Thursday, November 30, 2006

From the front page - REALLY!

Living symbols of reform in Afghanistan

Female lawmakers work for, and embody, change.

Yes, folks, this really was on the front page of the LA Times. Imagine that. A good news story actually warrants mainstream media attention. As we all know, there is still much work to be done, and women in positions that matter, recognised as having a contribution to make, are still rare but this story tells of a few women who are making a difference. It begins:

AMONG the crowd of 800 turbaned elders who gathered in a vast tent, one person stood out: a slender woman in a white head scarf.

She took the podium only briefly, but when she did, most conversation came to a standstill. And though many of the bearded, tradition-bound elders are uncomfortable talking to a woman in public, several dozen clustered around her afterward to ask questions.

Her name is Zahera Sharif, and she is the only woman among the four members of Afghanistan's parliament from Khowst province. In a conservative area where it is possible to drive through towns without seeing a single woman on the street, she is a rarity.

The 248 members of the parliament are a mixed bunch. Some from the old guard, the edlers, some from the western sphere, in their suits and ties, and then there is this woman.

"All of the country's ethnic groups have a place: Uzbeks sit next to Tajiks; Pashtuns with Hazaras. There are onetime Taliban as well as their former Northern Alliance enemies. A quarter of the parliament members are women; not one wears a burka."

There are major changes coming to Afghanistan, and for once the major media have chosen to highlight these changes in a positive way. You can read the rest of this story here
There are are now 68 women in this parliament, and despite their presence some of the old habits, old guard still prevail.

Sharif is a realist:

Afghanistan will not change overnight...."People in parliament need to focus on issues one by one: electricity, jobs, education," she told the Khowst elders who had gathered in the tent to discuss pressing nationwide problems. "Everybody should think of the benefit of the society."

And so she and her other female colleagues work to better the society they live in. It is not easy for any of them. Old habits die hard it seems. A society formed over hundreds of years will not change overnight, but some of the Afghan people are determiend, committed to see the changes take hold. The struggles continue:

Despite the obstacles, legislators all have their own reasons for staying in parliament. But for many, the frustration level is high and their commitment is tenuous. "Sometimes I wake up and I think I should just stay home and not go out and try to change things," said Sharif.

The bigger risk is that Afghanistan will fall back on the code of violence that has dominated its history.

And that is why WE are there. To help these people forge a better future, so they do NOT fall back into that code of violence. Go read the rest of this article. It made the front page!

brat - with many thanks to Gail for sending me this!

DISMISSED!!!!

I am very honoured to share this story with you. This was written by the wife of one of our returning heroes. That's her and the family dog in the picture to the left! Cori posted this on Soldiers' Angels, where she and her family have been well known for the time Dave was deployed. I so believe that moments such as she writes about here are what WE at SA and Tanker Bros are all about. I am grateful to both Cori and Dave for giving me permission to reprint this here. Thank you for this - and thank you for your service to your country. Love you all. God bless!

DISMISSED!
“One - Two - Three!” the commander yells. “DISMISSED!” screams the audience. I was never so glad to say that word as I was at that moment in time. Hundreds of soldiers and their family members started swarming the gym floor in search of their loved one. I looked frantically for my husband wanting to find him as soon as I could. I just wanted to hug and kiss him and feel his face to make sure he was there and that it was not just a dream. My daughter, Cassie, a cute little blond-haired, blue-eyed two year-old with glasses, was on my hip because she was a little frightened by all the loud, celebratory music, people, banners, balloons, flags, screaming and, of course, the two hundred soldiers in their uniforms with all their gear. She clung to me and would not let me put her down so we made our way through the throng of people in search of our own personal hero, my husband, Dave.
I did not know where to look for him because when the soldiers had first started running into the gym among, “Let’s Get Ready to Rumble”, the music and fog machine, there were so many men that they were blocking my view as they filled up their formation lines. That sea of uniforms was all I was starting to see, their faces blending after the first one hundred men. Where was he?

Then, all of a sudden, there he was, almost right in front of me. “Dave,” I called to him. He looked right past me as if he did not recognize me. Had I changed that much in the nine months since he had been home on rest and recreation? I know that I have contacts now instead of glasses, my hair is shorter than the last time he saw me and I am about sixty-five pounds lighter than before but did he not recognize me? “Dave!” I called to him again. Moreover, like the first time, he looked right past me. He came within reaching distance so I took the opportunity and grabbed the sleeve of his uniform. That was the moment he really saw me. We hugged and kissed like on our wedding day but it was more than that. We have been married for almost ten years and the bond is much stronger and deeper now than it was on that long-ago day.
Cassie was a little shy and did not want to hug her daddy but she was smiling nonetheless. Shortly thereafter, our son, Max, made his way over to us. He had been part of the Homecoming ceremony earlier as were most of the grade school aged children that were there and it had taken him a few minutes to find us again. My husband leaned down to him. “Hello, Max,” he said. “Hi, daddy,” said Max. He was a little nervous, a lot excited and unsure of what to do. Then they hugged each other, their love for each other so visible on their faces.
There were no tears that day just happiness and joy. We posed for pictures and shook hands with a few soldiers my husband had befriended while he was away. We had eyes only for him, my husband and their father. All was well with our family again. Our hero was home.
_________________
God bless all our soldiers and their families. Proud wife of an American soldier.

brat

"God bless the child"

Tanker Bros and Sisters! A quick update - sort of! I am humbled by the amazing response I got from the original post about the 9 yr old asking for help for a soldier they have never met, a stranger. Within five minutes of the original post appearing here on Tanker Bros, the emails started. They haven't stopped yet.

To say I am grateful to all who stepped up would be a gross understatement. I am NOT surprised. Just about every day, I see many examples of how the military community pulls together - always - to answer the call. Because of all of YOU, this soldier will know how much he matters. He will see how much others care about him. He is also being 'adopted' so will know this on an ongoing basis....

I have always known how much we can accomplish whenever we work as a team - and I have to tell you: In this instance I am truly honoured to stand with all of you as part of this great TEAM.

'Thank you' doesn't even begin to say how much I appreciate all your efforts on this one. But it is all I have, and it does come from my heart. Someone once said that "strangers are just friends I haven't met yet". And so it is here..... THANK YOU FRIENDS!!

brat

Rolling Victory Fast Update: 30 November 2006!

Today it is my honor to take over the RVF. I'm proud to take another day in honor of all of our men and women in uniform who are so valiantly serving our country around the world and here at home. It is a very small way in which I can honor and thank them for their service.

For those who have participated in the fast I consider it a privilege to be a part of this amazing team with you. For those who have not taken a day to fast I urge you to do so. I also urge you to take the time and energy to find "your" way to support our troops and their families. Become a volunteer for www.anysolder.com, www.soldiersangels.com or any of the many organizations that give you the opportunity to show our troops how much they mean to us and how much they are loved, appreciated and supported while they continue to fight for our freedom and safety. Volunteer at a local VA Hospital, contact a local National Guard, Reserve
or active duty unit. They ALL can use your help right now.

We truly MUST be a cohesive TEAM in this. While the military does their job I feel that those of us here at home have a job to do as well. Together no other nation or group of individuals can beat us!

To MG and CT - all my best, my love and my unending appreciation to you. Stay safe and know that we are here supporting you and all of your fellow Tankers!

Thanks for that wonderful dedication Leta! I send to soldiers whose names I've gotten from Soldiers' Angels and Anysoldier. Both great organizations! I've gotten as much, if not more, joy out of doing this as the soldiers that receive the letters/packages!

Keep us updated in comments!

~Tracy

The Kuwaiti Krud...

Quick update, Tanker Brothers and Sisters:

Hit Kuwait, and sinuses automatically started giving me problems. Not to worry, it's just the "Kuwaiti Krud". I got it last time, and it clears up after about 48 hours.

Leaving home was, obviously, a significant emotional event. One thing I wanted to share with you, though: the last thing I did before I signed out with Household Six (my wife).

As I prayed on my knees, over my sleeping child, I asked God to bless my home and my family, to watch over them during this time that I'm away. I asked Him to bless each and every one of my many Tanker Brothers and Sisters and keep their faith in our fight pure. And the last thing I did was thank Him for the opportunity to once again go out and contribute to this fight, a righteous fight for our culture, our security, and our very way of life.

It's like the old saying: "Everyone talks about the weather, but no one does anything about it."

Well, everyone hems and haws about the War on Terror, the Long War, but dammit, I'm doing something about it. I'm gonna help win it.

And then I'm going to come home, victorious, with my honor clean, to my wife, son, and family.

Thanks to all my co-authors for keeping my dream alive, and you'll be heaing from me very, very soon.

So, reporting from Kuwait, stricken with the Kuwaiti Krud: HOO-Frickin'-AHHHHH!

Master Gunner... out!

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

9 year old asks for help

Hey Tanker Bros and Sisters! I have come to you all for help. Through a long and complicated route, (some involving Soldiers Angels LWT), I received an email today. It is about a 9 year old asking for help for a soldier he has never met. I am not going to post all the details here. I am going to post some of this little boy's original email. IF you can help, or want to take this to groups to get this soldier help, for this 9 year old, please email me at TankerBrosBrat@gmail.com. I have the soldier's address...We CAN do this! Thank you...

This 9 year old's email reads - in part:

I am writing to you from Columbus Georgia.My grandfather is a retired National Guard Recruiter from this area.He sent me an e-mail this afternoon asking me to give a solider's name to my school.The man's name is ******.My granddad knows him from the National Guard.He is stationed in Iraq.He volunteered to go to Iraq and has been in Iraq for 2 months.My granddad said he is very depressed.No one in his family writes to him.He writes home and hears nothing back.My granddad who has a good heart is very sad.****** is an nice man who wanted nothing more than to serve his country.I don't knowwhy his family refuses to write him.Maybe they are angry that he volunteered to go.Anyway he is lonely and depressed and has yet to receive one letter from the United States.If at all possible I would like to ask you to put his name on a list.I am very sad that he will be alone for the holidays.I do not know if my school will help.They are a Christian school and I am going to ask.I would like for him to get 100 letters for Christmas.I have to go before my mom finds out I am up at 11:30 on the internet. I could not sleep thinking about this. Thank you very muchBliss XXXXXXX (9 years old)

Thank you......brat

Still Here

Hello Everyone.

I'm still trying to keep up-to-date on the site, so if it isn't too much trouble to all you new people stopping by for a visit, would you PLEASE sign the Battle Roster and make yourself heard.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, I would like to give VERY MUCH THANKS to those select few who, as it seems to me when I can get a frickin' computer that works fast enough to see the site, are doing their damnedest < is that even a word?> to keep the site going. Keep Up The Good Work!

I will be trying to stay updated as much as possible people!

So Long from the BIG Sandbox!

Cav

American citizen eh?!!!

Do you have what it takes to become a citizen?

When immigrants want to become Americans, they must take a civics test as part of their naturalization interview before a Citizenship and Immigration Services officer. The questions are usually selected from a list of 100 sample questions (see at http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/services/natz/English.pdf ) Some are easy, some are not. We have picked some of the more difficult ones. Should you be welcomed immediately to the Land of the Free or sent home for some more homework? Find out!

Guess I need to do more homework! But for the actual questions, go
to : http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13442226/
It wouldn't let me do the links thing - guess I flunked the first test :(

brat

One picture says........

brat

Semper Fi

Leading the fight is Gunnery Sgt Michael Burghardt, known as "Iron Mike" or just "Gunny". He is on his third tour in Iraq . He had become a legend in the bomb disposal world after winning the Bronze Star for disabling 64 IEDs and destroying 1,548 pieces of ordnance during his second tour. Then, on September 19, he got blown up. He had arrived at a chaotic scene after a bomb had killed four US soldiers. He chose not to wear the bulky bomb protection suit. "You can't react to any sniper fire and you get tunnel-vision," he explains. So, protected by just a helmet and = standard-issue flak jacket, he began what bomb disposal officers term "the longest walk", stepping gingerly into a 5ft deep and 8ft wide crater.
The earth shifted slightly and he saw a Senao base station with a wire leading from it. He cut the wire and used his 7in knife to probe the ground. "I found a piece of red detonating cord between my legs," he says. "That's when I knew I was screwed."

Realizing he had been sucked into a trap, Sgt Burghardt, 35, yelled at everyone to stay back. At that moment, an insurgent, probably watching through binoculars, pressed a button on his mobile phone to detonate the secondary device below the sergeant's feet. "A chill went up the back of my neck and then the bomb exploded," he recalls. "As I was in the air I remember thinking, 'I don't believe they got me.' I was just ticked off they were able to do it. Then I was lying on the road, not able to feel anything from the waist down."

His colleagues cut off his trousers to see how badly he was hurt. None could believe his legs were still there. "My dad's a Vietnam vet who's paralyzed from the waist down," says Sgt Burghardt. "I was lying there thinking I didn't want to be in a wheelchair next to my dad and for him to see me like that. They started to cut away my pants and I felt a real sharp pain and blood trickling down. Then I wiggled my toes and I thought, 'Good, I'm in business.' "As a stretcher was brought over, adrenaline and anger kicked in. "I decided to walk to the helicopter. I wasn't going to let my team-mates see me being carried away on a stretcher." He stood and gave the insurgents who had blown him up a one-fingered salute. "I flipped them one. It was like, 'OK, I lost that round but I'll be back next week'."

Copies of a photograph depicting his defiance, taken by Jeff Bundy for the Omaha World-Herald, adorn the walls of homes across America and that of Col John Gronski, the brigade commander in Ramadi, who has hailed the image as an exemplar of the warrior spirit. Sgt Burghardt's injuries - burns and wounds to his legs and buttocks - kept him off duty for nearly a month and could have earned him a ticket home. But, like his father - who was awarded a Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts for being wounded in action in Vietnam - he stayed in Ramadi to engage in the battle against insurgents who are forever coming up with more ingenious ways of killing Americans.

h/t to Rae for sending me this.

brat

"They know who the enemy is..."

File under: Some tell it like it is! Found the following on Media Lies

Froggy tells it like it is.....

....to Congressman Rangel and all the other bozos who think servicemen and women are poor misguided fools who can't get a job anywhere else.

I know there are a few readers (you all know who THEY are!) who still believe the usual stuff in the msm about how it is only the poor, uneducated, disadvantaged youth who join the American military. To hear these 'analysts' tell it, our troops are only enlisting - and re-enlisting! - because of lack of economic opportunity. To hear these commentators, it's a wonder our troops manage to get anything done, since they are all obviously misguided, illiterate morons! Here at Tanker Bros, we know differently of course! Here we KNOW how well-educated, articulate our men and women are - they can even read this post without having to follow along the line with their fingers. We KNOW what motivates our young heroes to volunteer to fight this War on Terror and we tell you all the time. But...for those few readers who STILL have trouble taking our word for it, it seems others are singing the same song as we are....Go figure!

