In honor

Sgt. Justin J. Duffy, 31, of Cozad, Neb., a soldier with the 82nd Airborne Division, was killed in Iraq after a road-side bomb exploded near his Humvee.

“Sgt. Justin Duffy was an exceptional NCO and a leader of the highest caliber. He served as an Infantryman with distinction and honor in combat, sacrificing his life for our nation,” said Lt. Col. Kenneth Rector, commander, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne Division. “Our condolences go out to his family and friends as we all mourn his loss.” 

Justin Duffy’s PSD team was responsible for support and protection of a Colonel, a Lieutenant Colonel, and a Command Sergeant Major as well as any visiting generals.

A graduate of the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Duffy joined the Army in June 2007 and became a truck commander with the 82nd Airborne Division in March 2009.

The youngest of three children, Duffy is survived by his parents, Joseph M. and Janet L. Duffy, of Cozad, Neb., and two sisters.

His parents remembered him as the model son.

“We knew from when Justin was a little boy that he would succeed. His desire to serve his country and be a paratrooper is what made him exemplary,” Joseph and Janet Duffy said in a statement. “We supported him and prayed for him every day. Words cannot express how proud we are of him, and he will always be our hero.”

Duffy's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Parachutist Badge.

SGT Justin J. Duffy - KIA 2 Jun 09 - Baghdad, Iraq

http://www.raffertyfunerals.com/sitemaker/sites/raffer0/obit.cgi?user=justin-duffy#

Good news and bad news............

If someone tells you they have good news and bad news, which do you want first? As i think back on times I have encountered this question, I have always wanted the good news first. Now I wonder why that is. I guess if you get good news, that puts you in a good mood. If you are in a good mood then bad news doesn't seem so bad. But think about it this way. If you the bad news first, you can be bummed for a few minutes, but when you get the good news it makes up for the bad news. Therefore you are in a great mood and the bad news is forgotten. If you get the bad first, nothing dampers the good. So which do you prefer to get first, the good or the bad? 

So my good news for the week is that my Celiac's test came back negative. I immediately bought chocolate chip cookies and had several. The bad news is they still don't know what is causing my iron deficiency anemia. I am not sure if that is terribly concerning news, because I have been dealing with this for several years. 

Other good news is that I am flying home for the holiday weekend.  I am at the airport as I speak........or type. To all my Georgia peaches...........see you soon!!

Thought of the day.......

Let's just be realistic. If I have this so called Celiac's disease and the only problem it is causing me is being anemic, is it really necessary to completely change my lifestyle to this gluten free stuff. Why can't I just continue to get iron transfusions when I need them. I'm doubting the cost of an iron transfusion (at least the part that insurance does not pay for) is more than I would spend buying all this organic food.

Thoughts, comments,concerns? Let me know.