USMC: Master Gunner
KIA March 25, 2003
US Army: Master Gunner
KIA May 27, 2003
US Army: Master Gunner
KIA August 9, 2006
Link To Original Post: HereLink To Original Post: Here In honor of LCPL JC Denton, USMC – HQ Btln, 2nd MarDiv. One year ago today I watched my son stand on the parade deck at MCRD San Diego and pin on the Eagle, Globe and Anchor. I have been proud of him before, but never like this. |
Link To Original Post: Here
As y'all have probably been following, I've been discussing the War in Iraq with a new reader, Ted.| This just in from Drudge: Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said that the US military presence in Iraq keeps neighbors from invading his country. "The American presence has always prevented any kind of foreign invasion to Iraq," Talabani said. "That's one of the main reasons why we think that we need an American presence, even symbolical, in the country to prevent our neighbors attacking us," he said at a forum at the Woodrow Wilson Center, a Washington think thank. Talabani also said Baghdad could not "further tolerate" neighbors' interference in its internal affairs. "I think that our neighbors must understand that our patience is limited," he said, refusing to single out countries but adding "we mean all of them." Iraq shares borders with Syria, Iran, Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Asked if there was concern over aggression from Turkey, Talabani said: "I don't think there is any danger for invasion by Turkey to Iraq." Iraq has "good relations" with the government of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and could help Ankara in its conflict with the separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), he said. "We could convince PKK to stop fighting in Turkey," the Iraqi leader said. Talabani also insisted that Iraq would not spiral down into civil war. "There would be no civil war. We have problems, we have some kind of extremists who are fighting against each other. They are not representing the whole society," he said. He also defended the US military presence in Iraq. "The immediate departure of coalition forces would only unleash the terrorists," Talabani said. "I cannot promise when or how the American presence will completely end in Iraq but I can promise that American soldiers do not fight in vain." |
Link To Original Post: Here| Well, looks like I'm sharing the duty with some great people. At midnight last night, I said a small prayer, and finished off the last of the pizza. Woke up at 0500 and grabbed a shower while Mama made coffee. Kissed Mama and drove up to Quantico, THE CROSSROADS OF THE MARINE CORPS, to continue my on-site observations of the contractor doing nothing. In all fairness, they are striping the new turn lane for the Marine Corps Heritage Center. This is also the debut of MY new blogsite, DCProtestWarrior, a link to which is included. Keeping the faith, Oooorahhh, Hooaaaa, and SEMPER FI. |
VETERAN OF WAR IN IRAQ UNABLE TO GET JOBS OR HEALTH INSURANCE IN CANADA Lexington's Darrell Anderson says he would rather come home -- even if it means facing prison for deserting from the U.S. Army -- than continue a lonely and uncertain life in Canada. As for those who brand him a coward, Anderson declares, "I'm a combat veteran; I've been to Baghdad and back. What have they done?" But Anderson insists he has no regrets about fleeing to Canada in January 2005 and publicly opposing the war in Iraq. |
This is just straight-up dishonorable.Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) will chair the powerful Ways and Means Committee if Democrats win control of the House next year, but his main goal in 2007 does not fall within his panel’s jurisdiction. “I can’t stop this war,” a frustrated Rangel said in a recent interview, reiterating his vow to retire from Congress if Democrats fall short of a majority in the House. But when pressed on how he could stop the war even if Democrats control the House during the last years of President Bush’s second term, Rangel paused before saying, “You’ve got to be able to pay for the war, don’t you?” Rangel’s views on funding the war are shared by many of his colleagues – especially within the 73-member Out of Iraq Caucus. Some Democratic legislators want to halt funding for the war immediately, while others say they would allocate money for activities such as reconstruction, setting up international security forces, and the ultimate withdrawal of U.S. troops. “Personally, I wouldn’t spend another dime [on the war,]” said Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.). Woolsey is among the Democrats in Congress who are hoping to control the power of the purse in 2007 to force an end to the war. Woolsey and some of her colleagues note that Congress helped force the end of Vietnam War by refusing to pay for it. |
| WASHINGTON — It was not a mistake to go into Iraq, and U.S. forces stationed there have not caused an increase in terror around the world, President Bush said Tuesday. Responding to a question by a reporter about a classified National Intelligence Estimate completed last April, Bush questioned why such an old document had appeared on the front pages of major newspapers just six weeks ahead of the November midterm election. "Someone took it upon themselves to leak classified information for political purposes," Bush said from the East Room, where he was holding a press conference with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai. The president rejected claims that the U.S. presence in Iraq has increased terror threats, saying the United States wasn't in Iraq when America was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001; or when the USS Cole was hit; or when the U.S. embassies in Tanzania and Kenya were bombed. "If we weren't in Iraq, they'd find some other excuse because they have ambitions. They kill to achieve their objectives," Bush said. "The best way to protect America is to defeat these killers overseas so we don't have to face them at home." (You MUST read the rest) |
| Dear Master Gunner, The only one's who cheapen this war are the lawless leaders who send our boys and gals into another illegal war. I'm so glad your gun ho, but I sure wish you understood you oath a little better. Read it again. While you are at it, re read the UCMJ. Dear friend it is your OBLIGATION to disobey an illegal and unlawful order. So where does your allegiance reside, with you oath to the US Constitution or to your President? I know you already know that answer. It is you who must answer for your on decisions. Best regards, Mike Ray |
| "I, (Master Gunner), do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God." |
| So where does your allegiance reside, with you oath to the US Constitution or to your President? |
Link To Original Post: Here I'm doing my fast today in honor of Matt Maupin, a local soldier from Batavia, Ohio. He was captured on 04/09/04 in Iraq, in an attack near the Baghdad Airport. He is in the Army Reserve 724th Transportation Company. He was recently promoted to Staff Sergeant. He has a brother who is in the Marines. His parents, Keith and Carolyn Maupin, started a Yellow Ribbon Support Center here in Ohio where they collect necessities for the troops and send out packages. Each package has a picture of Matt. His parents have also donated computers and there are now 3 Matt Maupin computer labs. The computers are equipped with web cams to help soldiers stay in touch with their families.I'll have some pictures up of him at my blog (http://retsin.blogspot.com) and also, if you would like more information about the Yellow Ribbon Support Center or would just like to leave a message for the Maupins, that address is www.yellowribbonsupportcenter.com. Thanks, everybody. To all the troops who read this website, you *are* appreciated! To all the families and friends who support them, God bless you! |
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Okay, this isn't so much for my civilian readers as it is for my military readers:| In these demanding times, we are all Soldiers for freedom. We cannot do our jobs without the support of our families and employers. By nominating a member of your support team, you will recognize them for their valiant effort in supporting a great cause – you! And that’s why you should become a part of the U.S. Army’s Freedom Team Salute. The Freedom Team Salute gives Active, Reserve and National Guard Soldiers an opportunity to recognize parents, spouses and employers for the support and strength they provide, while you serve to protect our freedom and the American way of life. The Freedom Team Salute is a recognition program and provided at no cost to the recipient or nominator. Freedom Team Salute (FTS) is an official program sponsored and funded through the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (M&RA). It is not a fund-raising project but is intended to honor those who support our U.S. Army active-duty Soldiers, Reservists, and Guardsmen, as well as honor U.S. Army veterans who have served this nation, including those who served in the Reserves or Guard. All material is provided at no cost to either the nominator or the recipient. As a special thanks to our Nation's veterans, the Army would like to send a Freedom Team Salute to veterans for their dedicated service and continued support of today's Soldiers. |