.... as difficult as it must be to fight and bleed for your country and come home unappreciated and derided, it might be worse to be pitied as a hapless moron duped by the Man and used for his enrichment. Today’s warriors are facing the prospect of both.

Over at Media Lies is a GREAT article on this very issue. Determined to portray our troops as simpletons, who lack the critical skills needed to make informed choices, some continue to insult the efforts of our warriors on a daily basis. But wait :

For the warrior with a family, it is not the lack of economic opportunity that causes a man to join the military, it is the lack of economic opportunity, once there, that causes him to leave it. This is reality and it is precisely the opposite of what Mr. Rangel so foolishly babbles on about.

So yes, we know about 'foolish babbles' here on TB.... but there IS more:

Nobody is joining up for the GI Bill or for some advanced computer training; they are joining to fight for their country. Some for an enlistment, some for a career, but with the economy and record low unemployment, nobody is serving to escape poverty.

Imagine that!~ Someone else is saying what we here at Tanker Bros have known all along. Our men and women do not leave their families and their homes so they can get rich fighting on behalf of a loud, ignorant minority. I think you all know MY views on this topic. But over at Media Lies
(in case any 'illiterates' missed the link the first time!) they have this to say. Go read the rest of the article.

You see, our servicemen and women believe in the fight, even if the idiots in Congress do not. They know who the enemy is. They fight with him every day. And they know the danger that awaits America if we back done now.

Too bad the people in Congress don't have any guts.

Phew - good job our troops can't read, y'all! As our very own GT31-scoring warrior might say:
HOOOOOOO-frickin-AAAAAAAAAAH!

brat

Rolling Victory Fast Update: 29 November 2006!

Link To Original Post: Here
Sign Up For A Day: Here or send an email to TankerBrothersReconATgmail.com
Updated Duty Roster: Here
Pick Up Your RVF Tee Shirts (Limited Edition, Only 50 printed, Only $10 each): HERE (All proceeds go to help support Soldiers Angels)

I am passing the fasting baton on to the veteran faster PCMom!! It's an honor!

PCMom is fasting for a very special man and group of people today. I will let her words tell you. Warning: have a kleenex handy!

Today I am fasting for the families of our Fallen Heroes. With the Holiday season in full swing, let us take a moment from our busy schedules to offer up a prayer of gratitude for those who are no longer with us. The list is long, yet each Warrior has a name, each Warrior has a story.

I would like to share a small bit of the life of one of our Warriors, Daryl Davis who died in an accident In Iraq 11/29/2004.

It was thru Reba, a very close friend of Daryl's, that I learned of this wonderful young man. Reba had asked if we would help her send packages to him in Iraq. She gave us his e-mail addy and a quick friendship was formed.

In our very first email exchange, we asked Daryl what we could send his way to make his deployment easier ... and I still get a lump in my throat when I think about his response. "I don't need anything. BUT, could you send some cookies for Joe, or some books for Ben, or some socks for Ernie.... "

I begged and pleaded with him in a joking, motherly way... "Come on... There has to be something we can send just for you. Something that you can't find over there."

You could read the laughter in his words when he said, "No, just seeing the other guys getting excited is all I need."

................. And that was Daryl Davis.

One young man out of many ... who served with Honor.

I am sad that we were just beginning to get to know him when he died. But, I am thankful for the short time that we had.

A quote from one of the guys in his unit:

"DARYL "DARYLDOGG" DAVIS WAS A GREAT GUY. I WAS PROUD TO CALL HIM A FRIEND. I REMEMBER THE FIRST DAY HE CAME TO THE 144TH FAMILY. OVER TIME HE BECAME LIKE A BROTHER TO US. HE ALWAYS MADE US LAUGH AND NO MATTER HOW HARD THINGS WOULD BE HE WOULD ALWAYS LOOK AT THE UP SIDE OF THINGS. THE DAY THAT HE WAS TAKEN FROM US, WE COULDN'T BELIEVE IT. IT WAS LIKE THE WORLD HAD STOPPED WHEN WE GOT THE NEWS. HE WAS A GREAT GUY AND WILL ALWAYS BE MISSED AND LOVED. NOT A DAY GOES BY THAT I DON'T LOOK UP AT THE SKY AND SAY THAT I MISS YOU."

From his best friend Reba,

Daryl was my best friend...he was the type of person that would make anyone glad just to meet him and if he didn't get your attention right away, he would continue louder until he got a rise out of you. He is greatly loved and missed. Thank you to everyone (soldiers and all who support them) for everything you have and are doing.

We love and miss you Daryl!!!

Love,
Reba
a special thanks to Reba for sending me the picture of Daryl

His Mother, Dana Davis, shared these thoughts about her son:

“I was always proud of Daryl for serving in the military and I knew this was what he wanted to do. When they started calling units up to go to Iraq, I wanted to send him somewhere safer; but he knew the possibility of serving overseas. Daryl knew at the age of 17 that he wanted to be in the Guard and he would have done it with or without my consent. But I knew that's what he wanted to do, so I supported him.”

To Daryl's Mother, Dana ... his brothers, Alex Davis and Richie Rosado ... his Father, Richard Rosado ... and to his dear friend Reba Butler

We Will Never Forget!

To all our Warriors... We Will Never Forget!

Hugs,

ProudCavMom

Daryl Davis

Thank you PCMom, for that wonderful dedication.

Keep us updated in comments!

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

"...the strength of the wolf is the pack."

FORT RICHARDSON, Alaska (Army News Service, Nov. 28, 2006) - Two days after Thanksgiving, the families of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team had a lot to be thankful for as three planeloads of the "Arctic Wolves" returned from a 16-month deployment to Iraq.

Fort Wainwright welcomed more than 620 Soldiers and Fort Richardson welcomed another 215 troops Nov. 25. More flights through this week and next were expected to get more than 3,720 Stryker Soldiers back home by Dec. 5.

For many of the returning Soldiers, the homecoming was a bit of a deja vu. Some 380 of the 172nd Soldiers came home to Fort Wainwright in July before their unit's deployment was extended four additional months....

For these heroes, this has been a looooooong time coming. Read the rest at:
Army News

WELCOME HOME!!!

brat

THE ENEMY OF THE GOOD

Nothing says 'welcome' quite like flowers in expended tank rounds.
Livening up the place, as only a Baghdadi could.
photo by Buck Sargent

BUCK SARGENT is the nom de guerre of an infantry team leader and noncommissioned officer on active duty in the United States Army.

Buck just made it home but his blog is still up. On there he has written an amazing poem that deserves to be read from beginning to end.

As the dense fog of war clouded uncommon senses
Amidst a drumbeat of electoral media spin,
Did the war Propheteers begin to swing for the fences
Knowing only on YouTube could a victory they win....

Read the rest on: American Citizen

Thank you for your service Buck...WELCOME HOME!!!!

brat

Be Safe MG!!!

This is my first and probably only post here on Tankerbrothers.

I am MG's Wife and Cav's Sis-in-Law.

Cav left a couple of weeks ago and MG finally left also.

Cav: I am VERY proud of you. Be safe and come home soon, so you can annoy me (LOL) and play with your little nephew Baby C

MG: I miss you so much honey! It breaks my heart not having you here. Keep your head down, your spirits up and come home as soon as possible. Baby C and I need you here, to hold us, to hug us and to give us your love. Don't worry about us! We will be fine, especially with all the support we are getting. Love you more then I can say. - E.

- MG's Wife

Article VI

Article VI: I will never forget that I am an American, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.

brat

Something I wanted to share with you all (or y'all)

Ladies and Gentlemen - meet a true American hero. US Marine First Sergeant Brad Kasal. From an Iowa Town to Marine Corps Legend By Nathaniel R. Helms U.S. Marine Corps First Sergeant Brad Kasal is an American hero. His story is a remarkable tale of bravery, sacrifice and savagery that adds another page to the great book of American military lore. Read the full story here

I was checking out some pictures in Darkblueworld and found this...

Please take the time to read the whole story. If the picture doesn't convince you, I'll leave you with these words...

Despite everything that has happened to him, Kasal still believes America's mission is Iraq is both important and terribly misconstrued. He harbors special venom for the so-called "mainstream" media reporters who portray the war as a failure and American policy as a gross mistake. He says he has heard reporters say their job is to make President George W. Bush and his policies seem a failure. "The insurgents are oppressing normal people," Kasal said. "The press never reports the good things. When we open a school or fix a sewer, the things that make normal Iraqis happy, they never report it. There are plenty of Iraqis, thousands of them, who want to live normal lives. If we can help them it will be all right. The people just want peace and freedom."

I like this guy!!

Again, I urge you to take the time to read the story of a man who is not only an extraordinary hero and leader but also pretty damm smart!!

Thank you Darkblue for pointing me to this site..

A_C

Rolling Victory Fast Update: 28 November 2006!

Fasting today is Me~Tracy. :o)

Since Master Gunner and Cav Tanker are both recently deployed, I will be fasting for them and their families that will miss them. I appreciate the fact that they started this blog to tell us the truth, and that they trust us to keep their blog going while deoployed. :o)

To their families: know that you are in our thoughts and prayers while MG and CT are deployed, you are hometown heroes and we appreciate you too!!

UPDATE: I got permission from MG's Wife to allow her picture on here, so I posted my favorite picture of MG and MG's Wife up above. So, no labels necessary on who is who among the good looking Tanker Men! LOL

~Tracy

Monday, November 27, 2006

"Willing to commit...."

It is not enough to understand, or to see clearly. The future will be shaped in the arena of human activity, by those willing to commit their minds and their bodies to the task.

-- Robert Kennedy

h/t to Sandi of SA.

brat

RVF!! December Has A Lot of Open Days!!

I may be opening myself up for the trolls, but here goes~~

We have a lot of open days in December. As of today both our Tankers are deployed! I don't want to disappoint them by have the RVF end!! Let's show them how much we support and care about them and keep this going.

I'm going to list the open days below. If you want any of these days please email me at tankerbrothersrecon AT gmail.com

6~Taken!! Thanks Lemon Stand!!
8
9~Taken!! Thanks Cindy M!!
10
12
15
16
17
18
19
22
23
24
27
29
30
31

I'll be looking for your emails!! :o)

~Tracy

There are good things happening in Afghanistan....

I am going to try something here. Just for a moment I want you all to put aside any pre conceived ideas you may have about why the Coalition Forces are in Afghanistan. Let’s forget everything that gets rammed down our throats on a regular basis and look at another angle.

If what my Prime Minister says is true (and I’m sorry, but I have no reason to believe otherwise) the average life expectancy of the people of Afghanistan is 46. This means on average the people of Afghanistan will not see grandchildren. One in five children will die before the age of five. That is one in five children who will never have the opportunity to see the new Afghanistan that is being rebuilt.

I find this very sad. If these were the averages of Australia we would be up in arms. Prime Minister Howard, like President Bush, had some tough decisions to make. I believe that he, like President Bush, made the right decision. Maybe not from the WMD perspective (though even that is a matter of perspective) but from a humanitarian perspective.

Afghanistan

now has a democratic constitution and a democratically elected President and parliament. The country’s first parliamentary elections in 30 years were held in September 2005. 6.4 million Afghans, representing over 50 per cent of registered voters, turned out to elect representatives to the Lower House, and the 34 provincial councils.

You can see the rest of Prime Minister John Howards speech to parliament here

It is important to note that this included women who were democratically elected to parliament.

If you want to look at the WMD perspective, we all know how that goes. Apparently no WMD (well, none that the msm considered note worthy anyway) were found. Ok, now here is a thought. Could Islamic Fundamentalism be considered a Weapon of Mass Destruction?? It may not be a bomb, but a bomb is merely a tool. The fanaticism behind it is more deadly than any bomb, anywhere. A religion that promises Heaven and 72 Virgins to any man willing to blow himself and others up for their cause. That promises to compensate the families of these men and that they will not be forgotten. Dare I use the word martyr?? That whip their followers into such a frenzy of hate against the western world that they find it acceptable to follow through, taking as many innocent people with them as possible. What do you think is more dangerous?? A bomb or MANY bombs??

What we have before us is the opportunity to change the lives of millions of innocent victims of this Taliban rule. We have the opportunity to rebuild their country with them. We have the opportunity to help them build a stable and democratic government. We have the opportunity to allow men and women to see grand kids, maybe great grandkids. The Coalition Forces are giving the children of Afghanistan the opportunity to attend school, to be vaccinated against treatable diseases.

They are assisting the Afghan people to become self sufficient. There is no long term plans beyond helping the people to rebuild and stabilize their country. Australia has recognized that this will not be a short term commitment and that there may be a need to be there for up to 10 years. Link to article here

As the situation in Afghanistan has unfolded, PM Howard has had to adapt his strategies to suit the ever changing conditions. He has had to do this under the constant criticism of other politicians (who have the benefit of hindsight) and yet, he has stood strong and made what have been at times, very difficult decisions. Always aware of the risk of loss of life to members of the ADF, he stands firm in his commitment to the people of Afghanistan.

The PM and the ADF, as well as all members of the Coalition forces in Afghanistan will get the job done, make no mistake. They will stabilize the country and the people. They will assist them to stand alone before they leave. And they will do this at the request of the Afghanistan President.

I believe to many people are focusing on the military presence and not the humanitarian aspect. Please, open your mind to the idea that the military and our collective governments have the opportunity to change history for these people. And to give them a future…….

A_C

Rolling Victory Fast Update: 27 November 2006!

Taking over the fast for us today is MG and Cav Tanker's Aunt Meli!!

Make sure to keep us updated on how your day is going Aunt Meli!

~Tracy

Joe needs support

This story was sent to me by Wendy of SA in Europe. Go here
and read the full story of this hero. Crew Chief on Blackhawk helicopters, Joe's last deployment was at Camp Taji. Right now he is Brooke Army Medical Centre, in the the fight of his life, battling cancer and kidney problems. We are being asked to send messages of support. Please go read the whole story at the link and if you can, send mail. There is a snail mail address there. I have another snail mail addy too. Email me for that one: Tankerbrosbrat@gmail.com
Thank you.....

brat

Sunday, November 26, 2006

From a Canadian mother

Cpl. Shane Keating died in Afghanistan, and on September 22, 2006, his mother, Judith Budd, spoke to the media. At the time I posted the press conference in its entirety on Soldiers' Angels forum. It seems appropriate to me, that I post them here - in an edited form. May we NEVER forget...^j^

SASKATOON (CP) Judith Budd, mother of Cpl. Shane Keating, told reporters Thursday that her son died fighting for a cause he believed in..........said her son told her in a conversation they had that "people have to know" that even though soldiers will die, it will make a difference to the Afghan people.

