World's Longest Trans-Atlantic Flats Boat Voyage Benefits Wounded Heroes

/PRNewswire/ -- Two Florida brothers, Ralph and Robert Brown, will take to the high seas on the world's longest trans-Atlantic voyage in a 21-foot flats boat on June 27 to raise $3 million for military charities in the name of fallen Marines. The I Am Second Wounded Hero Voyage Crossing the Atlantic Presented by Interstate Batteries will embark on a 48-day, 6,200-mile trip from Tampa, Fla., to Hamburg, Germany that includes 20 stops along the North American and European Atlantic coasts.

The Browns will use the Intruder-21, the same vessel which landed them in the "Guinness Book of World Records" in 2007. The pair is out to prove the humble boat they designed and built, capable of sailing in two inches of water, can also weather the rough Atlantic seas. The trip fulfills a 29-year promise by Marine veteran Ralph Brown to honor three fallen comrades (Sgt. John D. Harvey, Cpl. George N. Holmes Jr. and Staff Sgt. Dewey L. Johnson) who died on a 1980 mission.

The brothers will sell T-shirts and attract sponsors to raise money benefitting active and retired military personnel through the USO, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project, Wounded Warrior Regiment, Military Ministry, Help for Heroes (Britain) and a Canadian organization to be determined. The ambitious voyage embodies the mission of the I am Second movement and is sponsored by Interstate Batteries, which provided three of its "outrageously dependable" batteries to power the boat.

"This trip became a reality when I recently met Norm Miller at a prayer meeting," said Ralph Brown. "We had volunteers and donated gear but no major sponsors to fund the voyage until I am Second and Interstate Batteries came onboard."

Miller, Interstate Batteries Chairman, is the visionary behind I am Second, a campaign designed to help people discover their purpose in life by putting God first. On the IamSecond.com Web site, celebrities, athletes, pastors and everyday people share their personal stories of struggle, transformation and restoration.

"Ralph's incredible faith and unwavering patriotism allow him to realize this monumental voyage and remember his fallen comrades," said Miller. "These brothers embody the true meaning of I am Second and we're honored to be a part of their selfless journey."

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More info on Sgt. Jeffrey Jordan; Services Today at 11

The details honoring Sgt. Jeffrey Jordan's return home are being completed. The services include:

On Thursday between 0900 and 1100, Sgt Jordan's remains will arrive at Russell Field.
A procession led by the Patriot Guard Riders will take the body to Henderson and Sons Funeral Home on Maple Street near Lindale. It is presumed the route will be Martha Berry Highway South, left on Turner McCall Boulevard, right on Broad Street to 2nd Avenue. Left onto 2nd Ave. to Maple Street to Henderson and Sons.

Visitation will be held at Henderson and Sons Thursday afternoon or evening. Contact Henderson and Sons for times.

Services will be held Friday 1100 at Pleasant Valley South Baptist Church. Interment will be afterward at Oak Knoll Cemetery.

Please check Rome News-Tribune and other news sources Wednesday and Thursday to confirm this information or any changes.

It is hoped that the community will honor and respect Sgt. Jordan by lining the procession route from Russell Field to Henderson and Sons. The Russell Field/Armuchee portion and Broad Street areas are particularly appropriate. Flags, prayers, and salutes will be warranted and everyone is encouraged to be there and have a flag.

God bless Sgt. Jordan and the family and thank you all for honoring them.

Sgt. Jeffery Jordan

We received the following AFTER Sgt. Jeffery Jordan was flown home, the procession noted in the invitation is over. However, we still wanted to pass it along in hopes that possibly some in the Rome / Armuchee, Georgia area might want to look up the funeral home and attend or otherwise honor Jordan.

This is from a Facebook group:

We would like to invite everyone in our group to attend the processional honoring a great American Hero who paid the ultimate price for his country last Thursday. Sgt. Jeffery Jordan will be flown into Russell Airport in Armuchee sometime between 9am-11am Thursday June 11. We have been asked to line the streets between the Airport and Broadstreet as a sign of appreciation for his service and honor his family during their time of loss. We should honor his life and dedication to his country.

Layla Shipman
Coordinator,
Rome Tea Party Org.
Vice Chairwoman,
Rome Young Republicans
706-853-9014

Services for SFC John C. Beale, Killed in Action, Afghanistan June 4

Please help honor McDonough resident Sergeant First Class John C. Beale June 11th.

This is to update you on the escort route for the body of Sergeant First Class John C. Beale who was killed in action last week in Afghanistan.

The body of Sergeant First Class John C. Beale will arrive at Falcon Field in Fayette County tomorrow, June 11, 2009, at 6 p.m. to be escorted to Cannon-Cleveland Funeral Home by the Henry County Police Department. As the family would like some time to themselves at the airport, Police do not expect to begin the procession until 6:15 at the earliest.

The following is the route (From Falcon Field in Fayette County):

Dividend Drive to Highway 74
Highway 74 to Highway 85
Highway 85 to Highway 54
Highway 54 to McDonough Rd.
McDonough Road to Jonesboro Rd.
Jonesboro Road to McDonough Square
McDonough Square to Highway 42
Highway 42 to Brannon Road to Cannon Cleveland

Please spread the word to your friends and family, as we would like all those who are able to line the streets along the route to help honor this fallen hero and give him the welcome he deserves.