Headlines and Notes:

See the New National Guard Citizen Soldier Movie: www.1-800-GO-GUARD.com/movie

MAJ(ret) Ed Freeman Memorial

From the Idaho Statesman:
What: The public is invited to a memorial service for retired Army Maj. Ed W. Freemen
When: 11 am Saturday, Aug 23
Where: Capital Christian Center, 2760 E. Fairview Ave, Meridian; the public is invited
Burial: After the memorial, Freeman will be buried with full military honors at the Idaho Veterans Cemetery, 10100 N. Horseshoe Bend Road, Boise.

Comments by Marshall Townsend (President, Gem State Chapter, AUSA)

We all lost a friend this week. Ed was one of the first veterans that I met and he welcomed my family into the Boise Community some 10 years ago.

Information about Ed Freeman's Medal of Honor (MOH) can be found at http://www.mishalov.com/Freeman.html.  This was for his helicopter rescue heroism in the Ia Drang Valley, flying a slick, when the MedEvac people deemed it too dangerous. (I got to meet and have a drink with the survivors of the Ia Drang Valley at the 1st Cav Div reunion in 1991, right after Desert Storm. I met Ed there for the first time, but had no idea who he was.) You can also look him up in We Were Soldiers Once…and Young, Chapter 9, "Brave Aviators"; also the bio sketch in the appendix.  He was also at Pork Chop Hill in Korea, where he received a battlefield commission.

The best part about Ed was that despite being a member of the most elite circle of warriors ever, he never put on airs. He never considered himself above or better than anyone else. He considered himself a simple soldier and an American. He loved to fly, and he love to talk to people. This morning’s paper (Idaho Statesman) had a great article about him. He was an amazing man and the real deal… It was an honor to know him and he will be missed. When I get passionate about what the best-of-the-best looks and acts like… I always think of him. “Too-Tall” was a real gentleman. M.T.

The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Aug 20, 2008 18:17:54 EDT

BOISE, Idaho — Ed Freeman, an Army veteran who was awarded the congressional Medal of Honor for his heroism during the Vietnam War, has died. He was 80.

Freeman’s youngest son, Doug Freeman, says his father died Wednesday in Boise from health complications due to Parkinson’s Disease.

Lt. Col. Tim Marsano, with the Idaho National Guard, says funeral services have been scheduled for Saturday. Freeman will then be buried at the Idaho Veteran’s Cemetery in Boise.

Freeman’s heroics as a flight leader during the war were featured in the 2002 Mel Gibson movie “We Were Soldiers.”

Freeman and another pilot, Bruce Crandall, were credited with saving more than 70 wounded soldiers by flying them to safety during one of the fiercest battles of the Vietnam War.

Crandall was also awarded the Medal of Honor.

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