Memorial Day 2011 in honor of my cousin, Joe Paul Swendsen. RIP March 3, 2011

As an annual tribute, I am publishing this page again to the memory of the following members of our families who are no longer with us, but did not hesitate to serve when their countries needed them. Sadly, the list has grown this year in a most unexpected way.

My wife's Great-great-great-great grandfather:
Woody Jones - Served with Andrew Jackson in Louisiana, War of 1812 †
Her Great-great-great-great Uncle
Wiley Jones - Served with Andrew Jackson in Louisiana, War of 1812 †


My wife's great-great grandfathers:
Samuel Runnels - 39th Mississippi Infantry, Battle of Vicksburg †
Robert J. Jones - 4th Mississippi Cavalry †


My Great-Grandfather:
Christen Godskesen – Royal Danish Army, Second Schleswig War of 1864 †

My wife's grandfather:
Alonzo Runnels - US Army, WWI †

My Grandfather:
Christian Martinus Swendsen – Royal Danish Army †

My Great-Uncle:
Oluf Swendsen – Royal Danish Army †

My Uncles:
Paul Swendsen - US Army forward artillery spotter - Europe, WWII †
Carl Swendsen - US Army, WWII †
Roy Swendsen - US Army Air Corp, South Pacific, WWII †
Henry Godskesen - US Army Engineering Corp, WWII †

My Father-In-Law:
Charlie Runnels - US Navy, Korea †

My cousin:
Harlan Roy Swendsen - US Navy, Vietnam †

My Brother-in-law:
Carlos Hernandez - US Army Huey Helicopter Crewman, Vietnam †

My cousin:
Joe Swendsen - Minnesota Air National Guard, Diego Garcia Airlift Command †

For all you did for us....we remember

Angel who feeds our wounded warriors needs our help

Meet Jillian, a young Air Force medic who has taken it on herself to make sure that none of the wounded soldiers at her CASF unit in Afghanistan go hungry. She is an Angel in every sense of the word.



She and her team have fed thousands of these young soldiers, who often arrive at the CASF evacuation unit at all times of the day and night, when the dining facility is closed for the day. They get nearly 400 in and outpatients per WEEK, and that takes a lot of goodies to keep these guys fed.

The patients will also grab some food for the 7 hour flight from Bagram to Germany. These planes aren't commercial jets by the way, they are cargo planes with canvas seats, cold, drafty and noisy. And no beverage carts.

If you can help, email me for the address - rgodskesen@soldiersangels.org

Needed: (individually wrapped portions are best)
cookies
beef jerky/slim jims
Trail mix
nuts
microwave popcorn
dried fruit
Hard candy (no chocolate - it will melt)
Little debbie, hostess, etc snack cakes
Granola bars, rice krispie bars, cereal bars,
etc etc




C'mon, we can do this.
-Rog

Got him!!

A perennial favorite: