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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 - 2005 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
Free Lebanon!!
Air force pundit says those in Europe must stop endorsing the Syrian version of the cheat-and-treat game which consists of endless negotiations about Syrian troop "redeployment."
The genie of people power has come out of the bottle and no amount of political chicanery will send it back in.Those who have wondered where next the flame of freedom may rise in the Middle East have their answer. After free and fair elections in Iraq, it is now the turn of Lebanon to break the shackles of tyranny and take the path of democracy.
Raising the Flag
Most Americans don't know the names, but they know the picture of six young men taken on February 23, 1945. On that date, Joe Rosenthal photographed these men raising the American flag on Mount Suribachi. This photo became the signature image of the U.S. Marines in the nation's most heroic battle -- Iwo Jima.
Daisy cutter has the names of these men and a great post that you must read.
_____
From Iraq
Readers here are aware that military family members aren't just "left behind" in the States when the spouse deploys - they often wait their loved one's safe return in remote locations all over the globe. But every member of the US Armed Forces faces unique challenges when deploying.
Major K dedicates a post to the spouses of Guard and Reserve members, who are often left at home in the states far from any military installation and the support available there. (Are there any in your neighborhood? Are you sure?)
Mustang 23 at Assumption of Command reminds us Don't Forget The Single Soldiers - those who come home to nobody. (And gosh - I hope all the single women out there don't start bugging this guy...)
By the way, these guys are two of the newer wave of military bloggers in Iraq. Visit often.
Hey Froggy...
You've got moonbats...
I've got a theme song for them (click on '1985' at link).
The War on Terror
Iraq War News has an abundant of resources of the war on terrror. Always informative and always a must read
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A Good Thing
Dadmanly gives thanks to Mudville:
Posting a couple of stories about the Iraqi election, as well as the experiences of some of our soldiers got me thinking it was time to try to join the MILBLOG and see if I could get listed on as one of the official MILBLOGs.
<...>
It went from 30, to then 40, then over 50 and even up to about 80 just as we were exchanging emails. I was wondering what happened, but Greyhawk said in one of his emails, "I just linked to your site." Little did I know what he meant. I didn't get it all fixed that night -- and I stayed up WAY too late -- so I figured I'd finish in the morning.The next day (maybe 6 or 7 hours later), my site meter was around 380. I went to Mudville Gazette, and at first couldn't find the link to my site (I hadn't fixed the programming). But when I scrolled down the site, all of a sudden found out Greyhawk had linked to my blog.
...And in my email, I have 7 or 8 emails from people who posted nice encouraging comments on my site! Later that day I fixed my HTML code, and I am now an official MILBLOG blogger, and listed on Mudville and other MILBLOG sites. Just two days in, my Site Counter is over 800. (Exciting to me as I don't think I had an audience previously!)
<...>
Its just that now I get to meet a whole lot more people, and they get to meet me. And that's WAY cool.
You couldn't ask for a better accolade.
MilBlogs, it's a good thing. Join today.
Weekly Indroduction to the MilBlogs Ring
All great additions, go check em out.
Robin Burk:
"Afghanistan opened its new military academy to their first class of cadets recently. Thought you might enjoy these photos, passed along by a US officer who's there for a few months. The Afghans visited academies in a number of countries before deciding to model theirs on West Point."
See them all here.
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If you're paying attention, you know that the Army is rotating large numbers of troops in and out of Iraq. This means lots of milbloggers headed home, and more "setting up shop" downrange. One of the first of the latest generation of MilBlogs in Iraq is Dadmanly - and now you can say you were one of the first visitors to his blog. Wish him well.
Turning Corners
Bill Faith, with news of progress:
Iraqi security forces foiled a trap set for a local security patrol by 40 terrorist in the village of Abu Mustafa south of Baghdad. After a confrontation between the two sides, the terrorists fled to a near by school. The Iraqi security forces among other forces pursued the terrorists and surrounded the school.
Read the rest here.
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The media, the military, and professional ethics:
thoughts on topic here.
The troops are returning from Iraq.
With the elections over, a few bloggers (or spouses of bloggers!) in Iraq will soon be "home" in Europe.
New Members
CJ\'s Henhouse (Formerly Chcknhawk\'s Harem)
Let's give them a big welcome with a visit, please.
The original Blogger from the Sandbox
Awesome post from Smash. The original Blogger from the Sandbox is rightfully proud.
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Sgt. Rafael Peralta
If you aren't familiar with Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta you should be - he's one of the many heroes of the war on terror, and if not already he should become a legend of the Corps.
You still here?
Targeting Journalists
Roger is right, this sort of stuff may be dismissed by most Americans who see the utter absurdity of it, but it plays very well to an international audience eager to believe that the US is the Great Satan, or something by which their Nazi forefathers might not look so bad in comparison.
I, of course, target journalists all the time. But I use words - the same weapons they do, so all's fair.
Update: Speaking of targeting journalists, in my humble opinion Iraqi and Military bloggers provided the real story of the elections in Iraq, as journalists wrote excuses why they were too frightened to be out on the streets. (So I suppose we could be accused of violating some sort of union rules, or guild rules, or something...)
The latest violations come from The Green Side and Red Six, who also provides pictures here, here, and here.
Update 2:
Here, the coverage of the Iraqi elections from military bloggers. CNN couldn't touch this.
The run-up
Dagger Jag is a military lawyer who's been in Iraq for about a year, most recently helping prepare for the elections. His posts here and here were the earliest I've seen on the topic.
Mudville's countdown to the elections was actually my look at what was going on compared to what was being reported in the media, and ended with my prediction of success:
Eight - Delivering the ballots
Seven - Fighting back against the insurgents, the story the media doesn't tell
Six - Pre-election rhetoric from the media and some American politicians
Five - Democracy comes to Iraq from Ukraine
Four - How to identify a defeated foe, and how the media treats them
Three - Is the left really opposed to democracy in Iraq?
Two - A GI's daughter speaks up.
One - Good vs Evil, and who's on which side
Americans Blogging election day in Iraq (This is the good stuff):
A military photographer in Sadr City
Cigars in the Sand - Note this links the entire January archive with tons of separate posts and photos from election day.
I Should Have Stayed Home... - Once again, the entire January archive.
More
Around Iraq & Around the World - Mrs G provided a great collection of links.
Iraq Speaks - How can I offer my comments on this day when there are so many poets in the cradle of civilization?
The Day After
Greetings from a Land of Bent and Broken Things
We're not targeting journalists - we're just leaving them in the dust.
Are bloggers journalists? The answer is an emphatic "No".
_____
Austin City Limits?