"He said most of us will come home and you can't just look at the individual, because most of us will come home, and the ones who don't made a difference and it's worth it,"...

"Shane would not want Canada and the UN to pull the soldiers home before the job is done."

"Our Shane paid the ultimate price for his willingness to go beyond the safe haven of Canadian borders in an attempt to help other world citizens," said [uncle] Mickey Keating.

"Those who love the world serve it in action".

Rest in peace, Shane. We will ALWAYS honour you, and ALL others who serve.

brat

Coalition Angels - An Angel's story

What follows is the story of one woman's commitment to support our troops. I was going to tell you her story of how she overcame many odds as she went from being a Soldiers' Angel with one adopted soldier and began, and now is the motivating force behind, "Coalition Angels". Because she is so eloquent in her own telling, I decided to use her own words to tell her story:

When I think back to the day where I was downtown Mannheim in this little Asian Karaoke Bar... I wonder if things would be the same if I did not go there. I still wouldn't know that there are Groups like Soldiers' Angels. Wouldn't know all of these great people I work with and wouldn't know "my" Soldiers.

Yes... this little Asian Karaoke Bar was the beginning of my journey through the "military world". This little Bar changed my life. This Soldier, whose name I want to keep secure, changed my life.

First I thought he'd be an ass. He was one of these guys you have to get to know better before you see that he ain't an ass.

We ended up alone and started talking, and just talked and talked and talked and talked. We did not realise that we were the last to leave the bar that night....

I offered him a ride back home and we continued talking. He asked if I'd like to come to his place and we still talked. We watched the sunrise and still talked. We talked around ten hours straight. It was amazing and mostly I listened to him. He told me about his first tour, and about the next tour which came up autumn.

I finally told him I had to leave - another family commitment. He said he wanted me to come back and gave his keys to me.

He made me think about Iraq. I never was interested in war. It was something cruel, and Germans do not understand the purpose of it anyway, but this young man who was on the first tour, and about to go on a second, made me think of it. I wondered if there was a way to stay in touch. If there was a way to do something.

Anyway, I went back to his place and found him sleeping. So peacefully.. and I wondered of what he has already gone through. He was my age... an NCO who taught me ironing uniforms, whose favorite song was from Sarah McLoughlin... , who loved reading Fantasy Novels written by R.A Salvatore....

Anyway, I don't want to go too much into it. He was the reason I did some research. I knew it wouldn't be easy to get some information, especially as a German. I found a military blog of a young deployed Airman. One day we started talking online and I've sent my first carepackages. A little later I got to know Captain Mike ****(ret.) who suggested Soldiers' Angels to me... so I officially adopted my first Soldier.

I know that I probably offended a lot of soldiers in the beginning. I grew up right next to a barracks but I didn't know that you never EVER call a Marine a Soldier. I didn't know all these little things you should know when you talk to Soldiers, Marines or any other branch. Most of them said "Hey it's allright". Later they called me "The German Princess", because they said that I'd do more than some of their own people which made me feel uncomfortable. I knew that a lot of spouses hated me because of the "German Princess" title the soldiers gave me.

You know, it's not easy to deal with all these things. And I can tell not every soldier wanted to have a German Supporter. One called me Nazi, others always said I'd do that to gain attention. It might be nice to be popular, but when you have too much attention people always watch out for mistakes. And I made a lot of mistakes, first because of language trouble, second because I didn't know military life.

So I adopted one soldier after another, always watched out for soldiers that could need a little extra support. Started an online blog in German and English language. Some Germans joined me, others called me 'fanatic' and didn't want to have anything to do with me because I was supporting the troops.

I sometimes felt lost, because many did not accept me because of different reasons. Other supporters didn't accept me because of my nationality, and in Germany they didn't accept me because i am supporting the troops. It was a tricky situation... I sent one package after another, wrote one letter after another and simply continued doing this.

I was addicted in supporting the Troops.My parents called me insane and always asked why I am doing this.

There is no explanation...

In school I became more and more an outsider. People asked me why I support 'murderers' and it became worse, so I had to switch classes. I couldn't stand it, and there was a time where I only had "my" Soldiers. I swore that I'd never give up supporting the troops just because it is unpopular.

I always kept out of politics and I continue to keep out of politics.

The more I got into "Supporting the Troops", the more unpopular I became. I made new friends.. most of them are military themselves. Meanwhile I've got friends in Dutch, Canadian, British (Scottish), American, Austrian and German military. It always was about the soldiers, never about politics or religion.

A lot of German soldiers laughed at us, and said they wouldn't need support like this, but meanwhile more and more German soldiers changed their opinion, because the deployments got harder and harder, and sometimes it is good to have someone to talk to.

The last two years have been an odyssey... and if I'd tell you all these stories I experienced with the Soldiers... for example, two got divorced while on deployment, others told me that because of me they have seen that Americans still care... Supporting the Troops is an endless story...

My first few months supporting the troops were torture. Most of my fellow Germans didn't accept me because I supported Soldiers from the 'most hated nation in the world', and it became worse when the media wrote about the torture from Abu Gharib.

My classmates looked at me, and they looked like they would jump at me the very next second.Usually I am an A Student, so most of them have been jealous anyway, and when they heard that I am supporting troops... well it gave them a reason to harrass and bully me in class.

My teacher said I should switch classes and make a new start. She understood, and always supported me in doing this. She also helped with the Christmas Cards. She talked to the upper classes and asked if they'd like to join and help us writing Christmas Cards. They loved the idea and joined us in writing cards. Especially the Russians wrote a lot of cards. Most of our Russian students love the Americans. They said they'd do the right thing, and would support the soldiers, and adopted the christmas card project for French Classes; that way I didn't only get English Christmas Cards - they've also sent a lot of Christmas Cards in French Language which was hilarious, but the soldiers loved it.

We've got so many different nations at school and most of them joined the project. My class was the only one that didn't join the project.

Anyway, I switched classes and damn...it was a good choice. British Military Brats, an Israeli who was pro-America and pro-military, German Conservatives, a former German soldier and when it came up to me to introduce myself, I knew it wouldn't be a problem to answer their questions.

When I found a new job, my new boss asked what kind of hobbies I have... I answered: "Sir, I am a Coalition Angel, that's the only hobby I have!" He was confused and wanted to know what a Coalition Angel is. So I told him that we are adopting soldiers and support them by sending letters, packages and give them a shoulder to lean on. He said: "Hey, I like that!" and didn't go more into it.

When we made the new timeplan he asked "How much time do you need for your soldiers?"

WOW! My boss asked me how much time I need for the soldiers. He wanted to make sure I have enough time to take care of them. It was amazing. From one day to another my life completely changed. Yesterday I had a class that hated me for doing this. Today I have a class that accepted and joined me in supporting troops, a boss who made sure that I have enough time to keep going with the project, and a boyfriend who is a soldier of the German Mountain Infantry, and supporting American soldiers himself.

As time went by, I got to know Amy who is an Angel from California. We became a Team, worked together from the very first day. We call each other "Sister Angel" and share almost everything with each other. Our Motto is "Kicking one Ass at a Time!" and our soldiers know that we have a list where we put them on when they teased us too much. That's where our Motto is from. The Soldiers love it because they get their butts kicked by "hot chicks"...urm.. yeah.. RRRIGHT! HAHAHA!

We harrass and tease each other in a friendly kind of way, and put everybody on the list who wants to be put on the list. We always warn them, and tell'em that we've got metal boots, but they don't care, they just want to have their butts kicked by a chick and heck, if they like it.. we'll kick it BWAHAHA!

Anyway, over time the yellow packages from Germany got well known. One of my Soldiers wrote for example:

I got your package with all the goodies in it yesterday. We started eating the cookies already. I gave Thor a whole box of that melon aloe vera tea. He's the other big tea drinker here. What do you expect though, his parents are British. My yellow packages are becoming well known around here. Yesterday my first sergeant saw me opening it and said aahhh, so you're the one getting packages from Germany. He asked who was sending them and I said 'my German friends of course'.

Another Soldier (from the Netherlands) said:

Well I know from experiences what the Coalition Angels can do for soldiers abroad. I am in the last 2 days of my tour in Afghanistan, and should be back in Holland the 3th of november. I had a great time here, also thanks to the Coalition Angels who supported me with packages, letters and a lot of small talk in dull moments!
Thank you for all you have done for me, I will keep in touch!
XXX Arjan, aka SSgt "D" aka Army Boy.

These are just two from many messages Amy and I got.

Amy and I are the hearts of Coalition Angels. We live for it, and we love what we do. The smile on the face of one of our soldiers is the best reward ever!

Over time I got to know so many great and awesome people. There are so many people from all over the world that are supporting the troops overseas, but you never see something about them in an article. Most Americans think that all Europeans are the same. We are not. There are people who believe in the same things I do, you just have to take a close look, and it'll take a while until you find them, but they exist, WE exist. We are from the Netherlands, Germany, UK, Portugal, Finnland, Sweden and France.

We are from Australia, Belgium, Switzerland and Africa, and we proudly support OUR Troops who are part of our lives.

So yeah, the Tanker Brothers, Nate, Chris and their Bat Cave Crew, Justin and his 16 Paratroopers, Chris, John, Justin, Ben, George I and George II, Jens, Apollo, Brandon, Shawn, Randy, Ryan, the two Airmen, Dustin, Taylor, Patrick and Steven...they all made a huge difference in my life...

We definitely keep the wings flapping regardless what people think about us.

Goooooooooooooo "Nelly"!!! Thank you for ALL that you do.
To find out more about the Coalition Angels, check out their site here , or click on their logo on the left of the screen. I am sure there is at least one way you can support them and our troops.

brat

Rolling Victory Fast Update: 26 November 2006!

I am an 8 year Army spouse and am proud of my Spouse and of every Service Member serving. I am proud to show my support of Service Members and their families by joining the fast. - HOOAH-

Great Dedication Household6. Thank you so much for your family's service to our country. I have nothing but respect for the spouses of our military men/women.

Keep us updated in comments!

UPDATE: We have a pinch hitter today. HH6's ARMY STRONG husband is taking over as HH6 is now eating for two!! Congratulations on your great news!!!!

~Tracy

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Another team member

U S Marine Lance Cpl Francisco Davila, of Miami, Florida, holds his platoon's dog, Baracus, inside his fleece jacket to keep him warm in Karabilah, Iraq, seven miles from Syria, Monday, Dec 5, 2005.. See more at this link

Found this on the Coalition Angels site. More news on THEM soon. Stay tuned.

brat

Rolling Victory Fast Update: 25 November 2006!

Link To Original Post: Here
Sign Up For A Day: Here or send an email to TankerBrothersReconATgmail.com
Updated Duty Roster: Here
Pick Up Your RVF Tee Shirts (Limited Edition, Only 50 printed, Only $10 each): HERE (All proceeds go to help support Soldiers Angels)

Fasting for us today is Layloni! This is her first fast, so Tanker Brothers and Sisters, lets give her a great big TB welcome!! Also fasting will be Aussie Chic for a bit of support!!

Layloni will be fasting for her Special Sailor.

Layloni, please keep us updated in the comments section as to how your fast is going!

~Tracy

Friday, November 24, 2006

2006 Weblog Awards

I just found this!

Deadline TODAY

The link is:

http://2006.weblogawards.org/

You might want to check out the milblog section! That's all from me folks!!

brat

Reduced phone rates for troops!

Found the following on Soldiers' Angels and think it good enough to share here! (Thanks to Denise for the info...)

Nov 22, 2006
BY Army and Air Force Exchange Service

DALLAS (Army News Service, Nov. 22, 2006) - The holidays are coming early for deployed Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen using 550-Unit Military Exchange Global Prepaid phone cards to call home from Army & Air Force Exchange Service's (AAFES') phone centers in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.

Troops who pick up 550-unit cards at any of the 53 BX/PXs or 32 Imprest Fund activities in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom will see per minute charges reduced by 13 percent when placing calls from AAFES phone centers from Nov. 22 to Dec. 25.

"The communication tools troops have come to know as providing the best value for overseas calls will provide an even better deal when prices are reduced from $35 to just $30 for 550-unit cards purchased in theater," said AAFES' Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Bryan Eaton.

"The reduced price will ultimately decrease per-minute rates from 19 to 16.5 cents for calls from Operations Enduring or Iraqi Freedom to the United States. This means that a Soldier in Balad using a 550-Unit phone card to talk to their mom in Detroit, Mich., during this promotion will pay only $4.95 for 30 minutes of calling compared to $5.70," he said.

Last December, deployed troops using AAFES prepaid cards from phone centers in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan spent more than 16.7 million minutes talking to friends and family. AAFES officials expect servicemembers placing calls during the 33-day rate-reduction promotion to log nearly 20 million minutes on phones at AAFES' 69 phone centers in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.

"No one knows better than AAFES' military leadership how important affordable communication is," said Eaton. "Hopefully, reducing rates will help bolster morale as the additional minutes troops receive bring loved ones together during this very special time of year."
_________________
~ Denise - PA ~

brat

Rolling Victory Fast Update: 24 November 2006!

I am doing this for my soldiers that I am sponsoring through Soldiers Angels. Through this wonderful organization I have found a "real" way to support MY troops besides just the well placed bumper Sticker. So today is for Mike, Michael, Robert, Thomas, Juli, Crystal and Mary!

Soldiers' Angels is a great group. Thank you for supporting our troops Stephanie!

Keep us updated in comments!

~Tracy

Thursday, November 23, 2006

HOME!!!

One of 'my' guys has just made it back from Iraq, and one of the first pictures he and his wife took is this one! I share it with you all with his permission. I am so happy for you both Chris and Elizabeth. THANK YOU!!!

brat

Far from Home - in our hearts

"It’s America, even if we’re in Iraq,” - Cpl. Daniel J. English, of Antwerp, Ohio.

U.S service members load up on all the trimmings during a special Thanksgiving meal at Bagram military base in Afghanistan. The military said the meal — featuring roast beef, turkey, shrimp cocktail, mashed potatoes, fresh strawberries and pecan pie — was served to up to 4,000 troops.

See more pictures and story here

brat

Let sleeping dogs lie........

by Tech. Sgt. Michele A. Desrochers

October 26, 2006

Olivia, a military working dog, sleeps beside her trainer inside a Stryker vehicle after a mission in Mosul, Iraq. This photo appeared on www.army.mil.

bratdog chose this one!

"I will never accept...ignorance and intolerance..."

"I will never accept that ignorance and intolerance should hide my face ever again." — Mehria Azizi. ...

