Word-filled Wednesday

Word-filled Wednesday is at the Internet Cafe.  Would love to have you link up and join us!

'Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise Your glorious name''. Chronicles 29:13 

Military Tribute - PVT ANDREW UNTIET

Today's military tribute pays homage to Private Andrew Untiet of Waterford, WI. 

PRIVATE ANDREW UNTIET ..... WE SALUTE YOU !!

PVT ANDREW UNTIET

Private Andrew Untiet was born on April 2, 1991 in Port Washington, WI to Faith and Don Untiet.  He has two older sisters, Laura and Sara.  Andrew's parents divorced when he was five years old and he moved to Franklin, WI with his mom and sisters and then right before his freshman year in high school he moved to Waterford, WI, with his mom and sister, Sara.

Andrew has always been active, playing youth football, high school football, golf, driveway basketball with his sisters or simply riding his bike to a friend's home.  Whatever the case, Andrew was always moving.  The last two years of his high school  he also worked at a statewide grocery chain, Pick N Save. 


Andrew decided in his senior year of high school to go to Universal Technical Institute in Glendale Heights, IL, for auto/deisel mechanics instead of enlisting in the Army.  He did very well at school but could not find a job, so he decided to join the Army.  A few of his classmates from UTI joined him on this journey, as well.

His mom, Faith, step dad Kevin, father Don, and step mom Marna, are all very proud of his decision to serve his country.  Andrew follows in the footsteps of family members that have also served this great nation.  They include two uncles, one in the Army and the other in the Air Force, as well as both his grandfathers, who served in the Coast Guard. 

We are indebted to you Private Untiet for your selfless service to our country.  We will be praying for you and your family.  Godspeed, young hero, Godspeed.

Then Sings My Soul Saturdays.

Today is Then Sings My Soul Saturdays where we link up with Amy and post a joyful noise to our King Jesus.  I have picked my all time favorite Mercy Me song "When you spoke my Name".  I  pray it blesses you..  Thank you, Amy, for always being such a wonderful host! 

Military Tribute - PVT Trevor Welch

Today's military tribute is a little late.  But Thursday is a great day to pay homage too, don't ya think? Yea, me too!  Meet Private Trevor Welch. 

Born August 23, 1991 to Judy Welch. They moved from Nichols, WI in 1993 to Clintonville, WI where he grew up with his mother, his older brother Tim and his older sister Morgan.  Trevor also has a little boy Landon, 22 mo. old, who is is very proud of his Daddy and is missing him very much every single day.  Private Trevor Welch, WE SALUTE YOU!!

PVT TREVOR WELCH

When Trevor was younger he had a dream to be a soldier. His dream became a reality when he left for Fort Benning, Georgia on June 8, 2010. Like alot of kids, he played Army or cops and robbers in the backyard  at friends houses. Trevor and his friends were always shooting paintball guns or air soft guns. He saw many of his uncles and aunts either serve in the military or are serving now.

He has had family members in the Air Force, Air Force Academy, Marines and the Navy. He is the first to enter the Army. This was a big motivator and a family tradition that he wanted to follow.

Trevor enlisted in the Army, at the end of his Junior year of high school, at the age of 17, June 9, 2009. He enlisted under the Delayed Entry Program. He then met with recruiters weekly to get mentally and physically prepared for his leaving the following year. Trevor also followed the family tradition of his brother and sister and graduated after 1 semester his senior year. He was involved in soccer, shooting paintball and air soft guns with friends, disc golfing, skiing, skateboarding, video gaming and computers.

Trevor is doing his basic training at Fort Benning, GA and has been chosen to be a squad leader. After basic training he plans to go to Fort Myers, Virginia to train for the Honor Guard (also called the old guard). The honor guards primary role is to provide funeral honors for fallen comrades and to guard national monuments. They may also serve as "guardians of color" by displaying and escorting the national flag on ceremonial occasions at official state functions. They also provide detachments for review by visiting heads of state. This is a very honorary position which requires alot of priceision and discipline.

Trevor's family is supporting him 100% and will always be here for him throughout his dreams of serving his country. They all miss him and love him dearly.

Sisters, will you keep the Welch family in your prayers?  This extraordinary young man is making a great sacrifice for our nation and his young son.  Godspeed, young soldier, Godspeed.

Blue Monday

Linking up with Smiling Sally today for Blue Monday.  This weekend found me in Georgia with handsome GI named, Joshua Paul, who just happens to be my beloved son.  He brough along a battle buddy named Andrew Moore and we saw the sights of Fort Benning.  I'll post them tomorrow.  I'm still a little tired from the trip home and the emotions that go with it.  Here is the moments I saw Joshua.  I think it qualifies for Blue Monday on at least five levels! lol 

Blessings to you today!

Seeing my son for the first time in 10 weeks after his graduation from basic training.  He has earned the right to be called an American Army Soldier.  He wears a beret with a blue patch that does not compare to the beautiful blue in his eyes and his right arm is patched with a beautiful flag that is red, white and blue!

Word-filled Wednesday

1 Chronicles 29:11 "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, And You are exalted as head over all"

His majesty never ceases to take my breath away! For more devotions, go to the Internet Cafe.

Military Tribute - PVT Justin Bustamante

Today's military tribute is to Pvt Justin Jose Bustamante.  He was born August 24, 1989 to Paula and Jose (Joe) Bustamante in Santa Monica, California.  His primary years were in the City of Angels, Los Angeles, California and his junior high and high school years were spent in Bakersfield, California. Justin's maternal grandfather served our great nation in the Air Force and his Father served in the Army National Guard.  Justin Bustamante, WE SALUTE YOU!!!

When I asked Paula to describe her son she said that Justin was one that always marched to the beat of his own drum. He was never set apart as a leader but he wasn't  a follower, either.  He was the first to stand up for what he believed was right and he has great compassion for others.  Paula readily admits that many a time she housed and fed many of the other kids that Justin would bring home that were alone on holidays. There was never a shortage of "adopted" sons that Justin had brought home.

Justin was nominated Homecoming King his senior year and voted "most popular" by his senior class". He grew his hair out long and sported quite the impressive "afro" that the girls seemed to love. He went so far as to put polka dots in his hair!  He would go to extrenes to make people laugh and happy!  And again, he always made sure that everyone had a place to go on holidays to make sure they were part of a family.  Justin even went with his Mom to the Mission in Bakersfield to serve Thanksgiving dinner to the homeless. 

Paula is grateful for the Army and the new direction it has given her son.   Justin began to waver in his convictions and head  down a path of certain heartache with wanting to drink and party.  He changed that all around with losing weight, making a commitment to the Army and now completing Basic Training.  Justin is a SAW gunner for his platoon and has done a 180 with his attitude and his mother has never seen him so happy now that he has a sense of purpose. 

Fighting for his Country and renewing his compassion for others has Justin in a really great place in his life right now.  His mother, Paula, has become a precious friend of mine and covets your prayers for her son and for her family as like most of us our profound pride in our sons is sometimes reduced to rubble with the knowledge that they may be deployed at any given moment. 

Thank you, sisters.  Thank you for those of you who take the time to read these tributes and pray and offer your support for these military men of honor.  God Bless You!