Cruising through Austin Bay's blog today for his insight on Iraq (and there's lots of that there - Col Bay was here, after all) I found this post - which I must admit caught me off guard. But there's something about music and the military, I've rarely met a military person that wasn't a knowledgeable fan of one sort of music or another. And a pretty amazing number are actually talented musicians in their own right, as I witnessed in a recent talent show held right here in the camp I'm at.
Anyhow, for music or military, Austin Bay's blog is a daily must read.
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MilBloggers Spring into Action!
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Targeting Journalists
Roger is right, this sort of stuff may be dismissed by most Americans who see the utter absurdity of it, but it plays very well to an international audience eager to believe that the US is the Great Satan, or something by which their Nazi forefathers might not look so bad in comparison.
I, of course, target journalists all the time. But I use words - the same weapons they do, so all's fair.
Update: Speaking of targeting journalists, in my humble opinion Iraqi and Military bloggers provided the real story of the elections in Iraq, as journalists wrote excuses why they were too frightened to be out on the streets. (So I suppose we could be accused of violating some sort of union rules, or guild rules, or something...)
The latest violations come from The Green Side and Red Six, who also provides pictures here, here, and here.
Update 2:
Here, the coverage of the Iraqi elections from military bloggers. CNN couldn't touch this.
The run-up
Dagger Jag is a military lawyer who's been in Iraq for about a year, most recently helping prepare for the elections. His posts here and here were the earliest I've seen on the topic.
Mudville's countdown to the elections was actually my look at what was going on compared to what was being reported in the media, and ended with my prediction of success:
Eight - Delivering the ballots
Seven - Fighting back against the insurgents, the story the media doesn't tell
Six - Pre-election rhetoric from the media and some American politicians
Five - Democracy comes to Iraq from Ukraine
Four - How to identify a defeated foe, and how the media treats them
Three - Is the left really opposed to democracy in Iraq?
Two - A GI's daughter speaks up.
One - Good vs Evil, and who's on which side
Americans Blogging election day in Iraq (This is the good stuff):
A military photographer in Sadr City
Cigars in the Sand - Note this links the entire January archive with tons of separate posts and photos from election day.
I Should Have Stayed Home... - Once again, the entire January archive.
More
Around Iraq & Around the World - Mrs G provided a great collection of links.
Iraq Speaks - How can I offer my comments on this day when there are so many poets in the cradle of civilization?
The Day After
Greetings from a Land of Bent and Broken Things
We're not targeting journalists - we're just leaving them in the dust.
Are bloggers journalists? The answer is an emphatic "No".
CornerShot
The Quonset Hut is introducing a new weapon called the cornershot, a pistol accessory that enables the user to see, and fire, a pistol around corners.
Check it out
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Finally there
Reverse Retna is finally in Iraq. He arrives a few days before the elections
Talk about a fine how do you do! But I must say it was nice of the Jihadist Welcome Wagon to start my year off with a bang.
_____
Questing Cat Writes for Guardian and BBC
Nicholas Cademartori, aka The Questing Cat, has authored a piece for The Guardian on his Iraq service titled "I want to look back and be proud"
Full story here, in which the author requests "Any way, the link to this site is below, check it out and maybe leave a nice comment. I have a feeling I'm in the lions den over there...;-)"
Some sample comments on The Cat's piece at the Guardian:
Yeah right. And when Allawi is appointed supreme Bush ass kisser to continue running Iraq as has been planned all along you will still not get it. You still wont see the little girl with her legs blown off. If you get back in one piece you wont spend one day caring for the guys in the va hospitals who will never come out. You rah rah guys should be forced to spend one year caring for the wounded Iraqi,s and GI's before you are allowed to write anything. Comments posted by: ron at January 31, 2005 02:22 PMI suspect the ballot papers in the boxes are exchanged to ensure that the winners are pro-Americans. Nothing is impossible when you can even cheat the whole world that Saddam had WMD. Don't you think so!! That is the work of CIA maybe.
Comments posted by: dodi at January 31, 2005 03:39 PMI wonder how much Bush's Department of Defense had to pay this guy to put a positive spin on his opinion. Can anyone say "propaganda?"
Comments posted by: Teri Smith at January 31, 2005 05:15 PMThe elections are now over. Now the Iraqis must stand up to make a unanimous motion to charge King George Bush,Blair and Saddam as war criminals.The three of them are guilty for their heinous actions for causing deaths to thousands of innocent Iraqis.
Comments posted by: oliver twist at February 1, 2005 03:08 AMA leopard will never change its spots. So a liar is always a liar. Knowing how ignorant and naive the American people are, they can be easily manipulated by a liar and a trickster like Bush. So, at the end of the day those who lie most will win the race.
Comments posted by: tom brown at February 1, 2005 03:15 AM
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"Combat" Photography
Blackfive with a must read post from a GI photographer who was in the infamous Baghdad neighborhood Sadr City for the elections:
It was late morning and our first trip was to a polling site where a suicide bomber had blown himself and two IHP into pieces (literally). I videotaped as they put the pieces into bags to be carried off. I think this was, without a doubt, the most disgusting thing I have ever seen. But I handled it like a troop- separating myself from the gruesome scene by way of my camera lens.As they carted the men's body bags away, Iraqi people filed back in to continue voting. How about that?
She's Air Force, but certainly you all were reading that with a female voive in mind, right?
And yes, the "must-read" has been applied a lot lately - but this is an historic week for the world, so expect more.
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The Complete Russ Vaughn
Bill Faith has compiled an alphabetical list of Russ Vaughn's work. (Formatted as links to the individual poems, of course.) Great idea, Bill!
The Military Family Network
Grunt Doc is getting the word out that Help is urgently needed for combat Marine veteran, Lance Cpl. Christopher R. LeBleu, a native of Lake Charles, La. He is currently in very critical condition in Loma Linda University Hospital, Calif., for an unexplained complete liver failure.
Please spread the word.
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To all of you cynics, hoping for disaster in Iraq
Random Nuclear Strikes reports on the success of Iraq's election.
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Fallen soldier
Mamamontezz's Mental Rumpus Room introduced us to this fallen soldier. 1st Lt. Nainoa K. Hoe, the popular leader of the 2nd Platoon, C Company, 3rd Battalion of the 21st Infantry Regiment.
Curiouser and Curiouser
Where's all the support? 4mile creek would like to know.
He has an indepth article on the support for Iraq from the arab world or lack there of.
The Hate-America Crowd, Part I
The Old Patriot's Pen has a multipart series on America-Haters
Be sure to check in on the next installments
_____
Vaccine Info
Information you may want to know at the Homeland Security Policy Institute Group Forum Index
_____
"Just thank-you~"
Fellow MilBlogger Bill Faith receives an email:
Dear Mr. Faith,
I awoke this morning with a need to compose the letter I've attached below. I don't have a clue as to why, or why now.