| They joined the military into college, or out of the ghetto, or because of its seemingly studly glamour. "I saw a Marine when I was in high school," Sergeant Robert Sarra recalls in a new documentary. "And I was like, that's it! They're mean, they're tough, they got cool uniforms, and chicks dig 'em." That image barely survived through Sarra's basic training--brainwashing, he and other young men now call it. As for combat, he found it less like a Top Gun video game, shooting MiGs out of the sky, and more like Grand Theft Auto, bombing civilians crossing a Baghdad street. Patricia Foulkrod's The Ground Truth, released in theaters last week and available on DVD next week, is both horrifying and hopeful. The first half of the film contains terrible, pulverizing footage from the Iraqi theater and testimony of atrocities that still haunt the men who saw or committed them. The second half is about the challenges these soldiers faced when they returned home, many of them with damaged bodies, most of them forced to relive their nightmares every night. One young man came back and hanged himself with a garden hose; another, fearful of demons attacking him, sleeps with a gun under his bed. For most of the men and women appearing here, the best therapy was getting active: agitating for veterans' rights and a greater awareness of the war's human cost. And there's the hope the film leaves its viewers with. These articulate, caring young people are our best and bravest. Some of them should be in Congress, as the nagging conscience of the U.S. adventure in Iraq. Their passion makes The Ground Truth by far the finest film to emerge from the awful tangle of 9/11 and the Iraq war. |
Link To Original Post: Here Chris managed to get a few days leave before he heads off to his permanent unit. He's home, and I love it, and the days are flying by too quickly! Naturally, he's been dividing his time between his family and friends...somehow, his friends seem to be getting more of his "awake" time-but, I can't begin to express the feeling I get when I look in on him, sleeping in his old room (which is actually now, his sister's room.) I get choked up, seeing them both sleeping so peacefully-my babies....sigh!Yesterday, he and I made a trip to the local Army surplus store. I've never been and was amazed at all the cool Army stuff for sale there! Bumper stickers, banners and t-shirts-Oh My!!! Chris found a 101st license plate for his car, and he educated me on the different uniforms belonging to the different branches of the military. I bought stuff I didn't need, and can't wait to go back for more! I hadn't been "shopping" with Chris for a long time-even before he left for basic training, so I enjoyed every minute of it. All the little things I used to take for granted are now precious memories for me to hold in my heart. Now, every time I go to that little surplus store, I will remember my first trip there-the one I took with my son. |
Link To Original Post: HereI may not have internet access tomorrow. However I will be fasting and will update if possible. This is my favorite quote. I cannot read it without thinking of our brave men and women serving in the United States Armed Forces! Cindy, aka PCMom (btw PC stands for Proud Cav !!!) “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” |
I found an interesting letter in FloridaToday that was written by a reader who called the outrage over the Pope's comments as utter madness.In the latest "religion of peace" lunacy, Muslims are up in arms over a papal quote. Pope Benedict XVI recently repeated the words of a 14th century Byzantine emperor, stating, "Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." Self-evident truth being what it is, we might recall that the Byzantine Empire was eventually conquered by Muslim Ottoman Turks. Isn't it surprising then that some of the loudest outcry over the Pope's quote came from the Turkish government, which made the priceless statement, "Anyone who describes Islam as a religion as intolerant encourages violence"? In other words, Islam is a peaceful religion of tolerance and Muslims will bomb, torture and kill anyone who says otherwise. The Turks also said that the comments are not helpful because Muslims "have been trying to bridge the gap, calling for dialogue and understanding between religions." So that's why Muslims knocked down the Twin Towers. They were planning to use the concrete and steel to build a bridge across the religious divide so we crazy Westerners would realize how peaceful Islam is. |
Link To Original Post: Here| I couldn't be more proud or honored to take on my 4th day of fasting since the beginning of the RVF AND that this day is being shared with my new friend GunnNutt. I FINALLY met GunnNutt a couple of weeks ago when I went to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Freep outside the gates of WR in honor and support of as well as RESPECT to our wounded heroes. Prior to the Freep GunnNutt took me to the Mologne House where I met several of our wounded heroes and some of their families. To say that my life changed on that day would be less than an understatement. Inspirational, motivational, uplifting, emotional (in a positive way), and heart warming are just a FEW of the adjectives I would use to describe the experience at the Mologne House. Fasting, prayers, care packages, cards and email, while important and necessary to show our military how much we love and support them, hardly seem enough for the sacrifices they and their families are making on our behalf. So, today is for ALL deployed military personnel but I'd like to mention a few specifically - my new "friends" at the Mologne House - Chuck, Rob, PD and Mason, ALL of the Civil Affairs Soldiers with whom I have had the privilege of working side by side in Kosovo over the past 14 months and my "adopted" Soldiers now serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo. GunnNutt, as our military personnel often say, I can't think of a better "wingman" to have with me today! |
| BAGHDAD — The Government of Iraq took control of the southern province of Dhi Qar on Thursday in a move Coalition officials called "another sign of progress toward a stable and secure Iraq," placing the country one step closer to full self governance. Dhi Qar is the second of Iraq’s 18 provinces transferred to provincial Iraqi control. With the change in status, Coalition security forces are helping local police and the Iraqi military take full control of security in the region. Coalition officials and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki say they hope to have all 18 of the country’s provinces under Iraqi control by the end of next year. "Today we received the security file for the province of Dhi Qar which follows the handover of Al-Muthanna," al-Maliki said during the handover ceremony. "We will continue to receive control of other provinces as we manage to get our country back from the hands of the Ba’ath dictatorship." (Read More) |
 WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Army is ending its best recruiting year since 1997 and expecting similar success in 2007, despite the weight of grim war news from Iraq, Army Secretary Francis Harvey said Thursday.In an Associated Press interview, Harvey said the Army will enlist its 80,000th soldier on Friday, reaching its goal for the year with eight days to spare. That is a considerable turnaround from last year when the Army missed its target for the first time since 1999 and by the widest margin in more than two decades. (Read More) |
Link To Original Post: HereLink To Original Post: HereLink To Original Post: HereI 'd like to dedicate my fast to one of the most prominent of the one'sthis is all about. Specialist Casey Sheehan. If you haven't already read his story I suggest you do so. It's really an awesome story. It shows how dedicated SPC Sheehan was to what he was doing.There is an awesome story about him here. I truly believe I am so blessed to have been born in this country. When I think about what a great life I have I also think about those who are away from their family and friends keeping my life safe and as I know it. And because I'm me, I can't help but make one small smarty pants comment :) Thanks MG and Cav Tanker and all the others for staying those dozen or so steps between me and that burka over there. |
| Why is it so difficult for people to realize that we need to finish our work here? Perhaps I lack a strategic political perspective, but I just can't understand why Americans don't want us to accomplish our mission. They may say they support us and I've said my piece on that issue, but opposing our mission while we're fighting and dying for it is just plain nuts. I fear that petty politics and short-sightedness at home are now our biggest obstacles to victory here in Iraq. On another issue, I was talking with a buddy a while ago and we started talking about staying in versus leaving Iraq. He brought up the point that people say that we should leave Iraq so that the money used to support us here could be spent on things like health care. He then made the point that defense spending IS health care spending, it's a national life-insurance policy. (Read More) |
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...But dammit, I wish that I was 17 years old again! If I would see a recruiting poster like this, I'd sign up in a heartbeat!
H/T to LittleGreenFootballs...
| WASHINGTON - US President George W. Bush declared Friday that he has no intention of meeting with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during his visit to the United Nations headquarters in New York next week. Bush and Ahmadinejad are expected to carry speeches Tuesday in front of the UN General Assembly, with Bush’s oration scheduled for the morning hours and Ahmadinejad’s for the evening. Bush addressed the press at the White House’s Rose Garden Friday. When asked whether he would take advantage of the opportunity to meet with the Iranian president, he responded unequivocally, “No. No I will not meet with him.” (Read More) |
| Ahead of his departure to New York to address the UN General Assembly, Bush expressed dissatisfaction with the organization. He said the Americans were frustrated with the functioning of the UN. Speaking of the situation in Darfur, Bush said: “The problem is that the United Nations hasn't acted. And so I can understand why those who are concerned about Darfur are frustrated. I am," he said. "I'd like to see more robust United Nations action." He further hinted that the UN should better use American tax money. |
| Attached is the flyer for Operation: Love From Home, the Christmas card drive for 2006. :) My goal this year is to meet or exceed last year's total of 2,500. :) This year's campaign is kicking off on Saturday, September 30. Thanks for helping me get the word out! :) The flyer is attached, and (for convenience) the text of the flyer is below: During this holiday season, let's show our troops we love and support them!!!! From September 30 to November 30, I will be collecting holiday cards for troops stationed in high-combat areas in Send your signed, unsealed holiday cards to: OPERATION: LOVE FROM HOME If you wish to send an email greeting (which will be printed off and mailed along with the holiday cards), please send an email to: |
| **IMPORTANT GUIDELINES: This is not a "dating service" of any type. Please do not send suggestive or otherwise inappropriate cards or materials. Please also refrain from making political statements of any nature. I will be reading and screening every card received to ensure that the above guidelines are adhered to. Remember: This is strictly to let the troops know that we love them, we are proud of them and that we HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN them! IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT: LoveFromHomeATgmailDOTcom |
Link To Original Post: Here| The fact is that while the motivations of the individual terrorist may vary considerably and, in the case of the suicide terrorist, may perhaps even be deemed inscrutable, the strategic logic of the terror masterminds without whom there would be transnational terrorist threat is quite simple. They do it because it works. The real answer to "Why 9/11?" is 3/2, 11/4, 4/18, 10/23, 8/7, 10/12…and so on. (Read More) |
In the end, what we need to remind ourselves is that despite the apparent irrationality of terrorist violence, terrorism as a strategic tool is not incomprehensible, even if the motivations of the individual terrorist are difficult to fathom. For example, no suicide bomber—the most "incomprehensible" kind of terrorist—has ever been known to have acted alone. Whatever his or her background and circumstances, he or she was recruited, indoctrinated, and eventually sent out by some person or organization with a political agenda. Even if one is inclined to accept the myth that the suicide terrorist is driven by despair to lash out and is indeed unstoppable, it does not follow that this holds true for those who direct him or her. These architects of terror have certain strategic aims and they choose their means on the basis of their perceptions of our reaction. The only influence we have over that deadly calculus is to ensure that the killers know that the cost of their operations will redound on their own heads—and on the countries and peoples that shelter them or consort with them—in the form of unsustainable losses and irreparable damages. This, after all, is the strategic logic of warfare in any war: to hasten the end of the conflict by destroying the enemy's will or ability to carry out hostile actions. And it is the least we owe to the memory of three thousand of our fellow citizens. |
As I am sure you all heard, Pope Benedict is under verbal fire right now for a comment he made about Islam:| Pope Benedict XVI was last night facing angry demands from Muslims that he apologise for a speech in which he appeared to say the concept of jihad was "unreasonable" and quoted a medieval ruler who said Muhammad's innovations were "evil and inhuman". Protests swept across the Islamic world and the furore threatened a scheduled visit by the Pope to Turkey. (Read More) |
| In Turkey, however, where the Pope is due to visit in November, the deputy leader of the ruling party said Benedict had "a dark mentality that comes from the darkness of the middle ages". Salih Kapusuz added: "He is going down in history in the same category as leaders such as Hitler and Mussolini." |
 Muslim students burn an effigy of Pope Benedict XVI at a protest rally in Allahabad, India. Photo: Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP |
Link To Original Post: Here| I am moving tomorrow and FASTING in the Rolling Victory Fast; however, since the moving may occupy what little functioning brain I have left at this point, I am sending you this email to advise that I am on schedule (for the fast) and looking forward to it (the fast). Eat your heart our Cindy - I can fast and multi-task; I can fast and muti-task; (childish sing-song voice!!) I can fast and mult-task!!!! OK,I can just barely do anything at this point but I WILL do it all and love every moment of it!! Thanks Tanker Brothers for the opportunity to participate. If I am not comatose at days end and have the computer back in working order, will give you a late in the day report. However, don't send the medics if that doesn't happen. The move may get me but not the FAST!! Wish me luck on all fronts!! PatriotDream |
| Actor Sean Penn, in a taped Larry King Live interview aired Thursday night on CNN to promote his new movie, All the King's Men, in which he plays a Huey Long-like character, suggested President Bush may bring fascism to America, charged that Bush has “devastated our democracy,” insisted Donald Rumsfeld and Bush have done “enormous damage” to “this country and mankind” and claimed the war on terrorism is meant to distract from reality. Clearly referring to President Bush, a smirking Penn recalled: “Well, in 1932 Huey Long said something very interesting. It was, 'Fascism will come to America, but likely under another name, perhaps anti-fascism.'” Later, Penn fulminated about how “party clowns like Don Rumsfeld could be described as, as far as I'm concerned, except for the enormous damage he's done this country and mankind -- and our President -- and saw that they're getting out there and they're beating this drum, to drown out, as they did in 2002, to drown out other -- in that case it was Enron. Now we have another situation, so it's this war on terror, boom, boom, boom. Drown out the reality of what's really happening.” Penn also argued: “No Democrat that doesn't have a plan to get our troops out of Iraq should be voted for.” |
