Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Revisiting My POW/MIA Bracelet: Sgt. Peter R. Cressman; Monuments to Black War Heroes; Medal of Honor Grove; Honoring Three Police Officers Killed On Duty; 9/11 Firefighters To Be Honored At Art Exhibit

"Remembering Our POW's and MIA's Is Our Everday Duty." Author unknown




Sgt. Peter R. Cressman, USAF

My POW/MIA Bracelet

Sgt. Peter R. Cressman. That's the name on my POW/MIA bracelet. I mention it because it was on this Memorial Day I decided to do some research on the man whose name I've been wearing for over 30 years. In fact, his name is almost worn off due to age. I've thought about replacing it and storing it safely. But each time I do, that little voice in my head says, "No, you can't. Sgt. Cressman is now a big part of your life." The voice is always right. He's been my guardian angel for over three decades now.



Sgt. Cressman was from New Jersey.  After technical training he was assigned to the 6981st Security Group at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. In June of 1972, he was assigned to Det.3, 6994th Security Squadron in Thailand. Sgt. Cressman was killed in action on February 5, 1973 when his EC-47 aircraft was shot down by enemy fire over Laos. He was one of seven on the crew (see above).


Monuments To Black War Heroes

We're a nation that rightly honors our war heroes with many monuments. But did you know there are at least 10 monuments memorializing our black war heroes? The following include a few of those memorials:



The Tuskegee Airman Memorial is located in Walterboro Army Airfield in South Carolina. It was erected in 1997.






The Buffalo Soldiers Memorial is located in Leavenworth, KS. There are actually several monuments honoring the 10 Cavalry Regiment who fought from the Civil War through WWII.




The African-American Civil War Memorial in Washington, D.C.
(Source:The Root)


Medal of Honor Grove




Last week 35 military service personnel who were awarded the Medal of Honor were honored at the Medal of Honor Grove in Valley Forge, PA. Six past Medal of Honor recipients were present during the ceremony. Four new names were also added to the obelisk including Pfc. Ross A. McGinnis who was killed in Iraq in 2006 (pictured above).

The Medal of Honor grove had fallen into disrepair over the years. Fortunately, the Freedoms Foundation and volunteers, including The Friends of the Medal of Honor Grove, improved the area. Medal of Honor recipient, retired Army Col. Harold Fritz, an attendee, gave thanks to the people for "re-establishing the splendor it certainly deserves."
(Delaware County Daily Times)


RIP To Three Police Officers Killed On Duty



It always saddens me to report on law enforcement killed on duty, but their names should be made known to the public. May was also proved to be a rough month for law enforcement.

Police Officer Jeremy Bitner of the Englewood Police Department in Colorado was struck and killed by a drunk driver. End of Watch: May 28, 2012.

Trooper Amanda Anna of the NY State Police was killed in a single vehicle crash when her vehicle went out of control. End of Watch: May 26, 2012.

Police Officer Justin Maples of the Cleveland Police Department in Tennessee was killed in a single car crash. End of Watch: May 20, 2012.
(ODMP)


Firefighters of 9/11 To Be Honored At Art Exhibit



The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation reported the 343 firefighters who died on 9/11 will be honored at an art exhibit at 2 World Financial Center in NY City.

The art exhibit will be on public display from June 4-8 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information, visit http://betterangels911.com/


1 comment:

  1. Excellent Page,I highly Recommend This page in Honor of Our Military Past and Present,Fire Fighters ,and Law enforcement!! Beautiful Tribute and Memories ,Thank you

    ReplyDelete