Take a good look at this picture. This 24 year old woman lives in Kabul, Afghanistan, and although I am not sure if she would approve of the title, in MY book, she is most definitely a warrior and a hero. She is in Canada right now, on tour with a documentary film she made that she cannot show in her own country. I just heard her on CBC radio being interviewed, and if any of the naysayers doubted before, THIS woman is a very good reason WHY we cannot fail in our mission in Afghanistan. To hear this young woman talk, is to know that her struggles, her personal war, began long before we got there. We owe her and all her Afghan sisters our support. Read more about her here
or here

(unlike the brat, Mehria is technically superior!)

Remember this face. She IS the face of a free Afghanistan.

Thank YOU Mehria - and Godspeed on your journey.

Brat

"ET phone home"

Actually, I don't know if ET IS phoning home these days, but I can tell you that these days "phone home" for any of our troops takes on a whole new meaning. During this war, soldiers in the sandbox are able to keep in touch with family in a way no boots on the ground ever have before. Over at DVID News, there is an article on "Staying Safe While Staying in Touch"...

FORWARD OPERATING BASE PROPERITY, Iraq – Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division have only been on Camp Prosperity for about a week, and already, Soldiers are using every resource available to make contact home.

These days, all of us here have almost regular phone calls from our loved ones. As those of us with contacts on the ground know, in this war, we even get regular email contact. While some folk rely on the mainstream media for their news from the front(!), some of us have almost front row seats on what is happening overseas. This, of course, brings into highlight all sorts of issues that were not prevalent in bygone eras. Gone are the days when military censors would check every letter home, and when it would be usual for families to get letters weeks later with almost all content blacked out. These days, with instant messaging available, OPSEC is even more important than it ever was before.

...there are quiet reminders everywhere you go on the camp to uphold operational security (OPSEC). Whether it’s posters in the call center or friendly reminders from leaders, OPSEC is a priority for the brigade...

Back in the old days of WW2, security reminders in London consisted of posters all over the 'tube', 'declaring 'loose lips sink ships'. These posters served to remind commuters to be careful what they talked about in public places, since nobody knew if the fellow passenger squished up against you like sardines in the carriage (and you haven't lived 'til you've done one of those morning rush hour journeys!) was an enemy spy, looking to glean tidbits of important information on the allie's war plans.

Recently there was a post on Soldiers' Angels forum titled 'loose fingertips can also sink ships', with all sorts of reminders about dangers of casual internet chat. OPSEC is a major concern within the military these days, as it should be. Regular readers of Tanker Bros will remember a discussion recently on the military guidelines for milblogs. It IS a huge issue, since, while taken by itself, one post on one milblog gives nothing away, but when combined with posts from many milblogs, information gathered COULD jeopardise the safety of any of our soldiers, fighting in lands far away. We all know here, that our very own Master Gunner and Cav Tanker are very conscious of the absolute safety of their fellow comrades in arms. Those of us now 'caretakers' of this blog are also very aware that any seemingly insignificant snippet of information could put our soldiers in harm's way. In fact, it is so important that the Army Chief of Staff, Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker, has made it one of his top priorities, said Maj. J.P. Smith, the 2nd BCT information operations officer-in- charge.

“There have been instances of the enemy using photos from a Soldier’s blog in propaganda,” Smith said. “You do have freedom of speech, but you have to realize there are consequences if you do the wrong thing. I don’t think anyone wants to get themselves or fellow Soldiers hurt because of something they did to break OPSEC.”

2nd Lt. Martin Ellison, is an intelligence trainer with the 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment’s Military Training Team. Ellison keeps in touch with his family as often as he can, but is always aware of what he can, and cannot share either online or on the phone. As he sees it, it is not hard to remember the limits on topic he is able to talk about, since the safety of all is at stake.

Smith added ... that OPSEC isn’t meant to impede 1st Amendment rights, but is instead used to keep a check on what information the enemy can possibly use against troops.

So what to do, if you are a mom or friend sitting here at home waiting for that call so you can hear for yourself the loved one's voice, the news from the front? Obviously, all of us here are very conscious of what we can ask, or be told when talking to any soldier. Sometimes, however, you don’t have to say anything to break OPSEC rules.

Logging off your computer and making sure you secure any type of removable memory storage device such as thumb drives, flashcards or memory sticks, can help reduce the chance that information can fall into the wrong hands.

When the recent post on this topic was on SA, some posters bordered on paranoia. Panic is not necessary, but a heightened awareness of what can jeopardise our loved ones' safety is. However, even if we here may forget the limitations in the delight of hearing that special voice, our soldiers never forget. I have had calls and/or emails saying "I can't talk about any of that stuff, ".... in answer to the simple question "what's going on with you?.." ...and I accept that. Ellison again:

“The Army is enough of a brotherhood to make it an incentive to help keep everyone safe,...If you want people to follow OPSEC, emphasize the importance of doing your part to keep each other safe.”

And this just in: Saying "Stay safe....I love you!" is NOT a security risk. Honest!

brat

"Proudly Serving" (c)

I AM thankful - to each of you. Thank you..... Brat

Rolling Victory Fast Update: 23 November 2006!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Fasting for us today is Tanker Brothers very own Aussie_Chic!! I emailed Aussie_Chic to see what she wanted her dedication to be today. I loved her answer:

Keep it simple. Just for everyone who can't make it home for Thanksgiving.

Wonderful dedication. It must be so very hard to be away from family during the holidays.

And I am thankful that we have a Tanker Sister that does not live in the U.S. and can do the fast for us on a day that most Americans would have a very hard time fasting on! :o)

~Tracy

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

"Write an email"

Kat steered me towards the following, and relates to the post YankeeMom did the other day, and that I copied here on Tanker Bros. It seems more than just Tanker Bros and Sisters are outraged at the treatment some of our heroes are receiving at the hands of their fellow Americans.
Over at Chromed Curses
they are on the job! Read on:

Write an Email

People, this will take no money and only a little bit of your time!

Yankeemom has had contact with a returned vet from Iraq and he has been spit upon AND had coffee thrown on him!! No surprise it was in California.

Anyway, we all need to make sure that pup knows that WE appreciate his service!

Please write up an email expressing your thoughts and email ‘em to deb@yankeemom.com. She will print them out and hand deliver them to Our Soldier.

Thanks.

I was going to include the responses that got, but instead will just direct you to Chromed Curses blog. Thank you.

brat

"The kids are all right"

In case you think we here at Tanker Bros post only happy kids in Iraq, taken from those propaganda sites of the American official sites, or - gasp! - from our American soldiers, here is a picture from Afghanistan. And, this was taken by a true blue Canadian, Rick Mercer. Rick is a well-known Canadian comedian who has a regular tv show, where he skewers any and all politicians, and anything else that amuses him. Recently he went to Afghanistan. You can read more about his trip here.

I found his blog as I was looking at a Canadian military site. I am pretty sure that Rick, being the independant thinker that he is, would not post pictures such as this becasue he is trying to curry favour with the Canadian government! About this specific picture, Rick says:

In Kandahar we were lucky enough to go along on a foot patrol. The kids go crazy for the Canadian soldiers and mob them wherever they go. They want high fives and pens. The pictures speak for themselves.

Don't take my word for it that progress is being made. Don't take the msm stories of the mayhem being wreaked on the streets. Right there in Khandahar, every day, coalition forces ARE making a difference. Yes, there is a war going on, but also good things are happening.

Rick Mercer says:

This was my second trip to Afghanistan and the capitol city of Kabul has changed dramatically since Canada showed up. Kabul looks and feels like a city on the mend. New construction is everywhere, the stores are crowded, there is fresh produce in abundance and women are seen everywhere on the streets -- many without Burkas.

Even though Mercer IS well known as a funny man here in Canada - he usually manages to make ME laugh, the story on his blog Operation-Enduring-Blogger
doesn't sugarcoat the dangers that our troops face every day. Along with pictures showing the happy kids, there are also pictures of vehicles damaged by attacks. If you want a different perspective on what the troops are doing (you know, apart from the usual msm fare!) go check out Rick's blog. It is a great read. Thanks Rick...Oh Canada!

brat

Happy Thanksgiving

'Tis the time when our American brothers and sisters celebrate Thanksgiving. With this in mind I thought it might be a good idea to remember the origins of the holiday.

The Pilgrims who sailed to America were originally members of the English Separatist Church.

And you thought it was a quintessential American holiday! So did I, but read on:

The feast was more of a traditional English harvest festival than a true "thanksgiving" observance. It lasted three days.

In England to this day, Thanksgiving as such is not celebrated, but in churches across the land, there IS a giving of thanks in what is known as "Harvest Festival". At this time, altars are decorated with many examples of the harvest, and the congregations gather to give thanks for another successful season of growing all the vegetables and crops they have just harvested.

If you go here
you will see great detail of the history of the Thanksgiving holiday as Americans now celebrate. There is also a brief mention of the Thanksgiving staple, pumpkin pie! It seems that pumpkin pie was not found at the original celebrations. This Brit can tell you, I had never had pumpkin pie until I made my own pilgrimage to north America. To this day, I still have not acquired the taste for this basic pie found at every American table on Thanksgiving.

However, if you have not read the history of Thanksgiving on this continent, you might believe that it was a president who determined that there be such an observance. While it may be true that President George Washington proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving in 1789, it was in fact a woman whose efforts eventually led to the recognition of what Americans today celebrate as Thanksgiving!

It was Sarah Josepha Hale, a magazine editor, whose efforts eventually led to what we recognize as Thanksgiving....Finally, after a 40-year campaign of writing editorials and letters to governors and presidents, Hale's obsession became a reality.

Since 1941, Thanksgiving has been a time of reflection, of giving thanks. In 1941, Congress finally sanctioned the fourth Thursday in November as the official Thanksgiving day. For me, I give thanks to every one of our troops away from home and family. Some of our soldiers are celebrating this holiday, far from home, thanks in part to groups like Soldiers' Angels, who have sent many creative packs of Thanksgiving dinners overseas. As we all sit safe at home with our families this Thanksgiving, let us all reflect on the many troops seperated from their families, serving so we might enjoy the freedom to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Let us never forget to say "Thank you".

brat

"Start spreading the [good] news...."

This just in!!! Soldiers Angels Germany has a story about phone cards. We all know how valued phone cards are for our troops, and today MaryAnn at SA Germany has a post about some very special groups who made sure that some of our troops got a chance to call home..

.... was able to purchase 500 phone cards and collect 200 letters and cards of encouragement.

Many individuals contributed to this effort but there are some groups that stood out in their level of concern and commitment, according to Cathy.

Go here for the full story. Thanks MaryAnn!!

brat

John F. Kennedy 29.5.1917 - 22.11.1963

Hyannis Port summer 1962

"There are risks and costs to a program of action. But they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction."

Rolling Victory Fast Update: 22 November 2006!

I will dedicate this fast to the Tankers Bros & all our brave troopers
that are in harms way. Also to the 234 soldiers who fell 41 years ago
last week in the Ia Drang South Vietnam. Never Forget!

Great Dedication Jere! Never Forget is right!

Keep us updated in comments.

~Tracy

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Mark December 14th on your calendar!

Christmas at Arlington National Cemetery

Check out Soldiers' Angels Germany here and see the most memorable thing you could be doing December 14..

Since 1992 volunteers have placed wreaths donated by the Worcester Wreath Company at the headstones of over 5,000 of America's honored dead.

Morrill Worcester initially brought 4,000 surplus wreaths from the holiday decoration company he owns to Arlington. Every year since then he has driven to Arlington in December with a trailer full of wreaths and dozens of volunteers to place them throughout the cemetery.

This year, Mr. Worcester hopes to expand the Arlington Wreath Project into Wreaths Across America, and place memorial wreaths at more than 230 State and National Cemeteries and Veterans Monuments across the country.

As Mr. Worcester told an Air Force reporter in 2005: "We couldn't do anything in this country if it wasn't for the people who gave their lives to protect us. It's a great honor to be able to come here and pay our respects."

Please visit the Wreaths Across America website for more information about volunteering to place wreaths at one of the locations, to help organize pending locations, to make a donation, or to help in any way.

Wreaths Across America Mission:
Remember - Honor - and Teach
Remember the fallen;
Honor those who serve;
Teach our children the value of freedom.

Thanks to Mudville Gazette for the Open Post.

Check out all the other great stuff on SA Germany while you are there. Thanks for all you do MaryAnn..:)

brat

Say what?

I know Tanker Bros readers are among the smartest in the world of blogs. So, with no comment from me - well okay, maybe one or two!!! - for your credibility metres, I have to share the following two headlines that I found today. You can decide for yourselves if you want to pursue them.

Headline #1 (and you better brace yourselves ;o) )

U.S. the rudest : Survey

Now Tanker bros and sisters I DID warn you, didn't I? But I share this headline with you merely to make the point that was 'debated' here yesterday. At first glance, that got my attention, as the headline writers knew it would. Then I read the body of the article. Taken from Reuters, this brief article was printed in one of my local papers.

Gripping stuff huh? Sorry to break the news to y'all but wait a minute... WHO says Americans are the rudest? Well not to worry. This survey, released by Discover America Partnership is based on a poll size of.....DRUM ROLL PLEEEEEESE

2,010 "international travellers in 16 countries."

Doesn't that make ya all feel so much better now? I am not a math whizz but even this brat can figure out that 2010 people from 16 countries equals a lousy representative sample. What does translate into (little pun for ya all!)...more than 100 but less than 200 people from each country? And, who were these people, where were they? Were they at a border crossing? (guaranteed to tick anyone off!) or were they leaving a live theatre after a wonderful evening of ooh choose:- comedy, drama, symphony? we know they were 'international travellers' - the survey wouldn't not tell that truth would they? But apart from that, we know absolutely ZERO about the sample used in this survey. And that is what this survey is worth, in my opinion. ZERO. Oh, and if you want more info on this, be sure to either follow Reuters or Discover America Partnership. You can find your own way there, just this once.

NEXT: Again, a real shocker, and I am still recovering from the trauma of reading this one.

Women, kids, old, sick most at risk in Iraq: IOM

Okay, okay, settle down now boys and girls!! Pass the smelling salts to the back please YankeeMom. I see Tracy has fallen over from the shocking revelation here. Ummmmmm,,, Aussie_Chic? Ya need a Tanker Bros monogrammed barf bag because of the shocker here? Please forgive me, all. I really thought you could all handle such startling (even shocking revelations!)