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush prodded Congress to pass two bills that the administration says are essential to fight the war on terrorism and proposes strategies for interrogating and trying enemy combatants. Bush answered questions at a late-morning news conference in the Rose Garden. "We will work with members of both parties to get the bills out of congress," Bush said. "We need the legislation because the Supreme Court has recently ruled that military commissions must be specifically authorized by Congress." The session with reporters comes one day after Republicans led the Senate Armed Services Committee in rejecting Bush's proposal for interrogating and prosecuting terrorism suspects. The dissident group, led by Sen. John Warner, R-Va., said Bush's approach would jeopardize the safety of U.S. troops. "It's unacceptable to think there's any kind of comparison between the behavior of the United States of America and the action of Islamic extremists who kill innocent women and children to achieve an objective," said Bush, growing animated as he spoke. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell joined with McCain's group. Powell said Bush's proposal to redefine the Geneva Conventions would encourage the world to "doubt the moral basis of our fight against terrorism" and "put our own troops at risk." It was Bush's first news conference since Aug. 21, when he said the Iraq war was "straining the psyche of our country" but that leaving now would be a disaster. Bush has made the struggle against terrorism and the war in Iraq the top issues in the November elections, hoping to persuade voters that Republicans are better than Democrats at protecting the country |
Link To Original Post: Here| I just called Mr Frank DeCoster... the talk went something like this: "Hello is that Mr Frank Decoster? " "Yes." "Good morning. I am calling from Canada in the hope that you will set straight a rumour that has made it up here". "All the way from Canada huh?" "Yep.....and I hear that some Americans are not allowed to fly your country's flag. Is that true?" "No not all all...don't know where you heard this". "You ARE Mr Frank Decoster of the HOA?" "Yes I am the president of the HOA." "Okay good...so you are absolutely telling me that EVERY American is free to fly their flag wherever they like?"" "Yes." "Phew I am soooo relieved Mr DeCoster..can I quote you on that?" "Sure".... "Thank you so much Mr Decoster. You have a great day now". Loud laughter from me...off the phone of course. And no of course I didnt tape this.....didnt need to... BUT FLY YOUR FLAGS AMERICA!!!! Mr DeCoster says ya can......NEXT!!! Happy to help ya all over there..... |
Link To Original Post: Here| Ben Lewandowski says he was only trying to be patriotic when he wore a homemade T-shirt featuring an American flag bumper sticker and the words "Remember 9/11" to Lincoln Park High School on Monday. After all, it was Sept. 11 -- five years after the terrorist attacks. The 17-year-old Lincoln Park resident put the shirt on Monday morning and headed to school -- where he was quickly sent to the office and suspended for three days for violating the school's dress code. He was one of at least seven students sent home for wearing shirts featuring patriotic images and messages. It comes less than a week after three siblings were suspended for wearing shirts emblazoned with the First Amendment, despite warnings, and a week after more than 200 students were sent home on the first day of school for violating the district's dress code -- which bans apparel with writing or pictures. For Lewandowski, who was sent home on the first day of school for wearing a shirt with writing on it, Monday's incident was his second offense. "I was frustrated," said the junior, whose desire to become a firefighter was fueled after the Sept. 11 attacks. "It just made me so mad that I can't be patriotic." |
| Lincoln Park Schools Superintendent Randall Kite said the high school held a moment of silence Monday to give students an outlet to show their patriotism. He said some students had asked last week whether they could wear shirts to commemorate the day, and they were told no. "We didn't think it would be appropriate, because of the dress code, to wear T-shirts with writing," he said Tuesday. According to the dress code, students are allowed to wear school-sanctioned clothing, such as T-shirts bearing the school's mascot or clothing that supports school organizations. |
| This, according to the ACLU of Michigan, may violate the students' rights, particularly because it allows students to wear clothing that encourages school spirit but bans other forms of expression. ACLU officials have said that they plan to look into the constitutionality of the dress code. Kite said the district had lawyers review the policy before it was enacted. Members of the district's school board have said the dress code is lenient compared with other districts such as Detroit and Pontiac, which have banned jeans and T-shirts completely. |
| A homeowners' association is refusing to allow a homeowner to have a flag in his yard, despite the fact that a law was passed to protect homeowners in situations like this, and prevent homeowners' associations from stopping people from displaying the American Flag (the Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005). |
| From A Soldier's Perspective: The Representative of this area, Tennessee’s 7th District, is a woman named Marsha Blackburn (who, by the way, is a staunch supporter of the military and our efforts in the war against terrorism). Her office phone number is 202-225-2811. You can’t send an email because you have to live in her district. But, you can call her. The management, however, could use your phone calls and directed anger. The management company hired by the HOA is Fieldstone Farms. Linda Ivey is the manager and can be reached at 615-833-5117 x 29. The HOA President, Frank Decoster, can be reached at Here are the rest of the board members’ numbers: Steve McSmith - Vice President John Beaudoin - Secretary Jenny Foerster - Communications Committee Jim Clohessy - Member Fellow readers and bloggers. Please pass this along to as many people as possible. We can sign petitions all day long and it’ll do little good. Call these individuals and demand that they change the rules to allow flagpoles, which is what almost ALL flags are flown from. Tell them that you will boycott the management company and refuse to take any vacations in the area until they do. Or use your own statements, you don’t have to use mine. Email this story to your local news and all national media outlets to bring visibility to this. If you have a blog, please copy this post and let as many people as possible know that there are still Americans being prevented from flying the flag in their front yard. I am personally offended that I’m being sent off to defend a flag that the citizens I’m protecting can’t even fly. It mocks the very freedom that those stars and stripes represent. |
