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Patti Receives National VFW Award
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Award Recognizing "Spirit of Service" to be Bestowed upon Soldiers' Angels Founder Category: General Every summer, thousands of VFW delegates to the national convention converge in a major U.S. city to elect national officers and vote on new governing amendments and organizational bylaws. During this time, recognition will be given to a special woman that has spread her wings in supporting the deployed and wounded service members, their families and veterans.For founding Soldiers' Angels and other exemplary work that she does to make the world a better place Patti Patton Bader has just been notified that she is the recipient of the VFW 2008 James E. Van Zandt Citizenship Award that will be presented to her at the VFW 109th National Convention in Orlando, Florida on August 20, 2008.
"The VFW Citizenship Award - Awarded for outstanding service contributing to American citizenship. To recognize significant contribution to the spirit of service and dedication to the nation that inspires us to display better citizenship."
"James E. "Jimmy" Van Zandt was Commander-in-Chief of the VFW three times, and a veteran of three wars (World War I, World War II, and the Korean War). He served as an enlisted man in World War I and retired as an admiral following the Korean War. Descended from a pioneer family in Blair County, Pennsylvania, Jimmy worked his way from newsboy to United States Congressman. Recipients of the award named in Van Zandt's honor exemplify his dedication to public service, citizenship, and other admirable qualities."
Other citizens that have had this honor bestowed upon them during the 50 years it's been given out include Ronald Reagan, Lyndon Johnson, Gerald Ford, Hubert Humphrey, John Connally, Sam Rayburn, Jeannie Kirkpatrick, William Bennett, and Barbara Bush.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, with its Auxiliaries, includes 2.3 million members in approximately 8,400 Posts worldwide. Its mission is to "honor the dead by helping the living" through veterans' service, community service, national security and a strong national defense.
The VFW traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service: Many arrived home wounded or sick. There was no medical care or veterans' pension for them, and they were left to care for themselves.
This is awesome.
Details at A Soldier's Perspective.
Update: Read this too.
Comments on current combat in Iraq
and here.
(Mudville ain't my only stomping grounds...)
The soundtrack to the film The Free and the Brave - yours for free. (If you right click and "save target as"). Yes, the "film" is in the left sidebar...;)
This week's Frontline episode (see ad in right side bar) features fellow milblogger J.P. Borda's platoon from Iraq. Highly recommended.
...his [Mike Yon's] book will be out soon, but you can order an advance, signed copy and those will ship out starting today. (He's also got a deal with his publisher where he gets more money for these advance sales, so if you want to help him stay in the field it's not a bad way of doing it.)I'd move quickly on that.
Welcome to the Dawn Patrol, our daily roundup of information on the War on Terror and other topics - from the MilBlogs and other sources around the world. If you're a blogger, you can join the conversation. If you link to any of these stories, add a link to the Dawn Patrol too and your trackback will be added to the list. Hat Tips to the Dawn Patrol are greatly appreciated.
SGT Matt Maupin’s Remains Found in Iraq -- [Gathering of Eagles]
I have worn a bracelet with Matt’s name on it for almost four years, and was dreading the upcoming anniversary of his capture.
...Today, I take it off and place it on my desk, where I can look at it and remember him. The tan line on my wrist will fade eventually, but the memory of Matt’s sacrifice, and the horrors he endured for the sake of our nation will live forever in the hearts and minds of those who know the price of freedom. Godspeed, little brother. Your name will never be forgotten. Never.
Married Troops Can Live Together in Iraq -- [AP]
BAGHDAD (AP) -- When American soldiers get off duty in Iraq, the men usually return to their quarters, the women to theirs. But Staff Sgt. Marvin Frazier gets to go back to a small trailer with two pushed-together single beds that he shares with his wife....
Baghdad College Students Study U.S. Politics
3/24/08 Political science majors in Baghdad inteviewed by Kira Phillips of CNN.
Color of War -- [Michael Yon - in Iraq]
Desert Battles are unfolding in hidden and faraway places. Bullets snapp through air, then splap through flesh and men fall. Bodies crumple onto the desert, a fly lands on the lip of an open mouth, fingers twitch as the flesh dies and the winds kick up and dust settles on unblinking eyes. The dry earth drinks their sticky blood and they are forgotten. Their families do not know they are dead. They came to kill Americans and innocent Iraqis. Instead, they were killed themselves. In a desert landscape, sometimes the color of a war can bleed out into black and white.
