Da Hawg Frog Blog

Bruce Rossmeyer, an Icon in the Harley Davidson community, was killed in a motorcycle accident. Bruce was riding to Sturgis, SD with a group of friends when he was run off the road by a pickup truck Thursday. Bruce’s Harley Dealership in Daytona Beach has been a fixture among riders visiting during Daytona Bike Week for years.

The Wyoming State Patrol says Rossmeyer was trying to pass a pickup pulling a trailer about 18 miles east of Farson. Sgt. Stephen Townsend says the truck driven by 73-year-old Robert VanValkenburg of Rock Springs was turning left onto a dirt road when the collision occurred.

Townsend says VanValkenburg had his left-turn signal on. Rossmeyer was thrown from the motorcycle and landed under the trailer. He was not wearing a helmet.

No other motorcycles were involved in the crash. (Source:  CBS Channel 4 News)

Bruce will be missed by all. Rest in Peace.

On June 25, 2009 Lt. Bradshaw was killed defending freedom and democracy in Afghanistan. He died the same day a drug-addled, self-indulgent pop idol died. Lt. Bradshaw never wrote a hit song, nor did he entertain millions while making millions. Brian Bradshaw simply signed a piece of paper stating that he would serve his country and defend it no matter the cost. In this veteran’s mind he gave more to this country and the world than Michael Jackson ever did. I am ashamed of the media for failing to recognize him. Instead of honoring a man who made the ultimate sacrifice they chose to obsess over the self induced death of an accused pedophile. The shallow feeding frenzy that took place was embarassing.

Lt. Bradshaw’s death did not go unnoticed by his comrades. The Washington Post ran a moving letter from members of the air crew who transported his remains from the battlefield to Baghram AFB. Here this letter in its entirety. (Source: Washington Post)

Dear Bradshaw Family,

We were crew members on the C-130 that flew in to pick up Lt. Brian Bradshaw after he was killed. We are Georgia Air National Guardsmen deployed to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. We support the front-line troops by flying them food, water, fuel, ammunition and just about anything they need to fight. On occasion we have the privilege to begin the final journey home for our fallen troops. Below are the details to the best of our memory about what happened after Brian’s death.

We landed using night-vision goggles. Because of the blackout conditions, it seemed as if it was the darkest part of the night. As we turned off the runway to position our plane, we saw what appeared to be hundreds of soldiers from Brian’s company standing in formation in the darkness. Once we were parked, members of his unit asked us to shut down our engines. This is not normal operating procedure for that location. We are to keep the aircraft’s power on in case of maintenance or concerns about the hostile environment. The plane has an extremely loud self-contained power unit. Again, we were asked whether there was any way to turn that off for the ceremony that was going to take place. We readily complied after one of our crew members was able to find a power cart nearby. Another aircraft that landed after us was asked to do the same. We were able to shut down and keep lighting in the back of the aircraft, which was the only light in the surrounding area. We configured the back of the plane to receive Brian and hurried off to stand in the formation as he was carried aboard.

Brian’s whole company had marched to the site with their colors flying prior to our arrival. His platoon lined both sides of our aircraft’s ramp while the rest were standing behind them. As the ambulance approached, the formation was called to attention. As Brian passed the formation, members shouted “Present arms” and everyone saluted. The salute was held until he was placed inside the aircraft and then the senior commanders, the sergeant major and the chaplain spoke a few words.

Afterward, we prepared to take off and head back to our base. His death was so sudden that there was no time to complete the paperwork needed to transfer him. We were only given his name, Lt. Brian Bradshaw. With that we accepted the transfer. Members of Brian’s unit approached us and thanked us for coming to get him and helping with the ceremony. They explained what happened and how much his loss was felt. Everyone we talked to spoke well of him — his character, his accomplishments and how well they liked him. Before closing up the back of the aircraft, one of Brian’s men, with tears running down his face, said, “That’s my platoon leader, please take care of him.”

We taxied back on the runway, and, as we began rolling for takeoff, I looked to my right. Brian’s platoon had not moved from where they were standing in the darkness. As we rolled past, his men saluted him one more time; their way to honor him one last time as best they could. We will never forget this.

We completed the short flight back to Bagram Air Base. After landing, we began to gather our things. As they carried Brian to the waiting vehicle, the people in the area, unaware of our mission, stopped what they were doing and snapped to attention. Those of us on the aircraft did the same. Four soldiers who had flown back with us lined the ramp once again and saluted as he passed by. We went back to post-flight duties only after he was driven out of sight.

Later that day, there was another ceremony. It was Bagram’s way to pay tribute. Senior leadership and other personnel from all branches lined the path that Brian was to take to be placed on the airplane flying him out of Afghanistan. A detail of soldiers, with their weapons, lined either side of the ramp just as his platoon did hours before. A band played as he was carried past the formation and onto the waiting aircraft. Again, men and women stood at attention and saluted as Brian passed by. Another service was performed after he was placed on the aircraft.