Link To Original Post: Here| Five years ago, this date - September the 11th - was seared into America's memory. Nineteen men attacked us with a barbarity unequaled in our history. They murdered people of all colors, creeds, and nationalities - and made war upon the entire free world. Since that day, America and her allies have taken the offensive in a war unlike any we have fought before. Today, we are safer, but we are not yet safe. On this solemn night, I have asked for some of your time to discuss the nature of the threat still before us, what we are doing to protect our nation ... and the building of a more hopeful Middle East that holds the key to peace for America and the world. On 9/11, our nation saw the face of evil. Yet on that awful day, we also witnessed something distinctly American: ordinary citizens rising to the occasion, and responding with extraordinary acts of courage. We saw courage in office workers who were trapped on the high floors of burning skyscrapers - and called home so that their last words to their families would be of comfort and love. We saw courage in passengers aboard Flight 93, who recited the 23rd Psalm - and then charged the cockpit. And we saw courage in the Pentagon staff who made it out of the flames and smoke - and ran back in to answer cries for help. On this day, we remember the innocent who lost their lives - and we pay tribute to those who gave their lives so that others might live. For many of our citizens, the wounds of that morning are still fresh. I have met firefighters and police officers who choke up at the memory of fallen comrades. I have stood with families gathered on a grassy field in Pennsylvania, who take bittersweet pride in loved ones who refused to be victims - and gave America our first victory in the war on terror. And I have sat beside young mothers with children who are now five-years-old - and still long for the daddies who will never cradle them in their arms. Out of this suffering, we resolve to honor every man and woman lost. And we seek their lasting memorial in a safer and more hopeful world. Since the horror of 9/11, we have learned a great deal about the enemy. We have learned that they are evil and kill without mercy - but not without purpose. We have learned that they form a global network of extremists who are driven by a perverted vision of Islam - a totalitarian ideology that hates freedom, rejects tolerance and despises all dissent. And we have learned that their goal is to build a radical Islamic empire where women are prisoners in their homes, men are beaten for missing prayer meetings, and terrorists have a safe haven to plan and launch attacks on America and other civilized nations. The war against this enemy is more than a military conflict. It is the decisive ideological struggle of the 21st century, and the calling of our generation... |
| BAGHDAD — Iraqi and Coalition troops, fighting for freedom and democracy, today remembered the heroes and victims from five years ago. Nearly 3,000 men, women, and children died at the hands of al-Qaida terrorist attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. It was a reminder why many Coalition servicemembers stand on foreign ground today. U.S. forces involved in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom are ensuring the safety of American soil from terrorist attacks, and securing the freedom of millions of Iraqi and Afghani citizens. The U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, said during a Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony that people should remember the victims and heroes of that day. “The victims included citizens of more than 90 different countries, and adherents of many faiths. We mourn the lives lost and offer heartfelt sympathy to the families and friends of those murdered,” Khalilzad said. “We honor the bravery of the fire fighters and policemen, the passengers aboard United Flight 93, and many others who provided examples of courage and determination on that terrible day. We will not forget.” (Read More) |
| Gunfire and explosions have been reported near the American embassy in central Damascus this morning amid reports that the heavily fortified compound has been attacked by armed men. An embassy guard has told the AFP news agency that the embassy "appeared to be under attack". George Baghdadi, a Syrian journalist in Damascus, said that a member of the Syrian riot police had told him that two men got out of a car and started to fire at the US embassy, possibly also using grenades. Another report speculated that a car had been blown up outside the building. Reuters reported that at least one Syrian guard had been killed in the attack. Numerous witnesses report seeing thick clouds of black smoke rising from the diplomatic district of the Syrian capital, where a number of embassies are sited. The incident is thought now to be under control. Syrian security forces have moved in to surround the Ain Remmeneh district, sealing it off. Ambulances and fire engines were also sent to the scene. The US embassy in Damascus has been attacked before, after America invaded Iraq. America is unpopular in Syria, a country which President Bush has repeatedly dubbed part of an "axis of evil". |
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My humble words just cannot describe...| Soldiers from Battery B, 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, pause at the end of a patrol near Wynot, Iraq. (Department of the Army photo) |
| "And there is no reason, Bob, that young American soldiers need to be going into homes of Iraqis in the dead of night, terrorizing kids and children, you know, women, breaking sort of the customs of the-of-the historical customs, religious customs." -Senator John F. Kerry |
| Iraqi children gather around U.S. Army Spc. Andrew Ruhlman, of the 1st Armored Division, during a presence patrol in Tal Afar. Department of Defense photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey. |
| FOB RUSTAMIYAH, Iraq – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers of Companies B and D, 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, attached to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, captured a high-ranking terrorist cell leader along with three of his associates, Friday in east Baghdad’s Al Oubaidy neighborhood. The actions were part of Operation Together Forward, a Multi-National Division – Baghdad operation designed to reduce assassinations, kidnappings and prevent escalation of sectarian violence in order to restore Baghdad security to Iraqi control. "We've been looking for the leader of this cell for about four weeks now. We decided to target him about a week and a half ago," said 1st Lt. Randall Weaver, a native of Susanville, Calif., platoon leader, Co. D. The unit received information there was a terrorist cell operating in Al Oubaidy. Meanwhile, Soldiers from Co. B and Co. D set up a cordon and search around two houses in the Al Oubaidy area. The combined patrol detained four local nationals. One of those local nationals fit the description of their target. "Not a single shot was fired, and we accomplished our mission," said Lt. Col. Mark Bertolini, a native of Bellerose, N.Y., battalion commander, 3rd Bn., 67th AR. In a related event, the unit received a tip that militia military took over the gas station across from Forward Operating Base Rustamiyah. Sources indicated the deputy of the terrorist leader captured the day prior was operating at that gas station. Elements from 3rd Bn., 67th AR, were sent to conduct an area reconnaissance in order to gather information for future operations. Upon arriving at the gas station the Soldiers identified their targets and started moving to detain the local nationals. A vehicle containing the targets attempted to flee the scene, but the Soldiers captured the four suspects. It was later confirmed that the unit had apprehended the deputy of the terrorist leader. "This is a result of many weeks of hard work by our battalion and brigade staffs and culminated by a precision operation that was executed flawlessly by our Soldiers," said Bertolini. Neither the suspected terrorists nor MND-B personnel were injured during the operation. |
