All we have of freedom, all we use or know -
This our fathers bought for us long and long ago.
~~~~~Rudyard Kipling, The Old Issue, 1899
The Fourth of July is the one day out of 365 that we set aside to celebrate our Nation's independence. But it must be celebrated each and every day of the year so that we never allow ourselves to become complacent to the power struggle within our government.
With all that's going on in Washington D.C. nowadays it's looking much like we are very close to what our ancestors saw many years ago. Unfortunately for us though, it's not at the hands of another country but by our own leaders.
We owe so much to those men and women who have defended us throughout our Nations' 233 years. Many have paid the price to preserve what our forefathers started. Our American Forces are deployed around the world fighting those who want the United States destroyed.
Today, especially today... I'm trying very hard to "keep holding on."
May God keep all those who are wear the uniform of the United States Armed Forces within his arms of protection. May he keep their families strong here on the homefront. May God keep our resolve for The UNITED STATES OF AMERICA to be forever known as "land of the free and home of the brave."
Wishing all of America a very HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!
And so it goes......
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Retirement For Wounded Warrior...
We're still not where we're going, but we're not where we were.
~~~~~Natash Jasefowitz
Lt. Col. Timothy Maxwell, a founder of the Wounded Warrior Regiment, receives the Legion of Merit for his dedicated service to the Wounded Warrior Regiment, by Col. Daniel P. Kelly, his retiring officer, June 26, 2009, at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Quantico, Va. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Jahn R. Kuiper
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.
Yeppers, You've guessed it, there's more to read about one of 'Our Guys' if you do the clicky click thing on the title link.
I did another search for the Wounded Warrior Regiment. There are two Battalions for Wounded Warriors. Bn. West is located at Camp Pendleton, California. Bn. East is currently located at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. They are building a new complex with a Fisher House to be completed by 2010.
If Y'all know of any Marines out there who need this information, (Brandon, did you know this?) Please be sure they know they've got other Marines who are ready and willing to help them. Always faithful or as they say...Semper Fi!
And so it goes......
~~~~~Natash Jasefowitz
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.
Wounded Warrior Regiment's Founder Retires
~~~~~By Pfc. Jahn R. Kuiper
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va., July 2, 2009 - U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Timothy Maxwell stood stoicly silent as the crowd at his retirement ceremony rose to their feet and applauded. For those in crowd who knows of his incredible journey they can't help but let their emotions flow.
Special to American Forces Press Service
Maxwell, one of the founders of the Wounded Warrior Regiment, retired after 22 years of dedicated service on June 26 in a ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps here.
Maxwell deployed six times and on his final deployment, in Iraq, he suffered a severe traumatic brain injury during an Oct. 7, 2004, mortar attack on the forward operating base where he was stationed. Shrapnel tore though the left side of his brain.
While recuperating, Maxwell discovered that his recovery was made easier when he was around other wounded warriors. He began advocating for wounded warriors and their families and worked diligently to establish the Wounded Warrior Barracks.
After all he has accomplished, Maxwell feels its time to step down.
"I've decided its time to go because a year ago I went for surgery to pull out piece of shrapnel near my brain stem," said Maxwell. "It crippled me on my right side. Now I can't represent the Marine Corps like I should. Marines are known for looking good in their uniform and when I can't look good in my camies it's time to go."
"[Assistant Commandant] General Amos approved the idea, Col. Kelly (a friend and fellow WW advocate with Maxwell) was the one who developed the idea, but it was Lt. Col. Maxwell who planted the seed for the Wounded Warrior Regiment," said Lt. Col. David J. Lofgren, the Executive Officer for the Wounded Warrior Regiment. "He got the wounded warriors together so they can heal together. The worst thing for a wounded warrior is the isolation. You feel like you're sandbagging it when the rest of your unit is out there fighting."
Yeppers, You've guessed it, there's more to read about one of 'Our Guys' if you do the clicky click thing on the title link.