So, my question - well the first one anyways..;) Who or what are IOM and why should I trust them to tell the truth to me? Even if we agree as an intrinsic truth that in any war zone women, kids, old and the sick are most at risk. Kinda intuitive yes? - but who is IOM? Fear not, according to the online article which I found, IOM is the International Organisation for Migration. Sounds impressive doesn't it? I actually found this article on the Reuters site. And seriously folks, quite apart from all the joking I am doing here, this issue should warrant way better treatment than this particular article gives it. It IS well known world wide that the first casualties of ANY war are indeed:

Single women, children and the old and sick in Iraq are most at risk of being left hungry and homeless among people uprooted by the sectarian violence, an international aid group warned on Tuesday.

Rafiq Tschannen, IOM's chief of mission for Iraq is quoted as saying:

"... traditional coping mechanisms are not only being stretched to the limit but are starting to break down,"...

Tanker Bros and Sisters don't really need this fact pointed out to them, but this article doesn't really say much else. Where is the analysis on how to solve these problems, where is the determination for government bodies to do something about this critical issue? Not discussed in this article. You can read the rest of this one for yourself here.

Yes, I helped you out this time! The only paragrah that really gives a sense of details that some readers may not know (but of course I don't include any of our well-read TB regulars!) is the last one. It goes:

According to the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR), some 50,000 Iraqis are fleeing their homes each month because of the violence adding to the more than 1.5 million already homeless within Iraq.

Okay, settle down, the discussion on the UN and any of it's groups, is for another day. Promise!!

The whole point of this post is to be a cautionary tale - just in case any of you missed it. Lazy journalism ALWAYS leaves me very annoyed. But, in my humble opinion, it is the responsibility of EVERY citizen of any country (including the 100+ in each of the 16 countries used in the survey above!) to inform themselves. Information is the power tool of today, so every citizen better learn how to manoever their way to the real news. It is no longer enough to look to just one source for your news intake. As a famous journalist (from the old school!) once told me, "read ALL the news". And so it is. As easy as it would be to just read the milblogs, or just watch Fox news, that is no longer enough. With so much going on in the world today, from our backyards to the other side 0f the globe, we NEED to be intelligently informed, from many different viewpoints, sources. Period.

Questions?

Brat

"Troll bat"

Drinking my first coffee this morning and found this gem... United Conservatives
blog this morning has a post by F22 Strike pointing out that their blog is NOT a democracy. :) and reminds readers on that blog that comments can be deleted. THIS brat of course has no idea how to swing a bat, so will continue to wield the 'pen' instead. Check out the post, while I continue to laugh. NEXT!!!

posted by the infamous "batty" brat

These kids just never miss a photo opportunity do they!!!

Lt. Col. Lorenzo Valenzuela, from the Army Corps of Engineers, makes some new friends in Afak, Iraq. This photo appeared on www.army.mil.

These kids crack me up, they seem to be like any other child in the world and come running when the cameras come out.

Rolling Victory Fast Update: 21 November 2006!

Just wanted all my adopted troops and all the Troops serving this wonderful country know that I stand behind them 100% Thank you for all that you do!! OORAH

OORAH indeed!! Now, as far as I understand, and any military person can correct me if I am wrong, OORAH is the Marines, HOOYAH is the Navy (most esp. SEALS), and HOOAH is Army and Air Force. Or as Master Gunner says "Hoo-Frickin'-Ahh!" :o)

Keep us updated in Comments Julia!

Monday, November 20, 2006

"A soldier story"

Strolling through other blogs, as I do from time to time, I came across the following over on YankeeMom's blog. It mirrors how I feel so well that I am not going to make any of my own comments, except to say that if the Iraqi that Aussie_Chic tells us about in HER post below 'gets' it, how come this soldier's fellow Americans do not? What is wrong with this picture? (and - talking pictures, the snarling lioness is from Yankeemom's site too!)

A Soldier Story

I received a phone call the day before yesterday from DJ (Not this Time Vets founder) She was excited and angry all at once. Seems that she was driving up the road heading into one of the mountain towns just north of us and she saw a young man dressed in ACUs with a backpack slung over his shoulder, trudging up the side of the road. Well, being a Marine Mom and vet supporter, of course she pulled over, introduced herself and asked him if he wanted a ride. She said he looked so tired and he was limping.
They got to talking on the way up the road and he told her he had just gotten back from Iraq 3 weeks ago, that he was living with his wife and their baby boy at his in-laws place. DJ told him about NTTV and what the organization was trying to do for the vets locally. He perked up at that and started to tell her about how he was having trouble sleeping and feeling really anxious; that his son just sneezing in his sleep had sent him springing out of bed and up against the wall. He also had been wounded and had a foot and leg injury that he was recovering from that would keep him from combat. He was sorry about that part ~ he’s a tanker and really liked being one.

And now here is the part that just sends me through the roof:
He told her he had just been downtown for some reason or another and someone had thrown coffee on him and someone else had spit on him and called him baby killer (they’re not very original around here I know).
Well, let me tell you, DJ went into full Marine Mom mode and let him know that there were some really fine people here that appreciates what he did and the choices he made for his country. She would see to that he would have the help he needed with his PTSD and anything else his family needed. She also told him about an Army Mom (meaning me of course ~ she knew how I would react to this) that also supported the troops and was a NTTV volunteer.

So I asked DJ for his phone number and said I would call him so he would here another caring voice after his not so fun afternoon.
I called him right after I hung up with DJ and told him I just wanted him to know that not everyone thinks the way the spitters and coffee throwers do. We talked for quite awhile and he couldn’t have been a nicer young man. Of course, I asked him all the Mom questions: About his wife, his son, his living arrangements. I talked to him about PTSD and told him some stories I’d heard from other soldiers and that we would hook him up with other vets here. And as we were talking (he had been at the store and was again walking on the side of the street) he told me he had just been flipped off again. I said, yeah, happens to me too ,as my car is a moving advertisement for the Army. He replied, it really sucks, doesn’t it? I said yeah it does, but I just growl back at them, but then I’m older and meaner than you are. I said the only thing meaner and tougher than a Soldier (or Marine), is a Soldier’s (or Marine’s) Mom. You don’t mess with our kids!
He thanked me for calling and said he really appreciated it. I told him we’d talk again soon, count on it.

DJ called me again later that night to say that he had called her to tell her that the Army Mom had called and how great it was to hear that people do care. He and his wife were so blown away by this. He said he’d felt so lost and didn’t know where to turn, but now he was feeling so much relief.

Now I’m not telling this story to toot my own horn. I would do no less for family and he is a member of my family. I’m telling this story because it needs to be told. That there are kids coming home and getting treated just like the soldiers were 35 frickin’ years ago. And it really, really, and I mean really, doesn’t sit well with me at all! And the wonderfully ironic part about all this is that the town I live in has been titled a “Hate Free Community”. The folks around here pride themselves on this “fact”. They “celebrate diversity” all over the place. They preach tolerance. They fight for the oppressed and downtroddens’ rights. ( the Palestinians are a favorite pet cause around here)

And they spit on our soldiers. Our soldiers who defend their right to do so.

I don’t see throwing coffee and spitting on someone and calling them a baby killer as Freedom of Speech and I never will. It’s beyond rude and it’s a despicable act.

And that is the hypocrisy of the Left.

Thank YOU YankeeMom - thank you.

brat

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yankeemom has posted an update on her site. I will quote it here also:

UPDATE ~

I’ve had such wonderful comments to this post ~ thank you all! And I’ve had requests for an address to send cards to this soldier. Well, I’m more than happy to see that he gets all your good wishes if you want to email me for my address. I’d so love to hand him a big fat envelope of cards to counteract his previous “welcome home” here! So just email me and lets welcome home this soldier right!!

Please go to Yankeemom's site and click on the "contact me" link on the right side to Welcome Home this soldier RIGHT!! I know I'll have a letter in the mail TODAY.

(Update added by Tracy)

THIS is why the Soldiers hand out toys....

I recieved this from one of the Soldiers I communicate with....

2 weeks ago, we received a message from our command to be aware that Iraqi children have been reported to be garnishing a plastic toy AK-47 assault rifles at coalition forces. This message had been put about because unfortunately, a young Iraqi boy had been mistakenly shot and killed by Coalition Forces. While no one wanted this to happen, it is war and these things DO happen. Some people might even think that the child got what he deserved for aiming a toy weapon in a war zone at soldiers. However, there is more to the story. Our team joined up with another team to an operation and they provided more details to this tragedy. They showed us the plastic AK-47 Assault Rifle and a note that was attached to the stock of the gun. The toy guns were given out free to the children of that village and the note said if you aim and fire at the American convoy they will give you candy. The boy was 12 years old. In the same village they questioned a grammar school teacher who told his class anyone that throws rocks at the Americans would receive a high mark in class. This is the enemy we face.

I, know it's not a new concept, but one of the ways we can change things is through personal interaction with the tribes. We need to educate and break the circle of hate. If you don't reach the children then they are destined to become a future terrorist. So, my point in writing this blog is to ask for assistance in the way of donations for children (coloring books, crayons, toys, soccer balls, ect) anything good for kids, so that our team could take along some gifts for the kids every time we do a mission and pass it out and make friends. In the hopes that maybe a parent or someone brave enough speaks to us about the insurgents making all these problems. Please pass this blog along to church groups, civil organizations, ect. We would contact them directly, but our mission profile and operational tempo prevents us from deviating too much from our primary objectives.

Thanks

My first thought when I read this was there you go, there you have a reason for the soldiers to do what they do. They have a damm good reason for interacting with the children, it would seem.

They are SO committed to helping thses people, to making their lives better and guiding these children to positives paths, that will take them on to fullfilling lives. Quite simply, they DO care.

Look at the picture, really look. These people look to the soldiers for the small things they give them, things they would never be able to have otherwise. Consider, if you can, what it would be like to have to say no to your child all the time, to never be able to give them small gifts. The soldiers are offering the children small tokens of friendship to gain their trust so they can guide them. That, to me, is a remarkable story.

Yes, we can all help them. If you wish to help these soldiers in their mission please email us at the recon address and Tracy will email the message on to me. I will get in touch with more details.

A_C

Something everybody should see....

This statue currently stands outside the Iraqi palace,
now home to the 4th Infantry division.
It will eventually be shipped home
and put in the memorial museum in Fort Hood , TX

The statue was created by an Iraqi artist named Kalat,
who for years was forced by Saddam Hussein to make the many hundreds of bronze busts of Saddam that dotted Baghdad .

Kalat was so grateful for the Americans liberation of his country;
he melted 3 of the heads of the fallen Saddam
and made the statue as a memorial to the American soldiers
and their fallen warriors.
Kalat worked on this memorial night and day for several months.

To the left of the kneeling soldier is a small Iraqi girl giving the soldier comfort as he mourns the loss of his comrade in arms.

Do you know why we don't hear about this in the news?
Because it is heart warming and praise worthy.
The media avoids it because it does not have the shock effect.

But we can do something about it.
We can pass this along to as many people as we can
in honor of all our brave military who are making a difference.

I recieved this as an email and had to pass it on. What a beautiful tribute, one I imagine is greatly valued amongst the Soldiers and Military Personnel in Iraq

A_C

"Huffy"???????? I wonder...

Or: OPINION PIECE # 2!

The following is my response to one specific poster in the comment section of the picture that our own Aussie_Chic posted recently under the title "I wonder". I was going to just reply in the comment section, but thanks to Halsocan, I realised that my response would take more space. So, because I can (seeing as I am officially a co-author on this site!) here is MY response. Feel free to skip it - it is long, but I felt the need to comment at length...;)

I wonder…….

"Huffy" you say? Not hardly! Those who know me, know that when I get "huffy" ( a very UNbratlike quality btw ;)) the earth trembles!

However, contrary to what some readers choose to believe, those of us here at Tanker Bros do not wear blinders OR rose coloured glasses. You may not know this, but in fact the actual Tanker Bros - you know, the ones who created this site - ARE veterans. One of them is already back in Iraq on his second deployment. The other, our much respected Master Gunner, is on his way back there in the near future. They know very well what is going on in Iraq.

I cannot presume to speak for anyone else though, other than myself. So....yes polls do show that a sometime majority want the war over, but I would suggest you examine WHY! One reason, "in MY opinion" is that the general public is uninformed as to what is really going on in Iraq or Afghanistan or wherever else there are coalition troops. Yes the msm 'covers' stories on the war, but I have yet to see ANY of the stories that I use in here in any msm media :) I have yet to see an actual discussion as to what the mission IS in these places, why we committed to go in the first place. Of course people will want out of a war if all they see is maimed bodies, torn minds returning from the front. That is all there is in the msm. So, if the msm is the only source of information for most people, they really cannot be blamed for having NO idea why our troops are either in Iraq or elsewhere. I have a different perspective. Because of what I choose to read, who I choose to listen to, I get the whole picture, or at least a more nuanced telling of what is going on. Why, just this very morning, I got an email from one of my guys 'somewhere out there' about an RPG attack on them. This in a place where I KNOW U.S troops and their allies are not running about killing and maiming innocents. Am I supposed to believe that this soldier, and many others like him, use their time to make these stories up? And, will I see these stories in the msm? Probably not, unless they deign to say in a throwaway line "4 more US troops killed today". And no, I won't even address the media's handling of numbers and no-names when it comes to our own, but somehow manages to be right there to record the weeping and wailing of named citizens when a local suicide bomber has wreaked mayhem - again!

Polls? As anyone who has studied either polls or statistics KNOWS, (and yes, I am more than a little familiar with both..;) ) numbers can lie. I promise you that if you asked 10 people to respond to the same incident, you would get 10 different interpretations. Each of the ten surveyed would ‘see’ something different, and each could be recorded as a truthful retelling of events. That is a well researched and documented fact. I could give you a looooooong list of studies done on that issue - but the data are out there. And yes – I HAVE studied that phenomenon.

Polls again - many millions of $$ are spent on designing and fine tuning polls. I gaurantee you even I could design a poll for milbloggers that would have you believe that a huge majority of even milbloggers and troop supporters are against the war, want the troops out of Afghanistan or Iraq or anywhere else our troops are in harm's way. By designing my poll questions, I could even have you believe the fallacy that all of our troops are child-killers, murderers, marauding the streets just looking for innocent families to torture and maim. I know this, but the msm just goes with what I call lazy journalism. ;) Oh, and before you come back with the recent stories of soldiers convicted of crimes against locals, let me remind you that of the thousands of dedicated soldiers on the ground, I think 4 - or is it 6? - have committed acts which ANY military person will tell you goes against every military code, not to mention against their own personal moral codes. And yes, statistically, those now charged (innocent til proven guilty of course) and those who have copped a plea, represent less than oooooh I dunno - maybe .000001% of the troops. Read any milblog and you will see how angry ALL troops are at the actions of these few. They bring discredit to the amazing feats of decency and heroism that the majority of my troops perform every day. Yet, what do we see focused in the msm? Yep – those 4 or 6 disgraces to the uniform. No wonder the polls show Americans disapprove of the efforts of the men and women – carried out on their behalf. And yes – this writer sees those stories, and I weep for all involved. The families in Iraq forever changed, as too are the families of the soldiers who committed those acts. And yes - I choose to exclude those stories from here, very simply because it seems the msm uses a lot of ink and space over covering them. Imagine that!

