Every Day heroes

In December of 2006, Major Brian Russell of the United States Marine Corps arrived in Iraq to take on the tough task of leading an eleven-man team of Marines advising an Iraqi Army battalion in Habbaniyah, a then dangerous area of the Sunni Triangle. The day he arrived in Habbaniyah, all of the battalion’s positions were attacked and three were badly damaged. The job ahead would not be an easy one.

Russell was able to convince the incoming battalion commander to correct this and move as many of his troops as possible into the fight. This not only meant fighting the enemy, but also a better chance to cultivate relationships with the local civilians. Russell also pressed for developing leaders at the company and platoon level, giving the Iraqis the opportunity to understand local concerns, and to take pride in themselves as soldiers. Under his leadership, the team of advisors trained the Iraqi non-commissioned officers to become capable leaders, allowing the unit to increase the number of its patrols. Along with those increased patrols, Russell helped build relations with the local police forces. His work resulted in an upswing in cooperation with Iraqi police, and the incorporation of neighborhood watch units into local security efforts.

As his training of the Iraqis progressed, Russell moved his team of American advisors into more of a supervisory role. He made recommendations that the Iraqi’s should expand their area of responsibility. For instance, Russell recommended that the battalion increase its presence in a certain tribal area that happened to be the point of origin for several insurgent attacks. By expanding the presence of security forces there, he contributed to the section being mostly emptied of insurgents. After clearing an area of insurgents, he assisted the unit in devising reconstruction plans and improving local support for the Iraqi Army. The plan started with quick, cheap projects designed to gain the trust and loyalty of the population. It eventually grew to include more than $1.5 million in infrastructure projects.

But the centerpiece of Russell’s plan was ensuring that the battalion and its commanders could execute these tasks in the future, without coalition help. Towards the end of his time in Habbaniyah, the unit was able to execute operations without significant aid from the advising team. This was in stark contrast to when he first arrived, when the battalion could barely field half of its forces without extensive help from the American advisors.

Thanks to his extraordinary efforts, Major Brian Russell helped transform an entire Iraqi battalion into an effective fighting force, a feat for which he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal

.

(source)

'Nuff said..;)

Found this video in the comments on a post at RedState. The post itself is a chart comparison between Palin and Obama. VERY interesting reading.. Check it out here.

And then there is this. 'Nuff said.


Brat

"Who is Sarah Palin"?

abc news and other msm may be headlining their stories on Sarah Palin with the title "Who is Sarah Palin?", but I'm thinking that by now, not many people are cluelss as to who she is, and what she represents for America.

Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska, is a self-described hockey mum, who was busy raising her kids. Married for 20 years to her high school sweetheart Todd; today is their anniversary. As she says, some of life's blessings come unexpectedly:

"Some of life's greatest opportunities come unexpectedly, and this is certainly the case today. I never really set out to be involved in public affairs, much less to run for this office. My mom and dad both worked at the local elementary school. And my husband and I, we both grew up working with our hands....

Read the rest at NewsBlaze here.

Brat

*And yes, it is up in all my usual places, too! lol*

And We Dont Even Get A Vote....

Americans, I have to ask.... Are you sick of hearing about Obama yet??

I just checked out the local news online and this is what I found

Obama takes the fight to McCain Geoff Elliott, Denver, Colorado BARACK Obama accepted the Democratic Party's nomination for president today and declared it was "time to change America". TRANSCRIPT: Read Barack Obama's acceptance speech GALLERY: Final Day of Democratic Convention PROFILE: Barack Obama | John McCain GORE: Obama like Lincoln EARLIER: Obama and Biden all set

I guess the fact that they knew Obama was running against someone was a start right?? We have had nothing but one sided coverage about the US Election since all this began. This was right at the top of OUR news site. Our country is suffering Obama-fatigue and we don't even get a vote!!

We also got to read how our Prime Minister, Kevin Dudd, has met with Obama twice and looks forward to another meeting in the near future. I must say, it comes as no great suprise to me that those two get along...

It seems Americas MSM is not the only one that needs a wake up call. If you are going to inundate us with American politics EVEN THE COVERAGE!!

I'm sure the Australian public would like to know who Obama is running against...

AC

Now This Is What I Like To See...

As you all know, we here at Tanker Brothers are firm believers in the strength of the Coalition. In fact, I think you would be hard pressed to find a Milblogger that doesn't feel the same. United we stand, we rebuild and we fight and as long as we stay united, we will not fall.

That is why I love to see articles and pictures like these.....

THE HON. JOEL FITZGIBBON MP Minister for Defence Friday, 29 August 2008 110/2008 DIGGERS OPEN VITAL HIGHWAY IN AFGHANISTAN The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, announced today that soldiers from Reconstruction Task Force 4 (RTF4) recently deployed to Zabol and Ghazni Provinces in southern Afghanistan to complete one of their most important missions. Soldiers from RTF 4’s Combat Team Dagger deployed over 400 kilometres from their base in Tarin Kowt to rebuild two bridges previously damaged by the Taliban and reopen the main highway between Kabul and Kandahar. “ISAF requested that RTF4 complete this important task as no other units in Afghanistan were available to carry out the dual Security and Engineering tasks required for this specific operation,” Minister Fitzgibbon said. “Combat Team Dagger fought through a Taliban attack, heat and sandstorms, operating in a highly dangerous area to complete this operation. “The successful completion of this mission is testament to the courage, skill and tenacity of the soldiers of RTF4. They have significantly improved the lives of the Afghan population in these areas and have provided a unique capability to ISAF. They should be proud of their achievement,” Minister Fitzgibbon said. Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Yeaman, Commanding Officer of the Reconstruction Task Force in Afghanistan, said that the Combat Team’s achievement is significant as they completed the two-week operation independently far from their normal area of operations. “We had expected each bridge to take around four days but the Combat Engineers and Assault Pioneers built them in half that time, and the Infantry and Cavalry provided the team with a first class security screen to work behind,” Lieutenant Colonel Yeaman said. “The Team was assisted by Dutch, Romanian and American forces that operate in the area, and members of the Afghanistan National Army assisted our forces with security on the sites. “It was a significant task just to get to there, as the attack by the Taliban on our armoured column to the site shows. Thankfully the team came through the firefight unscathed and completed the operation with distinction.” Heavy lifting. Sapper Michael Brennan helps with the repair of a bridge damaged by Taliban extremists in Andar, Zabol Province, Afghanistan. Lending a hand. Lance Corporal Christopher Lewis helps with the repair of a bridge damaged by Taliban extremists at Andar in Zabol Province, Afghanistan. Soldiers from the Reconstruction Task Force rebuild the 1st of two bridges damaged by Taliban extremists in Zabol and Ghazni Provinces, Afghanistan. Soldiers from the Reconstruction Task Force build the 1st of two bridges which were damaged by Taliban extremists in Zabol and Ghazni Provinces, Afghanistan. Soldiers from the Reconstruction Task Force build the 1st of two bridges which were damaged by Taliban extremists at Andar in Zabol Province, Afghanistan. Soldiers from the Reconstruction Task Force build the 1st of two bridges which were damaged by Taliban extremists at Andar in Zabol Province, Afghanistan. Reconstruction Task Force soldiers hold an outer cordon whilst an Explosive Ordnance Team prepare to blow in place an Improvised Explosive Device found on Highway One on the way to Zabol Province, Afghanistan. Soldiers from the Reconstruction Task Force and Engineers from the US 101st Airborne, take a short break from building a bridge which was damaged by Taliban extremist at Moqur in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. A soldier from the Reconstruction Task Force waits for a new section of bridge as night falls in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. A soldier from the Reconstruction Task Force provides security for the bridging team in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. Soldiers from the Reconstruction Task Force build the 1st of two bridges which were damaged by Taliban extremist in Zabol Province, Afghanistan. Soldiers from the Reconstruction Task Force provide security for the bridging team in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. Captain Scott Toohey meets locals from Ghazni Province whilst providing security for the Reconstruction Task Force bridging team in Afghanistan. Soldiers from the Reconstruction Task Force provide security for the bridging team in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. Dust in time. Soldiers from the Reconstruction Task Force battle gruelling conditions to replace a vital bridge destroyed by Taliban extremist. Soldiers from the Reconstruction Task Force provide security for the bridging team in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. Dust in time. Soldiers from the Reconstruction Task Force battle gruelling conditions to replace a vital bridge destroyed by Taliban extremist. Captain Scott Toohey meets an Afghan elder in a village at Moqur where Australian soldiers are replacing a bridge destroyed by Taliban extremist. Captain Scott Toohey meets an Afghan boy in a village at Moqur where Australian soldiers are replacing a bridge destroyed by Taliban extremist. Captain Scott Toohey meets an Afghan elder in a village at Moqur where Australian soldiers are replacing a bridge destroyed by Taliban extremist. Engineers from the Reconstruction Task Force and 101st Airborne pose for a group photo after the completion of a bridge in Moqur, Ghazni Province after it was destroyed by Taliban extremist. Engineers from the Reconstruction Task Force and 101st Airborne pose for a group photo after the completion of a bridge in Moqur, Ghazni Province after it was destroyed by Taliban extremist. Lance Corporal Christopher Lewis talks with an Afghan National Army soldier whilst working on replacing a bridge destroyed by Taliban extremist. An Australian CH-47 arrives with vital supplies including an engine for a Bushmaster at the construction site of a bridge destroyed by Taliban extremist. An Australian CH-47 arrives with vital supplies including an engine for a Bushmaster at the construction site of a bridge destroyed by Taliban extremist.

AC

B*N*S*N1

Army Spc. Corey Thompson, 420th Engineer Brigade, works with Australian combat engineers as they align two sections of a bridge. U.S. Army photo by Capt. James Reid, Combined Task Force Castle

Engineers Bridge Gaps on Afghanistan’s Highway 1

By Army 1st Lt. Tomas Rofkahr
Special to American Forces Press Service

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, Aug. 27, 2008 – Members of the Australian Reconstruction Task Force and Task Force Castle’s 420th Engineer Brigade completed the emplacement of two Mabey Johnson bridges near Andar and Moqur in eastern Afghanistan.