| BAGHDAD — During the week leading up to the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York, Washington and Shanksville, Penn., Coalition troops and Iraqi security forces in Baghdad continued their efforts to secure the capital city as part of Operation Together Forward. As that battle for security and increased quality of life continues, the Iraqi security forces are increasingly taking the lead in protecting their citizens. In an independent Iraqi Army operation last week, Soldiers from the 6th Iraqi Army Division detained 14 suspected terrorists and confiscated 39 illegal weapons after they searched more than 4,100 homes in Baghdad’s Mansour neighborhood. The Soldiers also seized various small arms, body armor vests and terrorist propaganda. The six-day mission was successful because of the relationships built with residents of the neighborhood, said Col. Abed Alameer, a commander with the 6th Iraqi Army Division. "We build strong relationships with the civilians, and in return they help us by providing information they might know about criminals,'' Alameer said. ''The civilian and Army relationship is strengthening because we provide security,” he added. “The terrorists don't want to be in these areas because they know we are here and there will be more areas like these with no terrorists.'' (Read More) |
| "We're reaching out a lot better," said the official, Maj. Gen. Sean Byrne, director of military personnel management. The Army is making better use of the Internet, for example, to reach more young people, he said. The Army also has put about one-third more recruiters on the street, and Congress approved new financial incentives for enlistees, including signing bonuses for some slots of as much as $40,000. The Army also began allowing people as old as 42 to enter the service; the maximum age previously was 35. |
| But some defense experts argued the Army, which provides the bulk of ground forces in Iraq, had been able to make its goal only by taking lower-quality volunteers who previously might have been rejected. "The real question is: how low are we willing to let the quality of the Army decline while we continue in this war?" asked Lawrence Korb, assistant secretary of defense in charge of manpower issues under former President Ronald Reagan. |
Link To Original Post: HereLink To Original Post: Here| I'm looking forward to my Sept. 9th fasting day. Will be tough having nothing but Gatorade for a day, but it's all worth it to me in the end. Anything that says "Up yours, Sheehan!" is well worth the price of admission! I'd come up with a real good insult, but whatever I say would be an insult to whatever I'd be describing her as. I'll just borrow some words from our favorite pooch, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog. Her face is lovely....for me to poop on! |
Link To Original Post: HereI honestly don't know why the Clintonistas are so bent out of shape. The two-part series is based on the 9/11 Commission Report, and that report is public record. An honorable man would admit he didn't do everything he could, and praise his successor for covering down on what he missed. An honorable man would say "I made a mistake, I should have gotten him when I could". Bringing up Tora Bora, when we were trying to work with the Afghanis to capture Bin Laden, and he slipped away, is 100% more than Clinton did in the War on Terror.
Pulling all the stops is the way to go about this fight: Wiretapping, tough interrogations, whatever it takes. If we have an asset, and we're not using that asset to protect the American People, then we are doomed to failure. We have not had a successful Terrorist attack on the United States since September 11th, 2001. And they have tried. And they have failed.
To me, a simple Tanker with a 31 GT score... that's progress, and that's evidence that we're doing the right thing, and we're winning the Global War on Terror. But if the Bad Guys attack in Great Britain, then we need to kill the Bad Guys in Great Britain. If they attack in Pakistan, then that's where they will die. If they attack in Iraq, then Itaq is where they will go to meet their fabled 72 virgins.
Pull all stops, let the war machine roll. And by doing so, protect the American people. "...fight them in Iraq and Afghanistan; so we don't fight them in Dallas, Houston, New York, Washington, D.C., or Los Angeles..."
We defined success in the War in Iraq as 1) a stable Democratic Iraqi Government and 2) an Iraqi Army and Police Force who was able to provide security for the citizens of Iraq.
The Iraqi government taking control of the Army/Police goes a long way towards winning the War in Iraq. Winning the War in Iraq is the pre-requisite to bringing US Soldiers home. I don't see where the confusion is... we win, we come home. (read B36's piece on that)
Losing, pulling out before the job is done, "cut and run", etc...
To a Soldier, an M1 Tanker in the United States Army... these are not the options an honorable man has. These are the options allowed to cowards. And we are not cowards.
| "It is the duty of France and Europe to show that the clash of civilizations is not inevitable," he said. "No one retains this wisdom, inherited from our history, as we, French and Europeans, do," he said. (Read More Here) |
| The right-wingers who think nothing but the worst of Cindy Sheehan probably won't change their minds after reading Peace Mom. In the book, which hits bookstores September 19, the antiwar icon admits she has fantasized about going back in time and killing the infant George W. Bush, thereby preventing the Iraq War. In fact, she reveals, her son's death in that war almost drove her to take her own life: "Every night I had to restrain myself from taking my entire bottle of sleeping pills instead of just one." Other targets of her vitriol: (Read More) |
The Cindy Sheehan Watch did a great job of covering it:| It was the chance of a lifetime. Buy Cindy's dumbass book and she'll sign it. Free! The problem was that nobody wanted to buy the damn book. The date was November 26, 2005, the location was a tent near President Bush's ranch just outside Crawford, Texas. The Washington Post reported the crowd size at about 100. Associated Press and Reuters photographers took these pictures. When Editor & Publisher commented on the sparse turnout, Cindy claimed, "I sold all 100 copies and got writer's cramp signing them. Photos were taken of me before the people got in line to have me sign the book. We made $2000 for the peace house." source Right, Cindy. Sure. We believe you. We'll just ignore the pictures. You wouldn't lie to us. Would you? |
| In 1998, I attended a lecture on Fundamentalism in the Middle East. Back then I didn't understand the lecture completely, but I took one thing out of it. The speaker mentioned that the mixture of totalitarian systems combined with a fantatic religious Followership and a proportionally large increase in population in the Middle East was bound to pose a real danger to weastern cultures in the years to come. Noone mentioned anything about the United States back then, but Fundamentalism was already expected to pose a problem then. Nobody knows for sure how to solve this problem. So the Bush Administration took a "proactive" step after 9/11 - which is one way punch the wasp nest. Nobody knew then, and I think nobody really knows now if this was the right step - I think everybody agrees though, that something needed to be done. The "World Peace" approach already did not work in Nazi Germany, but made Hitler and the SS stronger... Those Germans that were working against the SS during those times were unable to "democratize" Germany from within and it took outside help (lots of outside help and lots of money afterwards) to change Germany. Who thinks Iraq is going to be any different than Germany was? |
