Christmas In Connecticut-CD tribute to our troops

This is an AWESOME CD!!! It is Called "Christmas in CT - A state of gratitude". It is dedicated to our troops and to Sgt. Rich Ford (our friend)!! Portions of the proceeds will go to a scholarship fund in Sgt. Ford's name at his high school in Colchester, CT. God Bless!!!
http://www.brightlightsmusic.com/

Video about Sgt. Ford - AWESOME TRIBUTE

This is an awesome tribute to a GREAT Man!!! It is only 8 minutes long and puts a real story with to a face of one of the thousands of soliders who have given their lives! Do you have 8 minutes, he gave 3 tours of duty for you!!!!

http://www.boston.com/partners/worldnow/necn.html?catID=83459&clipid=1913903&autoStart=true&mute=false&continuous=true

The Connecticut Soldiers who have paid the ultimate price

As made clear on the first post, this blog is made as a tribute to Sgt. Richard Ford, our friend who gave his life on 2-20-07. However, we would like to also dedicate this blog to all of the CT soldiers who have paid the ultimate price in this war. We are trying to compile additional information about these soldiers, and will add it as we find it.

In MEMORY of these CT soldiers:

Army Sgt. Maj. Philip Albert of Terryville
Army Spc. Tyanna Avery-Felder of Bridgeport
Marine Cpl. Stephen Bixler of Suffield
Army Pfc. Jeffrey Braun of Stafford
Army Chief Warrant Officer William Brennan of Bethlehem
USCG Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan B. Bruckenthal, a Ridgefield native
Marine Cpl. Kemaphoom "Ahn" Chanawongse of Waterford
USAF Tech. Sgt. John Chapman, a Windsor Locks native
Marine Sgt. David Coullard of Glastonbury
Army Pfc. Anthony D'Agostino of Glastonbury
Army National Guard Sgt. Felix Del Greco of Simsbury
Marine Cpl. Kevin Dempsey of Monroe
Army Staff Sgt. Richard S. Eaton Jr. of Guilford
Army National Guard Sgt. Richard L. Ford of East Hartford
Army Sgt. David Travis Friedrich of Naugatuck
Army Sgt. Benjamin Gilman of Meriden
Army Capt. Jason Hamill, an East Lyme native
Barbara Heald of Stamford
Army 1st Lt. Keith Heidtman of Norwich
Army Spc. Christopher Hoskins of Killingly
Army National Guard Spc. Robert Hoyt of Ashford
Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Henry E. Irizarry of Waterbury
Marine Lance Cpl. Philip Johnson of Hartford
Marine Staff Sgt. Phillip Jordan of Enfield
Marine Capt. Brian S. Letendre of New Britain
Army Lt. Col. Michael J. McMahon, a West Hartford native
Army Pfc. Nicholas A. Madaras of Wilton
Army Spc. Jacob David Martir of Norwich
Eric Miner of South Windham
Army Sgt. Joseph Michael Nolan, a Waterbury native
Army Capt. Eric Paliwoda of Farmington
Army Pfc. Wilfredo Perez Jr. of Norwalk
Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Joseph Phaneuf II of Eastford
Marine Lance Cpl. Lawrence Philippon of West Hartford
Marine Cpl. Jordan C. Pierson of Milford
Army Maj. Steve Reich of Washington
Army Pfc. Stephen K. Richardson of Bridgeport
Marine Lance Cpl. John T. Schmidt III of Brookfield
Army Staff Sgt. Thomas E. Vitagliano of New Haven

Tears for Troops

The last few days have been really hard. My emotions started to get the best of me again over the Memorial Weekend holiday and continue to plague my days. The memory and pain of losing a friend came crashing back down on our family, as we watched the parades that were dedicated to his memory. Everyday I see more numbers, faces and names of our soldiers that have given the ultimate price. As of today, 3 soldiers were abducted, one found dead and two other Military I.D.s shown as proof of capture. Seeing those ID's has stabbed my heart to the core, as it is the exact ID that my husband carries in his pocket everyday. Though he is not there right now, I can't imagine what these families most be going through to see the ID's plastered all over the news & the internet. My prayers and tears are with all of our troops. I pray for all of the families across our country that hear of a new death in the Middle East and wonder if uniformed officers will be approaching their front door. As of today, the total loss for the country since the conflict has begun is 3,493, the total for CT is 38.

