Dutch troops to stay until 2010

(AFP/File/Emmanuel Dunand)
A Dutch International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) soldier
helps in take off preparations for helicopters at Kabul international
airport in 2004.

Dutch troops to stay in Afghanistan until 2010: government by Gerald de Hemptinne Fri Nov 30, 1:30 PM ET THE HAGUE (AFP) - Dutch troops will stay in Afghanistan with the multinational NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) for another two years until 2010, the government said Friday.... In a widely anticipated announcement the centre-left coalition government said it would extend the mandate of the Dutch troops in the southern Afghan province of Uruzgan until December 2010.... Balkenende said he wanted the parliament to vote on the matter before the Christmas recess which starts December 21. "The government realizes that the new mission will ask a lot of the Dutch armed forces," the cabinet said in a letter sent to parliament Friday. "Although it remains a complex and risky mission with a likelihood of Dutch victims the government believes the importance of the mission outweighs the risks," it added...(here)

"...'the importance of the mission outweighs the risks,' it added...." Indeed it does, and good to see that some NATO countries are prepared to step up and answer the call to commit long-term to the future of Afghanistan. Wonder how the debate will go in Canada? Well, I found a link to a couple of CBC talking heads saying this paints Canada into a corner. Can't post it here, but be sure to watch the video listed on the left of the above link (cbc.ca) and watch them turn the debate into an anti-Bush commentary. They even have Madelaine Allbright in attendance. Imagine that! You can also read the BBC take on this here.

Since the mission began, 12 Dutch soldiers have been killed ...Dutch troops had been scheduled to leave Afghanistan in summer 2008. The decision to extend the mission follows a call by al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden for European nations to stop helping US forces in Afghanistan. Bin Laden said that he - and not the Afghans - was the "only one responsible" for the 9/11 attacks....

Guess the Dutch aren't paying attention to Bin Laden!
Brat

Good news Friday(B*N*S*N1)

Both of today's B*N*S*N are "good news/bad news" stories to me. We all know that there is good news daily out of the sandboxes, and we all know our soldiers ARE heroes, ( yea MG and Cav, I do mean you too..lol) dedicated to the mission. First story up today is of one such hero, whose legacy to his mission continues even as his family mourn his loss.

Fallen soldier's wish list gives to his troop (source) A fallen soldier from Celina, who was known to be there for his fellow soldiers, is still helping others from beyond his grave. 2nd Lt. Peter Burks died last Wednesday after a roadside bomb went off in Baghdad. However, friends and family are working hard to make sure his wishes he made in a Christmas list he wrote before his death come true. Peter asked for simple items such as playing cards, shaving cream and tooth brushes, but they weren't for him. Instead, Peter wanted his desired items to go to fellow troop members. "Hey, there are guys in my troop here who don't have the support network that I do," Burks wrote to his father, Alan Burks, in an e-mail. Now, Mr. Burks is working to get those items to the troop....(here)

When I read this story, I - as always - marvelled at the calibre of the soldiers we have. I am always humbled that such men lived. This story reminds me that for every single one of them, the good that they are, their essence, lives on way beyond their time here. Lt. Peter Burks' life mission is continuing on, by the grace of his family and loved ones. THAT is good news. Be sure and read the rest of this specific story in the link above. And take some time and get to know this amazing man. You can find articles on him here, here and here.

Lt. Burks' last actions were no surprise to his father. "He told me, over and over and over again, he said: 'Dad, my job is to get my 17 guys home safe. ... Then after that I'll get myself home safe.' "...(source)

Second Lt. Peter Haskell Burks is shown in a recent photo with his fiance, Melissa Haddad, of McKinney. Burks lost his life in Iraq last week when his vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb. Five of his men were injured and Burks perished from shrapnel wounds to the head. Submitted Photo

Go to the first link, and see why this man and his life work, his mission, qualify as Good News.

Thank YOU Lt Burks, and my gratitude continues for the Burks family. We are all blessed that the good you ARE, will live on.

Brat

Good News Friday(B*N*S*N2)

Kevin Rivoli / The Associated Press Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division salute during a homecoming ceremony at Fort Drum in Fort Drum, N.Y., on Nov. 20.

At the top of all my posts is the POW/MIA icon. That will remain on all my posts until all US soldiers are found and returned home. I chose to keep that up in honour of Spc. Alex Jimenez, 25, of Lawrence, Mass., and Pvt. Byron Fouty, 19, of Waterford, Mich.

Drum unit returns, hunt for comrades continues 2nd BCT back after deployment in Iraq’s ‘Triangle of Death’ By William Kates - The Associated Press Posted : Wednesday Nov 21, 2007 7:32:54 EST FORT DRUM, N.Y. — With two of their own still missing six months after they were captured by insurgents, the welcome-back ceremony Tuesday for the 10th Mountain Division’s 2nd Brigade was more a somber observance than a joyous celebration. Nearly 1,000 soldiers and a few dozen family members packed into Fort Drum’s Magrath Gym to pay tribute to the 2nd Brigade, which completed its third combat tour when it turned over its duties in Iraq’s “Triangle of Death” to the 101st Airborne Division earlier this month. When it left Iraq, the 2nd Brigade had served more battlefield time than any other Army unit since war began in Afghanistan and Iraq. The homecoming came just days after the Army intensified its search for Spc. Alex Jimenez, 25, of Lawrence, Mass., and Pvt. Byron Fouty, 19, of Waterford, Mich., with U.S. and Iraqi soldiers going house-to-house after a dramatic pre-dawn air assault into two villages southwest of Baghdad. The parents of both soldiers attended the 45-minute homecoming ceremony. “It was important to be here,” Ramon “Andy” Jimenez said through a Spanish language translator. “I came to see the soldiers who served with my son ... and to thank all the soldiers who searched for him and Byron.” Jimenez said his emotions were mixed. “I’m happy all these soldiers have come back. But I’m sad that Alex and Byron are not among them,” said Jimenez, who wore a lanyard with a photo of his son and Fouty and the words, “Together they will come home.”

Kevin Rivoli / The Associated Press Andy Jimenez wears a photo of his son, Spec. Alex Jimenez, around his neck during a ceremony welcoming the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division home from Iraq at Fort Drum on Nov. 20. The younger Jimenez has been missing in Iraq since May 12.

So yes, GREAT news that these heroes of the 10th Mountain Division are home. And yes, I know these precious sons still not home WILL be found and brought home too. Go read the rest of this story here.

"Together they will come home" IS B*N*S*N.

Brat

Good News Friday(B*N*S*N3)

I am sure you are all familiar with the stories about sending cards and "get well" messages to our wounded in Walter Reed. Used to be, you could send to "Any Soldier," and the mail would be delivered to the troops in WR. Lately there has been much confusion because WR no longer accepts "Any Soldier" mail.

Just in time for Christmas, comes this:

AP Operation Holiday Thanks Show your appreciation and share your season's greetings with a recovering service member. Simply send your holiday cards to: Operation Holiday Thanks c/o E.D. Hill FOX News Channel 1211 6th Ave. 17th floor New York, NY 10036 We'll make sure your cards are distributed to a number of military hospitals (source)

THAT is good news, and qualifies as B*N*S*N!

Brat(h/t Leta!)

Teddy Bears' Picnic? NOT!

(source)

UK teacher jailed over teddy row The court in Khartoum was guarded during the hearing A British teacher has been found guilty in Sudan of insulting religion after she allowed her primary school class to name a teddy bear Muhammad. Gillian Gibbons, 54, from Liverpool, has been sentenced to 15 days in prison after a day-long court hearing. Mrs Gibbons had been accused on three counts of insulting religion, inciting hatred and showing contempt for religious beliefs. She will be deported after serving her sentence in Sudan's capital Khartoum....(source)

Yes - the insanity continues. The sentence just hit the airwaves. In a country that is 70% sunni muslim, it seems the bloggers have dared to speak out against this insanity. Today, when journalists were barred from entering the courtroom, bloggers - at least - are speaking out against this latest absurdity:

Bloggers condemn Sudan for arrest Sudanese blogs and forums have largely condemned the arrest of British teacher Gillian Gibson for letting her young schoolchildren name a teddy bear Muhammad. All the comments, most of them in English, defended the British teacher and many of them called for her release. Some called the whole issue "pathetic" and termed Ms Gibson's act "an honest and innocent mistake". The media in Sudan and the Middle-East have largely ignored the case...(here)

There's a shocker that the msm is silent. However, in their defence, kinda hard to report when you can't get in to witness the action. Bloggers, however, are giving their 2 Sudanese pence' worth:

THE SUDANESE THINKER BLOG "The whole thing is just so unbelievably pathetic. Clearly it's an honest and innocent mistake. Oh no, how stupid can I be, she's a white British infidel so it must be a freaking Zionist CrUSAde and a Jewish conspiracy. Right?" said a contributor to www.sudanesethinker.com ... AMJAD's BLOG More comments criticizing the Sudanese authorities appeared on Amjad's blog. Sudanese newspapers are not reporting much on the case "Three words: This is ridiculous. "How on earth would a British teacher know that naming the teddy bear Muhammed would insult our prophet, especially that 20 out of the 23 children CHOSE to name the teddy bear Mohammed and she wasn't the one naming it? "Why are they assuming that the teddy bear was named after our prophet (PBUH)? "This is really stupid!" the writer Amjad posted. On the same blog, Suburban said: "Unbelievable. And totally outrageous... More excellent PR for Islam, and the forward thinking, rational, Muslim community... Why did the Ministry of Education file a case and let the authorities ARREST the teacher? Couldn't they sort things out in another way, without arresting the teacher, and even demanding a sentence to death to be applied on her? This is really sick."...

You can read more of the Sudanese bloggers' reactions here. There are so many aspects to this "really sick" story. Yes, any foreigner who goes to another country, be they missionaries who were kidnapped, to teachers hired by local schools, SHOULD be aware of the local mores. From all I have read, Gillian Gibbons was no newly-graduated neophyte teacher. By the way? did you know that in Britain these days Mohammad is the second most popular boys' name these days? I did not. However, I do not believe that Ms Gibbons is guilty of any of the "crimes" for which she has just been sentenced to 15 days jail time. I read somewhere that in some Catholic European countries that Jesus is a very popular boys' name. Wonder if any of the teachers there will be charged with inciting hatred against Christianity? NOT!

Also, of course, in Sudan I wonder if any parents will now be charged with the same "crimes" if their own children have toys named Mohammad. Hmmmmm - not very likely. I must confess here, I do still own a fairly large collection of teddy bears which have travelled the world with me. I am thinking I really should rename one of them Mohammad, in solidarity with all the Sudanese school children who learned more from this lesson than any of US could have imagined.

I can only imagine how upset these children must be. Teachers are typically highly respected leaders in a classroom. In this case, the mighty boot of Islam has now taught children all over Sudan that teachers are no longer to be trusted as educators. I read somewhere else over the last couple of days, that the very fact that these children democratically chose the name Mohammad for this teddy bear, means that the religious education instructors have failed in their mission to educate the kids to revere the name Mohammad. There's a twist. Maybe they should all be jailed? Religious leaders - specifically in this case, Islamists - not giving appropriate religious doctrinal instruction. Gasp! Sound familiar? It should. All over the world these days, radical Islamic teachers are directing impressionable young muslim students towards an interpretation of a religion based on fear, and yes, TERROR!

This IS a Global War on children. This IS a Global War on Terror. Are we paying attention?

Brat

Fly Your Flag America .- UPDATE 3!

Remember this?

HOA says mother of fallen soldier has to take down flag AURORA - Mary Sims lives at the Strawberry I at HeatheRidge. On her front porch she flies a U.S. Flag. Her son Ryan died while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom two years ago and her husband is currently a civilian worker with the Department of Defense stationed in Iraq. "That flag is for them, for everyone that came before, that there are now and will come after," said Sims.

Of course you remember! When that hit the msm, all sorts of patriots jumped to the cause of freedom to fly your flag, as you choose. A great cause, to be sure, and one that I am on the record as supporting - ALWAYS! I followed up on this story, ready to wave my pom poms, and do whatever it took to make sure this Gold Star Mum was not harassed by the Strawberry1 HOA.

In an update, I posted this:

"The Association did not tell her to remove the flag...." ...That is a direct quote from one of the property managers of the 328 unit community that Mary Sims lives in. The community where the above flag is flying.... Only one msm outlet carried this story - focussing on the flag aspect - which seems to have grown legs....lol...And no, I personally don't feel that the news outlet did their homework....not from the discussions I have had. ( I know, I know, a shocker.)...

I will come back to the media aspect in a minute, BUT I do have an update on this one. I had been promised a copy of the official statement that this HOA's legal counsel released to the media who were hot on this story. What follows is excerpts from that public clarification/response to 9NEWS.com:

...According to the article you posted on the 9NEWS.com website, Ms Sims purportedly advised you, "I don't think [the Association has the] right to tell me where to fly my American flag." While the Board of the Association is sorry for the loss of Ms Sims' son, and hopes for the safe and timely return of her husband froim Iraq, the Board respectfully disagrees with Ms. Sims' position. She has chosen to fly the flag in a common element: the front porch that she shares with other residents...This is not in an area that she has a seperate ownership or an area where she has exclusive possession or use.... This matter has been thoroughly resolved by the Colorado Legislature. Section 38-33.3-106.5 CRS, provides in pertinent part: [then follows the relevant legislation. Too early to bore you all with this. IF you are that interested, I can forweard it to you!] ...The General Policies of the Association, ...fully comply with both Colorado statute and the federal flag code... the Association has accepted the default provisions of the statute that prohibit Ms Sims from placing her flag anywhere other than in a window or a balcony. In Ms Sims' case, her unit is on the first floor. As a result, the functional equivalent of a balcony is her patio area. The Association has stated that it would have no problem if the flag was displayed within her patio area. ... The Association does not seek confrontation with Ms Sims. It supports her patriotic expression and hopes this matter can be resolved without further conflict. Very truly yours, for Fisher, Sweetbaum, Levin & Sands

(A tech note: I did have the original of this statement sent to me, but because of format etc, (and my ineptitude on matters 'tech') I had to type that quote in. It IS as I received it - and I can share the original with anyone interested).

As I have told you before, there is more to this story, which I am not going to share, choosing to focus on the flag issue, which is the only part of the story the msm went with. This statement above did have more legal mumbo jumbo in it. For me, the bottom line is that Mary Sims is not being told she cannot fly her flag. Yes, she may not agree with the HOA by-laws. But, the by-laws governing this HOA (and any other HOA if they are smart! lol) DO conform with state and federal laws. That IS a fact. When the lawyer states they "do not want a confrontation" with Mary Sims, I have to believe that. They may toe the legal line, but in the court of public opinion (msm, PGR, vets associations etc) they would not do so well. Except they are adhering to laws in place. (Yea, yea, the law IS an ass sometimes, and that is when voters on any level work to get laws changed. Is called democracy!) Each resident of the 328 units at Strawberry1 has a say in the affairs of that community. The majority has chosen - voted - to comply with state and federal laws.

Mary Sims is in a horrible position, and I can't help but feel empathy for her loss. She belongs to a club that no mother EVER wants to join. From my limited, outside observer, position, I know very well that Gold Star Mothers can and do galvanise the support of various military and non-military support groups. This is as it should be. I am one of the first to get on the front lines if ANY of our military families needs support. I will fight to the end to defend any American's right to freedom of expression (except those morons who defacated on your flag at the Gathering of Eagles a few months back. THAT is intolerable to me). My support is a well-known fact. In this case specifically, I do see a peaceable resolution, where everybody's right to freedom is honoured, within the laws of the land. My prayer is that Mary Sims finds peace within her present situation.

Now, back to the msm handling of this. You KNEW I would get back to that. lol..When I originally heard of this story, I called the 9NEWS desk and asked for comments, insights. They were snippy, and most unco-operative. No surprise. Whatever, I did my own research. I have talked to various people close to this story, believing as I do, that there is always more to any story that hits the airwaves. I know, I know, shame on me. I learned a lot more about the working of the HOA in the US, and am grateful for the time my sources took to help me understand the bigger picture. For the record, I have been unable to talk to Mary Sims personally. I did try.;)

The statement I quote above was released to the original msm who ran the story. As far as I can tell, no one has aired this follow-up. THIS follow-up takes away from the sensationalism of the original headline of a Gold Star mum being victimised by the corporation. And yes, even the headline on the original story was misleading (okay, WRONG!) We all know - here at Tanker Bros - that the msm never lets the facts get in the way of a good story, but to not even bother to release to the public the Association's response is not only baaaaaaaad journalism, it is also wrong. No wonder some of the American public doesn't trust the media. And no, as far as I know, no msm has bothered to follow-up with Mary Sims to see how she is doing now. Go figure. Fact is that to the msm Mary Sims is just a headline, a story for fifteen minutes of spotlight. I could go on about the msm, ad nauseaum, but most know my views, and they are mostly irrelevant to this or any other story.

