IF NOT ME THAN WHO

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“IF NOT ME THAN WHO?” are the words on the grave stone of Travis L. Manion, a Marine. Brendan Looney, a Navy Seal, was Travis’ best friend. Both died defending their country. They now rest side by side in Arlington Cemetery.

On Memorial Day, we honor the brave men and women, who gave their lives for us serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Mary Jane Kashkoush is our own Gold Star mother.  Her story “Perchance to Dream” is in Love You More Than You Know. Her beloved son, Sergeant Michael Kashkoush lost his life in Iraq. Michael was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. My daughter, Meme went to school with Michael.

We remember their sacrifices and pray for Gold Star families on this Memorial Day.

Honoring Army Cpl. Frank Buckles: Last WWI Veteran

The last of the WWI veterans, Army Cpl. Frank Buckles was buried today at Arlington National Cemetery.  Paul Dugan said in an article from the Washington Post, “In a late-day chill, after hundreds of strangers had paid their respects in public viewings since the weekend, soldiers carried the former doughboy’s flag-draped coffin partway up a knoll and set it on polished rails above his plot, a stone’s toss from the grave of his old supreme commander, Gen. John J. “Blackjack” Pershing.

A visit from President Obama paying his respects and  flags at half mast marked the life of this soldier who died at the age of 110 years on February 27.

In an article, from ABC news by Arkette Saebz and Jake Tapper:  “Buckles will be buried with full military honors, which consist of a caisson, escort platoon, casket team, firing party and a lone bugler playing the military hymn “Taps.” Soldiers from the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment, the “Old Guard” — the oldest active-duty infantry unit in the Army — will conduct the military honors.”

Rest in peace Cpl. Frank Buckles, you served us well.