Insurgent attacks during the summer left the bridges impassible, forcing Afghans and coalition forces to use single-lane bypasses.

Work progressed quickly once the Australian and American combat engineers arrived. The first bridge in Andar was erected in just over two days, and forces then moved on to Moqur, where they emplaced the second bridge.

Both bridges are on Highway 1, which connects Kandahar in southern Afghanistan to the Afghan capital of Kabul. Highway 1 is a paved route originally built in the 1960s. The 300-mile stretch that includes the bridges was refurbished in 2002 and 2003 as part of President Bush’s Afghanistan Road Initiative. The U.S. Agency for International Development credits the work with reducing the transit time between Kandahar and Kabul by half....

Read the rest of this B*N*S*N story here.

Brat

B*N*S*N2

"Afghan Army Has Made Huge Progress"

'"Afghan Army Has Made Huge Progress", Press TV, 3 July 2008

EXCERPT: "A senior Canadian official confirms that the Afghan army has made a "huge progress" and is now capable of leading missions against Taliban. 'We see huge progress with the Afghan army,' General Walt Natynczyk, Canada's Chief of Defense Staff, told reporters on Wednesday [2 July 2008]. 'What is terrific to see here, through the Arghandab piece, was that the Afghan military, the Afghan army that we have trained with this past two years, are actually stepping up. It was their plan, it was their leaders, and with that they have renewed confidence,' Natynczyk added. Natynczyk praised the battle in Arghandab last month, in which about 100 Taliban were killed. He added that the Canadian personnel would focus on training more senior officers with Afghan National Army (ANA) before Canadians leave the country in 2011."

Now that the msm is unable to lead their hourly news with bad news from Iraq, they have turned their attention (kinda, sorta) to Afghanistan. Most stories out of there right now are based on the number of troops and civilians killed. What they forget to tell us is that this IS the season when the Taleban annually up the ante. The military knows this; our troops on the ground see the big picture. General Natynczyk shares the progress here.

That IS B*N*S*N!

Brat

B*N*S*N3

MOD Police travelling with the military
[Picture: MDP]

MOD Police see progress in Afghanistan

A Military Operations news article

31 Jul 08

The first visit to Afghanistan by the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) has seen officers help train newly-qualified local police in some of the most dangerous locations in Helmand Province.

The six month deployment by the MDP to Afghanistan was spent building the capacity of their Afghan counterparts in a major push to bring rule of law to the country.

The first six MDP officers have returned this week having helped train the Afghan officers in southern Afghanistan, including the towns of Lashkar Gah, Musa Qala, Gereshk and Sangin.

Royal Military Police officers have also been running courses at the British Headquarters in Lashkar Gah, where the bulk of training and mentoring takes place.

Read the rest here.

Brat

B*N*S*N4

Abdul Rahman Panjshiri speaks to the crowd during a ground-breaking ceremony for the $130,000 Haish Saidqi eight-room schoolhouse, Aug. 20, 2008, in the Rokha district of Afghanistan’s Panjshir province. Panjshiri donated the land for the school. U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Jillian Torango, Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team

Afghan Family Donates Land for New Girls’ School

By Air Force Capt. Jillian Torango
Special to American Forces Press Service

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, Aug. 25, 2008 – On a hillside overlooking the picturesque stepped farmlands of the Rokha district in Afghanistan’s Panjshir province, a small group of people attended a ground-breaking ceremony Aug. 20 for the $130,000 Haish Saidqi eight-room schoolhouse.

Hajji Kabiri, the province’s deputy governor, and Zolmaid Shahid, the provincial director of education, were among those on hand. Of special importance was the attendance of Abdul Rahman Panjshiri; he and his wife donated the land for the school.

Panjshiri, as his name indicates, is originally from Panjshir. His wife’s family had to leave the province when she was a girl so she could continue with school and get a good education.

Panjshiri said he and his family took asylum in the Netherlands during the Taliban regime, but he always knew he wanted to come back to Afghanistan.

“When the Taliban fell and I decided to come back to Afghanistan, some of my family was not happy with me,” he said. “My three sons even did not come back with me, but my wife and daughter did, and we now live and work in Kabul.”

This is a GREAT B*N*S*N story on so many levels. :) Go read the rest here.

Axis of Idiots

From my inbox. I have seen this a few times. I have no idea who this writer is, but think his thoughts well worth a read:

"The Axis of Idiots"

Jimmy Carter, you are the father of the Islamic Nazi movement.
You threw the Shah under the bus, welcomed the Ayatollah home, and then
lacked the spine to confront the terrorists when they took our embassy
and our people hostage. Our Canadian friends gave as many as they
could sanctuary in their embassy in Iran . They're more
American than you'll ever be.. You're the runner-in-chief.

Bill Clinton, you played ring around the Lewinsky while the
terrorists were at war with us. You got us into a fight with them in
Somalia and then you ran from it. Your weak-willed responses to the
U.S.S. Cole and the First Trade Center Bombing and Our Embassy Bombings
emboldened the killers. Each time you failed to respond
adequately, they grew bolder, until 9/11/2001.

John Kerry, dishonesty is your most prominent attribute. You
lied about American Soldiers in Vietnam .
Your military service, like your life, is more fiction than fact .
You've accused our military of terrorizing women and children in Iraq .
You called Iraq the wrong war, wrong place, wrong time, the same words
you used to describe Vietnam . You're a fake. You want to run from Iraq
and abandon the Iraqis to murderers just as you did to the Vietnamese.
Iraq , like Vietnam , is another war that you
were for, before you were against it.

John Murtha, you said our military was broken.
You said we can't win militarily in Iraq . You accused United States
Marines of cold-blooded murder without proof and said we should
redeploy to Okinawa . Okinawa, John? And the Democrats call you their
military expert! Are you sure you didn't suffer a traumatic brain
injury while you were off building your war hero resume? You're a sad,
pitiable, corrupt and washed up politician. You're not a Marine, sir.
You wouldn't amount to a good pimple on a real Marine's ass. You're a
phony and a disgrace. Run away, John.

Dick Durbin, you accused our Soldiers at Guantanamo of being
Nazis, tenders of Soviet style gulags and as bad as the regime of Pol
Pot, who murdered two million of his own people after your party
abandoned Southeast Asia to the Communists. Now you want to abandon the
Iraqis to the same fate. History was not a good teacher
for you, was it? Lord help us! See Dick run.

Ted Kennedy, for days on end you held poster-sized pictures from
Abu Ghraib in front of any available television camera. Al Jazeera
quoted you saying that Iraqi's torture chambers were open under new
management. Did you see the news, Teddy? The Islamic Nazis demonstrated
another beheading for you. If you truly supported our troops, you'd
show the world poster-sized pictures of that atrocity and demand the
annihilation of it.
Your legislation stripping support from the South Vietnamese led to a
communist victory there. You're a bloated, drunken fool, bent on
repeating the same historical blunder that turned freedom-seeking people
over to homicidal, genocidal maniacs. To paraphrase John Murtha, all
while sitting on your wide, gin-soaked ass in Washington

Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Carl Levin, Barbara Boxer, Diane
Feinstein, Russ Feingold, Hillary Clinton, Pat Leahy, Barack Obama,
Chuck Schumer, the Hollywood Leftist morons, et al, ad nauseam: Every
time you stand in front of television cameras and broadcast to the
Islamic Nazis that we went to war because our President lied, that the
war is wrong and our Soldiers are torturers, that we should leave Iraq,
you give the Islamic butchers - the same ones that tortured and
mutilated American Soldiers - cause to think that we'll run away again,
and all they have to do is hang on a little longer. It is inevitable
that we, the infidels, will have to defeat the Islamic jihadists.
Better to do it now on their turf, than later on ours after they have
gained both strength and momentum.

American news media, the New York Times
particularly: Each time you publish stories about national defense
secrets and our intelligence gathering methods, you become one united
with the sub-human pieces of camel dung that torture and mutilate the
bodies of American Soldiers.
You can't strike up the courage to publish cartoons, but you can help
Al Qaeda destroy my country. Actually, you are more dangerous to us
than Al Qaeda is. Think about that each time you face Mecca to admire
your Pulitzer..

You are America 's "AXIS OF IDIOTS." Your Collective Stupidity
will destroy us.
Self-serving politics and terrorist-abetting news scoops are more
important to you than our national security or the lives of innocent
civilians and Soldiers. It bothers you that defending ourselves gets in
the way of your elitist sport of politics and your ignorant
editorializing. There is as much blood on your hands as is on the hands
of murdering terrorists. Don't ever doubt that. Your frolics will only
serve to extend this war as they extended Vietnam . If you want our
Soldiers home as you claim, knock off the crap and try supporting your
country ahead of supporting your silly political aims and aiding our
enemies.


Yes, I'm questioning your patriotism. Your loyalty ends with
self. I'm also questioning why you're stealing air that decent
Americans could be breathing. You don't deserve the protection of our
men and women in uniform. You need to run away from this war, this
country. Leave the war to the people who have the will to see it through
and the country to people who are willing to defend it.

No, Mr. President, you don't get off the hook, either. Our
country has two enemies: Those who want to destroy us from the outside
and those who attempt it from within. Your Soldiers are dealing with
the outside force. It's your obligation to support them by confronting
the AXIS OF IDIOTS.

America must hear it from you that these self-centered people
are harming our country, abetting the enemy and endangering our safety.
Well up a little anger, please, and channel it toward the appropriate
target. You must prosecute those who leak national security secrets to
the media. You must prosecute those in the media who knowingly publish
those secrets.

Our Soldiers need you to confront the enemy that they cannot.
They need you to do it now.

