Updated sig line for the occasion - veteran's day in one week...

coppercoins

For a distant cousin, brother in arms, Anthony Monroe - killed in action this past month in Iraq. My relation to him is but a distant one, as are the relations of a number of our fallen to us. But I remember them daily and take the occasion of the upcoming veteran's day to show my medal in their honor.

Peace, Anthony - and to all the others KIA. I wish I could have been there all over again.

And no, I won't post this on a board full of people I don't know. Live with it.

ss350camaro

ksteelheader

coppercoins

I put this image together today as well. Reminiscing the old days...

coppercoins

I have been asked privately to describe what each of my medals is for in my new sig line...figured I would do it here for those who want to ask but don't.

Order of importance is from left to right:

Bronze Star - For valor in a combat situation, Desert Storm, March, 1991.

Air Force Commendation Medal - For meritorious service, received upon departure - Oct, 1996.

Joint Service Achievement Medal - Service with units from other services abroad - Dec, 1993.

Air Force Achievement Medal - Active role in planning AWACS kit preparetion for Haiti, April, 1994.

Air Force Achievement Medal - Site planning for forward location, June, 1995.

Combat Readiness Medal - Service with the 3rd Combat Squadron in Panama, 1991.

Air Force Good Conduct Medal - every three years, good boys and girls get this one. I have three.

National Defense Medal - Service during war time. Everybody got this one.

Expeditionary Forces Medal - Service in Saudi Arabia, Operation Desert Calm, October-December 1995.

Southwest Asia Campaign Medal - First star - Service in theater of operations, Desert Storm, March, 1991 - July, 1991.

Southwest Asia Campaign Medal - Second star - Service in theater of operations, Provide Comfort, 1993.

Air Force Service Medal - Service in support of a combat unit, 1995.

Air Force Humanitarian Service Medal - Specific operations in Provide Comfort, Turkey, 1992.

Air Force Humanitarian Service Medal - Murrah Federal Building, morgue, April, 1995.

Saudi Arabia Kuwait Liberation Medal - Awarded to everyone who served in Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm, 1991.

Kuwait Liberation Medal, Kuwait - Awarded to everyone who served after Desert Storm and before 1994 (I believe) in the Gulf Region.

No medal awarded is to be taken lightly, and I don't - but there are a number of these that everyone got just because they were in the right place at the right time. The reason why my ribbons outnumber my medals is because not every ribbon has a medal. The remainder of my ribbons from top left to bottom right:

Joint Service Unit Citation (gold frame) - Service in Puerto Rico with AWACS.

Outstanding Unit Award (red, white, blue striped with two oak leaves) - three awards to our unit for outstanding accomplishment.

Overseas Long Tour Ribbon (dark blue center, light blue stripes with one oak leaf) - Overseas tour longer than 18 months. Two awards, both in Germany, 1986-1990.

Air Force Longevity Ribbon (dark and medium blue striped with one oak leaf) - You get this every four years.

NCO Training Ribbon (red and white with a single blue stripe, one oak leaf) - Two awards, one for the NCO preparatory course, 1989, and the other is for NCO Leadership School, 1992.

Expert Marksman Ribbon (green center bordered by yellow on bluish) - Shot 398 of 400 with an M-16 : qualified expert six of seven times.

Basic Training Graduation Ribbon, or Air Force Training Ribbon (dark blue, red, yellow) - Everyone gets this who completes basic training.

Edited to add: The silver badge above the ribbons signified that I was a journeyman in communications - it's a skill badge that everyone in my job description wore. My AFSC was 491X1 transferred to 3C0X1 - Computer and Communications Specalist. I served as a radio operator, mainframe computer operator, mini communications station operator, mobile computer operator, flight computer specialist for AWACS, a radio/pager accountability officer, training record certifyer, shift supervisor, and toilet cleaner...all at the same time, of course. I hope the sarcasm works.

TUMUSS

WOW!!! I don't think it is said enough....THANKS FOR BEING ONE WHO PROTECTS THIS COUNTRY!!!

joeyuk

That's great Chuck. You have reason to be proud. I was in the Navy but would have to search for the medals. Only a couple Sea Service, Expeditionary & Good Conduct. Thats all I can think of off the top of my head.