Two SEALs from Dam Neck killed in Afghanistan


Senior Chief Petty Officer John Marcum


Petty Officer First Class Jason Freiwald (Chief Petty Officer Select)

VIRGINIA BEACH

Two highly decorated local Navy SEALs died Thursday night from injuries sustained in fierce fighting against insurgents in Afghanistan, according to the Navy.

Senior Chief Petty Officer John Marcum, 34, and Petty Officer First Class Jason Freiwald, 30, died in a battle with heavily armed militants, the Navy said. The men were deployed from the highly selective Naval Special Warfare Development Group at Dam Neck Annex in Virginia Beach.

Capt. Scott Moore, commanding officer of the development group, said the deaths were “tremendous losses.”

“These men were true warriors, dedicated to their country, their fellow SEALS and the cause for which they were fighting,” Moore said in a statement. “They died taking the fight to the enemy, going in harm’s way with the selflessness that resonated in their character and made them giants among men.”

Marcum and Freiwald are the second and third sailors from Development Group to be killed in Afghanistan within three weeks. Petty Officer First Class Josh Harris, 36, drowned on Aug. 30 while crossing a river on a combat mission.

Marcum, a native of Flushing, Mich., had received four Bronze Star medals, among numerous decorations. He joined the service in August 1991. After basic training, he attended the Navy and Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center at Dam Neck. He then went to basic SEAL training, and took his first permanent post with SEAL Team 2 at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base.

Marcum began training for the Naval Special Warfare Development Group in March, 2000. He had deployed numerous times.

He is survived by his wife, Cynthia, and a daughter, Madison. He is also survived by his parents, Wayne and Luellen Marcum, and his sister, Kaylee Pierle.

Among his many citations, Freiwald, a native of Utica, Mich., was a Bronze Star recipient. Tuesday, he was to have been promoted to chief petty officer.

After graduating from basic SEAL training, his first permanent duty was with SEAL Team 5 at Coronado Naval Amphibious Base in California. In March 2005, he began training with the development group.

After completing training, he received orders for Naval Special Warfare Tactical Development and Evaluation Squadron 2. He is survived by his wife, Stacey, and a daughter, Jasmine. He is also survived by his parents, Richard and Terri Freiwald.



Thanks for your Service and Dedication Shipmates. You may now stand down the watch. You have paid your dues. Prayers are sent for Peace and Comfort to the Family, Friends, and Brothers in Arms.

Hope to meet up with you on Fiddler's Green.

Posted by SeniorCutt, Sep 14 2008

SO1 (SEAL) Josh Harris and his parents, Evelyn and Sam Harris.


Petty Officer First Class SEAL Joshua Thomas Harris
(April 19, 1972 - August 30, 200

U.S. Navy Petty Officer First Class SEAL Joshua Thomas Harris, 36 formerly of East US Hwy 64, Lexington, died Saturday August 30, 2008 in a combat operation in Afghanistan. A memorial service will be held at 12:00 Noon, Saturday September 6 at First Baptist Church with the Dr. Tom King officiating. Internment will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA at a later date.

Petty Officer Harris was born in Chapel Hill on April 19, 1972 to Dr. Sam R. Harris and Evelyn Long Harris. He graduated from Lexington Senior High School in 1990 and from Davidson College in 1994 with a degree in studio art and pursued a master’s degree in architecture from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He enlisted in the Navy in August 2000. He had extensive training to become a Navy SEAL, and he was awarded the bronze star after one of his many missions.

Surviving are his parents of the home; his twin sister Kiki Harris, of Fort Lauderdale, FL, brother S. Ranchor Harris, III and his wife, Serine of Winston Salem, two nephews, Dylan and Chase; and aunts & uncles, Thomas Veach and Sveta Long of Wrightsville Beach, NC, Penny and Randy Overby of Thomasville and Tom and Marci Harris of Paradise Valley, AZ.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 9:00 PM Friday at Davidson Funeral Home Lexington Chapel and at other times at the home.

Memorials may be directed to Joshua Thomas Harris Memorial Fund, to be administered by Grace Episcopal Church, 419 S. Main St., Lexington, NC 27292

Petty Officer Harris thank you for your Service to our Navy and this great Country in which we live. You have made the ultimate unselfish sacrifice for our Freedom. Something that so many take for granted. Mr & Mrs Harris you and your family will be remembered in prayer and may you find comfort in knowing your Son was one of The Best of the Best.

Rest your oars Sailor. Hope to see you on Fiddler's Green.

Posted by SeniorCutt, Sep 3 2008

A Sailor - Author Unknown

I love My Sailor so deeply and true

He is my Husband, my Friend and a Daddy too

He chose his fate when signed that line

To become a Submariner and serve his time

As the Submarine is prepped and the workday ends

He comes home to tell me, "It is that time again"

The night before "The Boat" gets underway

We prepare ourselves for that dreaded day

He Packs his sea bag so snug and tight

For it will be time to leave at dawn's early light

With his sea bag across his shoulder

and the tears in his eyes we know it is time for all the goodbyes

My Sailor and his crew are running silent and deep

Protecting our freedom while awake or asleep

For the beautiful flag flies freely in the wind

My sailor will proudly salute it until the very end

Posted by RedShark, Sep 1 2008

Some may never understand this mix of emotions.

