Local Company Honors Fallen Hero

Emerson’s Power Transmission Solutions, Sealmaster Bearings Business Unit located in Maysville Kentucky honors a local hero. Army Spc. Christopher S. Wright paid The Ultimate Sacrifice for our freedom on August 19th 2010 in Pech Afghanistan from wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms.

Christopher was from Tollesboro Kentucky a small community up the river from Maysville.

Scott Alles manufacturing engineer at Emerson was touched by the announcement of Christopher’s death and wanted to honor this local hero. Scott rallied some of his co-workers and these Great Americans fully funded a framed Defender Print for the family.

Many of the Emerson employees know the family and will make a special visit to deliver the framed Defender Print.

God Bless The Troops thanks this local company for their support of our men and women in uniform that protect our freedoms…

Read more about this brave fallen hero by clicking HERE.

Local Sportsman Club to Honor Marine Lcpl. Jason Dunham

On September 7, 2010, at the Northwest Towns Sportsman Club meeting at the American Legion Hall in Arlington Heights, God Bless The Troops has the honor of having a NWTSC-sponsored Defender Print signed by all club members This print will then be presented to the parents of CPL Jason Dunham USMC who was awarded the Medal of Honor in his honor after his death from wounds he suffered in Iraq. 

We count it a privilege to be a part of honoring this brave hero, and his family.

UPDATE: Illinois Loses Its' Seventh Son in July, Marine Lcpl. Frederik "Eddie" Vazquez

July has been a particularly deadly month for the brave Marines and Soldiers who protect us from our adversaries overseas.

Marine Lance Corporal Frederik "Eddie" Vazquez, 20 years of age, of Melrose Park is the seventh fallen hero from the State of Illinois.  He was killed in action on July 24th supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, IIMarine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.  He was a Class of 2008 Graduate of West Leyden High School in Northlake, Illinois.

June had proved to be the single most deadliest month, with 67 Fallen, since Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan began.

UPDATED INFORMATION:  The memorial service for Marine Vazquez is on Friday, July 30th at Cuneo Columbian, 10330 Grand in Franklin Park from 3-9pm and the funeral mass Saturday at 9:30am at St. Charles Borromeo, 1637 N. 37th in Melrose Park.

According to news reports, this Marine was a graduate of West Leyden High School in Northlake, the same school where just last month, a local hero Marine Lcpl. Miguel Moreno was welcomed home and honored for his service to our country, along with two Gold Star Families whose sons lived and died for this country. The two brave soldiers remembered were Army Pvt. Randol Shelton, KIA Sept. 4, 2007 and Army Pfc. Christopher Alcozer, KIA November 19, 2005, both fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

God Bless The Troops hopes to be a part of remembering this hero and standing beside his family and friends to honor the ultimate sacrifice he has made to protect the freedoms we enjoy every day. Details will be posted as soon as they become available.

Godspeed Lance Corporal Vazquez, Godspeed...

article by: Rhonda McGuire

Ryne Sandberg: A True Patriot & Supporter of The Troops (and perhaps the next Cubs Manager!?!)

God Bless The Troops is grateful for our supporter Julie Comfort of Peoria who personally meet with Ryne Sandberg (Chicago Cubs 2nd baseman Hall of Fame member) in Des Moines, Iowa. Ryne, standing behind our mission, personally signed three Defender prints for us to be used in silent auctions and raffles to help raise critical funds for military needs.

Ryne, Julie -- Thank you for your support and compassion for our men and women that wear the uniform… YOU ARE AWESOME PATRIOTS AND GREAT AMERICANS!

(Julie Comfort is a personal friend, a wife, and mother of two sons currently deployed in Afghanistan and supporter of God Bless The Troops, and part of the Event Committee for Tee It Up For The Troops-Illinois, an annual event being held in Peoria, Illinois on August, 2010).

This organization has raised over $1,000,000, and donated to military family support programs across the country since 2005.

Their goal is to raise money to support the Wounded Warriors of Central Illinois, Families of Servicemen and women of Central Illinois who, because of their commitment to serve many have been faced with financial hardship and last to establish Scholarships in the name of General Wayne Downing for the Children of Fallen Soldiers or Spouses from Central Illinois or to further the education of a Disabled Soldier.