So 'lacop', and even those ‘anonymous’ visitors who we all know and love at Tanker Bros (yes, we really CAN know who you are; called the miracle of modern technology…lol) you are more than welcome to come on this site and read and learn. You are even welcome to give your own point of view. But…do us all a favour, and don’t bother coming in to share disparaging remarks about OUR coverage, because I and my co-authors choose to redress the imbalance of coverage in msm. Do you write to ANY of the msm big organizations and complain about their coverage? I bet not!

Last and not least, to any who feel the need to come on here and use our comment space. Do not come in here and insult any of the thousands of military people – many of whom I am honoured to know, and support personally – by your myopic and disingenuous interpretation of what our men and women are doing. THAT I do take very personally.

That's all folks. The brat is done - for now!!!

"We support..."

Your Monday morning smile......:)

brat

"Thank you"

Quite a bit of debate has gone on among Tanker Bros readers lately about the effects of saying "thank you". Some of us on the 'home team' have been chided for use of the common courtesy of expressing our appreciation for all that our heroes do. Well, it seems even our heroes feel the need to convey appreciation. I actually do very little for any of our troops directly, but just received this email from one of my British soldiers. As usual, no names, no identification of where he was (I value all my heroes!) 'Nuff said.

FOR THE RECORD:

...."just wanted to thank you for everything you have done for me. i am back in england now just wanted to say thank you..."

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

brat

"For as long as it takes..."

In his second visit to Afghanistan, British Prime Minister reaffirmed that country's commitment to helping Afghanistan live in a democracy without oppression. Standing beside the Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Blair said:

"I want to recommit ourselves to say that we will be with you in this endeavour,"...

As he visited with the British troops in southern Afghanistan, Blair praised the work being done. He acknowledged the progress already made, but went on to say:

"The roots of the Taleban, al-Qaeda, this type of global terrorism around the world, are deep and where they gained a foothold in a country like Afghanistan, it is going to take time to banish that for good,"...

You can read the rest of the story, from the British point of view on BBC online here.
While you are there, check out all the sidebar stories on different aspects of the War on Terror. Read what the Afghan people themselves say here

Even as Afghan Jamail Haider says:

"I want to express my thanks to foreign troops"...

Another Afghan, Mohammed Masoud says:

"I say foreign troops should leave now "...

In Britain, even as views on the chances of success in Afghanistan are divided, President Karzai says progress is being made. Refugees who fled their homeland are returning. Cautioning against the naive view that years of the Taleban could be wiped out in a short time, Karzai pointed out:

...progress had been made with 4.5 million refugees returning to Afghanistan in less than four years.

"While the Taleban were here they were running away from Afghanistan," he said.

"Now they have come back, and more are returning as we talk, from our neighbourhood and from the rest of the world."

In Canada, just as in Britain, opinion polls show a sharply divided perception as to what the troops are doing there. In forums across the country, some Canadians point to the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, as the world community's failure to help Afghan's embrace of a democracy free from the grips of terrorism. These opinions show the usual ignorance of the differences between then and now. Listening to an Afghan diplomat speaking at one of those forums recently, is to be reminded why any of us are there, helping the Afghan people in their quest for peace. This diplomat reminded us all that the Afghan government invited troops from around the world in. We are there because we are wanted, needed.

Over on CBC, Blair is quoted as saying:

"We came to Afghanistan because the sickness and the evil that was here came to us,"...

You can read the rest of the CBC reportage of this visit over on here

And yes, many of us are suspicious of the mainstream media's presentation of the facts. But, this writer was lucky enough to talk to a Canadian soldier for many months (and yes, I DO mean talk, as we shared many phone calls) and even if you do tend to discount media reports (as most of us do!), I can tell you that from all that I hear, the troops in Afghanistan are making progress. All across Afghanistan, as young men and women from faraway lands are shedding their blood, giving their lives to help their fellow man achieve that attainable goal of freedom, news of orphanages being built, schools being re-opened for all children to attend, dressed in winter clothing donated from abroad, doesn't seem to make it onto our front pages. Don't take the msm word for it. Don't even take my word for it. Speak to any of the boots on the ground there. Over the last year, I have talked to quite a few Canadian soldiers and to a person, they all are committed to the mission. They want to stay and finish what they began. They know why they are there. The GOOD news IS out there, for any who care to listen.

Make no mistake, whether or not you believe anything you read or hear in the msm, children, men and women across this historically war-torn land are seeing a new dawn, a glimmer of hope for a peace. IF we were to leave now, I believe it would be a mistake of epic proportions; not just for the citizens of Afghanistan, but for all of us. Even if you believe that what happens 'over there' is no concern of ours, won't affect US, think again. We cannot fail, we will not fail. We WILL achieve the goals of a free Afghanistan. Too much depends on it.

Tony Blair again:

"Here in this extraordinary desert is where the future of world security in the early 21st century is going to be played out."

God bless ALL our troops.

brat

Chief Master Sgt. John Gebhardt

Picture is from the European Edition of the Stars and Stripes 6 October 2006.

Air Force Chief Master Sgt. John G., of the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group at Balad, Iraq, cradles a young girl as they both sleep in the hospital. The girl's entire family was executed by insurgents; the killers shot her in the head as well. The girl received treatment at the U.S. military hospital in Balad, but cries and moans often. According to nurses at the facility, he is the only one who can calm down the girl, so he has spent the last several nights holding her while they both sleep in a chair.

I first saw the above quote and picture on the Soldiers Angels Medical Support Blog. I have since seen this picture in many different places. The picture just reached out and grabbed my heart. Look at the caring way Chief Master Sgt. Gebhardt is cradling that little girl. He is keeping her calm and quiet so she can sleep.

Anyone who has slept like this knows how incredibly uncomfortable it can be, yet he did this night after night because this little Iraqi girl needed him.

Tanker Brothers and Sisters, these are the kind of men/women we have serving in our military! Awesome. Just awesome.

Thanks to Tanker Sister Tammy for emailing this picture to me and reminding me about this incredible man.

Brat sent me an article from Air Force Link talking more about Chief Master Sgt. Gebhardt and the kind of man he is. I absolutely love how the article starts out:

All of the attention embarrasses him, but as this chief master sergeant learned recently, a lifetime of caring and good deeds is bound to catch up with you eventually.

His wife says,

"People see him as this tough guy," she said, "but I always see that other side of him that is full of compassion."

Chief Master Sgt. Gebhardt says,

While deployed to Iraq, the chief tried to help out any way he could. He figured holding a baby that needed comforting that would free up one more set of arms that could be providing care to more critical patients.

"If I have an opportunity to help out, I look for that opportunity," he said. "They had more than enough to do.". . . . . . .

"If I had to do it over again, I would sign up and give it another ride," he said.

What I didn't know before reading the article is that he was volunteering at the hospital! I just assumed he was part of a unit working at the hospital!

Please check out Air Force Link for the whole article. He sounds like a man we'd all like to know!!

~Tracy

Rolling Victory Fast Update: 20 November 2006!

The following website has moved me to tears this morning. I am overwhelmed with love and gratitude for All who have served this great nation and those who are continuing the battle.

The battle to keep our Great country safe. My words of thanks will never be enough to convey what is in my heart.

I am fasting today in Honor of those who never received the Parades, the waving flags, the cheering family and friends at the airport. May we never again let our men and women down.

http://pzzzz.tripod.com/theprayer.html

Thank you Gary Jacobs, for your service and for sharing so much with me.

And a special prayer for my son. I pray that you know how much I love you. I pray that God watches over you and those serving at your side. And I pray that thru the grace of God you will be returning to spend Christmas with us in 2007.

Great Dedication PCMom. You all (that's the Northern version of MG's Texan, "y'all"!) should check out this site. And the prayer for her son~had to get the kleenex while reading that!!

Keep us updated in comments!

~Tracy

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Great American Cookie Swap

Calling all Americans.......:)

If you go to this link

you will find a 'sweet' way to support our troops! What is it all about, I hear you ask?

DuPont™ Teflon® wants to help let our troops know people at home are thinking of them. For all who register to host local cookie swaps on December 9th, DuPont will make a donation to America Supports You team member, Treat The Troops™, an organization that bakes and ships homemade cookies to men and women in the Armed Forces abroad.

Check it out! This ends today's PSA. Thank you!

h/t to Carol and Nita(both SA) for passing this on.

brat

A Hero in every sense of the word

Corporal Jason L. Dunham

On April 14, 2004, the parents of Jason Dunham got a phone call that would change their life forever.

Over at Patriotic Thunder,
Corporal Jason L. Dunham has been named their Troop of the Week.

I really can't add anything else to the eloquent tribute to Corporal Dunham. Please go over and get to know this brave young man.

He gave all.......thank you...

brat

Sgt Gail Gray

Sgt. Gail Gray was one of the first women certified to drive a D-9, bulldozer, in combat. Photo by 505th Engineers.

Was over at BlackFive (thanks Tracy for the reminder) and came across this story.

Here's part of a story about SGT Gray by SPC Cassandra Groce of the 133rd MPAD:

..“It’s like riding in a Cadillac,” said Gray. “One of the things I like about the D-9 is it’s so heavy, it is one of the safest places to be in a fire fight.”
<...>
Gray joined the U.S Army National Guard in 1993 and has been a Soldier ever since. She signed on as a Heavy Equipment Construction Operator.

“My step dad was a diesel mechanic, and I liked being around hydraulics,” explained Gray. “I figured I’d like [being a mechanic].”

Back home, Gray builds freight line trucks and is a mother of two children.

“A lot of people don’t expect females to do what I do,” said Gray. “So I like to do the unexpected. I’m not going to say it’s easy; it’s a challenge.”

Along with all the other accolades, and some of the usual negative comments, here's what Gail's sister had to say :

We in the Gray family are so very proud of Sgt Gail Gray. She is a devoted mother and much more than that to all of her family. When she sent us this picture we were all so proud of her that we could have burst. While there are people who don't agree with women in the military, we in the Gray family have always fought for what we believe in so for you people with negative things to say about my Sister God Bless ya but she has made a big difference while she was there.
Welcome home sis

Over at Blackfive
there are always great stories, followed by assorted comments. As I read this story, I had to wonder if maybe, one day, any of those cute little ballerinas at Camp LeJeune will follow in Sgt Gray's footsteps. Say what you will about women in the military (and some of the comments on Blackfive did!), women are there, proving their worth. So HOOOOOOOOOOOOAH to all the women who put their lives on the line every day along with their male colleagues. Brave soldiers one and all!

brat

I wonder......

December 14, 2005 Staff Sgt. Carlswell, from 23rd Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, greets an Iraqi family at a traffic control point in Mosul, during pre-election security operations. Photo by Staff Sgt. James H. Christopher III

What are we going to do about these Coalition Forces who insist on terrorizing these Iraqi families??

I mean seriously, can't you see how scared they look??

Ok, enough with the sarcasm.

So many people concern themselves with the negatives of the GWOT, they are completely blind to another picture... The one where there are people who APPRECIATE what the Coalition Forces are doing over there.

A_C

US troops terrorize kids again!

Soldier with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division along with an Iraqi Army Soldier get a chance to talk with some children after handing out a few beanie babies during a routine patrol in Mosul, Iraq. Photo by Sgt. Dennis Gravelle, 138th MPAD

By now, we have all heard those terrible stories of how our troops are spending all their time terrorizing the local kids. In the interest of full disclosure I have to share the evidence. I know, I know Tanker Bros readers, this IS a shock but it is my DUTY to spare no details. It is my DUTY to give you the truth, no matter how much it hurts. Kleenex will be provided as you try and compose yourselves. IF you feel you can handle more of the same, be sure and check here
for more shocking evidence.

brat

They Have Names

I read Blackfive on a regular bases and I B5 posted about a great new site. Click HERE to read the original Blackfive post I am talking about.

CJ talks about why he started this site:

On May 29th, two journalists were killed and one severely injured by an IED in Iraq. Every media outlet in the country seemed to trip all over themselves trying to tell the American people about these "brave journalists". There were specials aired during prime time, full front page articles on almost every national newspaper and most local papers. And in every single article was this vague and nonspecific notation: "A U.S. soldier and an Iraqi translator also died in the blast."

Read the rest of what CJ has to say about why he started the site here.

This is a wonderful site to remind everyone, and especially the MSM, that these men have names. They are people with families and friends that loved and cared about them. They are so much more than, the "nonspecific notation: A U.S. soldier"!!

Please check out this site. I think it is so important to remember what these men were like in life. The kind of son, father, brother, husband, friend that they were. The things that made them special to those that loved them.

Sometimes it's heartbreaking reading about these men and looking at their pictures. But I see this site as a celebration of their lives and who they were and why they were so loved by all who knew them.

They Have Names and they will never be forgotten!

~Tracy

Rolling Victory Fast Update: 19 November 2006!

Fasting for us today is Gail. Here is a picture of Gail in her RVF shirt.

Great Picture Gail!

I'd just like to say thanks to all my heroes. A big welcome home to my SA soldier, and to all the soldiers returning. A hug and a prayer to all the soldiers returning wounded, especially the ones whose lives are kind of in limbo. And last but not least :) to those on their way STAY SAFE!

Great dedication Gail. Keep us updated in comments!

~Tracy

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Marine Babes!!!

As some of you know, a while back a call went out over the internet for donations to outfit some very special marine babes. At Camp LeJeune, the daughters of a soon to be deployed Marine Corp were set to do a dance recital for their families. No money for costumes and the call went out for help. Pam over at Iraq War Today posted about it, Soldiers Angels did, and many others. Well, mission accomplished folks! If you go to A SoldiersPerspective
you will find some pictures in their post on this issue. I did try and copy but wouldn't let me because of copyright 'stuff'. (and I ALWAYS respect copyright!) The little ballerinas ARE absolutely precious in their gorgeous dance outfits and will melt your heart - I promise.

Also check here for the whole story: USMilitary

Just another example of what the 'team' can do when we all work together.

[Edit: "This just in :o)" - over at SA Patti posted that SA donated $500 towards this project on behalf of all SA. Most days it is grand to be an Angel!!!]

brat

The combat medic

YankeeMom is fasting today in honour of all combat medics. She has this picture above an awesome post which you should all read. No pressure ;)

The link to Yankeemom's blog and post is
YankeeMom

Check it out....and yes, YankeeMom, I still have the coffee on for you!

brat

From the front pages.........NOT!!!