Upon completion, I had no idea what to do with it, if anything.
A "Google" search provided your website, my first and only stop. I read "Will You Welcome Us Home Now?".
I don't know any Vietnam Veterans, so I decided to send my letter to you. At least, I'll have thanked one Vietnam Veteran today.
I hope you don't mind my sending you the letter below, since you don't know me at all.
Thank you.
Becky
Go read the exchange of emails here
FLASH: CHESTER TO BE ON FOX NEW LIVE--THURSDAY 12:45P ET
Chester will be interviewed on Fox News Live by anchor David Asman on Thursday, Jan 27th at 12:45p eastern time. He will be discussing Iraq, blogging, and many of the other topics featured here at the Adventures of Chester. Hope you can tune in!
______
Something you can do for the elections in Iraq
DSS Hubris has a Prayer request from a Chaplain serving in Iraq.
_____
The Critic
Smash at Indepundit rips a critic apart.
Nothing like a good ole' spanking to put them in their place.
_____
Hero to Hero
Stryker has an article about the Hero to Hero project and the recovery of Larry Kaibetoney, who was seriously injured in the mess hall explosion.
_____
Meet Rambo
By Afghan standards, Udin had a good life. He had a steady job, an apartment, six children and a wife he adored.The turning point for Udin, he said, came several years ago when a rocket-propelled grenade apparently fired by a Taliban soldier slammed into his apartment, killing his wife.
Go meet Rambo at 2Slick's Forum
_____
The Latest Email from Across the Big Pond
Iraq War News received this the other day, and wanted to share it:
Dear All,
I'm sorry to read that you've been savaged by some left of centre little twit from the UK. It happens that some people hate you just because you're you. You can't be famous without being hated by somebody - fact of life - like poverty and taxes.
The Final Raid...
The Questing Cat has an excellent post on a recent raid but don't stop there read everything there, it's all good.
War stories
John of Argghhh! has one heckuva warstory you gotta read.
and don't forget to go back tomorrow for the Details, details, details.
UpDate: Details
Blackfive has conducted a few interviews with some soldiers he has serverd with.
Here's the general consensus of their thoughts as BlackFive puts it.
_____
Translation
Small Town Veteran has an update from Haider. Haider has translated the Arabic newspaper ?Alsharq Alausat?
Headline:
?First poll conducted by the Iraqi Ministry of Planning shows 72.4% Iraqis will vote.
A pretty impressive poll, go ck it out.
______
Keeping them Updated
Marine Corps Moms has an a letter from Major Holton from 2/24 Golf Company of updating parents and loved ones of the situation in Iraq. A must read.
_____
Semper Fi
A Collection of Thought Has an Update on the progress of Marine Corporal Casey Owens
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More Members to greet
Arkansas Bushwhacker & The Parrott Mountain Bully Boys
and
The Tadil Tales
This Blog need a special introduction, It's not a typical blog.
This Blog is for a group that are making simulation standards for
simulations for all warfighters....as a warfighter, they use
datalinks like Link16/JTIDS/TADIL-J for communications purposes.
Any of the milbloggers that are datalink users might have interest in
how this volunteer project is coming along, and might want to help
with other volunteer efforts for other datalinks. You can also use
the site as a place to talk about what improvements the warfighters
need (to the datalinks, etc) --without a bunch of contractors or brass
in the way. The point is to have a place that's
unofficial.
While there's a core group working on the standards part,
They're trying to get more people to comment on what's going on, get
their voices/concerns/comments. They occasionally (and are trying to
more often) post more "normal" blog kinds of articles that affect all
of us in the C2/C4I world. If you take a look at some of the older
archives, you'll see more notes on the news in the defense world.
I think this is the perfect place for them, don't you agree?
My warship had been transformed into a floating hotel for a bunch of trifling do-gooders overnight
Doubleplusgood Infotainment has a guest columnist and he's not happy, with the US NAVY being taken for granted.
As a result of having to host these people, our severely over-tasked SH-60 Seahawk helos, which were carrying tons of food and water every day to the most inaccessible places in and around Banda Aceh, are now used in great part to ferry these ?relief workers? from place to place every day and bring them back to their guest bedrooms on the Lincoln at night. Despite their avowed dedication to helping the victims, these relief workers will not spend the night in-country, and have made us their guardians by default.
_____
Send your thanks to the US Military
My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy would like everyone to give a Thank You to the troops
Hat tip to SlagelRock's Slaughterhouse
What are you waiting for, get going.
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How much is a Life Worth?
Froggy Ruminations has some opinions on Senate Majority Leader Frist's promise to increase in the military ?death gratuity
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Disgusted by the BBC
A MilBlogger in Baghdad, Rich at Beef Always Wins , is alittle disgusted to say the least from a BBC interview with Carrie Gracie questioning the Iraqi author Kanan Makiya, founder of the Iraq Memory Foundation.
I was in disbelief as I heard the BBC broadcast last night. What I heard was a shameless cut and paste job designed to paint the Coalition in a bad light despite whatever Makiya actually said. He was very articulate, and from the small bit I heard, I think his opinion on the current situation in Iraq would have been telling. I'm disappointed and utterly disgusted.
Seems to be a trend.
Go check out the interview and what Rich has to say
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Winds of War Briefing - 01/24/2005
The Fourth Rail is in a collaberated effort with Wind of Change and Discarded Lies to give briefing of insights, news and trends from the global War on Terror that leaves you stimulated, informed, and occasionally amused every Monday & Thursday.
The Winds of War Briefing is a roundup of the latest news on the Global War on Terror with a quick summary of each article. If you are interested in the details, progress and setbacks in the global war thisis a must read.
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Going Down Range
Reverse Retna from the Sandlot is heading down range.
And The Doc in the Box is headed back there as well
Go wish them well.
_____
Welcome to MilBlogs Ring
The Fourth Rail
and
Beef Always Wins
Great to have you aboard.
MilBlogger killed in Action
Athough he wasn't in the MilBlog ring He was a MilBlogger
SPC Michael Smith was a member of C company, 1st Bat., 503rd Infantry Regiment. He leaves behind his family, friends, and a wife, who he married in Korea last summer before he deployed to Iraq.
An excerpt from his blog:
these are the flags i'm going to fight for. these are the flags i'm going to defend, i will fight so no one can degrade our flags. i will do this, in the name of the United States, in my home state, and for the people living there. my friends. my family. my brothers in arms. they are who i'm going to fight for, so that they may be free.if this makes me a bad person, or someone you disagree with, then you give me one actual idea, that would work with the way things are going, and with an understanding of human nature. because it's all well and good to be an idealist, but when you can't face the facts of reality, you're in for a harsh ride and endless dissapointment and anger ahead of you.
Be at peace, soldier, your war is over.
_____
Support the troops?