This story IS about Mary Sims. My prayers are with her. That's all, folks!

Brat

Book Review: Lone Survivor

Lone Survivor: The Eywitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 By Marcus Luttrell with Patrick Robinson


This book took me longer than usual to read. While on one hand it was written in such a way that I didn't want to put it down, on the other hand, I had to because it was very intense.

Mr. Luttrell does an excellent job of describing his training to become a SEAL (after you read this chapter you will having nothing but respect for those men that wear the Trident!) and what happened those fateful days in the summer of 2005.

More than once Marcus brings up the ROE and the problems with them as they are. One example is on page 37-38. First he outlines one aspect of the ROE:

And those ROE are very specific: we may not open fire until we are fired upon or have positively identified our enemy and have proof of his intentions.

I loved what he had to say:

I am hopeful that one day soon, the U.S. government will learn that we can be trusted. We know about bad guys, what they do, and, often, who they are. The politicians have chosen to send us into battle, and that's our trade. We do what's necessary. And in my view, once those politicians have elected to send us out to do what 99.9 percent of the country would be terrified to undertake, they should get the hell out of the way and stay there.

(emphasis mine)

Can I hear an "AMEN"? I truly believe that if the ROEs were different and the soldiers were able to do what needs to be done and they didn't have to wait to be shot at first before returning fire, this war would have been over a long time ago.

Marcus shows his incredible sense of humor with how he relates stories of his training to become a SEAL and some of the facts of what happened to him during those days before he was rescued. I alternated between laughing and crying. Whenever my husband was in the room he read the book along with me because I spent a lot of time saying, "honey, listen to this. . . ."

I was sobbing as I read this excerpt (page 359): A little background, the military was calling Marcus' family at regular intervals with updates, each one exactly the same amount of hours apart and each one saying "no news".

The regular call had come in on time at around one that afternoon, and they were expecting another "no news" update at four. But now the phone rang at three. Early. And according to my dad, when Chief Gothro came outside and walked through the crowd to collect my mom, telling her there was a call from Coronado, she almost fainted. In her mind, there could be only one possible reason for the call, and that was the death of her little angel (that's me). Chief Gothro half carried her into the house, and when they arrived at the bedroom where the phone was installed, the first thing she saw was Morgan and my other brother, Scottie, with their arms around each other sobbing uncontrollably. Everyone thought they knew the military. There could be only one reason for an early call. They'd found my body on the mountain. Chief Gothro walked my mom to the phone and informed her that whatever it was, she had to face it. A voice came down the line and demaneded, "Chief, is the family assembled?" "Yessir" "Mr. and Mrs. Luttrell?" "Yes," whispered Mom. "We got him, ma'am. We got Marcus. And he's stable" Mom started to collapse right there on the bedroom floor. Scottie moved swiftly to save her from hitting it.

Oh man. I was reading that scene as a mother with two boys. Wanting to get on the phone and hear what they had to say, but at the same time, NOT wanting to hear.

Another thing I learned while reading this is exactly how much the Afghani tribesman sacrificed to help Marcus. That village deserves the title hero also.

This book takes you on a journey that I can't quite describe. You have to read it to understand and I strongly recommend this book to everyone.

The three that were with Marcus and gave their lives for our country that summer:

Lt. Michael Murphy~Awarded the Medal of Honor

PO2 Danny Dietz~Awarded the Silver Star

PO2 Matthew Axelson~Awarded the Silver Star

And of course there were 16 men on the Chopper that crashed while trying to rescue the 4 SEALs:

SEALs:
Petty Officer 1st Class Jeffrey S. Taylor
Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric S. Patton
Petty Officer 2nd Class James Suh
Lt. Michael M. McGreevy, Jr.
Petty Officer 1st Class Jeffery A. Lucas
Lt. Cmdr. Erik S. Kristensen
Senior Chief Petty Officer Daniel R. Healy
Chief Petty Officer Jacques J. Fontan

Army "Nightstalkers":
Sgt. Shamus O. Goare
Chief Warrant Officer Corey J. Goodnature
Sgt. Kip A. Jacoby
Sgt. 1st Class Marcus V. Muralles
Msgt James W. Ponder III
Maj. Stephen C. Reich
Sgt. 1st Class Michael L. Russell
Chief Warrant Officer Chris J. Scherkenbach



Thank you men for all you've given our country. You have my eternal thanks.

~Tracy /span>

Wednesday Hero

Sgt. Antwan L. Walker
22 years old from Tampa, Florida
2nd Forward Support Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division
May 18, 2005


Sgt. Antwan Walker was excited about coming home from Iraq to celebrate his 23rd birthday with his family and friends. His mother, Andrea Pringle, was busy planning the party when an Army official unexpectedly came to her house.

She said he told her Thursday that her son was killed the previous day by a bomb blast in Ramadi. The Department of Defense hasn't publicly confirmed his death.

Sgt. Antwan Walker, known as Twan to his friends and family, joined the Army in 2000. Pringle said her son joined to earn money for college.

"Twan had a lot of goals in life," She said. "He was very ambitious and very smart."

Sgt. Walker had been in Iraq for about a year. He called his family often but didn't want to talk about war. Instead, he talked about starting a real estate career and his three children.

"He was such a good dad," his mother said. "All he wanted to do was make a good life for his kids."

In April 2005, Walker wanted to talk about the fighting. He told his mother five soldiers he was traveling with were killed. His phone calls became more frequent after that.

Pringle said she had days when she couldn't eat or sleep because of her worries. But she never forgot to give her son her support.

"I always told him I'm proud and be safe".

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your blog, you can go here.

If you go down to the woods today....

....you better not take a teddy bear named "Muhammad". At least, not if you live in Sudan. Just saw this news item, and I swear, (no, not in the name of Muhammad...lol) the world really HAS gone stark, raving mad. If any of us ever doubted the insanity of the radical Islamists, this story should erase any doubt:

'Muhammad' teddy teacher arrested Gillian Gibbons is described as "a talented and able teacher " A British schoolteacher has been arrested in Sudan accused of insulting Islam's Prophet, after she allowed her pupils to name a teddy bear Muhammad. Colleagues of Gillian Gibbons, 54, from Liverpool, said she made an "innocent mistake" by letting the six and seven-year-olds choose the name. Ms Gibbons was arrested after several parents made complaints. The BBC has learned the charge could lead to six months in jail, 40 lashes or a fine. (source)

Excuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuse me? I can understand very well that foreigners working in Islamic countries are expected to be respectful of the country's sensitivities. But am I the only one who thinks this is absurd? The CHILDREN chose the name. One teacher colleague,:

One Muslim teacher at the independent school for Christian and Muslim children, who has a child in Ms Gibbons' class, said she had not found the project offensive. "I know Gillian and she would never have meant it as an insult. I was just impressed that she got them to vote," the teacher said.

So here we go again, and this time, let's drag those poor kids in on it. Can you imagine what these children must be going through? I have spent time (was going to say "done time", but y'all know I love kids.lol) in many primary classrooms, and I am sure those children are very confused about now. On the one hand they have a teacher encouraging them to work together, gain concensus by respectful debate, and now the big foot of Islam stomps their teacher and them. It is reported that men are gathering around the jail where Ms. Gibbons is being held. I am almost incredulous (and okay, I know I shouldn't be by now....)that, yet again, "a religion of peace" is being wielded like a big stick to browbeat teachers and children into submission. Yet again, extremists who would distort not only what most mainstream muslims will tell you IS a peaceful religion, but also mould young children's minds to a religion of fear. Yet again, religion is used to shut children's minds.

I am guessing there will be no "Teddy Bears Picnics" in Sudan any time soon...no matter what name "Teddy" is given. You can read this story at the Beeb (link above), or here, here, and here.

	Ms Gibbons asked students to name the toy

My prayers are with the children, and their teacher.
It seems we still have MUCH work to do.

"Teach your children well..." indeed.


Brat

Warning: Only Positive Attitudes May Enter

I saw this photo over at Blackfive and LOVED it!!

*For a larger picture, click on the Blackfive link, then click on the picture there.

I've read about the training SEAL's go through during BUD/S and Hell Week. After reading what the men go through just to pin on the Trident and call themselves SEALs, I have NO DOUBT this man will recover that 120% that he promises!!

HOOYAH!

~Tracy

Move America Forward is on the Move - again

As of 26th November, 2007, Move America Forward is crossing the country again:

ATTENTION TO ORDERS! HEAR YE! HEAR YE!! HEAR YE!!! Starting Monday, November 26th, Move America Forward will wage a huge, cross country pro-troop holiday tour called "Honoring Heroes at the Holidays Tour." We'll have pro-troop rallies and events in 40 cities across America for the next three weeks, and at each event we'll collect signed Christmas, Hanukkah and holiday greeting cards that we'll deliver to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan . We're collecting over 100,000 cards in this effort - and given the current rate the cards have been coming in to our headquarters at Move America Forward we could well exceed that goal. I have a request to make of you: can you please help us spread the word of this effort and a link to our tour route so patriotic Americans all across the nation can do their part to show their support for our troops who will be serving more than 7,000 miles away from their families, friends and homes during the holidays.

In line with the previous cross-country treks to support our troops, I just KNOW that this mission will be a great success too. I know that many Americans support our troops, and will step up to SHOW that support.

VIEW THE TOUR ITINERARY ROUTE - CLICK HERE

To get on board, and learn more, go here to Wake Up America.

We can do this!!! Thank you.

Brat

My Eternal Hero

On November 11, 2007 - Veterans Day in America - Kenneth Val Leroy Nixon passed away. While large crowds across the continent honoured our servicemen and women, our heroes, my eternal hero Kenny quietly slipped away in a care facility in Columbia, Missouri, with our friend Kassie by his side. Kenny's beloved Baby K was quietly nuzzling on his chest.

Kenneth Nixon 1941-2007 Published Sunday, November 18, 2007 Kenneth Val Leroy Nixon, 66, of Columbia passed away Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007, at West Village Manor. Mr. Nixon was born on Sept. 17, 1941, in Washington, Mo., to Orville and Callie Hyatt Nixon. Kenneth is survived by many relatives and close friends, and his absence will be greatly felt in their lives. Online condolences for Mr. Nixon’s family may be left at www.heartlandcremation.com.

I was priviledged to 'meet' Kenny at the beginning of November. No, we never met in person, and we didn't need to. As it turns out, Kenny and I do "know" each other's hearts very well. It started out as an ordinary enough phone call from Kassie, as she told me about Kenny. Kenny was in an assisted living facility, dying, but hanging on, not wanting to leave, because he was sure God would not accept him. I asked Kassie if I could call Kenny, to share with him, talk to him - to ease his heart and mind. Kassie agreed that she would talk to Kenny about me, and I know she did. Over the coming days, Kenny was on my mind a lot, was always in my heart, as Kassie gave me updates on his physical fragile state. Kenny and I never actually spoke physically, but I know he got my messages, assurances, from Kassie, and I know his heart heard mine telling him that God had always accepted him.


Kenny was a veteran. A Marine. He was in Vietnam 1968-69, but he had no military funeral. No hero's burial in Arlington. He was cremated. His wish. I don't know much about Kenny's military history, but I will always honour every soldier who went to Vietnam. They will always be heroes to me. For me though, it is how Kenny lived his last days on this earth that make him an amazing hero in my heart. He battled demons that most of us will never meet, and he won! When Kenny finally left us, he had been clean and sober for 75+ days.

Even as Kenny knew his time had come in Columbia, Missouri, his concern was for the wellbeing of his precious Baby K, and that his family were taken care of. Kenny's huge family had many flaws (don't all families?), and Kenny loved them.

Tommy Pearl, a long time friend of Kenny's, shared with me:

"When we met about five years ago I adopted him as a big brother. Kenny was a good guy who loved life. He was an avid reader of mysteries and history. He had a great sense of humour, and would do anything for anybody. He loved Baby K so much. Towards the end Kenny was worried about being in God's Good Book. I told him he was already in there."

Kenny loved movies. Kassie took him lots of movies for those last long nights when Kenny couldn't sleep. Westerns and military movies were favourites. He was a huge John Wayne fan. (Wonder what he and John Wayne said to each other when they met in the great corral in the heavens? lol) Kenny had a beautiful smile. I know this.

On the questionnaire that Kenny filled out when he arrived at his last home he noted that he loved driving around. On November 10, Kassie took Kenny out to drive around. No particular destination, but just to be doing something that Kenny enjoyed. At one point, Kassie turned to Kenny and said "Happy Birthday." She reminded Kenny that November 10 is the Marines birthday. Kenny - thrilled - gave a big grin and "OOORAH!" He made a huge effort, and by sheer willpower, found the strength to raise his arm in a salute. To be acknowledged as the Marine he will always be brought a spark of life into him, said Kassie.

November 11 was a sunny day in Columbia, Missouri. Kassie went to see Kenny. He made it known that he wanted to get out of his bed and go sit outside. The staff said he was too weak to get up, but Kenny was adamant and Kassie insisted, because that was what Kenny wanted.

They sat in the late afternoon sunshine, and Kassie put her hand on Kenny's and supported Baby K on Kenny's chest as the hero and the dog found absolute contentment with each other. With the sun shining on them, Kassie and Kenny talked....well, Kassie talked and Kenny, too weak to speak, listened. Kassie again reminded him what I had said. What was said is between Kenny, Kassie and me, but Kassie assured Kenny that "BritBrat said it, so I know it's true, and you can believe it too."

About that time, in another time zone miles a way, I was aware of a stillness. It was as if the world had stopped for one shining moment. Kassie felt and saw Kenny BE at peace, as his body, which had held him back, finally released his sweet, sweet soul to God's care. As the sun set in Columbia, Missouri, so too did the sun set on my hero's stay on this earth. The last thing Kenny said? "I'll pray for you."

Kenny? "All is well, Safely rest. " Freedom to fly is yours! You know how I feel, but I have to say: Told ya soooooooo. See you!

Brat

Time To Call Chopper Out Of Retirement....

The Unions are back!!

I'm going to keep this short today, since I am still reeling from the announcement that Kevin Rudd is our new Prime Minister.

This, in a nutshell, mean that the Unions are back (the Unions are always out in force under a Labor Government), that the bullying by Unions, the strikes and mayhem are set to resume. I am aware that people suffered under the AWA's, that many lost jobs or are facing retraining, were moved to different areas or required to undertake different tasks, but under a Labor Gov, employers will be forced to bow down to Unions.

We now have a Government that supports the appeals against the death sentences of terrorists who take the lives of Australians because they don't believe in Capital Punishment. Even when those terrorists laughed and smiled in court and openly admitted to the acts of terrorism.

We now have a Government that supports a has been singer/conservationist who shoots his mouth off about things he knows nothing about, then talks around in circles until everyone gets bored with the whole thing. Garrett, you weren't that great as a singer but at least you had some entertainment value there. Stick to what you can pull off with a pinch cos it certainly isn't politics.

We now have a Government who supports gross spending patterns. Historically, Labor Governments have consistently run this country into debt.

We now have a Government that supports the withdrawal of our Troops from Iraq. Honestly, I would love to see our Troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan before we lose another Digger, but Australia has always stepped up and played a role in world conflict. Even with a small force (we have 70,000 Military Personnel) we were able to play a role. That is set to change.

On the bright side, Rudd plans to start an education revolution (by handing out free computers at tax payers expense) and give us all better access to Broadband. Wow, I am impressed.

Enough said??

AC

Good News Friday (B*N*S*N1)

Well lookie here....;)

ACTOR JOINS EFFORT - Actor Ben Affleck, middle right, joins the more than 500 other volunteers at the Army National Guard Armory, in Van Nuys, Calif., Nov. 10, in a care-package assembly line. Operation Gratitude sponsored the 5th annual event to ensure troops overseas receive Christmas packages. Affleck also spoke to the volunteers, many of them youngsters, about the importance of their work and the need to let troops know they are supported and appreciated. Courtesy photo

ACTOR VISITS TROOPS - "That '70s Show" actor Wilmer Valderrama poses with soldiers following a USO show at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, Nov. 20, 2007. Valderrama, model Mayra Veronica and comedian Russell Peters are on a USO trip through Europe, Asia and Africa. Defense Dept. photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Adam M. Stump

I did NOT find this in my mainstream newspaper. I DID find it on the America Supports You site. There is also a piece on there to send text messages to our troops, and to date, over 123,000 Americans have stepped up to "give thanks". Hmmmmmmmmm.. We have Hollywood 'names' quietly supporting our troops by doing something tangible, and we have Americans in the thousands sending text messages. Sounds like good news to me. You can read the rest of these stories, (and maybe send your own text message) here.

