Death of Major Kevin Jenrette, US Army 5 June 2009

I am incredibly shocked and saddened to report that one of my US Army Ranger friends and colleagues, Major Kevin Jenrette of Lula, Georgia was killed in action in Afghanistan on 5 June 2009 along with 2 other soldiers, "Staff Sgt. John C. Beale, 39, of Riverdale; and Spc. Jeffrey W. Jordan, 21, of Rome, died near Kapisa, Afghanistan of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device" (courtesy of www.accessnorthga.com.) Major Jenrette had been a liaison in my ongoing assignments with the US Army Rangers for a number of years, and I greatly mourn his passing and the deaths of his comrades in this cowardly IED attack on their convoy.

Here is a link to the original post that I read today: http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=220898&c=10

This news was a great personal shock as Major Jenrette and I spent numerous days together coordinating photography for the US Army Rangers in past years. Unfortunately, I did not know the other two soldiers, but having spent a great deal of time with the military over the past ten years, I know that all these men gave their lives in service to our country, performing a job for which they volunteered to bravely complete. I also know that there are no words to ease the pain of their loss for their loved ones. However, I can say that we will never forget these brave soldiers or their sacrifice.

I have not heard about any arrangements for these soldiers as yet, but will update you as they are released. You can also check www.accessnorthga.com for updates.

My thoughts and prayers will be with these families, and the rest of our men and women in uniform as they proudly serve our country in a difficult and dangerous mission, thousands of miles away from the love and comfort of their families and homes.

Greg Janney - John Wroblewski interview on PajamasTV.com

This address is for the 15 minute Pajamas TV interview with John Wroblewski and I last Friday, 26 April 2009. The interview is done by Bill Whittle, PJTV Commentator on PJ Daily TV at http://www.pjtv.com/video/PJTV_Daily/A_Father%27s_Journey_to_Iraq/1771/

Please take the time to rate and comment on these recent media efforts to recognize the Wroblewski family, and the loss of at least twelve other families during the 6 April 2004 ambush. If we do not act now to keep the story in the public eye, it will quickly fade away. Let's do what we can to make sure that all Gold Star parents across the nation, as well as our military across the world know that we thank them all for their service and will never forget the sacrifices of the fallen or their families.
Freedom is not free, but is dearly paid for with the blood of patriots.

Web 2.0 media coverage through Brett Joshpe at http://www.parcbench.com helped make this coverage possible. Please visit my story, "A Father's Journey to Iraq" to read the full text of our story, and it is also posted on this blog as a separate post.

It is unlikely that these stories will be shown via the (generally) mainstream media. They do not want the world to hear any tributes to the U.S. soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Air personnel that have fought so hard, sacrificed so much, in their tireless effort to complete their mission in Iraq. So, I would encourage you to do some web-based research to sift the truth from the propaganda (or even worse, the absence of the truth) in media coverage.

I personally would prefer a story written by someone who has actually "experienced what happened, been to the scene, or has interviewed eye-witnesses", but many media agencies get their news from local "stringers or hired part-time reporters (hacks)", or report a wire story that came from God only knows where and from whom (unnamed sources!). What about you? Do you believe everything you see or read in the media? How credible (or biased) are the sources? I would enjoy your opinions on this topic, so please post a response to this blog (anonymously or not), so we can discuss this issue.

John Wroblewski 4 Mar 2008 returning to Fallujah after patrol

This clip shows John Wroblewski in our RCT 1 Humvee on the road back to Fallujah after our patrol and mission in Faris, Iraq.
Good video and comments.

"CC" Turret Cam video 4 Mar 2008 - Marine RCT1 Gunner "CC" Crosby's Turret Cam video - Pt 1 of 2

This is part 1 of 2 - A cool video made by 3/1 Marines RCT1 gunner "CC" Crosby's "Turret Cam video" as our Humvee heads toward Fallujah after our mission to Faris and the reconstruction project. A gunner's eye view from behind his M2 .50 cal machine gun from the gun turret, shot by future director, C. Crosby of 3/1 Marines RCT1. Thanks "CC"!

5th Anniversary of 2004 ambush of 2/4 Marines Echo Company

Today is 6 April 2009 and marks the 5th anniversary of the ambush of 2/4 Marines, Echo Company in Ramadi, Iraq in an alley next to the marketplace on Route Gypsum. Eleven Marines and a Navy Corpsman lost their lives in this alley five years ago today, fighting and dying for their fellow Marines, and while proudly serving our country in the United States Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy.

Let's remember them today, along with a prayer for their families, loved ones, and the men they served alongside in Iraq, who also paid a terrible price with the loss of these brave men.

My thought's today center on my friends, the Wroblewski family. I will be thinking about J.T. and praying for you all today, and will look for a feather today in the yard to let me know if your angel stopped by on his way home to see you.

3/1 Marines visits U.S. funded Reconstruction project - Irrigation facility 4 Mar 2008

This video shows the U.S. funded reconstruction project of an irrigation facility near the Tigris River. Local dignitaries, Mayor of Faris, local businessmen, U.S. military personnel view the completed project in operation as 3/1 and 1/4 Marines provide security for the group.

4 Mar 2008 - RCT 1 Michaels sitrep in Faris, Iraq

Our Humvee cruises main street in Faris, Iraq. You can hear Vehicle Commander S. Michaels' voice in the background describing the general security situation in their AO (area of operations.)