Interestingly, the people who accuse Yezidis of being devil-worshippers are responsible for the deaths of perhaps a million people in the last few decades. They are the ones who put Yezidis on “reservations,” poured chemical gases on Kurds, set oil wells ablaze, poisoned the water with oil, and encouraged suicide attacks. What do Yezidis want from us? Not much. They want to thank Americans for beating back Saddam. They want Americans to know they appreciate the sacrifice.
Iraqi Forces Show Strength Through Unilateral Exercise -- [MNF-I]
“This exercise is very important to make the people confident in the IP and PSF,” said Iraqi Col. Muhammad Shafur, the PSF battalion commander, through an interpreter. “It showed the people that the police are strong and serious about taking actions against the insurgents.”
“We have to be prepared and ready in case insurgents attack here,” said Iraqi police Col. Faruq Hardan, the Haditha Triad IP chief.
...The IP and PSF planned and executed key training events for their men as coalition forces observed.
The Iraqi forces are working hard to gain the trust of the people through these exercises and with their continual security presence in the community.
Mojo's World -- [Kaboom - in Iraq]
The day before Muqtada al-Sadr lifted the Mahdi Army's freeze of attacks on Coalition Forces, things were obnoxiously normal in Anu al-Verona. Kids playing in the dirt, women shopping in the market, old men casting geriatric judgements from front porches, teenagers leering for the sake of leering - you know, the works. It all seems so distant now. Multiple 24-hour plus missions tend to have that effect on the memory.
As usual, Mojo was found near the combat outpost, on the front steps of the governance center. As the mayor’s son, he has the unofficial responsibility of hawking as much crap obtained by less than legal means as possible our way. Phone cards, cell phones, movies, iPods, and various forms of porn far more creative than necessary are always readily available through him – and that’s what he’s willing to try and sell in front of the LT.
Deja Vu All Over Again -- [All Quiet on the Southwest Asian Front -- in Iraq]
Mar. 28th, 2008 - Woken up 3 times yesterday by rocket attacks. The first one not 5 minutes after I laid down to sleep. Then they started coming in every few hours. It made us laugh a bit to hear that the second attack had overshot, landed on the Iraqi Military Academy, and set a mosque on fire.
But the constant interruption of my sleep did me no favors. It hurt to get up for work.
Al-Sadr's Jaysh al-Mahdi still going crazy. It's like all the madness of last summer all over again.
Sadr orders followers to end fighting -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio - in Iraq]
Muqtada al Sadr has called for his Mahdi Army to end fighting with the government. This comes as his forces have taken significant losses over the past six days.
In Pictures: Iranian munitions seized in Iraq -- [LWJ - Bill Roggio - in Iraq]
Multinational Forces Iraq has released new images of Iranian-made weapons that have been seized inside Iraq.
As the US and Iraqi Army battle the Iranian-backed Mahdi Army and the Special Groups terror cells in central and southern Iraq, the US military in Baghdad has released further information on Iranian-made weapons seized in Iraq. The US has seized numerous weapons caches in the past, with lot numbers and markings clearly linking them back to Iran. Iran has denied any involvement with sending weapons to Iraq, yet it has not explained how these Iranian-manufactured weapons are appearing inside Iraq.
Curfew Ends, Fightng Continues -- [Zen Traveler - in Iraq]
The curfew ended early this morning, so life is returning to relative normalcy here in the city. Our household staff came in this morning and told me that the fighting still continues in Sadr City despite al-Sadr's call for his followers to withdraw from the streets, CNN is reporting the same thing. It's an indicator that al-Sadr's grip on the Mahdi Army may not be as strong as once thought. Also, to be fair, not all of the insurgents belong to the Mahdi Army, as there has been a lot of fracturing of insurgent groups lately, especially around Sadr City.
This week in Basra – 2 Major Lessons -- [OPFOR]
The infestation of Basra with Mahdi madmen shows what could happen throughout Iraq if American forces would draw down too quickly. It has not been long since British forces prematurely turned over Basra's city streets to local police. Now, the Mahdi Army roams the streets with RPGs and RPK machine guns. Basra has become one of the last Iraqi havens for extremists. If we stop our chemotherapy early because it makes us sick, the cancer will return.
