Virginia Homes for Heroes

10/31/2019

Master Sgt. Williams receives Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor Recipient
MSG Matthew Williams

09/19/2019

Photos from American Heritage Museum's post

09/09/2019

SEPTEMBER's HERO of The MONTH goes to...

Mr. Raphael Jackson from Jackson Full Service Cleaning he has made our list as a top Hero Contributor. It is important to highlight not only this months hero's name, but as well as his business because of what he has done and how he has done it.

As President of a Carpet and Upholstery cleaning service Mr. Jackson has been able to service several Military Members and First Responders in the Northern Virginia area. BUT, what makes Mr. Jackson so unique is that he has provided a lending hand to those in need by providing free or heavily discounted service to those in serious needy situations. He is an honest man with an integrity beyond approach, but even more important Mr. Jackson has a heart of gold when it comes to helping the needy. Now, Mr. Jackson has to keep a roof over his families head while doing volunteer work so his services have proven to beat several competitor prices out there that are trying to take advantage of Service Members and First Responders. For these actions his business has also been added to our list of preferred and trusted companies.

Congratulations Mr. Jackson.

09/08/2019

September 11 to Be Named 'First Responders Day' in Virginia

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Virginias annual First Responders Day on September 11 will bring awareness to the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices that first responders make.

09/07/2019

Rest Easy Airborne

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of SFC Elis A. Barreto Ortiz of Morovis, Puerto Rico and assigned to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

SFC Barreto was killed by a vehicle borne improvised explosive device in Kabul, Afghanistan on September 5, 2019.

This loss is felt across the All American Division and we will forever remember our fallen. Remember, Paratroopers never die, they just slip away.

08/31/2019

Armored Cav

, From the Archives: 75 years ago this week, the actions Staff Sergeant Lafayette Pool result in him being awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. As commander of the M4A1(76)W Medium Tank nicknamed "In the Mood", Pool and his crew lead I Company, 3rd Battalion, 32nd Armor Regiment through enemy held terrain over the course of several days. The following lengthy statement was written by Lieutenant Colonel Walter B. Richardson,in command of 3rd Battalion:

"Prior to 29 August 1944 the 3rd Battalion had been operating as a part of Task Force "X", Combat Command "A", Third Armored Division. The Task Force consisted of one tank battalion, one armored infantry battalion, an armored artillery Battalion, an Armored Engineer platoon and one tank destroyer platoon. The column had made a rapid advance through France, meeting enemy resistance consisting of primarily of self propelled anti-tank guns, especially at cross roads and near villages. Some artillery and small fire had been received and scattered and scattered Mark V tank (German Panthers) had been encountered. On the night of 28 August 1944 the Battalion bivouacked approximately one mile from Braisne. On the morning of 29 August the Battalion was assigned the mission of leading the task force in the advance. "H" Company 32nd Armored Regiment started out in the lead with Company "I" as support. After the head of the column had traveled approximately two miles it was stopped by three Mark V tanks located from 2500 to 3000 yards to the front. After some time had elapsed Company "I" was ordered to pass through "H" Company, destroy the enemy, and continue to the advance. Company "I" passed through in line formation with Staff Sergeant Lafayette G Pool's tank in the lead. As he reached the crest of a hill he saw the three enemy tanks and immediately ordered his gunner to open fire on the nearest tank. With his first round he made a direct hit on the enemy tank and with a second round he set the tank on fire. Through S/Sgt. Pool's aggressive action and through the skill of his crew which he had trained he had knocked out one enemy tank and caused the others to withdraw in a matter of minutes whereas the same German vehicles had held up the column for sometime. The column continued the advance with S/Sgt. Pool's tank in the lead. He continued forward with absolute disregard for his own personal safety although the two Mark V tanks had withdrawn behind the next ridge from which it was possible for them to obtain excellent fire positions.

Later on in the advance the head of the task force reached a stream the tanks could not ford. Realizing the importance of keeping the column moving and also realizing the possibility of the enemy having anti-tank guns trained on the bridge, S/Sgt. Pool unhesitatingly advanced, radioing the following tanks to remain in position and cover his advance until he determined whether or not the bridge could be safely crossed. Having crossed the bridge without mishap he continued to lead the task force across the next ridge and into a town where he destroyed four enemy ammunition trucks. Continuing the advance he lead the task force with such speed and daring that the enemy was taken completely by surprise.

