Family, friends, and sometimes even troops themselves send I-Report salutes nearly every day to U.S. military serving their country away from home. Take a look below as family and friends share stories of the troops they love.
Friday, August 10, 2007
'A die-hard Browns fan'
 I wanted to recognize my hero, my nephew, Specialist Steve Pobuda who is currently serving with the 3rd Infantry Division in a Casualty and Mortuary Affairs unit in Baghdad. This is a very challenging job both mentally and emotionally but one he is proud to be part of - taking care of soldiers and their families when most needed. Steve is married to the lovely Bridget and a proud father of a young son who just turned a year old this week. He has been previously deployed in Bosnia and has presently been in Baghdad about 3 months. Steve is a die-hard Cleveland Browns fan. This photo is of him in Baghdad, standing next to a bust of the 3rd Infantry Division's mascot, holding a Brown's pennant. Steve is a good example of why I feel good about my country and its future. He is a compassionate, caring and dedicated young man who wanted to serve his country and make a difference. -- Joseph Clay of Alexandria, Virginia Thursday, August 9, 2007
Brothers in arms
 These boys are our beloved grandsons, whom we adore. We pray daily for all those who serve our country. God bless America. Enclosed is a photo of two brothers serving in the U.S. Army in Iraq after not seeing each other for over a year. It was a surprise visit after Nathanael was able to visit little brother Joshua's camp. They are the only sons of Chaplain Jeffery Slosson (U.S.A. Retired) and wife Kim of Colorado Springs, CO. Spc. Joshua (left) is a forward observer. He received a Purple Heart when injured by an enemy grenade. He is 19 years old and is airborne. PV2 Nathanael (right) is 22 years old. He is an Infantry Master Gunner and is qualified in special weapons. -- Patricia & John Greb of Omaha, Nebraska Can you say Chege?
 Ssgt. John Chege ( if u can say reggae you can say Chege) relaxing after a convoy route.He was deployed in 2004 Operation Iraq Freedom from the 1LRS Langley Air Force Base. Ssgt Chege received a purple heart in 2004 .We pray for all our troops in Iraq and at home. We have not forgotten the fallen. In God we trust. Thanks -- Ngina Chege of Hampton, Virginia Wednesday, August 8, 2007
'Ready for take off'
 My husband CW2 Scott Durrer is currently serving his second tour of duty in Iraq. Scott is an Apache longbow pilot. His birthday is August 19th. This photo was taken sometime in 2005 while he was on his 1st tour to Iraq. Scott has been in Iraq for 3 months with 12 months left before this 2nd tour is over. He will be turning 27 on the 19th of this month. We are stationed in Savannah, Georgia at Hunter Army Airfield. He is with the 3rd Infantry Division. He has a daughter, Madison and a son, Warren, who also send their wishes for a happy birthday as well. -- Kelly Durrer of Rincon, Georgia Tuesday, August 7, 2007
'Our hero'
 This is Petty Officer Third Class Clarence Mosley. He is in the U.S. Navy and stationed at NAS JRB New Orleans. This picture was taken at Oschner Medical Center. He is sitting beside his daughter Alyssa when she was in the NICU. He is our hero. We salute him every day for what he does. -- Heather Mosley of Belle Chase, Louisiana Man's best friend
 Sgt. Andrew Reid is a dog handler for the Marine Corps. He is pictured here with his dog, Cchyna, after a mission. Cchyna is around seven years old. Andrew is talking about adopting the dog when he returns. This picture was taken in June of 2007 at Camp Ramadi. Sgt. Reid is currently serving his third tour in Iraq at Camp Ramadi. His home base is Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. I wish that he could be here to celebrate my 24th birthday, which is today, Aug. 2 I just wanted to tell him that the countdown is almost over (66 days left) and that I love him and can't wait to see him again soon. -- Heather Gordon of Baltimore, Maryland 'My daughter, my hero'
