Army Ranger Josh Hargis' 'salute seen around the world' ... this is what a hero looks like

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48NyVnV8CC0u0LzITc8LqOBdfYngQr5W9rKkjAW4NDp5pZ27DglXGDRLmlAMpG1aTCcZq3pOT2Ie3tpySQ3UE-bnbWPL_W_4osWXh14YLZlcgBHKWcL-9rZ-T6VM9YCdJELM_I1yX6ztB/s1600/Army+Ranger+Josh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48NyVnV8CC0u0LzITc8LqOBdfYngQr5W9rKkjAW4NDp5pZ27DglXGDRLmlAMpG1aTCcZq3pOT2Ie3tpySQ3UE-bnbWPL_W_4osWXh14YLZlcgBHKWcL-9rZ-T6VM9YCdJELM_I1yX6ztB/s400/Army+Ranger+Josh.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>This is a photo taken by Josh Hargis' wife, originally published in the <a href="http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20131015/NEWS/310150099/Cincinnati-soldier-delivers-salute-seen-around-world-?nclick_check=1">Cincinnati Enquirer</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Army Ranger Josh Hargis was severely wounded by multiple IUDs during a mission in Afghanistan. During the ceremony to award him the Purple Heart prior to his medevac to Germany, though medical staff said he was unconscious, Ranger Hargis rendered honors to his Commander as the citation was read. A GENUINE AMERICAN HERO.<br /><blockquote>... as the Purple Heart presentation began, Josh Hargis struggled to move his right hand and lift it into a saluting position. Military protocol calls for a soldier to salute when he receives the Purple Heart.</blockquote>Freedom is not free....<br /><br />USA Today: <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/15/salute-seen-around-world/2988755/">Soldier delivers 'salute seen around the world'</a><br /><br /><i>H/T to Bill Janis </i>

Afghanistan American heroes Army Ranger freedom isn't free Operation Enduring Freedom support our troops U.S. Army Army Ranger Josh Hargis' 'salute seen around the world' ... this is what a hero looks like

  This is a photo taken by Josh Hargis' wife, originally published in the Cincinnati Enquirer Army Ranger Josh Hargis was severely wound...

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Update: 'Walking Off the War' ... AT Warrior Hike military vets to be at Devil's Backbone Brewery near Wintergreen on Sunday