Russ has an essay, you must read. Here are a few excerpts
It?s so easy to say you support the troops, regardless of which side you come down on in the issue of the War in Iraq itself. Yeah, you can send care packages and put yellow ribbon magnets on your car to make you feel all warm and fuzzy that you?re doing your own small part. You can do as I do and use forums such as this one to expound the viewpoint of the folks we send in harm?s way, hoping that someway, somehow, someone who can make a difference may read your rant and actually do that something that makes a difference.But right now, folks, we have a rare opportunity, a seldom-held power for ordinary citizens, to actually do something for the troops that will bring them more comfort than any supportive letters or boxes of cookies and candy ever possibly could. You see, right now we have the ability to provide them with comfort of mind, to lift a mental and emotional burden that they all carry with them when they enter any theater of combat. We hold in our collective hands the ability to grant them assurance that should the worst befall them, we, their grateful nation, will provide for their loved ones in a manner that will approximate what they would have provided in the normal course of their lives.
<...>
So you say you support the troops? Then as soon as you finish reading this, start hammering that keyboard and let your two senators and your congressman know that you expect no less than their full support for early passage of the HEROES Act. To a person, they all swear they support the troops, regardless of party affiliation or individual positions on the war. Let them know, their future electoral efforts will, in your mind, be dependent upon their actions on behalf of those troops and those families who have given that ?last full measure of devotion,? to their nation.Want a place to start? For a list of sites with congressional contacts, go here:
Contacting CongressGet off your butts, America and show you really do support the troops.
Russ Vaughn
But hey that's only a few excerpts, you must read the whole thing
Eric's Random Musings, speak about what being a Cold War soldier was like by relating one specific event that he experienced, an alert that felt like the balloon had gone up with the Soviets
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Sea-borne Terrorist
"EagleSpeak is concerned over what looks to be possible training of a sea-borne terrorist force and the potential threat to our military sealift shipping."
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Memorial
Sarah at Trying to Grok is ticked at ABC for trying to politicize a military funeral, But she attended another military funeral and she shares her thoughts here
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A Letter from the Mad Ghosts
BlackFive has a letter from the "Mad Ghosts" that's about the Marines of the 2/24th Battalion. This is a must read
_____
Politics of Forgetting Our Fallen
Sisyphean Musings has had to correct a few false assertion made by a few politicians and has a chart that put's it all in perspective
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Attention, Milbloggers!
Via email:
1LT Neil Prakash, of ARMOR GEDDON fame, was just awarded the
Silver Star.
Since he's one of my very best friends, I thought I'd make him more famous
than he already is.Sarah
Trying to Grok
Reflections
Chronicles of a Late Blooming Child Prodigy is reflecting back on a year in Mosul
Second Term
JibJab has done it again, just in time for the inaugural.
UPDATE: Jib Jab's latest includes a cameo "appearance" by GIs in Iraq, courtesy of Operation Give.
_____
Coming Home
From In Iraq for 365
?Listen and listen carefully. What do you hear?? said the first sergeant leading a series of redeployment briefings inside an old chapel at Dix. Nothing. ?Exactly. There are no mortars. No snipers. No IEDs. Just America, and we will get you home.? This group?s sole job is to take redeploying soldiers in transit and make sure they make it to the civilian airports and their flights on time. After 10 different people spoke about stuff I can?t remember because I was so sleepy, we then slept at this old, run-down church for about four hours and then re-packed all our gear in a different bus and headed toward the Philadelphia airport. We shared the bus with an ate-up unit. They failed to pack their bags in the typical military fashion ? tight with no loose strings ? and we had to help them repack their crap. One army, one team.
<...>
I had a nice surprise waiting for me in the crowd. A couple friends drove up from Milwaukee and gave me the biggest hugs I?ve received in a year. They bought my lunch at Panera Bread and dropped me off at Fort McCoy, where I?ll spend the next couple days receiving briefings about how to reenter society and to make sure I don?t have any strange diseases.I used to hate this place. The barracks were made in WWII and the heat never works. It?s always cold here. And the MPs like giving tickets. But now, as I look at this snow-covered post called Fort McCoy, I realize it?s more like my home than a duty station. After all, home is where the heart is and my heart will always be in America, all 50 states.
Thank You for your service
And here's a collection of memeories of his time in Iraq, his last post in Iraq
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What makes a MilBlog
A milblog is of course someone blogging, who is military, that's a no brainer, but it is also a mix of young GI's, old Veteran's (or not so old), and spouse's of GI's. All that have something to share, whether it be the experience of the war of today or the wars of the past or what it's like to waiting for a loved one to return. There is experience and wisdom you'll find nowhere else but in these blogs, so when I find a blogger who fits this criteria, I ask them to join the MilBlogs Ring. I can be persistant if I feel someone has wisdom to share or a perspective that needs seen, like with Bunker Mulligan.
A Small Town Veteran has an in-depth article on the Heros act. Sounds like a good bill to me. If interested in supporting this bill you can find a list of contacts here
_____
RaMrOd's has a welcome to Iraq that's all too real.
Warning rough language
_____
It's getting bigger and bigger
We have some additions to the ring we need to introduce.
And
These are all great reads you must visit.
Aiding and Abetting the Enemy: the Media in Iraq
Blackfive has an interesting essay by Lieutenant Colonel Tim Ryan - a Task Force (Battalion +) Commander in Iraq, this guy is not happy. This has been linked quite abit but if you haven't seen it, take your coffee and go , Greyhawk is still under the weather, but don't worry Greyhawk will spring back, just watch out when he does.
He's Back
2Slick is back - almost.
Mail Call
Excerpt
Dear American Soldiers,
As long as red, white, and blue flags still wave, yellow ribbons are still displayed, and Support Our Troops banners still hang, know that we are still thinking about you. We wish for your safe return home so you can be with your families, although you are all our sons and daughters. I consider you family and I understand why you do what you do. I will pray for you. America will pray for you. And when you come home, we will be waiting for you.So for now I ask, what is it that we can do for you? We want to know. So tell us your stories and we promise to never forget. We promise to share it with America, so that America will never forget. And maybe one day all Americans will understand why you do what you do.
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!
Sincerely,
Aaron Mighty
Creator/Producer
An American Soldier*******************************************
If you are a Veteran, active duty military or a family member of a fallen soldier and would like to contribute a story to the feature documentary film An American Soldier
Visit: an American Soldier (not the blog) or
Email to: stories@anamericansoldiermovie.com
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To send thank you letters to soldiers via postal mail
Visit: A Million Thanks
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An American Soldier is a feature documentary film (currently in pre-production) that will bring the stories of our American soldiers to the nation and the world. The film will aim to capture a compelling viewpoint of the American soldier, the lives they have led during and after war, and how they have paid the ultimate sacrifice to shape American society and world culture.
