Sgt. Stephen Taylor in Iraq.

My name is Ashley and I would like to Salute My Fiance’ Sgt. Stephen Taylor.

He is a Gunner in a Tank. This is his second tour to Iraq. He has been in Charlie Company for 6 years and just reenlisted for another 6 years. He is working with a Great group of guys! I am VERY Proud of him and love him with all my heart and cant wait till he is home SAFE and SOUND were he belongs!

From Baby Gwen, Morning Express Infant Correspondent (as told to Writer Keith)

Hey all … hope all is going well as you are getting ready for a few off days. I have to tell you being a newborn is tough. The eating, the constant visits, the burping. So far all I can eat is formula which as of now only comes in one flavor. Would it kill these people to make something in strawberry or butter pecan? This milk taste is getting old.

I am telling you … eating, burping, sleeping and writing for the Morning Express blog can take a lot out of a little girl.

I am somewhat of a night owl. On any given night, I’ll be up from midnight to 5am. My parents don’t seem to mind. Unfortunately, the only things on tv are infomercials and re-runs of “B.J. & The Bear.”

Speaking of TV, my dad likes to watch of this new show called “Beverly Hills, 90210” with me. It’s on 4 times a day. I have no idea how they can crank out new shows every day. What a dedicated cast. However, I do not like the one the call “Donna.” She couldn’t act her way out of a paper bag.

When we were at the hospital, I got to see my first Red Sox-Yankees game with dad. Every time the one called “A-Rod” came up to bat, we both tensed up. I think daddy got tense because he really doesn’t like him. For me, I think it was gas.

People keep asking me what my opinion is of the president’s plans for revamping the health care system. I give everyone the same answer: “What the heck do you want from me? I’m only 4 weeks old.”

I’ve met a lot of people since I’ve been born. These people who have trouble pronouncing the letter “R” flew down to see me for a few days. They are my “Boston grandparents.” My uncle Danny did a great job of feeding me. Plus my godparents are expecting to have my cousin sometime in January. My godmother told us when we were in the hospital that she was pregnant. Daddy said he knew already because how scared my godfather looked when he held me for the first time.

Daddy says he really misses his car. Before I came home, the doctor told him and mommy that they were forbidden from the three-letter word that brought us to the hospital.

I have these diapers that start out yellow, but turn blue when I need a changing. It’s like wearing a Ziplock bag.

I am only a month old, but I already have a security guard. My dog Barrett stood right in front of me right after he smelled me. He also growled at anyone that tried to get near me. That was nice.

I had my first photo shoot a couple of weeks ago. They were primping and prodding me. Hey: I’ll smile when I want to, bub. And what is with the props like angel wings? What am I? Carrot Top?

When we go for rides, mommy and daddy play classical music because they think it will make me smarter. For God’s sake, I am already writing a blog for a major news organization. At this rate, I’ll be doing math by next month. Can’t a girl get some Skynard or some Grand Funk when we are going around town?

Well that’s it for now. Hope you have a nice weekend.

Producer Aimee

Family, friends, and fans have said a final goodbye to Michael Jackson. Some 20,000 people gathered yesterday in L.A.’s Staples Center for a public memorial service for Jackson. Millions of others round the world watched on television, or via Internet.

The event included a line-up of celebrities, singing and sharing their stories about Jackson.

Singer Smoky Robinson set the tone for the memorial when he read a letter from Diana Ross, who did not attend. In it, Ross explained why she was not there:

“I am trying to find closure. I want you to know that even though I am not there at the Staples Center, I am there in my heart. I have decided to pause and be silent. This feels right for me. Michael was a personal love of mine, a treasured part of my world, part of the fabric of my life in a way that I can’t seem to find words to express.”

Among the others who took the stage were Mariah Carey, who performed Jackson’s “I’ll Be There”; Lionel Richie with “Jesus is Love”; and Usher with “Gone Too Soon.”

Perhaps the most dramatic moment of the service was when Jackson’s 11-year old daughter, Paris, addressed the crowd. She said tearfully: “Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father I could imagine. I just want to say I love him so much.”

What did you think about Tuesday’s service? Did it honor Jackson the right way? What was the most memorable moment?

Blog us with your comments. We’ll be reading some of them on the air this morning on Morning Express with Robin Meade.

Producer Aimee

Throngs of Michael Jackson fans are pouring in to Los Angeles from around the country, and the world, ahead of today’s public memorial.

A fan signs a Michael Jackson poster covered in messages outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles Monday.

