Community honors memory of soldier who never got to meet his baby son

Hundreds of flags decorate coffee shop belonging to fallen soldier and wife

The Denver Channel
By: Jessica Barreto
Jul 05, 2019

Sergeant Elliott Robbins also leaves behind a baby son, Elliott Jr., who was born shortly after his deployment.

FLORISSANT, Colo.
Hundreds of U.S. flags now adorn a coffee shop in belonging to a fallen Fort Carson soldier and his wife.

Special Forces Sergeant First Class Elliott Robbins died earlier this week in Afghanistan, just three weeks before he was set to return home.

Many took time out of their holiday on Thursday to pay their respects to Robbins and his family.

Costello Street Coffee House opened up early at 6:30 Thursday morning, and folks from all over the area stopped by to plant a flag, drop off a note of encouragement, and simply let this grieving family know there is an entire community behind them.

"Without them giving up everything for us, we can't celebrate," said Amber Ray, a military spouse who went to the coffee shop with her family.

Robbins deployed to Afghanistan earlier this year, and on Sunday, his family found out he would not be coming home.
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Lawmakers and administration officials remember fallen on Memorial Day

Remembering the fallen: 12 former service members to honor this Memorial Day

Military Times
Leo Shane III
May 26, 2019

Soldiers from the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) march off after supporting military funeral honors in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on May 8, 2019. ((Elizabeth Fraser/Army)

In honor of Memorial Day, Military Times asked several lawmakers and administration officials to talk about who they will be remembering on the holiday. Here are their reflections:

** Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie, a Navy Reserve and Air Force Reserve veteran

“On Memorial Day we often forget Americans who gave the last full measure offering a helping hand to those whose own world had disappeared.

“On panel 1W Line 121 of the Vietnam Wall is the name of just such a man: Master Sgt. Denning Cicero Johnson. He was 36, a husband, father, medic. He was one of the last Americans to fall in Vietnam, on April 4, 1975.

“He was rescuing orphans whose lives were in danger as the North Vietnamese approached Saigon. Operation Baby Lift rescued 2,000 children on the orders of President Gerald Ford. While Johnson was tending to the children in his care, the C-5 he was on crashed into a rice paddy outside of Saigon.

** Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., an Army veteran and ranking member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee

“There are many incredible men and women that come to mind when I think of our fallen servicemembers, but this Memorial Day I want to especially recognize the life and service of 1st Sgt Thomas E. Thayer from Louisville, Ky.

“Sgt Thayer was a tremendous man that I knew growing up in the Boy Scouts. He was my scoutmaster and taught me so much about leadership and responsibility. Sgt. Thayer died while serving with the Army’s 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. He received a Silver Star in 1965. I will never forget his courage and bravery. Rest in peace, scoutmaster.”
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Veteran explains what Memorial Day is supposed to be about

VIDEO: Veteran reminds crowd of Memorial Day meaning

New Castle News
Dan Irwin
May 27, 2019

Many regard it as the unofficial start of summer.

However, Ruth Fairchild reminded listeners at Saturday’s annual Memorial Day program at the Lawrence County courthouse monument that the holiday means so much more.

“Sadly, traditional observances of Memorial Day have been diminishing over the years,” said Fairchild, an Army veteran of both Desert Shield and Desert Storm who also is National Surgeon General of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. “At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored or neglected.”

Noting that some look upon Memorial Day as a day to honor all veterans, or a day to honor all dead, or even just as a day off work, Fairchild emphasized that the holiday is a time to honor servicemen and servicewomen who paid the ultimate price for their country.

“President Kennedy once said, ‘A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces, but also by the men it honors; the men it remembers,’ ” Fairchild said. “So today, let us remember why we are off of work, out of school. Today, let us honor all those who have fallen. Today, let us remember names.”

She provided some of those names by listing a handful of the county’s war dead from World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Iraq-Afghanistan.

“Let us make this Monday — this Memorial Day — a true remembrance to celebrate their courage, their deeds,” Fairchild said. “They have rightfully earned our gratitude, our respect and a place of honor among us.
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Newborn daughter embraced by love from "brothers"

Newborn daughter of soldier killed in Afghanistan photographed with fellow soldiers
KENS 5 News
Author: Meilin Tompkins
May 31, 2018

"No matter where the army takes them all, I will be able to show Christian how they all came together for her."