An American Soldier will not be a political film. The film will be a tribute dedicated to all American soldiers who have fought to preserve our freedoms and liberties here in America. Family members of soldiers who have lost their lives on the front lines will also share their stories.
This undeniably sounds like a must see film, but I hope they hold to their promise that this will not be politically motivated.
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Dear Greyhawk,I have some nice photos, forwarded from who-knows-where, of a C-130
crash in Iraq. From the camera date in one photo, these are fairly recent,
as recent as Dec. 30th.Have a look and decide if this is something you'd want to link to.
I have gotten an email from a doc in Iraq who says he took care of
the injured from the crash (and was astounded photos were out), confirming
no deaths but at least one very serious injury.Thank you for your service.
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Hello, I?m a veteran of the US Air Force. And I decided to create an image on my site as a symbol of solidarity with our troops. It would be great if all the veterans did something like this to show they?re real and they support the war effort.
If you could pass the word on my idea , that would be great.
Thanks!
And last but not least:
I thought you might like to know about a new MilBlog. I got an
e-mail from a soldier, thanking me for a letter I wrote to the troops.
He gave me a link to a section of his website where he has pics of he
and his Army buddies in Iraq. After looking at the pictures, I
checked out the parent directory, where I discovered that he was
setting up a blog about his time in Iraq.There are only two posts there now, but it looks like he just started
the blog today.Take care,
Ryan
Down but not Out
Well I?m battling a virus. Fever, cough, all of it. This doesn't keep me from my primary responsibilities but the grey parts of Greyhawk don't want to make words dance right now. I was going to tell you my plan for Mideast peace and the origins of global warming and reveal the secret recipe for DFAC chili mac, but that will have to wait for another day. Maybe more soon, but for now visit Lex.
Why? Glad you asked. I'll let you in on a secret. Lex is the Lileks of the MilBloggers. Lest you think I'd toss such a statement out there unsupported, I invite you to read his Christmas Post. (No - it's not too late. I meant to link it then, but server issues kept me off line. Besides, it has relevancy beyond Christmas.) Savor it, enjoy, thank me later. Then read his many subsequent musings, and don't miss his greatest hits which he conveniently lists in his sidebar.
Are you still here? Did you miss the virus part? Go before you catch it.
Must Read
A great look at the individual initiative and can-do attitude that
exemplifies our best and brightest, but unfortunately the last few
paragraphs seem to be a pointlessly tacked-on bit of Rumsfeld bashing.
The bulk of the story is must read, but the transition to
unadulterated lefty spew is jarring, as you'll likely see for yourself
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Progress in the 'Stan
Dear Mr & Mrs Greyhawk
Remember Afghanistan? The country which just had its first democratic election and whose reconstruction is making a steady progress?
The media doesn't.
However, here's the last four weeks' worth of good news from Afghanistan:
Chrenkoff
Opinion Journal
Thanks for spreading the good news.
Arthur Chrenkoff
Welcome to the Blogosphere and to MilBlogs
We have a new blogger, Sisyphean Musings, he's off to a good start by becoming a MilBlogger. Let's welcome him by visiting his very first post.
How to write to the wounded
Marine Corps Moms has suggestion for those who would like to write letters to the wounded.
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A Sniper You Should Know
Blackfive introduces us to a Marine Reservist Sniper that deserves our respect.
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Solidarity
Seeking Solace was surprised by the number of faded magnetic yellow ribbons attached to vehicles on the road. She wonders wonder if that is where it stops? By slapping a magnetized ribbon on your car does that give you a warm feeling that negates any further support?
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Deserter Deserts Again!?!?
SlagelRock tries to sort thru the facts of Marine Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun who was first believed kidnapped by terrorists then appeared to have deserted then again rumored to have been captured then freed and ultimately charged with desertion appears to have deserted again! Go make your conclusions.
Haider has translated some good news
News that you won't see in the MSM, because it just doesn't fit their agenda.
Here's a few excerpts
?500 Rabbies & Imams attend a Brussels conference together.?The translation of the article is as follows:
?King Mohamed the VI of Morocco and King Albert the II of Belgium sponsored a Muslim ? Jewish conference for peace in Brussels. The goal of the conference is to get Rabbies and Imams together to rebuild the common historic, ethical and moral ground shared by Judaism and Islam.
?Over 500 Rabbies and Imams from all over the globe are attending this conference which is currently taking place in Brussels. The attendance exceeded the expectation of the organizers. The attendees discussed the history of relations between Islam and Judaism and the problems that brought about the deterioration of the relationship between the two religions. During a candid discussion of the common commitments and prejudices imposed by mutual respect and acknowledgement of one another, the Moroccan king?s consultant ?Azawlai? urged all in attendance to realize the scope of the difficulties & challenges faced by both the Muslim & Jewish communities. He said that in this context we have to bring back to the word of God the philosophical, moral, and spiritual connotation which imprinted and fed since ancient times the progressive and novel humanitarian relationships not the oppressive and radical ones.
<...>
?Arab Interior ministers condemn attacks on Iraqi & foreign forces & the way Arab media reports it.?
The translation of the Article is as follows:?Arab interior ministers condemned the attack on foreign & Iraqi police and security forces and the kidnapping for foreigners in Iraq. The condemnation came at the closing of the 22nd convention of the Arab interior ministers, which started on Wednesday in Tunisia.
"The Iraqi interior minister Falah Hassan Al-Naqeeb asked at the opening of the convention that a statement be issued condemning the attacks on the Iraqi & foreign forces in Iraq. The Interior Ministers then denounced the news agencies that propagate and carry false news to entice terrorism. The ministers are referring to Arabic news, satellite and cable stations that refer to the attacks on Iraqi police, National Guard and Foreign forces in Iraq as resistance instead of terrorism.
<...>
Hat tip to Bill at Small town Veteran
The Tsunami was the result of an Angry God?
Dead Armadillos is glad his God is a much nicer one.
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Sticking the Taxpayers with a Loan for the UN's HQ?
My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy is supporting a petition to stop this and another one pushing for Kofi Annan?s resignation.
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Milblogger Hamilton's Pamphlets is unhappy with NZ Bear
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The Modern Military Wife/Spouse
Trying to Grok compares Military wife-ing of the past to that of today.
I've thought of this often myself.
More on Armoring Up!
John, at Argghhh! has some updates on sending M-113/A3 armored personnel carrier and the M-577 command post carrier. Both will be tougher and safer than newly armored Humvees.