The service begins at 1 p.m. ET at the Staples Center downtown. More than 1.6 million people registered for free tickets to what could be the biggest celebrity send-off of all time. A total of 8,750 people were randomly selected to get two tickets each.

It’s not just the crowds, today’s memorial will be a star-studded event as well. It’s expected to feature singers Mariah Carey, Usher, and Stevie Wonder. Among some of the other celebrities participating – Jennifer Hudson, John Mayer, Martin Luther King III and Reverend Al Sharpton.

For those who don’t attend, about 50 theaters around the country – from Washington, D.C. to California – are planning to broadcast the memorial live, for free.

You can get your complete coverage right here on HLN. Showbiz Tonight will broadcast live at 11 a.m. ET. Then watch coverage of the public memorial, hosted by our very own Robin Meade, beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET.

We want to know what you think about today’s event. What are your feelings about today’s public memorial? How will you remember Jackson? Do you plan to watch today’s service, either in person – or on TV?

Share your comments … and we’ll be sure to read some of them on the air!

TV/Web Producer Kate

With 18 months left to serve in her term as Alaska governor, Sarah Palin announced on Friday that she would step down from her post, in order to serve what she cryptically referred to as a “higher calling.”

Palin will step down as governor of Alaska this month.

It remains to be seen whether Palin’s ‘calling’ will consist of a bid for President in 2012. Palin explained that she is resigning because she doesn’t think it would be good for Alaska if she served her last 18 months as a lame duck.

Critics of Palin’s decision say that whatever her reasons for resigning, walking away from her responsibilities as an elected official is a questionable move, at best.

We asked Morning Express viewers for their take on Palin’s resignation. Below are a selection of their responses, some of which have been edited for length and clarity.

- I certainly would not vote for someone who quits on her voters because she has a “higher calling.” Thank goodness she is not our VP … would she leave that post for Hollywood? If the media attention is too much, then politics is not for you, Sarah. Maybe Rush can give her a job. – Joanie in Peoria, Illinois

- I think she should’ve stayed in office cause she might have a better chance at a nomination for president.

- Sarah Palin makes very intentional moves, this is what she needed to do in order to clear a path & set the stage for what will be a very public next year!

- I think Gov. Palin resigned due to all the negative media coverage of her and her family. She has been repeatedly attacked by the Democrats and supported very little by her own party. – Randy in Alpharetta, Georgia

- I bet a baby with special needs is harder than she thought. – Julie

- I think Palin should move to South Carolina and replace Gov. Sanford so he can move on with his life. – Concerned resident of South Carolina

- Regarding Palin – Sounds like a great Presidential candidate, the people vote her in and then she quits before serving her term. – Matt in North Carolina

- Governor Palin could have made a substantial presidential run, but people won’t vote for a quitter, so I hope her reasons are for it are adequate.

- I am tired of hearing about Palin, an inexperienced politician who was LUCKY to be chosen to represent Alaska & only received notoriety by her looks. – MiMi

- She is a quitter. She was elected to be the governor of Alaska and she is quitting. Guess that is better then quitting as vice president.

- I don’t care why she quit but I’m sure this is the end of her political career. I won’t vote for someone who might quit.

- Palin’s resignation, on the surface, is merely a demand for attention. Beyond this shallow pursuit of her ‘higher calling’, she’s relying on what?

- I am THRILLED that Palin is leaving office! Hopefully, the execution of wolves will stop with her out of control!

- It’s a sad day for this country when we need people like her.

- I wish people would leave Sarah Palin alone. She said she was leaving for a higher calling. Being a mother is often referred to as a higher calling, maybe she just wants to be more hands on with her kids. – Connie in Frisco, Texas

- Palin quitting early is a BAD MOVE. If she quits Governor how can the people trust a quitter to be elected as a President?! — Brian in Ft. Myers, Florida

- Palin flying the coop just makes me more comfortable that there’s less of a chance she could ever get into the white house! – J Roach in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania

- Palin rocks! Dems are just afraid of her! – Kathy in Virginia

- Sarah Palin is too much of a freak show for America to trust. – Stuart in Iowa

- I think Sarah Palin realized she should quit now instead of continuously embarrassing herself as she is not a great speaker.

- Sarah Palin has done yet another silly thing that makes her even more unelectable at the national level! – Martha in Kentucky

- I think if Gov. Palin felt it was time to go then she did the right thing and the Dems should just back off and leave her alone.

- Something more has to be brewing for her to just quit like that … there will probably be a scandal soon.

- I can’t understand why someone who wants to be considered for national office would quit in the middle? Would she have quit if VP job was too hard?

