Wednesday Hero 12/31/08

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Kathi

2nd Lt. Christopher E. Loudon
22 years old from Brockport, Pennsylvania
1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division
October 17, 2006

2nd Lt. Christopher Loudon graduated from Slippery Rock University with a Baccalaureate Degree in Environmental Health in 2005. Upon graduation, he entered the United States Army on September 9, 2005. He received his commission as an Infantry officer and was assigned to 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 4th Infantry Division at Ft. Hood, Texas. He deployed to Iraq in July 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

2nd Lt. Loudon’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Ranger Tab.

He was KIA in Baghdad, Iraq when an IED detonated near his vehicle. Also killed with him were; Corporal David M. Unger, 21, of Leavenworth, Kansas ;Corporal Russell G. Culbertson III, 22, of Amity, Pennsylvania and Specialist Joseph C. Dumas Jr., 25, of New Orleans, Louisiana.

He leaves behind his parents, Randy and Susan Loudon ; his wife, Jacey Loudon ; a daughter, Isabel Loudon ; two brothers, First Lieutenant Nicholas Loudon ,and Jonathan Loudon ; his paternal grandmother, Florence Loudon and his maternal grandfather, Everett William Campbell.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

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100th career loss

How about that Brett Favre? Playoff berth on the line and Favre loses his 100th game as a starter at the hands of the guy he replaced.

Chad Pennington walked off the field where he spent his first eight NFL seasons, surrounded by cameras and jubilant teammates after leading the Miami Dolphins to an improbable AFC East title.

On the New York Jets’ sideline, a disappointed Brett Favre jogged off the field and into the locker room, maybe for the last time in a storied career.

Pennington, cut in the offseason by the Jets to make room for Favre, threw two touchdown passes in leading the Dolphins to a division title with a 24-17 victory Sunday.

As has been common the last few weeks, Favre played poorly.

If this truly was it for Favre, who has yet to announce his plans, it wasn’t a pretty ending. The 18-year veteran, who said this week that his shoulder was bothering him, was 20-of-40 for 233 yards and a touchdown, but threw three interceptions.

Now the Jets can deal with the questions of will Brett or won’t Brett retire the way the Packers did the last few years.

Dubious distinction avoided

For the first time in 6 weeks the Packers defense didn’t collapse in the final 5 minutes, allowing the Packers to beat the Lions 31-21. As a result it’s time to say:

Congratulations to the Detroit Lions, the NFL’s first 0-16 team.

Nobody will remember the Lions came close to winning their last game. All anyone will know — now and forever — is 0-16.

The worst record in NFL history, a dubious distinction that will permanently stain everyone involved.

The Lions are the first team to go winless through a 16-game season. The 1976 expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-14) were the last NFL team to complete a season without a victory.

“I’ve got to live with this,” center Dominic Raiola said. “I’ve been here eight years. This is on my resume.”

Lions coach Rod Marinelli put it in the proper perspective though.

“No competitor wants to go through something like this,” Marinelli said. “This is not fun to go through, obviously. But there’s people going through a lot worse than this.”

But ultimately thanks for the disaster known as 0-16 can be placed squarely at the feet of someone fired earlier this year.

The Lions were building toward this for years and now have lost 23 of their last 24 games. The 0-16 record will be a lasting testimony to the Matt Millen era. With Millen as president of the team from 2001 until he was fired on Sept. 24, Detroit won only 31 games — none this year, of course.

How bad has it been?

It’s so bad that some Lions can’t remember the last time they won.

“I don’t ever want to be a part of this again,” Orlovsky said. “We haven’t won since, November of ’07, maybe? I don’t even know the last time we won a game.”

The Lions haven’t won since Dec. 23, 2007, actually, when they beat Kansas City. Green Bay is where this woeful streak began at the end of last season. Since then, the Lions have lost 17 straight and have been outscored 551-281.

When your bad, your bad.  On the plus side is there anywhere for the Lions to go but up?

Snowplowing

So Christmas night we got 3 – 4 inches of snow.  Left for work around 5:30 since the kids have to dropped off at grandparents and the village of Howard was out plowing.  Apparently the village of Ashwaubenon and the city of Green Bay didn’t see a need to plow the main roads early since none of them were done when I went through those areas between 6 and 6:30.  What the heck is up with that?  Especially since Ashwaubenon is notorious for not plowing in a timely manner I guess it shouldn’t be a surprise.

Reagan’s Christmas Address

(H/T – Silent E)

Ronald Reagan’s Christmas address  (12/23/1981).

Adeste Fideles

Merry Christmas 2008

 Before the hustle and bustle of the day sets … Merry Christmas.  Remember it is OK to say Merry Christmas, especially today.  Remember the reason for the season is the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Through Him we have the gift of personal salvation.

Have a blessed and joyous Christmas one and all.  (I’ll stick with the catchall as opposed to what Steve is trying).

 To get going this morning how about a little “Joy to the World”  – MS style.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

On this early Christmas morning a beautiful rendition with great nativity scenes. 

The Christmas Story

From the book of Luke, Chapter 2:1-20 (ESV)

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Silent Night

A beautiful organ rendition of “Silent Night”.