FAYETTEVILLE, NC -- A photo of a newborn baby photographed with soldiers in North Carolina is quickly going viral on Facebook.

Britt Harris was ecstatic when she learned she was pregnant back in October. Her husband, SPC Christopher Harris, was just deployed to Afghanistan.

Unfortunately, Harris would never get to meet his daughter. He was killed in a suicide bombing just a week after he learned of the pregnancy.
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If these pictures do not bring a tear to your eye....

Widow of Fallen Fort Bragg Solider Has Enormous Gender Reveal Announcement

82nd Airborne in Afghanistan helps with gender reveal for fallen NC soldier

CBS 

North Carolina

October 6, 2017

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – The wife of a fallen Fort Bragg soldier had a little help learning the gender of her unborn child.

U.S. Army Spc. Christopher Harris, 25, was killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan on August 2. His wife, Brittany, was pregnant at the time of his death.

But his fellow 82nd Airborne members helped Brittany with learning the gender of her child.

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Army Officers Give Stunning Reminder of What Memorial Day Is All About While Deployed

Grab tissues and remember this is what this weekend is supposed to be about!

Interstate 10 - I'm Gonna Miss You (Memorial Day Tribute) 
Currently deployed in Afghanistan, Interstate 10 still releases their Memorial Day tribute music video (recorded in Afghanistan) to their song “I’m Gonna Miss You”. 

The message is simple:

“Memorial Day is about remembering the ones we lost and supporting their loved ones. It’s about celebrating the lives they lived. 

Thanking them for allowing us the opportunity to come home safe, and most of all, thanking them for a second chance to hug our loved ones.”

They have vouched to donate $500 to the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation if they reach 100,000 views on the YouTube music video between Friday's release and midnight of Memorial Day. 

This video and song are in memory of all the soldiers who have died fighting for our country. Especially those they knew personally: 2LT Justin L. Sisson, PFC Jacob H. Wykstra, SSG Benjamin G. Prange, and PV2 Keith M. Williams.

"Please help us spread awareness and remind the public to remember this Memorial Day. For that we salute you, all the way from Afghanistan. 

Thank you." -Andrew and Justin

Learn about our inspiration and backstory here:
This Ain't Goodbye
Soldiers honor Memorial Day with video, chance to give back
Tallahassee Democrat
Ashley White, Democrat staff writer
May 27, 2016

Memorial Day is a time to remember those who have died serving America. Some decorate military cemeteries. Others visit the graves of the fallen and stand in silent salute. For others, it's time for the beach or barbecue.

Two Army officers who are deployed to Afghanistan are paying tribute with an original song, “I’m Gonna Miss You.”

1st Lt. Justin Wright and 1st Lt. Andrew Yacovone, who co-founded the band, Interstate 10, are doing more than paying homage in song. If their music video receives more than 100,000 views on YouTube between Friday and midnight Monday, they will donate $500 to the Children of the Fallen Patriots Foundation.

The Children of the Fallen Patriots Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides scholarships, supplemental grants and educational counseling to children whose parents were killed in the line of duty.

“We wanted this song to make an impact for the right reason,” Wright, who was born and raised in Tallahassee, said in an email interview. “We thought this was a great way to honor those who have given everything.”
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Family Remembers One Lost in Combat and One Lost Because of It

A family releases balloons to honor their two fallen soldiers
KSLA News
April 5th 2016

MIDLAND, TX (KWES)

Two brothers dedicated their lives to our country. A family remembers them after their passing.

Family members say the pain of these two brothers still linger, but they continue to honor them and keep their memory alive.

"When it's your baby brother, it especially stings," said Angel Munoz. She and her family members and friends met at Fairview Cemetery to honor the brothers' lives. Each brother had a special song played for them following several balloons that were released into the sky in their honor.

Robert Arsiaga was in the U.S. Army when he passed away in combat in 2004. 