The head of the task force reach the night's bivouac area in the vicinity of Cerny, France, just as the darkness was setting in and as S/Sgt. Pool's tank came over the crest of the hill he was fired upon by a Mark V tank. The first round hit just below his right rear idler and the second round ricocheted off the rear deck of his tank. Although visibility was very poor S/Sgt. Pool held his ground and calmly ordered his gunner to fire. The first round--HE (High Explosive)--was a direct hit and caused the enemy crew to abandon their tank. Realizing that the enemy would return during the darkness S/Sgt. Pool requested permission to go forward and set fire to the tank. He went forward with one tank covering him and maneuvered to the flank of the enemy vehicle and with his first round set it on fire. While doing this he came under fire from enemy vehicles located to the left flank. By this time it had become so dark that the enemy vehicles could not be seen. However, S/Sgt. Pool was determined to eliminate this threat to the bivouac area and ordered his gunner to fire at the enemy gun flashes. He fired three rounds, setting one enemy tank on fire and causing the others to disperse. Only after this had been done and S/Sgt. Pool was sure that the enemy threat to the task force had been eliminated, would he agree to return to the area occupied by the balance of his company.

When the task force again moved out on the morning of 31 August S/Sgt. Pool at his own request again headed the column. Moving across country S/Sgt. Pool, ever on the lead to discover any enemy force, killed two enemy bazooka men as he approached a stream. It was discovered that this stream could be crossed only in one place in that vicinity. Information had been received from air observers that an enemy anti-tank gun was behind a hay stack a few hundred yards across the stream. Although he realized the possibility that this gun was zeroed in on the crossing S/Sgt. Pool volunteered to again lead the task force. As he approached the hay stacks no gun could be seen. Therefore he closely examined each hay stack as he came to them. He finally located the gun and destroyed the enemy gun and crew. The tanks then started traveling on the highways, running into the end of several German columns head east. The enemy columns consisted mostly of unarmored wheeled vehicles but also contained some tanks and anti-tank guns. S/Sgt. Pool's tank destroyed a large number of the unarmored vehicles and also one enemy tank and two towed 88 millimeter guns.

At approximately 1400 hours (2 PM) in the vicinity of Barrieux, France, S/Sgt. Pool saw a column of enemy vehicles moving on a road to his left flank. He immediately radioed this information to his Company Commander and moved his tank off the road to a ridge from which he could bring fire to near on the column. S/Sgt. Pool and his crew destroyed thirty-five enemy vehicles and wounded a large number of personnel in this encounter.

The Battalion bivouacked in the vicinity of Barriuex having advanced eleven and three quarter miles during the day..."

U.S. Army Armor School
U.S. Army Center of Military History

08/29/2019

Army Celebrates National Dog Day

Even our four-legged friends are Hero's

08/25/2019

Veteran turned deputy surprised with patrol vehicle honoring his military service

This is Great ❤️

The Clinton County Sheriff's Office in Indiana recently paid tribute to one of their deputies who served in the military.

08/25/2019

Another event where we were able to give back, spread goodness, learn more about our own community, and talk to community leaders such as:

City of Fredericksburg
Mayor Mrs. Mary Katherine Greenlaw
President and CEO of Failsafe-Era
Mrs. Juanita Shanks
Executive Director of Teen Enrichment Network
Mr. Donald Robinson
Associate Director of Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency Mr. Marcus Hodges
Vice President of ATSSA-American Traffic Safety Services Association Mrs. Donna Clark

A special thanks to April and Gratitude With an Attitude for creating the silent auction basket to generate donations, Deneen for having Affordable Home Loans as a Bronze Donor for this event and a big thank you to Steve Gonzalez (Our Preferred Real Estate Agent) for attending and spreading the word about Virginia Homes for Heroes and how we would like to help and give back to the community.

08/25/2019

Some of us were able to get out and get a chance to meet some amazing Heroes at a Veteran Networking Event this past Friday located at American Legion Dyer-Gunnell Post 180.

A special thanks to HireMilitary and those amazing leaders who made this event possible. Thank you Michael Quinn (a LinkedIn Top Voice) and Adam Martinez for all you do!