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJ1ZDbyJM1kMIy9ihcx1GRt0cDQkvoSKV1teU3mfsfgfhTLHzGV-A3W5z2zPZHil0wFFGZp7-K3SGk-ZpUxv5ppudzMwvJEfuuO0ttE8usgNgdMxaWH4KImoiYJbYjaL1c7xESax9ZVQy/s1600/Warrior+Hike+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJ1ZDbyJM1kMIy9ihcx1GRt0cDQkvoSKV1teU3mfsfgfhTLHzGV-A3W5z2zPZHil0wFFGZp7-K3SGk-ZpUxv5ppudzMwvJEfuuO0ttE8usgNgdMxaWH4KImoiYJbYjaL1c7xESax9ZVQy/s400/Warrior+Hike+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Along the Appalachian Trail, there's a group of military veterans "walking off the war," battling the memories of time deployed overseas but grateful to be physically able to hike, well aware that some of their fellow warriors came back with serious injuries. Others paid the ultimate price.<br /><br />If you've ever wanted to thank a veteran, Sunday is your chance. Buy the <a href="http://www.warriorhike.com/">Warrior Hikers</a> a beer and make a toast of gratitude for their service to our country. They will gather at <a href="http://www.dbbrewingcompany.com/">Devil's Backbone Brewing Company</a> in Roseland (near Wintergreen) Sunday afternoon at 5:00. (<b>This is a change from my earlier post.)</b><br /><br />Reporter David Kaplan with <a href="http://www.wdbj7.com/news/wdbj7-veterans-hiking-appalachian-trail-to-raise-money-for-fellow-injured-vets-20130611,0,2944313.story">KDBJ TV-7</a> caught up with the thru-hikers in Craig County earlier this week, and talked with several about their journey. Check out the <a href="http://warriorhike.com/hikers/class-of-2013/">website and meet the hikers</a> who have been deployed overseas -- Marines, Navy, Air Force, and Army veterans who set out from Georgia in March to follow the Appalachian Trail north.<br /><br />Father's Day provides a great opportunity to come out and show appreciation for these men and women who have served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, the Persian Gulf, and Southeast Asia, putting their lives on the line to preserve the freedoms we enjoy here at home.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.warriorhike.com/">Warrior Hikers</a> are our American heroes. The website tells how it began: <br /><blockquote>In 1948 Earl Shaffer told a friend he was going to “walk off the war” to work out the sights, sounds, and losses of World War II. Four months later, Earl Shaffer became the first person to hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.<br /><br />Recognizing the physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits of hiking the Appalachian Trail, Warrior Hike has partnered with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to create the Walk Off The War Program. The Walk Off The War Program is designed to support combat veterans transitioning from military service by thru hiking the Appalachian Trail.</blockquote>I was alerted to the Warrior Hike by a reader of my <a href="http://www.lynnrmitchell.com/">SWAC Girl blog</a> who writes a blog covering the Appalachian Trail from Rockfish Gap to Reeds Gap -- <a href="http://rockfishtoreeds.blogspot.com/">Rockfish to Reeds</a>. She follows many of the hikers on the trail and has watched the Warrior Hikers since their March departure in Georgia.<br /><br />Merlot describes her blog as, "Rockfish Gap to Reeds Gap ..... that little piece of  'AT heaven' we all love so much. This is a blog for the dedicated volunteers who maintain the 19.1 miles of white-blazed AT and some blue-blazed side trails as well." <br /><br />So a tip of the hat to Merlot for the hard work that goes into upkeep for the AT, and for the heads-up about the Warrior Hikers. If you can, please join them at <a href="http://www.dbbrewingcompany.com/">Devil's Backbone Brewing Company</a>.

Appalachian Trail Devil's Backbone Brewing Company military veterans Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom Roseland support our troops Warrior Hike Wintergreen Update: 'Walking Off the War' ... AT Warrior Hike military vets to be at Devil's Backbone Brewery near Wintergreen on Sunday

Along the Appalachian Trail, there's a group of military veterans "walking off the war," battling the memories of time deploye...

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AT Warrior Hikers coming to Waynesboro Sunday

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeO6Us0ldG6-0nbkow0BVtpYiOTvrif3JrTx2bMHscQXKwzTPYijjvhV6OHWpzC4ilHIjriXuegj7OlZgkxS7hIjtg74FtD5pBP5I20DpfwwaW76LhdYUN_6CeXhrNRkrrK31ol04ZW5l/s1600/Warrior+Hike+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeO6Us0ldG6-0nbkow0BVtpYiOTvrif3JrTx2bMHscQXKwzTPYijjvhV6OHWpzC4ilHIjriXuegj7OlZgkxS7hIjtg74FtD5pBP5I20DpfwwaW76LhdYUN_6CeXhrNRkrrK31ol04ZW5l/s400/Warrior+Hike+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />This Sunday at 5:00 at the VFW Post 2424 in Waynesboro, meet the Appalachian Trail Warrior Hikers as they make their way north on their thru-hike.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.warriorhike.com/">Warrior Hikers</a> are our military veterans: <br /><blockquote>In 1948 Earl Shaffer told a friend he was going to “walk off the war” to work out the sights, sounds, and losses of World War II. Four months later, Earl Shaffer became the first person to hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.<br /><br />Recognizing the physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits of hiking the Appalachian Trail, Warrior Hike has partnered with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to create the Walk Off The War Program. The Walk Off The War Program is designed to support combat veterans transitioning from military service by thru hiking the Appalachian Trail.</blockquote>I was alerted to the Warrior Hike by a reader of my <a href="http://www.lynnrmitchell.com/">SWAC Girl blog</a> who writes a blog covering the Appalachian Trail from Rockfish Gap to Reeds Gap -- <a href="http://rockfishtoreeds.blogspot.com/">Rockfish to Reeds</a>. She follows many of the hikers on the trail and has watched the Warrior Hikers since their March departure in Georgia. Merlot describes her blogs as, "Rockfish Gap to Reeds Gap ..... that little piece of  'AT heaven' we all love so much. This is a blog for the dedicated volunteers who maintain the 19.1 miles of white-blazed AT and some blue-blazed side trails as well."<br /><br />So a tip of the hat to her for her interest in the AT, and for the heads-up about the Warrior Hikers. Sunday offers an opportunity to thank these military veterans who put their lives on hold and on the line to preserve our freedoms. I'll update with more info as I find it but it's this Sunday, June 16, at 5:00 at the VFW in Waynesboro. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-N3GmgNmor_52EOb0850cgtPsg2J0sLdSao4C9RdaKzD3ymlaaRGo-AAn7vuaGMyKNdYDpFGtKVrgy-BVff4NnAS1_rf-nZi06MK8uAnQG3zPOcWZKXCAxAWC_QLvIGHmAi40GGoCnzj/s1600/Warrior+Hike+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-N3GmgNmor_52EOb0850cgtPsg2J0sLdSao4C9RdaKzD3ymlaaRGo-AAn7vuaGMyKNdYDpFGtKVrgy-BVff4NnAS1_rf-nZi06MK8uAnQG3zPOcWZKXCAxAWC_QLvIGHmAi40GGoCnzj/s320/Warrior+Hike+map.jpg" width="61" /></a></div>