Fuck the Militia -- [TheAngryAmerican - in Iraq]
...The main route we had been working on recently was empty and it was the middle of the day. Smoke from tire fires was in the air. Lately Sadr's militia went buckwhile coming out to fight. Fighting from Sadr City spilled east into Bravo Company's sector. Alpha, and Bravo and some elements from an Armored unit were in the midst of a heated battle in Bravo's sector uprooting militia men from the check points. We drove by a check point tower we had built and the side of it had been hit by an RPG. We drove past numerous check points that were abandoned. Reports of a certain checkpoint that had been taken over by JAM came across the net.
Another Interesting Day -- [Brad's Excellent Adventure - in Iraq]
...I had two projects going in the same area at the same time, and we were doing a pretty good job of managing to our plan. One contractor was adjusting the air conditioning, and another was putting down new tile on a stairway. It was all being done in a secure area that requires extensive coordination and pre-planning for me to get workers in to do anything. I had done the required coordination, and we were where we were supposed to be, and when.
One thing about working with these local contractors is that you can never tell what they are going to do next – they just don’t approach a job the way you’d expect
Escalation Of Force -- [Iraq: The Purgatorium - in Iraq]
The kids in the school crowd in the doorways and peek out the windows at the foreigners clearing the area. Once we finish and take up positions inside the courtyard, the kids become more curious.
"Hello Mista!"
"Mista! Football!"
"Mista! Pen!"
"Mista! I love you!"
"Mista! Give me!"
The teachers were obviously annoyed by the distraction and the kids' unruly behavior. There was really only one way that I could ever respond to something like this.
I gave the kids the thumbs up, which they returned, moderate cheering.
As we walked back, I took point, with my good friend, the travel partner, Solid Steak, on the other side of the road next to me. I went about the usual scanning paranoia routine, looking for the supposed bad guy before the supposed bad guy could supposedly get it on.
Down the road in front of us, an old dude pedaled towards us on a bike. I gave him the closed fist hand signal to stop. He didn't.
I gave him the Iraqi hand signal for Stop. He didn't.
I yelled at him, something polite like, "Hey! Keef! Stop! STOP MOTHERFUCKER!!!" He didn't.
I raised my M4 and put my sights on his face. "HEY! STOP AND GET THE FUCK OFF THE ROAD!!!" He didn't.
Iraq News (31 March) -- [LT Nixon Rants - in Iraq]
The Good: Sadr throws in the towel (that didn't take long). Also, check out my post entitled "Shi'ite Happens" at VetVoice for my take on this whole mess. The fact that many in the media think the Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces are tactically losing to a bunch of thugs is preposterous. Apparently, Iran was involved in the ceasefire too, very interesting.
Dealing With Corruption -- [False Motivation - in Iraq]
Before I post the pictures from the kids I want to touch on a subject that is at the very heart of this conflict here in the Middle East, Corruption. No, not American corruption, Iraqi. The last thing left to do to complete our mission here is to help the IA and IP establish themselves as a legitimate, capable, and competent force; but sometimes they seem so dead set against it.
Hero For A Day - U.S. Troops and Iraqi Children
A Triumph of Spirit -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
The soldiers had told M many times to be careful. They worried about him. He smiled and dismissed the warnings, they said, and asked just one thing: "If something happens to me, take care of my family."
After he was killed, Beckert and Wilz went to console Mrs. M and the children. She was terribly frightened, they said, certain that her children were in danger. She looked at the soldiers and asked: "We go America?"
"We looked at each other," Wilz said. "Then, we looked at her and said, 'Yes.' "
Read this inspiring story about the North Dakota National Guard soldiers of the 141st Engineer Combat Battalion and the Iraqi family who became their own. And bring a tissue.
VIDEO: From the Frontline - Episode 2 -- [Fearless 1st Marines’ blog - in Iraq]
This edition features stories on Operation Spider Web and it's mission in Aramayah, Iraq as well as Joint Security Patrols in Subayhat, where they patrol the streets and meet with locals.
Part 2 - Continues to feature stories of Marines patrolling through the Andaloos district in Fallujah, Iraq where they are searching for cars that may house vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED) and interview shop keepers along the way.
on call at AFTH -- [the alley - in Iraq]
Posted March 19th, 2008 by JoshI'm the SOD (Surgeon Of the Day) on call tonight here at the Air Force Theater Hospital, and it's just after 1:15 AM. We've just "tucked in" two injured US troops who came from Baghdad, which is sort of a nightly occurrence. One of them had to go back to the OR on arrival here. I can't believe it's been two weeks since I last posted...sorry. It's been a little busier here lately, with lots of Iraqi thoracoabdominal injuries and our fair share of postoperative complications.