Qualifies as B*N*S*N in my books!

Brat

Good News Friday (B*N*S*N2)

Washington diary: Changes in Iraq By Matt Frei BBC News, Washington Have you noticed it too? It dawned on me some time last week. Something is missing from the front pages of my newspapers and the headlines of our TV bulletins. The number of violent attacks against Iraqi civilians has fallen There was a picture that was so common and had become such an ingrained part of my electronic wallpaper that I almost stopped noticing it, until I noticed its absence. I'm talking about the murder and mayhem of Iraq. It has stopped being big news not because it has stopped being interesting, but because it has stopped happening to the same extent. All the indicators for violence are down. Compared to the beginning of the year, attacks against Iraqi civilians have declined by 55% in the country as a whole and by 75% in Baghdad, according to US military figures confirmed by the UN. US military casualties are also dramatically reduced. October was one of the least bloody months since the beginning of the invasion.

Yep - that's on the BBC. Imagine that. Of course, further down in the same column, they have to give a 'balance' to over-ride such good news, (hey, the Beeb IS mainstream after all.lol.. Another paragraph though is headed:

Din of normality So what has caused this decline? An extra 30,000 US troops on the ground since the beginning of the so-called surge have certainly made a difference. US troops are preferred by many Sunni leaders to al-Qaeda fighters Shuttered Baghdad markets have re-opened for business. Silent streets have come to life with the sound of children playing football and mothers yelling for attention. The din of normality has trumped the silence of fear. In Anbar province - which used to be the heart of the insurgency - Sunni leaders are fed-up with the high-handed brutality of al-Qaeda's fighters, deemed to have abused their hospitality and outstayed their welcome....

I am in shock (well, almost.lol) Could it be that the BBC, at least, is clueing in to what WE have all known for a while? You know, what our boots on the ground have been telling us for a while? Gasp! To read the rest of this, and make up your own mind if maybe - just maybe - this could be the start of the msm actually conceding that this mission is looking more like VICTORY daily, go here.

And that, folks, really might be B*N*S*N!

Brat

Good News Friday (B*N*S*N3)

Better security sees Iraqi refugees flood home Iraqi refugees are returning home in dramatic numbers, concluding that security in Baghdad has been transformed. Thousands have left their refuge in Syria in recent months, according to some estimates. The Iraqi Embassy is organising a secure mass convoy from Damascus to Baghdad on Monday for refugees who want to drive back. Embassy notices went up around the Syrian capital yesterday, offering free bus and train rides home.... “In the last month, 60 per cent of the Iraqis I know have returned,” [ Hussein Ali Saleh, the director of the National Theatre in Baghdad,] said. “The situation has been changed completely. They all want to go back. Even my own family back in Baghdad is telling me the situation is much better.” Before, my family refused to let me even talk about going back,” Ahlam Ahmed said. “Now they are calling me every day and saying, ‘Why don’t you come?’. This is a real change. But I don’t yet trust the situation.” Most Iraqis interviewed by The Times, though, seemed enthusiastic rather than despondent. “Throughout history Baghdad has fallen many times but she always rose up again,” Abu Ibrahim said. “We all know this and that’s why we return. We return to rebuild Baghdad now.”...

"We return to rebuild Baghdad now..." That tells me that what our troops went to do - for the families of Iraq - is working. Success can be measured by the numbers of Iraqis willing to invest themselves in their homeland. Not news to us, of course. Read the rest of this (again on a msm site, and yes, again British...lol) here.

That IS B*N*S*N!

Brat

Happy Thanksgiving!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

I am thankful for so many things. My family (I have the best husband and boys in the world! ;o), friends, church. My family has a roof over our heads and food in our bellies every day. We live in a country where we have religious freedom~we can worship God in the way we--not the government--choose OR we can choose to not worship God at all. When my boys were born I was able to choose to stay home with them because that is what I felt was right for my family~my friend was able to work outside the home because that is what she felt was right for her family. Choices. . . . .

I'm thankful for all the past Soldiers that have fought for this country and it's freedoms. I am thankful for the men and women that serve and protect us now. Thank you seems so inadequate, but it's all I've got so. . . . .




~Tracy

Giving thanks

On this American Thanksgiving Day 2007, I have much to be thankful for. For ALL my American coalition partners, both at home and in the sandbox, no fancy words. I am the richer for having each of you in my life. To "my" soldiers deployed far from home (and their families here), "my" veterans, to "my" Gold and Silver Star families, to all my American Soldiers' Angel buddies, to all "my" military mums who grace me with their friendship, and most especially for my Tanker Bros and Sisters. (Did you notice I left the quotes off the last one? hehehehe) You each know who you are, and the place you have in my heart. You all teach me so much every single day, and I really AM thankful for the lessons.;) I will always be grateful to every single one of you.

THANK YOU.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!

Brat

Fly Your Flag America - UPDATE 2!!

"The Association did not tell her to remove the flag...."

That is a direct quote from one of the property managers of the 328 unit community that Mary Sims lives in. The community where the above flag is flying. And yes, that was repeatedly stressed to me throughout the two long conversations I have had on this issue.

There are all sorts of twists and turns in this story, some of which I will share with you as they are on the record. Some of my information is off the record, and will remain so, out of respect for the privacy of the parties here.

The facts so far are: Last Friday, Mrs Sims received a letter. The main focus of that letter was NOT the flag, although that was the tail end of the contents. Only one msm outlet carried this story - focussing on the flag aspect - which seems to have grown legs....lol...And no, I personally don't feel that the news outlet did their homework....not from the discussions I have had. ( I know, I know, a shocker.)

Fact: When ANYONE buys into a community like Strawberry1, they are given a whole truckload of legal documents which set out laws, bylaws, rules etc., agreed to by members of the community. All regulations conform - adhere - to the different levels of government laws: county, state and federal. These documents lay out the framework for the maintenance and good governance of the community as developed by the original community members (in this case 328 units). This community was developed in the '70's and, of course, over time, Association rules may have been tweaked, altered, to reflect the current members' views. Every community member in any of these HOA's has a vote on how things are run.

At time of purchase, interested parties read and sign these documents. If at that time they do not agree with any - or all - of the pre-existing criteria, they may refuse to sign and withdraw their offer to purchase a unit. (I am paraphrasing what I learned yesterday.....I did NOT take notes...lol) If in agreement with all the regs as presented, and upon signing the legal documents, any unit owner is then legally bound to abide and follow all existing laws etc. Their signature on these documents says they agree to do this. The fact that Mrs Sims lives here tells me that she did sign all the agreements. (Even as I totally empathise with her current situation...you know I DO).

Last night the Association held a board meeting in Aurora. All board members are volunteers; quorum was not reached. However, two of the board members have military connections, and do, in fact, fly American flags. (One even has an Uncle Sam windsocket I understand, and yes, you KNOW that had to be described to me..lol). Oh, and they know about Soliders' Angels - but I digress.;) According to my property manager source, patriotism is not, and never has been, the issue. I can tell you the property manager I spoke to is as patriotic as any of us, and is a veteran himself. They feel enormous respect and sympathy for the sacrifice Mrs Sims has made in the loss of her son.

The status of the whole issue today is this: the Association is preparing a statement for their local news...and looking at resolution of this issue, so that everyone's positions are honoured. They have promised to give me a copy of this statement so I can share it with you.

Now, some personal opinion. I know, you thought I would never get to this part. heheheh....I totally sympathise with Mrs Sims. Any regular reader here knows this. I also - as an ex property manager myself -can understand to the Association's position. Here's a little analogy for you. Suppose there is a store in your neighbourhood that conducts business in a way you don't like..(pick your practice here folks.lol) As a consumer, you have a choice: either suck it up and continue to do business with them, give them your dollar, OR decide you cannot support their business ethics, and spend your money elsewhere...this holds true for ANY business transaction. And yes, all business transactions are governed by law.

Yes, you may feel an emotional response about the business, but you respond with concrete actions.

The flag issue is a very personal issue for all of us. No matter which country you are from, or your political beliefs. Mrs Sims' son died serving everything the American flag symbolises. All our heroes are defending our freedoms. That's a fact. We live in the land of the free (and their northern neighbour country) precisely because of the patriotism, the ideals our sons and daughters are fighting for.

The greatest ideal of all? FREEDOM. Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of association. Many more, and I am sure you know the freedoms enshrined in your constitution better than I do.

I WILL have the further updates on this as they become available...in the meantime, I am reserving judgement. I am also asking all of you to do likewise, until this story is resolved. I DO have absolute faith in the goodness of men (and women) that justice will be served here, for all.

STAY TUNED!

Brat

Wednesday Hero

Spc. Roger G. Ling
20 years old from Douglaston, New York
Company C, 1st Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team
February 19, 2004


When Spc. Roger G. Ling's Humvee was struck by a homemade bomb in October of 2003, he survived the attack and he worked to keep his superior officer, Lt. Matt Homa, alive. Spc. Ling was riding in the backseat of the Humvee when it was hit. It destroyed Lt. Homa's door.

"It almost killed me. From what I've been told, Roger helped keep me awake until my medic arrived." said Lt. Homa. "Ling was a good kid. You could count on him to do anything."

Spc. Ling was killed, along with Second Lieutenant Jeffrey C. Graham of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, when their unit came under fire from insurgents in Khalidiyah, Iraq. Only two miles from where he'd survived the attack just four months earlier.

Leona Ling said she was grateful her brother came home in August of 2003 just before leaving for Iraq.

"He had to have his tonsils taken out," she said. "It was a blessing in disguise because we got to see him again."

In phone calls home, the soldier spoke wistfully of returning to New York and going to college. "He wanted to hear about what was going on at home and all the latest family gossip," Leona Ling recalled.

Survivors include his father, Wai Ling, a U.S. Army veteran.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your blog, you can go here.

Fly Your Flags America, Update, sort of...

America - we have progress! As promised, an update - sort of! Just had a long talk with someone in Colorado....(a veteran close to this story btw...lol) I cannot tell you all we discussed, but no surprise, the msm has not gone with the whole story. There is more to this than meets the eye. Some of my talk was on the record - I am processing it right now, and some of it was off the record, for my education. Yes, I was open to the education, and yes, I learned even more about America and HOA's!

I will have developments on this story by noon tomorrow. STAY TUNED!

Brat

Fly Your Flags America!

No, you haven't lost your mind! I DID do a post under that title back in November 2006. (Refresh your memory here. lol)

Back then, I 'educated' two or three HOAs on LAW HR42, which concerns the governing of flying your flag. We won those rounds, and you would think that these feifdoms called HOA would have got a clue.

Seems not. Here we go again! Late last night I got word that an HOA in Aurora, Colorado is ignorant. Ignorant about the law, devoid of moral decency, devoid of patriotism, and ooooooooooh - just plain IGNORANT!

Meet Mary Sims:

HOA says mother of fallen soldier has to take down flag AURORA - Mary Sims lives at the Strawberry I at HeatheRidge. On her front porch she flies a U.S. Flag. Her son Ryan died while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom two years ago and her husband is currently a civilian worker with the Department of Defense stationed in Iraq. "That flag is for them, for everyone that came before, that there are now and will come after," said Sims. She calls it a patriotic display. Last Friday, her homeowners' association sent her a notice telling her that the display violates the HOA's rules and regulations. The notice stated that the flag, which is placed on a "common element," is not allowed. It continued on to say that Sims could place the flag in her window or on the balcony. Sims refused. "I don't think they have right to tell me where to hang my American flag," said Sims.

You can read the whole thing here, and marvel with me at the audacity of this mini-kingdom that DARES to interpret your laws as they see appropriate. Law 42 specifically enshrines the rights of Americans to fly their flags. And yes, I could quote you that law chapter and verse, and it's history. THAT surprised a hotshot lawyer that I spoke to last year. ;) Yes, we won that round, too! And we will win this one too.

Mary Sims, mother of a hero of America, mother of one of America's precious sons, says: "I don't think they have right to tell me where to hang my American flag,..."

Mary - as we all know - is absolutely correct. Soooooooooooooo, you will all know that I am on this one. I called the original msm that reported this last night. They were most unhelpful to me. There's a shocker! Gave me attitude - imagine that! However, I am beyond outraged, I am pissed. Here we are, Veterans Day this past week, and Thanksgiving in America just upon us, and this HOA is telling THIS Gold Star mother how she can and cannot fly her flag.

NOT ON MY WATCH.

Stay tuned.

Brat (h/t to Jenn)

"...exceptional Canadians.."

Pte. Michel Levesque Cpl. Nicolas Beauchamp
(DND/Canadian Press)

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement of condolence Saturday. "These are all exceptional Canadians who deserve the gratitude and respect of this nation," he said. "The actions of these brave soldiers have brought hope to the Afghan people."...(source)

You can read more on these exceptional Canadians who "brought hope to the Afghan people" here, and here, and here.

My heart aches for the families, and I have no words. I DO have prayers and so much love for them, and our precious Canadian sons.

Soar through the heavens, heroes. FLY!!

Brat

A Boy Named Patrick - A children's story

On Veteran's Day 2007, Deb Tainsh was a guest speaker at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School in Columbus, Georgia.

Although parents were in the audience, I told a story that hopefully the children and parents both would carry with them. With the help of my friend Diana at the school, poster boards were created with words of our blessed freedoms. Students stood holding these boards of freedoms for everyone to see while I read the story of A Boy Named Patrick, which of course I wrote. At an appropriate time, adults removed the freedoms from the children and left the room, but at the end, soldiers in uniform who were student parents entered the room, stood in front of the students and held the freedom boards... (part of Deb's email to me)

I KNOW that Patrick was there that day, watching over Deb and Dave as he always will. I KNOW Patrick was there looking out over all the children - the hope for our future. This is Deb's story, written for Veterans Day this year, but absolutely timeless and always relevant.

A Boy Named Patrick A Veteran’s Day Tribute By Deborah Tainsh 11/11/2007 There was once a man named David who was a United States Marine. He went to a war in a place called Vietnam in 1966 to help bring freedom. After he came home from that war he kept on being a Marine and in 1970 he had a little boy named Patrick who loved football, beaches, surfing, and skateboarding, and especially reading. Patrick watched his dad be a Marine for over twenty years. During this time Patrick kept reading not only surfing and skateboarding magazines, but history books, too. One day when Patrick was a man, he told his dad and best friend, “I want to do something that will make a difference in the world, I’m going to be a soldier.” And so he did. And in 1999 he went to Fort Knox, Kentucky for boot camp and then went to Fort Polk, Louisiana where he worked and trained hard to become a United States Army Cavalry Scout. Then in 2003 Patrick had to say good bye to his mom and dad because he had to go fight a war in Iraq to protect his country, friends, and family from terrorists and to help fight for the freedoms of the boys and girls in that country where they and their families were treated very badly by their country’s leader. Patrick once wrote a letter to his mom and dad telling them that he cried for the children because they were hungry and he didn’t have food to give them. He said he couldn’t understand how a country’s leader could treat the people so badly and make them live in such dirty conditions with trash and wild dogs everywhere. And so Patrick's mom and dad keep a photo in their living room of Patrick surrounded by Iraqi children. Almost a year after Patrick had been fighting the enemy in Iraq so very hard with his other soldier friends he was killed and went to live with God. But his mom and dad were so very proud that he had died while serving others by helping to create their freedoms like the ones he had loved as an American. They knew that so many boys and girls in America had grown up and died using bad drugs or drinking alcohol, and this made them sadder for those children and their moms and dads. Before Patrick died he wrote a letter that his mom and dad would receive if he did not get to come home to live again. In that letter he said that he wanted his family and friends to be proud of him and to always remember him for who he was and who he had become. He wrote that he had never been prouder of anything than to fight and die with an American flag on his shoulder. That he was never prouder than to be a United States Army Cavalry Scout. And that he hoped the people of Iraq would someday enjoy the same freedoms that he had enjoyed as an American. So, if it were not for men like Patrick, his dad, and other moms and dads of today and in the years before today, other people in other countries would never get to live in such freedom and our freedoms could be taken away. The freedom of democracy, a government by the people and for the people, the freedom of speech, the freedom to pray, the freedom to go to church, and school, the freedom to have equal rights between men and women, the freedom to own a business and homes, and to travel anywhere we want to in our beautiful land, from sea to shining sea. So we honor the brave soldiers like Patrick thanks to President Woodrow Wilson. One year after the end of World War I, in 1919, on Armistice (truce) day November 11, the day that commemorated the end of WWI on November 11, 1918 when the fighting stopped at 11 a.m., the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, a proclamation was created to express the pride in the heroism of those who had died during the war. In 1938 the Congress of the United States declared it a federal holiday. In 1954 the name of the holiday was changed from Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor all those American veterans who have served in all wars to protect our country and our freedoms. So Patrick and all his soldier friends who still live are veterans and we celebrate them on Veteran’s day because these brave men and women, too, stand in front of us to protect us and to keep our flag and freedoms safe from those who want to hurt us and our country. God bless all our soldiers and veterans and God bless America.