Semper Fi,

J. D. Pendry - Sergeant Major, USMC, Retired

H/T to Jane

Brat

Wednesday Hero

Lt. Col. Nathan Blood

Lt. Col. Nathan Blood, brigade effects coordinator for 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light), Multi-National Division - Baghdad, says “Hello” to his 16-month-old daughter, Mackenzie, during a web camera communication.

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 Have Every Right To Dream Heroic Dreams. Those Who Say That We’re In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don’t Know Where To Look

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 site, you can go here.

Biden who?????????

Confession time: Until this week I had never heard of Biden. 'Tis true, and my only excuse is that this foreigner only started paying very close attention to the American political landscape in the last few years..As the msm pundits do their usual half-arsed jobs of analysis and reporting of the presumptive (presumptuous? lol) annointed one and his VP choice, some Americans have been paying attention.

CJ is one such American. I am sure you know that CJ is active duty US Army and, for me, that means when he talks, I listen. Today, CJ sent out a piece he has written about Biden. CJ uses Biden's OWN words to foretell America's future if BO (+ MO) and Biden take over the White House.

It should, of course, be required reading for all:

Exclusive: Obama VP's New World Order Aspirations

August 26th, 2008 by CJ

Everyone (except Hillary Clinton's supporters) seems to be pleased with the choice of Senator Joseph Biden as Senator Barack Obama's choice of VP. There's a lot of attention on Biden's negative comments about Obama and positive comments towards McCain, but that's really semantics. The real issue that everyone should be focusing on isn't even in the press yet. And I doubt they'll even investigate or publicize this if they knew anyway. Prepare for something you'll only find on ASP.

Barack Obama has claimed multiple times Saddam "illegally used American aid to buy arms", "slaughter[ed]…his own Kurdish citizens", and used American intelligence to aid in his invasion into Kuwait. That's not even the most damning of Biden's own claims. He bodly proclaimed, "Saddam provided safe haven for the world's most infamous terrorists." WHAT!?!?! I thought this war was NOTHING about terrorism! But, that's not all. Biden also stated that Saddam had a "manifest quest for chemical and nuclear weapons."

I know what the liberal robots are saying: Bush misled him. Interestingly, Biden has been making this case since 1992!! As a matter of fact, Biden published a 56 page "vision" in 1992 in which he published each of these statements and more.

The title of Biden's "vision" is "The Wilsonian Vision and American Foreign Policy in the 1990's and Beyond." Translation: I'm all for the New World Order. As a matter of fact, his paper is broken into three parts.

I. On the Threshold of the New World Order
II. An American Agenda for the New World Order
III. Fulfilling the Wilsonian Vision

To really understand the purpose of Biden's foreign policy white paper, you should probably know what the Wilsonian Vision is. Wilsonianism is based upon former President Woodrow Wilson's "14 Points" speech to Congress in the early 1900s. Parts of this vision include the removal of borders and completely free and unrestricted trade among nations. It calls for the removal of all armaments except the bare necessities needed for domestic safety. Sound familiar? Think Obama's call for the destruction of ALL American nuclear weapons and a refusal to build more, regardless of what our adversaries may have. Finally, it calls for the restructuring of Europe along ethnic and nationalist lines...

You really should go read the rest on CJ's blog, A Soldier's Perspective, here.

Brat
*cross-posted in all the usual places ;)*

"I am the surge"

Vets for Freedom has a new tv ad out, and it's a goodie - of course..lol As my regular readers know, I ALWAYS set great store by what our troops, boots on the ground, say; unlike *some* politicians who 'know it all' about our War on Terror strategy, even though they declare failure before the surge is even done (no names needed..lol)

Watch the ad below, and maybe even make a phone call or two.:) Then, head over to Vets For Freedom here. We can educate people, Yes we can!!!!


Brat
*cross-posted in all the usual places*

One picture

...says a thousand words!

All Smiles

An Iraqi girl smiles in excitement as U.S. Soldiers from Alpha Battery, 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y., deployed to Forward Operating Warrior, Kirkuk, Iraq, visit the neighborhood, Aug. 20, 2008. Photo by Staff Sgt. Ave Pele-Sizelove, Joint Combat Camera Center Iraq. (source)

No political commentary from me needed :)

Brat

Real Heroes...

It is a truly sad and unfortunate fact in todays society that children idolise and immortalise the wrong people. Raised on a steady diet of super heroes, gun toting thugs and 'gangsters', (excuse me, but the REAL Gangsters at least taught a little respect), (c)rap music and violence on TV, todays children and youth have such a distorted outlook on life that they would never recognise a TRUE hero.

I remember as a child, sitting with my grandfather for hours on end, listening to his stories about the war. As I grew older, he taught me about the wars, why they had started and what they had been about. He taught me about Joan Of Arc and how one young girl could make a difference. He taught me about the Dictators and War Mongers who led the invasions that caused nothing but grief and human misery. We spent time at the library and various mueseums as he fed my hunger to learn about our countries histories. My life didn't revolve around a tv, a computer game, some hand held gadget. It revolved around learning...

My grandfather, grandmother and mothers efforts in our formative years led to us having a great respect for our country, our history and those who have fought and fight now for it's freedoms.

This thirst for knowledge often leads me to the War Memorial Archives where I read about the brave actions of men like Albert Jacka and Ordinary Seamen Teddy Sheehan.

I recently watched a movie where a guy referred to his gang as 'Soldiers' and the crap they pull on the streets a 'War'. It's all about immortalising child 'Gangstas' who go down all guns blazing with their 'Soldiers' around them.

Well, let me introduce you to a young man who DID go down with all guns blazing, right to the end...

Leading Seaman Teddy Sheehan...

Ordinary Seaman Edward (Teddy) Sheean Date of birth: 28 December 1923 Place of birth: Barrington, TAS Date of death: 01 December 1942 Place of death: Arafura Sea Edward (Teddy) Sheean 044154 (right) Edward "Teddy" Sheean was an ordinary seaman serving on HMAS Armidale whose death during a Japanese aerial attack on his ship has become a well-known episode in Australian Second World War lore. Sheean was born at Lower Barrington, Tasmania, on 28 December 1923. He received his education in a Catholic school at Latrobe in Tasmania and, having completed his schooling, worked on farms in the area where he grew up. He enlisted in the Royal Australian Naval Reserve in April 1941 and began his initial training in Tasmania. In February 1942 he was sent to the Flinders Naval Depot at Westernport in Victoria to continue his training, and the following May he was posted to Sydney. At the end of that month, the vessel on which he was billeted, the former ferry Kuttabul, was sunk during the Japanese midget submarine attack on Sydney Harbour. Fortunately for Sheean he was in Tasmania on home leave that night. He returned to Sydney 11 days later to begin his service as an Oerlikon anti-aircraft gunner on the newly commissioned corvette, HMAS Armidale. Armidale spent her early months on relatively uneventful convoy escort duties along Australia's east and northern coasts. In October 1942 Armidale's captain, Lieutenant Commander David Richards, was ordered to Darwin and, on 29 November, the corvette began her last operation. Along with two other vessels, she was to undertake a resupply and evacuation mission to Japanese-occupied Timor. Having been seen by Japanese reconnaissance pilots shortly after leaving the port, Armidale was destined for a dangerous journey. She and the other corvette on the operation, HMAS Castlemaine, missed the rendezvous with the third ship, in Timor's Betano Bay, but met her later some 100 kilometres off-shore. The plan having gone awry, Armidale was ordered to return to Betano the following night. Facing a long day in enemy waters and the certainty of attack, the crew waited. When in the mid-afternoon she was hit by two aircraft-launched torpedoes, Armidale began to sink fast. Sheean was wounded and, rather than abandon ship, he strapped himself to his Oerlikon and began to engage the attacking aircraft even as the ship sunk beneath him. He shot down two planes, and crewmates recall seeing tracer rising from beneath the surface as Sheean was dragged under the water, firing until the end. He died on 1 December 1942 aged just 18. Only 49 of the 149 men on board survived the attack and subsequent ordeal on rafts and in life boats. Many consider that Sheean's actions deserved the Victoria Cross, an award for which he was not recommended at the time although he was Mentioned in Dispatches. He has subsequently been honoured in a well-known painting at the Australian War Memorial and by having a Collins Class submarine named after him in 1999 - the only vessel in the Royal Australian Navy to be named after an ordinary seaman.

And then we have Captain Albert Jacka. I had heard his name when I was younger and for some reason it had stuck with me. The name is used in Aussie Slang as a compliment to someone hard working or who performs heroic deeds.

Captain Albert Jacka....

Captain Albert Jacka, VC, MC & bar Date of birth: 10 January 1893 Place of birth: Layard, VIC Date of death: 17 January 1932 Place of death: Caulfield, VIC Albert Jacka A02868A Albert Jacka was born on 10 January 1893 at Layard in Victoria. He completed elementary schooling before working as a labourer, first with his father and then with the Victorian State Forests Department. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 18 September 1914 as a private in the 14th Battalion. After training in Egypt Jacka's battalion landed at Gallipoli on 26 April 1915. Just over three weeks later on 19 May, with the ANZACs now entrenched above the beaches, the Turks launched large-scale frontal assaults against their positions. Some Turks captured a small section of trench at Courtney's Post. Early attempts to drive them out failed, until Jacka, taking advantage of a diversion created by bomb throwers at one end of the Turkish position, leapt in, killing most of the occupants. For this he was awarded Australia's first Victoria Cross of the First World War. Jacka quickly became famous - his likeness was used on recruiting posters and his exploits featured regularly in newspapers, particularly in his native Victoria. He began a rapid rise through the ranks, finally becoming a captain in March 1917. Jacka having risen no higher has been attributed to his frequent disputes with superior officers. After Gallipoli the 14th Battalion was shipped to France, where, at Pozières in August 1916 and at Bullecourt in 1917 he won the Military Cross and a bar to that award. The Australian official historian, Charles Bean, described his actions at Pozières, during which he recaptured a section of trench, freed a group of recently captured Australians and forced the surrender of some fifty Germans, as "the most dramatic and effective act of individual audacity in the history of the AIF." He was severely wounded during this action and was hit by a sniper's bullet in July 1917. On each occasion he returned to the front, always furthering his reputation as one of the AIF's most respected warriors. In May 1918 he received the wound that ended his combat career, this time during a German gas bombardment near Villers-Bretonneux. Jacka returned to Australia in September 1919. Greeted by a large crowd upon his return, Jacka was described in one newspaper as "the symbol of the spirit of the ANZACs." After being demobilised in January 1920 he went into business with two former members of his battalion. He married the following year and he and his wife later adopted a daughter. In 1929 Jacka was elected to the St Kilda Council becoming mayor the following year. His political career was characterised by his strong interest in assisting the unemployed. Meanwhile his business, which had performed well until the late 1920s, was forced into voluntary liquidation in 1930. At the same time Jacka's health began to deteriorate. He entered Caulfield Military Hospital in December 1931 and died from kidney disease the following month. More than 6,000 people filed past his coffin as it lay in state and his funeral procession, flanked by thousands of onlookers, was led by over 1,000 returned soldiers - the coffin was carried by eight Victoria Cross winners. Jacka was buried with full military honours in St Kilda cemetery.

