ROTC

Windhorse Salutes

U.S. Army ROTC Cadets

Especially Our Frank

These are young men on a mission...they are seriously pursuing a career with a purpose for protecting family, friends, community and country.

He stands like quiet thunder

They have come to speak vows and walk their talk

proud siblings

Task Force Thundering Pride!

Tuck that chin in, Soldier!

It's not all work and no play

For the second year in a row, Frank has assisted in the sending of trees to the boys in Iraq:

hmmmm...perks do come with serving!

Grandparents Theresa and Nick came out for the occasion.

Nick also served our country as a Sailor just after the Korean War.

Many people of all ages and walks of life came in support of our troops in Iraq. May they be safe and have a semblance of a Peaceful Christmas.

Frank serves in other ways, too. Here he runs for cancer awareness:

and finishes in record time! His Aunt Julie came in around the same time!

This page is a work in progress...just like these young men who have taken on a process that will change them forever...for most of them, and I know for our "Boy," their years in the ROTC will instill new aspects of the Honor they feel in their Hearts. They will be strengthened in their Intent, Skills and Wisdom. Judging by the choices our Cadet has made so far; he will continue to make his Family and Country Proud and lead us to Peace. One thing I've always seen about my Grandson is that he has had the fortitude and awareness to honor himself and to strive to learn and perfect all his interests. That is the most secure foundation anyone can perform out of.

With Great Love and Respect

Frank did a great service to his Great Grandfather; one that only someone like him or his cousin Angelo could have done, most likely...how auspicious is that? His cousin Angelo, also Great Grandson to Peter, started off the opening in Peter to be able to talk about World War II. Frank's interest in the history and of archiving the Family History lead to many hours of conversation and scanning of pictures with his Great Grandfather...and he even researched the Theatres he was told about so he could then interview Peter to learn more, and thanks to him we have some videos of Peter talking about his WWII experiences.

We were all grateful and proud of our boys when they came in full dress to honor their Great Grandad as we laid his body to rest this past September, 2009. Frank arranged for Military Honors, and it was well-deserved...and so deeply touching to watch the Honor Guard fold the flag in a meditative, reverential way and then with attention, regard and kind words, to hand it to Ethelyn, our Matriarch. It won't be the same without Peter, but he was surely Honored.

While visiting in Cape Canaveral, Florida, I saw a TV story about the Army Ranger Volunteers Graduation. Several WWII Veterans attended and interacted with the Rangers, and I felt myself feeling a little envious that this hasn't happened for our Frank and his Buddies; but then he hasn't fully graduated yet...and then, I realized: Frank had the most wonderful interactions; deep and fulfilling for both he and his Great Grandad with all the sharing they did. Opportunities come in many ways, and I am so grateful that the Generations are communicating. It is the "Old Way." Get all of it that you can!

Frank Ferrara, Frank's Paternal Great Grand Dad

was in the 65th Infantry division, us army from 1943-1946

He would have been as proud of our ROTC Cadet

as my Dad and all the rest of us are.

I'm sure this came 'round to your mailbox several times, as it did mine. The little heard truths bear repeating:

You're a 19 year old kid. You're critically wounded, and dying in the jungle in the Ia Drang Valley, 11-14-1965, LZ X-ray , Vietnam .. Your infantry unit is outnumbered 8 - 1, and the enemy fire is so intense, from 100 or 200 yards away, that your own Infantry Commander has ordered the MediVac helicopters to stop coming in. You're lying there, listening to the enemy machine guns, and you know you're not getting out. Your family is 1/2 way around the world, 12,000 miles away, and you'll never see them again. As the world starts to fade in and out, you know this is the day.

Then, over the machine gun noise, you faintly hear that sound of a helicopter, and you look up to see an un-armed Huey, but it doesn't seem real, because no Medi-Vac markings are on it... Ed Freeman is coming for you. He's not Medi-Vac, so it's not his job, but he's flying his Huey down into the machine gun fire, after the Medi-Vacs were ordered not to come. He's coming anyway.. And he drops it in, and sits there in the machine gun fire, as they load 2 or 3 of you on board. Then he flies you up and out through the gunfire, to the Doctors and Nurses. And, he kept coming back.... 13 more times..... And took about 30 of you and your buddies out, who would never have gotten out.

Medal of Honor Recipient, Ed Freeman, died October 2009 at the age of 80, in Boise, ID. Blessed is he.

I bet you didn't hear about this hero's passing, but we sure were told a whole bunch about Michael Jackson, every other celebrity; and we still are .

*Medal of Honor Winner* *Ed Freeman* *Hero First-Class*

Shame on the American Media

Dwight D. Eisenhower served as General and President of the United States when I was growing up. He always personified a compassion and fairness to me. Listen to his words as he gave a farewell message to the Nation. From Wikipedia I learned that he not only served in WWII, but as a Lieutenant in WWI! There is also a Bio on him on the White House page.

http://www.sonyclassics.com/whywefight/main.html

Before he left office in January 1961, for his farm in Gettysburg, he urged the necessity of maintaining an adequate military strength, but cautioned that vast, long-continued military expenditures could breed potential dangers to our way of life. He concluded with a prayer for peace "in the goodness of time." Both themes remained timely and urgent when he died, after a long illness, on March 28, 1969.

http://eisenhowerinstitute.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwight_D._Eisenhower

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwight_D._Eisenhower#Early_military_career

Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower, October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969) was a five-star general in the United States Army and the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. During the Second World War, he served as Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in Europe, with responsibility for planning and supervising the successful invasion of France and Germany in 1944–45. In 1951, he became the first supreme commander of NATO.^[1]

As President, he oversaw the cease-fire of the Korean War, maintained pressure on the Soviet Union during the Cold War, made nuclear weapons a higher defense priority, launched the Space Race, enlarged the Social Security program, and began the Interstate Highway System. He was the last World War I veteran to serve as U.S. president, and the last president born in the 19th century. Eisenhower ranks highly among former U.S. presidents in terms of approval rating. He was also the first term-limited president in accordance with the 22nd amendment.

Ike and Mamie

In 1915, at Fort Sam Houston, Mamie met Dwight D. Eisenhower, a young second lieutenant on his first tour of duty. She drew his attention instantly, he recalled: "a vivacious and attractive girl, smaller than average, saucy in the look about her face and in her whole attitude." On St. Valentine's Day in 1916 he gave her a miniature of his West Point class ring to seal a formal engagement; they were married at the Doud home in Denver on July 1.

Hit Counter

With Love to You Like Hearts and Gentle Spirits!

516-361-2545

info@w1ndhorse.com