"KBR runs this country" -- [IN-iraq - in Iraq]
(KBR employee Brian Bodway, of Gulf Shores AL, trains new Indiana soldiers on how to extract a truck driver in case of an emergency. Bodway has driven trucks in Iraq for almost three years.)
“You’re gonna learn real fast that KBR runs this country,” said Sgt. Robert Bishop, 29, of the Alaskan 297th combat support battalion, as he spoke to several Indiana platoons on their mission for the next nine months- convoy security to and from Iraq's U.S. bases.
KBR, Kellogg Brown and Root, is the omnipresent corporation that seems to supply and maintain everything from Port-a-potties to busing on U.S. bases in Iraq.*
Biggest Mistake -- [One Marine's View]
I heard on the radio the other day that morons are claiming that the Iraqi War was the biggest blunder of President Bush's presidency. Wow, are these guys the most ungrateful, unfocused, un-American people or what? It was a mistake, they say, to invade Iraq. Hell, let's wrap Afghanistan in that too then.
Why 4,000 Wasn't 13,747 -- [Strategy Page]
March 31, 2008: Five years of fighting in Iraq has killed 4,000 American troops. The first five years of fighting in Vietnam (1965-69) killed 40,258. There were about three times as many U.S. troops involved in the Vietnam fighting. But even then, the number of Americans killer per thousand troops in Vietnam was three times higher (19, versus 6 in Iraq). If the casualty rates were the same in Iraq, there should have been 13,747 dead so far. However, there were proportionately more wounded in Iraq. While there were 3.4 times more dead in Vietnam (in killed per thousand troops), there were only 3.2 times more wounded. Overall, there were 133 casualties per thousand troops in Vietnam, versus 47 in Iraq.
Downgrading Iraq? -- [Matt Sanchez]
Five years after the initial invasion of Iraq, Americans wonder where we are.
Iraq is like no other conflict in American history. It is arguably no longer a war, but a low-level insurgency. We are not fighting a country, but a transnational conspiracy that operates more like an international fast-food franchise than a military force. In this conflict, there will be no "D" Day or signing of a peace treaty.
What is victory? It is ...
Mass grave uncovered in Iraq -- [Wa Times]
ZAHAMM, Iraq — The graves of more than 50 people thought killed by al Qaeda in Iraq during their two-year reign of terror in Diyala province's "bread basket" region have been found in a pomegranate orchard in a village near the town of Himbus.
Excavations at the site began last week and were expected to continue after troops of the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment were tipped to the location by a man who claimed to have escaped from al Qaeda's "jail" there last summer.
The Case for Conditional Engagement in Iraq -- [SWJ]
Five years into the war in Iraq with no end in sight, a new strategy is needed. The current strategy of unconditional support to Iraq’s central government has not produced nearly enough political progress. President Bush and those wishing to succeed him should embrace a new political strategy in Iraq that makes our military presence conditional on political accommodation.
Under the leadership of General David Petraeus, U.S. forces in Iraq have designed and implemented the best military strategy possible under the circumstances. But security progress appears to have leveled off, and violence has started to tick back up. Further gains can only come through the political process. General Petraeus recently told reporters that “no one feels that there has been sufficient progress by any means in the area of national reconciliation.” Similar candor will likely be on display when Petraeus testifies before Congress in the coming days.
Al Qaeda Trying to Change the Look of Terror -- [ABC News]
The nation's spymaster said the United States faces an imminent threat of attack from al Qaeda fighters training today along Pakistan's mountainous frontier with Afghanistan.
And the attackers, he says, will look like many of us.
"It's very clear to us that al Qaeda has been able, over the past 18 months or so, to establish a safe haven along the Afghan/Pakistan border area that they have not enjoyed before," CIA Director Gen. Michael Hayden said on NBC's "Meet the Press" program.
"That they are bringing operatives into that region for training, operatives that ... wouldn't attract your attention if they were going through the customs line at Dulles with you when you're coming back from overseas," he said.
Front of the line -- [Yellowhammering Afghanistan - in Afghanistan]
Girls get the goods in Andar.
I recently made what may end up being my last visit to Ghazni's much-talked-about Andar District.