Angel's younger brother, Jeremy Arsiaga, was in the Marine Corps but lost his battle to PTSD and depression. The scar of losing two of their soldiers still remains, but Angel and the family has since been trying to stay strong.
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Operation Love Letters At Tampa Veterans Memorial Park

Families to honor fallen military in Tampa during Operation Love Letters
Tampa Tribune
By Howard Altman
Tribune Staff
Published: February 12, 2016

“The event provides an atmosphere to create new relationships with other surviving families,” Giddens said. “It is a chance to gain spiritual insight and resilience, and to interact with the Army Reserve community.”

For Yolanda Mercado, the pain of losing her son while he was deployed in Afghanistan more than four years ago is still raw.

That’s why she is looking forward to Operation Love Letters, a commemoration of Americans who died while in service to the country that is being held for the first time in Tampa on Saturday.

“It is important to me because it is to honor our loved ones,” said Mercado, whose son, Army Pvt. Jalfred D. Vaquerano, was 20 when he died from his wounds in December 2011 after being shot in Logar province. “It’s a day to remember the good times we had with them and share it with others.”

Operation Love Letters was created to bring Gold Star families together to remember their loved ones, said Mercado. The families bring their loved ones’ favorite dessert to share with their memories,, she said. They also write letters to them, do crafts as mementos and release balloons “with the hope that it reaches their loved ones,” she said.

The event will be held at the Tampa Veterans Memorial Park and Museum as a collaboration between the Army Reserve Survivor Outreach Services (part of Army Reserve Family Programs), the Army Reserve Medical Command, as well as survivor family members, said Marshall F. Pesta, an Army Reserve spokeswoman.
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Thief Stole Fallen Soldier's Memorial Quilt

THIEF CAUGHT ON CAMERA STEALING PACKAGE FULL OF DECEASED SON'S T-SHIRTS IN EDISON
ABC 7 News
By Anthony Johnson
Friday, November 20, 2015

EDISON, N.J. (WABC) -- A family in New Jersey is heartbroken after someone stole an irreplaceable package from their front porch in Edison.

A heartless thief was seen on surveillance video calmly walking up to the door carrying a pillow and then stealing the memories of a beloved son.

This insensitive act has angered many because the culprit took memory quilts made by a mother to remember her son who died a year ago.

"I just want them back, that's all we have really are his memories and some of his things," said Karen Delmonaco, Robert Delmonaco's mother.

The quilts made of her son's t-shirts were supposed to be Christmas presents and were sent to a company to be stitched together.

Karen was happy and ready to receive the package, but is now upset that her son's lasting possessions have been taken.
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Oregon Student Suspended For Wearing Patriotic T-shirt?

Oregon middle school student suspended for wearing fallen soldier shirt showing gun
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
BY NINA GOLGOWSKI
October 9, 2015

An Oregon eighth grader is speaking out after he says he was suspended from school for refusing to take off a T-shirt meant to pay tribute to fallen soldiers.

The controversial shirt, worn by Alan Holmes, shows a helmet and a firearm in what's commonly referred to as a battlefield cross.

"Standing for those who stood for us," its caption reads.

The patriotic student, whose brother is a Marine, says he'll continue to do just that.

"If they won't let me wear a shirt that supports the people that keeps us free, I'm not going to support them," he told KPTV in a video interview.

Alan's father, who was called to pick him up from Gresham's Dexter McCarty Middle School outside Portland over his attire, says he's proud of him.
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Sen. Rob Portman Bad Judgment Was Crossing the Line

Sen. Rob Portman showed bad judgment by crossing the line between politics and military service.

Politicians forget that the men and women serving in the military are willing to die for others. They do not base it on political views, or anything else other than they know the others would die for them as well.

Using an image of flag draped coffins for any political reason is reprehensible!

As for the "Democrat-learning veterans" I bet it is most veterans putting service above party. Plus, most folks are scratching their heads wondering why the press is only focused on an election over a year away when there are so many other topics they should be covering. You can read the story here.

Veterans battle over military coffin photo in Rob Portman ad (video)

Sorry I did.

Democratic-leaning veterans are criticizing U.S. Sen. Rob Portman for using this photo of flag-draped coffins of U.S. war casualties in an online political ad to criticize former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland. Associated Press

Sister Honors Fallen Brother and So Did Buffalo Wild Wings

Woman Orders a Beer for a Fallen Soldier at Buffalo Wild Wings, Restaurant’s Response Is Perfect
The Blaze
Kaitlyn Schallhorn
Jul. 14, 2015

A Buffalo Wild Wings in Washington state has become the focus of a viral Internet post — all because of single beer.