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Combat Docs Down
Blackfive noted last week that the website of the 67th Combat Support Hospital docs had been ordered shut down. This week the Philadelphia Inquirer has additional details:
A Bucks County military doctor serving in Iraq says he was forced to shut down his Internet war diary last week after Army officials decided his gripping accounts of frontline medicine constituted a breach of Army regulations.Maj. Michael Cohen, a doctor with the 67th Combat Support Hospital unit, had chronicled the bloody aftermath of the Dec. 21 mess-hall bombing in Mosul that killed 22. That account and 12 months of other postings on his Web log, www.67cshdocs.com, were replaced with a short notice:
"Levels above me have ordered, yes ORDERED, me to shut down this Web site. They cite that the information contained in these pages violates several Army Regulations," Cohen wrote, adding that he disagreed with the ban.
Military blogs have grown numerous since the invasion of Iraq, often providing a closer account of the war than traditional media. But such "milblogs" present a problem for military brass because the diaries are available to anyone with Internet access, including insurgents.
Lt. Col. Steven Boylan, a spokesman for coalition forces in Iraq, said the Pentagon allows blogging so long as authors do not disrupt discipline in their units, make statements on behalf of commanders or the Army as a whole, or reveal operational details that could aid attackers.
"Sometimes a blog might contain subtle nuances from which you can put together a complete picture of our operations, which insurgents can use to attack us," Boylan said. He said he was not aware of any bloggers facing court martial or other serious discipline. He could not confirm the investigation into Cohen's blog, saying it would likely be handled by field commanders in Mosul.
"We definitely don't want to impinge upon somebody's free speech. We're out here defending that. But it can cross a line," Boylan said.
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New MilBloggers Recruits
CDR Salamander has a great piece on Col. Sam Gardiner. Let's welcome him with a visit.
Mind in the Qatar II will be Playing in the Sandbox very soon, so be sure to keep an eye on him
Pass the Brass Is an MP who talks alot and has alot to say, he has some thought on rumors floatin around about the MP. Mp's are always welcome.
The everyday life of a Military spouseI Love my Soldier
And last but most definitely not the least the newest recruit,
dougpetch.com a two war veteren who doesn't hesitate to correct Andrew Sullivan. A perspective of a veteran is always a must read.
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Attention All MilBloggers
We have a mission to do and that is to spread this news far and wide.
Via Email from Stryker Brigade:Greyhawk & Matt,
This is a message for the entire MilBlogs network, but
I'm still not sure how to do a mass emailing. We've
highlighted the work of Michael Reagan on our site
before.
Michael is a very well known portrait artist and a
Vietnam veteran. He recently decided to retire and
focus exclusively on providing free portraits of
fallen service men and women for their families. He's
done this for a number of our Stryker soldiers. He's
trying to get the word out and I'd like to help him
accomplish that. In his own words via email:"I'm about to retire early from my job and the reason
for that is the love I've received from all of you.
This hasn't been an easy decision, I've prayed a lot
about what to do but each time the answer is the same,
do the pictures. I need to reach as many parents and
families of those we are losing with my gift."If you think it's appropriate you could mention this
on your blogs. Otherwise, keep the following link
handy and feel free to send it to the families you
hear about that have lost loved ones.http://www.michaelgreaganartist.com/
Thanks and keep up the great work.
Regards,
Todd Sweet
Now get on your keybords and spread the news.
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Serving a Nation
Awesome!
Hat tip to the guys over at Argghhh!!!
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Request Denied
This is not approved:
Some of you may not know this, but in two months I'll be a civilian for the first time since I was 17. Yep, I'm getting out of the Army. It's an Unqualified Resignation from Active Duty- no National Guard, no Reserves. A clean break. This is a decision I made a few years ago, so it's not like I've been doing a lot of soul searching or anything like that. I've enjoyed every minute of my time in the service, and the Army's done more for me than I'll ever be able to put into words. I'm just ready to move on and enjoy other things in life. That doesn't mean I'll stop supporting the cause. I'll just be serving in a different way.
2Slick: Unfortunately at this time we must refuse your request. If you wish you can re-submit in triplicate for further consideration prior to additional rejection.
If I can use my combat experience and things I've learned on Active Duty to help debunk fascist mythos or help people understand what's going on over here, then I'm honored to do so. Mostly because I know that it will ultimately help those who chose to answer the call- as well as those who care enough to support them.
Hmmmm... okay, but I'm going to encourage people to go encourage you to keep that blog going!
Journey to War...
American Soldier is about embark on a trip that many MilBloggers have faced or will soon enough.
...And Back again
2slick Will be coming home, hanging up his boots and parking his Black Hawk.
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Let's welcome some new members to the MilBlog Ring
Thank My Recruiter is a group MilBlog a definite good read.
Old Patriot's Pen A 26 year veteran speaking from experience.
Don't be Stingy
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Military Blogs Not yet in the Ring worth taking a look
All Mrs G wants for Christmas...
...is a soldier coming home.
For those troops that are reading blogs to get closer to home, our thoughts and prayers are with you. We love and miss you.
Merry Christmas,
Keep Safe,
Come home soon.
ps
Greyhawk,
I've spent too much on Christmas presents this year,
I think trying to compensate for you not being here,
but out of all those gifts under the tree,
the only gift these kids want is you to come home safe and free.
XXXXOOOO
(Now this didn't start out to be a poem but after the first three lines it had to end as one. I think there's a poetic bug in the blogosphere air)
_____
In the mail:
Dear Madam, DearSir, I we wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas and all your friends. And a great Thank You to all the people who has supported us to help the wounded Soldiers and Marines in Landstuhl. We will all the wounded troops are staying for recovery over Christmas in LRMC here in Germany a still and peace loving Merry Christmas and a great and good Happy New Year and more Peace of Earth.Merry Chrismas and Happy New Year
Wilhelmine Aufmkol, Germany
soldiersangels.com
http://www.armyfisherhouses.org/testsite/landstuhl3.html__________________________________________________________________
- Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from home -
to all Soldiers, Civilian and Patients in the US Hospital in Landstuhl,
the Fisher House Landstuhl and the Kleber Barracks in Kaiserslautern!On the 15th December 2004, a wonderful winter morning with blue sky and white frosted trees, we started with 2 cars our trip to Landstuhl. It was so cold, but no rain and snow! A great day began. So let me tell you: Our day in Landstuhl was, I cannot tell you, overwhelming. It was a large moment to see, that someone is so far away from home and you can treat to him and you see that he is overjoyed and his eyes beam with joy.
This is a story you don’t believe if you have everything what you like to have to live! Rudi told me he has never seen that someone was so happy to get a shower gel! He told me, “Tell me how anyone can be happy only over a shower gel! As I set up an open box with personal hygiene items at the entrance of the Kleber Barracks because I had something left in my car. I saw as I came back that a soldier in uniform was standing nearby the box and looking in it! ” As my husband saw him the Soldier looked at Rudi and asked him: “Sir, can I have this shower gel, only the shower gel please?” Rudi looked so surprised and said, ”Yes sure! All the things we have with us are for the soldiers, Sir.” In this moment the Soldier, he has been arrived in Kleber today, looked perfectly happy and he said so many thanks to Rudi. So a shower gel is sometimes such more as an expensive gift what you do not need at the moment!