Captain Albert Jacka was a recruiters dream. He became the poster child for heroism during both World Wars. Men aspired to be like Albert Jacka as they signed on the dotted line for their service and rightly so.

Both these men are true heroes. Self sacrificing, ready to fight for their mates and take a stand.

Now tell me, why are our children not taught about these men and other men and women like them?? Why do our schools not teach our children about our real heroes??

AC

Truth About The Lies

From CJ

As a milblogger, I get a lot of ignorant emails spouting lies about all sorts of topics. For example, did you know that the Bush administration is secretly in the planning stages of declaring marshal law just prior to the elections so he maintain his power as President? Yup, and I'm even in on it as a Soldier, according to one emailer!!

But, the one I see and hear far too often is the ignorant "Bush Lied, Soldiers Died" catch phrase of the liberal wingnuts. Don't get me wrong, I have no doubts that Bush has lied - he's a politician just like every other crook in DC. I've got a new post up on VAMC that I think you'll find very informative, especially if you also find yourself fighting the ignorance in your daily battles with the defeatists in this country.

http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2008/08/24/the-truth-about-the-lies/

I KNOW all my regular readers already know the "truth about the lies", but go read what CJ has to say. Maybe even copy it and share it.

Thanks CJ.

Brat

Run for the Fallen

Lance Cpl. Nicholas J. Sovie 20, Ogdensburg, New York U.S. Marines Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464, Marine Air Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing,2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, New River, N.C. Killed when two CH-53 helicopters crashed near Ras Siyyan, northern Djibouti, while flying a training mission in the Godoria Range area. Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464, MAG 29, 2nd MAW, II MEF

Nic's mom, Mary, says:

I cannot believe how hard this is to write about memories of Nic. This year, and this month especially is difficult as Nic's 5 year contract with the Marines ended on August 5, 2008. We will never know now if he would have reenlisted or come home as he planned and attended college. He had so many dreams and plans for his future. However, he loved his job as crew chief in the Marines and working with all of his fellow Marines.

As any parent who lost a child will tell you, everyday is Memorial Day. You would think it would be easy to share all of those memories......they play through our minds everyday. And sadly, it doesn't get easier as time goes on, we just learn to live with the pain. That is where our faith comes in. Nic had that faith too. He would tell me that he put his life in God's hands before every flight. He said that God is in control and whatever happens, he was OK with that. It was that same faith I had to stand on when those 2 Marines came to my door @ 10:30 PM on a cold winter night February 17, 2006. It is that same faith that sustains me today.

Nic was my middle son. He has a brother 4 years older and a brother 4 years younger. We were always a close knit family. Faith and Church has always been important to our family. Nic was an altar server for many years and was involved with the church youth group & plays. He even went to Taize & Paris France in 2001 with the church youth group. He enjoyed hiking in the Adirondacks with his older brother and they had plans to climb all the peaks. Nic was always smiling and made friends easily. His friends often turned to Nic for advice because he really listened and cared....they knew that. He had a great sense of humor and was usually the life of the party. He was always optimistic and saw the glass as half full, not half empty. He could cheer anyone up. He was thoughtful & caring to everyone, but could be tough when he had too. He was a wonderful uncle to his nephew Andy. Andy was only 4 when Nic died, but he still talks about "Uncle Nic" all the time.

Nic was on honor student throughout school and could probably attend any college he wanted to go to. When September 11, 2001 happened, Nic was 16 and in 11th grade. He wanted to serve his country. A few days after is 17th birthday, just before starting his senior year, Nic talked to a Marine recruiter and signed up with the delayed entry program. He graduated high school with honors in June 2003 and left for bootcamp August 5, 2003. We proudly watched our son march across the fields October 31, 2003 as he was called a Marine for the first time. From there, Nic continued his training, went to SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape) training, earned his wings for flight school and became a crew chief on the CH 53 Helicopter. He excelled in his job as crew chief. His best friend in the Marines, Sam Large was also a crew chief. They bot h died along with 6 other Marines and 2 Air Force personnel when 2 helicopters collided. Somehow, in our pain, both Sam's family and ours were comforted by the fact that if they had to die, they died together. Sam's wife and many of his Marine buddies were here for the burial. Nic is buried in our parish cemetery, Notre Dame in Ogdensburg, NY. He had 2 CH 53 helicopters fly over for his burial.

There is a song called "The Dash" sung by Eric Dodge. He is a new & upcoming Country Music singer from Utah. Every time we listen to that song, tears fill up our eyes as we think of Nic. It says:

"Someday they're gonna carve two dates beneath my name in stone. One for when I first arrived, one for when I say good-bye. I can't change when I got here, or when I'm going home...but there is still a little time in the middle that's mine ..all mine. The dash between the dates, the gift we've all been given. That little line that takes us from the cradle up to heaven. You're born and then you die....Life goes by so fast and it’s all riding on the dash." The song ends with.."When I'm gone I hope my friends all gather for a toast to laugh and cry and say at least I tried to make the most of the dash between the dates........"

Nic lived his "dash" to the fullest. He filled all our lives with joy & love and wonderful memories. He touched so many hearts and changed so many lives for the better. His smile lightened and brightened everyone's day. His sense of humor made us all laugh. His stories kept us on the edge of our seats. His wise words, his encouragement and his ability to always look at the glass as half full and seeing the positive aspect of every obstacle or problem that came before him or his friends, made life not only easier for those around him, but a whole bunch more fun! His faith kept you grounded and he never wavered. We thank God for that and for him each and everyday. Honor, courage and commitment-----he was every bit of the Marine motto. We will never let him be forgotten....he is a part of our day, everyday! We know there will always be heartache & tears, but also the precious memories that we created through the years.

I will always remember what he told me the first Christmas when he couldn't be home, "Don't be sad that I am not there. The Spirit of St. Nicholas is always with you and so am I." We hold his words close to our hearts. We will never let his sacrifice for all of us be forgotten.

Mary (proud Marine Mom of Nic)

(source)




















Brat

Run For the Fallen

Today, the Run for the Fallen ends in Arlington. Today marks the end of this run for our heroes. Every hero has been recognised and remembered. I have a number of these brave men and women forever etched on my heart. There ARE sites which have profiles of each of them. Two that allow us to know them and their lives are:

Living Legends (SA)
They Have Names

There are many other official sites, of course, and I urge you to spend some time reading the words of those who know and love these heroes the most. To find out more about Run For the Fallen, go here.

"May they rest in peace. They are some of the chosen ones."

A World Without The American Soldier

I found the following video on Knee Deep in the Hooah, who found it on Nice Deb.

It is the creation of a group formed to fight anti-Americanism in the world. The site is very interesting, and has quite a few items about the level of real knowledge that Brits have about America. I think most of my regular readers would agree that I have quite a good grasp and appreciation of all things American....It seems that I am quite a rare Brit..lol . Watch the video (they have another on their site,) then go read about their efforts here.


Brat

B*N*S*N1

Patients walk past Iraqi Soldiers providing security from the 11th Iraqi Army Division, Aug. 20, 2008, during the combined medical engagement conducted in Sadr City. Photo by Sgt. Philip Klein, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs.

Iraqi Army Takes Lead, Supports Sadr City Medical Clinic

BAGHDAD — When much needed health care is provided to citizens, it’s a welcome gift. The gift is even more welcome when Iraqi citizens see their own Soldiers taking the lead to help them.

The 11th Iraqi Army (IA) Division delivered medical supplies and provided treatment to the citizens of the Thawra 1 neighborhood of the Sadr City District of Baghdad, Aug. 20.

Coalition Soldiers provided security for the operation, while Iraqi Soldiers and medical personnel met with Iraqi families in need of treatment.

The IA took the lead to provide supplies for the 2nd Health Clinic of Sadr City, provide additional medical attention to the surrounding community and promote an Iraqi face to the operation...

So much of this story is GREAT news on so many levels! (read more here).

B*N*S*N2

Lt. Col. Linda Capobianco, from Salt Lake City, Utah, embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team, checks on the Mahmudiyah water tower which is soon to have a pipeline running to it from Al Rasheed, Aug.17, 2008. Photo by Pfc. Christopher McKenna, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs.

New Fresh Water Pipeline to Extend From Al Rasheed to Mahmudiyah
Thursday, 21 August 2008 By Pfc. Christopher McKenna
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division

FOB MAHMUDIYAH — A water pipeline that will connect the city of Al Rasheed to the city of Mahmudiyah is nearing completion.

“People who have been limited on their water supply within the city will soon not have to worry about such issues,” said Sgt. Hamad Ali Kathwan, 25th Brigade, 17th Iraqi Army Division.

The goal in this project is to demonstrate to the Mahmudiyah Qada the local government’s ability to recommend, plan and complete a project, said Maj. Alaric Robinson, a native of Hartford, Conn., Company A, 411th Civil Affairs Battalion.