Ethiopia Flood Relief

Local Ethiopians gather supplies on the taxiway in Gode, Ethiopia. C-130 Hercules aircraft assigned to Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa delivered humanitarian aid to flood victims in the Ogaden region of Ethiopia Nov. 10. (U.S. Navy photo/Master Chief Petty Officer Philip A. Fortnam)

No, you won't find this on any front page of any newspaper! I know, I know, a real shocker huh? But over in AirForce Link
they DO have a good news story for any who want to read about the great work being done by OUR troops on a daily basis.....

While the msm always goes with "if it bleeds, it leads", for the rest of us I am happy to share news that goes on ALL THE TIME, away from the media spotlight. Enjoy!!

posted by brat (and yep - all my own work!)

"Together Everyone Achieves More."

In case you missed it (!), there is a really great commentary/article by Chaplain (Capt.) Chad Bellamy of the 50th Space Wing Chapel Service Team. It starts:

The single greatest characteristic of Americans is their willingness to accept a challenge. That statement in and of itself could venture down many paths, but take a moment to consider how often you've personally challenged yourself.

This is all about the indispensable wingman. Col. "Gabby" Gabreski, an early Air Force pioneer who is credited with 28 aerial victories in WWII, said this:

"The wingman is absolutely indispensable. I look after the wingman. The wingman looks after me. It's another set of eyes protecting you. That's the defensive part.

"Offensively, it gives you a lot more firepower. We work together. We fight together. The wingman knows what his responsibilities are and knows what mine are. Wars are not won by individuals. They're won by teams."

Here at Tanker Bros we know all about the concept of TEAM. While our very own Master Gunner and Cav Tanker are over in the sandbox doing their part, here on the home front the Tanker Bros team is doing our part. Team work is nothing new to any of us, as every Tanker Bros reader knows. Every TankerMom(yes - I spelled it the American way!) , every Tanker Brother etc etc, knows that our part of the team work helps our boots on the ground.

Captain Bellamy continues:

Today, the strategy of having a good wingman is still relevant,...

WE all know this of course, but you can find the rest of this article on AirForce News

Like all of you, this brat knows that every member of the Tanker Bros team is important, and I know that we will all continue working together, supporting every one of our heroes in this common Global War on Terror, 'until they all come home'.

brat

"I am proud to Serve."

In the wake of Veterans Day, Jamestown is saying farewell to U.S. Navy Officer Bethany Busch, who leaves this week for training before deployment to Iraq in December. Busch has contributed her musical talents to the Jamestown Community Band and made friends here in the last four years.

"I was stationed in Newport from January to July of 2002," Busch says, adding that she joined the Jamestown band and played trumpet during that time.

Busch was sent back to the Naval War College last year. "I love it here. It's so beautiful," she says. Busch hoped to return to the Newport area someday, and was happy to come back. "Now I play French horn in the band," she points out.

Busch thought her posting in Newport would last two or three years. She looked for a home to buy, knowing that the Narragansett Bay area was a great vacation spot where she could invite her family. A week after she bought a condominium last June. However, Busch received orders to go to Iraq.

The young officer is quick to note that she would rather go than watch as one of her shipmates leaves a spouse or children. "I don't think anyone is ever happy about it, but I am proud to serve while I am still single. Someone has to go. It may as well be me," she says. The upcoming tour will be her second stint in the Middle East. Busch has already served on two ships out of Norfolk, Va., and the last ship tour went to the Persian Gulf.

Born and raised in McHenry, Ill., Busch has had the notion to serve her country since her teen years, following in the footsteps of her older brother. "I joined the Civil Air Patrol in high school," she recalls.

Graduating from the University of Illinois in 2001, Busch became a commissioned officer. Since then, she has served from operations and engineering to combat systems. "Now I teach international navy officers from all over the world at the Surface Warfare Officers School," she notes, adding that surface warfare is her specialty.

Busch confides that her mom will send her trumpet to Iraq for her. Not enough taps players are available at the memorial services in different parts of the world, so many must settle for a recording. Although it is never a joyful event, "I am happy to have the honor to play taps for soldiers at their memorial," she says.

Busch shows deep gratitude to her family and friends "who are incredibly supportive." She reminds everyone that she is only one of thousands serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other areas throughout the world, and they all need support, especially with the holidays approaching. "You would be surprised what even a greetings card from a complete stranger can do for a lonely soldier or sailor serving overseas," she says. She has only one request, that people take the time to understand what she is talking about by going online to www.soldiersangels.org.

The Jamestown Community Band held a special dinner for Busch, and also threw a bon-voyage party for her after her last rehearsal. Busch hopes to be back playing in the band next summer.

h/t to Patti at Soldiers' Angels for originally posting this there.:)

brat

Rolling Victory Fast Update: 18 November 2006!

Dedicated to a very special combat medic on his way home from Iraq.
And to all combat medics and corpsmen who get our wounded troops home or do their damndest to do so.

"The level of expertise of the combat medic is unbelievable. If it weren't for them, we wouldn't have a job."
Col. Mark R. Bagg, Chief of Orthopedics at Brooke Army Medical Center.

How about the level of education?! Sorry, couldn't resist one last jab at Kerry.

Yankeemom will also have a write up about combat medics on her blog. So, wander on over there and check it out.

Keep us updated Yankeemom!

~Tracy

Friday, November 17, 2006

One picture says..........

....a thousand words!

(A BIG thanks to aussie_chic for sending it to me. As always here at Tanker bros, the team got 'er done!)

posted by brat and Tracy (the tech guru.....)

"We shall fight them on the beaches..."

Sixty years ago, Winston Churchill stood up in the British Parliament and gave what has become one of the most quoted speeches of THAT war against tyranny:

whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender,...

Winston Churchill knew then what we know now. The very existance of civilisation depended on the Allies holding back the evil forces that would keep first Europe, then the rest of the world, in the grasp of a doctrine that decimated democracy. Because I believe that today, as then, success depends on us all standing together (and yep, for you Soldiers' Angels "wingtip to wingtip"!) I think it might serve us all to read and think about the entire speech that Churchill gave. We can repeat the good and the great in history of humankind, as long as we learn from the lessons of history. Yes, it IS a long speech, but his words resonate for us today. Read on: Winston Churchill

.....and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.

brat

Gone to the dogs?

For those of you who don't know, I DO have a bratdog. Unlike dogs who serve their countries alongside our human heroes, my dog doesn't really earn her keep. Well yes, she warns me of potential intruders (not sure the mailman qualifies there, but yes - she barks every day!) but while she lives with us, around the world many other of her canine cousins work tirelessly in service. These dogs rarely receive the attention that I think they warrant, so today I found a piece on one such canine hero.

Staff Sgt. Scott Pfister and Ffella, his 4-year-old female Belgian Malinois, search a truck at Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan. Sergeant Pfister, a military working dog handler with the 376th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, and Ffella have worked together more than two years. They are deployed from the 9th SFS at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. Ffella gets her unique name from the Air Force's dog breeding program at Lackland AFB, Texas. All dogs bred through the program are identified with a double first letter in their name.

To see a really great picture of Ffella, and her human 'helper' (brat humour there.;) ), follow this link: AirForce News

posted by brat with help from the infamous bratdog. WOOF!

Hope on the Horizon

As readers here know, there is much work our military does that never makes it to your national media. I have decided that it is going to be a regular mission of mine to redress the imbalance. The truth IS out there, and I am going to continue the proud tradition of Tanker Bros and bring you stories you might miss, if you depend solely on the msm for your news.

Today I bring you the story of USNS Mercy (T-AH 19).

When the U.S. Military Sealift Command’s (MSC) hospital ship was commissioned in the 1980s Mercy’s first deployment was a humanitarian mission, but after serving in wartime support of the first Gulf War Mercy sat pierside, rarely getting underway for the next 13 years and then only for a port change or short exercise. There was talk in Washington of getting rid of the hospital ship program altogether. That is, until the Indian Ocean tsunami struck in late 2004, and Mercy quickly got underway to assist in the rescue efforts.

That mission, called Operation Unified Assistance, was an immediate success. More than 100,000 patients were treated, and almost 500 surgeries performed by the dedicated team of specialists in surgery, cardiology, infectious diseases and critical care.

In the whitewashed halls of an open air clinic in Tarakan, Indonesia, a Muslim woman in her early thirties clutches her baby to her breast and stands, kicks off her sandals and enters the room marked “pediatrics.” The baby stops feeding and looks nervously around. Before the interpreter can ask, Air Force Maj. Valerie Clegg immediately sees why the baby’s mother brought her in. The nine month-old has a two-inch gap in her top lip extending all the way into her nasal cavity. She has what is known as a cleft lip and cleft palate.

Since then, this team has served on many missions, bringing aid where it is most needed. Philippines, Bangladesh, Indonesia and East Timor, the crew found an overwhelming need for the expertise that the US Navy brought to every port of call.

While medical treatment consumed the attention of those aboard Mercy, Seabees from NMCB 40, were out sweating in the sun, while building benches at hospitals, installing air conditioning units, building basketball courts and pouring tons of cement. They worked closely with local contractors and Mercy’s civilian mariners to improve each location visited.

Everywhere the Mercy goes, people's lives are changed for the better. Although you may not see the stories on the pages of your newspapers, day in day out these dedicated unsung hereoes are using their training, their expertise, to make a difference in the lives of all they meet. You can read the rest of the story here: Navy News
As for the little girl with the cleft palate?

...the little girl is recovering quickly. The mother constantly looks at her daughter’s small scar, the only indication she will have that there was ever a gap in her lip....she will remember the huge white ship and make sure her daughter knows Mercy came to her family from America.

In the msm, you will usually see only the "if it bleeds it leads" stories. To this group of heroes on the Mercy, their mission is to change lives for the better. And not one of the crew members remain unchanged from the experiences they live.

Everywhere they go, the needs are overwhelming. Some patients they meet have never seen a doctor before. As Indian Naval Surgeon CDR Diviya Gautam says:

“Even if we can’t help someone,” said Gautam, “we can at least give them an idea of how their ailment might affect them in the future because some of these people might not have seen a doctor before in their lives.”

You and I may never know about the important work these troops do on a daily basis but to the people who live in some of the most needy areas in the world:

“Some people say doctors are like gods,” said Gautam. “Well for some people out here Mercy has been God’s gift to them.”

brat

Rolling Victory Fast Update: 17 November 2006!

Fasting in honor of my nephew who is a Navy Corpsman currently serving in
Al Anbar Province, Iraq with the Marines. Their spirits are good and
their mission is going well.

Since Leta will be traveling she may not be able to update us throughout the day, but she's a veteran at this, so I know it will go well for her.

To learn more about why Leta is traveling to Kosovo, visit her site, Progress Through Peace, to learn more about her organization.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Words to live by

All great things are simple, and many can be expressed in single words: freedom, justice, honour, duty, mercy, hope.: Sir Winston Churchill

brat

"So brave"

As posted earlier this morning, the song "So Brave" is one mother's tribute song to her son deployed in Iraq.

On Soldiers' Angels I just found a link posted that leads to the official "So Brave".. . website.

Check it out. Not only does it have an awesome picture, BUT you can also download and listen to the song. Be warned, though. I am listening to it as I post, and it really does tug at your heart strings. A beautiful song.

Here you go "So brave"

This brat will share my kleenex with you. All part of the Tanker Bros service you know!

brat

Oh Canada!

"I was based in Afghanistan for almost 6 weeks, from late August to the beginning of October, as a cameraman/editor for CBC News. I was mainly stationed at the Kandahar Air Field (KAF) where most of the troops are based, but I also had a couple opportunities to go out on missions. Once was to the forward base in Zahri and Panjwaii Districts during Operation Medussa in September and then returning to the area after the Operation was completed. Also vistied the Provincial Reconstruction Team Base in Kandahar city on several occassions where much of the rebuilding work the Canadian Forces are trying to organize and facilitate for the Afghanistan government is centralized."

So says photgrapher Jim Hoffman. Regular readers of Tanker Bros know that the Global War on Terrror depends on all the coalition partners working together, on more than one frontline. Canadian troops are on the ground in Afghanistan, helping the people there throw off the mantle of the terrorism that for a long time was the chokehold of the Taliban. We all know that reporters are hard to find on the ground (!) but I came across this series of pictures. Take a look at cbc.ca you will find a series of photographs that Hoffman took during a visit he made there a few months ago. And yes, as posted elsewhere, even as pollsters insist that Canada has no business being in Afghanistan, the Afghan government invited Canada in, and progress IS being made. Is it true that one picture says a thousand words?

Oh Canada!

brat(with tech help from Household6!)

"...a noble and wonderful thing"

That's what Angela Lashley says about her son's deployment to Iraq. She didn't always think so.

When Angela Lashley first heard that her paratrooper son, Pvt. Jonathan Wisniewski, was being deployed to Iraq, she was devastated.

"I just went numb for several days," Lashley said.

As Tanker Bros readers know all too well, hearing of a son or daughter's deployment to Iraq brings a whole bunch of different emotions. Angela Lashley was no different. Angela is a singer/songwriter out of Nashville. So as all songwriters do, she channelled her emotions about her son's pending trip to the sandbox into a song.

That song, "So Brave", is gaining fans within military families. Even though the song has been praised by even First Lady Bush, Angela really only cared about one person's approval - her son. She worried that he might be upset by all the attention her song received.

But, in fact, just the opposite happened.
"I thought I was going to be embarrassed, but in the end I was proud," said Wisniewski, via e-mail from Iraq. "When I first heard the song, I thought about my family and my parents because my mom was singing, but ultimately I became more motivated and kind of had a new sense of pride in what I was doing over the ocean here."

Angela used her songwriting skills to work through and deal with her emotions about the pending deployment of her son, a support specialist with the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team currently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"So Brave" is not the first song Lashley has written in support of U.S troops. One of her biggest hits is a song she wrote during the first Persian Gulf War, also dedicated to the American soldiers.

"(Having a son serving the nation at war) is a noble and wonderful thing, but for a mother it's also terrifying," she said. "It's difficult to revel in your son's bravery while you shudder at it at the same time."

As she thought about her son's bravery in the service of his country, Angela kept playing in her mind images of her son's bravery as a little boy. Bravery is not new to this family. Now, the words of this song, and the message it sends, has gained support and resonance with many through word of mouth. The reasons are obvious. Every mother relates. Angela often performs this song at events sponsored by Blue Star Mothers. Because of the publicity buzz around this song, Angela was also invited to perform this song on Sean Hannity's program.

