Proud Mom to a 1-89 Cavalry Scout: March 2011

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Ceremony in NLR to honor war dead

Taken from:
Amy Schlesing
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

93 Arkansans killed over 8 years

The Iraq War kicked off eight years ago this week and was quickly followed by Arkansas' first wartime death.
The anniversary of that death will be marked Saturday with a ceremony at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery also honoring all of the state's casualties over the years in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Navy Corpsman Michael Vann Johnson Jr. was treating a wounded Marine in the initial push into Iraq when shrapnel from a grenade pierced his head and killed him on March 25, 2003.

As of Friday, 93 Arkansans have died in Iraq and Afghanistan, Of those 72 died in Iraq and 21 in Afghanistan. The majority of those deaths - 75 - were the result of enemy fire. There also have been 17 noncombat deaths and one from friendly fire.

Cpl Loren Buffalo, 20, of Mountain Pine was the latest victim. He died March 9 in Afghanistan and was buried Friday in the State Veterans Cemetery.

Today there are several hundred Arkansans from Little Rock Air Force Base, the Navy Reserve in North Little Rock, the Army Reserve ad the Arkansas National Guard still serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.

The Michael Vann Johnson Jr. American Legion Post 74 will host the annual ceremony Saturday.

Post 74 in North Little Rock was named in honor of Johnson when it began in 2004.

The memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. at the State Veterans Cemetery at 1501 W. Maryland Ave. in North Little Rock. The name of each Arkansan killed in Iraq and Afghanistan will be read. Pvt. William Long, 25, of Conway also will be memorialized. He was killed in 2009 in a shooting at a Little Rock recruiting office.

This year's speakers at the event will include Col. David Kasberg, commander of the 19th Operations Group at Little Rock Air Force Base.

I would like to believe that there is some healing taking place at ceremonies like this, said R. D. Kinsey commander of Post 74. "I have that list of casualties. And I carry it with me everywhere I go."

Today would have been Loren's 21 birthday. It will be a very hard day for his mom A.J. and brother Legend along with the rest of his family and friends. Please take a moment to send prayers of peace and strength for them today.

I ask all of our fellow Arkansans to try to attend this ceremony Saturday and show these families that their Heroes will never be forgotten.

Happy Birthday Buff, We love and miss you.

I love you Scout

God Bless,
Cav Mom

Thursday, March 10, 2011

RIP Son Squared

Spec Loren Miles Buffalo

March 23 1990 - March 9 2011

Our hearts are broken and our minds are full of questions as to why this has happened, Loren was killed yesterday in an IED incident in Afghanastan.

If I live to be 100 yrs old I never want to hear the pain and anguish that I heard when I answered the phone call from my seester....

I never want to see the haunted look in the eyes of another person that I saw when I got to her house and met her in the drive....

I never want to have to say I don't know when asked the question why...

To know Loren or Buff or what ever name he had picked for himself that day

(me: son squared who the hell is Chuck Lingo?

Loren: oh mom squared that is my porn name.

BWAAAAHAAAAHAAA)

That conversation was part of one of the last facebook chats we had a
few weeks ago.

He could make you laugh, cry or want to throttle him all within the first 10 minutes of being in the same space as him.

He loved life, music, horses, his Country and most of all his mom, his brother and his friends. To Buff everyone became family.

To his mom all I can say is I am always here, no matter what time, what day or what minute.

To his brother Legend: He loved you very much and will always be watching over you.

To his friends: You all know just how lucky you were to have him in your life

and to

Buff, Loren and even Chuck Lingo:

I love you son squared. Rest in Peace, Enter the gates to Fiddlers Green, find a shady spot you have earned it, and know that you are an American Hero who will never be forgotten and will always be loved.

On the 8th day God created the Cavalry and all of Hell stood at attention

If you ain't Cav you ain't Shit

I am honored to have been your Mom Squared even if it ended way to soon

HOOAH

Love

Cav Mom

I love you Scout

From my heart to God's ears

Father God~
Please send your angels of safety, love and peace to watch over our brave military men and women and please father ask them to give a extra squeeze to my Scout and Tyson, Matt G, Russ, Kyle, Mitchel, Jason, Warren, Matthew P, Josh, Chris C, Rush and the rest of the 1-89. I ask that you keep them safe, help them complete their mission and bring them all home safely. Father, I ask that you guide those in command as they make hard decisions that effect so many. I ask that you watch over the loved ones of all those in harms way and comfort those with heavy hearts.
Father, I know that without you all would be lost and I claim these request in your name. I thank you Father each time I see Scout pop up on my instant message or on his facebook because I know that at that moment all is well. And please provide termite control for their mascot Plank who gives comic relief where not much laughter is found. I will continue to give you all the glory each and every day. Amen

The Soldier's Mother Creed

"I am the mother of an American Soldier"I give my complete and unwavering support to my soldier.As my son serves the people of the United States, so I humbly offer up my prayers for his safety and the safety and health of those he serves beside. I respect his choice to adhere to a strict moral code and system of values that has preserved our great country for over two centuries.I accept that my soldier's first duty is to his country and I understand that this sacrifice he willingly makes is what keeps our nation great.I will never expect anything but the best from my soldier for I know he is capable. I know that a soldier's heart is true and strong, and that my soldier will endure. I will never abandon my soldier, my son, my love. I will love him unconditionally. he will know I am there for him, even when he is alone.I am disciplined, emotionally and mentally tough, learning to wait for phone calls and letters or emails home. I, like my soldier, am an expert. I stand ready to do what ever I can do to let my son, my soldier, know that we are here for him, beside him, we love him and I will pray for swift destruction of the enemies of our country. I am the person who stood guardian of this man who has become my soldier, now our guardian of freedom and the American way of life."I AM THE MOTHER OF AN AMERICAN SOLDIER."
author unknown

Fiddler's Green

Half way down the trail to Hell,
In a shady meadow green.
Are the souls of all dead troopers camped,
Near a good old time canteen.
And this eternal resting place,
Is known as Fiddlers' Green.

Marching past straight through to Hell,
The Infantry are seen.
Accompanied by Engineers,
Artillery and Marines.
For none but shades of the Cavalrymen,
Dismount at Fiddlers' Green.

Though some go curving down the trail,
To seek a warmer scene.
No Trooper ever gets to Hell,
Ere he's emptied his canteen.
And so goes back to drink again,
With friends again at Fiddlers' Green.