Image source: KIRO-TV

Brian Avey, a server at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Tacoma, Washington, said a “military woman” came into the restaurant around lunchtime and attempted to order one Blue Moon and one Corona at the same time. But there was a problem: You can’t do that.

“After she left, I didn’t have the heart to dump the beer out and throw it away, so I put it on top of the cooler next the American Flag,” Avey wrote. “When I showed my boss his response was Amazing… He said ‘That’s Fine, just do me a favor, put a fresh Lime in it Every Morning.’”
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Oviedo Florida Rock and Brews Memorial to Fallen Soldier

Tribute to Local Fallen Soldier
Unveiling of a memorial to Oviedo fallen warrior Army Spc. Brenden N. Salazar, KIA 2012 Afghanistan at the age of 20. Rock and Brews Restaurant, Dave Matthews, Never Forgotten Memorials.org presented a tribute to Brenden and all who gave their lives for this country.

Patriot Guard Riders

Next time you go to Rock and Brews, you'll know how this memorial got there.

Spc. Brenden Salazar Dedication January 26, 2013

On Friday, January 25, 2013, Hagerty High School of Oviedo FL dedicated a plaque and held a service to honor the life of Spc. Brenden Neal Salazar, killed in action in Afghanistan on July 22, 2012. Members of Patriot Guard Riders surrounded the area with flags in tribute to this young man. Both of his parents are Army Reservists and Brenden was born on Fort Bragg March 24, 1992. Brenden's sister Hannah has cystic fibrosis. woundedtimes.blogspot.com

Fallen Soldier Left Alone At Atlanta Airport Hype

First start with what happened and then read the headline.

At no point were the remains left unattended. In fact, a member of Delta's dedicated Honor Guard as well as a military escort were inside the vehicle as they waited for the arrival of the outbound aircraft.

They are never left alone.
Delta's Honor Guard welcome home fallen soldier and dog
Emotional moment Delta's Honor Guard welcomes home fallen soldier and dog as team of Delta employees volunteer to commemorate in special ceremony.
If you want to see a movie for Memorial Day, start with this one. Kevin Bacon in Taking Chance.




Delta spokesman says that you can even see a worker in the corner of the picture and you can see his arm and orange vest. Too bad this close to Memorial Day the reporter couldn't have shown more dignity to the fallen soldier than start with a headline like this.

Iraq veteran claims soldier's body was left unattended at airport
WBRC
By Dante Renzulli
Posted: May 20, 2015

ATLANTA (CBS46) - It's not unusual for Delta Air Lines to be trusted with the important task of bringing home the remains of a fallen soldier.

Normally, you will find the Delta Honor Guard present as a flag-draped transfer case is loaded or unloaded onto a plane. But Iraq veteran Steven Cathey said when he looked out the window of his connecting flight at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, he saw a soldier's body sitting alone.

CBS46 reached Cathey by phone at his home in Jacksonville. "It's kind of upsetting to see a fallen service member, another brother or sister in arms, just sitting there out in the open, like a piece of luggage," said Cathey.

According to Cathey, other passengers noticed too. He said he observed the soldier's body unattended for at least 20 minutes. "We were talking about it on the plane, and then I took it from the plane and put it up on social media to see what other people had to say about it," said Cathey.
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UK Memorial Service Has No Room For Parents But Enough For Politicians?

Parents of soldiers killed in Afghanistan are prevented from attending St Paul's Cathedral memorial service to make way for VIPs and politicians
Parents of fallen soldiers 'furious' they have been excluded from service
St Paul's Cathedral service will remember the 453 servicemen killed
Just 906 tickets have been dished out to wives and a 'plus one'
Jacquie McDonald, 53, said she feels parents have been 'cast aside'
Janette Binnie, whose son Sean was killed, said decision was 'humiliating'
Military chiefs, politicians, royals and veterans have been handed tickets
By JENNY AWFORD FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 14:52 EST, 1 February 2015

Sean McDonald, 26, having his last cuddle with mother Jacquie, 53, who feels parents have been 'cast aside' after not being invited to memorial service

Parents of soldiers killed in Afghanistan are 'furious' that they have been excluded from a memorial service - while politicians and VIPs are expected to pack the event. The service, set to be held at St Paul's Cathedral two days before Mothering Sunday, will remember the 453 servicemen killed and thousands injured during the 13-year conflict. But just 906 tickets have been dished out and only the spouses of fallen soldiers have been invited along with a 'plus one' leaving hundreds of grieving parents disappointed.

