Hero Stories for June 2008

Hospitalman Marc A. Retm

WASHINGTON (American Forces Press Service) – For the past two years, one troop-support organization has made sure children of fallen servicemembers have an avalanche of fun. “Snowball Express” began in December 2006 with the mission of providing hope and new memories to military children who have lost a parent since 9/11. “The belief is these children should never be forgotten by a grateful nation,” said Roy White, the group’s chairman of the board and a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel. ...

America Supports You: Group Builds Homes for Wounded Troops June 2, 2008 By Jamie Findlater WASHINGTON (American Forces Press Service) – Building or remodeling homes to accommodate the needs of severely wounded warriors returning from Iraq and Afghanistan is the way Kirt Rebello and everyone else involved with “Homes for Our Troops” have chosen to thank servicemembers for their sacrifice. “A wounded servicemember’s life is forever changed,” Rebello -- vice president and projects director for ...

Face of Defense: Wounded Warrior Leads Medical Battalion By Elaine Wilson Special to American Forces Press Service FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, May 23, 2008 – When Army Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Cornejo was wounded in Iraq, he had to return stateside for medical treatment, reluctantly leaving his comrades and mission behind. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Cornejo, who was injured in Iraq in 2007, speaks at his change of responsibility ceremony May 13, 2008, at the 187th Medical Battalion headquarters a...

Iraqi, U.S. Soldiers, Bring Aid to Village June 2, 2008 By Army Capt. Benjamin Roark BAGHDAD (American Forces Press Service) – The line extended out the gate and around the corner, and it disappeared up the narrow street as residents of Dehna, a village west of Baghdad, lined up waiting for aid May 29. The mood was the same at every point in the line: excitement, relief and gratitude. Whether it was a woman there for her family or one of the scores of children waiting for a free toy and maybe...

With New Lease on Life, Soldier Promotes Freedom By John D. Banusiewicz American Forces Press Service AURORA, Colo. (9/10/2006) – If you tell Army Staff Sgt. Paul Brondhaver he's a hero, he'll just laugh and shake his head. He's heard it before, but he doesn't think he's any more of a hero than the millions of men and women who served before him or alongside him. Brondhaver, an Ohio National Guardsman, was severely wounded in a rocket-propelled-grenade and small-arms ambush in July 2004 in Sa...

Dear HeroBracelets, We ordered a dozen of your Army Bracelets last week and they arrived today. I must say, we are all thrilled. My nephew is in the Army and currently serving in Iraq. We all wanted something to remind us of him daily and the Army Bracelets with his name are perfect. I put mine on right out of the package and I plan on wearing it till he comes home. I think he’s got another 4 months before he comes home. We all miss him very much but I have to say, having his Army bracelet on...

I want to thank you for my new custom Soldier Bracelets. They look great and fit perfectly. My longtime friend, Aaron Mitchell is in the Army and currently in Iraq. I ordered your bracelets for his parents, his siter and for me. They were all pretty thrilled to get them and we’ve all vowed to wear them till he comes home. We’re thinking of making a chain of all the bracelets for him when he gets home. I get to talk to email him once in a while and told him about us all wearing his name on our...

Pfc. Derek D. Holl