Iraqi war veteran was killed buying an iPad through Craigslist by the sellers, brothers in Indianapolis. The iPad was intended to be a Christmas gift for a parent in his family. The murderers were only 18 and 19 years old on the west side of Indianapolis. Sadly, the deceased, James Vester, just 32 years old, was a father of one year old baby boy. He served in the Indiana National Guard as well as being deployed to the Iraqi war zone. James Vester's fellow National Guard members all know he was a dedicated Soldier for 12 years and proud father. To help his family they have started a fundraiser, donations can be given at www.YouCaring.com. Sergeant Major Williams, Tony, said, "He had a huge heart and he was the type of person you could depend on." R.I.P. The two brothers, Tyshaune Kincade (18) and Tyron Kincade (19) are being held without bond in the Marion County Jail. On Monday they were charged with robbery and murder for shooting James Vester to death on Wednesday in a parking lot located in the west side of Indianapolis.

Have you ever noticed that at some cemeteries, on the headstone, you can find coins left on them. Did you ever wonder where they came from and WHY they were there? If these coins were left on a soldier's grave who lost his live while in the US military then there are different meanings based upon which type of coin someone left. By leaving a coin on a soldier's grave it is meant as a sign of respect for the family. If you just leave a penny it simply means that you have been there. It's not disrespectful, but it doesn't carry special meaning. If there's a nickel it means that the person who left it participated in training with the deceased. If a dime is left then it means that the person who left it served with the deceased. A quarter left indicates that the person was with the deceased at the time of their death. The money left at the graves is eventually collected and used for the general upkeep and for helping people with the costs of burying their loved ones at the cemetery. In the United States it started to be normal for people to do this during the time of the Vietnam War since there was such a separation of viewpoints towards the war at the time. It was an easier way to show your support towards the family than contacting them. You should show your respect without risking a political confrontation with the family. In some circumstances the coins left were a symbol of treating their friends to a beer when they finally met up again in the world beyond. This tradition can be seen as far back as the Romans where they also did the same practice. Have you ever left a coin?

Everyone loves to watch a video where a soldier gives a surprise to his loved ones! In this one you get to see it the other way around, the soldier's family surprise HIM!

Wow, what a wonderful family event. At the Bentley HS homecoming party an enlisted sibling came out to awe her footballer younger brother. I get teary eyed every time I watch this sister/brother reunion.

Let's extend a gratifying thank you to all our military personnel for their unprecedented sacrifice, so we can keep living in our freedom. We shall always remember that our freedom is far from being free. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Serving our country is patriotic and self-sacrificing. Everyone should ask themselves if they really have the courage or were patriotic enough to leave their family and friends, by choice. This choice can go on for months or have no clear end in sight, all to defend the idea of helping people you don't know, understand, may never meet, just so they could have a small taste of the benefits of freedom we have in America. Everyday, Americans, men and women, take this brave proactive step and continue to preserve our freedom and hope that others unbeknownst to us may one day be fortunate enough to experience this as well. Help honor our military and share!

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

The federal government shutdown gives an adverse and negative result to some families whose loved ones are killed for the service of the nation. They will not receive the assistance and aid from the government to cover the cost of funeral and other expenses entitled to them by the death of their beloved. The denial of support brings more pain and suffering to the family. Over the weekend, five U.S. service members were slayed in Afghanistan and their families were informed that they will not receive the $100,000.00 for burial expenses and death gratuity. Generally this benefit is received within 36 hours from the time of death. The money is used to help the surviving family needs until they recuperate. The amount is also used to augment the budget of flying to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to view the remains of their loved ones in flag-draped caskets. According to Gayle Tzemach Lemmon of the Council on Foreign Relations, the government in Washington is not in session, however, we are still requiring people to go to war for us. And if something happens, the rest of the families are left hanging. What are your thoughts?

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.

Nobuo Fujita has a place in history for being the only Japanese Navy Pilot to have successfully conducted an aircraft-dropped bombing with incendiaries over continental US soil during the Second World War. Fujita was assigned the mission to start forest fires in Pacific Northwest. He was supposed to start the fires at Brookings in Oregon. Although flames were lit from his airborne attack, the damage to property was minor. This is where the story gets interesting. A resident of Brookings, Oregon invited Nobuo Fujita to America. The invitation was accepted by the Japanese Navy pilot after he and his country were assured that he won't be tried as a war criminal once he stepped on US soil. When Fujita arrived at Brookings, he brought with him a 400-year old samurai sword. The sword had been with his family for generations. It was the sword that Fujita intended to use to commit hara-kiri if Brookings would be hostile to him. He felt very shameful of his actions at the time of the war, but the residents of Brookings welcomed him warmly. He was treated with affection and respect. Fujita eventually presented the sword to the town as a token of friendship. Although his initial visit elicited controversy, Fujita went back to Brookings a few more times. He was made an honorary citizen before he died at the ripe age of 85. What is this about? Forgiving but never forgetting? Share your thoughts.

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.