If you’re on the east coast you’ve got a special opportunity coming up this weekend – a gathering of American heroes from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq at the Renaissance Washington Hotel. In attendance:
Iraq/Afghanistan
Sgt. Marco Martinez – Ex-gang member joined Marines and received the Navy Cross. Author “Hard Corps” ‚Äì How a young man changed his life and became a hero.
SSgt. David Bellavia – Nominated for Medal of Honor for Fallujah in 2004. Co-founder of Vets for Freedom (pro-mission advocacy group). Author of new book “House to House.”
Maj. Kim Campbell – Female pilot decorated with Distinguished Flying Cross for flying her damaged plane through heavy fire in the initial attack into Iraq. Her call sign and nickname is “Killer Chick.”
Maj. Jason Amerine – Army Special Forces. Was already in the Middle East training forces on 9/11. Worked directly with Karzai during overthrow of Taliban in 2001. Featured in new video game produced by the Army on America’s heroes.
Vietnam:
Vets from “We Were Soldiers” ‚Äì Well-known Vietnam veterans, due to movie and book. Hal Moore (played by Mel Gibson), Joe Galloway (Barry Pepper) and Bruce Crandall (Greg Kinnear).
B.G. Burkett – Authored “Stolen Valor: How the Vietnam Generation Was Robbed of Its Heroes and Its History.” Helped identify fake heroes in Vietnam and Iraq.
Korea:
Capt. Tom Hudner – Medal of Honor recipient; saved Jesse Brown, Navy’s first black pilot.
WWII:
Veterans of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team – Japanese American unit, formed from interned Japanese-Americans.
The Band of Brothers – Portrayed in the series.
Tuskegee Airmen – Legendary unit of America’s first black pilots.
Iwo Jima/Flags of Our Fathers – Vets from platoon that took Mt. Suribachi and raised the flags.
I needn’t add that this kind of opportunity might not come again, especially for our World War II veterans.
Further information and registration info can be found at the American Veteran’s Center’s website.
Holy Smokes. And I can’t be there! Somebody please take photos! That many MEN in one room must make Women swoon and the Tango’s hang their heads in shame.
Wish I could be there. I’d be in sea story overload mode.
Subsunk
Maj “KC” Campbell is from my fair city of SJ, the daughter of our mayor. She was graduated #1 in her cadet class at the Air Force Academy, as did her father.
Most of us saw her exploits just a fewback when her A-10 ‘Hog was shot full of holes, and she brought it back to base. She was back in the air the very next day to protect our kids on the dirt.
Kim used to weigh about 110 pounds soaking wet. Most of that was heart.
I may have said this before, but I have few Junior Service heroes. She is close to the top of my joint overachiever list, for sure. May God bless Kim Reed-Campbell, USAF.