The project began May 25, and the pipe is expected to provide water to 25 percent of the city of Mahmudiyah by the end of August. The pipe is 20 inches in diameter and will span a distance of nine kilometers.

“The pipeline attaches the Al Rasheed water treatment plant to the water tower in Mahmudiyah in order to bring potable water to the city,” said Lt. Col. Linda Capobianco, from Salt Lake City, embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team deputy team leader.

“This is a shared project between Coalition forces and the Iraqi government,” said Capt. Benjamin Neusse, native of Murfreesboro, Tenn., 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), civil military operations officer.

“The local water director came to us and identified demand [for water] in Mahmudiyah as well as excess supply in Al Rasheed. We provided the pipe, and the GoI is providing the funding for the installation, testing and connection of the pipe – everything but the pipe itself,” he said.

Each section of pipe comes in 9-foot pieces. After the pipe is put together, it will be tested to ensure a steady water pressure is maintained over a 24-hour period.

“The government of Iraq did the technical piece of the project so that it was completed to their standards and their specifications,” Neusse said.

The contractor hired 15 workers from the Mahmudiyah area, providing employment to people from the community for which the pipeline will be providing water.

“If you train and mentor young local leaders, their individual accomplishments will instill confidence to build cities and neighborhoods without the assistance from Coalition forces,” said Robinson.

(source)

B*N*S*N3

A military “brat” runs the obstacle course at Operation Purple’s Camp Sandy Cove in High View, W.Va. Operation Purple camps are for children with deployed parents, parents who recently returned from deployment or parents who are about to deploy. Photo by Elizabeth M. Lorge

Military kids go to camp

Aug 20, 2008
BY Elizabeth M. Lorge

HIGH VIEW, W.Va. (Army News Service, Aug. 20, 2008) - Kids at Camp Sandy Cove here are spending the week doing typical camp activities such as canoeing, practicing archery, cooking outdoors and even learning the trapeze, but these aren't your typical campers.

The approximately 71 campers here are participating in Operation Purple, summer camps for kids with deployed parents, parents who have recently returned from deployment or parents about to deploy.

Created in 2004 by the National Military Family Association, Operation Purple's free camps are designed to help military "brats" enjoy fun and relaxation while bonding with other kids who understand the rigors of watching parents march off to war and moving every few years. According to organizers, about 10,000 kids are attending 62 camps in 37 states and territories this year, up from last year's 4,000 kids and 37 camps.

"The camp is really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said 13-year-old Audrey Zipperer, whose father has deployed twice. "You get to do a lot of things you wouldn't be able to on a normal basis, like horseback riding. It costs quite a bit of money to go horseback riding. Here we get lessons all week long. The kids know how you feel and it's definitely comforting."...

Read the rest here.

B*N*S*N4

Yes, I know, but I had to share this one.:)

Sgt. Michael Daniels, a military police Soldier with the 716th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, and native of Aiken, S.C., hands out school supplies, Aug. 13, 2008, to orphan children in the Salhiya District of Baghdad. U.S. Army photo.

Wednesday, 20 August 2008 By Sgt. Daniel Blottenberger
18th Military Police Brigade

Operation Iraqi Children Delivers in Baghdad

BAGHDAD — Anxious but appreciative orphan children in the Salhiya District of Baghdad had something to smile about when Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers arrived, Aug. 13, to hand out school supplies as part of an assistance mission named “Operation Iraqi Children.”

During the engagement, Soldiers from the 18th MP Brigade lent a hand in the delivering of the school supplies to the local orphanage, as Soldiers from the 42nd Field Artillery Regiment and policemen from the Salhiya Iraqi Police teamed up to help the children prepare for school.

Operation Iraqi Children, which began in 2003 and was founded by Laura Hillenbrand and Gary Sinise, is designed to distribute donated school supplies to needy children in Iraq, Afghanistan and Djibouti.

“Operation Iraqi Children is a wonderful way for the people of the U.S. to help the children of Iraq, and by doing so, we are helping our Soldiers, who are working so hard over there,” said Sinise, on the Operation Iraqi Children Web site.

The IP and MND-B Soldiers will hand out more than 3,000 school supply kits that were donated to the children in Baghdad. The kits contain: a pencil bag, composition books, notebook paper, colored pencils, large eraser, a small pencil sharpener, pencils, ruler and scissors.

“The kits have been a huge hit with the local children,” said Capt. Nate Brookshire, 716th MP Bn. “The kits have also given the maneuver units and Police Transition Team a positive avenue to interact with local children with our Iraqi counterparts.”

The 716th PTT has handed out more than 400 kits since mid-July to the children in Salhiya while on community policing patrols with the Salhiya IP...

(source)

So many GREAT stories - so little time to tell you them all. And that really IS B*N*S*N!

NATO forces in Afghanistan: Some Gave all

Sergeant Shawn Eades, Corporal Dustin Roy Robert Joseph Wasden, and Sapper Stephan John Stock, combat engineers with 12 Field Squadron, 1 Combat Engineer Regiment, were killed on August 20. Ottawa, Ontario – (Photo courtesy of the Department of National Defence)

Three Canadian soldiers were killed and one seriously injured when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle on August 20.


Sergeant Shawn Eades, Corporal Dustin Roy Robert Joseph Wasden, and Sapper Stephan John Stock were combat engineers with 12 Field Squadron, 1 Combat Engineer Regiment.

They were attached to the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia´s Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group.

The injured soldier is in serious but stable condition.

Brigadier-General Dennis Thompson, commander of Headquarters, Joint Task Force – Afghanistan (Rotation 5) issued the following statement after learning of the deaths:

"An engineer reconnaissance team is a tight-knit unit and these men were no exception. They were a well-trained highly motivated crew that believed in the mission. As combat engineers, they were proud, resourceful, and armed with the technical knowledge that they generously used to assist the mission in helping the people of Kandahar province. Sergeant Shawn Eades was respected by his subordinates, his peers, and his superiors for his outstanding professionalism and his operational experience and his competence. He was a veteran soldier and this was his third tour in Afghanistan. He was a devoted father who liked to share stories of his children with his colleagues and his friends."

The four soldiers were on patrol on Highway 1, in Zharey District, when the explosion occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m., Kandahar time. They were evacuated to the Role 3 Multinational Medical Unit at Kandahar Air Field where three were pronounced dead.

This is the worst one-day death toll for Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan since July 4, 2007 when six were killed. (source)

Three Polish soldiers were killed on Wednesday in a roadside blast in central Afghanistan, officials said.

Polish Defence Ministry spokesman Jacek Poplawski said the blast occurred in the central Ghazni province. A fourth soldier was wounded. (CBC)

Soldiers stand to attention as the French flag is flown at half mast at the French 8th marine parachutist regiment headquarters on August 19 in Castres, southern France. French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived in Kabul on Wednesday in a show of support for French troops after 10 were killed in the deadliest attack yet on international forces in Afghanistan.


ALWAYS REMEMBERED AND HONOURED

Brat

Wednesday Hero

Pvt. Nathan Z. Thacker
18 years old from Greenbrier, Arkansas
2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division
October 12, 2007


Pvt. Nathan Z. Thacker had only been in the country for two weeks before his death, according to the soldier's father, Stephen Thacker.

Thacker's father said his son felt a duty to enlist. "He said it was his job. Even after he got his orders that he was going over there, he said it's his job."

Thacker had attended Guy-Perkins High School in Guy, Arkansas. He earned his GED in 2006, his father said. Thacker enlisted in the Army in April 2007 and completed his training at Fort Benning, Ga. He arrived at Fort Drum in August 2007. His honors include the Purple Heart.

"Nathan was an excellent man," sister Sabrina Black said. "He loved me, I loved him, and I’d give anything to have him back."

Pvt. Thacker was killed when an IED was detonated near his vehicle near Kirkuk. Three other soldiers were injured in the attack.

Pvt. Thacker is survived by his parents, siblings and his grandfather.

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 site, you can go here.

US Troops Denied Opportunities to Vote

From CJ:

Most U.S. Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan will not get a chance to vote this year because bureaucrats and politicians in Washington have done absolutely nothing to repair a systemic problem that literally stops most of our troops from voting.

Only 5.5 percent of U.S. troops serving overseas were able to vote and actually have their vote counted in 2006, according to the Federal Election Assistance Commission. We should be guaranteeing that EVERY SINGLE MILITARY MAN AND WOMAN will have their ballot counted.

The House and Senate are currently stalling on legislation that would improve troops' access to voting, voting instead to go on a 5-week vacation. A resolution for Congress to crack down on the Department of Defense to streamline the voting process for soldiers has been introduced by Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO), but the proposal has been blocked by politicians in the House of Representatives. Blunt's resolution is now stuck in the House Armed Services subcommittee with no prospects of moving forward.

Voting deadlines are rapidly approaching in some states and the mail delivery times from Iraq and Afghanistan can be long. We must send voting registration cards now.

I am the voting assistance officer for my unit. No matter how a Soldier is going to vote, he/she deserves to have their voice heard. Our troops are responsible for Iraqis being able to vote for the first time in their lives, yet our votes aren't counted because of hiccups in the system. So, let's bypass the system.

Please pass the attached FPCA (Federal Post Card Application) to deployed Soldiers or their family members to ensure they have a chance. If they any questions about how to fill out the card, feel free to give them my email address and I will gladly help. I'm also including the postage paid envelope that the FPCA should be mailed in and here is the link to find the address to which they can mail the information:

http://www.fvap.gov/shortcuts/find-where-2-send-ballot-request/index.html

There is also a site that allows military members to use a new automated tool to register/request a ballot. They can go HERE and register if they have online access, which will facilitate their registration.

Thanks for your help.

--
CJ
A Soldier's Perspective
www.soldiersperspective.us
www.theyhavenames.com


Brat

Unsolved Soldier's Death in Alabama

An Unsolved Soldier's Death In Alabama

In a small county outside of Birmingham, Alabama; a soldier died in 2006. There, a family still mourns his death and still has unanswered questions. Meanwhile the common law widow has since moved on evident by having a baby by another man, but continues to receive DIC benefits from the VA for the death of the soldier.