I did another search for the Wounded Warrior Regiment. There are two Battalions for Wounded Warriors. Bn. West is located at Camp Pendleton, California. Bn. East is currently located at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. They are building a new complex with a Fisher House to be completed by 2010.
If Y'all know of any Marines out there who need this information, (Brandon, did you know this?) Please be sure they know they've got other Marines who are ready and willing to help them. Always faithful or as they say...Semper Fi!
And so it goes......
Thursday, July 2, 2009
DUSTWUN...*Updated*
Patience: A minor form of despair disguised as a virtue.
~~~~~Ambrose Bierce
DUSTWUN, an acronym for "Duty Status-Whereabouts Unknown", formerly known as MIA. (Missing in Action). That is one status I hope I never have to hear about someone dear to me, because he has told me his plan should he be captured, and what or rather whom that last bullet is for...
One family has heard it within the last few days though. One of 'Our Guys' supposedly walked off his Combat OutPost (COP) with 3 Afghan counterparts. Reports of his being captured by Taliban or other 'bad guy' operatives have gone viral.
From CBS News comes this report.
"Taliban seize US Soldier in Afghanistan"
From the New York Times/Asia comes this article.
U.S. Soldier may be in Taliban hands.
From Quqnoos, an article quoting the CBS News report.
Taliban Capture US Soldier in Afghan East.
There are several more articles basically stating the same things as the ones listed above. U.S. Forces - Afghanistan's Notes put up this notice on Facebook early today.
This is never a good thing. Some of those available resources are more of Our Guys' who are boots on ground.
Vampire 06 and his Team have been conducting search operations.
On Facebook and Twitter, prayers are being requested for this Soldier and his family. You all know what to do. PRAY!! Please pray that he is returned safely. Please God, let him return back to base unharmed.
The Marines started a massive operation in Helmand province this morning as well. Each and every one of 'Our Guys' need our earnest prayers more than ever. With the Fourth of July coming up, let us not forget the why's and how's of what we are celebrating, never forgetting all of our ancestors who paid for our freedoms and Our Nation's Independence!
Also remember in your prayers all those men and women who are in far off countries guarding our backs here at home. And especially those who are preparing to deploy. It's going to be a extremely hot summer, in more ways than just weather.
*Update*
This just came in on my tweetdeck. Via CNN.
U.S. Soldier sold to militant clan.
And so it goes......
~~~~~Ambrose Bierce
DUSTWUN, an acronym for "Duty Status-Whereabouts Unknown", formerly known as MIA. (Missing in Action). That is one status I hope I never have to hear about someone dear to me, because he has told me his plan should he be captured, and what or rather whom that last bullet is for...
One family has heard it within the last few days though. One of 'Our Guys' supposedly walked off his Combat OutPost (COP) with 3 Afghan counterparts. Reports of his being captured by Taliban or other 'bad guy' operatives have gone viral.
From CBS News comes this report.
"Taliban seize US Soldier in Afghanistan"
From the New York Times/Asia comes this article.
U.S. Soldier may be in Taliban hands.
From Quqnoos, an article quoting the CBS News report.
Taliban Capture US Soldier in Afghan East.
There are several more articles basically stating the same things as the ones listed above. U.S. Forces - Afghanistan's Notes put up this notice on Facebook early today.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMissing U.S. Soldier Captured
July 2, 2009
Release Number 20090207-01
KABUL, Afghanistan – A U.S. Soldier, who has been missing since June 30th from his assigned unit, is now believed to have been captured by militant forces. We are exhausting all available resources to ascertain his whereabouts and provide for his safe return.
We are not providing any further details at this time in order to protect the welfare of the Soldier.
This is never a good thing. Some of those available resources are more of Our Guys' who are boots on ground.
Vampire 06 and his Team have been conducting search operations.
On Facebook and Twitter, prayers are being requested for this Soldier and his family. You all know what to do. PRAY!! Please pray that he is returned safely. Please God, let him return back to base unharmed.
The Marines started a massive operation in Helmand province this morning as well. Each and every one of 'Our Guys' need our earnest prayers more than ever. With the Fourth of July coming up, let us not forget the why's and how's of what we are celebrating, never forgetting all of our ancestors who paid for our freedoms and Our Nation's Independence!