- Sarah P. is a very smart lady. I support her decision. – Vic in Lubbock, Texas

- Sarah Palin should run as a third party. Enough of the republicans and the democrats voting as a block instead of what is in the interest of the American people. – Katie in Wild Rose, Wisconsin

- I hope Sarah Palin is running our country in the future.

- I think that this another publicity stunt. She wants to keep her name out there. – Juanita in Arkansas

- Palin once again showed poor judgment. Why not finish what you started? Would she quit again if elected to another office? Who knows. – Cathy

- I think we need to remember that she is human and she should know what’s best for her and her family and life.

- Good! I’m glad she’s leaving office. I’ll bet it has to do with personal family reasons. Hopefully she’ll disappear into obscurity! – Dee in Dover, Delaware

- What happens if she’s elected President in 2012 and then when she’s a lame duck in 2016 – is she going to just walk away then? No one likes a quitter. She was elected Governor for a full term. Not just elected Governor until she is no longer interested in it or she feels she has something better to do. — D.L. in Crescent City, Florida

Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen

This is the last week of heavy training for the Napa to Sonoma half marathon. I know everybody from Team Challenge is feeling strong, and they should be.

The treadmill: can't live with it, can't live without it.

Bringing attention to Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America by getting ready to run a marathon has been real tough, but totally rewarding. Check out this site to watch a little bit about it.

This past week was hard for me training wise. I had to run 11 miles Sunday, but it was raining hard in Atlanta and it forced me to run the treadmill.

I was stupid, trying to run fast (about 8:30 pace) just to get it over with quicker, and it just about ruined me. I got dehydrated and dizzy, and wanted to quit at mile 8.56, but managed to finish off the 11 miles at a 9:40 pace without firing myself off the back of the mill and through the wall.

I’m happy to kill myself running for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, though. These diseases are being found in children as young as 18 months! An estimated two-thirds to three-fourths of children with Crohn’s disease will require one or more operations in their lifetime.

I feel like bringing attention to the foundation is the least I can do when I hear stats like that. If you want to support me by making a donataion to CCFA, please do so here.

This week’s training is exceptionally brutal:

Monday: Rest, weights
Tuesday: weights, 5 mile run
Wednesday: weights, 10 1/4 mile sprints with 2 minutes rest between each one
thursday: weights, 3 mile run
Friday: weights, rest
Saturday: 3 mile at 8:20 pace
Sunday: 12 miles (outside this time, no matter what the weather!!)

A California teacher put together a class highlights DVD for her students, but it included 6 seconds from the teacher’s own personal sex tape. Watch as Natasha Curry, fill-in anchor for “Morning Express with Robin Meade” explains:

Apparently, since the it was an unintentional mistake, the teacher won’t face charges. What do you think??

Leave your thoughts in the comments field

Anchor Robin Meade

Yesterday morning our VIP tour came through the studio like it does every Thursday, and I stopped to chat with the viewers afterward. I was struck by one of them, who said she loved watching our daily “Salute to Troops” segment on “Morning Express with Robin Meade” and she thanked me profusely for showing the segment on air.

Robin Meade would like to wish a safe and happy holiday to servicemembers and their families.

I thought to myself, ‘Ah she must know some folks in the military … or maybe her father or grandfather fought on a foreign shore … or maybe she’s a patriotic woman especially feeling the red white and blue headed into the Fourth of July weekend.’

Here’s what I learned about her during our chat: She is not only a viewer grateful to our current troops who are serving in harm’s way, but she is also a veteran and has just retired after 28 years in the service.

28 years!

I told her, in so many words, “Wait a minute … don’t thank me for a TV segment, let the rest of us thank you for your service!”

It’s in these moments we are reminded of the stellar character of our military men and women who are so selfless in doing their job.

So as the rest of us celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, hotdogs and parades….a big thank you and salute to all the servicemembers who can’t be home this holiday weekend … because you are doing your job.

It’s an effort for which we are all grateful. Thank you for your service!

Christina Fanitzi shares the story of how she and her husband, both servicemembers, were treated to a surprise dream wedding.

SP4 Brendan H. DeLaTorre has been an EMT since he was 16 years old and is now a combat medic stationed in Iraq.

My son, Specialist Fourth Class Brendan H. DeLaTorre, is currently serving in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, stationed at Saab al Bor, Iraq.

Brendan has been an EMT since he was 16 years old and is now a combat medic with 2w/104 CAV.

We just want him to know how proud his father and I are of him! We’re looking forward to his safe return home this upcoming September.

–Cynthia DeLaTorre

See all of your Salutes here

Share your Salute with iReport.com