Moving to the head of the line.Andar has quite a reputation. Historically it has been the most active area for Taliban. It is the most populous district outside of the central Ghazni District and most are Pashtun, the tribe that dominates Afghanistan and Taliban membership.
Though Andar has improved over the last year, it always perks the ears and makes the hair on you neck stand up when you are told you're going there.
Last Look At Afghanistan Up Close -- [Bill and Bob's Excellent Afghan Adventure - in Afghanistan]
...Over the course of the year, I would spend hundreds of hours on the worst roads imaginable, out in the middle of nowhere, humvee working hard, and here would come the ubiquitous (and I am not using that term lightly; I mean ubiquitous) Toyota Corolla headed in the opposite direction, often crammed to the gills with Afghans. Sometimes it would be just one guy. I have never seen a woman operate ANY piece of equipment in Afghanistan.
Unless you count goats as equipment. I was thinking motorized transport or farm equipment.
Today we moved by armored bus, which is a step up from an up-armored humvee comfort-wise. We had armed exscort... in UAH's... but we were just like tourists on our way to a tour of the local cheese factory.
French Soldiers Engaging Talibans [Part2]
What you'll see: French soldiers looking for talibans in a village, getting engaged (Buzzing bullets above heads), engaging them with 20mm cannons and assault rifles(FAMAS).
At the end of the video, there is a big battle between French/Afghan soldiers and talibans.
The Longest War -- [WaPo - Richard Holbrooke - in Afghanistan]
...Success in Khost required some of America's best troops. Today elements of the legendary 101st Airborne Division -- the Screaming Eagles of the Battle of the Bulge -- are replacing troops from another storied unit, the 82nd Airborne, who, over 15 tough months, took Khost back. That success resulted from tactics developed locally by a stellar team: a courageous and honest provincial governor, Arsala Jamal, who has survived four assassination attempts; a creative American troop commander, Lt. Col. Scott Custer (yes, he is a direct descendant), who devised a more aggressive system of joint patrols with local Afghan army units; and a remarkable young Foreign Service officer, Kael Weston, who has established a direct dialogue with tribal leaders, university students, mullahs, madrassa students and even Taliban defectors.
As I saw in hours of meetings with these groups, Weston's intense hands-on process identifies problems and misunderstandings that might otherwise spiral out of control.
Taliban Deputy Announces "Al-Ibra" ("Lesson") Campaign -- [MEMRI]
On March 27, 2008, the Islamist forum www.alhesbah.bz (hosted by ThePlanet.com Internet Services, Inc. in Houston, TX and NewMedia Express Pte Ltd in Singapore) posted a communiqué by Mulla Beradar, the second in command of the Taliban, announcing a new campaign named "Ibra" ("Lesson") against U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan with the onset of spring
Afghan lament -- [Wa Times - Arnaud de Borchgrave]
Most of the European members of NATO, while professing solidarity with the U.S. and NATO over Afghanistan, and conceding that it's a make-or-break issue for the trans-Atlantic alliance, are not prepared to stay more than another two years, maximum three. Supplying their, at best, weak troop commitments stationed in the quieter parts of Afghanistan (where there is little Taliban guerrilla activity) is more costly than anticipated. Countries like Belgium, Spain and Italy have limited airlift capacity and their military transport aircraft are stretched to the breaking point. European Union countries that are also members of NATO allowed their defenses to run down since 1989 when the Berlin Wall collapsed and money saved went into the gargantuan appetites of welfare states.
Most European "statesmen/-women" concede the need for becoming more engaged in Afghanistan, but the man-/woman-in-the-street questions the need to expend resources in a country that is still hovering between the 15th and 16th century. Taliban was there before we came, argue most Europeans, and will be back even before we leave. With luck, they add, what will follow our withdrawal will accept the education of girls that the Taliban had rejected and ruthlessly stamped out when it ruled the roost between 1996 and 2001.
...In any event, this could not be achieved in time to influence events in Afghanistan where the clock is running out. The Taliban cannot win militarily. Nor can NATO. But could NATO, EU and the U.N. build a viable state with modern infrastructure? Certainly not over the next three years. Hence, Frank Carlucci's admonition to stick it out for 10 to 20 years if necessary. Chances of this happening? Slim to none.
Questionable peace if Taliban are part of it -- [Sydney Morning Herald]
After six years of fighting in Afghanistan, sharing power with the Taliban has been suggested as the way to end the war. Negotiating with the "moderate" and "good" Taliban is an idea the Afghan Government and the coalition forces have employed since the removal of the Taliban at the end of 2001.