Also remember in your prayers all those men and women who are in far off countries guarding our backs here at home. And especially those who are preparing to deploy. It's going to be a extremely hot summer, in more ways than just weather.
*Update*
This just came in on my tweetdeck. Via CNN.
U.S. Soldier sold to militant clan.
And so it goes......
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Few Words, Many Photographs In Afghanistan...
All photographs are there to remind us of what we forget. In this - as in other ways - they are the opposite of paintings. Paintings record what the painter remembers. Because each one of us forgets different things, a photo more than a painting may change its meaning according to who is looking at it.
~~~~~John Berger
I've been trying to catch up on some reading, and a few other things that have taken a backseat the last few days. The garden in the back yard is growing well. It has kept me busy tending it, as well as keeping my muscles sore. You would think I'd grow accustomed to the bending, stooping, tugging and pulling. But I haven't. However, the crisp cucumbers I've enjoyed for lunch and supper this past week are more than making up for the discomfort I'm feeling. If only those tomatoes would turn from green to rosy red a tad bit faster.
The garden work is something I do after I return home from the paycheck place. Most nights it's nigh onto O' dark thirty before I come inside. Which leaves me little time to read the current day's backlog of news and the posts from google reader. **Sigh** Tonight I took a breather from the garden.
While reading my news updates, I came across this compilation of photographs (Cryptome.org) titled "Afghanistan Photo War". The majority of the pictures were taken in the months of May and June 2009. There's a whole slew of them. From what I read, most are attributed to AP photographers, unless otherwise noted. Many of them I hadn't seen. Not surprising, that.
There are four sets of compiled pictures from Afghanistan and a few that resulted from being in Afghanistan. Yes, there were several funereal photo's. None in bad taste, but very poignant in my opinion. Since most of the photographs are protected by AP rights, I'm going to give you the links to do the clicky click thing on.
Peruse to your hearts content. I know I did.
Afghanistan Photo War 1
Afghanistan Photo War 2
Afghanistan Photo War 3
Afghanistan Photo War 4
And so it goes......
~~~~~John Berger
I've been trying to catch up on some reading, and a few other things that have taken a backseat the last few days. The garden in the back yard is growing well. It has kept me busy tending it, as well as keeping my muscles sore. You would think I'd grow accustomed to the bending, stooping, tugging and pulling. But I haven't. However, the crisp cucumbers I've enjoyed for lunch and supper this past week are more than making up for the discomfort I'm feeling. If only those tomatoes would turn from green to rosy red a tad bit faster.
The garden work is something I do after I return home from the paycheck place. Most nights it's nigh onto O' dark thirty before I come inside. Which leaves me little time to read the current day's backlog of news and the posts from google reader. **Sigh** Tonight I took a breather from the garden.
While reading my news updates, I came across this compilation of photographs (Cryptome.org) titled "Afghanistan Photo War". The majority of the pictures were taken in the months of May and June 2009. There's a whole slew of them. From what I read, most are attributed to AP photographers, unless otherwise noted. Many of them I hadn't seen. Not surprising, that.
There are four sets of compiled pictures from Afghanistan and a few that resulted from being in Afghanistan. Yes, there were several funereal photo's. None in bad taste, but very poignant in my opinion. Since most of the photographs are protected by AP rights, I'm going to give you the links to do the clicky click thing on.
Peruse to your hearts content. I know I did.
Afghanistan Photo War 1
Afghanistan Photo War 2
Afghanistan Photo War 3
Afghanistan Photo War 4
And so it goes......
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Help For Landstuhl's Wounded Warriors...
I've seen and met angels wearing the disguise of ordinary people living ordinary lives.
~~~~~Tracy Chapman
During the Mil-Blog Conference in April, it was my privilege and honor to meet one of the Soldiers' Angels who volunteers at Landstuhl Medical Center. Y'all remember me talking about Mary Ann, don't you? She is one amazing woman. And I'm not the only one around here who thinks so...