"......Patrick...wanted his family and friends to be proud of him and to always remember him for who he was and who he had become..."

Thank YOU, Deb and Dave, for raising such a man. God bless you both.

Patrick: You have my promise - for always.

Brat

Every Day Hero

Meet Navy Hospital Corpsman Joshua Chiarini:

The Story: As enemy forces ambushed the front of his convoy, and with explosions going off on the road ahead of him, Navy Hospital Corpsman Joshua Chiarini could have remained in his vehicle and waited for the action to pass. Instead, the petty officer bolted from his truck and joined the battle. His ensuing gallantry resulted in a Silver Star and the recovery of several wounded Marines from the line of fire, saving their lives. Many of Chiarini’s missions took place in Al Anbar province, a hotbed of violence in early 2006. The morning of February 10 started out like so many others – with a patrol for Chiarini, a combat medic spending his third tour of duty with the 1st Platoon, 2nd Marine Division. It soon became clear the day would be anything but routine. A roadside bomb hit the front Humvee in the convoy. The vehicle sped out of the kill zone and its occupants escaped and took up defensive positions against the attacking force. A second blast detonated in the area where the four Marines and one interpreter stood, which was followed by heavy small-arms fire in their direction, causing injuries. Chiarini’s Humvee, the third in the convoy, remained far behind the damaged truck and Marines. Clouds of smoke and nonexistent radio communications blocked the pinned down Marines from the rest of the convoy. Realizing his comrades lay in harm’s way, Chiarini jumped out of the truck and sprinted 100 meters to tend to the injured men, dodging insurgent fire the entire way. One by one, Chiarini helped guide each person to safety. Chiarini led the interpreter, who had a mangled arm, to a secure Humvee. He guided the M-16 fire of a blinded Marine toward the insurgents. Chiarini then made three separate trips from the Humvee to the battlefield to treat and retrieve each of the wounded, all while braving a high volume of incoming rounds and laying down cover fire. For much of the time, Chiarini applied aid to the wounded with one arm, while providing suppressive fire with the other. After moving the team to safety, Chiarini stayed on the battlefield and unleashed M-16 fire at the enemy forces. He continued the fight as reinforcements arrived, eliminating several insurgents. This was not the only mission that placed Chiarini in harm’s way. His team was repeatedly fired on by snipers. 30 of the convoys he rode in were struck by roadside bombs and three suicide bombers. The constant danger makes it all the more impressive that of the 100 Marines treated by Chiarini, none lost his or her life. On October 22, 2007, Chiarini received the Silver Star medal in the Rhode Island statehouse. He presently serves at Naval Health Clinic New England in Newport, RI.

Go here to find more links to this fine American. Thank YOU, Petty Officer Chiarini!

Brat

A Time To Stand

Thousands of years ago a young man chose to die a painful death to atone for the sins of many. It was an honorable death, albeit one which occured in the most dishonorable of circumstances. A betrayal, an unecessary uprising that amounted to little more than a witch hunt, a slanted court that allowed this man to be prosecuted by an angry mob and a conclusion that would have led many to openly breathe a sigh of relief. The man who would be the King of Kings was gone, and no longer a threat to those who would rule, perhaps not through the most legitimate of avenues.

Through history we have witnessed this scene play out a thousand and more times. In the majority of cases the reasoning behind that which makes them the threat has changed from one of religious belief to one of political standing.......Until now.

It is interesting to note how closely linked Religion and Politics are. In Australia some years ago there was a campaign by a number of Politicians to stamp out Abortion. We have all seen this, every country has their politicians who are anti abortion. The scene played out as it always has and will always do. The rights of a woman to make the decision about what happens with her own body against the rights of an unborn child to take that first breath. Interestingly all of these Politicians were male and therefore would not have a womans understanding of the need for that right to make often painstaking decisions about whether to terminate that life. The other point that was interesting to note was that all of these men held strong religious conviction. All were actively involved in their churches and making political decisions based on those religious convictions. Now, I am not here to make a judgement over whether they were right or wrong in their beliefs. Each of us is born with the inherent responsibility to make decisions for ourselves about our beliefs, our lives and how our actions will impact on those around us.

Personally, I believe your relationship with your God is a personal matter between you and them and is best kept that way. Yes, I am the first to admit I am rude to any person that stands on my doorstep offering me Salvation and to lead me on the path to eternal life. Quite simply, if I held a desire to attend church I would do so.

And this is where my issue with organised religion stems from. More often than not we are born into religion. The beliefs of our parents and family become our own, sometimes willingly, sometimes not. Those who follow organised religion will often be the first to persecute the religions of others because their beliefs differ from their own. Centuries have changed organised religion, pacified it to a small degree. Never again did we believe we would witness the bloody crusades or the enforced acceptance of one religion and it's beliefs. At one time I myself would have fallen victim to the religious beliefs of some due to my looks. Women with red hair, blue eyes and prominent birthmarks were routinely persecuted in the belief that they were witches attempting to lure righteous men from their homes and their wives and enslave them. We can look upon these beliefs now and laugh because the concept of terminating a person based on their looks and your religious beliefs is a now a crime.

And yet, we are now seeing a resurgence in religious fanaticism that has caught us effectively unaware. This is not a new war, simply the latest battle. Christians and Muslims have been at war since the beginning of time. While neither can realistically claim the title of the Religion Of Peace, both believe so strongly in what they stand for that they would die for it. The most prominent difference seems to be that one will die defending their religion while the other will die enforcing it. While one religion glorifies life, the other glorifies death.

Religion has never been the underlying factor with regard to war. That is predominantly greed that is simply masked by religion. If we look at this latest of battles we see the likes of Osama Bin Laden preach the word of Allah to the weak minded and glorify them as they take their own lives and those of innocent victims whilst he hides, amassing a fortune. And all in the name of the Religion of Peace.

Many with no understanding of religion at all will come together to protest against our elected officials and their decision to take a stand against the Middle East. They will further display their ignorance by comparing these elected officials to the likes of Adolf Hitler. These actions merely serve to demonstrate that they also lack any knowledge of history as well. Whether we are willing to accept it or not, religion and politics have become entertwined. All around us those with the courage and conviction to fight deploy to face the enemy on their own soil. Each has their own set of beliefs and convictions, their own reason to fight. These reasons are as individual and personal as the men and women themselves. And yet, they fight for our right to choose our own religion or indeed, our right not to choose religion at all. Their personal beliefs and convictions are so strong that they would die defending them. Their belief in the fundamental right to choose, overwhelms their fear of battle. Their belief in, and love of, their country and their way of life fuels their desire to win.

Each day, these brave warriors face an enemy who equally believe in their religion and their struggle. While the enemy destroys their own cities and murders their own countrymen and women, these warriors will lay down their lives to defend them. They will leave their families, their lives and everything they fight so hard to defend and travel across the world to fight for those persecuted by their own people. They will display on a daily basis, the belief, the hope and the possibility of self sacrifice that many attribute to the Chrisitan faith.

But to many, this is not a fight for religious conviction, merely a struggle for humanity. It is a war fought on many levels, from the battles in the streets of the Middle east, to the random acts of terrorism on our home soil, from the riots in the streets across the world from those who believe they are being persecuted based on their religion, to the enforced lessons on Islam in our childrens schools, from the so called 'Electronic Jihad' that has been threatened in recent months to the propaganda wars in our media. The stark reality here is that no one will escape this struggle. From the innocent victims of these random acts of terrorism and their families to those left behind when Soldiers deploy. To the grieving family and friends of fallen warriors to our children witnessing the war through the media.

In every country, despite religious or political conviction, every person will be touched in some way by this struggle.

Perhaps it is time for us to lay aside our misgivings about our countries Leaders, our reasons for being at war, our lack of faith in those around us. The time for ignorance and denial is long past. We can not allow the senseless bloodshed to continue and through our stubborn denial of the realities of this war, that is exactly what we are doing. If we can educate our children about Islam in our schools, surely we can educate them as to the reasons why people are fighting for them. It is time to show unslanted, fact only views and information. Now is the time for people to seek real answers.

The outcomes of this war need to become the responsibility of everybody.

AC

In the News

Boy Scouts in Boston, collecting donations for care packages for our troops, penalised for being "too pro-war"! This is all over the internet and FOX News, and needs no further commentary from me (however, if you want to help go read over at Blackfive here for contact info)....:

Brat(H/T to Jane)

Honor Your Hero Do you know a Veteran of Iraq or Afghanistan who deserves to be recognized? Nominate him or her for VA Mortgage Center.com's 2007 American Hero Award. Just fill out the form below and in 300 words or less tell us why your hero deserves to be honored. 10 Finalists will be selected and the winner will be chosen by an online vote. All finalists will receive $500, and the winner will receive a grand prize of $5,000. All nominations must be submitted by December 14, 2007. Nominate Your Hero now!

Go here for the nomination form!

Brat

Good News Friday(B*N*S*N)1

Numbers tell the story:

The Department of Defense announced today its recruiting and retention statistics for the Active and Reserve components for the month of October. Active duty recruiting. All Services met or exceeded recruiting goals for October. October 2007 Accessions Goal Percent Army 4,564 4,500 101 Navy 2,388 2,388 100 Marine Corps 2,788 2,720 102 Air Force 2,656 2,656 100 Active duty retention. The Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force exceeded October retention missions. Reserve forces accessions. All six Reserve components met or exceeded their accession goals for October 2007. October 2007 Accessions Goal Percent Army National Guard 5,305 4,311 123 Army Reserve 3,297 3,169 104 Navy Reserve 918 818 112 Marine Corps Reserve 890 890 100 Air National Guard 818 609 134 Air Force Reserve 681 679 100

(source)

"Looks like we exceeded...AGAIN." Indeed it does MG ;) , even to this math moron!!!

And that, folks, is B*N*S*N!

Brat

Good News Friday(B*N*S*N)2

Army Major Goes 'Above and Beyond' for Afghan Kids

Photo by Courtesy of Operation Dreamseed
November 13, 2007

Maj. (then-Capt.) Todd Schmidt poses with Afghan boys during a school-supply distribution event. The grassroots effort quickly became Operation Dreamseed, which has distributed hundreds of tons of school supplies to children in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo and helped build a school outside of Kandahar City by raising over $80,000. Maj. Schmidt received the Microsoft Above and Beyond Everyday Difference Award for his efforts.



Sooooooooooooo many B*N*S*N stories every day, it is usually impossible to choose just one (or 2 or 3...grin) - but this one was a no-brainer for me. Obviously!

Children at an Afghan orphanage display school supplies from Operation Dreamseed. Operation Dreamseed has distributed hundreds of tons of school supplies to children in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo and helped build a school outside of Kandahar City by raising over $80,000. Maj. Todd Schmidt received the Microsoft Above and Beyond Everyday Difference Award for his efforts. Photo by Courtesy of Operation Dreamseed Nov 13, 2007 BY Elizabeth M. Lorge Major Goes 'Above and Beyond' for Afghan Kids WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Nov. 13, 2007) - When he heard he was deploying to Afghanistan with the 25th Infantry Division in 2004, Maj. Todd Schmidt focused on his mission, but he also immediately began planning how he could help the impoverished Afghan people. That desire became Operation Dreamseed, a nonprofit organization that has distributed hundreds of tons of school supplies to local children. Monday he was recognized by the United Service Organization and Microsoft Corp. with the Above and Beyond Award in the Everyday Difference category. The awards recognize the contributions of American citizens who brighten the lives of U.S. troops around the world....(source)

Not sure how much msm coverage this got, but you, of course, can read more on this amazing man at the link above. Oh, and of course, the Major was in GREAT company at the Microsoft awards. ;) Call this post a 'twofer' in the B*N*S*N category!

(source)
Here is part of Patti's speech, which I took from the Soldiers' Angels' forum:

Patton-Bader... said the award would remind people of what the nation’s troops are enduring. “It has been a long road since my oldest son returned from Iraq, and my youngest is in Camp Fallujah right now,” she said. “This award will hopefully remind people we still have our sons and daughters in harm’s way. Only by our collaborative efforts can we hope to give the great support our heroes deserve....”

Amen to that, Patti. On a personal brat note..lol...I may not be boots on the ground BUT, it is through groups like Soldiers' Angels that regular folk like me (and you...yes, YOU!) can show our support for the troops who ARE the boots on the ground. What are you waiting for? Start here. (and that is today's PSA....lol)

And THAT'S B*N*S*N!

Brat

Good News Friday(B*N*S*N)3

"This just in...." lol....Through the power of internet technology, I just found this one, and even though it is B*N*S*N* # 3 today, I DID find it after I had done the other two!

American forces backed by aircraft killed 25 suspected gunmen in operations targeting al Qaeda near the Iraqi capital Baghdad, the U.S. military said on Thursday. North of the capital, in the city of Kirkuk, a carbomb targeting the convoy of a police colonel killed four people, including one policeman, police said, according to Reuters. In a statement, the U.S. Army said the suspected al Qaeda members were killed during operations late on Tuesday and early on Wednesday west of Tarmiya. It said 21 suspects were captured. The statement conveyed U.S. forces called in aircraft to attack armed men seen acting with "hostile intent" in the area of the operation. One gunman was killed. Ground forces then moved further into the area, where they came under fire. Troops again called in aircraft, killing 24 suspected gunmen. According to the statement, American soldiers found a weapons cache that included many anti-aircraft guns, surface-to-surface missiles, rifles, pistols, grenades, mortar rounds and artillery shells....(source)

Bad guys taken out of action, and weapons caches found? Good NEWS! That this is reported in a middle east media outlet? Qualifies as B*N*S*N!!!

Brat

Smells like....VICTORY (parts 1 & 2)

From time to time, I share a letter from the frontlines. You know, the truth from the men and women who are there - the EXPERTS! Every day, these men and women see things that mark their hearts and souls forever. They do what THEY do, so we may never HAVE to witness the struggles - and oftentimes the brutality -as the new democracies take shape. We are blessed that these architects of history send back their accounts. Deb Tainsh sent me the following that she got from a "dear friend's husband". Thank YOU, Deb, for all that you do.

Before I start this, please know that every area in Iraq is different and I am writing from the perspective of my experiences in ******and ***** . There are five combat battalions in my Brigade and each is facing a different fight. The news seems to only report the worst areas and does their best to paint one picture for the entire country. There are very few absolutes here and very few things are for certain. One absolute is that every neighborhood is different and another is that the Iraqi people have a long road ahead before their can truly claim victory and live in peace. I see this fight as being one for power and control of the people. The battle lines fall neatly into religious sects, however, even the Sunna and Shia have many different power brokers all vying for a piece of the pie. The ironic thing is that I don’t think the locals could give a damn about who has the power – they just want to live in peace and make a living (kind of like the US). We are about 30 or so days from the packing up shop and heading home for good. It is an exciting time, but we are also trying to do our best to stay focused on the task at hand. Our sector has undergone an amazing transition since we arrived over a year ago. From more than 50 enemy events a week, we are now down to less than five per week with very few of those being directed at US forces. I can say with absolute certainty that we have defeated Al Qaeda in our area but they are certainly not destroyed and we are intent on not letting them infiltrate back in. The reconciliation process has begun and the local leaders are working hard to figure out a way to move the rightful owners back into their houses. Our area was absolutely ravaged by the sectarian violence and those who had the means left. Those who didn’t have the means and were kicked out of other areas of Baghdad moved to the empty areas and were left on their own to survive. The trouble now of course is the rightful owners see that the area is now peaceful and want to move back in. So what to do with the squatters? We are doing our very best to slow the process down to make sure that the squatters are moved into a new home – with the hope that they can move back to their original homes in other parts of Baghdad. Of course other parts aren’t as peaceful and we can’t move them right away – did I mention complicated? One of the other issues that we are facing is keeping the Iraqi security forces out of the process except for security. The ISF have come a very long way and the AIF complicity has dropped significantly, but it still exists. The ISF formations are predominately Shia and we have to be very careful about the perception of favoritism. Never a dull moment in Baghdad. My biggest regret here is that we weren’t able to fix the trash and sewage problems. We are heading into the rainy season and there is already sewage backed up into several of the streets. The boots will definitely get a couple of washings when I get home. The sewage has been a problem for about a decade. ***** is a relatively new neighborhood that was built for the old regime’s retirees and favored sons and was never connected to the city’s main sewage grid. The sewage now is pumped into a canal that we call Shit Creek – not one of our favorite patrol objectives. Fortunately even the criminals and terrorists won’t cross through the raw sewage so we can focus our efforts on the bridges. Our battalion has accomplished a great deal and we will all certainly walk a little taller and hold our heads high when we get home. I will continue to say my prayers that all of our progress will continue and in 20 years this place will realize it’s potential. Insha’Allah

"...we will all walk a little taller and hold our heads high when we get home..." And so you should, Sir! And so you should.

