The US Armed Forces, around the world and at home.
Corporal Thomas Bourget watches over the mountains surrounding the Korengal Valley, in Afghanistan, during Operation Viper Shake, April 21. Bourget, a native of West Warwick, R.I., is an infantryman with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. Photo by Sergeant Matthew Moeller
Oh, I could do a voiceover... but it's pretty obvious, ain't it? How better for the US Armed Forces to celebrate their day... than by 'q-ing?
An Iraqi girl brings water to a U.S. Soldier during a clearing operation in Alwash, Iraq, on May 12. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Walter Pels
Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11, Detachment Horn of Africa lay 4,300 square feet of tile during the renovation of a school auditorium. NMCB-11 is deployed for the first time since being re-established in 2007 and is working on four schools in the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa area of responsibility. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Erick Holmes
Tugs assist the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan departs Naval Station Norfolk on a regularly scheduled deployment. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group is comprised of the Bataan and the amphibious transport dock USS Ponce and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry. Photo by Seaman Apprentice Tyler Wilson
2009 Joint Service Open House Air Show takes place at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., May 15. There are a variety of military air crafts and land maneuver equipment displays in this show and the Thunderbird team has a highline performance in the show. Photo by Spc. Jean-Paul G. Li
B-roll of U.S. Coast Guard Detachment 409 capturing suspected pirates after responding to a merchant vessel distress signal while operating in the Combined Maritime Forces area of responsibility as part of Combined Task Force ISI. Produced by Mass Communications Spc. Eric L. Beauregard.
Army Colonel Peter P. Taillac, physician, Utah Medical Command, Utah Army National Guard, and Salt Lake City native, examines the back of a Moroccan woman during Exercise AFRICAN LION 2009. More than 600 were treated for medical services, to include gynecology, cardiology, internal medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics and ophthalmology. This humanitarian assistance is just one of five being conducted in different communities throughout Morocco and runs concurrent with the bilateral military training. Photo by Master Sergeant Grady Fontana
Corporal Thomas Bourget watches over the mountains surrounding the Korengal Valley, in Afghanistan, during Operation Viper Shake, April 21. Bourget, a native of West Warwick, R.I., is an infantryman with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. Photo by Sergeant Matthew Moeller
Oh, I could do a voiceover... but it's pretty obvious, ain't it? How better for the US Armed Forces to celebrate their day... than by 'q-ing?
An Iraqi girl brings water to a U.S. Soldier during a clearing operation in Alwash, Iraq, on May 12. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Walter Pels
Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11, Detachment Horn of Africa lay 4,300 square feet of tile during the renovation of a school auditorium. NMCB-11 is deployed for the first time since being re-established in 2007 and is working on four schools in the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa area of responsibility. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Erick Holmes
Tugs assist the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan departs Naval Station Norfolk on a regularly scheduled deployment. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group is comprised of the Bataan and the amphibious transport dock USS Ponce and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry. Photo by Seaman Apprentice Tyler Wilson
2009 Joint Service Open House Air Show takes place at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., May 15. There are a variety of military air crafts and land maneuver equipment displays in this show and the Thunderbird team has a highline performance in the show. Photo by Spc. Jean-Paul G. Li
Army Colonel Peter P. Taillac, physician, Utah Medical Command, Utah Army National Guard, and Salt Lake City native, examines the back of a Moroccan woman during Exercise AFRICAN LION 2009. More than 600 were treated for medical services, to include gynecology, cardiology, internal medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics and ophthalmology. This humanitarian assistance is just one of five being conducted in different communities throughout Morocco and runs concurrent with the bilateral military training. Photo by Master Sergeant Grady Fontana
What no arugulla at the cookout? My kind of meal; no green was seen.
Today was just as awesome- a completely FREE "Welcome Home" party for all local vets and their families, from all wars. Again, all food and drinks were donated, as were games for the kids and live entertainment for all to enjoy. At both events, the Cincinnati VA's new mobile clinic was present. That thing is amazing- a 40 foot expand-o-van (as Keith called it), with 4 rooms: one dental, one mental health, one registration and one general medical. I am still in awe of it. The unit was a project headed up by The Thank You Foundation, designed and built by Armor Mobile Systems, and completely funded by the uniform and safety company, Cintas. Today was the grand public unveiling (we got a sneak peek at the dinner last night, but that was a private event)- and it was only fitting that it was Armed Forces Day.
Between the two events, I would guess that 3,000 vets and their families were taken care of and welcomed home. I was proud to be a part of it.