Public Release of "In His Eternal Hands" at FirstAm Bank of South Elgin

God Bless The Troops Releases New Print "In His Eternal Hands'

 

NEW RELEASE!! God Bless The Troops is excited to release its' second print in the three-part series. "In His Eternal Hands". Painted by Leslie Michaels, with the concept design by Founder Mark Titre. Each print comes with the "In His Eternal Hands" Poem by Rhonda McGuire.

Order yours today!

God Bless The Troops: Local Naperville Hero Killed in Action

Army Pfc. Gunnar R. Hotchkin
Operation Enduring Freedom 31, of Naperville, Illinois; assigned to the 161st Engineer Support Company, 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade, 18th Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died June 16, 2010 in North Kunduz, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

Army Pfc. Hotchkin, a husband to Erin, and father of three to Ethan, 8, Tristan, 4, and Gunnar's stepdaughter Taylor, 10, had been deployed less than six months when his wife's worst fears came true. The man who had left civilian life to provide a better future for his family would never get the chance to see them thrive.

Visitation for Gunnar Hotchkin will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Gibbons Elliston Funeral Home in Hinsdale. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Union Church of Hinsdale, 137 S. Garfield Ave. in Hinsdale.

Army Pfc. Hotchkin will be interred at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois.


Click map for directions to Funeral Home from your location

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Daily Herald | Injured Antioch soldier still in fight of his life

Cpl. John Peck, the Antioch marine who was severely injured in Afghanistan last month, remains in a fight for his life against a bacterial infection at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland. Peck's family rushed to see him the evening of June 9, and have been at his side ever since.

Lisa Krutyholowa, Peck's mother, said her son "is basically caught in a Catch-22" because he cannot receive the antibiotics needed to fight off the infection due to his weakened condition. "When he took a turn for the worse, that's when we said 'That's it, we are going'," Lisa Krutyholowa said. Peck, a 2004 graduate of Antioch High School, is in a coma in the intensive care unit at the Bethesda Naval Hospital, having lost all four limbs after being treated for injuries resulting from a roadside bomb on May 24 in Afghanistan.

The family continues to have hope as Peck, 24, is scheduled to have his 13th surgery Tuesday morning.

"It's a very aggressive mold," said Zenio Krutyholowa, Peck's stepfather. "Doctors said that other cases that have had it have been fatal. They are trying to do everything they can do."

Lisa Krutyholowa described aspergillus, the mold causing the abdominal infection, as being commonly found in the dirt of Afghanistan. News of Peck's condition has spread across the country. Donations from as far as Alabama, California and New York have been flooding into the "Cpl. John Peck Fund" to support his family, said Dennis Crosby, Antioch trustee.

The fund, which was started by the village on June 10, had received "thousands" of dollars in donations as of Monday, Crosby said.

"I am having people call me all day saying I've got your name in an e-mail and are asking what they should do to help," Crobsy added.  Zenio Krutyholowa said he has been in touch with Crosby and said the community support has been great for the family.  Crosby cited a number of people who have offered their services, such as a Chicago police officer who sent a request to the entire department asking for help and a Frontier Airlines worker offering his airline passes to the family. An Antioch architect is also offering to redesign the family's Antioch home to be more accessible for Peck.

"There is terrible stress on the body of the soldier and on his family," Crosby said. "This has become kind of an emotional commitment to help this family."

Peck was awarded his second purple heart last week. The first was presented to him following his original tour in Iraq after he was wounded by a roadside bomb about three years ago.

Donations for the "CPL John Peck Fund" can be deposited in his name at The State Bank of the Lakes, at 440 Lake St. in Antioch.

Welcoming Home A Hero, Army Sgt. Nick Bender

On Saturday June 12^th Operation Homefront, We Do Care and Rollin Thunder welcomed home Army Sgt. Nick Bender who was wounded in Afghanistan. The streets were lined with yellow ribbons as a cheerful and grateful crowd lined the route with flags. A big welcome home party at Wool Street Grill and Sports Bar topped off the activities as June 12th was declared Sgt. Nick Bender Day in Barrington, Illinois.

