Rute Belanger and her husband Army Major John Belanger.

Major John Belanger is on his 4rd deployment. He also has a birthday next month. John joined the military when he was 18 and he is turning 41.

John is my best friend; he is a Transportation Offices assigned to 82nd Division from FT Bragg, NC. John works hard and loves to have fun, especially in sports. He is a great athlete; he has run numerous triathlons and marathons, he plays and coaches hockey. He is very energetic and committed to live a healthy well balanced life.

Happy Birthday sweetheart! We love and miss you and can't wait to see you soon. We are so proud of you!

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Posted by: Salute to Troops
Filed under: Salute to Troops

Navy Senior Airman Benjamin Frank and his children.

We want to salute our Soldier, Sr A Benjamin Frank with the 151st CES, EOD team serving in OEF Afghanistan. He is a Dad, a wrestling buddy, a husband, and a best friend. He has been gone over a month and we miss him like crazy!

Ben has left behind 3 little boys and his princess who writes him daily and are trying to be as strong as they can to help out Mom while Dad is gone. We can't wait for his return home in April.

We love him so much and we are very proud of what he is doing for our family and for the country. Stay strong and keep safe, Love you babe!

- Tera Frank

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Sarah Walker and her husband Army Specialist Wesley Walker.

Specialist Wesley Walker is not only the love of my life, but the most amazing person that I've ever met.

After enlisting in the military straight out of high school, he left his friends and family and moved to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He is constantly giving 100%, regardless of whether or not he feels up to it.

After us only being married for 6 months, he left for Iraq in January of 2009. I never thought I could be so proud of someone as I am of him.

After meeting him once, you will remember him forever. He always can put a smile on your face, even when you're having the worst day. I love Wesley more than anything in the entire world, and am incredibly proud to call such a thoughtful, caring, intelligent, and all around unbelievable person my husband. Every day I'm amazed at how lucky I am.

I never thought at 20 years old that I'd be married, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Wesley makes me proud to call myself an Army wife.

- Sarah Walker

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Michelle Doyen salutes her husband SGT Steven Doyen of the Army Reserves.

Steven and I met almost 4 years ago, we started dating and he never thought twice about sharing a life with myself an my three children from another marriage ... it was all or nothing and it was never a problem.

In 2007 He proposed and was ready to take on a ready made family, also in that year he reenlisted in the Army Reserves, he was due to be done in February but it was something he believed in and I told him he was in the Army when he met me so it was not my decision to make and that whatever he decided I would be there standing beside him! He enlisted for 6 more years.

In Sept. of 2008 we got married which was the most incredible day of our lives, we went on a wonderful honeymoon cruise and everything was amazing. Then we got the news that his unit the 445th TC out of Sac City & Waterloo Iowa were being deployed to Iraq in May/June, it was like a knife went into my heart, it took so many years to find the man of my dreams and now he was leaving me.

In June we had the send off which was one of the saddest, yet most humbling days of my life, I have never been more proud to be an Army wife and an American. Words cannot describe the emotions of that day. Now we sit and wait missing him everyday, our one year wedding anniversary was a very emotional day spending it apart, but I keep telling myself he will come home and we will have 100 more anniversaries together!

Technology is great and has been a life saver we get to Skype and see each other in conversation and I can see for myself that he is alright, it helps a little but sometimes makes it worse because then I miss him even more!

Hopefully he will be back with us safe an sound next June or so, but being an Army wife there will always be the possibility he will leave again, but I will be strong, take care of things at home so he can do his job and come back to us! God bless all our soldiers and their families for all your sacrifices!!!! We love you Sgt. Steven Doyen!!

- Michelle Doyen

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Posted by: Salute to Troops
Filed under: Salute to Troops

Writer Mike

We face some interesting choices some days working to put together Morning Express. Take, for instance, Friday morning … the story about the little boy who might have been carried off on a balloon.

Richard Heene has told reporters that a runaway balloon incident involving his son was 'absolutely no hoax.'

It was one of those stories that had captured peoples' imagination. For several hours last Thursday, huge numbers of people were glued to their sets.

But there was an aspect of the story that was hard to believe. In the footage, the balloon certainly looked lightweight. And the story itself was incredible.

