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 Greetings! You are reading an article from The Mudville Gazette. To reach the front page, with all the latest news and views, click the logo above or "main" below. Thanks for stopping by! February 17, 2005 Climate ChangeBy Greyhawk Fear not, O Jacob My servant,' declares the LORD, 'And do not be dismayed, O Israel; For behold, I will save you from afar And your offspring from the land of their captivity. And Jacob will return and will be quiet and at ease, And no one will make him afraid.  Posted by Greyhawk / February 17, 2005 2:58 PM | Permalink 8 TrackBacksGreyhawk is back! Home is the warrior, and God has fulfilled His promise to Greyhawk. I pray that He continues to bless Greyhawk for his service to this country. Please go over to the Mudville Gazette and give Greyhawk your Read More Go leave him a welcome back message. Read More Greyhawk is home from Iraq. Read More GREYHAWK returns to Mudville. Well done, Soldier. Thank you.... Read More Rich Hartney from Beef always wins is back in Texas! I’m very glad for him. He’s got up some great pictures up. And I’m listening to Hugh Hewitt, and Greyhawk at Mudville Gazette is back in Deutschland. Good for him!... Read More Greyhawk's home from Iraq (to Germany, where I think he'll be stationed for the foreseeable future.) Go by and leave him a Read More Feb. 17 - Greyhawk of Mudville Gazette is home. Well done, sir. And thank you.... Read More A (belated) welcome home to Greyhawk, and all of the servicemen and women recently returned. And for those still there: Godspeed. We're praying for you.... Read More 71 Comments |
November 26, 2010America@war [Greyhawk]
I think anyone who's ever pondered the "comment" option - once only available on blogs and bulletin boards, now ubiquitous on almost any web site - will appreciate this:
The so-called faculty of writing is not so much a faculty of writing as it is a faculty of thinking. When a man says, "I have an idea but I can't express it"; that man hasn't an idea but merely a vague feeling. If a man has a feeling of that kind, and will sit down for a half an hour and persistently try to put into writing what he feels, the probabilities are at least 90 percent that he will either be able to record it, or else realize that he has no idea at all. In either case, he will do himself a benefit. That's wisdom from the past, captured for posterity at the US Naval Institute, shared via the web on the institute's 137th anniversary. From their about page:
"The Naval Institute has three core activities," among them, History and Preservation: The Naval Institute also has recently introduced Americans at War, a living history of Americans at war in their own words and from their own experiences. These 90-second vignettes convey powerful stories of inspiration, pride, and patriotism. Take a look at the collection, and you'll see it's not limited to accounts from those who served on ships at sea, members of the other branches are well-represented. I'm fortunate to have met USNI's Mary Ripley, she's responsible for the institute's oral history program (and she's the daughter of the late John Ripley, whose story is told here). She also deserves much credit for their blog. ("We're not the Navy nor any government agency. Blog and comment freely.") We met at a milblog conference - Mary knew (and I would come to realize) that milbloggers are the 21st-century version of exactly what the US Naval Institute is all about. Once that light bulb came on in my head, I mentioned a vague idea for a project to her - milblogs as the 21st century oral history that they are. "Put that in writing," she said (of course - see first paragraph above!) - and here's part of the result. Shortly after the first tent was pitched by the American military in Iraq a wire was connected to a computer therein, and the internet was available to a generation of Americans at war - many of whom had grown up online. From that point on, at any given moment, somewhere in Iraq a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine was at a keyboard sharing the events of his or her day with the folks back home. While most would simply fire off an email, others took advantage of the (then) relatively new online blogging platforms to post their thoughts and experiences for the entire world to see. The milblog was born - and from that moment to this stories detailing everything from the most mundane aspects of camp life to intense combat action (often described within hours of the event) have been available on the web... And et cetera - but since you're reading this on a milblog, you probably knew that. And you know that milblogs aren't just blogs written by troops at war, that many friends, family members, and supporters likewise documented their story of America at war online in near-real time, as those stories developed. The diversity in membership of that group is broad, the one thing we all have in common is the impulse to make sense of the seemingly senseless, and communicate the tale - for each of us that impulse was strong enough to overcome whatever barriers prevent the vast majority of people from doing the same. Everyone at some point has some vague idea they believe should be shared - we were the people who, from some combination of internal and external urging, found and spent those many half hours persistently trying to write it down. But where will all that be in another 137 years? Or five or ten, for that matter. That's something I've asked myself since at least 2004 - when I wrote this:
Membership in the ghost battalion has grown in the years since, and an ever growing majority of those abandoned-but-still-standing sites are vanishing. Have you checked out Lt Smash's site lately? How about Sgt Hook's? If you're a long-time milblog reader you know the first widely-read milblog from Operation Iraq Freedom and the first widely-read milblog from Afghanistan are both gone from the web. If you're a relative newcomer to this world you may never even have heard of them - or the dozens upon dozens of others who carried forth the standard they set down. If you have a vague notion that something should be done about that, (a notion I've heard expressed more than once...) then you and I and the good folks at the US Naval Institute are in agreement. Preserving the history documented by the milbloggers is just one of the goals of the milblog project, the once-vague idea that we're now making real. And it's a big idea, if I say so myself - too big to explain in one simple blog post, so stand by for more. Likewise, it's too big a task to be accomplished by just one person. So if you're a milblogger (and exactly what is a milblogger? is a topic for much further discussion on its own) I'm asking for your help. All I'll really need is just a little bit (maybe just one or two of those half hours...) of your time, and your willingness to tell the tale. We've already made history, it's time to save it. (More to follow...) Posted 4:02 PM | Permalink |
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The Mudville Gazette is the on-line voice of an American warrior and his wife who stands by him. They prefer to see peaceful change render force of arms unnecessary. Until that day they stand fast with those who struggle for freedom, strike for reason, and pray for a better tomorrow.