God Bless The Troops was honored to be part of the celebration and we partnered with Fund-A-Frame supporter Kim Pesavento in honoring our Local Hero with a framed Defender print. Thank you for your generosity Kim!

Welcome home Nick - we will be praying for a speedy recovery.  Thank you for your bravery and service!

Bringing Home A Hero - A Soldiers' Tribute

Marine Lance Cpl. Shawn P. Hefner
Operation Enduring Freedom
KIA November 13, 2009


22, of Hico, Texas; assigned to 2nd Amphibious Assault Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Nov. 13, 2009 just weeks before his 23rd birthday, while supporting combat operations in Nawa, Afghanistan.

Hefner was fearless, comrades and friends said. A choked-up soldier said Hefner carried him to safety after an explosive hit their truck.

Patrick Hefner said his son loved to go camping and fishing. “If it could be done outdoors, that’s where he wanted to be,” he said.

He knew how to keep a promise to his mother, Robin, who’d asked him to take photos overseas. “They were carting him off in helicopters, and he was lying on his back taking pictures of his buddies up in front of him” after an attack last year, his father said. Other survivors include a sister and brother.



On November 19, 2009, in the small town of Hico Texas, population 1300, it is as though the entire community stopped life for just a while to come out and pay tribute to this brave hero.

Jerry Castillo of USFallen.org was the only one covering this hero's welcome home.

Click HERE to thank USFallen.org.

Promote honor, respect and dignity for our fallen warriors and notable veterans.
Click HERE to support their mission to promote honor, respect and dignity for our fallen warriors and veterans.

We are partnering with USFallen to further our mission to honor our fallen and their families. We will never forget your great sacrifices.

"Kindness Amidst the Sorrow"

by Rhonda McGuire


It is true that in some small way, we are all knit together.

We are humans. We walk the same planet. We experience joys. We experience sorrows. We breath the same air. Sometimes—that human experience can simply take our breath away. When we're caught completely off-guard by the beauty of genuine human kindness. It is a rare blessing that God allows us to be in the center of such encounters, and indeed He granted God Bless The Troops a glimpse into His handiwork through a stranger's touch, even if under sorrowful circumstances.


This entry is related to the previous blog Memorial for Army Capt. Kyle Comfort.  Please read on...

This is a letter TO the family of Captain Comfort, FROM the Comfort Family of Illinois.

Thank you Julie and family for reaching out...

"Born To Be A Soldier"

by Rhonda McGuire

“It was in his blood. He was born to be a soldier,” said Brooke Comfort, the wife of Army Captain Kyle Comfort. "He was a leader who died 'doing what he loved.' Kyle’s main purpose in life was to make a difference, and he really felt like we were making a difference over there.”

These are the words of a brave young wife and the mother of their 6-month-old daughter, Kinleigh.

As we've honored our heroes, we run across story after story of those who have fought and died on the battlefield for their country.Who have donned a uniform and taken a vow to protect this country from its enemies. It is truly heart-wrenching...

Recently, Mark Titre, the Founder of God Bless The Troops and I had an opportunity to go on the radio* and talk about what our organization is doing for the troops and their family.  To put it simply: to honor brave fallen soldiers like Kyle Comfort, and show their family that we remember them. That he, and his family will not be forgotten.

Sadly, as shown on  The Faces of the Fallen page of our website, in the month of May we have already lost fifteen young men.  More men than days in the month...

They are sons, husbands, fathers, brothers, uncles. They each have their own brave story. They each have loved ones who are now walking the path of sorrow as they seek to come to grips with their loss.  We personally wish to acknowledge  them.


By the generous support of an unexpected supporter**, we were able to honor Army Captain Kyle Comfort's family with a framed print... This is our second fully-funded nationally-shipped framed print to date.

It is our prayer and passion to reach out to every family.

