Elroy You Are Our Hero

This weeks hero is Elroy Lieb
*Elroy graduated from Orchard High School and was about 20 years old when drafted in the Army in WW II.
He served in the South Pacific --- his first stop was Guadalcanal.The Japanese bombers bombed their fox holes each evening -- from there he went to Bougainville and marched on towards Manilla.**Elroy and his platoon of 14 men's mission was to go in front of the troops to draw fire to reveal the enemy, at this time he was wounded in the hand. His next time being wounded was searching underground for Japanese, this time Elroy had a punctured ear drum, internal bleeding and burned hair, eye brows and eyes.He was unable to see for several days so he slept and enjoyed being safe from the enemy.
*A few days of healing and on to Bagieo, then to the northern seaport of Luzon. At this time Elroy and his group to were to organize a point and their squad was to move down the highway showing their bodies to the enemy for them to fire upon, therefore protect the main body of troops. On this mission, Elroy was sent out with two scouts --- he was fired upon by a bullet which grazed 3 ribs and his left side which caused him to be paralyzed, and unable to move. After his rescue he was treated and flew to Denver.
*When the Doctor heard his story he said "if the Japanese couldn't get you in three times, it was their last chance, you are going home". The rest of Elroy's life is history, he returned home to his Special Girl, they married have 4 boys and a girl.
*For his service Lieb earned a Purple Heart with 2 Clusters as well as the Bronze Star. -- Elroy said "you don't realize until you are encountered by the enemy "War is Hell".
*Thank you, Elroy for serving our country ---"You are Our Hero"

Our sincere thanks to Jeanne Crumly and her Holt County Veteran's Project -2005 for this information.

If you have a Hero please send their name and a brief story why you want them to be Our Hero of the Week to beth@inebraska.com

You Are Our Hero Award

Nebraska Troop Support is starting something new ----" You are our Hero Award" Each week on Wednesday we will have a new story about a Hero that is nominated for this award. The Hero can be any person that has worn or is wearing a military uniform. (the person's name nominating the Hero will never be mentioned) Send your Hero's name and information to beth@inebraska.com

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Our first Hero Award goes to two young men from the same family-----James Duff, son of Sterling and Shirrale Legate. James graduated from high school at Clearwater, Nebraska in 1985 and joined the Army Reserve soon after. He did a tour of duty in Iraq in 2003. At the present time he is serving the Army Reserves where ever needed.

James's brother, Doug following in his brothers foot steps, joined the army while a senior in high school. Doug graduated in May of 1988 and started his training in August at Fort Binning Georgia. After his training he was sent on 3 missions to Panama. On his 3rd mission he left in December 1989 expecting to be home for Christmas --- his mission was extended ---- January 1st,1990 he was killed by friendly fire.

Sterling and Shirrale, there are no words to take away your hurt, you have given so much.

Jim and Doug Duff are our Heroes this week ---

Both gave some --One gave all.

To these young men and all our military --- Thank you.

Wednesday - December 23rd --Nebraska Troop Support

Wonder where I would get an idea like this? Does it sound familiar--- I am trying to clone myself to be another Ginny.:-)

Thank you to Alco and everyone who donated coupons and Shamrock and Stuart Dollars and all of you who made a purchase --- because of everyone helping, we will be remembering our military in an additional way, a "You are our Hero" award.

The first Monday of January and each additional Monday - one person from the military --- (in a military hospital, now serving, served earlier or in a Veterans Hospital) will receive our "You Are Our Hero" Certificate a check for $10.00, their name on the radio and their name placed on our Nebraska Troop Suppport web site.

To have your hero be the one, please send their name, address, and why they are your hero to Nebraska Troop Support - 515 Donegal - O'Neill, NE 68763.

One name will be drawn the other remain in our drawing and perhaps they will be the "Hero" next week. Thank you for your help.

3,800 Gift Packages for the Troops!

Please send this to your email list.

Sunday June 21, "Nebraska Troop Support" will start putting together 3,800 gift packages. These will be given to our Hero's who start arriving at Fort Riley late in the fall and early winter. They have served in Iraq, Afghanistan, or other distant lands to protect our freedom.

We want each Hero to know he or she is special and are all loved alike. To make sure no one gets a bigger package than the others all packages will have the same items; as listed below.

The items will be put in a gallon zip lock bag for each individual. If you are a business, church, or organization and wish to have a collection box, great! We will make arrangements to collect all items by August 20th, 2009. If you wish to donate money so we can buy the items please make the checks out to - American Legion/Nebraska Troop Support.

Mail to---

American Legion/Nebraska Troop Support
515 E. Donegal St.
O'Neill, NE 68763

We are a non -profit organization. If you need more information please email beth@inebraska.com ---- We also have a web site http://www.nebraskatroopsupport.com/

Items Needed
We need a card, note or letter with a name and address for each package --- the soldiers like to know who supports them. It can be simple or as lengthy as you wish to make it. If you want to go simple it could be nothing more than: Nebraska Supports All Troops--Thank you -----Welcome Home. Please make sure you add your name and address (they also love to get letters or cards from children).

Then we’ll fill their bag with:
2 packages of pop corn (microwave)
2 packages of hot chocolate
2 snack bars
2 candy bars (no chocolate)
2 packages of gum
2 individual packages of sunflower seeds or nuts
2 razors (disposable)
2 each of small soaps, shampoos, lotions, from hotels ---- or larger bars of soap, shampoo and lotion. (These will be put in their own packages - separate from the smaller items).

1 toothbrush and small tube of toothpaste (perhaps you know a dentist who would be willing to donate some of these)

1/2 cup of individual wrapped hard candy
1 cup of salted peanuts in the shell
A small note pad
A ball point pen

Thank you,

Nebraska Troop Support

If you are wondering how we will get 3,800 gifts --- it will be one gift package at a time-- with your help we can do it! Thank you for supporting our Heros.

SOME GAVE ALL--YOU ARE REMEMBERED

Gerald L. Hamilton was born at Lynch, Nebraska
August 13, 1950.

Passed away August 5, 1970 in Viet Nam

Thank a Veteran Day

The first Saturday of every month is Together We Can Change The World Day, and one of our favorite ways to help change the world is to make every Together We Can Change The World Day into "THANK A VETERAN DAY."

There are so many ways, large and small, to thank those who did so much to protect and defend America. Buy a veteran a cup of coffee, offer a veteran a job, spend some time just listening to stories...the ideas are endless.

This blog will be a place for ideas, success stories, inspiration, and ongoing conversation about appreciating our troops and our veterans.

Please stay tuned....