 
 
 Furthermore, I will occasionally use satire or parody herein. The bottom line: it's my house. I like having visitors to my house. I hope you are entertained. I fight for your right to free speech, and am thrilled when you exercise said rights here. Comments and e-mails are welcome, but all such communication is to be assumed to be 1)the original work of any who initiate said communication and 2)the property of the Mudville Gazette, with free use granted thereto for publication in electronic or written form. If you do NOT wish to have your message posted, write "CONFIDENTIAL" in the subject line of your email. Original content copyright © 2003 - 2011 by Greyhawk. Fair, not-for-profit use of said material by others is encouraged, as long as acknowledgement and credit is given, to include the url of the original source post. Other arrangements can be made as needed. Contact: greyhawk at mudvillegazette dot com  Tending Distant Far from hearth and home, watching What tales we'll tell When things grim Some distant sunset, vision fading Saluting fallen friends whose names - Greyhawk, Baghdad, December 2004 |
Welcome Home!
Is this an early return, or was I not paying proper attention? In any case, it's great news.
When are you all coming to Indiana?
Brother and myself want to take Mr. and Mrs. G to Ruth Chris down town for a steak dinner to
celebrate.
Welcome back and thanks!
Welcome home, Hawk!
Welcome home! The Lord fulfilled His promise to you, and has brought you home in peace.
Welcome home, and thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Welcome home! And may God continue to richly bless you!
Thank you. There are simply no words to express my deepest appreciation that my family sleeps safely because of your willingness to do violence on their behalf. Welcome home.
Welcome home, Hawk. Thanks for your service, both in our Armed Forces and as a MilBlogger.
WELCOME HOME HAWK! (well, Germany anyway)
Thanks to both you and Mrs. Greyhawk!
This blog has been a constant source of inspiration, pride and hope for us.
Welcome home Soldier. Keep blogging if you can. God Bless you, the Mrs., and your kids. You've all taken one for the team so that people like me don't have to. Thanks.
Eternally grateful,
Best wishes
T
Welcome home, old son.
Welcome home Greyhawk. BZ.
I am happy for you and your family. Thanks for your service.
Welcome home! God has blessed you, surely. I pray you have a long, quiet time with your precious wife, who kept the homefires burning. Thank you for your service, again. God bless you, and welcome home.
Welcome Home and thank you!
Welcome home. I second the wish that you continue to blog, but regardless, thank you and welcome home safe and sound.
Welcome home, Greyhawk! I've read your blog regularly for the past few months and almost feel like I know you. I'm glad to hear you've made it home safely. Enjoy your R&R!
Welcome back, Greyhawk ... and thanks to both you and your family for doing "the hard thing" for the benefit of all of us.
May God give you rest from the machinations of those who would use knives, bullets, RPG's, and IED's to take your life ...
... and give you the strength and wisdom to continue to defeat, with facts and logic, those who would use press credentials, TV screens, university tenure, and Congressional seats to diminish America's accomplishments, reduce us to the lowest common denominator of human interaction ...
... and threaten your (and my) freedom.
Hefe's just waiting for ya, troop! And Brats, too!
Thank you. Welcome home, and God bless you.
Thank you for your service. Welcome Home!
Sincerely,
--Will
Welcome home! Thank you!
Welcome home!! from all of us. Take LK up on that steak when you get state side.
Glad you're out of the box. I thank you and Mrs Greyhawk and your children for your service. Military families are the greatest. Thanks again.
Welcome home trooper. Hand Salute, ready front.
Welcome back. Thank you.
Welcome back. Thank you so much for your brave service.
Welcome Home! I know your family is so happy to have you safe and sound home. I hope you have a joyous and memorable homecoming.
1. Herzlich wilkommen.
2. Remember you're an outsider now.
3. We will PO you with our lack of understanding.
4. You used the authority of your position very well. The counter doesn't lie. The military and various others owe you a considerable debt.
5. That's yesterday and gratitude is something Americans seem perpetually upset about not receiving.
6. Into the metaphoric mixing bowl: hang tight, maintain even strain, wish you well, be seing you in your new incarnation.