08/25/2019

A great team coming together and planning our next big event to sponsor a Civilian Department of Defense Organizational Day later this month with the help of MISSION BBQ and our preferred Real Estate Professionals in Virginia:

Preferred Lender:
Deneen Jo Houser Bernard with Affordable Home Loans

Preferred Real Estate Agent:
Steve Gonzalez with Keller Williams Capital Properties (Stafford Office)

Preferred Pop Up Gift Specialist:
April Robertson-Heflin with Gratitude With an Attitude

08/24/2019

What an incredible week it has been. For the staff of Virginia Homes for Heroes it has been an amazing opportunity to not only see our brand grow, but to assist many Heroes in the community as well, which include: Military Personnel, Educators, First Responders, Their Family and MORE!!

A special thank you to our preferred Real Estate Professionals in Virginia:

Preferred Lender:
Deneen Jo Houser Bernard with Affordable Home Loans

Preferred Real Estate Agent:
Steve Gonzalez with Keller Williams Capital Properties Stafford Office

Preferred Pop Up Gift Specialist:
April Robertson-Heflin with Gratitude With an Attitude

Special Recognition to our county and city Homes for Heroes branches who are doing great things and spreading goodness throughout the community:

FXBG Homes For Heroes, Caroline County Homes for Heroes, Homes for Heroes in Virginia's Middle Peninsula & Northern Neck, Homes for Heroes Washington DC Metro, Virginia and Maryland

08/22/2019

Trump signs student debt forgiveness for disabled veterans

Trump signs student debt forgiveness for disabled veterans

Student loan debt held by disabled veterans will be forgiven under an order signed Wednesday by President Donald Trump.

08/19/2019

A little late on the post but Steve Gonzalez and I had a great time at Bourbiz a Veterans Networking Event last week in Maryland. Spreading the word on our efforts and meeting many new people.
Met the owners of Combat Combover whom Steve happened to win an awesome cup from.
As well as many others we met

08/05/2019

To our coast guard Heroes HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

08/01/2019

Not only is it Jolie Atkins Birthday BUT she is also July's Hero of the Month. As a School Counselor within Prince William County Public Schools she serve's as an amazing Hero to all children. Jolie serves with integrity and an amazing heart, for this reason she was nominated and selected as this months Hero. We also found out that she is an amazing entrepreneur who works a second career within Rodan + Fields providing excellent high quality skin care products. Jolie we wish you well in both careers and thank you so much for all you do in being a Hero not only for the children of your school district, but the entire community as a whole.

08/01/2019

Virginia Homes for Heroes updated their website address.

Virginia Homes for Heroes updated their website address.

07/26/2019

Remains of more than 20 American service members killed in bloody WWII battle return home

It's a shame it took so long. Glad to hear they finally made it for a proper burial

More than 20 American service members who were killed in a bloody World War II battle are finally back on U.S. soil – and are one step closer to getting the burials they rightfully deserve.

07/21/2019

Bullet-Riddled U.S. Flag That Survived D-Day Comes Home 75 Years Later

Bullet-Riddled U.S. Flag That Survived D-Day Comes Home 75 Years Later

Shot through by German machine gun bullets and tattered by the wind, an American flag that flew on the first U.S. invading ship on D-Day came home on Thursday in a White House ceremony.

07/20/2019

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07/18/2019

What it will take for the NDAA to pass along bipartisan lines

What it will take for the NDAA to pass along bipartisan lines

This debate comes at a time of rising global tensions. There is no worse time to introduce uncertainty under the guise of scoring political points than now.

07/15/2019

Decorated special forces soldier dies in Afghanistan

RIP Brother... These deaths are too many, the toll unbearable for so many.

40-year-old James G. "Ryan" Sartor was killed Saturday during combat operations in Faryab Province.

07/14/2019

Found this to be very interesting

07/13/2019

Stafford TEACHERS. Tomorrow Walmart is having a teacher appreciation event starting at 12:30pm. Free drinks, cake, ice cream, AND the first 300 teachers get gift bags full of school supplies for free. The Wal-Mart's at Ferry Farm and the Stafford super Wal-Mart are participating. See you there!!

07/12/2019

07/11/2019

Happy ARMORED Force Day!

HAPPY ARMORED FORCE DAY!