 My daughter, my hero. Sgt Rachael Hulst is a wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 758th Maintenance Co. They've been gone 14 months. 11 more days and a wake-up call!! You're on your way home hon!! Rachael was a parts delivery person before going into the military in 2004. She wants to work for the department of natural resources when she returns. She is very weary in Iraq and ready to get home. -- Dawn Hulst of Zeeland, Michigan 'My husband'
 Sgt. Warrick, sitting on gun, served in Iraq from December 2005 to November 2006 and will return to Iraq in December 2007 with the 4th Infantry Division. His unit is 4-42 field artillery. Photo was taken in Kuwait in November 2005. -- Emily Warrick of Fort Hood, Texas Monday, August 6, 2007
From a proud army wife
 This is my husband getting a photo op with his hurt leg and busted truck that he was blown up in just days before. The front is gone but My hubby still stands...Thank God. My husband Sgt. Keith Tisdale is a Cav. Scout with the US Army. He is in Afghanistan and has so far survived 2 different IED attacks on his Humvee in the last 3 weeks. I salute him and all the people who fight for this country. The photo was taken in Sharana, Afghanistan right after his Humvee was hit by a IED the first time. He will be receiving a purple heart as well as the men who were with him. Sgt. Tisdale turned 28 in Nov of 06 and he has been over there since Jan '07. One of his fellow soldiers took the pic. I love and miss him every second of the day. I pray for his safe return and the return of all our military. Sgt. Tisdale is a great soldier and an even greater man..The US Army is lucky to have him. Thanks to you at CNN as well for giving us at home a voice. -- Michelle Tisdale of Fort Bragg, North Carolina 'A wonderful man'
 I wanted to share this picture of my husband A1C Terrence West. He is in the Air Force, 97th Logistics Readiness out of Altus AFB, Oklahoma, but is currently in Balad, Iraq. He has only been there for 2 weeks and this is his 1st deployment. He is expected to be back in Jaunuary of '08. I just wanted to let him know how proud I am to be married to such a wonderful man and his kids Jayden and Katelynn miss their daddy very much. All of his family and friends are praying for a fast and safe return to us! We love you! -- Marissa West of Altus, Oklahoma A legacy of service
 My son's a photojournalist, former Bradley driver, in the US Army. He's currently in Baghdad. His name is Sean Riley. He's a Staff Sergeant. He just returned from a 15-day leave to see the family. The photo was taken in June 2007. Both grandfathers were vets (WW II, Korea), I'm a vet (Vietnam), and the saga continues. Photo was taken by photojournalist Dr. Barry Goldstein. -- Gary Riley of Boise, Idaho 'Keeping everybody safe'
 This picture (of my son and me) was taken this past Jan 2007 in Muskegon, Michigan, before my son Alexander left for Iraq. He has been there since March 18, 2007. This was at a good-bye party for him. Alexander means protector of mankind. That's exactly what he's doing. He's infantry, keeping everybody safe. He's just an incredible man. He is the cutest Marine in the whole world, and he's going to be a dad soon. He is my oldest of two sons. He is doing exactly what he wants to do, and that is to preserve the work our for fathers did. Keep evil at bay, and stand for the truth. I am very proud to be a mother of a US Marine. Sleep tight, America. My Marine has your back! -- Deborah Bartoli of Norton Shores, Michigan |
On CNN TV
Every weekday morning on Headline News' Morning Express, anchor Robin Meade and her team do a shout-out to U.S. troops by showing off photos and videos sent in by their loved ones. Tune in every hour between 6 and 10 a.m. to see the salutes on air, or click through the archives on this page.
Send your own salute
Do you have a friend or family member serving abroad in the U.S. military? Please share your story on iReport.com!
Related
• Audio slide show: 'If not my son, whose son?' • Watch: Marine's Memorial Day tribute  • Gallery: The troops you love • Send your own salute on iReport.com • Morning Express • Special Report: Coming Home • All CNN.com blogs Archive
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