Operation Marine Cook Stoves -Mission Complete

Good news! The duel-fuel stoves that GHC purchased with our members help and community donations have arrived in Afghanistan. GHC received word from the unit's Lt Col this morning that not only did the stoves arrive, but four of the five, 50lb boxes of food arrived in the same shipment.

The Lt Col wanted to pass on "thanks" to all of GHC members and the community. They really appreciate the support. Now, our Marines will not only be able to have hot food to eat, they will also be able to heat water for hygiene purposes. (Some are reporting no showers in over 3 months)

GHC would like to thank the following person(s)/businesses or organizations who helped make this project possible:

Willis Family and Gorge Delights
Safeway Hood River
Hood River Liquor Store
John and Julie Benton
Ron and Charlene Rivers
Kidz Dental Zone
White Salmon Lions Club
Dick Kenward
Laurent Picard
Aaron Bullack
Ray Spooner
Carmen VandenBos
Faye Fehrs
Don Nunamaker Realtors
Kathy Ciari
Stacey Johnson
Tina Murphy and Church members for helping us pack the 50 lb food boxes

GHC would like to thank all of you for jumping in quickly and helping our hometown heroes in need. It makes a huge difference in their morale and job performance while also helping to insure a safe return home to their loved ones. Congratulations on a job well done!

Proudly,

Your GHC

Update-Our Home Town Hero Marines

Below are some photo's that have come in from our Marine Home Town Hero unit currently fighting on the front lines in Marjah, Afghanistan. Due to security reasons, we are withholding their names.

Our heroes send their many thanks for your continued support.

Proudly,

Your GHC

GHC Invited To WAAAM's Second Saturday Fly In's

The Gorge Heroes Club is excited to announce that we have been asked to take part in the "Second Saturday Fly In's" at WAAAM - The Western Antique Areoplane & Automobile Museum in Hood River, Oregon.

WAAAM has one of the largest collections of still-flying antique aeroplanes and still-driving antique automobiles in the country. The items on display at this museum are not only full of history... they're full of LIFE! Aircraft, automobiles, motorcycles, tractors, military jeeps and engines all get their day in the sun again at WAAAM.

The Second Saturday Fly In's are better known as "Volunteer's Play Day". Visitors can watch planes take off and land, and hitch a ride in one of their antique cars. Please visit the WAAAM website for a video of last month's Fly In fun!

GHC will have a fundraising booth at the monthly events to sell our GHC t-shirts and support bands.

Please visit WAAAM's direct link to find out more about this awesome place: http://www.waaamuseum.org/

Here is a link to a recent article from the Hood River News:

http://www.hoodrivernews.com/News%20stories/2009/002_news_kaleidoscope.htm

Proudly,
Your GHC

Marine Unit Update - Dual Stove URGENT Request

GHC has received word from the front lines in Marjah, Afghanistan this morning that our first care packages have arrived! Mail time is approximately 6 weeks to get to our Marines. They have reported that they haven't been able to take a shower in 2 months!

The Marines also send their many thanks for the care packages. We are told it is, "just like Christmas"... and the Marine Captain also reports that the morale of his unit is greatly increased due to receiving a care package from home!

GHC would like to thank those individuals/organizations who are helping us provide the requested items to these brave Marines. We are in it for the long haul and have pledged continued support through their year long deployment.

GHC received a request for 4 dual fuel cook stoves for the Marine unit. They cost $150 each. Your tax deductible financial support to purchase these stoves for them to cook with and to use to heat water for hygiene purposes will be greatly appreciated.

Please drop off donated care package items at the Hood River News Office on State Street in Hood River during business hours. If you would like to make a monetary donation for urgent need supplies or cook stove purchases, there is secure link on the right hand side of this blog. Or you can mail your donations to:

Gorge Heroes Club
1767 12th Street #113
Hood River, Oregon 97031

Other news:

The following pictures where sent to GHC from one of our members - Names have been withheld due to security reasons:

Sand storm....
Resting....

Proudly,

Your GHC

Oregon National Guard Member SFC Norris Awards Naval Widow During Memorial Day Ceremony

The Gorge Heroes Club worked with the Oregon National Guard, American Legion Post 22 and other officials from the Veterans Service Council to organize the 2010 Memorial Day ceremony in Hood River. We were proud to once again provide the local community with a service at Idlewilde Cemetery that paid respect to the nation's fallen warriors and honored the brave men and women who are currently defending our freedoms on foreign battlefields.

