Yesterday, 30 July, at 9:00 pm buses rolled on to Fort Carson, Colorado escorted by police and Patriot Guards to welcome back the Soldiers of 183rd Maintenance Company from Afghanistan.  As they made their way through the streets of Fort Carson, the buses were met with blazing sirens, horns and even a stream of water from a fire engine hose as the Fort Carson Fire Department gave their thanks and gratitude for a job well done.  At around 9:30 pm, the troops marched into the Event Center to be welcomed by their family and friends, some who had travel long distances to to be there for such an occasion. My own father surprised me by being there from California.  That was a great gift, being welcomed by not only my wife, but my father too.  This same feeling of course carried throughout the event center as all of the Soldiers hugged, kissed and just plan lite up at the sight of their loved ones and friends. Coming home from a deployment is a bitter sweet thing for a Soldier.  To be gone from their homes and their everyday lives for 12 months or more they delve into their jobs.  For me, I am very happy to be home.  I did my job and the effects of that will be felt for sometime throughout the Shindnand Air Base.  My legacy was left behind to be built upon, but that hold true for the 183rd Maintenance Company as well.  This company was the first ever maintenance company in Regional Command - West.  They were not merely a maintenance company that supported the maintenance mission of other units, they were responsible for moving logistical convoys across four regional commands, supported countless outer lying bases, partnered with the Afghan Army, provided Base Defense to the Shindnand Air Base, and so much more.  There legacy has now been left for the pages of history and the names of every 183rd Soldier have now been inscribed on that page. This closes another chapter in my military career and opens another as I move to my next job, which still is to be determined.  So once again help me welcome back 183rd Maintenance Company "Workhorse" from their 12 month tour in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). [flagallery gid=6 name="Gallery"] *Photos by Pam Clemens and unknown photographers.

An Army Ranger, Sergeant First Class Leroy A. Petry, will be the second living Medal of Honor Recipient from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.  He lost his right hand when he through a live grenade away from his team saving their lives.

President Obama will award the Medal of Honor to Army Sergeant First Class Leroy Arthur Petry July 12 at 2 p.m. EST.

Visit http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/petry/index.html to read more about this brave Soldier.

I wanted to point out a new Facebook page I found called Boots in the Sand.  This "page is the face of our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines in Iraq. As an official page of U.S. Forces-Iraq, this is a place to share the stories of our troopers with America and the world. For more on USF-I, see www.usf-iraq.com." Check them out and click on Like to show your support.

Your patriotism is looking for stories to post.  Do you have a story that you think should be told about a true patriot, a military service man or women, some great American or organization that supports the military, or maybe something else.  then this is the place to post your stories.  You can register and be a contributor.  As a contributor you are able to right your stories and publish them here.  If you do not feel comfortable posting your own story then write us with your idea, provide points of contacts for interviews and we will put your story together. We all have stories to tell, tell them here.  Help us tell the story a story of Patriotism we all can be proud of.

The 4th of July is upon us once again.  Your Patriotism wants you to send in your pictures of how you celebrate Independence Day.  Send in your pictures and we will post them here.  Just send your pictures to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  I look forward to seeing them and dont forget to enjoy your 4th of July.

FREE ADMISSION MILITARY PERSONNEL AND VETERANS

Memorial Sunday & Monday,  July 3rd and 4th

Knott's Berry Farm, Knott's Soak City Orange County and San Diego are pleased to announce that they will offer FREE admission to active, retired and veteran United States Military personnel on Sunday and Monday of both the Memorial Day and July 4th weekends as part of their Tribute to the Armed Forces program. In addition, active and retired members of the U.S. military will be able to purchase discounted admission tickets for members of their immediate family (maximum of six) for Knott's Berry Farm and Knott's Soak City.  This free ticket offer will be available on the Sunday and Monday of both the Memorial Day and July 4th weekends and a valid military ID must be presented. And any other time:

Military Discounts

Special Savings! Show your Military I.D. card and save on Knott’s Berry Farm Regular admission tickets & Knott's Soak City water parks! Show your ID and Knott’s Berry Farm Regular admission tickets for only $31.99 and Knott's Soak City water park Regular admission for just $24.99 (offer does not apply to Junior or Senior tickets or to Special Ticketed Events, i.e.). http://www.knotts.com/public/admission/prices/deals.cfm