Jacquie McDonald, 53, from Edinburgh, who lost her son Sean, 26, in 2010 after he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED), said she feels as though parents have been 'cast aside'.
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King County North Carolina Changes Memorial

King approves new design for kneeling soldier silhouette
WXII 12 News
Jan 20, 2015

KING, N.C. —King City Council voted Tuesday to approve a new design of a kneeling soldier silhouette statue at the veterans memorial at Central Park.

The new design was approved two weeks after council voted 3-2 to settle a lawsuit regarding the memorial. Council voted to change the design pictured in this story by switching to an M-1 rifle and removing the boots.

The previous silhouette design showed a soldier kneeling in front of a cross.
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It is used all over the country like this one in Orlando.

Warning: Tissues Required for These Hearttugging Videos

Dec 8, 2010
After receiving an email of the awe inspiring poem A Soldiers Christmas, written by Michael Marks, I felt compelled to create a video montage (using the song "I Believe" by Era) that would complement Mr. Marks words. I hope it touches you as much as it did me.
HAL
Marine Veteran
Semper Fi


And for those who are carried back home, Delta Honor Guard

Deland American Legion Post Dedicated in Honor of Fallen Soldier

UPDATE
Video from dedication
Deland Florida American Legion Post #2093 was dedicated to Sgt. Adam Quinn, of Fort Bragg, killed in Afghanistan in 2007.

Deland American Legion Sgt. Adam Quinn Post

Deland JR ROTC

Jay Conti Sr Florida Department Commander designed this car

This lady painted all the tiles

Patriot Guard Riders

Fallen Soldiers No Longer Treated Like Luggage on South West

Veteran designs a fitting tribute for the last rides of fallen soldiers
Wisconsin Journal Sentinel
Meg Jones
September 17, 2014

Vietnam veteran Richard Kalashian worked with Southwest Airlines to design a special luggage cart to carry the caskets of fallen soldiers.

Town of Genesee— Rich Kalashian had gone to O'Hare International Airport to greet a friend when he looked out the window to see a flag-draped casket unloaded from a military plane.

The fallen service member was loaded onto a luggage cart and driven to a waiting hearse parked next to a grieving family watching their loved one's final journey.

The Vietnam veteran watched the poignant scene unfold and thought the veteran deserved something more than a luggage cart that looked like all the other baggage carriers.

"Military families and their fallen soldiers deserve a proper patriotic entrance with all the respect and dignity they deserve," said Kalashian, who earned a Bronze Star in Vietnam.

Through Kalashian's inspiration and efforts, a cart for caskets is being transformed into a fitting tribute to service members.

Starting next month it will be permanently stationed at Mitchell International Airport.
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Bombing near US Embassy leaves 2 US servicemembers dead

2 US troops, 1 Polish sergeant killed in bombing near US Embassy in Kabul
Stars and Stripes
By Slobodan Lekic
Published: September 16, 2014

KABUL, Afghanistan — Two U.S. servicemembers and a Polish soldier were killed Tuesday when a suicide bomber struck a convoy of vehicles near the heavily guarded U.S. Embassy compound in Kabul, officials said.

The International Security Assistance Force said three of its servicemembers died “as a result of an enemy attack” in Kabul, but did not disclose the nationalities. Five ISAF members were reported wounded.

In Washington a defense official said two of the three fatalities were Americans. The third was a Polish sergeant, the Poland’s Defense Ministry said.

Separately, another coalition soldier was killed on Monday in an apparent insider attack in western Afghanistan, an ISAF statement said. A Pentagon official said the victim was an American.

Taliban insurgents claimed responsibility for the attack.
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