For one brief moment, the war stopped to honor Lt. Brian Bradshaw. This is the case for all of the fallen in Afghanistan. It is our way of recognizing the sacrifice and loss of our brothers and sisters in arms. Though there may not have been any media coverage, Brian’s death did not go unnoticed. You are not alone with your grief. We mourn Brian’s loss and celebrate his life with you. Brian is a true hero, and he will not be forgotten by those who served with him.

We hope knowing the events that happened after Brian’s death can provide you some comfort.

Sincerely,

Capt. James Adair

Master Sgt. Paul Riley

GA ANG 774 EAS Deployed

Have we become a nation so enamoured by wealth and celebrity that we no longer recognize where our real strengths come from. It is not from the rich and famous who take more than they give. It is from the honest, hard working, brave young servicemen and women who lay their lives on the line everyday. Rest in Peace Lt. Brian Bradshaw, we are proud of you, your sacrifice and the life you led.

Over the past few weeks the media has obsessed about the death of a famous entertainer, Michael Jackson. A man who’s sole contribution to society was some music, videos and lurid gossip. Another rich man who managed to escape justice. Meanwhile a true American hero passed unnoticed.

On June 17, 2009 Darrell Powers died. He was the sharpshooter who’s sacrifices and service was immortalized in the series “Band of Brothers”.

Bravery – and dignity – was a constant, running thread in the life of “Shifty” Powers, both during and after his life as an Army sharpshooter in the actual “Band of Brothers.”

During the war, he fought brutal battles against the German army across France and Belgium.

After the war, Powers served as an eloquent representative for the men he fought with: At one point during the “Band of Brothers” mini-series, he appeared on camera to talk in moving, humane fashion about his grim but necessary task during the war – killing the enemy. (Source: Tri City News)

Sergeant Powers was one of those fortunate combat veterans who was able to make his peace after the war. He did not hold a grudge and he saw his enemies during World War II for what they were, young men called to serve, as he had been. Men who did the best they could to win a war.

In the second-to-last episode of “Band of Brothers,” an HBO miniseries that documented Easy Company’s wartime exploits, Powers spoke on camera about the soldiers he fought and also hinted at the intrinsic tragedy of combat.

“We might have had a lot in common. He might’ve liked to fish, you know, he might’ve liked to hunt,” Powers said. “Of course, they were doing what they were supposed to do, and I was doing what I was supposed to do.

“But under different circumstances, we might have been good friends.” (Source: Roanoke Times)

Rest in peace brother. The legacy you left behind will never be forgotten.

Colonel Kenneth Reusser was one of the most highly decorated pilots in Marine Corps history. He died peacefully at home in Oregon at the age of 89. Colonel Reusser’s life and accomplishments were the stuff legends are made of.

Reusser was awarded 59 medals during his career, including two Navy Crosses, four Purple Hearts and two Legions of Merit. He retired from the service a colonel, The Associated Press and Oregon media reported.

He was shot down five times during 259 combat missions in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam — at least once in each conflict.

In 1950, Reusser led an attack on a North Korean factory. Despite heavy anti-aircraft fire, he dipped down to window level of the facility and saw that it was being used to repair enemy tanks, according to the citation for his second Navy Cross.

He flew to his aircraft carrier to re-arm with rockets and napalm and then returned to destroy the facility, again braving the anti-aircraft fire.

Reusser’s plane had been damaged and his heavy ordnance was gone, but before returning from the mission, he flew low and pumped his machine guns into a North Korean oil tanker, the citation said. (Source: Stars & Stripes)

The colonel’s career spanned three wars. First he served in the Pacific during WWII, then he saw combat in Korea and finally ended his career with Vietnam.

1950: He’s a major now, still flying the Corsair, but in a different war, leading a division from the famous “Black Sheep,” flying over Inchon, Korea, from the deck of USS Sicily.

Reusser leads an attack against a North Korean vehicle park and factory, but the ferocity of the defense arouses his suspicions.

According to “Leatherneck Magazine,” he “set his Corsair snarling past the large factory building barely above the ground and close enough to actually look in the windows.” It was packed with Soviet-made tanks.

He flies to the Sicily to rearm and refuel, then returns, setting the factory ablaze with rockets and napalm.

He leads a low-level strike on oil storage tanks until all of his rockets and napalm are gone, then sets his sights on a camouflaged oil tanker at Inchon harbor, diving to mast height and raking the tanker with 20 mm gunfire. The tanker explodes, almost blowing Reusser’s Corsair out of the air. (Source: The Oregonian)

During the Vietnam war Colonel Reusser flew helicopters. Rest in peace Colonel Reusser, this nation owes you a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid.