Latest news with #BobbyRay
BBC News
13-06-2025
- BBC News
West Midlands PCC donates bleed kits to 'commendable' Birmingham teen
A teenage florist who used tips and donations to by bleed control kits for his community has been given a further two kits in a donation from the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).Bobby-Ray, 16, from Yardley, Birmingham, decided to raise money for life-saving kits after friends had knives pulled on started his business, Bobby's Flowers, in March and the kits have cost £112 Simon Foster said Bobby-Ray had shown "remarkable leadership" by raising money to provide the equipment. The teenager previously said he was grateful for everyone who had visited a shop outside his mother's former cafe in opened his second shop in Hall Green in April. Foster said the boy's actions were "a testament to the positive impact young people can have in preventing harm and saving lives".The PCC stated he was "really impressed" by the teenager and "his outstanding initiative and commendable dedication to our community". "Bobby-Ray's efforts align with my commitment to prevent and tackle knife crime and to ensure the safety of our residents. "Last year, I distributed 420 bleed control kits across the West Midlands, and it is heartening to see young people like Bobby-Ray taking up this vital cause." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
GMA Network
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Zeinab Harake, Bobby Ray Parks exchange 'I dos' in romantic wedding video
Zeinab Harake and Bobby Ray Parks have tied the knot! The vlogger shared their 40-minute wedding video on her YouTube channel, which was held in Tagaytay on June 1. It had the hashtag, #ZEINABfoundherRAYtone. The venue was decorated with a silver runway and red roses. Among the guests spotted were Hans Sy, Yassi Pressman, Toni Gonzaga, Paul Soriano, Alex Gonzaga, and Awra Briguela. Zeinab wore an elegant lace gown exclusively designed for her by Michael Cinco. Bobby Ray wore a dapper black tuxedo with a white rose. Zeinab's son Lucas was the ring bearer, whereas Bia was the flower girl. Ahead of the wedding, Zeinab read her vows for the video and said, 'Finally, I got the right one for me and for my kids. We are safe now with you.' Meanwhile, Bobby Ray told Zeinab in his vows that he will commit to her 'with an unconditional love.' 'I will honor, support, comfort, and protect you. I will be faithful to you, I will never leave you nor forsake you. I love you beyond all measure. Trust me when I say there will be no other person I would eat yakiniku with.' Bobby Ray added that he will be there for Zeinab and her needs. He said he will provide 'love and leadership, and spiritual covering for you and our children.' He also has a message for Lucas and Bia: 'To my son and daughter, I promise to be the best daddy I can be, who would love and protect you all. But most importantly who will help raise you both to be god-fearing children.' In her vows, Zeinab said, 'I will choose you everyday, even on the days when it's hard. Lalo na 'pag magkalayo tayo, lagi kitang hihintayin hangga't sa makauwi ka sa 'min. I know LDR is hard, but not having you in my life is harder.' She also thanked Bobby Ray for loving and taking care of her and her kids, adding that they are blessed to have him. 'We promise to cheer you in every game and love you as our lifetime family.' The couple exchanged their 'I dos' with Zeinab's father by her side. Bobby Ray asked for Zeinab's hand in marriage with a grand proposal in July 2024. Then in September, Zeinab proposed to the basketball player in Japan. Prior to the wedding, the couple had a dreamy photoshoot. —Nika Roque/JCB, GMA Integrated News
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Memorial Day 2025: Remembering Bobby Ray, a Tennessee hero who died in Vietnam
In the winter of 1960, snow fell gently from the gray skies over McMinnville, Tennessee. The ground was so frigid that each lacy flake was determined not to melt, no matter where it landed. Quickly, school buses filled with kids, taking them home. Just as quickly, mittens, boots, and layers replaced dresses and jeans. Good snow meant sledding down many hills in our little town east of Nashville, a shared joy that united us. When one hill was too packed with kids, it was easy to find another. One day, a group of us found a hill behind the Rays' house. Mary Ray and her brother Bobby hosted sled riders and daredevils. One had to be brave because their hill was littered with trees. Trees can stop a thrilling ride quickly, as I quickly learned. My old wooden sled, a remnant from my father's youth, was destroyed when I crashed it into a tree trunk that refused to move out of my way. I landed face down in a pile of snow, and when the other children realized I would need no last rites, laughter began to fill the air. I must admit, I was a funny mess. When I glanced at a group of boys laughing, one face stood out in my memory: Bobby Ray. His blond hair framed a teenage face radiant with joy, kindness and goodness. Everyone admired him and his sister, but we were unaware that we were in the presence of a fearless hero. I moved to Georgia shortly after that fateful snow day and never saw the Ray family or many of my peers again. Yet the memories of those joyful, carefree days spent with friends still stay with me. The 1960s were a significant period of change for many American teenagers, though not all of it was positive. Snow-covered hills transformed into rice paddies, and sleds were replaced by tanks. The sounds of laughter were drowned out by the blasts of gunfire and grenades as the Vietnam War took center stage. Opinion: 50 years after the Vietnam War ended, its veterans deserve our gratitude After college, Bobby joined the U.S. Navy and became a Hospital Corpsman Second Class. He was assigned to Battery D, 2D Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division in Vietnam. During the early morning hours of March 19, 1969, an enemy force penetrated Bobby's battalion near An Hoa combat base. The initial blast of fire caused numerous casualties as the group hustled to fight the enemy with rockets and mortars. Bobby was injured, but he refused medical assistance. Instead, he continued to minister to those in need. While bandaging and comforting others, he also fought back against the enemy with gunfire. He was rapidly losing strength from his severe wounds, but he managed to navigate through hostile fire to provide medical care. As he bravely fought, Bobby ran out of ammunition and soon suffered fatal wounds. In a final act of heroism, he chose to protect a severely injured soldier, throwing himself on top of his wounded comrade just as an enemy grenade exploded nearby. He saved the man's life but sacrificed his own in the process. David Robert Ray was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor on April 20, 1970. Bobby is one of thousands who valiantly gave their lives to maintain America's freedom. Since our nation began, we have lost nearly 685,000 warriors in battle, excluding the Civil War. Many more died from war-related injuries and accidents. Those service members who never experienced another snowfall in winter or basked in the summer sun are a blessing to those who survived war. They are the reason our nation is remarkable. In my living room, there is a large white book that reminds me of the sacrifices made by soldiers to keep us safe. Titled "I'm Ready to Talk" by Robert Babcock, it contains 160 stories from individuals, like Bobby, who served in Vietnam. Many of these veterans returned with lasting scars from the war. Approximately 2.7 million American men and women served during the Vietnam War, and over 58,000 didn't return home. How many stories are left unknown, words unsaid, stolen by time? More: Meet the Vietnam War-era veteran who refused to be disqualified from joining the military How many fallen heroes received no medals or awards? How many are, instead, buried beneath the earth, somewhere in the world, because they simply did what they were asked to do: serve America. We are individuals with short attention spans who often overlook the significant cost of maintaining our bliss while sledding down hills with our friends. We are never thankful enough for the valor of our protectors. I often wonder why I only remember Bobby in the crowd that gathered in the snow behind the Ray house that day. Perhaps his face was meant to remind everyone to honor the fallen, the brave, and the powerful spirit of America. David Robert Ray: 2/14/45 - 3/19/69 Lynn Walker Gendusa is a writer in Georgia and the author of the book "Southern Comfort." She is originally from Monterey, Tennessee. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Memorial Day 2025: Remembering a hero who died in Vietnam | Opinion
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Yahoo
Honor Flight of the App. Highlands taking another group of veterans to nation's capital
TELFORD, Tenn. (WJHL) — Honor Flight of the Appalachian Highlands (HFAH) is preparing to take another group of local veterans to Washington, DC, this time thanks to the help from Telford's Grace Brethren Church. HFAH Mission 11 will consist of 21 veterans. The group will depart from Jonesborough on Friday and return on Sunday. During those days, the group will be escorted to several national monuments and war memorials in the city. The Honor Flight missions aim to provide an opportunity for area veterans to visit sites that were created to honor their service to the country. Most Honor Flight veterans have never been to Washington, DC and have never seen the capital's war memorials in person. WATCH: Honor Flight of the Appalachian Highlands Mission 10 'Many of the veterans we serve through Honor Flight have not had the opportunity to visit the memorials in Washington and most were not welcomed home when they returned from serving their country,' said Michelle Shelton-Stewart, HFAH President, in a release. 'Honor Flight of the Appalachian Highlands is on a mission to change that! An HFAH trip gives the veteran healing, closure, support and friendships with other veterans, and upon returning home, it's the community's opportunity to say thank you and welcome home.' News Channel 11 joined HFAH on its most recent trip to Washington, DC, Mission 10, and documented the veterans' reactions and experiences along the way. Participants told News Channel 11 during and after the trip that the opportunity was once in a lifetime. 'As a Vietnam veteran who has traveled on a Honor Flight trip, it is more than a trip; it is an opportunity for veterans to receive the honor they deserve for their military service, sacrifice and valor,' said HFAH Board Member Bobby Ray. 'The weekend is about honoring them and showing them that a grateful nation appreciates and honors their service to our country. Many of these veterans were not welcomed home from their service to our country, and on Sunday, our community can change that as HFAH returns at 5 p.m.' The release from Honor Flight said it invites community members, local organizations and businesses to gather along the group's local departing route to cheer on the coach bus and send veterans off with a smile. HFAH Mission 11 will leave Grace Brethren Church, located at 3337 Highway 11E, at 8 a.m. Friday. The group's motorcoach will be escorted by police to the Virginia state line down Hwy 11E in Jonesborough, onto Boones Creek Rd., merge onto Interstate 26 and then take Interstate 81 into Virginia. Community members are asked to safely line up somewhere along that route with signs, flags and banners. More information on HFAH can be found at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
