Take a moment to reflect

Today is the last day of displaying the 82nd Airborne tribute patch within my blog posts. I have tried to display it for thirty days by thinking to add it to the posts each day. At that time I could pause and consider the sacrifices that were made by the nine soldiers who died.

Tomorrow I will cease to add the patch to my posts. However, I will be moving the patch to the right column as a permanent display. While specifically added for the nine soldiers who died in April, it is also a reminder of all those who have died in the current conflict regardless of branch or division.



Thank you to all those who are in harms way.

Remembering the Fallen

Yeessssss!

What a difference a day makes! Monday night I rode and tanked. It was my first night back on the bike after an extended break. Last night was a different story!

I rushed home from work so that I could get in an hour of riding before heading off to my church. This time I determined to pace myself. I slowly worked my way up from a warm up lap until 45 minutes into my ride I was averaging 19.8 mph. At that point, I realized I would definitely finish over 19 mph.

A couple of times I came up on other riders. We began to yoyo and I was tempted to pick up so that I would stay ahead. I fought the desire because that would break my tempo and wear me down. Toward the end I still felt good enough to come out of the saddle and crank it up the climbs. Sure, I felt like puking when I got to the top, but that went away and I finished with a 19.7 mph average! My best time yet!

Three points away from my goal. I'll tell you though, it is going to be tough. The only places for me to pick up speed are on the climbs and the flat sections. I'm going as fast as I can down the hills.

Remembering those who were lost

Remember the Fallen

Remember the fallen

They have names

GASPERS, Kevin J., 26, First Lt., Army; Hastings, Neb.; 82nd Airborne Division.

KING, Jerry R., 19, Specialist, Army; Browersville, Ga.; 82nd Airborne Division.

KNOLL, Garrett C., 23, Pfc., Army; Bad Axe, Mich.; 82nd Airborne Division.

LOCKER, Kenneth E. Jr., 28, Staff Sgt., Army; Wakefield, Neb.; 82nd Airborne Division.

MARESH, Jeremy E., 24, Specialist, Army; Jim Thorpe, Pa.; First Battalion, 213th Air Defense Artillery.

MARSHALL, Randell T., 22, Sgt., Army; Fitzgerald, Ga.; 82nd Airborne Division.

MOORE, William C., 27, Staff Sgt., Army; Benson, N.C.; 82nd Airborne Division.

PEARSON, Brice A., 32, Sgt., Army; Phoenix; 82nd Airborne Division.

RODRIGUEZ, Michael J., 20, Specialist, Army; Sanford, N.C.; 82nd Airborne Division.

VAUGHAN, Michael L., 20, Sgt., Army; Otis, Ore.; 82nd Airborne Division.

A continuing tribute

Remember the fallen.

Base Mourns 9 Soldiers Killed in Iraq
There was shock and dismay at the home base of the 82nd Airborne Division, as people mourned the deadliest day of combat in the division's history since the Vietnam War. Nine paratroopers died and 20 others were injured Monday when suicide bombers blew up a large dump truck near a patrol base...

The deaths raised to 85 the number of U.S. service members who have died in Iraq in April, making it the deadliest month for American troops since December, when 112 died.

We will remember.