If you would like to send a framed print to a family, please visit our website for more information on how you can be a part of honoring our brave and fallen heroes.


pictured, Army Captain Kyle Comfort of Jacksonville, Alabama, KIA 5/8/2010

*To watch/listen to our radio spot, click the Live Studio Feed button dated 4/25/2010 on am560 WIND Chicago Talk Radio on our Host Geoff Pinkus' website. Special thanks to him for sharing our story.


**Please read the next blog post to discover the unexpected supporter for Captain Comfort's frame.

Local Elgin Hero Honored

On Saturday, April 17th God Bless the Troops had an opportunity to recognize and honor local hero Army Staff Sgt. Miguel Valdivia.

We all remember the terrible tragedy at Fort Hood this past December where 13 of our military personnel we gunned down in a stateside terrorist attack. 2 of those killed in this attack were from the Chicago Area. Army Pfc. Michael Pearson of Bolingbrook and Army Pfc. Francheska Velez of Chicago. We were able to honor both of their families with a framed Defender print.

Today we would like to honor a local Hero who survived the attack. Army Staff Sgt. Miguel Valdivia was in the room when the shooting took place and was hit 3 times by gun fire. Twice in the leg and once in the left ear. We mourn the 13 fallen but we are grateful Miguel survived the shooting and was here with us today. The YMCA in Elgin has so graciously extended him the opportunity to rehabilitate while he is here at home in Elgin.

Special thanks to Wayne Brzycki for photographing the presentation.

God Bless The Troops is Going on the Radio!!

EXCITING NEWS!!

On Sunday, April 25th, God Bless the Troops will be on the radio with Geoff Pinkus on AM560 WIND Chicago from 5 to 7PM (Central Time). Be sure to listen or or call in! We'll have several guests both call in and visit us in the studio. You can listen on the radio or online at www.geoffpinkus.com!!

Your Sons Have Become Our Sons...

by Rhonda McGuire

Marine Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Meinert
Operation Enduring Freedom

20, of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii; died Jan. 10 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

The tragic death of LCpl Meinert hits even closer to home as he served bravely in the same unit as the Director's family friend.

Miguel and men from his unit held a memorial service for their fellow Marine. Our hearts and prayers go out to them and the family and friends of this young man. We are forever grateful...

Fort Hood Brave Remembered with Memorial

Hall of Remembrance Opens at Fort Hood | Thank You For Your Service

By Joy Pariante
Special to American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2010 – The survivor outreach services center here officially opened the Hall of Remembrance Jan. 11 to honor all those affiliated with Fort Hood and surrounding Texas communities who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the nation.

Army Lt. Gen. Robert W. Cone, commanding general of 3rd Corps and Fort Hood, Texas, looks at the pictures hanging in the Hall of Remembrance honoring those who paid the ultimate price. The hall was officially opened to the public Jan. 11, 2010, and honors the fallen with a Central Texas or Fort Hood affiliation. U.S. Army photo

A private opening, featuring the photos of fallen heroes displayed across a wall, was held Dec. 22, with 189 family members of the fallen in attendance.

The first opening, with a roll call of all the servicemembers on the wall, was for honoring and healing, officials said. The public opening, they explained, was to promote awareness of the survivor outreach services program -- known as SOS -- and to acknowledge the community’s support in making both the hall and SOS headquarters possible, said Janeth Lopez, SOS program manager.

“This is the result of a commitment to keep a promise,” said Army Lt. Gen. Robert W. Cone, commanding general of 3rd Corps and Fort Hood. He quoted from President Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address, which explains that promise: “‘Let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan.’”

SOS provides surviving families with a connection to their Army family for as long as they want it and with whatever support they need, Lopez said. This includes programs such as financial counseling, support groups and grief camps for children. SOS staff members also make phone calls to families, send cards and publish newsletters to keep family members connected. They also reassure them that they’re remembered and will be cared for, Lopez said.

In Memory of Marine Lance Cpl. Adam D.Peak - Florence Kentucky

God Bless The Troops would like to graciously thank Fund-A-Frame supporters, Brian Carothers of Florence Kentucky...Joseph Bugala of Cincinnati Ohio...and Mark Weidman of Florence Kentucky...for providing a framed Defender print to the family of Marine Lance Cpl. Adam D. Peak. This brave Marine paid The Ultimate Sacrifice for our freedom on February 20th, 2010 in Afghanistan. We will never forget his sacrifice to our country. We Honor Him...