SFC. Garry Norris, as the keynote speaker, told the audience of about 300 people that the observance of cleaning and decorating the graves of warriors in a showing of respect began in 1863 and was originally known as "Declaration Day" before it became an officially-sanctioned event. "Unfortunately, for many Americans, Memorial Day has simply become a three-day weekend," said Norris. "They have forgotten what the military stands for in our history. They have forgotten that these soldiers died to preserve their freedoms to have a safe three-day weekend."

Mildred Goe, the widow of a Navy pilot lost at sea 66 years ago, was given a flag flown in honor of Ensign Charles Bratcres over the nation's capital. There had never been a funeral service for the World War II veteran because his body was not recovered from the South Pacific. At age 86, Goe was finally able to find closure for this unfinished chapter in her life and has arranged to have a gravestone for Bratcres placed next to her future burial site.

Idlewilde was a busy, and somber, place to be on Monday with hundreds of colorful flags flying, the Hood River Valley High School Band playing patriotic songs and area service organizations carrying floral wreaths to the Veterans Obelisk.

Proudly,
Your GHC

URGENT NEED REQUEST

Our Heroes Need Our Help

The Gorge Heroes Club received an urgent needs request from one of our Hometown Heroes who is fighting on the front lines in Afghanistan. This brave Marine is in a unit of 5, including one medic. Having a medic with them on patrol, gives us a good indication of their daily lives.

As the reports come in , we are learning that these Marines are digging holes in the ground to sleep in right, holes that are often shared by spiders and insects. As the daily heat is now hitting upwards of 110 degrees, our troops are carrying upwards of 130lbs of survival gear on their backs. Showers are available to these men once every 30 days or so and they are living off military rations of dehydrated foods. The lips of men in these infantry units are blistered and cracked from exposure to the elements. Their primary mode of transportation -- their feet -- are sweating and blistering. Their eyes and ears fill up with grit as the massive sand storms swallow everything in sight for hours on end. Dehydration is an issue from the heat; followed by frequent bouts of diarrhea. And their food rations are often short because they are sharing their meals with the village elders to help build a strong relationship between the Afghans and Americans.

Statistics have said that every soldiers touches more than 300 lives in their own home towns. These brave heroes could be your neighbor, your child, your minister's son or daughter, your classmate, co-worker or friend.

The Gorge Heroes Club needs your help in providing the following items for our urgent need Hometown Heroes:

Hygiene Wipes (Individual Packages)
Foot Powder
Knee High Over-The-Calf Black Socks
Anti-Fungal Cream
Individual Powdered Drink Mixes (Crystal Light, Gator Aide, etc)
Hard Candy (To pass out to the children from the villages)
Jerky

Please drop of donated items to the Hood River News Office on State Street in Hood River during business hours. If you would like to make a monetary donation for urgent need supplies, there is secure link on the right hand side of this blog. Or you can mail your donations to:

Gorge Heroes Club

1767 12th Street #113

Hood River, Oregon 97031

The Gorge Heroes Club is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. Your donations are tax deductible.

Please take a moment of your day and visualize yourself in the boots of our troops. These are our community's "adopted children" who are fighting to preserve the many freedoms that we, as Americans, can cherish. Your rights have been preserved for many generations by the courageous veterans who have fought throughout history to defend their country. Please say "thank you" by helping GHC provide our troops with some of these urgent need items. Your donations will go a long way in keeping the morale high and helping to ensure a safe return home for our soldiers, sailors, airman and Marines.

Our Heroes thank you.

Proudly,

Your GHC

Hood River Oregon National Guard - Meet Our Newly Commissioned Lieutenants

HOOD RIVER citizens are served by these four newly-commissioned 2nd Lieutenants: Sam Specht (back left), Alvin Hatfield, Charles Schumacher and Joshua Shepherd (front).

Four newly commissioned second lieutenants with the Hood River Armory will spend Memorial Day traveling to Fort Sill, Okla., for advanced training.

After completing the five-month Basic Officer Leadership Course, 2nd Lt. Joshua Shepherd, 36, will assume command of the National Guard soldiers assigned to the local armory. He resides in Portland and holds a third-degree black belt in Ninjitsu and has specialized training in HAZMAT response.

Shepherd earned a bachelor’s degree in general sciences from Portland State University. He has served as an Army medic but is now studying for a nursing degree at Oregon Health and Science University while working at the Oregonian newspaper. “I think a good officer works closely with good non-commissioned officers (soldiers) to keep the soldiers amped and interested in doing their best,” said Shepherd, who worked his way up through the ranks since enlisting four years ago.

Second Lt. Alvin Hatfield, 22, has also been in the Guard for four years. He is still waiting to learn if he will deploy to Iraq in September with the 3rd Battalion of the 116th Calvary Regiment, which includes 40 soldiers from Hood River.

Hatfield has just completed studies at Pullman, Wash., to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in general studies and plans to continue his education. Every month, he makes the four-and-a-half-hour commute from the rural community to train in Hood River. “As an officer, you have to always be striving for more but doing so by showing respect for your soldiers so that you will get respect back,” said Hatfield.

Second Lt. Sam Specht, 23, has been a member of the Guard for five years and lives in Gold Hill. He travels seven hours to join soldiers at the Gorge armory on drill weekends. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in criminology from Southern Oregon University and is continuing his education. Specht is set to become the commander of a Woodburn unit after completing the spring and summer endurance challenges set up by the Army. “I think being an officer means that you have more responsibility, more work and more of an opportunity to make a difference,” said Specht.

Second Lt. Charles Schumacher, 23, has been in the Guard for six years and is a new graduate of Eastern Oregon University. His area of expertise is computer science/business and his studies were partially paid by an ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Course) scholarship. Schumacher resides in La Grande, about four hours away from the Hood River unit. He will transfer to Charlie Company in Ontario once he has completed the leadership course. “An officer needs to ensure that his soldiers are up-to-date on their training because you never know when the state will need something and call upon us,” said Schumacher.

All four lieutenants currently fill artillery officer positions but will focus much of their time during the next year on assisting the families of deployed soldiers at their respective armories.

Proudly,

Your GHC

Oregon National Guard SFC Norris To Be Keynote Speaker For Memorial Day Ceremony

The Memorial Day Ceremony at Idlewilde Cemetery in Hood River will begin Monday at 11a.m., a time change from years past. Bob Huskey is the sexton and manager of the cemetery at 980 Tucker Road. He will serve as master of ceremonies on May 31 and said the annual service to honor America’s fallen warriors was moved back one hour to create consistency among similar events. Memorial Day will now begin at the same time as the Fourth of July Parade and Veterans Day.

On Monday, soldiers from the Hood River Armory will open the ceremony by leading a processional through the Walk of Honor, the aisle of flags lining the central driveway. Music will be provided by the Hood River Valley High School Band and Dana Branson, vocalist for the band Larkspur.

Oregon National Guard Sergeant First Class Gary Norris, also the commander of American Legion Post 22, will be the keynote speaker. He will share information about the deployment of local soldiers to Iraq in September and how the community can support these military families.

A flyover of vintage aircraft will be provided by the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum. Eighteen new plaques have been installed in 2010 along the Scattered Ashes Memorial. The families of these deceased veterans will be recognized during the 45-minute service.

More than 1,000 flags will decorate the graves of veterans for Memorial Day. Huskey invites anyone who has not previously had a flag on the grave of a loved one who served in the armed forces to call Idlewilde at 541-386-2599 or e-mail idlewidlecemetery@gorge.net.

The Memorial Day service has been organized by the Veterans Service Council. That group is comprised of representatives from the cemetery, American Legion, Oregon National Guard, Gorge Heroes Club and Anderson’s Tribute Center.

A Family United - Oregon & Washington National Guard Members

Almost every day in the Rouleaus’ blended family is focused on someone in uniform.

Trish McGrath-Rouleau has a husband, two sons and one stepson serving in the Oregon National Guard. She also has a stepdaughter and stepson who are soldiers with the Washington State National Guard. “It seems like I’m always sending packages or e-mails to someone who is gone,” she said. “As a military family, we have to make our holidays happen whenever we can get everyone together."

In 2009, Thanksgiving dinner was served a couple of weeks late at the Rouleaus’ home in The Dalles. The meal was followed by a visit from Santa Claus and the unwrapping of Christmas presents. Dessert was a birthday cake and the evening ended with New Year’s well-wishes. The reason for the combined festivities was that the patriarch of the family, SFC. Roger Rouleau, was home on his mid-deployment leave from Iraq. “Things can get pretty chaotic but we do the best that we can with what we have,” said McGrath-Rouleau.

