Heather and her young son grasp tightly to their memories of a marine. At the end of March, just a few weeks before he was to come back home from his 2nd service in the Middle East which he was a volunteer for, he was shot and killed while on duty. His name was Marc Golczynski. While the funeral was going on his child came up to take the American flag. The look on this young boy's face is something that has become a symbol for soldiers and their families. When a news agency asked him about his father he said, "He was a real hero. He served our country." This soldier's devotion to America left his son without a dad. Even after all that pain his son still wants to be in the military.

Richard Arvine Overton is known to be the oldest American Army Veteran and he is already 107 years old. After World War II he returned and built his home in Austin, Texas. During World War II between 1942 and 1945, Overton was deployed in the South Pacific. His secret of long and healthy life was credited to his dynamic and vibrant activities and daily dose of baby aspirin. Being constantly active physically, undergoing regular mental exercisse and alertness are the factors of his longevity as he disclosed during his recognition for his service by the mayor of Austin,Texas, Lee Leffingwell . He emphasized that continuous workouts and a little amount of whisky a day helps him maintain his good health and fitness. He explained that whisky is a good medicine for the retention of good muscles and bones. His comrades and colleagues he has knonw over the decades either perished in the battlefield or died naturally after the war. He is preparing to have retreat in the home he built in Texas after the World War II nn this very especial day. This is the only thing he wanted. Mr. Overton, you rock.

This video shot over time shows the transformation of a United States veteran. Jim fights with with not having a home and his drinking problem, but thankfully the ministries have taken him in and given him a second chance. Jim's change is absolutely amazing, and as shown on the recording, the physical difference has also made him change his life for the better. He's now going to AA meetings for the first time ever. No wonder his last name is Wolf :).

In the United States military forces, war dogs are associated with the troops and they take significant part in the war game. The SEAL Team Six and the most popular "Soldier Dog" named Cairo were commissioned to capture or kill Osama Bin Laden way back in 2011. In the operation, Cairo used his dog senses and canine skills to accomplish the mission of killing Bin Laden. This Dog was effective aid in the triumph of the operation. Other military dogs are used as sniffing dogs to discover threats (similar to what you see at the airports), some are guards and companions of the military troops, some are used for search and rescue operations. The war dogs are also used to guide and lead the soldiers in dark and treacherous places. Closeness and faithfulness are developed between the handlers and trainers. They are genuine lovers of dogs and with their beloved friends, they are an indispensable members of the military. According to Maria Goodavage, author of the new book "Soldier Dogs", dogs' extreme sensitivities and alertness make them great in the battlefield. She added that dog's sense of smell is stronger and greater than human thus they can recognize if danger and fear are at hand much more effectively. Dogs are more vigilant than we are and they are always ready to attack. There is inseparable relationship between trained dog and his military master as they often sleep and eat together, moreover play together. Greatness of military dogs is achieved by the patience and compassion of their handlers. Dog is man's best friend and a great companion and protector in times of danger and war. The training of dogs, especially the Belgian Malinois dogs, is usually conducted in Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. Texas. Training is tough and tiresome for both the handlers and the canines during the preparation for the battlefield or a special mission. The course also includes lessons and training for the development of extreme physical tolerance and mental readiness. Trainers at Lackland are also required to know basic commands in different languages. Some smaller dogs like the tiny Jack Russell terrier "Lars J274" are also included in the Navy services. These dogs are great in sniffing bombs in submarines. Breeding and training of military or war dogs are customary practice in Germany and Netherlands. After the accomplishment of the mission or when the war is over, the military dogs are brought back to the United States and oftentimes are adopted by their handlers which bring them home to their families. However, during Vietnam era, war dogs were treated harshly and the poor dogs were abandoned and even erased after the service. Unfortunately, today dogs are still treated only as tools and instruments in the war instead of co members of the team. In 2012, bipartisan Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act presently proposes its way through both houses of Congress to have clear and definite plan for the retirement, adoption, care and appreciation of military working dogs.

One of the most amazing reunions of a military man and his fiancée I have ever seen. It was an ordinary day for Sarah Cascone, but all that has changed when her Afghanistan deployed fiancée came up on stage. Check out the happiness. It is good to have you home soldier!

