OT - Profiles of Valor (are you wearing red today?)

[Ysabel Kid]

Profiles of valor: U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Mark Slusher

United States Marine Corps Maj. Mark Slusher served in Iraq as team leader for Military Transition Team 111 of 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division from 22 August 2007 until 17 August 2008. During that time, Slusher led his 15-man team through several combat operations, clearing terrorist strongholds and securing weapons caches in violence-plagued Basra, Iraq's second largest city. Slusher also spent much of that year advising the Iraqi military. In the earliest days of this particular campaign, Slusher and his men were continuously pounded with mortar rounds and small-arms fire, and Slusher repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to better direct his team's defensive actions and assist the Iraqi battalion commander. During an engagement after conducting a combat patrol on 24 April 2008, one of the team's vehicles was hit by an explosively formed penetrator -- a form of IED used to penetrate armor at a distance. The vehicle was destroyed and all five Marines inside were wounded. Maj. Slusher worked to rescue all five of the wounded from the burning vehicle while under steady enemy fire. He moved each Marine to a covered position and administered first aid. For his courage under fire, Slusher was awarded the Bronze Star with combat "V" for valor.

[gamekeeper]

Another brave man.

I wear red on Fridays, even though no one over here in the UK knows about the custom.
How many do you see observing the custom over there in the US?
On Remembrance day 11th November I'm always saddened by the lack of people who do not wear red poppies to show their thanks for the service men and women who fought for this country. The money raised by the sale of poppies goes to the British Legion who look after ex service personnel who require help.

[Ysabel Kid]

John -

I wear a red shirt every Friday, and have now for a couple of years. I even make sure my boxers are red that day!

(I know, I know... WAY too much information! )