A balloon had broken loose from its tether. Mom and Dad were afraid their little boy might have been carried away. He might still be on board. Or he might have fallen off.

But the kid was actually hiding in the attic.

And then there the interview on CNN. His father asked why he hadn’t come out of hiding. He said, “You guys said we did this for the show.”

What exactly did he mean? What show?

Was the kid acknowledging that the thing was a stunt? Had he let something slip?

We felt it was important to at least evaluate the possibility that the balloon incident was a stunt.

But we had nothing to show it was phony. The parents insisted their fear was real.

So we had a balancing act to perform. Our decision: We ran the sound bite of the kid. And followed it with a comment from the sheriff, insisting that he thought the story was no hoax.

That gave viewers the opportunity to make their own judgments. We told them what we knew at the time.

And that’s an important assessment. Some skepticism about a story often becomes necessary. But if you let too much skepticism creep into your reporting, it would begin to color the story beyond the known facts.

So you play it down the middle. And wait to see.

Filed under: Behind the Scenes

Chances are, you were among the uncounted numbers of people watching the drama unfold as rescuers tried to figure out how to save a little boy floating away with an experimental Mylar balloon.

Of course, it turns out 6 year old Falcon Heene was safe at home the whole time, hiding in the attic.

In an interview on CNN, little Falcon, when asked about the incident, told Wolf Blitzer he heard his parents call for him from the garage. When asked by his father on-air why he didn't respond, the boy replied, "You guys said we did this for the show."

What do you think of this story? Was it a genuine family misunderstanding that could have ended tragically, or an incident that only brought global news coverage for the father's so-called "3D low altitude vehicle." Let us know what you think below, we'll try to get your comments on air on Morning Express with Robin Meade today.

Posted by: Morning Express crew
Filed under: Your Turn

Rachel Beauchene and her husband Army SPC Joshua Beauchene.

SPC Joshua Beauchene is currently on his second deployment to the Middle East. Two weeks after he left to train at Fort Bliss, I found out I was pregnant with our first child.

While this is an amazing and exciting time for us, it has also provided an even greater emotional struggle as he has only able to be home for two weeks of the pregnancy and we are not sure if he will be able to be here for the birth.

While he was home, he came with me to all of my maternity appointments and even a birthing class. He not only showed his love and devotion to me but also to our family and friends by going above and beyond helping them while he was home.

He puts those he loves first and never asks for anything in return. He is my hero, not only as a soldier but as my husband and I am more than lucky to have him in my life!

- Rachel Beauchene

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Adrian Martin and her brother Marine Cpl Erik Martin.

Cpl Erik Martin has been a Marine for five years. When all of his friends were wondering what they were going to wear to the senior prom he was getting ready for boot camp. For that he is brave, intelligent and a hero.

He loves his job and puts his whole heart and soul into it. We just want him to know that while he is over seas he is in our hearts and prayers everyday and we can't wait for him to come home. We love you and miss you very much!

- Adrian Martin

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Posted by: Salute to Troops
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I want to send a salute out to my husband SSG Antron Bailey. He’s on his 3rd year long tour. This one is in Afghanistan.

He left 3 weeks before our 2nd daughter was born and has not met her yet, only through pictures. We miss him like crazy and can’t wait for him to be home with us.

We are all so proud of him and he is a true hero in every way. I can’t wait till he’s home with us and can finally meet our daughter, and we can be a family again! We love you and pray for you everyday.

- Tanya Bailey

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Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen

What's up everybody. I was asked again to be the honorary chairmen for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America's half marathon.

This time it's the Las Vegas Rock and Roll half/full marathon in early December. I was told I didn't have to run this time if I didn't want to, but that would be weak on my part. The people that run with these diseases are tough as nails, and I want to try to be just as strong. It isn't easy, but I may be able to beat my record time of 1 hour 49 minutes for the half marathon.

I'm truly honored to be asked to chair the event again, I guess they liked me this past summer when I did the Napa to Sonoma event! This time I get a crack at MC-ing at the MGM on the strip. That's right, I'm playing Vegas baby!

I have to run a ton to get shaped up, the long run this Sunday is 8 miles. Man, that seems like forever. Wish me luck.

For more information visit CCFA.org

Posted by: Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen
Filed under: Behind the Scenes • Extras