Jayden can't wait for his daddy to come home.

My salute is for my husband Corporal Wilfredo 'Freddy' Jimenez. He's currently serving in southern Afghanistan, his first tour and we can’t wait for him to come home.

He has been in the military for three years now and he is going to his fourth year.

He left before our baby boy was born, a month before. So he won't be meeting him till he comes home.

We both decided not to know the gender, so it was a surprise to both of us. He hasn't met Jayden yet, but we can't wait for him to come home in December.

I just want him to know that we miss him dearly, we LOVE him and there's never a day that goes by that we don't ask God to bring him home safely, as well as for all our men and women out there. We thank you for your service! I love you baby!

We're one day closer! Semper Fi.

- Karen Jimenez

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I would like to send a shout out to my son, 2nd Lt. Tim Biocic.

2nd Lt. Tim Biocic is currently serving in Afghanistan.

2nd Lt. Tim Biocic is in the Army with the 10th Mountain Division and is currently serving in Afghanistan. When he was in the fifth grade, I sent him to a NASA Space Camp and he came home determined to have a military career.

He often would spend his free time with his buddies playing paint ball, in the forest, in full camouflage using whatever military tactics he knew.

He tried to teach me how to play military video games with him and I remember him telling me one time to 'Slice the pie Mom!'

I am so very proud of Tim and pray everyday for his safe return home!

- Jennifer Fox

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Producer Aimee Puvak  

          President Barack Obama sat down for a beer at the White House Thursday with Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates, and James Crowley, the Cambridge, Massachusetts policeman who arrested him earlier this month.  Vice President Joe Biden also joined them. 

Gates was arrested July 16 and accused of disorderly conduct after police responded to a report of a possible burglary at his Boston-area home. The charge was later dropped. The incident sparked a debate about racial profiling and police procedures.  President Obama quickly got involved, saying at a news conference that police had “acted stupidly” in arresting Gates.  But later, the president softened his stance, saying “I could’ve calibrated those words differently.”

Gates and Crowley both seemed upbeat after the 40-minute meeting in the Rose Garden. None of the men apologized.  But Crowley called the meeting “cordial and productive.”  He says they agreed to move forward, rather than dwell on the past.  He said he and Gates plan to meet again.

Gates wrote on his website that he and Crowley need “…to foster greater sympathy… for the daily perils of policing on the one hand and for the genuine fears of racial profiling on the other hand.”

After the meeting, President Obama said in a statement, he was thankful to Gates and Crowley for joining him at for "a friendly, thoughtful conversation.”  The president’s statement went on to say: "Even before we sat down for the beer, I learned that the two gentlemen spent some time together listening to one another, which is a testament to them… I have always believed that what brings us together is stronger than what pulls us apart. I am confident that has happened here tonight, and I am hopeful that all of us are able to draw this positive lesson from this episode." 

So, what do you think about the meeting?  Is there a lesson learned here?  Will it help advance race relations in this country?  Or, was it too much for you? 

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

Posted by: Producer Aimee
Filed under: Your Turn

On Monday, more than 100 law enforcement officials, including four SWAT teams, stormed the home of U.S. native Daniel Patrick Boyd, 39, and Boyd's sons, Dylan Boyd, 22, also known as "Mohammed," and Zakariya Boyd, 20.

Daniel Boyd had fought against the Soviets in Afghanistan.

Authorities are not saying how they learned of the alleged conspiracy, but they have been watching Daniel Boyd for three years.

Now, authorities are searching for an eighth alleged member of a North Carolina group that authorities say plotted "violent jihad" overseas, prosecutors said Tuesday.

Along with Boyd’s and his sons, the other members of the group include Mohammad Omar Aly Hassan, also a U.S.-born citizen; Hysen Sherifi, identified as a native of Kosovo who is a legal permanent resident of the United States; and Hiyad Yaghi and Anes Subasic, both naturalized U.S. citizens.

All seven are accused of engaging in weapons training and military tactics in North Carolina, the Justice Department said.

According to an indictment released Monday, the eighth suspect, described as a North Carolina resident, traveled to Pakistan in October 2008 to "engage in violent jihad." It offered no other information.

Seven other men have been arrested on charges of supporting terrorism and conspiracy to commit murder abroad.

If convicted, the men could face life in prison. They are due to appear back in court tomorrow.

The small town of Willow Spring, North Carolina, where the men live, doesn’t seem like a place you’d expect to find terrorists. The Boyd family’s neighbors are shocked to hear about the charges. People describe Daniel Boyd as a quiet, family-oriented man.

One neighbor even said, “If he’s a terrorist, he’s the nicest terrorist I’ve ever met in my life.”

Authorities believe that Boyd’s terrorism roots run deep, and that he trained in terrorist camps in Pakistan. Boyd’s wife however, has asked the public to suspend judgment and maintains her family’s innocence.

Have a question about this case for Richard? Leave it in the comments field below!

Posted by: TV/Web producer Kate Taylor
Filed under: Behind the Scenes

As Sarah Palin handed over the Alaska governorship this weekend, the wear, tear and resentments of a year on the big stage were evident for the former GOP vice presidential candidate.

Sarah Palin on Sunday says she'll continue to fight 'for what is right, and for truth.'

Her parting words Sunday included a parting shot at the media:

"So how about in honor of the American soldier, you quit making up things. And don't underestimate the wisdom of the people. And one other thing for the media - our new governor has a very nice family, too, so leave his kids alone," she said as she handed off power to Sean Parnell, the lieutenant governor.

Palin's farewell to the governor's office was a three-day rolling picnic, from Wasilla to Anchorage to Fairbanks. Palin, a mother of five, was surrounded by friends and supporters.

We asked Morning Express viewers to weigh in on Palin's resignation, and what they think her future role in politics will be.

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments field below.

- Sarah Palin is right and she should move on to bigger and better things. I am a firm supporter of her values and of her mission! ~Randi in Aztec, New Mexico

- Smart? SMART?! Are people really trying to use this word in the same sentence as "Palin"? – JF in Oak Ridge, Tennessee

- If Palin cant finish one term as governor why would anybody elect her for any job?

- Palin started her national exposure looking like an idiot so it is appropriate she do the same now. – Jess in TN

- Sarah Palin's not the first to get bad press and wont be the last! – Stew in Las Vegas, Nevada

- Sarah Palin comparing herself to a US soldier? Another disjointed speech! She is done.

- Palin just wants attention. And she knows all she has to do is open her mouth and it becomes breaking news she is old news.

- Leave the poor woman alone. She was a mother before governor. Any mom wants to protect her children. – Imelda, Mom 2 an Angel

- I think Palin resigning is the best thing to happen to Alaska. We all think of her as a quitter! – Rebecca

- Palin should just stay in Alaska and take care of her kids. The world has heard enough from her.

- She should have finished the job the voters elected her to do. No one likes a quitter! Voters will remember the slap in the face to all "lame ducks" in office.

- Thank God Palin is out of office and I pray she never returns to politics. She managed to sound worse with each speech she gave.

- Keep your eyes on her she may just be the real change we so disperately need. – Jerrie in South Carolina

- Palin made a choice she felt was right for she and her family. Personally, I think you need to see your commitments through. It's time to let this go.

- Everyone I know admitted they never heard of Sara Palin until the elections so no hearts broken that she's gone and soon forgotten. – Lynda in Georgia

- Just leave Palin alone she s trying to get her family out of the spotlight and put her priorities in order (Family first). – Jen in Virginia

- Palin has not made a smart move in her entire life. She is an embarrassment to women everywhere. – Christy in Tennessee

- People talk about Sarah Palin running for President. We deserve someone extraordinary in that chair, and she is not it!

- I think Mrs. Palin is just saying what many Americans would if they had a national platform. We should be able to protect our families just like famous people.

- I say good riddance! It's probably the first smart move she's made. Good luck to her and her fight for truth. – Ciara in New Jersey

- A great % of Americans are not interested in "polished". We want straight answers that PALIN is known for. She'll have my vote for president. – Joann

- Good move for Palin. Was only way she could battle the biased news media that continues to attack her unfairly. – Mark in Tennessee

- Palin should be quiet. Each time she speaks, idiocy spews forth. And my eyes are tired of the involuntary rolling. – Jen in Illinois

- I say congrats to Palin. I think she was treated unfairly in the media and Hollywood. Look at the mistakes others have made yet did not have the ridicule.