Appalachian Trail Blue Ridge Mountains military veterans Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom support our veterans Warrior Hike Waynesboro AT Warrior Hikers coming to Waynesboro Sunday

This Sunday at 5:00 at the VFW Post 2424 in Waynesboro, meet the Appalachian Trail Warrior Hikers as they make their way north on their thru...

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Richmond area soldier, 2 others killed in Afghanistan over weekend

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkL197k50W14qgu63du-aGkvK1UrmVbmm5fBYroMjWAFCZELx5CMcvE7FD6_dnDJgnlwGzG3QC8XjfC8FGyYU_peSxzeg1uL4rUKGZDkxUUcZgs0MJ-frML3OPkNK2VhIXmEvxlbuwF6a/s1600/American+flag+half+staff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkL197k50W14qgu63du-aGkvK1UrmVbmm5fBYroMjWAFCZELx5CMcvE7FD6_dnDJgnlwGzG3QC8XjfC8FGyYU_peSxzeg1uL4rUKGZDkxUUcZgs0MJ-frML3OPkNK2VhIXmEvxlbuwF6a/s1600/American+flag+half+staff.jpg" /></a></div><br />This morning comes sad news that three U.S. soldiers, including one from the Richmond area, killed over the weekend in <a href="http://www.armytimes.com/article/20130603/NEWS08/306030011/DoD-identifies-3-soldiers-killed-Afghanistan">Operation Enduring Freedom</a>.<br /><br />Spc. Kyle P. Stoeckli, 21, of Moseley, Virginia, was killed in Maiwand, Afghanistan, on Saturday, June 1, from an improvised explosive device (IED). He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, based out of Fort Bliss, Texas.<br /><br />Spc. Ray A. Ramirez, 20, of Sacramento, Calif., died Saturday in Wardak Province when his unit was attacked by an IED. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, out of Fort Stewart, Ga.<br /><br />Pfc. Mariano M. Raymundo, 21, of Houston, Texas, died Saturday in Sharan. The Department of Defense said the incident is under investigation. Raymundo was assigned to the 210th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, based out of Fort Drum, N.Y.<br /><br />The deadly weekend for our Armed Forces is a reminder that our military men and women are still at war far away from home. These young men made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Our prayers go out to their families and friends. Freedom is not free.

Afghanistan freedom isn't free Kyle Stoeckli Mariano Raymundo Operation Enduring Freedom Ray Ramirez support the troops U.S. Army war casualties Richmond area soldier, 2 others killed in Afghanistan over weekend

This morning comes sad news that three U.S. soldiers, including one from the Richmond area, killed over the weekend in Operation Enduring Fr...

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