Thanks amd thanks, again. V/R JW
Welcome home and THANK YOU.
Hooah! Someone in theatre will have big blog shoes to fill. Good job Hawk!
Yiiipeee! :-) So glad you are back. Thank you and enjoy your homecomeing.
Semper Fi!
Thank you, Greyhawk, for serving this country and securing freedom and safety, for us and others.
Thank you, Mrs. Greyhawk, for serving this country and giving him something worthwhile to come home to.
Suzi
Welcome home, Hawk. Thank you for your service.
Welcome home, soldier. Job well done!
Welcome home.
Welcome Back! Time for some quality family time for you all I think. :-)
Thank you for your sacrifice! Welcome Home!
You aren't quite back yet but I am glad you are back with your family. Thank you for your service and thank your family for theirs.
Welcome home Hawk. My day isn't complete without visiting your blog. I'll chip in on that steak in Indy...maybe buy you and the family another at St. Elmo's!
Welcome back, sir, and thank you for your service. Am I correct in thinking you're now Permanent Party at a U.S. base in Germany and will be remaining there for the foreseeable future?
[Thought I posted this earlier, but it disappeared]
Home!! I'm SO happy for ALL of you. What joy and relief!
And as to a "thank you for your service," there simply aren't enough words...
Welcome home! Thanks for your efforts.
well done! glad you're back! and most importantly THANK YOU!
What great and wonderful news! Enjoy each other, we are so glad that you are home safe and sound. Thanks to both of you. Peter and Diana in San Antonio, Texas.
Welcome home, soldier. Well done!
Welcome back. I know it goes against the standard, but go get a Krystall Weizenbier, preferably a Loewenbraue, enjoy it with a Wurst and some Pomme Frites (ignore the mayo if you wish), and relax there in Deutschland.
Sapper Mike
Welcome, Greyhawk. Bless you for what you have done in our defense!
Phil
I love your website. Thanks for being you. Thanks for fighting on my and my children's behalf. I'm glad you are home safe.
Welcome home. It's great to have you back and thank you for going.
Now, what can we do to take care of you?
Welcome home and thank you for your service to our country! (from a Vietnam vet)
Welcome home and thanks for your service. Is there a better feeling?
Welcome Back, soldier! Thanks for your service.
Enjoy your well-deserved leave with your family!
Welcome home Greyhawk! Thanks for all you do!
Thank you for your service to the United States of America and for protecting my personal freedom. Everything I hold dear, I have because of your efforts and the efforts of the brave and honorable men and women of the United States Military!
I am forever grateful.
Welcome Home!
I thank you for not only this tour that your just completed but all the years that you have given this country. Welcome home, sit back relax and enjoy you have earned it.
Welcome home! And a very heartfelt thank you! There's a VFW in Rochelle Illinois that would love to buy you adult beverages if you're ever out our way!
Welcome home, sir. My best to you and the Mrs. and, please, accept the thanks of my family & I. We are in your debt.
Swing past the Washington, DC area and I'll pay off some of that debt with a couple of cold ones...
Welcome home and many thanks to you and Mrs. G for this blog...it's one of my daily stops. Your love for each other is terrific. Please, please continue to blog.
Welcome home. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service. :)
Welcome back to the land of the Big PX! We who serve quietly on the home front stand in the considerable shadow of you folks who have gone Down Range for the benefit of us all. HOOAH!
Welcome home!!
My words are so inadequate, but Thank You. Thank you for your sacrifice, your service and your writing of this blog. Hope you and Mrs. G have a wonderful time enjoying each other's company again!
Welcome Home Greyhawk!
Thank you for your sacrifice....!
Job Well Done!
I'm happy to see you are home again! And add another inadequate "Thank you" to your pile. And a second (also inadequate) "Thank you" to Mrs. G for all her postings that kept us up to date when you couldn't post.
I'm certainly glad you are "out of there" and back safely. You deserve R&R&Respect. Love Mom
God Bless You and Your Family! Welcome home, we need heroes here, too, you know. ;)
And may you know the joy of being blessed with children who make your heart swell with pride - the kind of pride that we have enjoyed reading your blog. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU, AND GRATEFUL. Thank you for the nights we slept in peace knowing you stood on the wall protecting us.
Although we have never met you have already done great things for me and my family. To you and all of your fellow soldiers THANK YOU!
Welcome home! Still got a month or so to go.
From another heartened follower............
Have been with you for a hell of a long time, enjoyed your perspective and commentary...You were instrumental in keeping the war support together in all kinds of weather.
Followed the masthead with the swords when you were in Iraq, remember News Year's baloons.
However the aircraft bringing you home is the answer to mine and my wife's prayer....and now the green green grass of home forced the free flow of tears...Thank God you and your brothers and sisters are back safe.
We will never be able to express our gratitude...Trust me you are the wind in our sails.
David Cobb
Welcome home Greyhawk.
Welcome back. Thank you for your service.
Welcome home and many thanks!