After World War I, the National Defense Authorization Act of 1920 placed all Tanks in the U.S. Army under the Infantry Branch. During the following two decades, several Infantry Tank Officers and Cavalry Veterans of the World War I Tank Corps unsuccessfully pushed for an independent Armor branch. In the 1930's, the U.S. Army approved the creation of the 7th Cavalry Brigade (Mechanized) to test the concept of armor-central formations. After years of developing new doctrine and tactics, the Brigade proved itself during the 1940 Louisiana Maneuvers. With mechanized war already raging in Europe, the Chief of Staff of the Army approved the creation of the independent Armored Force on 10 July 1940. The 7th Cavalry Brigade (Mechanized) at Fort Knox became the central core of the 1st Armored Division, while the Infantry Tank units consolidate on Sand Hill at Fort Benning to become the 2nd Armored Division.

07/10/2019

The first female Blue Angel !!
Congratulations Captain Katie Higgins!!

07/09/2019

This campaign needs you now

A battle to upgrade SFC Cashe’s Silver Star to the Medal of Honor is underway check out his story:

Sergeant First Class Alwyn C. Cashe pulled six soldiers from the burning hulk of a Bradley Fighting Vehicle, while himself on fire and under fire from insurgents who set the ambush. He willingly sacrificed his life to rescue his fellow soldiers.

On October 17, 2005, SFC Cashe manned the turret of a Bradley Fighting Vehicle when it hit an IED. The bomb ignited a fuel cell on board, engulfing the vehicle in flames and showering the crew with fuel. SFC Cashe left his hatch unharmed, but drenched in fuel. At the front of the vehicle, the driver sat in his hatch surrounded in fire. Cashe yanked the driver out to the ground and extinguished the flames on his body. As he worked, enemy rounds cracked overhead and impacted around the vehicle in a complex ambush. Ignoring the gunfire, Cashe saw the troop hatch at the rear of the vehicle open. Smoke and flame poured out of the inner compartment, still occupied by 7 soldiers. Cashe ran to the opening and reached inside. His soaked uniform ignited as he pulled soldiers to safety. He returned inside the vehicle a second time, bringing more soldiers out. By the third time SFC Cashe entered the Bradley, his entire uniform burned on his body. More Bradleys arrived shortly after the explosion. Despite suffering 2nd and 3rd degree burns over more than 70% of his body, Cashe refused medical evacuation until all his soldiers were treated first. Six soldiers lived as a direct result of his actions.

Cashe returned to the US for treatment, and passed away from his burns three weeks later in November 2005. For his selfless actions, knowing exactly what the consequences could be, SFC Cashe was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. The medal is currently being contested, and the case being made for an upgrade to the Medal of Honor. Cashe was a veteran of the Gulf War and two combat deployments in Iraq. He was 35 years old at the time of his death.

http://chng.it/dxTfGg4Q6X

Award SFC Alwyn C. Cashe the Medal of Honor

07/09/2019

Desert Camo Paracord Bracelet

Purchases go to a great cause. Placing Service Dogs with Vets who need them. ❤️❤️

07/09/2019

Our Affiliate Page Fredericksburg Homes For Heroes, A Great Team together.... We have the same strong desire to Help Heroes
April Robertson-Heflin
Deneen Jo Houser Bernard

07/08/2019

Photos from County of Orange Fire & EMS's post

07/08/2019

Large memorial made from dog tags of fallen U.S. soldiers is coming to D.C.

Large memorial made from dog tags of fallen U.S. soldiers is coming to D.C.

WASHINGTON (ABC7/WJLA) – The Veterans & Athletes United VAU Fallen Heroes Memorial is coming to the Pentagon in October. On Memorial Day in 2018, the VAU completed their traveling Global War on Terror Memorial flag to honor 7,000 veterans of the War on Terror and Gold Star families. The flag w...

07/05/2019

Our Heroes in Washington D.C. standing guard and preparing for the 4th of July Presidential Announcement.

07/05/2019

As we close out our Independence Day Celebrations. Let us give thanks to those that cannot. To the fine Heroes out there this evening putting out fires, responding to medical emergencies and protecting our streets, ports and homeland. Thank You All for what you do stay safe while you keep us and our families safe and allow us the freedoms to celebrate our nations independence. Good Night and God Bless America 🇺🇸