First I must say “Thank you” to all the wonderful people who donated so much good things for the 60 backpacks, 25 sport backs, and all the Christmas stockings which arrived here in Germany for to hand out to wounded Soldiers and Marines in LRMC and in the Kleber Barracks.Our new Angel Mary Ann, an American from Munich, came with us with additional 47 filled backpacks, 20 CD player and 20 special backpacks for wounded women. And so it is the Soldiers Angels hope that we can bring the wounded service members - who are far away from home and loved ones in this holiday season - holiday greetings and a little bit of comfort.
The Fisher House is “a home away from home”Irene and Manfred Kilp, Mary Ann and I we met us at 9:30 am in Landstuhl on gate 3. At first we had an invitation to a wonderful musical program at the Fisher House! The Officers' wifes' Club from Ramstein AB were coming to present their Christmas program. They sung Christmas songs for guests of the Fisher House.
Here we met John, a wounded Airborne Division soldier with his wife. John is an outpatient and stays with his wife for recovery in the Fisher House. We wished both a wonderful Christmas under this specific circumstance this year. For his wife we had a nice German/English cooking book and for him a backpack with a handmade blanket and a large Christmas stocking.
A great thank you to Kathy Gregory, manager from the Fisher House Landstuhl for to give us her time to go with us to the wounded soldiers. We don’t know how it could works without Kathy and the Fisher House! Read more here about the Fisher House and how you can help: http://soldiersangels.homestead.com/Fisher-House-Germany.html
from left Manfred, Willie, Rudi and IreneAt the Hospital
LRMC is about eight miles away from Ramstein and is the largest U.S. Medical Center in Europe. It operates with outpatient clinics - one of them is in Kaiserslautern – the Kleber Kaserne. Landstuhl has a capacity of 230 beds or more if it is necessary. Here you have inpatients who can have battle injuries with gun shot wounds, burns, amputations, or other non battle injuries as heart attacks and so on. And here are outpatients, who can go by themselves and do not need to lay down in a bed for recovery.
As we went to the hospital with Kathy, the manager from Fisher House and SPC W. from the Family Assistance Center with 60 filled backpacks with handmade blankets. Our sewing circles gave their time and sew the blankets for the wounded. These blankets will bring hope to so many of our wounded heroes. The Clair E. Gale Junior High School, ID as well as, Joyce from AZ, Paul and Berta from CA, Rosi from Idaho, Sarah from FL and the students from the East Hill Christian School 1st and 4th grade Pensacola, Fl and other Angels and friends have sent us to fill in the backpacks wonderful Christmas cards. A lot of other Angels have donated T-shirts, socks, underpants, candies, items for personal hygiene, books and more goodies. And we here in Germany have filled all the backpacks and sportbags. And without the personal help from Sgt. Leecharde R. Bersamina from the 1st AD this would not be possible, too.
The 150 Christmas stockings from the Soldiers Angels were a gift bag of goodies filled with reading materials, stationary, pens, socks, and selected toiletry items such as bath gels, shampoos, lotions, razors, dental products, or more goodies.
Operation Christmas From Home
As we handed out the first Christmas stockings in the Hospital the both wounded were so surprised that someone from home was thinking on them. Both asked me at once, "Who has made the wonderful Christmas stockings?" I told them, “…two great ladies, Sarah and Becky, worked over months to make this ready for you!” A doctor who was standing beside the bed of one wounded hero told me, “…it is a great thing that so much people from home spend their time and money to bring our heroes a so great Christmas gift. They must know that they are not alone…” You can believe me the both guys had tears in their eyes!
Christmas messagesLater we met Chaplain Young on the floor too and he told me, “…please give all Angels and friends a great thank you for all the good things the Soldiers Angels are doing for the wounded soldiers here in Landstuhl and Merry Christmas to you all…." The eight Christmas books we have with us, with - Christmas messages from home - we have let one in the Fisher House and the others in the Hospital and Kleber. Later as we were on the way to lunch I met Lt. Col. S. R., one of the chief nurses of the Landstuhl nursing staff and she said, “… you all are doing a great work! Thank you again and Merry Christmas…”
Wounded GuardmanA Deputy Public Affairs Officer from Oregon National Guard asked me,” Please look for Staff Sgt. C. who will arrive soon from Iraq. We have heard he shattered the bones in his legs enroute to his base station in Iraq and was at the hospital in Baghdad due to be sent to Landstuhl for stabilisation prior to travelling to Army Hospital in the States….” For the wounded Guardman we had a special backpack with a pair of trousers, t-shirt, underpants, socks, sweater, personal hygiene items, blanket and candies and more. It was not possible to visit him in person and talk to him. The security is very high at the moment! A nurse has brought in our name this backpack with a nice Get Well card to him and has given him out best wishes for a fast recovery! This is the most of the time normal I must say. Sometimes we can go and talk with the wounded soldiers and other times it is not possible like here. We are not sad about this! Security is very important today, terrible that we must say this.
Operation Christmas From HomeOur Angels Sarah LaPage, FL and Becky Morton, NC started in fall the project “Operation Something From Home” to bring some love and cheer to the wounded soldiers in Landstuhl and other main military hospitals in the States. A lot of students and people from companies have helped to make 500 Stockings ready with a lot of personal items and goodies and more. And over 140 are arrived in Landstuhl and donated amongst other things from:
The Soldiers’ Angels Foundation and Hershey Foods, PA. Hershey Foods sent the following message to our Herous: “Please relay to the men and women that it is people like them who have made our great country what it is today, and we at Hershey Foods thank them for their dedication. Our hearts go out to them for so bravely serving our nation.” Cindy and Caley Trujillo, Kennesaw, GA. Caley is in the Girl Scouts, and chose Operation Christmas from Home as her service project! She and her mom Cindy contributed over 70 stockings to the project with assistance from: Girl Scout Troop 2161.
The many, many Soldiers’ Angels who wrote Christmas cards and sent them to Sarah and Becky to stuff in the stockings for the heroes. There are too many of them for to thank here! Four schools in Pensacola, FL whose students wrote Christmas cards especially for our project. Despite being delayed in their lessons for several weeks due to Hurricane Ivan, these schools still took the time to do something special for our wounded soldiers: Little Flower Catholic School, East Hill Christian School, Alethia Christian Academy and Trinitas Christian Academy. If you have more questions about the Christmas Project 2004 or if you are interested to work with us for the next Christmas project 2005 please contact: Sarah LaPage: Soldiers’ Angels, PO Box 699, Cantonment, FL 32533 e-mail: sarah_ruth_81@yahoo.com or Becky Morton, Soldiers’ Angels, PO Box 375, Graham, NC 27253, email: rpmorton375@yahoo.com.