Roger recently returned from his one-year tour of duty with the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team. In civilian life, he works as an engineer for the Union Pacific Railroad. “To go to the faucet now and be able to get a cold glass of water is such a treat,” he said. “I think the experience has made me even more grateful for the American lifestyle; we have so much to be thankful for.” While in the Middle East, Rouleau was elected as the mayor of East Liberty, a base that houses several thousand soldiers. “I didn’t have to kiss many babies because no else really wanted that job,” he said.

In addition to his military duties as a contract officer representative, Rouleau became the unofficial ambassador to 64 Iraqi linguists who accompanied and interpreted for soldiers sent into the field. “With the military downsizing over there, we all had a wide variety of jobs to perform,” he said.

In September, he and Trish will bid farewell to sons, Sgt. Andrew Young, 24, and PFC. Jim Rouleau, 21. The stepbrothers will deploy to Iraq with the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team. “I’m a little nervous about going to Iraq but at least I’ll have my brother with me and that makes me feel pretty good,” said Young, who is in college with plans to become a history teacher. Both men are assigned to Fox Company at the Hood River Amory but will head out with a Pendleton unit. Thirty-two soldiers from Hood River and about 140 members of Alpha Company from The Dalles will be participating in Operation New Dawn, the final phase of the Iraq war. McGrath-Rouleau said the family has rented a house at the beach for the Memorial Day weekend. She said everyone will once again have the opportunity to celebrate a few more birthdays and holidays before the next one-year separation.

Another Rouleau family member, Specialist Ryan Young, 25, will stay behind to help train the 20 soldiers left at the Hood River Amory. He works full-time at the Guard’s local operations center as a supply technician. He and wife, Jolleen, reside in The Dalles and are the proud parents of Cadence, 15 months, the first and only grandchild.

In close proximity to the time that Andrew and Jim return home from Iraq in 2011, Sgt. Cathay Rouleau, 25, and Sgt. John Rouleau, 26, will be leaving for Afghanistan with other members of a Washington state unit. Both soldiers have two previous deployments to the Middle East. Trish said Jim has three years of Guard experience and everyone else has seven or more years, with Roger putting in 23 years between his time as a citizen soldier and eight years of active duty as a Navy pilot. Ryan, Jim, Andrew, John and Cathay have used the benefits provided by the military to further their education. Trish’s eldest son, Brandon Young, 27, is a Marine veteran.

The elder Rouleaus met when Roger was working as a recruiter in The Dalles and Trish was helping Ryan and Andrew negotiate contracts. They married in 2003 and two years ago brought new daughter Zori, almost 4, home from China. Soon, she will be joined by 2-year-old Molly Ann, also from China.

McGrath-Rouleau said the most difficult thing about Roger’s deployment was shielding the pre-schooler from news or conversations about the war. “She didn’t want to know that her daddy was in jeopardy; she wanted to know that he was coming home,” she said.

The Guard’s family support program provided Zori with a “Flat Daddy,” a life-sized poster of Roger that sat on her bedside table each night. She was also given a “Daddy Doll,” a stuffed figurine dressed in camo with a photo of Roger inserted for the face. McGrath-Rouleau said the separation anxiety felt by Zori was evidenced when she ran up to a soldier one day and hugged his leg. “Zori was thrilled because she thought that was someone connected to her daddy,” she said.

“There can be a lot of tough moments, emotionally, in a military family but we are also very proud of the service that our loved ones provide. “I have learned not to waste time sitting around and worrying; I just trust that God is taking care of my soldiers.”

______________

Article from Hood River News

LDS Youth Group Members Adopt Hometown Hero Marines

Youth Group members from the LDS Church in Hood River pack boxes for a team of Marines currently serving in Afghanistan. The church adopted the military unit after learning that the men were camping out in the field and going up to one month without a shower. The care packages that will be sent monthly by LDS members include basic hygiene items, such as wet wipes, that will make the Marines more comfortable as the daily temperature tops 120 degrees. Also included are pre-packaged snack items and drink mixes that will help the Marines keep their energy level up while on patrol in an area where they come under fire on an almost daily basis.

Thank you for supporting our Hometown Heroes!