Thank you!


Brat

A 'Forgotten' War

And another gem sent to me from the sandbox. An editorial from Ralph Peters, who says what I believe. Peters writes in the New York Post (here)

A 'FORGOTTEN' WAR By RALPH PETERS LAST weekend's news coverage of our veterans was welcome, but deceptive. The "mainstream media" honored aging heroes and noted the debt we owe to today's wounded warriors - but deftly avoided in-depth coverage from Iraq. Why? Because things are going annoyingly well. All those reporters, editors and producers who predicted - longed for - an American defeat have moved on to more pressing strategic issues, such as O.J.'s latest shenanigans. Oh, if you turned to the inner pages of the "leading" newspapers, you found grudging mention of the fact that roadside-bomb attacks are down by half and indirect-fire attacks by three-quarters while the number of suicide bombings has plummeted. Far fewer Iraqi civilians are dying at the hands of extremists. U.S. and Coalition casualty rates have fallen dramatically. The situation has changed so unmistakably and so swiftly that we should be reading proud headlines daily. Where are they? Is it really so painful for all those war-porno journos to accept that our military - and the Iraqis - may have turned the situation around? Shouldn't we read and see and hear a bit of praise for today's soldiers and the progress they're making? The media's new trick is to concentrate coverage on our wounded, mouthing platitudes while using military amputees as props to suggest that, no matter what happens in Iraq, everything's still a disaster. God knows, I sympathize with - and respect - those who've sacrificed life or limb in our country's service. I just hate to see them used as political tools. How many of you really believe that those perfectly coiffed reporters care about our soldiers and their families? Does anyone think those news anchors will invite any Marines in wheelchairs home for Thanksgiving? Still, for the 100-proof nastiness of the intelligentsia, you have to move to the "entertainment" world. Hollywood declines to make a single movie about any of our Medal of Honor winners in Iraq - but has deluged us with left-wing diatribes, as activist actors and directors parade by with their limp bayonets fixed. "Stars" who enjoy incredible privileges that our troops will never experience treat us to vicious propaganda - such flicks as "In The Valley Of Elah," "Rendition" and the released-on-Veterans'-Day-weekend (gee, thanks) "Lions For Lambs." And then there's the forthcoming "Redacted," which wants us to grasp that our psychopathic military's basic skills are the rape and murder of innocent civilians. Immeasurably self-important, Hollywood tells itself these movies are acts of courage. In some of the films, the victims - of their own leaders - are our troops. In others, the victims are innocent Muslims falsely linked to terrorism. But the unifying thread is that the only heroes are stay-at-homes who bravely fight for the truth. A number of critics have noted that the American people refuse to pay an hour's wages to see these films. Last weekend's release, "Lions For Lambs," earned less than $7 million, despite starring Tom Cruise, Robert Redford and Meryl "America's in Peril" Streep. And that was the big-bucks earner so far. Scriptwriters, directors and vanity-project actors (how many have been to Iraq?) scratch their heads and deplore our apathy. They fail to grasp what's truly happening: We, the citizens and moviegoers, simply reject these films' underlying message. Because the real message of all of these in-the-toilet flicks isn't just that the war in Iraq or the struggle against Islamist terrorists is bad - it's that America is evil. At best, we're the moral equivalent of our enemies. You know down in your guts that isn't true. I know it isn't true. But the Reese Witherspoons and Tommy Lee Joneses, the Charlize Therons and Robert Redfords have a clearer perspective from Malibu and Sundance than we do: America not only isn't worth defending; we're a danger to all humanity. Our troops are the semi-literate tools of the powerful. Well, the names on the marquees come and go, but our troops are always there for us. In good times and bad, those in uniform see us through. And, yes, our troops are defending the right of wealthy fools to make goofball propaganda films insulting them. Now listen to what a real soldier (no makeup, no script), the assistant division commander of the U.S. Army's 1st Cavalry Division in Baghdad, had to say about the changes on the ground in Iraq during an internal end-of-tour interview: "As we've changed the environment for the Iraqis, the Iraqis are the bigger part of the solution now - and I don't mean the security forces [but] the population." Brig.-Gen. Vincent Brooks stressed that the citizens have learned that "extremists of any ilk" are the real threat: "They've tasted what happens when those elements are sidelined. They long for the glory days of Baghdad, they really do." An impressive soldier and a man of conscience, Brooks acknowledged to his staff that the months ahead "will be difficult." Success "will be challenged for indigenous reasons and, frankly, for external reasons, by those who don't want to see Iraq be stable and prosperous." But the general stressed his belief that "the Iraqi people can do this." That's Hollywood's nightmare. And the "mainstream" media's.

"The Iraqi people can do this." The Iraqis know this, our troops know this - both groups prove it every day, as they work today for better tomorrows.

Smells like........victory, to me!

Brat (H/T MG...lol)

SEARS Takes Care of Their Employees That Serve

Go on over to A Soldier's Perspective and check out the post CJ put up regarding Sears and how they support their employees that serve.

During this holiday season, try to buy something from Sears to show them you appreciate what they do for our troops.

Sears regards service to our country as one of greatest sacrifices our young men and women can make. We are happy to do our part to lessen the burden they bear at this time. . . . . .Bill Thorn, Sears Customer Care

~Tracy

Wednesday Hero

Cpl. Jordan M. Moehnle
21 years old from Los Angeles, California
Company L, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6 ("Darkhorse" Battalion)


Cpl. Jordan M. Moehnle takes time out of leading his squad in a patrol through Fallujah's Nazaal district to spend some time interacting with local children. Moehnle, who is on his second tour in Iraq, said the changes he has witnessed since he was last here in 2006 have been dramatic. "The city was like the Wild West, we'd put our heads and and drive down (the middle of Fallujah) and hope not to get shot," he said. "Since we've been here (this year), we can stop and shoot the breeze."

You can read more here.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your blog, you can go here.

The Girl Behind the Man behind the Gun

The Girl Behind the Man Behind the Gun by MacDonald, Wilson Pugsley, (b. 1880) You have seen the line of khaki swinging grandly down the street, You have heard the band blare out Britannic songs; You have read a ton of papers and you've thrown them at your feet, And your brain's a battlefield for fighting throngs. You have cheered for Tommy Atkins, and you've yelled for Jack Canuck; You have praised the French and Belgians, every one. But I'm rhyming here a measure to the valor and the pluck Of the Girl Behind the Man Behind the Gun. There's a harder game than fighting; there's a deeper wound by far Than the bayonet or the bullet ever tore. And a patient, little woman wears upon her heart a scar Which the lonesome years will keep for evermore. There are bands and bugles crying and the horses madly ride, And in passion are the trenches lost or won. But SHE battles in the silence, with no comrade at her side, Does the girl behind the man behind the gun. They are singing songs in Flanders and there's music in the wind; They are shouting for their country and their king. But the hallways yearn for music in the homes they left behind, For the mother of a soldier does not sing. In the silence of the night time, 'mid a ring of hidden foes, And without a bugle cry to cheer her on. She is fighting fiercer battles than a soldier ever knows: And her triumph—is an open grave at dawn. You have cheered the line of khaki swinging grandly down the street, But you quite forgot to cheer another line. They are plodding sadly homeward, with no music for their feet, To a far more lonely river than the Rhine. Ah! the battlefield is wider than the cannon's sullen roar; And the women weep o'er battles lost or won. For the man a cross of honor; but the crepe upon the door For the girl behind the man behind the gun. When the heroes are returning and the world with flags is red, When you show the tattered trophies of the war, When your cheers are for the living and your tears are for the dead Which the foeman in the battle trampled o'er. When you fling your reddest roses at the horsemen in array, With their helmets flaming proudly in the sun, I would bid you wear the favor of an apple-blossom spray For the girl behind the man behind the gun. (courtesy of Granger's World of Poetry)

I heard this poem read on CBC radio this Remembrance Day and, as usual, I had to go looking for the text. Is VERY hard to find. There is a similar one by PG Wodehouse - song lyrics for a WW1 musical, but this poem above is Canadian, written for WW2. (My thanks to Carolle for finding me Wodehouse, and the Vancouver Public Library for this one.)

Fact is, in every war there are women left behind on the homefront. In WW2, most of those women worked in munitions factories (Rosie Riveter anyone?) and in England, many of those "girl[s] behind the man ..." joined the Women's Land Army to make sure that food was still produced to feed a nation at war. The women in my family have shared many stories of their escapades in the WLA!

In this current war, women are - again - playing a vital role contributing to the war effort. Yes, women now are in the frontline combat roles, but there is also a group of women whose war efforts are every bit as critical as their sisters commanding tanks, machine guns, in the sandbox.

They are the wives, the mothers, the bloggers. Seems fitting to me that in this war, being fought on two fronts at home, (the msm and the rest of us..lol) women are writing about their lives as connected to the military. These women have a unique perspective, that the rest of us do not. Their contributions to the GWOT are every bit as vital as the man with the gun. I suspect the men with the guns would agree with me!

Why do these women blog? I'll let "Mrs Hooah" explain:

Doing what I can! My So Called Hooah! Life I am knee deep in the Army! My son is an infantry soldier (Stryker Brigade) and my husband has joined at an older age and is an officer candidate. This blog was created to keep friends, family, and those who curiously stare into the circus that is my life, informed of what is going on.

And keep us informed she does. I have been a regular reader of Claire's for a little while, and I have to tell you, some of her posts are gut wrenching in their honesty. So many great posts there, with emotions from jubilance at completing a 5k run, to fear, to contentment, to befrazzlement and to sheer exhaustion. Claire shares them all. One recent one:

Thursday, November 1, 2007 From Mourning to Morning I have been thinking a lot about grief and mourning lately. It's on my mind when I am praying for my friends who are dealing with grief, and while I am working through other things in my life that leave me a little lost. I have had to deal with my own serving of grief and mourning through out my soldiers' deployments and assignments. I am realizing, now more than ever, that grief and mourning are inevitable when you are facing the deployment of a loved one to a war zone, and there is certainly an amount of grief and mourning when you are separated from your spouse even for a period of training....

And yes, Mrs Hooah demonstrates her sense of humour (which seems to be a pre-requisite to being married into the military):

Thursday, November 8, 2007 Get a life! Well the cat's out of the bag now. I have no life. I have no identity and I have nothing more to do than to over identify myself with the career choices of my husband and son. I have received my first negative comment via email from someone who thinks I need to "get a life" and stop hiding behind the identities of my guys. OK, then.

Go read more of Mrs Hooah - who is "Knee Deep in the Hooah"(or the Shi'ite!) here. Claire is one of a mighty band of bloggers who share every day of their lives with us. Through their blogs, you see the war in a way no one else can show you. No one.

"Get a life" shows up on another military mum's site. It seems Mrs Hooah is not the only blogger that has to deal with trolls. Some Soldier's Mom:Thoughts of a Soldier's Mom in A time of War, recently had words to say on this matter:

Tuesday, November 06, 2007 Grrrrr... to the troll who keeps cutting/pasting portions of my blog entries and other information from my blog at other sites and pretending to be me... ... GET A LIFE. I am not the embodiment of evil and neither are my sons or any others who serve or have served in the US military. If you have a problem with the war in Iraq, go vote.... We have one son who is an Army vet, one son who is a Navy vet, one son who is active Navy, and a daughter in medical school (all clearly indicated in the public profile of this blog.) We do not have a son who is still in 3ID (although we have a few "adopted" 3ID sons currently deployed) nor do we have any children serving on any police department in the US (although we have a number of close friends who are current or retired NYPD and a nephew who is on a California police department.) We have one son who has severe and chronic PTSD among his other wounds as a result of his service in Iraq and, while he is doing better, it is not all feathers and snowflakes. If you're that interested in knowing my views on various issues regarding the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, you'll have to read my blog... they're here over the past three years. And finally, to this fanatic, not only is your behavior in the blog world an indicator, but your vile, porno language and overwhelming anger in your emails tells me you need serious professional help. Been busy, busy, busy with family so blogging has suffered.

Now that's a military mum NO troll should mess with! Many priceless posts on there. Be SURE and read the post called "It's Not about You". Straight-talking, MOM talking. Stuff on here that only a military mum could write. Go read more here.

Every single military spouse has insights, opinions hard earned by their inside connections to the troops. Family matters, politics, finances, emotional issues specific to their situation, these blogs have it all. Some have been living the military life for a long time, and some are relatively (lol) new to the life. Rookie Army National Guard Wife is one. Her "About Me" says:

Rookie Army Wife -New York

New wife to an amazing American Soldier whom I love.

Loving mother to 2 great kids that have been through a lot with a mom like me.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007 It's probably just me I'm in a horrible mood today. So much has been going on in the last 3 weeks that I think I'm finally having my melt down about it and by melt-down I mean that I'm feeling angry and bitter and like a trapped animal that has to get away.... My most distressing issue right now is that I'm sick of changing things all the time. Is he coming home this week, will he have to go somewhere else, how long will I get to see him, when is he leaving for real, how long will he be gone.......and on and on. There are NO answers and if you're part of the military you better just suck it up and deal with it. My life, that I had been so controlling of just a few short years ago is spinning our of control at the whims of other people and there is not one thing that I can do about it!!!!

To read Rookie Army Wife's posts is to feel your heart ripped out. Her struggles are so palpable, and her writing so eloquent. She bares her soul and gives us personal insights the msm would never imagine as they glibly quote their 'numbers', their statistics. Every one of these wives and mothers is a hero to me. As I read the words from their hearts, I am in awe of the courage, the tenacity with which they, also, serve their country. Read more of Rookie Army Wife here.

SpouseBUZZ is another milblog where no topic is off limits, no topic is too personal to be aired. Their strength is in their collective of writers, which include: AirForceWife, Andi, ArmyWifeToddlerMom, Homefront6 and other awesome, dedicated authors.

They say:
SpouseBUZZ is a virtual Spouse Support Group, a place where you can instantly connect with thousands of other milspouses. Here, we celebrate and embrace the tie that binds us all - military service.

Back in August, Andi wrote about anticipatory grief. Don't know what that is? It is a phenomenon military wives know all too well. Read on:

Anticipating the Worst August 8, 2007|Andi I knew exactly how it would play out. I'd gone over it a million times in my head. Sometimes during the middle of the day, sometimes at night when I couldn't sleep. I refused to be caught unprepared. I didn't have to worry about a stranger knocking on my door. My husband did not deploy with a unit, he deployed as one representative from his unit. So, his Colonel would know before I would, and he would send my husband's co-workers to my door. He would probably come himself, even. I would open the door and know immediately why they were there, but at least I wouldn't hear about it from someone who didn't know my husband. The news would be bad, but I had decided that having familiar faces, friends even, deliver the news would somehow make it less painful.

And the post goes on, and the comments show the relief that this topic which they have thought about privately, is now out for public discussion.

Up until today...until this post... I thought I was terrible for trying to be prepared for the worst.... There is no reason we should feel "terrible" or ashamed for our thoughts while our spouses are in harm's way. AWTM and I know these are issues which are difficult, but also issues that we never seem to talk about openly for fear that we would be seen as weird or morbid....we thought, "how many other military spouses are thinking about this but are afraid to talk about it?" How many other military spouses think something is wrong with them for thinking about such things?" I think we have our answer - a lot - and we want to assure other military spouses that they are not alone, this is perfectly normal. (read more spouseBUZZ here)

And there is the strength of a blog like spouseBUZZ, and one of the positives of any of these blogs. By writing, sharing their lives, these bloggers learn that they are NOT alone. On those days when they may feel isolated in an unsupportive non military environment, there is the blogosphere where their sisters on the homefront know exactly what they are going through. The power of the internet! There are so many of this great blogs out there, I can only scratch the surface here.