Continue to Pray Daily,
Shelley

Our True American Hero

This is my short introduction blog. My name is Shelley and I am married to a Staff Sgt. in the US Army. He has not yet been deployed in this current conflict in Iraq, and I thank the Lord daily for that. However, we recently lost one of his best friends in this war, SSG. Richard Ford 3 months ago. This blog is being started in honor of him, all the soldiers who are giving their lives on a daily basis and for all those that are returning from this war with missing limbs and severe wounds. I would love it if readers would post their own devotions/tributes to a soldier they may have lost or who is suffering from wounds. I also hope to find great links to organizations helping our wounded soldiers. I know there are many great websites, blogs and links out there on the web devoted to our American soldiers, however one more can never hurt! There is so much controversy over this war, but we MUST Support the men and women who are there fighting this battle every day. Even if you don't support the war, we must be there for these soldiers. I want this war to end so much, however it must end in a way that these Heros did not die or give up thier limbs in vain.Here is the story of SSG Richard Ford - (more to be added at a later time)He was like a brother to us and it is a terrible loss. We love him and we will miss him terribly. Rich was on his third tour of duty in Iraq. He died on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 from wounds suffered in combat. Sgt. Rich Ford was a paratrooper stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C.. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 325th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.He was a wonderful man and friend. Imagine a huge smile on his face when you look at his picture, because that was how he always looked. He always had on a "goofy" grin. Rich and Frank worked together in G Company 104th Aviation for a few years before Rich went to Airborne school to serve in the Active Army. Frank was blessed with the opportunity to spend some time with him this December before he left for this tour of duty.In the Associated Press Release, it was quoted: "Sergeant Ford honorably served with the White Falcons distinctly for the three years," said battalion commander Lt. Col. Richard Kim. "Richard possessed all the qualities of a great paratrooper."He joined the CT Army National Guard 1995. He entered active duty in 2004. He was a decorated soldier. Rich had previously served in Iraq from December 2004 and March 2005. His second tour was from September 2005 through December 2005. He was a recipient of the Army Medal of Valor, the Bronze Star and Purple Heart among several other honors.Please keep Rich's son Michael (11 yrs. old) in your prayers. In a quote to the news, His son, Michael Patrick, of Bridgeport, Conn., called Rich his "greatest hero." "I would like everyone to know that I'm extremely proud of my dad's service to our country," he said in a statement. "I love him deeply and will miss him terribly."Our friend was given a HERO's good-bye by the State of Connecticut. It was a wonderful tribute to a man who died for his country. Rich was buried on Monday, March 5, 2007 at Arlington National Cemetery. We miss you Rich! We love you! We will never forget the sacrifice you made for your country. You died doing what you always wanted to do, being a GREAT soldier!
A Poem for You!
A Hero is someone who will lay his life down for a friend.
Soldier, you were a Hero until the end.
You gave your life on an Iraqi street.
Your mission is now complete.
All we have now, are memories which are so sweet.
You knew the Red Sox had what it takes,
and you loved those chocolate Little Debbie Cakes.
Not a greater Cowboy Fan there ever was,
and you always smiled, just because.
One thing we know is true,
when it came to your son,
No one meant more to you.
Your crazy, goofy smile so sweet,
There is no greater soldier we will ever meet.
We will say goodbye
with a well of tears in our eyes.
A Hero is someone who will lay his life down for a friend.
Soldier, you were a Hero until the end.
You are and always will be our friend.
Looking forward to hearing about the Hero in your life!

Shelley and Frank