunately, Captain Crozier should not have written a letter to his Senior Officers, as it was going outside the chain of command and too widely disseminating a memo over an unsecured system. The letter was published in the San Francisco Chronicle on Tuesday, March 31, 2020. Navy Secretary Thomas Modly told reporters, ” his letter misrepresented the facts of what was going on and demonstrated extremely poor judgement in the middle of a crisis. I have lost faith and confidence in the Captain on his actions” said Modly. The Navy officials in Washington D.C. have been mislead in their decision of firing Captain Cozier. Captain Crozier was thinking only of his Sailors and had their best interest at hand in trying to help those who were tested positive and he also tried to protect his other Sailors who were in harms way of the virus. Captain Crozier has sacrificed his own life now, as he fights to recover from this virus. Thank you Captain Crozier for your brave commitment in helping your Sailors of the USS Theodore Roosevelt! You are a True Hero and we will remember you for your selfless Service and Sacrifice to our Country.

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Honoring A Great War Hero, Hershel Woodrow, “Woody” Williams

Hershel Woodrow, “Woody” Williams, who is 96 years old, watched officials commission a U.S. Navy Warship in Honor of him. He is the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from the Battle of Iwo Jima. The USNS Hershel “Woody” Williams was commissioned on March 7, 2020 in Norfolk, Virginia. The USS Hershel “Woody” Williams is an Expeditionary Sea Base Ship that was built and launched in 2017. It is now a warship and command transferred from the Military Sealift Command to Naval Surface Force Atlantic. Hershel Williams described the commissioning as “a moment in history that is beyond my comprehension.” He also said, ” may all those who serve aboard this ship that bears my name, be safe and proud. May she have God’s blessings, for a long life of service to America, the greatest Country on Earth.” U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin gave the principal address and praised his fellow West Virginian and said, ” I have never had a more prestigious honor to be able to be here with a person who is truly an American hero.” Williams received his Medal of Honor for his actions as a demolition sergeant with the 3rd. Marine Division in February of 1945. Covered by four riflemen, Williams engaged for hours to prepare demolition charges and obtain flamethrowers to wipe out the enemy positions. He mounted a pillbox to insert the nozzle of his flamethrower through the air vent, killing the occupants and silencing the gun. We are forever grateful for your Service and Sacrifice, Sir, to our Country! You are a True Hero and we will always Honor you!

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Honoring Donald Kirby Ross, U.S.Navy

Captain Donald Kirby Ross, was born on December 8, 1910, in Beverly, Kansas. He graduated basic training at Naval Station, San Diego. He was assigned to the battleship USS Nevada, in October of 1940. On December 7, 1941, when the Japanese attack the USS Nevada at Pearl Harbor, it was badly damaged by bombs and Torpedoes. Captain Ross distinguished himself by taking responsibility to furnish power to get his ship underway, the only battleship to do so during the Japanese attack. The forward dynamo room was filled with smoke and steam, so Captain Ross ordered his men to leave and he stayed in there servicing until he was blinded and fell unconscious. He was unconscious for the second time and after waking up, he continued his duties so his ship would not be beached. His actions kept the ship under power, preventing it from sinking in the channel and blocking other ships. He entered the hospital three days after the attack and his vision was returned to normal after three weeks. He returned to the Nevada, on December 17, 1941 and stayed through the duration of the war. He retired from active duty in July of 1956 after twenty-seven years of service. Captain Ross was awarded the Medal of Honor by Admiral Chester Nimitz on April 18, 1942 and became the first person to receive the medal in World War 11. He was also awarded the Purple Heart. Captain Ross attended the 50th., Anniversary ceremonies at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1991. He was given the honor of introducing President George H.W. Bush. He also participated in the dedication of a memorial to his old ship, USS Nevada. Captain Ross died of a heart attack on May 27, 1992, at the age of 81 in Bremerton, Washington. His ashes were scattered at sea over the USS Nevada. In 1977, a guided-missile destroyer, USS Ross was named in his honor. We Honor you, Sir and thank you for your Service and Sacrifice to our Country! You are a True Hero and we will always Honor you!

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A Courageous Hero, Navy Seal, Lieutenant Christopher E. Mosko

Navy Seal, Lieutenant Christopher E. Mosko, was born on November 18th., 1983. He had a passion for the Military and took his place as a Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Seal and went to San Diego, California in 2008. In October of 2009, Chris married his wife, Amanda and shortly after left for his first deployment on the USS Carl Vinson. His next deployment as the Platoon Commander to Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force, Afghanistan augmenting Seal Team 3 and ODA 3421. He left for Afghanistan three days after Christmas in 2011. He was killed four months later on April 26, 2012, while conducting combat operations in Ghazni, Afghanistan. He died alongside two other heroes, SSGT. Brandon Eggleston and SSGT. Dick Alson Lee and also a working dog named Fibi Lieutenant Mosko was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. In 2013 Chris’ wife, Amanda, participated in the Travis Manion Foundation Survivor Summit Expedition in Granby, Colorado with twelve other surviving wives, fiancés, and girlfriends, as they carried on the legacy of their fallen hero as they experience the healing power of the mountains. Thank you for your Service and Sacrifice to our Country, Lieutenant Mosko! You are a True Hero and we will never forget you!