The soldier is buried in a lonely graveyard (orchestrated by the widow) away from the family graveyard where he would have been buried with his ancestor's pre-dating the Civil War. (Military Ancestors) No one visits the soldier with the exception of his mom and his siblings. The cemetery is private, the plot is private, and the headstone is a "child's size." (there are photos to prove it)

Last year there was a restraining order against the mother of the soldier that limited her visitation to the grave to 15 minutes a week or less if the widow showed up. That has since been reversed, but it has taken over a year of court battling to do so.

All the family of the soldier wants is an autopsy of the soldier to determine if what the Coroner concluded within his 20 minute "look around" was true. It is hard to fathom that this brave soldier, a hero to many in his unit and many iraqi civilians, commited suicide. The evidence at the time suggests it can not possibly be. Yet the widow makes sure with her criminal attorneys' assistance, that this soldiers' death may never be fully examined.

As court appeals have heated up, and disclosure forms have been submitted by the soldiers' family, the widow increases her obstinacy towards anyone who doubts her validity on what happened that fateful day. She makes cruel remarks that suggest she is doing oddities unaware to others, and has gone so far as to post a message in French, suggesting she has ordered the soldier exhumed and cremated to dissolve all evidence....

And yes, of course there IS more. Read the rest here.

Every Day Heroes

As some of my regular readers know, Bratdog and I had a nose to nose encounter with a young skunk a few weeks back. For anyone keeping score: Skunks 1 Brats 0...lol

In what I like to think of as Divine Timing, I then found a post on Soldiers Angels' Germany about a hero among many heroes. Men who are heroes every day of the week. Reading this - and marvelling as always at the tenacity of our troops - somehow my broken ankle and torn up shin didn't seem like such a big deal after all. It IS all about perspective:

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Reunion on the Aviano flight line

Spc. Jesse A. Murphree, Destined Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), greets his 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team comrades returning from deployment in Afghanistan, on the flight line at Aviano Air Base, Italy, July 22. Murphree lost his legs in an improvised explosive device attack in the Korengal Valley, near Ali Abad, Afghanistan, Dec. 27, 2007, and has been undergoing treatment at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Photo: Dave Melancon.
The whole story is here.


Click here for more 173rd ABCT Afghanistan posts.

Every day, SAG has amazing stories on our heroes. If they are not part of your regular reading, go here to add them.

Thank YOU for your service, Spc. Murphree and ALL of your brothers in arms of the 173rd Airborne. You are all an inspiration to me.

Always remember...

SGT Mike Stokely
KIA 16 AUG 05 near Yusufiyah Iraq
USA E 108 CAV 48th BCT GAARNG
DUTY HONOR COUNTRY

With respect,gratitude and love to ALL the Stokely family.

Brat

B*N*S*N1

August 14, 2008

Ramadi Citizens Gather for Soccer Field Reopening

Lance Cpl. Casey Jones, Regimental Combat Team 1

Mustafa, a 14-year-old Iraqi boy, couldn’t stand still during a recent soccer tournament at the grand reopening of the 17th Street Soccer field July 24.

Donning a David Beckham t-shirt, he jokingly taunted the opposing team and passionately cheered for his own. Halfway through the game, a Marine, surprised to see a Beckham shirt, walked up to Mustafa and said, “David Beckham—zien (Arabic for good).” Mustafa, without hesitation, replied, “Beckham—koule zien,” or very good, as he jumped out of his seat and raised both arms as his team scored a goal.

Soccer, often considered “the sport that brings the world together,” is a big part of every day life in Ramadi, leading the city’s officials, with the assistance of Civil Affairs Detachment 2, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, to have the field renovated.

The tournament was sponsored by the North District Council of Ramadi, North Precinct Ramadi Police and 1st Battalion, 9th Marines.

Kareem Ali, the Ramadi North District Council chairman, said the entire city was looking forward to the reopening.

“The people are so glad they have this soccer field again,” Ali said through an interpreter. “Before the reopening, it seemed like everywhere I went somebody would always mention it to me and tell me how excited they were (about the reopening). Soccer brings everybody together regardless of their age.”...

'Nuff said! Go read the rest of this B*N*S*N here.

B*N*S*N2

Private First Class Walton “Glenn” Eller III pictured here took home a gold medal Tuesday, while also setting a new Olympic record in Men's Double Trap. Photo by Courtesy photo


Forget Chinese "athletes" who are too young to be in the Beijing Olympics ( no matter what the Chinese say!) I found a whole slew of articles on Olympians who really ARE heroes. Surprise, they are our troops. In case you missed it, there are quite a number of our military who are proving on the world stage that they ARE more than rambos on steroids as the msm would have you believe....lol:

Soldiers striving for medals in Beijing

Aug 11, 2008
BY ARNEWS

BEIJING (Army News Service, Aug. 11, 2008) -- While Soldiers who have competed so far as part of Team USA in Beijing have fallen short of medal performances, a number of more opportunities are scheduled throughout the upcoming week.

In the Men's 10-Meter Air Rifle event over the weekend, two-time Olympian and U.S. Army Marksmanship member Sgt. 1st Class Jason Parker placed 23rd with a total score of 591, while 19-year old West Point Cadet Stephen Scherer took the 27th spot with 590.

Parker will compete Sunday in the Men's 50-Meter Three Position Rifle, his second event of the 2008 Olympic Games. Sunday is the final day of the shooting competition....(source)

There are lots of great stories and bios, (including the history of our troops as competitors in previous Olympics,) and you can find them here.

B*N*S*N3

Military volunteers run burn clinic in Iraq, providing "tenderness and Tylenol"

Via Mail Call: Supporting the troops comes a story of our troops VOLUNTEERING above and beyond the call of duty. Kasee found it on Soldiers' Angels Germany:

The story actually made the CBS Evening News recently.

Sgt. Joe Barzeski is the closest thing in Central Iraq to a miracle worker.

And 11-year-old Ali is going to need a miracle to get over burns from a kerosene stove.

"(The skin) has to come off so that the medicine will work," Barzeski tells CBS News correspondent Elizabeth Palmer as he starts treating the child. "Plus, this will get all crusty, and scab up and that will be an ugly scar."

The soldiers turn up the radio to drown out the crying. Conditions are primitive. But even so, the burn unit is filled to capacity.

It's tucked away on a U.S. base that's known as the biggest gas station in Iraq. It's where military convoys refuel - while on the far side, Iraqi families, as many as 80 a day, wait patiently to be admitted to a clinic that's more M.A.S.H. unit than E.R.

Barzeski had no medical training before he joined the Army - so he's been learning on the job.

Many of the volunteers are tough convoy security guards. They dish out tenderness and Tylenol, or painstakingly changing burn victims' dressings while their trucks are serviced.

If you'd like to help, the top video has contact information included near the end.

Apart from the fact this actually DID make the msm (shocker or what?!), SA Germany does have videos and ways you can help this awesome project. Go check it out here.

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

B*N*S*N add-on :)

You all know there is ALWAYS goood news out of Iraq. You also know I always have trouble picking just three of those stories. Lucky for us, another site also always brings you lots of great stories.

Mrs Hooah always does a weekly round up. Make her part of your 'must reads' too.

Start here and check the rest of her awesome site.

All part of the B*N*S*N service..lol

HOO-frickin-AAH!

Wednesday Hero

Spc. Matthew A. Koch
23 years old from West Henrietta, New York
Company C, 70th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division
March 9, 2005

Spc. Matthew A. Koch was on his second tour of duty when he was killed by an IED that was detonated near his vehicle in Taji. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He previously was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Service Ribbon and medals for service in the fight against terrorism.

Koch enlisted in the Army in January 2002 after the attacks on September 11, 2001 and re-enlisted because he wanted to help the Iraqi people. “He was a brave soldier who made the greatest sacrifice anyone could make for everyone else’s freedom,” Diane Worman, Koch’s mother, said through tears. “He realized that by being over there, he was going to make a difference in the lives of those people.” She said her son once unsuccessfully sought green cards for an Iraqi family that had been threatened for helping Americans.

“He always looked out for the other guy, never thought of himself. He volunteered to go to C Co before our first deployment so that one of the guys from our Platoon didn’t have to deploy early and would have a chance to marry his fiance. That’s Koch for you, always looking out for his buddies.” - David A. “Buch” Buchanan.

“He really loved the service and went back,” said James Worman, Koch’s stepfather. “He had no problem. He was dedicated to the fact that people over there needed help. He was always concerned about other people. He loved children. He was a nice, soft-hearted kid.”

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 site, you can go here.

–
Indian Chris
http://rightwingrightminded.blogspot.com
http://hooahwife.com
Wednesday Hero - Google It

Run for the Fallen: Sgt. John David Rode

Run for the Fallen is today remembering - and honouring - Sgt. John David Rode, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. A hero among heroes. As with all our heroes, John is not only a hero to all of us; he is also the precious son of Cheryl and Tom Rode; beloved nephew to Cat and Eddie Brooks, and most gentle, awesome uncle to the children. John's family graciously shared their stories, their pictures of John, and it is my honour and priviledge to be allowed to share with you, through those who love John the most.