"What a beautiful song of love from a mother to her son. I can still feel and understand those words of hope, love and concern for a child no longer protected by his mom, but now out there protecting us," said Chris Peche, president of the San Antonio, Texas, chapter of Blue Star Mothers.

Not only do other mothers respond to this song, but even son Wisniewski's fellow troops love it.

You can read the rest of the story at Army News

With fans as high up at the White House, this song remains a mother's simple declaration of love and support to her son.

The song says, "If you ship out in September, will my Christmas wish bring you home by December?" So far, Wisniewski has assured his mom, it looks like her wish will be granted.

Wisniewski knows, though, that long after he has returned home safely, this song will continue to grow in popularity for one very simple reason. The words may have been written by his mother about him, but as he says:

"The song isn't just about me, but all the brave Soldiers, marines, airmen and seamen who have to come over here and be away from their families for extended periods of time. That's what this song is all about. We are all 'So Brave' over here," he said.

Listen for this song, request your local stations play it. Something tells me that this song is going to be a BIG hit. Thank you Angela AND Pvt. Jonathan Wisniewski, for your service to your country.

brat

Rolling Victory Fast Update: 16 November 2006!

A tiny token

my fast today

a simple way

for me to say

I write awful poems

I know I do

But I still want to give

a hearty thank you

to all our men

and women over there

who sacrifice

please know we care

It's a better poem than I could have ever written Andrea! Keep us updated in comments!

~Tracy

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Teen bugler honours Veterans

In Anchorage, Alaska, a 15 year old honours veterans by volunteering to play a bugle at their funerals:

On the day they buried Beecher Pierce, Nichelle Cushing stood at parade rest in a cold, pounding rain, some hundred yards from the coffin. High-top, lace-up boots slightly apart. A black beret cocked with formal precision on her hair. A small American flag pinned near the neck of her long black dress. One hand behind her back, the other gripping a 105-year-old bugle.

This young woman is part of a group called Bugles Across America. BAA makes sure that as often as possible, military funerals are given a live bugle playing the traditional 'lights out'. As a little girl, Nichelle watched a military funeral where there was no live bugle music, but recorded music instead. According to the story - (you can read the rest in the Anchorage Daily News, )
the mechanical music offended Nichelle. She was so determined to right this wrong that she went and found herself a Civil War era bugle, and at 11 years old became the youngest member of BAA.

That situation occurs with increasing frequency as mortality catches up with Americans who fought in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. More than 683,000 veterans passed away last year.

Federal law says that every veteran is entitled to a live bugler wherever one is available. That is where Bugles Across America comes in. In 2000 the group was founded and now has 5000 members, including 18 in Alaska.

The 18 in Alaska all have day jobs, and receive no pay for playing the bugle at military funerals.

Gene Horner, state director in Anchorage, says that the BAA buglers play at about 100 funerals a year. Perfection in playing is not the main focus, but rather that the 24 notes are played with

"with grace and style,"...Even at President Kennedy's funeral, a professional bugler famously "cracked" a note.

To Horner, a cracked note doesn't deflect from the reverence with which buglers perform this most solemn of duties. To him,

"I'd rather hear a live bugler crack a note than a recording anytime -- because it's coming from someone's heart."

To anyone who knows Nichelle Cushing, it is obvious where her heart lies. Nichelle's father is in Iraq right now. Her father, Staff Sgt. Thomas Cushing of the Army's 98th Maintenance Company, is on his third deployment there.

To Nichelle, with a hero father, any time she plays at a funeral is a labour of love, of service.
For no pay at all, Nichelle stands out in all weathers and plays her bugle as a sign of respect for veterans, oftentimes strangers to her.

Horber explains that Nichelle does get school credit for her playing, but no cash.

"I wouldn't turn down money," Nichelle said. "But no one's ever offered. And I never charge.

"I do get a lot of hugs, though."

At a time when some are decrying the youth of America, this teenager shows that there IS hope for the country. As long as young people are willing to step forward and give all honour and respect due to our war heroes, America still has a bright future. As young people of America ask 'what can I do for my country?', and offer to serve - both at home and overseas, there is still room for optimism in America. I have faith and hope!

h/t to Mary*Ann for this story

brat

What Makes a Hero?

I received an email today from a soldier that I wrote to. This was a name I received from Soldiers' Angels Letter Writing Team. For these names (as I know nothing about the soldier) I thank them for their service and let them know how much I appreciate their service and sacrifice. Sometimes I write a little about my family and where we live. I usually end the letters with a quote from my sons (ages 7 and 4) "Soldiers are Heroes".

This was the last paragraph in the email I received today (this soldier is the mother of 4):

I will leave you with this thought: What makes a
hero? Is it the soldier away at war or is it the
families back home that carry on day to day life
regardless of the sadness in their heart and the worry
upon their minds. Is it the American that does not
know someone yet is willing to take time out of their
busy days to write a soldier in which they most likely
will never meet. To me a hero depends upon the
gazer's eyes.

"To me, a hero depends upon the gazer's eyes" Poweful thought!

I guess now I can say that I somewhat understand the soldier when I say "Thank you" and he/she says "I'm just doing my job". To be considered a hero because I write encouraging letters? I don't see myself that way. BUT, like this soldier said, hero depends on the gazer's eyes. I may not see myself that way, and I'm sure most of us that write to soldiers don't, but if that is the only letter they receive that day or week, they may see us that way.

The thought just blows me away~and makes me want to write until my pen runs dry!! Not so I will be considered a "hero" but because if my simple words can encourage someone, I want to encourage as many of MY heroes as possible!!

~Tracy

A Different Christmas Poem

I know - I know, you guys haven't even got through Thanksgiving yet! But this came to me today, and since I have always believed that if we all held the Christmas spirit year round, and not just one day a year, the world would be a better place, I make no apologies for sharing this one now!

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.

My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.

In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.

Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.

Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

" What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!

Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,

I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,

That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.

I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..

Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.

To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.

Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

brat

An opinion piece!

I want to share with regular readers here my 'thoughts' on an email I received this morning. This is late (by my standards), but unlike some of our 'commenters', I usually like to think through what I write, before rushing to conclusions. :) BUT, today I am pissed off.

We all know that freedom of speech is protected in our countries' charters. But ladies and gentlemen, it seems we have an expert on thoughts today. I am not sure what a Mr Miller's qualifications are, but from comments posted on his blog, he now assumes - yes, you all know my views on that word! - what I, and others are thinking too. Maybe Mr Miller has psychic abilities, but if he does, he would not dare to share what he assumes are MY thoughts on his blog.

He starts off fair enough I suppose:

soldiers are people just like the rest of us

Now there's a shocker! Betcha all didn't know that. But then Mr Miller goes on to describe the harm that supporters' words cause to our heroes on their return from the sandbox.

He continues:

Having strangers or acquaintances telling them "thank you for your service" is probably pleasant to most people, but it can also give returning soldiers a sense that other people are distancing themselves from them by putting them on a pedestal.

I don't know about you, and wouldn't presume to speak for any of you, or even Mr Miller, but last time I checked, saying thank you for ANYTHING does not create distance. Apart from the fact that I was raised to express gratitude - good manners and all - to me those simple words are an acknowledgement of appreciation to another.

As for puttng heroes on a pedestal? Oh dear. Most soldiers I know resist being called a 'hero' vociferously. I cannot count the many times I have heard a hero say "I am not a hero. Just doing my job".

In the interests of disclosure here, I have never been a soldier in the accepted sense of the word. No, I have never held a weapon, although I have had to attempt to kill someone to save my own life.(Another story for another day!) I cannot know what our heroes face day in, day out as they CHOOSE to serve a greater good than merely the "mememememe" philosophy that these armchair critics espouse. BUT, I am genetically connected to many heroes. And yes, I chose to marry one. Yep - I guess that means I was 'distant' from my heroes! Not sure if any of us are qualified to say what goes on in another's mind(unless you are psychic like 'Mr' Miller), but it DOES qualify me to refute garbage when I see it.

'Mr' Miller again:

People don't want to hear the problems of soldiers coming back and struggling with a nightmare. Mostly, they want to hear tales of heroism, of grateful natives, of giving candy to the kiddies, or the like. The bad, disturbing, disgusting stuff they don't want to hear about.

Despite 'Mr' Miller presuming to speak for us, I have to ask: Has he ever KNOWN a soldier or a veteran? Has he ever sat and actually talked - better yet, listened - to a veteran? I doubt it. No, I am not making assumptions here. I am basing my assessment on his own words. I never, ever presume to speak for anyone else. I am not that arrogant. But, in my own experience, I have spent many hours with soldiers and veterans, from WW2 through to Vietnam and on to today's veterans of the current war.

Unlike the 'Mr' Millers of this world, I have never turned my back on anything a veteran chooses to share. Not the good, the bad, or the ugly. And yes, war IS ugly. From my own experience LISTENING, I know that war calls on our sons and daughters to do sometimes unimaginable deeds. Deeds that the 'Mr' Miller couldn't imagine in his wildest nightmares.

But I also KNOW, from all I have learned, that war - any war - calls on our sons and daughter, mothers, fathers, husbands, wives to display heroism. Despite what the 'Mr' Millers of the world would have us all believe, I know many heroes personally. Yes - on the surface they are ordinary people. They put their trousers on one leg at a time, they cook and eat meals just like you and me, they raise their kids and send them off to school. All the stuff that regular folks like you and me do. And news flash for 'Mr' Miller: my heroes also laugh (sometimes)at the inane pronouncements of the many armchair 'experts' in our countries. MY heroes also cry for the fallen, just as we who understand the real costs of war do. MY heroes carry a heavy weight on their shoulders as they do the job they swore to do, day in, day out.

That job? While the 'Mr' Millers of this world see it as their job to edumacate the rest of us 'hero worshipping simpletons, MY heroes are defending their very right to make such assumptions, and defending their rights to share it with anyone who stumbles across their nuggets of 'wisdom'.

Because our heroes are facing death and mayhem every day, as they work on fledgling democracies around the world, the 'Mr' Millers are free to sit safe at home
and share this:

In many cases, having people try to relate to them as Heroes and Heroines and expecting to hear dramatic and glorious war stories actually makes it more difficult to adjust to civilian life.

Okay - so I have rambled here BUT I would just like to say once and for all:

Don't ANYBODY ever dare to tell me how to relate to my fellow human beings. Don't anyone DARE to tell me how our heroes are 'adjusting' to civilian life. Don't anyone, EVER, tell me what to think or say, assuming that their way is the only way to view anything in the world today.

I can think, and speak - sometimes articulately! - and relate (no 'trying to relate' here!) without anyone else's help, especially the 'Mr' Millers of this world.

I KNOW I owe a debt of gratitude to every single one of our heroes. To me, not one of these heroes are idols. To me, they are ordinary men and women, volunteering to do extra-ordinary acts of heroism every day. Unlike the 'Mr' Millers of the world, these heroes know all too well the personal costs of going to war. And still, and still they go to war on our behalf. They also understand - better than 'Mr' Miller apparently does - the personal and global costs of not going to war. And still, and still, they go.

I appreciate every single one of them. And the most important words when I speak to any of them?

Thank you.

brat

[Edit note: Mr Miller's words were actually on his own blog...(don't you all just love freedom of speech?)...I have edited this piece to reflect that - and I really DID try and share the link with you all - but in an ironic twist, due to 'tech issues'(!)I can't.]

Rolling Victory Fast Update: 15 November 2006!

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

"We see the smiles of a hopeful generation..."

There IS real news out there folks!! The following is a story that WAS released to media (you know - the main stream media - add your own adjectives/verbs!) but doesn't seem to have made it to the front pages. In the interests of balanced reporting, I offer it to you. Thanks Chris!

Army News Service released a commentary from Spc. Todd Selge, who gives a birds-eye view of the work of (in his words) 'the average soldier' in Iraq.

We are the ones who live the conflict every day, who see the progress day-to-day. We are the ones who experience the sorrows, who interact with the people, and who see the enemy’s effort to undo every good thing the Iraqi people and coalition forces have done.

Just that opening paragraph qualifies this soldier to tell it like it is. There is more:

We are also building important and long-lasting relationships with the residents of surrounding communities. We go to schools and neighborhoods giving the kids backpacks full of supplies, handing out candy and hearing the concerns of the people. We ask about their basic services, such as food, water, electricity and fuel. We hand out cards with hotline numbers to address any problems, and we share handshakes.

This brat knows of much of the work that groups who support these soldiers do. I know that our soldiers (and yes, they ARE all ours!) are working every day to build communities - free communities that ensure ooooooh basic things like water, electricity. Schools for all children are being reconstructed with the help of the troops on the ground. Troops, who at the same time as they are building infrastructures that you and me take for granted, are having to fight fierce battles with those who would try and keep Iraqi women and children mired in terror and atrocities.

Read the rest of this piece here: Army News Service

The truth is out there. But maybe the media thinks 'we can't handle the truth'??????
The mainstream media usually ignores what the real experts can tell us.

Spc. Todd Selge again:

What does the average Soldier think every day?

He wants to accomplish the mission. He wants to see the smiles of the Iraqi people last. He is grateful for everything he has back home and he wishes the very same freedom he is fighting for upon the country of Iraq.

These men and women are living the truth every day. And I know whose truth I choose to believe. A salute of respect from me to ALL our troops - until they all come home.

brat

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Thursday, November 30, 2006

From the front page - REALLY!

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Tuesday, November 28, 2006

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Monday, November 27, 2006

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Sunday, November 26, 2006

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Saturday, November 25, 2006

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Rolling Victory Fast Update: 25 November 2006!

Friday, November 24, 2006

2006 Weblog Awards

Reduced phone rates for troops!

Rolling Victory Fast Update: 24 November 2006!

Thursday, November 23, 2006

HOME!!!

Far from Home - in our hearts

Let sleeping dogs lie........

"I will never accept...ignorance and intolerance..."

"ET phone home"

"Proudly Serving" (c)

Rolling Victory Fast Update: 23 November 2006!

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

"Write an email"

Write an Email

"The kids are all right"

Happy Thanksgiving

"Start spreading the [good] news...."

John F. Kennedy 29.5.1917 - 22.11.1963

Rolling Victory Fast Update: 22 November 2006!

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Mark December 14th on your calendar!

Say what?

Women, kids, old, sick most at risk in Iraq: IOM

"Troll bat"

These kids just never miss a photo opportunity do they!!!

Rolling Victory Fast Update: 21 November 2006!

Monday, November 20, 2006

"A soldier story"

THIS is why the Soldiers hand out toys....

Something everybody should see....

"Huffy"???????? I wonder...

"We support..."

"Thank you"