ALL THE WAY BIRTHDAY

L.A. Sheriff’s deputies joined by Patriot Guard Riders, Coffee4Vets, Vets4veterans, Point Man AV and Blue Star Mother’s rolled out a five-star birthday salute Wednesday for Deputy Luis Gaxiola, an 82nd Airborne veteran of Operation Desert Storm and the Iraq war. Gaxiola returned from a tough surgery and hospital stay in time for his 51st birthday celebrated with wife Sylvia, BSM, and mother Esther, plus family and veteran supporters. The 82nd motto, Airborne All The Way.

Let us Honor those brave Marines and their families who sacrificed all in the truest sense of duty and country.

Fifteen Marines and the sailor were participating in a routine training exercise off the coast of San Clemente Island on Thursday when their amphibious assault vehicle began taking on water and sank. Eight Marines were pulled from the water – one died and two others remained hospitalized in critical condition Sunday, the Marines said in a statement.Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard helicopters and ships searched more than I,000 square nautical miles for 40 hours. Search team commanders ultimately determined there was little probability of a successful rescue given the circumstances of the incident, the statement said.“It is with a heavy heart, that I decided to conclude the search and rescue effort,” said Col. Christopher Bronzi. “The steadfast dedication of the Marines, sailors. and Coast Guardsmen to the persistent rescue effort was tremendous.”The vehicle sank in several hundred feet of water off San Clemente Island, about 60 miles off the coast of Camp Pendleton in San Diego County.

AIRMAN’s JOURNEY HOME

Edwards Air Force Base honor guard and Patriot Guard Riders, American Legion Riders of the Antelope Valley provided ceremonial escort for Sr. Airman Cody Chrisman on his final journey home to Colorado.Personnel and volunteers gathered early at Halley Olsen Funeral Home for salute and escort for Chrisman, who was killed in a traffic accident in Rosamond on July 14. Riders and volunteers from Coffee4Vets and Vets4veterans gathered early Friday morning for the final salute and send off before escorted ride to Los Angeles International Airport.Escort and Honors Photos Courtesy Atherine Blanco, Coffee4Vets.