I was tickled pink to see the following article about what she and so many others do for 'Our Guys'. I can say without a doubt that the men and women who are brought into this facility have the best help and care available. Please be sure to do the clicky click thing to continue to read about one of the greatest support projects ever. Oh, and be sure to also check out Mary Ann's blog to see what's going on with her and her crew.
And so it goes......
~~~~~Tracy Chapman
During the Mil-Blog Conference in April, it was my privilege and honor to meet one of the Soldiers' Angels who volunteers at Landstuhl Medical Center. Y'all remember me talking about Mary Ann, don't you? She is one amazing woman. And I'm not the only one around here who thinks so...
I was tickled pink to see the following article about what she and so many others do for 'Our Guys'. I can say without a doubt that the men and women who are brought into this facility have the best help and care available. Please be sure to do the clicky click thing to continue to read about one of the greatest support projects ever. Oh, and be sure to also check out Mary Ann's blog to see what's going on with her and her crew.
'Chaplains Closet' Helps Landstuhl's Wounded Warriors
By Army Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill
LANDSTUHL, Germany, June 26, 2009 - The boxes arrive daily from the United States, 15 to 20 each day, along with $8,000 to $12,000 in cash every week from Americans and U.S. nonprofit groups.
Special to American Forces Press Service
The boxes and the money are meant for the wounded warriors who pass through here, most coming from Afghanistan or Iraq. More than 54,000 wounded warriors have passed through Landstuhl Regional Medical Center's doors since Operation Enduring Freedom began in October 2001, according to a hospital spokesman.
Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael D. Dubie, the adjutant general of the Vermont National Guard, stands in the Wounded Warrior Ministry Center -- nicknamed the "Chaplains' Closet" -- at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, June 17, 2009, during a visit to wounded warriors. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.
Lined with shelves organized in a manner that would make even the most obsessive-compulsive supply sergeant proud is the "Chaplains' Closet." The name is a misnomer; it is about the size of an average neighborhood convenience store and its official name is the Wounded Warrior Ministry Center.
The Chaplains' Closet shelves are stacked with clothing, toiletries and shoes. A box of shoes marked "single shoes, left" is for servicemembers who are amputees. Their spirit shows in their humor. Recently, one soldier took a left shoe and another soldier took a right from the same pair. They looked at each other. "We're brothers," one quipped.
The service members who receive the donations didn't expect to be here -- they arrive suddenly, with nothing, because they required treatment for wounds suffered on the battlefield. The medical center is a jointly staffed, Army-commanded, 138-bed hospital near Ramstein Air Base, Germany. It is the largest American hospital outside the United States.
"We have Conex boxes full of stuff," said Air Force Lt. Col. Curtis Wagner, a Protestant chaplain from the Ohio Air National Guard's 179th Airlift Wing, serving a 120-day rotation here. "We have a whole warehouse at Ramstein that's filled with these donations. We just get so much in, and then we distribute it to the soldiers."
About 1,200 service members visit the Chaplains' Closet each month. If they are bed-ridden, a liaison officer gets their supplies for them. On average, service members spend three to five days here before they are sent to the United States or back into theater...
And so it goes......
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Guest Blog Post, From A'stan...
Yes'm, old friends is always best, 'less you can catch a new one that's fit to make an old one out of.
~~~~~Sarah Orne Jewett
This morning I had a weird dream during one of those half awake, half asleep moments in a lull of the 10 minute snooze fest. After a really late night, I'm surprised I heard the alarm at all. It was so wonderful and comfortable to be snuggled up in bed. I didn't want to give in to the need to ready myself for another day at work while there was much better things to do at home.
But back to my dream...
It's been said that dreams are subconscious thoughts that you've had during the day that didn't get fully resolved. Normally I don't remember too much of what my brain is processing while I'm asleep. With some of my thoughts, I reckon that's a good thing.
