Doing the right thing

USFallen.org is pleased to announce Roberto Duran, 5-time World Boxing Champion and International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee, is not only a big fan of ours, buts wants to get involved with our mission. Not only will he conduct meetings with us, but also catch the Pacquiao vs Margarito fight at the Cowboys Stadium on Saturday.

Allen Jackson and Tim McKinney two extraordinary veterans that ensured a grave maker was ordered and placed where World War II veteran William Jennings Brien Jr. was laid to rest 65 years ago.

Recently, we were introduced to Steven C. Barber who produced a modern day documentary, as he followed, World War II combat veteran Leon Cooper, who embarks on what he considers his final mission – to preserve the hallowed ground of one of World War II’s deadliest battlefields at Red Beach on Tarawa Island. We consider Leon Cooper’s action an example of doing the right thing.

Considering this young warrior has paid the ultimate price you would think his funeral procession would be allowed access free of charge. To our shock and horror, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, after repeated requests for an exception, has informed the family they must pay the toll fees.

SSG Blis has recruited LTG (Ret) Ricardo Sanchez, author of Wiser in Battle – A Soldier’s History, MG (Ret.) Alfred Valenzuela, author of No Greater Love – Lives and Times of Hispanics Soldiers, and Jerry Castillo, the founder of USFallen.org, to establish an association to deal with these challenges and obstacles faced by our Hispanic active duty service personnel and veterans.

One of the most highly decorated Marines during the war in Iraq had to drink to fall asleep. He once tried to kill himself. This was …

LCpl. Dustin Tunnell, recently attended the funeral of one of his uncles. After the ceremonies an elderly man walked up to LCpl. Dustin Tunnell to thank him for his service to our country and admire his uniform. The elderly man began to recall how the uniform was a contributing factor in his decition to join the USMC, but at the time not all Marines were issued a dress uniform since, they were immediately shipped out to war as soon as they completed basic training.

On Memorial Day 2010, in the Great Hall of the Dallas Baptist University, State Senator Royce West recognized patriotic North Texans who honor our fallen heroes with their God given talents and skills. I was humbled and honored to receive such recognition among patriotic Americans.

Tuesday in the White House Rose Garden, almost 40 years later, President Obama is scheduled to pay tribute to Gutierrez and about 80 other Vietnam veterans who fought in the savage, unnamed battle, which resulted in the rescue of a company of trapped fellow soldiers.