In case you believe all of these writers write all war, all the time, not so. Just a brief glimpse through these and all the other great blogs out there (I still haven't found all of them.lol) shows that, like the rest of us they deal with bill paying, raising kids, celebrating achievements, and mundane chores like raking leaves etc etc. They may not write about the war all the time, but to read any one of them, you KNOW that even doing laundry, or baking cookies (yes, these mums and wives do adopt other soldiers too!), the war is the underlying theme in all their days.

That is Army Mom Times Three. Her "About Me" makes me tired just reading it!

PROUD MOTHER OF FOUR GREAT GROWN CHILDREN. Kris, CO of 111th Sapper Company in Iraq (Kris' wife Katie is also an Army Cpt.--two tours); Stephanie lives in St. Pete, graduated from FSU in 2001; Kylee just bought her first house here in "our town", is engaged and we're planning a wedding!, Austin is with the 4th Stryker Brigade in Baghdad. I'm scared to death for my two sons. My husband thinks I should be committed to the nearest mental health facility until "this" is over and the boys are safely back in the US. My girls save me.

She talks about all her family with obvious and deserved pride, describes her work life. (She has time for an outside job? lol)

Tuesday, October 16, 2007 Ding Dong the Witch is Gone The boss from Hell has been escorted from the building!!!! I wish I'd been there to see it. I'm working from home over a s-l-o-w connection that is testing my patience. I've also got a patient testing my patience. Actually, he's been really good for having had his chest split open 10 days or so ago. He's even got me cooking again. Now I'm going to gain weight. NOOOOOO! Austin is in Germany! That means he is NOT IN IRAQ!!!!! Yeah! He sees the surgeon tomorrow and should know the plan soon (did I say "soon" about something to do with the Army?). He told me via IM today that he feels "weird and out of place" at Landstuhl. It's hard to imagine how that must feel, or any part of this war must feel, to actually be in it. I'm just glad he's out of the Sandbox, however temporarily......

To get the full scope of all the medical trials her family has gone through, you have to go check out the blog here, but one post in particular made me smile:

Wednesday, October 10, 2007 We Have an American Flag! We now have an American Flag flapping in the breeze on a tall pole at work! Yeah! A former Army Ranger raises it every morning and lowers it every afternoon. This is a huge step forward for patriotism -- the former owners' religion did not allow them to display the American Flag. My husband is home and doing really well. Modern bypass surgery is really amazing -- "We have the technology." And WE have great health insurance!... As for me, I want to scream a series of profanities, hit somebody, collapse in to bed and stay there for a month! But all in all, we are a blessed family. So I will behave. That's it for now. Sorry it's so boring, but I'm so very tired.

Did I mention yet how much respect I have for ALL these women? They not only fight the war on the homefront, raise their families, go to work, they also BLOG.

One blogger I found doesn't fit neatly into a category, but she wil always have the military in her heart. Her blog is called Cool, Calm and Collected:My attempt at it anyway and she is definitely someone you should read. Mel was expecting to marry Jim, but the military and Iraq changed her life plans forever.

Officially SGT! HOOAH!

On her very first post:

Current Worries... As I write this blog, I wonder if anyone will even read it... I am no one important by any means! But, I will write as if someone is reading very intently. Well, My fiancee was just killed in Iraq on 08 Feb 07... My life has been a blur since. I am not blaming anyone (except the flipping Muslims...) But I just have so many questions that cannot have an answer to them....

Mel was 19 years old when she wrote that, and as time has proved, people ARE reading. This young woman is truly amazing as she writes about her grief, her loss, as her other friends are going on with their lives, including planning weddings of their own, while she is forever changed. Her most recent post:

Bleh. I am annoyed. Annoyed at the way things are going right now. Some people just don't get it. I don't really know that they ever will, either. I mean, I don't want something like what's happened in my life to happen to anyone, I wouldn't wish it on anybody... But I sure do wish people had more common sense. It's like this. I have a gaping wound, (I realize that, to some, Jim's death is so long ago, and they really don't think I should still be grieving, but the fact is, I am. I am still grieving.) and, rather than try to encourage me to keep fighting, some people pour a mixture of salt and lemon juice into it. I just don't get it....

This is a blog to watch, as Mel discovers what life has in store for her next. Raw, honest, heart hurting, and so inspirational. Read her here.

More than enough stories for a book, and there is such a book recently released.

1st Inf. Div. Spouse Pens Book on Army Wives Aug 27, 2007 BY Anna Staatz Janelle Mock, wife of the 1st Infantry Division's Sgt. Steven Mock, has written "Portraits of the Toughest Job in the Army: Voices and Faces of Modern Army Wives." FORT RILEY, Kan. (Army News Service, Aug. 27, 2007) - Hoping to share the everyday moments of ordinary Army wives, Janelle Mock penned the book, "Portraits of the Toughest Job in the Army: Voices and Faces of Modern Army Wives." Mrs. Mock, who is married to Sgt. Steven Mock of the 1st Infantry Division's 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, currently lives in Sammamish, Wash., a Seattle suburb where she grew up. The book details the stories of Army wives - their fears, hopes, anger, frustration and job - that Mrs. Mock has met while her husband has been in the Army. "What they felt was so ordinary I saw as moving and poignant moments that deserved to be shared," Mrs. Mock said. "One such moment was while I was on a walk, watching a neighbor carefully kiss and hold the letter to her husband one last time before sliding the decorated envelope through the mail slot. These are real life moments of this time of war unseen beyond the post gates." The book tells the stories of 20 wives who come from various backgrounds and were married, engaged or seriously dating Soldiers of all ranks, jobs and aspirations. Mrs. Mock's own story concludes the book....(more here)

There are so many more GREAT blogs written by today's Girl[s] behind the man behind the gun, and I know I have - probably - missed many of your favourites. My apologies. Here in the Tanker Bros community, we have our own bloggers. I have deliberately chosen not to include the family, close relatives of our own MG and Cav Tanker, who have blogs, out of respect for their privacy. I would, however, be really remiss if I did not mention two Tanker Sisters who I know also have blogs. Yankeemom has a daughter serving in the US military. Her blog is also on my list of must read blogs, even though I don't get over there as much as I would like. Her blog is a mixture of family news, politics, and quite often outright raging at the bs running amok in the US. In every post, her love of country shines through.

Veterans Day November 11th, 2007 I can’t imagine what they’ve seen. Oh yes, I’ve viewed photos in books and on the internet. I’ve watched Hollywood’s version of battles and those who fought them. But I was not there. Their memories are their own ~ not mine. I can sit and listen to their stories of their buddies by their side and of buddies lost forever. But I wasn’t there. I can touch a name displayed on a wall, black and cold. And I can’t fathom the moments they lived in a jungle far from home. I can visit a wounded warrior, a life changed forever. And I can’t know how those changes came to be. One thing I do know is that I am eternally grateful to the men and women who put on a uniform and laced up their boots every day, not knowing if this would be their last....(read Yankeemom here)

Yankeemom, you not only inform me, make me laugh sometimes - you always inspire me, in so many ways. And then we come to another of our Tanker Sisters, whose son is also serving the US military. CavMom describes herself as:

I am one Mom out of the thousands, who try to hold onto a sliver of sanity while our children are in harms way.Thankfully, I have a strong family and friend support group who keep me smiling when I am feeling down.

Her blog - 2nd Verse, Same as the 1st: My Favorite Soldier Heads Back to War - is a mix of news about her son's time in Iraq, troop support, and all out patriotism. She "gets" it!

Good news hard to swallow Posted: November 9, 2007 1:00 a.m. Eastern “The day nobody was killed in Iraq” read the headline from the Australian newspaper, and it was an understatement to say the least. The news coming out of Iraq is shockingly upbeat as Gen. David Petraeus’ surge strategy is showing fantastic signs of success. The report from the Australian newspaper documented an array of success stories that Iraq war skeptics had not long ago insisted could never occur: “… U.S. troop deaths declined for the fifth successive month to 39, the lowest such total this year and the seventh lowest in 56 months of war.”...

Did I mention that CavMom also finds lots of good news to share? She does. Go here and read.
Thank you CavMom - thank you!

The future holds sunrises, sunsets, distant shores, soothing coves and safe harbors. It holds the cool breeze of friendship on the hottest of days, the warmth of family in the coldest of nights, even when I am too numb to feel it. I KNOW it is there just out of reach. I just have to keep striving for it.

That is taken from a page on the LemonStand: Lemonade Made Daily blog. The author of that blog is Prior Active Duty Air Force, married to a MA ANG member, and the mother of daughters. Please go read her words of wisdom here. The issues she writes on are echoed in all the blogs I have mentioned. Every blog noted here also has sidebars with lists of lots more blogs. Do yourself a favour; take the time to go read as many as you can. You will laugh, you will cry, you will rage, you will be galvanised, inspired to action by these "Girls[s] Behind the Man Behind the Gun." I know I am. Our country will never repay the debt they owe every single one of these women. Bless them all!

Brat

Thank YOU, Brigadier General!

Brigadier General Maria L. Britt. In a world where the msm is seemingly bent on disrespecting our troops, I found a story about the above hero. In a world where all the major stories are all about Spears and Lohan and the like - you know, the empty bimbos who contribute nothing to our society - comes this story about a REAL role model for young women.

November 4, 2007 -- The Georgia National Guard pinned its newest general officer on Sunday when Maria L. Britt was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. She has been appointed by Gov. Sonny Perdue as the new commander of the Georgia Army National Guard, and will take over that role on Dec. 1. With her promotion, Brig. Gen. Britt became the first female general in the Georgia Guard’s 273 year history.(here)

I don't know the numbers, but I do have anecdotal evidence of women in the miltary; women on the front lines. These days, I have found it quite usual to hear of wives, mothers serving in the sandbox alongside their male counterparts.

Last March, Britt was featured in an article focussing on women in the military. In an interview called Military Women Moving Forward, Brigadier General Britt says, in part:

Colonel Maria Britt (left), Georgia Army Guard chief of staff, talks with Sgt. Celia Reid, an administrative specialist serving with Forces Command. ...“I equate that phrase, ‘greater good of society,” with what we do in the military,” Britt said. “It’s something continually strive for as Soldiers, something on which we, as a group, set our sights in working toward a better tomorrow for those who come after us.”... “Women must try to do things as men have tried. But when women fail, their failure must be but a challenge to others,” said Britt, quoting aviatrix Amelia Earhart. Britt said, she really admires such spirit because it reminds her of her own…to go ahead and take a risk; fail but get up and try again....(source)

That she has earned every recognition along the way by her own efforts, regardless of gender, is beyond dispute. That she has earned the respect of her colleagues is also without doubt:

“We’re not here to promote a female to general,” said Gen. Nesbitt as he addressed the crowd of family, friends and coworkers. “We’re here to promote a fine Soldier who has earned the rank.” After the ceremony, Gen. Britt told reporters that being a woman and a working mother has prepared her for command and given her a style of leadership that emphasizes good listening and teambuilding. “I don’t thrive on confrontation or ego,” she told reporters. “But I don’t feel intimidated, and I stand my ground when I feel I’m right.” (same as above)

That article is very interesting as it talks about the "old boys" club, which Brigadier General Britt found when she first joined the military. But, this trailblazer has an impressive resume and proves she has earned her rank, regardless of her gender. A graduate of West Point, with Master's degrees from the US Army War College and the Joint Military College in strategic studies and strategic intelligence, this officer is a prime example of the calibre of today's military. (You know, those poor, uneducated losers who have no other option but to join the army...You knew I would have to get a dig in somewhere.lol)

Britt served in the military police, one of the career paths available for female officers, and became the executive officer, the second-in-command of the unit. She left the regular Army in 1991 during its downsizing after the Gulf War and joined the National Guard. There, her organizational talent and leadership caught the eye of Terry Nesbitt, now a major general and the commander Britt is replacing. "It didn't take me long to realize we had a real winner on our hands," said Nesbitt, soon to replace Adjutant Gen. David Poythress as head of the overall Georgia National Guard, both Army and Air.(source)

Maria Britt is an amazing woman, an incredible soldier, a true blue American. Rather than me trying to do her justice, go read her story for yourself. Go here, and here, or here.

I could go into all sorts of cliches, but none of them would pay enough honour to this incredible soldier, wife or mother (of daughters by the way! lol)

Instead I will humbly say: THANK YOU for your service Brigadier General Britt.

Brat

Veteran's Day

Thank You

Thank you for all you have done, are doing and will do.

We had a beautiful service at church today honoring those who serve. When I told my Pastor afterward that the service was beautiful and that they had done a great job he said, "It's because of them that we can meet like this in our church." Amen!

~Tracy

National Veterans Awareness Week

Veterans Day, 2007 A Proclamation By the President of the United States of America Throughout our history, America has been protected by patriots who cherished liberty and made great sacrifices to advance the cause of freedom. The brave members of the United States Armed Forces have answered the call to serve our Nation, ready to give all for their country. On Veterans Day, we honor these extraordinary Americans for their service and sacrifice, and we pay tribute to the legacy of freedom and peace that they have given our great Nation. In times of war and of peace, our men and women in uniform stepped forward to defend their fellow citizens and the country they love. They shouldered great responsibility and lived up to the highest standards of duty and honor. Our veterans held fast against determined and ruthless enemies and helped save the world from tyranny and terror. They ensured that America remained what our founders meant her to be: a light to the nations, spreading the good news of human freedom to the darkest corners of the earth. Like the heroes before them, today a new generation of men and women are fighting for freedom around the globe. Their determination, courage, and sacrifice are laying the foundation for a more secure and peaceful world. Veterans Day is dedicated to the extraordinary Americans who protected our freedom in years past, and to those who protect it today. They represent the very best of our Nation. Every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, and Coast Guardsman has earned the lasting gratitude of the American people, and their service and sacrifice will be remembered forever. In the words of Abraham Lincoln: " . . . let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the Nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle . . . ." On this Veterans Day, I ask all Americans to express their appreciation to our Nation's veterans. With respect for and in recognition of the contributions our service men and women have made to the cause of peace and freedom around the world, the Congress has provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor our Nation's veterans. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2007, as Veterans Day and urge all Americans to observe November 11 through November 17, 2007, as National Veterans Awareness Week. I encourage all Americans to recognize the valor and sacrifice of our veterans through ceremonies and prayers. I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and to support and participate in patriotic activities in their communities. I invite civic and fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, businesses, unions, and the media to support this national observance with commemorative expressions and programs. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second. GEORGE W. BUSH (source)

LOVE our veterans - heroes every one! Not for just one day, or one week of the year, but EVERY day. Thank you all for your service.

Brat

"A Pittance of Time"

Today - we remember.

The 29th Battalion, part of the Second Canadian Division, advances into No Man's Land through German barbed wire and heavy fire in the right-centre of the Canadian advance on April 9, 1917. (Courtesy Veterans Affairs Canada). On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, Canadians are asked to pause and remember the thousands of men and women who sacrificed their lives fighting for freedom and democracy during the First World War, the Second World War, the Korean War, the Afghanistan conflict and during peacekeeping missions. During the First World War, (1914-1918) more than 600,000 soldiers volunteered to go overseas. As of November 2006, Veterans Affairs Canada is aware of three veterans of the First World War who are still alive: P. Dwight Wilson, 105, and Lloyd Clemett and John Babcock, both 106. These soldiers fought in a series of costly and bloody battles and by the end of the war, more than 69,000 Canadian soldiers had died and 172,000 were wounded. A Consolidated VLR Liberator provides air-cover for a transatlantic convoy during the Second World War. (Courtesy Veterans Affairs Canada). They died fighting at Vimy Ridge, Hill 70, Bourlon Wood, Mons, Passchendaele and Ypres. In Ypres, Canadian soldiers were exposed to German gas attacks, yet continued to fight. They showed amazing tenacity and courage in the face of danger....(here for more)

At this link you will find many other stories about what we here in Canada call Remembrance Day, and in America is called Veterans Day. Different names, same focus: remembering and honouring. What follows is a video my friend Don sent me months ago. (You can find out more here.) Again, it is Canadian, but the sentiments are universal. "A Pittance of Time" - for all time. We remember.

Lest We Forget

Those immortal words....

They shall grow not old As we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, Nor the years condemn; At the going down of the sun And in the morning We Will Remember Them.

