April, my cousin Amber, her husband Brian, and Ralph

From my cousin Amber on June 19:

I just wanted to touch base with everyone quickly.  Many of you probably know my best friend, April Salazar.  Her husband, and very good friend of ours, Ralph Salazar, left Monday for Iraq.  He is a Blackhawk pilot and Captain in charge of many men and women.  He will be flying as a medic and will probably see more things than I ever want to fathom. 

My request is this – Please keep him in your prayers, and his platoon.  He is headed for Iraq this morning and is taking a flight crew over early to get set up and make sure everything is in order before his men and women arrive.

Please keep him, April and every service member in your prayers….