Smith-Western, Inc Donates to GHC

The Gorge Heroes Club would like to thank Smith-Western, Inc from Portland, Oregon for their generous donation of 1000 scenic Oregon/PNW Postcards. GHC members will be attaching the cards to small bags of candy that our Hometown Heroes will be disbursing to children on their missions throughout Afghanistan and Iraq.

Your goodwill donation is greatly appreciate. Our heroes THANK YOU!

Hometown Heroes Update

The above pictures were sent to us from one of our Hometown Heroes who is serving proudly to defend his nation and our freedoms. His name has been withheld for security reasons. Sending special thanks out to this Marine Warrior and his unit. Thanks for sending us your updates. Your care packages are on their way!

Proudly,

Your GHC

Standing Strong For Our Heroes Rally

"BECAUSE WE CARE", Retired Airforce Col. Lynn Guenther

Retired Air Force Col. Lynn Guenther - American Legion Post #22, Hood River

Master of Ceremonies

If you happened to have a emergency responder scanner while in the Gorge and have it tuned to the Hood River County frequency you would of heard an awesome announcement the evening prior to the rally and the morning of the rally that echoed through the airways saying, "Those Fire Department members who will be participating in the "Standing Strong For Our Heroes" Rally, please have your apparatus arrive at 1PM, Overlook Park, Downtown Hood River, official dress required."

You could feel the excitement building as each fire station's engine roared through downtown Hood River on the way to Overlook Park to honor their fellow brothers and sisters in service to our safety and our nation's safety. When asked to participate, every Hood River Valley Fire Chief replied, "We would be honored!"

GHC would like to take this opportunity to thank the Hood River American Legion Post #22 and Move America Forward for coming to our community and putting together the "Standing Strong For Our Heroes Rally".

Below is a selection of pictures that fellow GHC members or community members have submitted to GHC. Thank you!

Members of the Patriot Guard Rider's Color Guard look on as the Oregon National Guard Hood River Unit begin the rally with the raising of America's Flag. In the background is SFC Gary Norris from the local National Guard Unit. The Naval picture proudly displayed on the stage is of Hood River's Home Town Hero Marc Allen Lee who was the first Navy Seal who died defending our freedoms during a 2006 combat mission.

Each of the five Hood River Valley Fire Departments were present; Hood River, West Side, Pine Grove, Odell and Parkdale. After the opening ceremonies, each engine company was introduced and they proudly blared their sirens in support for our troops!

Sending out a huge thanks to the Parkdale Fire Department for bringing down their brand new engine. They received the engine the afternoon before and worked hard to get it ready for the rally the next day.

The Patriot Guard Riders took the stage to tell the rally goers about their organization and how proud they are to support our nation's troops and Veterans.

GHC members manning the concession stands. Sending out special thanks to Kiyokawa Orchards for supplying GHC with apples.

Thanks to everyone who came to show their support to our military Heroes.

Proudly,

Your GHC

GHC'S Rummage Sale - May 1st - Hood River National Guard Armory

We are primed and ready to roll out the deals! Special thanks goes out the GHC members and the community donations that have been coming in for this HUGE sale. The picture above only shows half of the Hood River National Guard Armory floor that is bulging with deals!

All proceeds from the sale will go towards costs for GHC's monthly troop care package items/postage.

So, stop by and get a great deal. The sale runs from 8AM to 4PM.

Oregon National Guard Member Sgt Justin Moore Serves Up Five-Star Meals

Sgt Justin Moore from Hood River, Oregon

GHC's is proud to welcome home one of our Hometown Heroes, Sgt Justin Moore from his service as head cook at the Joint Visitor's Bureau of the Victory Base Complex in Baghdad. Sgt Moore is a member of the Oregon National Guard C Troop, 1st Battalion, 82nd Calvary Regiment, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 13 Sustainment Command. During his tour Sgt Moore used his culinary skills to serve many dignitaries and celebrities from all over the world.

Sgt Moore was recently featured in "Life In Military News" and "VA Mortgage Center". You can read the full article about Sgt Moore's culinary skills by following this link: http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2010/03/09/oregon-guardsmen-provide-five-starservice-to-distinguished-visitors/

Welcome home Hero!

Proudly,

Your GHC

Standing Strong For Our Heroes Rally April 17th

Standing Strong for Our Heroes in Hood River

Retired Air Force Col. Lynn Guenther decided that it was time for Hood River County to show its support of the troops after watching news about the warfront heating up in Afghanistan and learning that soldiers from the local armory were deploying to Iraq in September.