Peter Pero served in Iraq while his wife, Anna, faithfully awaited his return home in California. Scar, now calls Indio, California his home too. He was a stray dog roaming the battlefield of Iraq and saved Peter's life when he was deployed there. A very happy end for all is that they are together in land where peace, love and harmony still exist.

This is an amazing story that came out of a war. In Afghanistan 3 dogs saved the lives of 50 men. As a result, two of these dogs were brought home to live with the soldiers that they saved. Some of our men stationed in Afghanistan made friends with some dogs that were living on the street. Later on, when a suicide bomber tried to sneak inside their camp, these dogs alerted the soldiers to their presence, thus saving their lives. It is to show that dogs don't take sides, they just behave as humans should. These dogs are truly the best friend that these men could get!

A soldier came back from working a hard shift when he found a tiny little box that had been put underneath his bed. He had no idea what it was, so he was really careful about how he opened it. Upon opening it he started crying (you will also join in when you find out what was in it). There was a note that said: Dear Patriot, Have a great holiday and a great new year and thank you very much for making sure we are safe. Best regards, Dalton (That probably made you a little emotional) Many of our loyal soldiers won't be able to come home during the holiday season. We just wanted to thank them and wish them a happy Christmas!

Marines went into the plane and put a flag on a soldier's coffin when it came home as the gathered passengers and family gazed on. R.I.P James

Dog is truly man's best friend. It just warms my heart to see how extatic boxer Chuck was when his daddy came home.

The graduation ceremony at Thompson Valley High School on Saturday is bound to be very special for one of the graduates. From behind the curtain a uniformed individual peaked out, but remained hidden. This uniformed gentleman who came the night before was Tim Miller, a Navy Chief Petty Officer. Miller has been stationed in the Persian Gulf for 7 months, but he wanted to be present in his daughter's high school graduation at the Budweiser Events Center, so he requested for a short leave. He said that he left Dubai at nine in the morning the day before and made it just in time to see his girl. He was stationed on one of the small boats that guard the Persian Gulf. The boats were mandated to protect the bigger ships. Obviously, he was very happy to be given permission to come home for his daughter's graduation ceremony. On the stage he told his surprised but overjoyed daughter, Megan that he loved her and this emotional reunion was just the beginning of a really good day for the Miller family. Miller and his daughter were eventually joined by other family members who witnessed the reunion of father and daughter from the audience. Miller is expected for debriefing at Rhode Island for three weeks, but afterward he can come home in June for good. The proud father can then take his daughter off to college. Megan will be going to the University of South Alabama where she'll be part of the volleyball varsity squad.

There is another Super Bowl ad that has touched our hearts, thanks to the beer company that has already sent us reeling. The ad entitled, "A Hero's Welcome," is all about Lt. Chuck Nadd, a 24-year old United States Army serviceman who has just come home from Afghanistan. This 60 second ad is rather simple. The plot is mainly about the homecoming welcome that the Lieutenant's hometown threw to surprise him. The party scenes were set to P. Diddy and Skylar Grey's fitting hit track, "Coming Home." According to the Washington Post, Lt. Nadd was an operations officer and Black Hawk helicopter pilot. The cameras that were following him were, in his belief, related to a documentary that was being made about soldiers. He also thought they would record him making a speech later at an event to be held at Winter Park, Fl. He was sent home one week and a half earlier that he was supposed to go, so he thought that the event was the reason for the early leave. At the airport, Lt. Nadd was welcomed home by Shannon Cantwell, his girlfriend. Cantwell was in Washington D.C. When Lt. Nadd arrived at Winter Park, he was in for the surprise of his life. He was greeted by hundreds of people including his family members, friends, neighbors, and former teachers. There was even a parade in his honor graced by the Clydesdale horses, the famous Budweiser icons. At the end of the ad, Lt. Nadd and his mother who came all the way from Alabama can be seen hugging. Another Budweiser ad tugged at our hearts earlier in the week with "Puppy Love." This one is about a dog that was separated from its home. The ad was released previously this week. Evidently, the beer company has opted to trigger heart-tugging emotions as the theme for its Super Bowl related marketing. Do you have anything to add to this story? If so, leave a comment.