Australian Defence and Police Forces
Personnel Killed in Action or died on Duty during
Peacekeeping and Peacemaking Operations since 1966

Name Service Date Mission Country Cause Lieutenant General R.H. Nimmo, CBE Army 4 Jan 1966 UNMOGIP & UNIPOM Kashmir (India/Pakistan) Heart Attack Sergeant Lew Thomas Australian Federal Police July 1969 UNFICYP Cyprus Killed in Motor Vehicle Accident Inspector Paul Hackett Australian Federal Police August 1971 UNFICYP Cyprus Killed in Motor Vehicle Accident Sergeant Ian Ward Australian Federal Police November 1974 UNFICYP Cyprus Killed by Landmine Captain Peter McCarthy Army (RACT) 14 Jan 1988 UNTSO Lebanon Killed by Landmine Lance Corporal Shannon McAliney Army (RAINF) – 1 RAR 2 April 1993 UNITAF Somalia Accidentally Shot Dead on patrol Major Susan Felsche Army (RAAMC) 21 June 1993 MINURSO Western Sahara Killed in Aircraft Crash Lance Corporal Russell Eisenhuth Army (RACT) – 26 Tpt Sqn 17 January 2000 INTERFET East Timor Died of Illness Lance Corporal Shawn Lewis Army (RAEME) – 145 Sig Sqn 20 May 2000 PNG Bougainville Drowning Corporal Stuart Jones Army (RAAC) – 2 Cav Regt (Recon) August 2000 UNTAET East Timor Accidentally Shot Dead on patrol Sergeant Andrew Russell Army (RAINF) – SASR 16 February 2002 War on Terror Afghanistan Killed by Landmine Officer Adam Dunning Australian Protective Services 22 December 2004 RAMSI Solomon Islands Shot Dead on patrol Private Jamie Clarke Army (RAINF) – 3 RAR (Para) 10 March 2005 RAMSI Solomon Islands Died whilst on patrol on Mt Austen Squadron Leader Paul McCarthy RAAF 2 April 2005 OPERATION SUMATRA ASSIST II Nias Island – Indonesia Helicopter Crash Lieutenant Matthew Davey RAN 2 April 2005 OPERATION SUMATRA ASSIST II Nias Island – Indonesia Helicopter Crash Lieutenant Matthew Goodall RAN 2 April 2005 OPERATION SUMATRA ASSIST II Nias Island – Indonesia Helicopter Crash Lieutenant Paul Kimlin RAN 2 April 2005 OPERATION SUMATRA ASSIST II Nias Island – Indonesia Helicopter Crash Lieutenant Jonathan King RAN 2 April 2005 OPERATION SUMATRA ASSIST II Nias Island – Indonesia Helicopter Crash Flight Lieutenant Lyn Rowbottom RAAF 2 April 2005 OPERATION SUMATRA ASSIST II Nias Island – Indonesia Helicopter Crash Petty Officer Stephen Slattery RAN 2 April 2005 OPERATION SUMATRA ASSIST II Nias Island – Indonesia Helicopter Crash Sergeant Wendy Jones RAAF 2 April 2005 OPERATION SUMATRA ASSIST II Nias Island – Indonesia Helicopter Crash Leading Seaman Scott Bennet RAN 2 April 2005 OPERATION SUMATRA ASSIST II Nias Island – Indonesia Helicopter Crash Warrant Officer Class 2 David Nary Army (RAINF) – SASR 6 November 2005 Operation Catalyst Kuwait Motor Vehicle Accident Private Jacob Kovco Army (RAINF) – 3 RAR (Para) 21 April 2006 SECDET – Baghdad Iraq Gun Shot Wound to the Head Captain Mark Bingley Army (Aviation)- 5th Aviation Regt 29 November 2006 ADF support to Australians in Fiji Fiji Helicopter Crash Trooper Joshua Porter Army (RAINF) – SASR 29 November 2006 ADF support to Australians in Fiji Fiji Helicopter Crash Justin Saint (Formerly Private) Army (RAINF) 15 July 2007 UNAMIR II Rwanda Roadside bomb. Working as a contractor in Iraq Trooper David Pierce Army - 2/14 Light Horse Regt 8 October 2007 Operation Slipper Afghanistan Roadside Bomb Sergeant Matthew Locke, MG Army (RAINF) - SASR 25 October 2007 Operation Slipper Afghanistan Gunshot wound to the chest Private Ashley Baker Army (RAINF) - 2 RAR 7 November 3007 Operation Anode Timor Lieste Gunshot Wound

Today Australia will remember. In 23 minutes we will reach the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. We will stop, as we have always done and during a moment of silence we will remember those who have sacrificed so much for our great nation.

Today at 11am I will remember my Grandfather. He did not die fighting his war, but as a direct result of it. He died many years later of a Malanoma that first appeared during the war. In those days it was not uncommon for Soldiers to wear singlets, or go shirtless unless required to wear full uniform and being unaware of the damage the sun could do, many chose to do this in the hotter months. My grandfather fought the cancer that followed from that malanoma and went into remission for 10 years from sheer will. He had that fighting spirit that our Soldiers are so known for.

Today at 11am I will remember my Uncle Ben who succumbed to illness in Changi POW Camp.

Today at 11am I will spare a thought for a close friend due to return from Iraq in less than a month (yes, I am counting!!). Can't wait to have you home.

Today at 11am I will also spare a thought for someone very dear to me who is away with his work at the moment. Come home to me soon.....

Today at 11am I will say a prayer for those lost, for those who have fought and for those still fighting.

A grateful Nation thanks you.

AC

SEMPER FIDELIS

Eagle, Globe and Anchor:

The official Marine Corps insignia took its present form in 1868. The eagle with spread wings repesents a proud country; the globe points to worldwide service; and the fouled anchor stands for maritime tradition.

"Semper Fidelis" was adopted about 1883 as the motto for the Corps. Latin for "Always faithful", this is the code for Marines. It is the commitment they share to the Corp, their country and to each other. There are no ex-Marines, only former Marines.

Today is the Marine Corps birthday. Formal commemoration of the Marine Corps began November, 10, 1921. That particular date was chosen because on that day the Second Continental Congress resolved in 1775 to raise two battalions of Continental Marines.

On 1 November, 1921, General LeJeune, 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps, issued Marine Corps Order No. 47, Series 1921. This order summarised the history, mission and tradition of the Marine Corps, and directed that it be read to every command on 10 November each subsequent year in honour of the birthday of the Marine Corp. This order has been duly carried out.

You must go here to watch and watch the Silent Drill Team. It is an awesome sight. There is a whole bunch of information at the official Marine Corps here. SEMPER FIDELIS!

Brat

Peacekeeper Sunday

Sunday, November 11~Veteran's Day.

My church has a special day planned for all of those that serve and protect.




I am so proud of the people in my church that have planned this day. I love this line ". . .as we observe Veteran's Day honoring those who make the commitments and sacrifices necessary to keep our families, our community and our country safe." AMEN!

I'll update on Monday as to how the day went.

~Tracy

Good News Friday

Major John Carrol (source)

Today's Good News Friday is a bitter sweet "Good News" story. Today I have deliberately omitted the usual POW/MIA icon that every post of mine has carried since our troops in Iraq were officially listed as missing.

Today, a hero of the Vietnam War is no longer missing in action. Major John Carrol is finally home:

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 1284-07 November 06, 2007 Pilot Missing From the Vietnam War is Identified The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors. He is Maj. John L. Carroll, U.S. Air Force, of Decatur, Ga. He will be buried on Nov. 13 at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. On Nov. 7, 1972, Carroll was flying a Forward Air Controller mission over Xiangkhoang Province, Laos, when his O-1G Bird Dog aircraft was hit by enemy ground fire and forced to land. Once on the ground, he radioed the Search-and-Rescue (SAR) helicopters on his intent to stay in the aircraft. Two SAR helicopters attempted a recovery, but intense enemy fire forced them to depart the area. A second pickup attempt was made later, but the pilot of that helicopter saw that Carroll had been fatally wounded. The recovery attempt was unsuccessful due to nearby enemy forces that opened fire on the helicopter. In 1993, a joint U.S./Lao People's Democratic Republic (L.P.D.R) team, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), investigated the incident and surveyed the crash site. During the site survey, the team found small fragments of aircraft wreckage. Between 1996 and 2007, joint U.S./L.P.D.R./Socialist Republic of Vietnam teams, led by JPAC, conducted several interviews concerning the incident. One witness provided the team with identification media which belonged to Carroll. In another interview, a former People's Army of North Vietnam officer turned over some of Carroll's personal effects and told the team that local residents had buried Carroll. Another witness later led a team to the burial site. In 2007, a joint team excavated the burial site and found his remains. Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC also used dental comparisons in the identification of the remains. For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/ or call (703) 699-1169. U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

Go read more on Major Carrol here and here.(Freepers) Then, go check out the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office site. There you will find lots of information on the history of the Vietnam War, and the program still working diligently to bring all our troops home. Well worth a read here. Major Carrol will be laid to rest on home soil - with full military honours - on 13th November. The PGR will be attending.

Welcome home Major Carrol. "Thank you" seems so inadequate, but it comes from my heart for you AND your family. My prayer is that your family find some comfort in this long-awaited day.

Rest in Peace, Sir.

Brat(H/T debby)

Canada, eh?

Calling Canadians. Until January 11, 2008, Canada Post is giving FREE - yes, FREE - postage on anything being shipped by Canadians to our Canadian military.. It really is true. Just yesterday I took a parcel to the PO for Afghanistan. It was soooooooooooo easy!!

Did I mention it is also FREE to mail to our Canadian troops? lol

Way to go Canada Post. Thank you.

Brat

She Called

All music day at Tanker Bros today. You can find the lyrics for this awesome video over at Silver Star Families of America site here. Enjoy!

Drive On - 1223 Music

Wednesday Hero

Army Spc. Eric S. McKinley
24 years old from Corvallis, Oregon
Company B, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, Army National Guard
June 13, 2004


An avid outdoorsman, Spc. McKinley worked as a baker at Alpine Bakery in Corvallis, Ore. Upon his return from Iraq, he hoped to open a juice bar in the college town to provide a drug and alcohol-free environment for young people. Friends and co-workers remember Spc. McKinley as a quiet, caring young man who dyed his hair, sported several tattoos and loved ska and rock music. His senior yearbook picture showed a grinning young man with spiked hair dyed red and green. In other 1998 yearbook pictures, he has purple and blue hair in a mohawk.

Spc. Eric McKinley was killed when a roadside bomb north of Baghdad detonated destroying two vehicles and wounded four other Oregon soldiers. They were identified as Staff Sgt. Phillip Davis, 23, of Albany; Sgt. Matthew Zedwick, 23, of Bend; Cpl. Shane Ward, 23, of Corvallis and Pvt. Richard Olsen, 23, of Independence.

Almost 500 people attended the memorial service for Spc. McKinley at Starker Arts Park in Corvallis. There was a mix of people dressed in either military or punk attire — including McKinley’s six-year-old cousin, who, in tribute, wore his hair in a bright green mohawk.

Coventry Pacheco, McKinley’s fiancee, sat in the first row at his celebration-of-life service. They hadn’t set a wedding date, but were planning to get married.

He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service, a Purple Heart and the Oregon Distinguished Service Award. U.S. and Oregon flags were presented to his parents, Tom McKinley of Salem and Karen Hilsendager of Philomath.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your blog, you can go here.

Tuskegee Airmen Honoured - FINALLY! Part 2

I am sure you all remember back last May when I wrote about a historic day at the US Capitol. That post was about Tuskegee Airmen receiving long overdue recognition of their heroic service to America.

It’s never too late for your country to say that you’ve done a great job for us,” Ret. Col. Elmer D. Jones, 89, of Arlington, Va., said in an interview this week. Jones was a maintenance officer during the war......... Ret. Lt. Col. Walter L. McCreary, who was shot from the sky during a mission in October 1944 and held prisoner for nine months in Germany, said it hurt that the group’s accomplishments had not been honored years earlier. “We took it in stride. It’s a recognition long overdue,” said McCreary, also 89, of Burke, Va. [source]

You can read the rest of that original post here.

I posted that one under the B*N*S*N banner, calling it "Tuskegee Airmen Honoured - FINALLY". Today? Part2. Yes, folks, more Good News! This past weekend two more Tuskegee Airmen - HEROES - have just been given the long overdue honour they earned.

Tuskegee Airman Earl B. Rudisill speaks after
receiving the Congressional Gold Medal from
Congressmen Nick J. Rahall during a ceremony
held at Spring hIll Elementary Saturday,
November 3, 2007.

In Huntingdon, W Virginia, Tuskegee Airmen Earl B. Rudisill and William Lee "Dubie" Hill, were recognised for their roles in this legendary group of heroes. Sad to say, this justice was so long overdue that "Dubie" did not live long enough to see it. His sister, Lillian, was there to accept this award on his behalf.

More than 10,000 blacks served during the American revolution. During the Civil War, 171 black regiments were raised and 19 Medals of Honor were awarded. Fourteen Medals of Honor were awarded to soldiers of the black regiments that fought in the Indian Wars. The 10th Calvary regiment had actually captured San Jan Hill before Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders made their famous charge during the Spanish-American War.

Back in May, I shared with you some of the awesome sites I found in my research. Well, those statistics quoted above are on yet another "must read" site I just found today. The site is called Honor Thy Father: A Tuskegee Airman, and it is a 'Tribute to my father Joseph Philip Gomer.'

On television today, March 29, 2007, I was watching President George W. Bush present the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor, to the Tuskegee Airmen. My father, Joseph Philip Gomer, and mother Elizabeth Caperton Gomer were present in the audience. This day has been a long time coming. The Tuskegee Airmen have waited well over 60 years to receive the honor that they deserve....

I urge you to go read all that Ms Gomer-Douglass has to share about her own remarkable father. Take the time to learn more about what these heroes went through. Go here and marvel at the tenacity, courage and absolute integrity - then and now - of the Tuskegee Airmen here.

Airman Earl B Rudisill and Airman William Lee "Dubie" Hill were then, and will always BE, heroes. Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., presented their medals at Springhill Elementary School.

These men were fighting two wars," said [Rep.] Rahall. "One against the enemy in Europe and one to change the hearts and minds of our nation. "These men fought for us and our country offered them very little freedom in return," he added. "By showing they could serve, these men gave a sense of pride and hope to African Americans and helped end an era of prejudice." The Congressman said the belated bestowing of the medals was "honor delayed." "Honor delayed is honor denied," he said. "Today, we finally present two American heroes with the recognition they deserve."

Finally!

My gratitude and respect to ALL the Tuskegee Airmen. Go read the rest of this GREAT story here.

Brat (h/t to Janet for original idea!)

"May no soldier go unloved..."

Shawn Hlookoff is a Soldiers' Angels "featured artist". Yes, he is Canadian, (B.C. boy!) and the video I chose to feature is Canadian soldiers. His song - written as a tribute to ALL the troops - is available for download here.



Michael Crutchfield. Mike was a soldier, a writer, blogger, one of America's precious sons:

The rockets and mortars that attack the base are as regular as chow time and the mail that's almost never addressed to Mike. "Mail is something to look forward to. Normally. I don't get anything, but there was one time I did and it felt soooo good," he writes on his blog. "Every day people come in and ask the supply sergeant if mail has come for them and almost every time the answer is, 'No.' ....

That changed when Mike signed on with Soldiers' Angels. In his blog is this:

...It's nice to get so much mail, sometimes as many as 25 letters a week. Most are ...thanking Mike for their freedom. Some talk about their own lives... And I have a WHOOOOOOLLLLLLLEEE bunch of support now," he says about Soldiers' Angels...

