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!