Valentine’s Day is the time of year to let a spouse or significant other know how special they are. For our family, Valentine’s Day 2007 will forever be the day we lost our beloved Sergeant John D. Rode to an IED in Baquba, Iraq. John, a Canadian citizen, was on a recovery mission when he paid the ultimate sacrifice for his adopted country at the young age of twenty-four. Hailed by his fellow soldiers as a leader and mentor, John could often be found in the gym encouraging his comrades to maintain peak levels of fitness or counseling a young soldier. He was “Uncle John” to Ronnie G. Madore’s two children, who was driving the vehicle during the attack and also lost his life. John was tough and kept himself in peak physical condition with muscles like rocks. He was the prototypical gung-ho soldier. But he had a compassionate side, knew how to have fun, and enjoyed playing with little kids. One could say that John was a big kid himself off duty, and then changed into a serious, uncompromising professional on the job. Sergeant Rode was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze star. He was awarded US citizenship posthumously the day before his interment at Arlington National Cemetery by the head of the INS and the head of Homeland Security. Our family will never forget the unselfish acts of kindness John committed as a soldier and as a civilian, and we will always be proud of him for his love of country and commitment to keeping us safe. Godspeed, John. Eddie Brooks

And from Eddie's wife - Cat - who has generously trusted a few of her stories of John with me (thank you Cat!) comes this:

I am so sorry it has taken so long for me to get back to you...the real reason is every time I sit down to write I have so many memories flooding back and I don’t know where to begin.... As I said, my memories are too numerous to be condensed into a few paragraphs, but I will share two of them with you. Both are wonderful examples of how he lived his life culminating in the ultimate sacrifice he made for those he loved. After coming back from his first tour of duty in Iraq, I noticed a big change in John. He had grown up so much becoming so much more focused. Through his serious and tough exterior that he had adopted, he let us see the big kid he was still inside. He absolutely loved my kids with abandon and was not afraid to show it, often rolling on the floor and chasing them on the playground. His gentleness and awe of the little vulnerable baby that was presented to him when he met his little niece Izzy for the first time was precious. To see this big strong tough Soldier hold that baby with such tenderness and love was a glimpse into his soul. I asked him one day about one of the most recent suicide bombings that occurred in Iraq that had killed a number of innocent children. He told me that he was a part of the mission that was responsible for cleaning up the carnage. He looked at me and told me he felt like he was picking up pieces of his little nieces and nephews and how horrible it was. As I looked into his eyes I felt the intense pain he was subjected to. He was able to work through that pain and allowed it to create a depth to his soul that enabled him to love even deeper. On his second deployment to Iraq he was really afraid. His unit was taking heavy losses and he neglected to mention that he had been hit by IED's several times. He came home for his R&R three weeks before his death and he never mentioned it, he did not want us to worry. After returning from his visit home we got a call from his commander telling us that John was at a CSH in Baghdad recovering from injuries he had sustained by an IED. He recovered quickly and went back to his camp. We found out later that that was the seventh time he had been hit and the eighth would be his last. That last mission was one he was not supposed to be on. It was to recover a fallen Soldier, Brandon Cummings, who was still in a very hot area. John insisted on going on that mission to follow the Soldier's creed by never leaving a fallen comrade. He and the other two Soldiers Ronnie Madore Jr., and Carl Seigart put themselves into the line of fire to recover a brother. The three best friends and brothers in arms gave their lives so that Brandon could go home... Okay, the tears have started again... That part always gets me. I am so proud of John,... For some reason I have no trouble speaking about him, it is always when I get introspective and have to compose my words that I get emotional....

Let us never forget. Thank YOU for your service, John. My thanks to ALL the Rode and Brooks family for your sacrifice. I will always honour John. Love never dies. Rest easy John, rest easy.

Brat

In most wars from ancient civilisation, children have been used as water or message bearers, to help prepare meals or various other tasks behind the front lines. They played invaluable roles as adults fought, to keep camps running and to do the smaller tasks that adults could not be spared to perform. The young did not bear arms and were rarely trained to use them until they could properly hold, swing and move with them.

No religion anywhere and from anytime, can lay claim to never using a child behind the front lines of battle. As wars are waged, adults die and as adults die, children are needed to continue the smaller jobs to enable the adults to fight.

It would be repugnant to those living in more civilised countries to envisage the use of children in modern day wars. To us, it is simply a more violent and dispicable case of Child Abuse. Not only exposing the child to the risk of harm or death but exposing them to the sights of those dead and dying around them. The very idea that a child as young as 5 could be trained to kill is beyond our comprehension. To train a child to kill, then glorify them when they are killed instead is just barbaric.

But then there is this...

Child soldiers trained by the Taliban to kill British soldiers By Nick Owens 2/08/2008 CLUTCHING AK-47 rifles and marching to war... these chilling images (see the video player) show child soldiers on their way to fight British troops in Afghanistan. The pictures come from a video filmed at an al-Qaeda training camp in Pakistan, where Taliban warlords are turning boys as young as FIVE into trained killers. Recorded only weeks ago, it captures a dozen nervous-looking boys in camouflage uniforms with headbands which say: There is no God but Allah. The boy soldiers stand in line before being handed rifles and taught to fire rocket-propelled grenades. They spend their day being brainwashed to kill their Jihad training caught on film as part of an al-Qaeda recruitment drive. The bewildered children, barely old enough to go to school, are forced to stand in circles stretching and exercising to try to give them strength to carry heavy ammunition. They live in tents and say prayers before sleeping with weapons lying next to them. When their training is complete the children are filmed walking over the Pakistan-Afghanistan border right into a warzone. The film shows one boy nodding nervously after he is asked: Are you prepared to die for Allah? If he is killed, he will not be the first. In one section, the face of an 11-year-old soldier, named as Abdullah al-Rahim, is circled on the screen as he marches away. Seconds later, images of his body wrapped in a white sheet appear, making him a martyr for al-Qaeda leaders determined to recruit thousands more children. The footage was obtained by Sunday Mirror investigators after it was posted on an underground al-Qaeda website, which routinely trumpets the death of British soldiers killed by the Taliban. The seven-minute video was issued by the Islamic Jihad Union, which has training camps in the north Waziristan province in Pakistan. British commanders in Afghanistan say Taliban fighters increasingly use children as suicide bombers. They are also used as human shields during firefights. Author and terror expert Neil Doyle said it was one of the most disturbing videos he had seen. He said: It is child abuse of the worst kind and shows the kind of sick tactics al-Qaeda use.

Go here to see the video...

I have sat here wondering how many of those children were marched off to war by religious fanatic parents and how many were simply takena nd forced to fight. As always, the war against the west is glorified to those willing to die in it's cause. But there is not now, nor will there ever be any excuse to kill a child in the name of religion. What God would ask us to march a 5 year old into battle with no plan and barely the strength to hold the weapon??

In Australia a child has to be 12 to join the Cadets. They will not be sent anywhere near the frontlines of a war until they turn 18. At 18 they are old enough to drive, to vote, to get married and to drink. They would have seen something of the world, they would have the chance to decide for themselves what they want and they would certainly know what they are fighting for.

How tragic that these children are not given the same options...

AC

Vets Vs Obama....

Now, I am going to assume that there isn't a person among us that doesn't know who Mike Durant is..... Am I right??

I recently came across this interview with the now retired Durant and his thoughts on Presidential hopeful Barack Obama's decision not to visit injured American Personnel while in Germany..


A true hero's views on Obama's decision to do photo op, versus visit wounded troops...



AC

What Do You Tell the Demons?

Cross-posted with permission from Snooper. Radarsite originally posted this on Wake Up America, which is where I found it. It truly is a MUST READ! Not just a "read", but a read and understand - grasp - everything that Snooper and Radarsite say. Then, when you get to the end, answer the questions Snooper asks - honestly. You owe that, at the very least, to the Snoopers of America. It is inadequate, but THANK YOU, Snooper; thank you.