We are blessed to be able to partner with generous supporters both locally and nationally who share our heart and passion for the troops and our Gold Star Families.

Click HERE to read more about this fine young fallen hero on our website.

To help us reach out to more soldiers and their families won't you consider helping us by supporting our mission.

Hannity signed Defender Print Auction

by M. Titre

God Bless The Troops was honored to have Sean Hannity personally sign The Defender that was donated to The Heart Of A Marine Foundation. The framed Defender print was auctioned off by 560 WIND's very own Geoff Pinkus (Host of Livin Large on Sundays from 5pm to 7pm) at The Heart of Valor Ball on Saturday February 13th. The live auction winner was Karen Trzaska who paid $400.00 with all proceeds going to support The Heart Of A Marine Foundation. Rumor has it that Karen was so honored to win the print that she even contributed more than the $400.00 bid.

The ladies pictured from left to right:

Tammy Fitzgerald, Karen Trzaska (Live Auction Winner), Kim Pozzi Pesavento

Thank you for your generosity Karen!

If you'd like to purchase your own Defender print choose your print size below. (You'll be taken to our secure payment page).

Product	Size	Total Cost	(You may choose multiple quantities in the cart)
"The Defender" Print (two sizes available)	8” x 10” 22" x 28"	$10.00 each $20.00 each	Choose Your Print Size 8" x 10" $10.00 22" x 28" $20.00
We hope to offer framed prints for general shipping sometime in the future... Thanks for stopping by!

Til The Last Shot's Fired

The proceeds for this song go to the Wounded Warrior Project. God Bless you Trace...



Go to:  www.woundedwarriorproject.org

Kudos to Dennis Miller!

God Bless the Troops is extremely appreciative that Dennis Miller has signed some Defender prints that will be utilized for 2010 silent auctions to help raise needed funds for our beloved Gold Star Families.

Thank you Dennis Miller. You are a Great American for your compassion and support of our cause.

Benefit Held for Daughter of Crystal Lake Fallen Hero

A benefit was held on Sunday, January 17, 2010 at Porters Yellow Tails Restaurant Sports Bar and Grill in Crystal Lake to benefit Fallen Hero, Army Sgt Jason McLeod's daughter, Jocelyn.

Porters Restaurant Owners Lisa and Greg, along with Jason's mother
Barb McLeod organized the fundraiser. The honorable Illinois Patriot
Guard Riders were present, along with a huge group of supporters
from Crystal Lake, as well s=as family and friends. There was
live music, food, raffles, and a silent auction. The proceeds
will be for the Jocelyn McLeod college fund.
Due to the generosity of several Fund-A-Frame supporters, including local company General Kinematics of Crystal Lake, God
Bless the Troops has been able to provide a framed print
not only for his loving widow Aimee Ghannam, but also for his
parents and siblings.

It is our hope that The Defender is a loving
reminder of our gratitude for the great sacrifice they've made.
Godspeed...

Defender Print seen on Chicago's CBS News Program

We had the privilege of providing a framed Defender Print to the Gold Star family of Army Sgt. Albert D. Ware, of Chicago, Illinois. His funeral services were held on Saturday, January 10th. The Defender was proudly placed near the podium beside our brave fallen hero.

A Fund-A-Frame supporter called to let us know that a brief clip mentioned this brave young man.  Click HERE to see the video clip.

We are forever grateful for the sacrifice this brave young man, and his family have made for this country.

******************************************************************
Army Sgt. Albert D. Ware, 27, of Chicago; assigned to the 782nd Combat Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died Dec. 18 in the Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

Died: December 18, 2009

Remembering the Seven Fallen CIA Agents

We were deeply saddened to hear of the CIA agents who fell victim to a terrorist attack on Dec. 30, 2009 in Afghanistan. Seven agents were killed and six were injured. We expressed our sympathy and thankfulness for their service and sent CIA Director Leon Panetta a letter, along with The Defender print (Funded by Mr. & Mrs. Michael Titre), and the following poem in honor of their service...