| Claudia: You have to look at it from my point of view: it was about time someone took the initiative to do SOMETHING. Imagine if we had been attacked time and time again, and kept turning the other cheek? Change has to come from within. That's the bottom line. With the help of the Coalition, that's exactly what's happening. Do you realize that the majority of voters in the Iraq elections had never voted in a free election before? Also, you have to consider: the United States declared independence from England in July 1776. We didn't have a working Constitution until September 1787. It wasn't fully ratified until March 1789. That's almost a full fourteen years. The Iraqis have gone from Liberation to Constitution in three years, and are now taking steps to secure the country and stand up a military and police force that can keep the internal peace, and protect againt invaders. Change is possible in each and every country in the Middle East, but it requires the empowerment of the citizens of those countries to choose their own government, not to have Terrorists or religious extremists to do it for them. What does Al Qaeda really offer the citizens of Iraq? How about the insurgents? They offer anarchy, murder, crime, corruption, and little else... |
Link To Original Post: Here| In his speech to the Military Officers Association of America the President quoted bin Ladin as declaring, among other things, that Iraq is “the capital of the caliphate.” (Read The Rest) |
Link To Original Post: Here| Yes folks, its the Rae and Ros show again...What were we thinking? Shocked This day is in honour of Rae's son who one year ago today (Sept 6) was deployed to Iraq......Ya all know by now he is HOME.... Also being honoured are Rae's mum and dad..54th years married - TODAY Thumbs Up This day's fast is called "Fast food' for a reason.... I know I know...thinking food on a day of fasting is kinda whacky - but ahemmmm..BRAT HERE!!!!!! rotfl rotfl I did consider 'spelling' it all out for you BUT instead I'll be posting blogging, and you will get the idea of what's cooking...(oh yes...there WILL be more than a few food references....... So fire up the barbie(isn't that what Americans say? Rolling Eyes ( and let the "fast Food' day begin. Confused Watch this space and remember this is ALL about supporting our troops....Yes - they ARE all our troops...and of course be sure to check out Kat's blog too......see ya during the day.. |
| "There's a blog run by U.S. soldiers in Iraq that has adopted me as their current object of scorn," I told this journalist, who had just gotten back from Iraq. "Here's my question -- this blog is one of the most up-scale efforts I've ever seen. Graphics to die for. Fabulous writing. Oxford dictionary-style grammar and spelling. Comment forms that actually work. How can they pull all that together if they are stuck out there in Iraq?" "They can't. Soldiers stationed in Iraq ARE NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE BLOGS. In many cases, they aren't even allowed to get e-mail. It sounds like this blog is a psy-ops operation." Journalists know everything! (Read It! You Know You Want To!) |
 Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy near Baghdad International Airport, Baghdad, Iraq on 4 April 2003. On that day, Sergeant First Class Smith was engaged in the construction of a prisoner of war holding area when his Task Force was violently attacked by a company-sized enemy force. Realizing the vulnerability of over 100 soldiers, Sergeant First Class Smith quickly organized a hasty defense consisting of two platoons of soldiers, one Bradley Fighting Vehicle and three armored personnel carriers. As the fight developed, Sergeant First Class Smith braved hostile enemy fire to personally engage the enemy with hand grenades and anti-tank weapons, and organized the evacuation of three wounded soldiers from an armored personnel carrier struck by a rocket propelled grenade and a 60 mm mortar round. Fearing the enemy would overrun their defenses, Sergeant First Class Smith moved under withering enemy fire to man a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on a damaged armored personnel carrier. In total disregard for his own life, he maintained his exposed position in order to engage the attacking enemy force. During this action, he was mortally wounded. His courageous actions helped defeat the enemy attack, and resulted in as many as 50 enemy soldiers killed, while allowing the safe withdrawal of numerous wounded soldiers. Sergeant First Class Smith’s extraordinary heroism and uncommon valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Third Infantry Division "Rock of the Marne," and the United States Army. |
| U.S. Army Spc. Enriquillo Hernandez provides security as his platoon leader gathers intelligence along the Syria/Iraq border near Forward Operating Base Nimur, Aug. 13. Hernandez is with 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. Department of Defense photo by Army Staff Sgt. Russell Lee Klika, 133rd MPAD. |
Considering that I am a Tanker, General George S. Patton, Jr is one of my personal heroes.| Now, I want you to remember that no bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country. Men, all this stuff you've heard about America not wanting to fight, wanting to stay out of the war, is a lot of horse dung. Americans, traditionally, love to fight. All real Americans love the sting of battle. When you were kids, you all admired the champion marble shooter, the fastest runner, the big league ball players, the toughest boxers. Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser. Americans play to win all the time. Now, I wouldn't give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed. That's why Americans have never lost and will never lose a war. Because the very thought of losing is hateful to Americans. Now, an army is a team. It lives, eats, sleeps, fights as a team. We are an Army of One. This individuality stuff is a bunch of crap. The bilious bastards who wrote that stuff about individuality for the New York Times don't know anything more about real battle than they do about fornicating. Now, we have the finest food and equipment, the best spirit, and the best men in the world. You know, by God, I actually pity those poor bastards we're going up against. By God, I do. We're not just going to shoot the bastards. We're going to cut out their living guts and use them to grease the treads of our tanks. We're going to murder those lousy terrorist bastards by the bushel. Now, some of you boys, I know, are wondering whether or not you'll chicken-out under fire. Don't worry about it. I can assure you that you will all do your duty. The terrorists are the enemy. Wade into them. Spill their blood. Shoot them in the belly. When you put your hand into a bunch of goo that a moment before was your best friend's face, you'll know what to do. Now there's another thing I want you to remember. I don't want to get any messages saying that we are holding our position. We're not holding anything. Let the terrorist do that. We are advancing constantly and we're not interested in holding onto anything -- except the enemy. We're going to hold onto him by the nose, and we're gonna kick him in the ass. We're gonna kick the hell out of him all the time, and we're gonna go through him like crap through a goose! Now, there's one thing that you men will be able to say when you get back home, and you may thank God for it. Thirty years from now when you're sitting around your fireside with your grandson on your knee, and he asks you, "What did you do in the great Global War On Terror?" -- you won't have to say, "Well, I shoveled shit in Louisiana." Alright now you sons-of-bitches, you know how I feel. Oh, I will be proud to lead you wonderful guys into battle anytime, anywhere. That's all. |
Link To Original Post: HereLink To Original Post: Here