Enjoy



Sent to me by IP Member DawgLady (Deb)


www.youtube.com/watch?v=te-cKxsBapM

Posted by smokem, Aug 21 2008

Her hair was up in a pony tail,
her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school,
and she couldn't wait to go.

But her mommy tried to tell her,
that she probably should stay home
Why the kids might not understand,
if she went to school alone.

But she was not afraid;
she knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates
of why he wasn't there today.

But still her mother worried,
for her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again,
she tried to keep her daughter home..

But the little girl went to school
eager to tell them all.
About a dad she never sees
a dad who never calls.

There were daddies along the wall in back, for everyone to meet.

Children squirming impatiently,
anxious in their seats
One by one the teacher called a student from the class.
To introduce their daddy, as seconds slowly passed.

At last the teacher called her name,
every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching,
a man who wasn't there.

'Where's her daddy at?'
She heard a boy call out.
'She probably doesn't have one,'
another student dared to shout.

And from somewhere near the back,
she heard a daddy say,
'Looks like another deadbeat dad,
too busy to waste his day.'

The words did not offend her,
as she smiled up at her Mom.
And looked back at her teacher, who told her to go on.
And with hands behind her back,
slowly she began to speak.

And out from the mouth of a child,
came words incredibly unique.

'My Daddy couldn't be here,
because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be,
since this is such a special day.

And though you cannot meet him,
I wanted you to know.
All about my daddy,
and how much he loves me so.

He loved to tell me stories
he taught me to ride my bike.
He surprised me with pink roses,
and taught me to fly a kite.

We used to share fudge sundaes,
and ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him.
I'm not standing here alone.

'Cause my daddy's always with me,
even though we are apart
I know because he told me,
he'll forever be in my heart'

With that, her little hand reached up,
and lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat,
beneath her favorite dress.

And from somewhere there in the crowd of dads, her mother stood in tears.
Proudly watching her daughter,
who was wise beyond her years.

For she stood up for the love
of a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her,
doing what was right.

And when she dropped her hand back down, staring straight into the crowd.
She finished with a voice so soft,
but its message clear and loud.

I love my daddy very much,
he's my shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here,
but heaven's just too far.

You see he is a Marine
and died just this past year
When a roadside bomb hit his convoy
and taught Americans to fear.

But sometimes when I close my eyes,
it's like he never went away'
And then she closed her eyes,
and saw him there that day.
And to her mother's amazement,
she witnessed with surprise.
A room full of daddies and children,
all starting to close their eyes.

Who knows what they saw before them,
who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second,
they saw him at her side.

'I know you're with me Daddy,'
to the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers,
of those once filled with doubt.

Not one in that room could explain it,
for each of their eyes had been closed.
But there on the desk beside her,
was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.


And a child was blessed, if only for a moment, by the love of her shining star.
And given the gift of believing,
that heaven is never too far.

Posted by SeniorCutt, Aug 12 2008

Posted by DEnJRtheBEST, Aug 9 2008

I post this out of pride and nothing less....



THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL

TO

SSG John Farvour

SSG John Farvour, United States Army, distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as 2nd Platoon’s Senior Section Sergeant, A Troop, 6th Squadron, 8th United States Cavalry, from 24 October 2007 to 19 January 2009 during OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.
SSG Farvour exhibited outstanding leadership and bravery during more than 250 combat missions while serving as 2nd platoon’s senior section sergeant. SSG Farvour successfully supervised the deployment of his section and associated equipment to FOB Falcon. SSG Farvour’s prowess during combat clearly demonstrates him superior in ability and leadership to his peers. On Thanksgiving Day, 2007, a large insurgent force attacked Hawr Rajab. Following the attack, as 2nd platoon secured the town SSG Farvour personally supervised the clearing and securing of the platoon’s casualty collection point. SSG Farvour’s actions and leadership enabled the platoon to successfully treat 15 civilian and four Iraqi Army casualties with life threatening wounds without loss of life. Later, on 21 December 2007, 2nd platoon conducted dismounted operations to clear insurgent held terrain when an attached soldier was severely wounded by an IED. Following the IED strike, SSG Farvour maintained his composure and used his section, the platoon’s vanguard, to clear the route of further IEDs. As a result of SSG Farvour’s efforts several IEDs emplaced in the platoon’s route were located and successfully bypassed without further incident or injury.
During OPERATION MARNE THUNDERBOLT, SSG Farvour distinguished himself as an outstanding leader and soldier while leading the platoon’s mounted section through over three weeks of sustained combat operations. During the course of OPERATION MARNE THUNDERBOLT, the platoon’s soldiers distinguished themselves by clearing a total of three NAIs, several minor and one major route, and securing the site of COP Meade during its construction. Additionally, under the direct leadership of SSG Farvour, the platoon’s soldiers gravely diminishing the enemy’s capacity to conduct offensive operations by locating and destroying two large weapons caches and numerous emplaced IEDs. When another cavalry squadron conducted a relief in place and assumed the main effort, SSG Farvour’s section had made the farthest advance by any unit in 6-8 CAV during OPERATION MARNE THUNDERBOLT and was the forward line of troops at the time. SSG Farvour demonstrated his tremendous character and ability while cheerfully leading his soldiers to success without casualty while under enemy small arms fire, intermittent sniper attack, indirect fire and the omnipresent threat posed by IEDs littering the battlefield.
Throughout OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM the platoon was called on to successfully complete reconstruction missions for which its personnel were not trained. SSG Farvour was tasked to supervise the revitalization of Hawr Rajab’s agricultural sector. SSG Farvour assessed local fish farms and interviewed their owners and operators to ascertain their suitability to receive financial assistance. Due to SSG Farvour’s diligent work and accurate assessments his chain of command was able to recognize the area’s fish farms as large, inefficient and unsustainable users of water whose presence deprived other farmers of essential water rather than making the potentially disastrous decision to support the fish farms. SSG Farvour later organized and supervised the distribution of seeds and greenhouse material to the area farmers. SSG Farvour’s ability to adapt to and successfully lead his soldiers in nontraditional missions is a direct reflection of his superb leadership skill. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the 6th Squadron, 8th United States Cavalry, the 4th Brigade Combat Team, the 3rd Infantry Division and the United States Army.



ROCK OF THE MARNE

Posted by Lefty_Turner, Aug 2 2008

another member of "America's Greatest Generation. We are losing this valuable part of our history at an alarming rate. If you have a loved one, friend, or neighbor that served proudly during WWII, tell them thanks for your freedom. They never discuss or hardly ever mention their service, just because it was the right thing to do.


Donald Dragoo and his daughter, Cindy Slone, attend the kick-off dinner at Memorial Stadium Monday for the second Heartland Honor Flight. Dragoo, 91, died Tuesday during the return flight from Washington, D.C.

BY JOE DUGGAN / Lincoln Journal Star
Thursday, Jul 10, 2008 - 12:28:49 am CDT
Donald Dragoo got a gift Tuesday when he saw the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

He didn’t have it for long. He died before the passenger jet returned him home to Lincoln.

And that’s when he gave his daughter a gift she will cherish for the rest of her life.

Cindy Slone knew her father served in World War II, but she never really knew. He was just the man who loved her and her brother.He was the man who truly enjoyed working six days a week on cars at his Crete repair shop.
And every day, he took a break to have lunch with his bookkeeper, Gertrude, who was also his wife. “There wasn't a person he ever met he couldn't talk to,” Slone said. “He was a great judge of people. I don’t mean he was judgmental — I guess what I mean is he could see the heart in people.”

Don Dragoo was one of 12 children. All four of his brothers served in the war and made it back home. They all acted like serving your country was ordinary, just a natural thing to do. “I had no clue how lucky we were,” Slone said. “He just didn’t talk about it.”

On Tuesday, she heard her dad and other veterans talk about it during the Heartland Honor Flight. She gained a better understanding of his experiences as a tank repairman for the Army’s 3rd Armored Division. They earned the nickname “Spearhead Division” as they fought in the Normandy invasion and pursued the Nazis across France, Belgium and Germany. Along the way, Dragoo earned a Bronze Star and was awarded a Purple Heart.

He lost his son four years ago to a brain tumor, and he lost his wife last year. But he still had his daughter, his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson — and all four of his younger brothers.

The health problems that had plagued him for years really started wearing him down recently. He had heart disease, diabetes and vision problems. Pneumonia had infected his lungs four times since April.

Dragoo planned to go on the first Heartland Honor Flight in May, but he was in the hospital. The father and daughter talked it over with doctors as the second flight approached.

“We decided the only things in life you regret are the things you don’t do.” So they went.

He spent time with other veterans.
He got thanked by strangers.
He laughed.
And he saw his memorial.

That night, on the plane, she asked him if he was short of breath. He just smiled and said “No.” “He said, ‘I’m having a wonderful time, and everything’s been perfect.’” She saw him close his eyes. She heard him take a deep, deep breath.

And she knew.

“I can’t imagine having a better experience in such a short amount of time,” she said Wednesday. “Let alone having the gift of being able to laugh with my dad on the last day of his life.”




May this proud Warrior rest in Eternal Peace.

Posted by SeniorCutt, Jul 10 2008

Next post. Article from NASCAR.com.

Nice read........

Posted by EightE-Eight, Jul 8 2008

God Bless You all and your friends or family

Posted by tina88fan9, Jul 6 2008