- Palin hasn't made a smart move yet! She's so unpolished, so small-time ... this behavior will never win her the ticket. – Suz in Chicago

- Smart move if Palin wants to run for president. It will allow her to stay in the spotlight in the lower 48.

Posted by: TV/Web producer Kate Taylor
Filed under: Your Turn

CNN Deputy Political Editor Alex Wellen has published his first novel “Lovesick.” Critics are loving it, and so are we!

During his research for the book, he came to some interesting conclusions about love and marriage … including an answer to the question: “Do men really want to get married?”

Check out Alex's interview with Natasha Curry:

Also, visit Alex's Web site and his Facebook page.

Filed under: Extras

Kameron Hernandez, center, and his fellow soldiers.

Kameron Hernandez is a 19-year-old medic airborne soldier with the 82nd Airborne stationed in Baghdad. He is my Boss's son and a good friend of mine.

I wanted to take the time to salute him and his bravery and extend a warm thank you for the immense courage he executes in his duties. Hats off to you Kam – you are our hero and you are in our hearts.

- Jessica Moos, friend, and Tara Laws, mom

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Kinley Jade Long is still waiting to meet her daddy, Sargent Michael Long.

My husband Michael Corey Long is in the marines and is currently serving in Iraq. He just got promoted to Sargent!!

The biggest and most important change in his life has been the birth of his first child Kinley Jade Long. Since he has been deployed in Iraq he missed her birth and has yet to meet his new baby girl.

Kinley can't wait to be in her daddy's arms and Michael can't wait to hold her. Michael is an amazing person and will also be an amazing father.

Please be safe and we love you. We all miss you like crazy!!!!

- Britany Long

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Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen

The race is over, and the dust from the Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon has settled. It was a rocking great time in Northern California this weekend as I competed in the run as the honorary chairman for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.

Bob and his lady after the big race.

I met so many great people from the foundation it made my head spin. The pasta party on Saturday night before the race was awesome, too. I MC'd the event, and met so many people that are battling the diseases and still running that I felt not worthy to even be there.

These people are tough in the truest sense, fighting through pain and still completing the half marathon! Every individual that I had the pleasure to meet had a great story behind them: why they ran and why they felt they had to compete in the race.

They raised over 2.4 million dollars for the fight against Crohn's and Colitis for the half marathon alone! If you want to contribute, please do so here.

The foundation is looking for participants in December's Rock 'N' Roll Las Vegas half marathon now. Check out CCFA.ORG to sign up for that.

I won't be running anytime soon, I think I am done for a while. I just need a break from the time commitment it takes to train for a half marathon. My wife and I needed to find baby sitters just so we could do our long runs. She, btw, kicked butt. She's a gamer and had a great time on the trail.

We ran through vineyards, farms, and ultimately ended up on the Sonoma Square. It was great.

I was just humbled and honored to help raise awareness for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America and want to thank them for letting me be involved with the race. It was the bomb crossing that finish line with the bright orange Team Challenge jersey to a roaring crowd.

Posted by: Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen
Filed under: Extras • Sports

Check out today's salute, from a woman to her fiance.

This salute is from Beth Markham to her fiancé Captain Shaun Conlin Jr. Company commander for 2-12 Infantry Charley Company. Captain Shaun Conlin Jr. is on his 3rd deployment in six years, this time to Afghanistan. He's the company commander of a light infantry company located in North East Afghanistan. He is in the army.

I admire his courage and leadership; he continues to make me so proud. His troops are in good hands as Shaun responds amazing under stress and pressure.

Serving his community and or country continues to be extremely important to him and he hopes to continue to serve our local community when he finishes his time in the military.

When he returns in June of next year, we will be getting married in Seattle and hopefully be able to spend a few years in grad school without the looming threat of another immediate deployment.

He misses cooking his own food and healthy snacks, good coffee, and our dog Roxy.

- Beth Markham

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