Cross posted from Radarsite http://radarsite.blogspot.com/2008/07/what-do-you-tell-demons.html Radarsite is fortunate to have made a lot of good friends in this small part of the blogosphere. Many of these friends and fellow bloggers are veterans. Some from the deadly jungles of Vietnam. And some from unheralded battles and wars that must still remain classified. These people are special. They all seem to share some common fundamental traits: a certain toughness of mind, coupled with a deep hard-won humility. And one common trait which I particularly value -- an absolute and uncompromising self-honesty, and a correspondingly low threshold for bulls**t. It's almost as though they've developed a sixth sense that picks it up immediately. This is one of the reasons why it pays to listen to their opinions and to heed their warnings. They are coming to you directly without interference from the ego. Our good friend Snooper is one of these special people. For those of you who know him you are familiar with the sound of his voice. And it's an impressive sound, isn't it? It gets your attention immediately. It reaches right out and grabs you. There's no equivocation there, no fumbling ambiguities. Just dead on truth. His truth. And if you don't like it, tough. Men like this seldom wax nostalgic. They seldom complain, they rarely talk about their feelings or their fears. But on those rare occasions when they do, we listen. And we listen closely. This is one of those times. This particular posting took me completely off guard. It 'reached out and grabbed me'. It is something special. Something we don't see every day. Something we will remember. I am posting this short essay of Snooper's today in honor of all of those friends of ours who have learned what truth really means. Those who have served and have sacrificed, and who, in their very private moments in the darkness still serve and still sacrifice. - rg ------------------------------------------------------------------------ By Snooper Cross posted from A Newt One A Newt One Many years ago, there came a point in my life when I had to deal with the demons that came to me from time to time once and for all. They still appear from time to time but I know what to say to them now to dispense with their intent to destroy anything they are set out to destroy. And no, I am not talking about some grotesque monster or some sabre-toothed, four-eyed beast-man nor am I referring to some anti-angelic supernatural presence. I am talking about things that cannot be described unless someone has experienced the same events. I am referring to memories triggered by people, places and things beyond my control. I am talking about fighting the "what if" or the "if I had only done this differently" syndrome(s). Those that have met me don't really know who I am but yet I sense that they sense things about me...kind of hard to explain that but there it is. Those that have read selected readings from my manuscript know a little bit more about me but have a stronger sense as to who I am. Those that have read my articles, pieces and blog posts might think they have an inside track as to a beginning of a glimpse into the Real Me. Years ago, an individual that I respected very deeply asked me a question during a time of reckoning in my life. He asked, "What do you tell the demons when they come out at night?" The question floored me because at the time, we were doing the deal for God, Flag and Country. We were marking targets. We were observing enemy movements. We were plotting their very demise. My answer was, "I tell them to kiss my ass". We laughed and never spoke of it again. Until. There was nothing for us to fear really because after all, we owned the night. Demons? Screw them. Until. A short time later, we watched a movie entitled "In The Line Of Fire". It had our hero Clint Eastwood in it so naturally it just had to be a good flick. Yes? Certainly. Until. Until "Frank" asked the "Bad Guy" a question: "What do you see in the dark when the demons come?" The answer? "I see you". We didn't remember much of the movie thereafter because we looked at each other in complete amazement and our world crumbled before us. The cat was out of the bag. One can only suppress so many things for a specific period of time until the bottom drops out from under you. No one knows when that will take place but take place it will.The dialog just before that question and answer period is as follows: "They made you into a real monster didn't they?" "That's right. And now they want to destroy me because we can't have monsters running around the quiet countryside now can we?" (audio file here) Does that give you chills? Does it? Does it not? I have seen this movie several times since and that particular part of the movie to this day sends chills up and down my spine because that movie started my "associate" and I on our long journey of recovery.He has since passed on to the Soldier's Lair having died where he wanted to, on the beaches of Australia almost two years ago. I will miss him but, before he left for Australia, he asked me to promise that I will never give up the fight and I swore an Oath to him, knowing that I would never see him again on this planet, that I would Soldier On. We shook hands, hugged and saluted our last. And, I - Soldier On. Will you Soldier On? Will you Embrace The Suck? I believe that I have more insight than most into that which we face in this nation at this current time in the cosmos. Barack Hussein Obama or, Czarbama as I have come to call him, is America's latest Demon. What will we say to our children and our children's children when they ask us, "Why did we sit idly by and allow this cretin to become president and destroy the last hope of freedom in the world?" As this country spirals down into some allusively morphed form of socio-communist-American liberal tyranny, what will you say to the demons as they come to you at night as you lay in bed kicking yourself in the ass for not standing up and fighting?The time has come to choose sides. Will you be a part of the American Awakening or will you sit idly by and let others do the dirty work because it is too inconvenient to turn the TV off? In this era of the pollsters knowing absolutely nothing, will you sit idly by and allow the politicians under a Leftinistra veto-proof Congress with a Marxist Thug Demon as in Czarbama at the helm bring about forced servitude of those between the ages of 18 and 42? Is this your Grand Scheme? And, it is a Good Plan? Not hardly. We saw how well that worked in 2006, didn't we? Why are Conservatives so stupid at times anyway? We all know why the Unions - read that Teamsters - all favor the Democrats, I mean Leftinistra, don't we? We do know that union wages are tied to minimum wage, don't we? We do know that union wages are set to be at times 6 times the minimum wage, don't we? Is it any wonder why the labor unions suck up to the socialists? Can you spell useful morons? With The American Demon Czarbama at the helm, he wants to get rid of Teamsters oversight. Is that a good thing? Why, no, it isn't. Perhaps Czarbama wants to create his Civilian National Security Force with the culling from the Teamsters. One never knows. Rick Moran at Right Wing Nut House a few days ago placed an article up entitled, "TOP TEN THINGS THAT CREEP ME OUT ABOUT OBAMA". Whereas he has touched Spot On, I would like to add a few things to that list. Behold: #11) Czarbama has stated publicly that he intends to create a Civilian National Security Force that is just as powerful, just as strong and just as well funded as the United States Armed Forces. #12) Czarbama has publicly confirmed that he intends to create a Civilian National Security Force that is just as powerful, just as strong and just as well funded as the United States Armed Forces. #13) Czarbama carries with him at all times his magic wand of indecisiveness, charlatanism and the ability to agree with every point of every issue from every side and has the uncanny ability to have everyone he speaks to think he is the Pied Piper. #14) Czarbama has stated publicly that he will review and reverse everything that President Bush has done. #15) Czarbama has publicly presented himself as the New Lenin and all one has to do to confirm that is to gaze upon his posters in Berlin and compare them to the posters from the age of Lenin. #16) Czarbama doesn't chastise his followers for praising Che Guacamole. #17) Czarbama associates himself with those that have financed our enemies to fight against us and to kill and wound our Troops in battle. #18) Czarbama blames the United States for 91101 and he did that eight says after the infamous day when the dust and smoke hadn't even subsided yet. #19) Czarbama denies that the Troop Surge was an ingenious plan and that it was successful. #20) Czarbama wants to increase our taxes by $4,000 per household.Is that enough yet? Not quite. #21) Czarbama wants to add an additional $285 BILLION in taxes to finance the American Global War on Poverty. #22) Czarbama wants to ratify L.O.S.T..That is all for now. So, tell me again how he will be good for the nation in the long run. Czarbama wants to strip this nation of its sovereignty and surrender to our enemies. Some say that he will be a lame duck from his first day. Consider this.Czarbama gets into the White House and along with him comes a veto-proof conglomerate and there will be nothing to stop him from reversing all of President Bush's accomplishments, both good and bad. There will be nothing to stop the Fairness Doctrine from becoming a reality. There will be nothing to stop him from raising taxes to the degree of which we have never seen. There will be nothing to stop him from creating his Civilian National Security Forces and there will be nothing to stop the Universal National Service Act. We will no longer have a voice to be heard. Conservative talk shows both professional and BTR will cease to exist. Conservative bloggers and Conservative outlets will vanish. Czarbama mentioned at one time his presidency would be for 8 to 10 years. So much for the 22nd Amendment and kiss the United States Constitution goodbye because once we are turned over to the One World United Nations Consortium and World Court, the Conservative Voice is history. Remember the List of 45? Have you read it? Have you memorized it? Are you armed? Do you give a damn? If not, why then, did we fight for you? Do you give a damn? If not, why then, should we fight for you again? Previous posts in regards to the Enemy of The State running for President of the USA: AUDIO OF BARACK'S VERSION OF THE OBAMA YOOTS OF AMERIKA. We Live In Upside Down LandThe Obama Youth: What's Next?Barack's Civilian Army Just Keeps Getting More and More Interesting Obama Youth: The Lame Stream Deafly Silent The Obama Youth: The Saga ContinuesObama Youth: The Gift That Keeps On Taking Barack's Storm Troopers - The Obama Youth CorpsThe Aspirants To The Presidency Say A Lot Of Things, But...Obama's Brown Shirts Faux Pas Gains More ScrutinyOp-Ed: Sith Lord Obama and His Civilian National Security ForceWhat Does Barack Obama Intend? (video snippet) (You Tube)Pat Dollard: Pissed Off And Wants BloodBaracks' Civilian National Security Force - Continuing Saga UnfoldingSith Lord Obama: Another Gaffe?Obama: The Subtleties of A Dictatorial TyrantBarack Obama To Be Protected By Terror GroupWhen A Duck Wadddles, Does It Look Like A Barack?And All The People Said?Nobama's Civilian National Security Forces Explained?Czarbama and the Civilian National Security ForcesNational Service Act: Czarbama's CNSF?National Service Act: Amerika's Newest Conscript Nation. Thank you Snooper for your service. Thank you Lew for your service Louis Waters, US Army Senior Air Crewmember Vietnam 1969-1971 Thank you Mike for your service LCDR Mike Thayer - DOS: 12 June 1964 to 31 August 1994 - USS New Jersey Thank you Len for your service Len Peracchio - Sept 14, 1960- Sept 21, 1965. Semper Fi Thank you Dean for your service. Brown Water Navy - Vietnam 1966-1968, home port Danang. Thank you Pastor Ed Boston (Cyber Pastor) for your service. Thank you Gary Fouse (The Fouse Report) for your service. Thank you "Stormin" Norman Hooben for your service. Thank you Katie (Findalis) for your service. Thank you Shawmut for your service. Thank you KG of Crusader Rabbit for your service. And finally, thank you to any of those fine men and women who I may have inadvertantly left off this small list. We honor your gifts.

Brat

B*N*S*N1

Photo by Pfc. Adam Turner, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs
July 30, 2008

The 1st Cavalry Division Chaplain, Lt. Col. Barbara K. Sherer, from Springfield, Mo., addresses the congregation at Comanche Chapel during a remembrance ceremony, celebrating 233 years of chaplain service to the Army at Fort Hood, Texas, July 25.

Army Chaplains celebrate 233 years of service

Jul 30, 2008
BY Pfc. Adam Turner, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

FORT HOOD, Texas- "Unit Ministry Team, going where the Soldiers go, to bring them a word and outstretched hand, worship, hope and help wherever we can."

These lyrics written and performed by III Corps Chaplain, Col. Michael T. Lembke, a native of Crawfordsville Ind., during a service of remembrance for the Army Chaplains Corps July 25 at Fort Hood's Comanche Chapel, are reminders of the service chaplains have been giving Soldiers since their inception 233 years ago.

"This [anniversary] is a testimony to the Army Family," said Lembke. "It's a chance for us to reflect on where we have been, and to commit to where we are going."

Established July 29, 1775, the first chaplains were preachers or pastors, who would travel with the Soldiers from local units and take care of them as they marched into battle....

Read the rest of this one here.

B*N*S*N2

Stars and Stripes reporter James Warden photographs a game of checkers between Lt. Col. Christopher Vanek, commander, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regt., and Hawijah's Sons of Iraq contractor Khalaf Ibrahim Ali, in a downtown market recently. The game was meant to help convince local Iraqis the time is right to start leading normal lives again. Photo by Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson

Peaceful board game reflects declining violence in Iraq

Jul 08, 2008
BY Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson

HAWIJAH, Iraq (Army News Service, July 8, 2008) -- Two middle-aged men enjoyed a friendly afternoon game of checkers in a busy marketplace, while shoppers and foot traffic passed by.

A similar scene wouldn't warrant a double-take in any town in the United States. But this game stood out for who was playing and where. It was Lt. Col. Christopher Vanek, commander, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry and Sons of Iraq leader Khalaf Ibrahim Ali across the board from each other -- neither in body armor -- sitting in an area once nicknamed "the Anbar of the North."....

And yes, there is more! Read that here.