Speicher's Best Friend Says Homecoming is 'Bittersweet'
Buddy Harris says, "We got Scott." The remains of Captain Scott Speicher are back home nearly two decades after he left for the Persian Gulf War.
Harris was Speicher's best friend. He is now married to Speicher's widow, Joanne.
Harris spoke to the media for about 15 minutes outside of the NAS JAX chapel where Speicher's remains were taken. He would not take questions from reporters, but said it was a heartbreaking day for his wife and children.
"This is the ultimate definition of bittersweet," said Harris.....Rest Here
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The city, friends and military across the city gave a final salute this morning to Captain Scott Speicher.
The remains of the Navy pilot left the All Saints Chapel at NAS Jacksonville at 9 this morning, after military personnel paid their respects.
There was a steady stream of people through the chapel well into the night and again this morning.
The public salute to the fallen hero began at 9 a.m. when the procession left NAS Jacksonville for the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall downtown.
"The wall, to me, is the altar of freedom in Jacksonville," said Dan McCarthy, the former Military Affairs liaison for the City of Jacksonville. "It is where we come to remember the bravery of the men and women who serve our country. We were here not long ago for Memorial Day. We were here for Purple Heart Day. Now, today we come for Captain Speicher."...............Link to Rest Here and More
Jon Kern, a teacher at Mandarin Middle School, waited 18 years to hear what really happened to Navy Captain Michael "Scott" Speicher.
During the wait, he made it his personal mission to keep the memory of the missing hometown hero alive.
Kern created the Letters for Speicher Campaign, which ultimately led to a book in memory of the Jacksonville Captain missing since 1991.................
The city, friends and military across the city gave a final salute this morning to Captain Scott Speicher.
The remains of the Navy pilot left the All Saints Chapel at NAS Jacksonville at 9 this morning, after military personnel paid their respects.
There was a steady stream of people through the chapel well into the night and again this morning.
The public salute to the fallen hero began at 9 a.m. when the procession left NAS Jacksonville for the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall downtown..........
It doesn't matter what baseball team you root for -- here is a great reason to watch Game 3 of the World Series tonight.
IAVA has teamed up with Major League Baseball Charities (MLB) and the prestigious Ad Council to launch a national public service advertising (PSA) campaign called "Welcome Back Veterans." The PSA, featuring voiceover by Oscar Award winner Tom Hanks, debuts tonight during Game 3 of the World Series.
The PSA announces a brand new website: WelcomeBackVeterans.org. The new website is an amazing resource for people who are looking to make a difference in the lives of our returning veterans. It features some of the best veterans' support organizations, along with a list of resources for the men and women making the transition back to civilian life.
In case you're not going to be able to watch the game tonight, you can watch the ad now at WelcomeBackVeterans.org.
"Welcome Back Veterans" is a great step towards connecting the American public with the troops returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. And we couldn't wish for a better time to launch the campaign than during the World Series.
So check out the ad now. And tell your friends - if they want to really support the troops, this is a great place to start.
Sincerely,
Paul
Paul Rieckhoff Iraq Veteran Executive Director Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
Buddy Harris says, "We got Scott." The remains of Captain Scott Speicher are back home nearly two decades after he left for the Persian Gulf War.
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The city, friends and military across the city gave a final salute this morning to Captain Scott Speicher.
Jon Kern, a teacher at Mandarin Middle School, waited 18 years to hear what really happened to Navy Captain Michael "Scott" Speicher.
The city, friends and military across the city gave a final salute this morning to Captain Scott Speicher.