Santa`s for SoldiersYou do not believe it! More Christmas Stockings were coming! From the project “Santa`s for Soldiers”, from students of the Lewisville High School, 1098 W. Main, Lewisville, Texas 75067 came 145 stockings in 13 boxes to me for to bring it in their name to the wounded soldiers.
“Santa`s for Soldiers”
Posted on the wall at any ward in LRMC.
All students don’t have a lot of money, but they have big hearts. In all the stockings the soldiers didn’t find expensive stuff, but what they used so much, personal items and goodies."May No Soldier Go Unloved“
From Colorado we received wonderful 38 handmade ornament Christmas stockings from clients of Bernina Sewing Center which are donated over the Bernina store, Co. The filling was donated and suffered by church members, friends and family of Joan Pignon or others. From the Colorado Angels we had to talk to all wounded soldier: “Thank you for sacrificing the comforts we are enjoying to go away from your family and friends, your hobbies and interests so that we can maintain our liberties. Thank you for going without creature comforts and for enduring extreme environments, hostile people, monotonous work, horrible scenes and repetitive meal selections. Thank you for sharing the generosity and concern of Americans with those who question our movies dislike our interventions. Again, thank you for your service to our country! We are praying for your health, safety, and optimism and for your family.”
"May No Soldier Go Unloved“
Christmas Stockings from a Colorado Contingent of Soldiers Angels
Our visit in the Kleber Barracks in Kaiserslautern.On our trip to Kleber Kaserne in Kaiserslautern a medical facility from Landstuhl came Darla and Jane with us. This was the first time that we were here. As we arrived in Kleber, at first SSG G. told us something about the Kleber Kaserne.
Here it is where soldiers stay who not requiring hospital beds but evacuated to Landstuhl stay here during appointments and medical treatment. The soldiers travel normally 30-40 minuets each way by bus to LRMC to have here their medical treatment. The barracks can hold 356 Soldiers, but average only 150. If necessary, up to 410 Soldiers could be accommodated in the second building they have. Here is a place where transient Soldiers can relax and recharge their batteries as they wait for their wounds to heal. At the moment every week 110 wounded come or leave Kleber. The average stay for a Soldier — before returning to duty lasted not more than 15 days. The soldiers told us a stay at Kleber are short term and relatively comfortable. Here the soldiers have a pool table, library, free Internet access, movie rooms, reading room, Ping-Pong table, air hockey table, two day rooms, each with its own wide-screen television, a kitchenette and a telephone room where Soldiers can call their families for free. The soldiers here in Kleber do not need a phone card! The library has a lot of donated books and new magazines. Soldiers who come here receive two sets of desert battle-dress uniforms, a Gore-Tex jacket and a pair of gloves and a $250 AAFES gift card so they can purchase some civilian clothing. SSG G. showed us his full storage. He was glad that he has now enough uniforms for the soldiers.
After the lesson from SSG G. our hard work started! At first we all together brought the Christmas stockings in the large hall on the first floor. We all drove a lot of nails into the wall and have hung up all Christmas stockings on the wall. So all soldiers could take a wonderful Christmas gift by themself.
A younger and an older soldier were coming to us and say thank you for the stockings. And Kathy introduced us Germans working together with the Soldiers Angels to make this ready for them. They asked us if they can make pictures of our group and we said “sure”. And so they beamed with joy!
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Jane, Kathy and Rudi.......................Irene and the Christmas StockingAll the soldiers who were coming in or went out, or were sitting in the TV room we have given a Christmas stocking. They asked us currently, "Who has made these wonderful Christmas stockings". They all were so surprised that we have brought such gifts for them.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Let us hope that the next year will bring us more peace and freedom in our world.And thank you to all the women and men to fight for us the war against the terrorism.
Wilhelmine Aufmkolk, Germany
"May No Soldier Go Unloved“
soldiersangels.com
e-mail: JosephineFS@aol.com
I'd like to thank Soldiers Angels for their time and dedication to make sure all of out soldiers feel loved.
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Belleau Wood
A Classic!
Belleau WoodOh, the snowflakes fell in silence
over Belleau Wood that night
For a Christmas truce had been declared
By both sides of the fightAs we lay there in our trenches
The silence broke in two
By a German soldier singing
A song that we all knewThough I did not know the language
The song was "Silent Night"
Then I heard my buddy whisper,
"All is calm and all is bright"
T
hen the fear and doubt surrounded me
"Cause I'd die if I was wrong
But I stood up in my trench
And I began to sing alongThen across the frozen battlefield
Anothers voice joined in
Until one by one each man became
A singer of the hymnThen I thought that I was dreaming
For right there in my sight
Stood the German soldier
'Neath the falling flakes of whiteAnd he raised his hand and smiled at me
As if he seemed to say
Here's hoping we both live
To see us find a better wayThen the devil's clock struck midnight
And the skies lit up again
And the battlefield where heaven stood
Was blown to hell againBut for just one fleeting moment
The answer seemed so clear
Heaven's not beyond the clouds
It's just beyond the fearNo, heaven's not beyond the clouds
It's for us to find it here
The Authors are : Joe Henry and Garth Brooks Copyright 1997
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Merry Chistmas to Troops
The life of a soldier, each brave and strong, Always making sure that things here don't go wrong. This holiday season, I want All to know, That our happiness and freedom, to each of You we owe.We as a people are so truly blessed,
To have soldiers like you spread from East to West.To the North and the South, surrounded are we,
With military who love us, from sea to shining sea.My most gracious thanks...I send to you,
The Brave, the Proud, the too precious Few.And I send to you this Christmas...All my Love,
Along with a prayer that the lord above,Bless you most kindly, with warmth and grace,
And a smile may he place, on each loving face.Peace to All, Good will toward Men,
Without each of you, this would definitely end!Merry, Merry Christmas
from LadyGator and FamilyGod Bless you All
Tending Distant Fires
Far from hearth and home, watching
Cold alone but not alone
On distant shore and only wanting
Safe return and little more
What tales we'll tell
When that time comes
When tales can be told
When things grim
Seem far away
When other fires go cold
Some distant sunset, vision fading
Memories remain
And tired eyes gaze 'pon folded flags
While distant drums beat their refrain
Saluting fallen friends whose names
And youth will never fade
Here's to those on other shores,
for them live well, the price is paid
- Greyhawk,
-- Iraq, December 2004
Deployed far from home and hearth this Holiday season, awaiting a bit of cheer via comments:
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