Sad news out of Afghanistan....

Donald Douglas reports from American Power:

1,000 Americans dead in Afghanistan ... And naturally, New York Times is fast out of the gate with the news. See, "Grim Milestone: 1,000 Americans Dead":

On Tuesday, the toll of American dead in Afghanistan passed 1,000, after a suicide bomb in Kabul killed at least five United States service members. Having taken nearly seven years to reach the first 500 dead, the war killed the second 500 in fewer than two. A resurgent Taliban active in almost every province, a weak central government incapable of protecting its people and a larger number of American troops in harms way all contributed to the accelerating pace of death.

The mayhem of last August, coming as Afghans were holding national elections, provided a wake-up call to many Americans about the deteriorating conditions in the country. Forty-seven American G.I.’s died that month, more than double the previous August, making it the deadliest month in the deadliest year of the war.

The Times focuses on the death of Private Patrick Fitzgibbon, who stepped on an IED in August 2009. But readers should check the slideshow at Knoxville News, "Remembering Patrick Fitzgibbon: Knoxville soldier killed in Afghanistan."

Operation Enduring Freedom goes on. Our prayers and eternal thanks go to the families of our troops who have died.

Lt. Col. Jeff White memorial service today ... Harrisonburg

Lt. Col. Jeff White ... "A Mighty Warrior for Family, Faith, and Freedom"
Saturday, April 25 ... 7 pm

From Dean Welty with the Valley Family Forum....

On March 1, Lt. Col. Jeff White, a close friend and strong supporter of the Forum, died of a massive heart attack while singing in the church choir where his family had been attending. Jeff had just been reunited with his wife Jocelyn and their three children after an 18-month tour in Iraq.

You are invited to attend a special memorial service for Lt. Col. White at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, at the People’s Baptist Church, which is located on U.S. 33 approximately one mile east of the Valley Mall in Harrisonburg.

As we noted at the time of his death, Jeff’s contribution of service to his Lord, his country, and to all who knew him exceeds our ability to measure or to fully appreciate. He was a devoted husband, father, and loyal friend whose bold and uncompromising commitment to biblical values and to the enduring principles of our nation’s founding was an inspiration and a challenge to us all.

Jocelyn and the children continue to reside in the Valley.

In continued sorrow for our loss but with deepest gratitude for a race well run, for battles well fought, for a life well lived, and for a rich legacy of service for us all.

Captain Sully: "People need to feel good again"

"We all have some Sully Sullenberger inside of us." So said THE TYGRRRR EXPRESS blog ... and I'd like to think it's true.

"The Miracle on the Hudson" occurred when Captain Sullenberger saved 150 lives while safely landing the airplane he was piloting on the Hudson River:

While the story of how he and his crew safely landed a plane in the Hudson River has been told over and over, it was an appearance on 60 Minutes that had me fully grasping his significance.

I had not watched 60 Minutes in years, but he was the feature story. I had to watch. Out of all of his appearances, this one was the most meaningful. He was asked why people were so drawn to this story.

His response was simple, truthful, and important.

“People need to feel good again. They need to feel a sense of hope.”

Times are tough. People are starving for good news. They do not need a ten course meal of it. They will settle for bread crumbs.

"We all have some Sully Sullenberger inside of us." There are heroes out there....

H/T to Mom for sending along the graphic

One of the people I admire....

I admire his life and what he continues to achieve. He is one of my heroes....

Memorial Day Monday ... moment of silence nationwide at 3 pm

A nationwide moment of silence to honor and remember America's fallen heroes will be observed Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, at 3:00 pm local time. The freedoms we take for granted each day are reminders of their ultimate sacrifice and our ongoing debt to them.

As reported by the White House:

"The agony of a fallen soldier's mother is as old as war. One such mother is Sallie Stubenhofer. Her son, Mark, was killed by a sniper in Iraq. He left three young children, including a daughter who was born four months after his return to active duty. Mark and his wife named their baby Hope, which signified what he wanted to offer his children and all children.

"The Moment of Remembrance and our year-long, life-long determination to 'live honoring America's fallen' are in memory of Army Capt. Mark Stubenhofer and all those brave members of our military who have died in the service of our nation. We invite all Americans to pause in their Memorial Day activities at 3:00 local time to honor those who live in our history, reside in our hearts, and rest forever in the arms of God."

Memorial Day ... honoring those who sacrifice and remembering those who serve.