Mike was a young American who came from a broken home and found family and friends in the US Army. He also found Soldiers' Angels. In one of the the last emails home to his fractured family, Mike wrote:

" For obvious reasons, I won't be able to support anyone now."[to his brother] He ends that e-mail with these words: "I'm done hurting. All my life I've been hurting, except when I was with **** love. End this pain." He hits the "send" button. He scribbles a note. He flips the safety on his military-issued pistol... and with just one bullet he pierces the upper lobe of his left lung and the arch of his aorta. (PLEASE read more of Mike's story, get to know Mike, and follow the links to even more, here)

The coffin of Michael Crutchfield, is lowered as his mother Anna Alford talks to him two months after he committed suicide in Iraq in December, on February 27, 2007 in Manteca's Park View Cemetery. ( Hector Amezcua The Sacramento Bee )

Sacramento Bee Staff Photo (c)

I think most readers here know I am an "Angel" (pipe down in the peanut gallery! lol). There are many teams within SA, each focussing on specific areas of need, and SA REALLY needs your help. Some of SA teams are:

Operation Top Knot (supports expecting familes - the whole family!)
Blankets of Hope (hand made blankets for the wounded)
TLC and Cards Plus (both teams step in with extra attention)
VA teams (yes, we now have nationwide teams stepping up at VA's)
Letter Writing Team
Chaplain Support Team
Fisher House Projects
K9 team ('cos military dogs are people too!)
Living Legend Team (honouring the fallen and their families -
and yes, that IS where I first 'met' Mike and his family)

There are other teams and there is a place for everyone, regardless of the time or money commitment you are able to make. Did I mention Valour-IT fundraiser? lol

One project that we desperately need help with right now? Holiday for Heroes. This team ensures that every soldier receives a gift from home over the holiday season. "May no soldier be forgotten" is no empty slogan. On the forums right now, Patti has stated 140,000+ as the goal for Holiday for Heroes packs. Those packs have things in a SA holiday mug: a phone card, Christmas card, hot chocolate, etc.

Last year there were more than a few Christmas collection/wrapping parties across the US, and a gazillion gifts (I stopped counting at about the 10,000 mark!) were sent to our troops. Many soldiers had their own personal Christmas stockings - courtesy of SA - as they spent the holidays away from their families. This is all in addition to the individual "stuff" that adopted soldiers get from their own Angels.

Can you tell by all this that Soldiers Angels needs you? They do. (Thinking we need a poster along the line of "Uncle Sam needs YOU"!)

I started this post by introducing you to Michael Crutchfield. While not every soldier comes from the same background, with the same demons as Mike, EVERY single soldier serving US, representing our values in this GWOT, deserves our support. In the time it has taken me to write this post - and you to read it - more soldiers applied to SA to be 'adopted', supported, by a Soldiers' Angel. SA WILL support every one of them. That is the SA promise. Will YOU help? Please, consider adopting one, or commiting to writing a letter or...or...

There are - at this very moment - over 400 soldiers are waiting to hear from home. To sign up to adopt a soldier with Soldiers' Angels is very easy. Just go here and follow the links. On behalf of SA and all our troops, THIS Angel thanks you.

This one's for you, Mike. RIP.

Brat

Giving a "voice" to OUR wounded

Hello, My Name is [name removed by me!], I am currently at Brooke Army Medical Center, continuing treatment for my heart problems. I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you have done for me and my family. The laptop you have provided me will help me stay in touch with my family back home much easier... was a blessing. You all truely are angels. Thank You all So Much Sgt ***

This soldier, and many like him, may see the Valour-IT laptop computers as a blessing, and to the National Review, Soldiers' Angels are equal to "candy stripers":

21st-Century Candy Stripers Severely wounded soldiers communicate with voice-activated laptops. By W. Thomas Smith Jr. On the morning of June 21, 2005, Maj. (then captain) Charles “Chuck” Ziegenfuss was on a foot patrol north of Baquba, Iraq when — as he says — “I was blown up.”... “when an IED exploded,” he tells National Review Online. “It went off about three feet from where I was standing, and literally blew me off the bridge and into a canal.”...(here)

The National Review article goes on to describe his injuries in graphic detail. To any 'normal' man, these injuries might have signalled a drastic life change, insurmountable hurdles, leaving him unable to use a computer to keep in communication with those he holds dear. But not
for Ziegenfuss! This is where Patti Patton-Bader and Soldiers' Angels stepped in.

“Patti asked me what I wanted,” says Ziegenfuss. “I asked her if there was any way I could get my hands on a laptop so I could continue communicating with my soldiers and blogging.” Simply getting his hands on a laptop would not be enough to get him back online. So Soldiers Angels bought a computer for Ziegenfuss, and they located and purchased hands-free voice-activated software that would enable him — and similarly wounded servicemembers — to communicate with friends and family around the world....

The laptop which Ziegenfuss received was the first of many to be given to our wounded, as Soldiers' Angels has given back some small measure of communication. From that first gesture, this program has grown. Testimonials as to what the donation of Voice-Activated Laptops for OUR Injured Troops has meant to our heroes come into Soldiers' Angels on a regular basis.

In August 2005, seven laptops were given out at Bethesda, MD at the Naval Medical Center as a test site. By October, 2006, about 600 laptops had been given. To date, more than 1,800 laptops have given a "voice" to our wounded heroes.

Project Valour-IT is national. From that initial test site, laptops are now found country-wide:

Balboa Naval Hospital, San Diego, CA

Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX

Madigan Regional Medical Center, Tacoma, WA

National Naval Medical Center (Bethesda Naval Hospital)
Naval Hospital, Camp Pendleton, CA
Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital (29 Palms), 29 Palms, CA
Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington DC

This all costs money - and lots of it.

Soldiers' Angels IS an all volunteer group, and programs such as Valour-IT depend on donations to keep going. One such donation this last year - specifically for the Valour-IT program - was from the San Antonio Area Foundation. From the TRIAD fund, they gave SA $150,000! Do the math, and you will know how many wounded SA was able to help because of TRIAD's generosity. Donations such as this one mean the world to our wounded. SA gets no special deals on these laptops, no "at cost" pricing, and has to buy them just like the rest of us. I do hear, however, (lol) that Best Buy "helps our donation dollars go further by letting us know when there is going to be a sale". This according to Debby Frerichs, VP at SA.

THIS is Sgt Bryan Anderson of Rolling Meadows, Illinois. He was an early Valour-IT laptop recipient. Over on Fuzzilicious, you can read this hero's progress from that first initial contact about a laptop:

...arrived an email requesting a laptop for Bryan, then just two weeks into his recovery.... The email read: ...He has a long road ahead of him. His mother said that they are doing everything for him and it is getting very frustrating for him. He wants to talk to his friends but he just is not ready to do it yet. With this laptop he will be able to communicate with family and friends and will be able to do it without the help of anyone. This is going to be the first step in showing him that he will be able to do things on his own. When I told her about project Valour-IT, she almost cried. She couldn't stop thanking us for this wonderful gift and opportunity that you are giving to B. She says that B is a fighter and that he will be getting prosthetic legs. She also said that he will be water skiing again in the future. She is so upbeat and positive over all of this. Thank you so much for this project. This project Valour-IT is an amazing project... (you have to go read the rest here!)

In that post, you will find this man's spirit jumping off the 'page' at you. It makes me tired just reading all the things he does! And this is just one of the many hundreds of warriors who have decided that their injuries do not define them. Every one of our heroes gets back up and into life. Every single laptop given to one of our wounded gives them another tool to BE who they were before their injuries, albeit with slight adjustments for their new realities.

Bryan Anderson:

I might do it a little differently, but I'm still going to do it...This doesn't define me....I chose to move on. I'm still me. (here)

And he really is. To find out more about the awesome Sgt. Bryan Anderson, you must read a great column called - appropriately - What I've learned:

Hello? I won a trial gym membership? How did you get my name? You pulled it out of a fishbowl? Do you have any idea who I am? I don't have any legs. And I have only one hand. I lost them over in Iraq. No, don't worry about it. I'm fine now. But I probably won't use it, so you might want to give it to someone else... I'm a big movie nut. Even before. I like comedies. I like the superhero movies... I want to be a stuntman. I could be on prosthetics, and they could blow my legs off. They have a harness attached to me, they pull me back, there's blasting caps on my legs, and boom! My legs are gone...(go here to hear Sgt. Anderson in his own voice)

Something tells me we will be hearing a lot more from Sgt. Anderson in the future! He has places to go, people to see, and many dreams to follow. He is truly representative of our wounded, courageous heroes. Just as he shares his story, there are many hundreds such success stories, and Valour-IT and Soldiers' Angels is determined to keep giving something back to our wounded. It is the least we can do. The needs will grow, and we need money! (Yes, I am a lousy salesperson but you get the idea...lol)

Go to the link on the sidebar and please DONATE. Most of us can't give $150,000 but every single dollar helps.

The Valour-IT program WILL continue. THIS is taken from the original email sent to Valour-IT about Sgt. Anderson:

...The laptop was the first step to the road to recovery. It proved that he was going to be able to do all the things that he did before....(here)

Today's "candy stripers", and our heroes - need your help. Please give what you can. The link again, just to keep it really simple? Here. Thank you.

Oh, and : GO ARMY!!!

Brat

Every Day Heroes

Meet Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Daniel Bogart:

Beaufort, SC Bronze Star with “V” recipient Most people try to avoid deadly improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Not Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Daniel Bogart: As an explosive ordnance disposal technician, it’s his job to get up close and personal with these devices, often in combat situations. From August 2006 to March 2007, Bogart neutralized 65 IEDs, saving countless soldiers and Marines from harm. His actions – which required extensive technical knowledge and unflappable concentration – earned him the Bronze Star with “V” for valor. Bogart’s tasks as the team leader of the 1st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Platoon, 1st Marine Logistics Group, included disarming bombs and clearing explosives. A sense of normalcy is a sign of success: As Bogart told the Midland Reporter-Telegram, “You hear a lot about the [IEDs] that go off, but not about the ones we take apart.” One of Bogart’s most harrowing missions involved manually disabling three IEDs in Ramadi while under small-arms fire. After disarming the first two, a fourth IED exploded just three feet away, damaging Bogart’s ear drums and injuring his partner as shrapnel covered the area. Despite being wounded, Bogart refused to let medical personnel into the area since he knew there was at least one more live IED. Despite his injuries, Bogart defused the third IED, moved the injured Marine from the blast area, and then returned to perform a post-blast analysis – before finally allowing himself to be medevaced. After spending twelve days recovering from his wounds, Bogart returned full-time to his job. Bogart participated in more than 170 combat missions during his seven-month tour, and disposed of over 11,000 pounds of unexploded ordnance. During many of these missions, Bogart had to avoid enemy machine-gun and RPG fire. He is quick to credit his comrades-in-arms for his many successful missions: “It is easy to do good things . . . when you are set up for success, surrounded by the best individuals and a good chain of command. . . . I could not have done anything on my own – it was a team effort.” After two tours of duty in Iraq, Bogart is now a team leader for Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort’s explosive ordnance disposal unit. In that capacity, he trains other Marines in his field. Bogart has also shared his knowledge with other coalition forces: In 2005, he provided assistance in explosive ordnance disposal training to Georgian soldiers set to deploy to Iraq. While IEDs continue to be one of the greatest dangers our troops face, the efforts of servicemembers such as Bogart have greatly reduced this threat. On October 12, 2007, Bogart received the Bronze Star and his Senior EOD insignia, a well-deserved recognition of his courage and expertise. Bogart’s decorations also include a Purple Heart and the Combat Action Ribbon.

Wow! Go here to find more links on this hero. Thank you for your service, Staff Sgt. Bogart!

Brat

Are We Slowly Converting.....??

Ok, so I guess you all think I've lost my mind right??

I wish......

Political Correctness by Definition: Avoidance of expressions or actions that can be percieved to exclude or marginalise or insult people who are socially disadvantaged or discriminated against

In our haste to assist in the assimilation of minority groups within what are predominantly Christian/Catholic societies, we have in fact turned the tables and assimilated to the ways of these groups. The most obvious example of this is the introduction of Islamic Studies into our childrens schools.

Seventh-grade textbook: three chapters on Islam, a paragraph each on other religions Clearly a textbook with an agenda -- but an agenda that far too few people even recognize as such. "Too much time on teachings of Islam? Parents say seventh-grade textbook at Houston Elementary inappropriate," by Amanda Dyer in the Lodi News-Sentinel (thanks to Pamela): The parents of children at Houston Elementary School plan to complain to the school board about concerns they have with a seventh-grade history textbook, which they feel pays an undue amount of attention to the teachings of Islam. When Jim Self asked his son last week what he was learning in school, he was surprised to hear his 12-year-old boy say that he was learning about the Prophet Muhammad. That night Jim Self and his wife, Korina, flipped through their son's textbook, "History Alive!: The Medieval World and Beyond," and found at least three chapters dedicated to the Islamic faith, including an entire chapter dedicated to the Prophet Muhammad. Since then, the couple has started a campaign to remove the textbook from their child's classroom. The book is used in classrooms throughout the district. Read more here

I personally have no objection to children learning the history of other cultures and countries, but religious study or instruction in any form, outside of personal choice or the family unit is completely unacceptable.

In Australia there is a small movement which is mostly isolated to the east coast, specifically Sydney, that are slowly campaigning to remove the right for children to celebrate Christmas in Childcare Centres. Being a Childcare Worker myself, I am disgusted and somewhat disillusioned by this move. One of the more special times for us during the year is sharing the Christmas spirit with the children. A good Childcare Centre is like a big family and our end of year Christmas parties are a way to celebrate the season together. Now, a minority group wishes to take that from us. It has already begun in Sydney, with Centres run by Muslim Directors or with large Muslim clientele deciding not to engage in any form of celebration for Christmas, isolating the celebration to the family unit.

Then there is this....

UK: Christmas should be 'downgraded' to help 'race relations,' says Labour Party think tank What race are Muslims again? And why must Western culture always give way to the cultural demands of Muslim immigrants? Me, I think Labour's heart is three sizes too small. "Christmas should be 'downgraded' to help race relations says Labour think tank," by James Chapman in the Daily Mail (thanks to Brenda): Christmas should be downgraded in favour of festivals from other religions to improve race relations, says an explosive report. Labour's favourite think-tank says that because it would be hard to 'expunge' Christmas from the national calendar, 'even-handedness' means public organisations must start giving other religions equal footing. Read more here

And this.....

UK: School orders teachers to dress in Muslim garb to celebrate Eid It's OK. I'm sure they all dress as monks and nuns for Christmas. "Teachers' Muslim dress order," from The Sun, with thanks to all who sent this in: A SCHOOL was yesterday accused of MAKING teachers dress up as Asians for a day – to celebrate a Muslim festival. Kids at the 257-pupil primary have also been told to don ethnic garb even though most are Christians. The morning assembly will be open to all parents – but dads are BARRED from a women-only party in the afternoon because Muslim husbands object to wives mixing with other men. Just two members of staff – a part-time teacher and a teaching assistant – are Muslim. Read more here

In my country we have a song, almost an anthem of our times. It describes the coming together of a nation, still very much in it's youth, and how it has taken many cultures to make Australia the multi cultural mixing pot that it is today. The song is an acknowledgement of the contribution of the many cultures in our society and their commitment to being a part of OUR Australia.

I Am Australian I came from the dream time, from the dusty red soil plains, I am the ancient heart - the keeper of the flame, I stood upon the rocky shore, I watched the tall ships come, For forty thousand years I'd been the first Australian. We are one but we are many And from all the lands on earth we come, we share a dream, And sing with one voice, I am, you are, we are Australian. I came upon the prison ship bound down by iron chains I cleared the land, endured the lash and waited for the rains. I'm a settler, I'm a farmer's wife on a dry and barren run A convict then a free man, I became Australian. I'm the daughter of a digger who sought the mother lode The girl became a woman on the long and dusty road I'm a child of the depression, I saw the good times come I'm a bushy, I'm a battler, I am Australian. We are one but we are many And from all the lands on earth we come, we share a dream, And sing with one voice, I am, you are, we are Australian. I'm a teller of stories, I'm a singer of songs I am Albert Namatjira, and I paint the ghostly gums I am Clancy on his horse, I'm Ned Kelly on the run I'm the one who waltzed Matilda, I am Australian. I'm the hot wind from the desert, I'm the black soil of the plains I'm the mountains and the valleys, I'm the drought and flooding rains I am the rock, I am the sky, the rivers when they run The spirit of this great land, I am Australian. We are one but we are many And from all the lands on earth we come, we share a dream, And sing with one voice, I am, you are, we are Australian.

To me, this is the most logical of concepts. When you arrive in a new place, whether it be a new job or a new country, you can not possibly expect everyone to accept and convert to your ways. And yet, this is exactly what is happening to our societies, while we stand back unaware or uncaring. The most shocking and distasteful aspect of this is that parents are losing the basic rights to have a say on their childrens religious education. People are losing their rights in their workplaces to refuse to tow the religious line if it is not their own. What is possibly more shocking and distasteful is that there are so many from the left who are so willing to publicly denounce the misgivings of their own countrymen to support those who would willingly do them harm. Support for our countries Leaders is wavering and it would seem that the obvious alternative is to act like rebellious children and side with the enemy, cutting of their noses to spite their faces in a sense.

Is this a sign that we are slowly converting....??

AC