Anywhoo, today I remembered one... I dreamt I received an email from a friend (I'll call him "Toad"). While getting emails from him isn't uncommon, I hadn't heard from him in what to me seemed a very long while. You see, Toad is stationed in Afghanistan doing what he does best. That just happens to be piloting helicopters. Over the last month or so, several emails had gone unanswered. Yep, I know it's a war zone. But me, being the worry wart I am, thought something untoward might have happened. I had checked all the official DoD notices without seeing his name on any of them. Yep, extremely thankful on eliminating that possibility!
After finally coaxing my reluctant body out of bed, starting our coffee, etc., etc., I checked my gmail. And there it was. An email from Toad, just like I remembered seeing in my dream. How weird!! Yet how sweet it was to read that everything was okay with him.
Some time back, Toad had made mention that he might do a guest post here on the blog. His email this morning was his follow up on that, giving me the "good to go" green light to post partially or all. One tiny problem, it was in Army 'power point' format. If I could figure out how to get that on here, I'd be set. Alas, I couldn't. Everyone knows how technically challenged I am. So I'll have to do what I'm good at... cut and paste. Okay, it was a bit more difficult than that. At least I got most everything off of the power point slides.
I do hope y'all enjoy his pictures and commentary.
Direct From The 'Stan- A Trip To Bamyan, Another Side of Afghanistan...
And so it goes......
~~~~~Sarah Orne Jewett
This morning I had a weird dream during one of those half awake, half asleep moments in a lull of the 10 minute snooze fest. After a really late night, I'm surprised I heard the alarm at all. It was so wonderful and comfortable to be snuggled up in bed. I didn't want to give in to the need to ready myself for another day at work while there was much better things to do at home.
But back to my dream...
It's been said that dreams are subconscious thoughts that you've had during the day that didn't get fully resolved. Normally I don't remember too much of what my brain is processing while I'm asleep. With some of my thoughts, I reckon that's a good thing.
Anywhoo, today I remembered one... I dreamt I received an email from a friend (I'll call him "Toad"). While getting emails from him isn't uncommon, I hadn't heard from him in what to me seemed a very long while. You see, Toad is stationed in Afghanistan doing what he does best. That just happens to be piloting helicopters. Over the last month or so, several emails had gone unanswered. Yep, I know it's a war zone. But me, being the worry wart I am, thought something untoward might have happened. I had checked all the official DoD notices without seeing his name on any of them. Yep, extremely thankful on eliminating that possibility!
After finally coaxing my reluctant body out of bed, starting our coffee, etc., etc., I checked my gmail. And there it was. An email from Toad, just like I remembered seeing in my dream. How weird!! Yet how sweet it was to read that everything was okay with him.
Some time back, Toad had made mention that he might do a guest post here on the blog. His email this morning was his follow up on that, giving me the "good to go" green light to post partially or all. One tiny problem, it was in Army 'power point' format. If I could figure out how to get that on here, I'd be set. Alas, I couldn't. Everyone knows how technically challenged I am. So I'll have to do what I'm good at... cut and paste. Okay, it was a bit more difficult than that. At least I got most everything off of the power point slides.
I do hope y'all enjoy his pictures and commentary.
Direct From The 'Stan- A Trip To Bamyan, Another Side of Afghanistan...
And so it goes......
Sunday, June 21, 2009
'Tis Fathers' Day...
Old as she was, she still missed her daddy sometimes.
~~~~~Gloria Naylor
Words can no longer be spoken. Hugs can no longer be exchanged. Kisses can no longer be given. No more picking up the phone to hear your voice. Never again to hear "I love you, too." No baking of your pineapple upside down cake, nor cooking your favorite foods. None of those things we would do on this special day or any day given the chance.
But... there will always be love in our hearts for the man we called Daddy.
And so it goes......
~~~~~Gloria Naylor
Words can no longer be spoken. Hugs can no longer be exchanged. Kisses can no longer be given. No more picking up the phone to hear your voice. Never again to hear "I love you, too." No baking of your pineapple upside down cake, nor cooking your favorite foods. None of those things we would do on this special day or any day given the chance.
But... there will always be love in our hearts for the man we called Daddy.
And so it goes......
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