Today, we have the honor of having a real patriot participating in the Rolling Victory Fast!I’ve been a patriot since I could tie my shoes, but I guess it was made official early in Feb 1969 when I recited this at a Navy induction centre in Philadelphia: I’m not sure if everyone took that oath seriously, but I did. After all, I’ve only taken two oaths in my entire life…the other being to “love, honor, and obey”. I like to think that I’ve been true to both of them. Although the subject of the second oath nearly knee-capped me when I was looking to take a job in the sandbox….pointing out that she was too old to start waiting for me like that again. I’ve repeated the first oath at induction or graduation ceremonies for my sons. At my age, I have been able to do little to honor the memory of those who died on 911, and those who stand in harms way for me. Oh yes, I have contributed money and goods to patriotic and veteran organizations, I have voted (mostly) for conservatives when they are worthy of the name, I have stood and cheered at parades, I have supported individuals who are doing what I can no longer do, and I’ve stayed strong in the face of low-rent criticism. But I also go to a safe job each day (except for the commute up the Parkway) and come home to dinner and a safe bed (mostly) each night…thanks to those who have none of them. It doesn’t seem like enough. I Support the Troops sounds too much like easy lip service for someone like me – I used to be a troop (well, squid anyway), and would put myself in harms way if I could. My wife would be seriously pissed, my children would think I’d gone nuts, and my moonbat neighbors would just shrug and say “well, he is a right-wing death beast after all.” But I’d do more if I could. And I’m damn sure that I’m not alone. |
| Reid is one of my adopted Soldiers. I kind of adopted the whole family. His wife was diagnosed with breast cancer last November while he was in Afghanistan. This May they thought they had beaten the odds. Not so. It is in her brain and the prognosis is not good at all. He called me from Germany and pretty much gave me the go ahead to let people know. Any prayers the Tanker Brothers and Sisters could send their way would be appreciated. I know you are pressed for time and I am not as good as you are with words...these are great people...Reid gave up a very good job to join the Army because when his kids asked "what did you do in the War Daddy" he wanted to be able to tell them. Ellicia supported him all the way. I want to dedicate my next fast day, October 2 to them. |
| What now... That's the question we've been facing for the last several days. We've come to the acceptance that within a year, I'll likely be a single father. By acceptance, I don't mean to imply happiness or anything like that. More like many, many tears. We have cried a lot. All of our hopes, dreams, and plans... well, those seem out the window now. Everything we do now is seen through the prism of the cancer. Wondering what we can do to preserve her for the children. Crying over how young the children are and if they'll remember her. It's been a long weekend. We're getting ready for her surgery. My unit has been extremely supportive. My 1SG is amazing, and as my Commander spelled out to me, my place of duty is my family. The rest of the chain of command, likewise. And now, we just try to go day by day. (Read The Whole Post Here) |
Link To Original Post: Here| As an angel with Soldiers' Angels I am dedicated in taking part in the Rolling Victory Fast. Lots of thoughts went through my mind in preparing my comments and it puts my life into perspective. The end of summer is a melancholy time in my home state of Michigan. Summer, like life, is but a fleeting moment. How we choose to define that moment is very important. Here even in the quiet west Michigan community of Egelston Twp. we have learned that freedom isn't free. I became involved with Soldiers' Angels because I wanted to support the troops on a more personal level. One letter and one care package at a time. Before 9/11 I was often complacent to live my life and raise my daughter in my comfort zone. But that day changed all of that. Respect for the military runs in my family because my dad served in the Army and my uncle is a WWII vet. I support the troops and stand up for what I believe in. My fast is dedicated to an American soldier who lost his life on Christmas Day 2005 in Baghdad, Iraq. My responsibility as an American is to honor and protect his name. Part of that is to be constantly vigilant in spreading the word of how our military is dedicated in winning the war on terrorism. Life in a world with the constant threat of terrorism looming over us is not how we should live. America's finest, our soldiers, deserve our respect because they are fighting so that we can enjoy our American way of life. |
 BAGHDAD — In a meeting with reporters Wednesday, the commander of Multi-National Force – Iraq said he believes Iraqi security forces are progressing enough that Coalition forces will have a diminished role in Iraq within 18 months. The Coalition sees improvements in the Iraqi security forces everyday, said Gen. George W. Casey, Jr. “I don’t have a definite date, but I can see, 12 to 18 months, the Iraqi security forces progressing to where they can take on security responsibilities with very little Coalition support,” Casey said. The general also said within that time frame it will be Iraqis who will make the choice. “In 12 to 18 months Coalition presence will be decided by the Iraqi government,” he said. |
| Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division prepare to check a house for insurgent activity during a patrol in Salah Ad Din province. Department of Defense photo by Army Staff Sgt. Russell Lee Klika. |
Link To Original Post: Here| This day is dedicated to my Army Soldier Husband who is deployed – and to our Military. “Home of the Free… Because of the Brave.” |
| 1st Sgt. Mario Terenas from 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, shakes the hand of a young Iraqi boy in the city of Ribiyah, Iraq near Forward Operating Base Heider. By: Staff Sgt. Russell Lee Klika |
It’s the anniversary of the Islamic atrocity in Beslan, in which 333 people (more than 150 of them children) were slaughtered. To remember it here are some still photos from Russian television that we published at the time.  |
You don't need to worry, though, Tanker Brothers and Sisters! Our wing gal (and fellow 48 hour "fastee") Tanker Angel Nelly is not only fasting, but poking the Rolling Victory Fast logo into the eyes of European Anti-War protestors!
As September 11th nears, the fifth anniversary of the WTC and Pentagon Attacks, we have to remember that this is a Global War on Terror.| As 11 September approaches, let's recall another day in September: 333 people died in Russia's worst terrorist attack. The War on Terror is about them also. |
"The United States of America will not leave until victory is achieved."These words were spoken today by President Bush. Let's follow this statement to its logical end:
The President also said that he will be giving more speeches over the next few days with the goal of showing the American people just how we are winning in Iraq. This is a mighty step forward in the battle for the hearts and minds of the American people, or what I like to call, the Second Front. The battle in Iraq is being won. As long as we continue to move forward with our progress, it will end in victory. The biggest obstacle to winning now is the commitment of the American people, the Second Front. The bad guys know this and they are doing their best to break the will of the American people. If the bad guys manage to convince enough Americans that victory isn't worth the sacrifice and those Americans convince the policy makers to tuck tail and run, then we will have lost. Let's pause for a moment and think; what is the bad guy's best weapon on the Second Front? What are they using to convince Americans that it's not worth it? Do I even need to say it? As long as you let us stay in Iraq, we will win. When we win, we will come home. |
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