"I think it's time for all of us to walk the talk and let the men and women serving in our military know that we stand behind them and their sacrifices are appreciated," said Guenther, who was a fighter pilot and POW in the Vietnam conflict.

Guenther presented the idea of holding a rally to his fellow board members at American Legion Post 22 and gained their approval to stage the Standing Strong for Our Heroes rally on Saturday, April 17. The event will take place from 2-4 p.m. at Overlook Memorial Park, located at the junction of State and Second streets.

SFC. Gary Norris, who serves as the legion's commander, has been helping Guenther plan the rally and said it will be a real morale booster for deployed soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. He has asked the Gorge Heroes Club, a troop support group based in Hood River, to include a copy of any news coverage given the rally in the monthly care packages that are mailed out to duty stations around the world.

"I am proud to be involved with this event because, while our military personnel are professionals doing the job asked of them by their country, it is always nice to be thanked and know that the people back at home are remembering you," said Norris.

GHC will sell concessions during the program that includes patriotic music to match the festive mood of the red, white and blue program. Proceeds from concession sales will be used by GHC to ship care packages to members of the armed forces who reside in the Mid-Columbia area.

The keynote speaker for the rally will be Gold Star Mother Debbie Lee, whose son, Marc Alan Lee, was the first Navy SEAL to die in Iraq during a 2006 combat mission. Lee has become a familiar face at podiums across the country through her activisim with Move America Forward, the nation's largest pro-troop group.

"I am honored to participate in rallies like this because they honor our troops and let them know that we, as Americans, are committed to providing them with the backing that they need to succeed in the tasks that we have asked of them, " said Lee. "My son died so that this country could remain free of terrorism and I am committed to helping people understand that we all have a part to play in this fight. The duty of all patriotic Americans is to stand up against political pressure from the anti-war crowd so that funding and equipment is not denied to our sons and daughters on the battlefield and they have a greater chance of returning home unharmed."

Legion Post 22 will fire up the barbecue after the rally and serve discounted drinks and dinner to members and guests. The fraternal organization is located at 1305 Tucker Road and extra parking is available in a lot behind the building.

GHC Receives Donation From Alacer Corporation

Sgt Phil Rice and SFC Gary Norris from the Oregon National Guard Det 2 HHC 3-16 CAV Unit from Hood River, Oregon help GHC members unpack our donation of Emergen-C Vitamin Packets.

The Gorge Heroes Club would like to thank Alacer Corporation for the generous donation of Super Orange, Raspberry and Lemon-Lime Emergen-C Vitamin Packets that we will be including in our monthly care packages to our deployed Hometown Heroes. Your donation is greatly apprecated and our heroes THANK YOU!

GHC Receives Donation From Juanita's Fine Foods

The Gorge Heroes Club would like to thank Juanita's Fine Foods for their donation of chips and cheese sauce for our Middle School Dances. Your donation is greatly appreciated!

Next Middle School Dance Is Friday, March 26th

Congratulations go out to Wy'east Middle Schoolers for winning the February dance off between local middle schools. The next dance is scheduled for Friday, March 26th at the Hood River National Guard Armory. Social hour begins at 6PM, with concessions available during the event. The dance runs from 7 to 10PM. Student I.D.'s are required for entry.

USMC Lcpl Justin Pence Receives Purple Heart

The Gorge Heroes Club would like to extend heartfelt thanks to USMC Lcpl. Justin Pence, our Hometown Hero, for his sacrificial service to this great nation. Lcpl. Pence received a Purple Heart on Feb. 26 from USMC Gen. James T. Conway at Bethseda National Naval Hospital in Maryland. Lcpl. Pence sustained a gunshot wound to the thigh during a firefighter with Taliban operatives during his deployment to Helmand Province in Afghanistan.

Lcpl Pence proudly receives his Purple Heart from

USMC General James T. Conway

USMC Sgt. Major Kent, Lcpl Justin Pence and

USMC General James T. Conway

USMC Sgt. Major Kent, Lcpl Pence's mother and father Eugene and Sharon Pence, Lcpl Pence and USMC General James T. Conway.

Sending you hugs from home Lcpl Pence and wishes for a speedy recovery. We are so proud of you!

With great PRIDE,

Your GHC