All parties, including the Afghan Government, the United States and those Western countries that have considerable numbers of troops in Afghanistan, have been, at different levels, in secret negotiations with the Taliban. So why have all parties suddenly come to a more overt consensus that a political settlement with the Taliban is a solution?
Pakistan's Taliban Militants Welcome Talks With New Government -- [VOA]
The Pakistani Taliban says it is open to holding talks with the country's newly elected government.
Yousaf Raza Gilani talks to media upon his arrival at Parliament House in Islamabad, Pakistan, 24 Mar 2008
A spokesman for the militant group Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, Maulvi Omar, says the group is ready to cooperate with the government and bring peace to tribal areas.
However, he urged Pakistani officials to end their cooperation with U.S.-led forces that are fighting an insurgency in neighboring Afghanistan.
North Korea Vows “Great Lesson” for South -- [GI Korea]
The lack of reaction from South Korea over the North’s rhetoric this week is causing them to increase the threats:
In addition North Korea has increased military maneuvers and aircraft flights along the DMZ in an attempt to increase tensions on the peninsula. However, none of this is working, for example look at the South Korean government’s response to a North Korean threat to turn the country into ashes:
Bush Begins a Long Farewell on the World Stage -- [Moscow Times]
Winding down his presidency, George W. Bush is beginning his farewell tour on the world stage trailed by questions about how much clout he still wields. Air Force One will roar out of Andrews Air Force Base on Monday to whisk Bush to the first in a long-planned series of global goodbye events. After a brief stop in Ukraine, Bush stops in Romania to attend his last summit with NATO leaders.
Part VI: CAIR Portrays "War on Terrorism" as Malicious "War on Islam" -- [Counterterrorism Blog- IPT]
The new perception is that the United States has entered a war with Islam itself," CAIR Chairman Parvez Ahmed declared at Washington's National Press Club in July 2007.
But, in fact, CAIR officials and spokesmen have been peddling that same "new perception" ever since the 9/11 attacks in 2001. They have portrayed virtually every intervening prosecution of an alleged terrorist who is Muslim and every investigation of an alleged terrorist front group as an insidious attack on their religion.
My life in al-Qa'eda, by bin Laden's bodyguard -- [The Telegraph]
He served loyally at the terrorist leader's side in the build up to the attacks on America and is wanted by the FBI and CIA. Nasser al Bahri speaks to Tim Butcher
Nasser al Bahri, a former al-Qa'eda fighter, who was Osama bin Laden's bodyguard
Osama bin Laden is a workaholic who will always be one step ahead of Western intelligence, his former bodyguard has told The Daily Telegraph.
Many have claimed intimate knowledge of bin Laden over the years. But in the case of Nasser al Bahri, a bearded and slightly portly 35-year-old taxi driver who lives in Yemen, the claim is not tainted by exaggeration.
The Bin Ladens -- [Patterico’s Pontifications]
According to a new book about the Bin Ladens, eldest brother Salem wanted to buy America:
“The Arab millionaire is charming but determined. He has made a bet to persuade four young Christian women from four different Western countries to become his wives simultaneously in accordance with the Islamic law that allows polygamy. The girls are American, British, French and German.
Younger brother Osama also has a goal: He wants to bankrupt America.
4,000....DO YOU KNOW ANY OF THEM? -- [THE CI-ROLLER DUDE]
I had to take a break from my vacation. The toll in Iraq reached 4,000 dead the other day. That bothers me alot. It's funny, but so many people I know in California don't know anyone who's in or has been to Iraq (other than me). So, I think for many it doesn't seem real. What makes it real for me, besides having been there, is the soldiers I know who died there. I say the word "know" not "knew" because I will always think of them.
Red White and Blue, Lynyrd Skynyrd: Military Tribute
He knows something's up. -- [Non-Essential Equipment - Military Spouse]
We are trying to get Munchkin ready for the deployment.
We've bought our Daddy doll. We've put photos of CPT Dick everywhere we possibly can. We've been doing a lot of videotaping of CPT Dick reading perennial favorites like "Red Fish, Blue Fish" and "Whopper Cake."
And we've started telling him that Daddy is going away. We've read the advice in books (translation: I have and told my husband what to say) and we've been mentioning it casually over the past few months. A bit more now that D-day is coming right up on us.
... But this week, I think we crossed a line. We were wrapping a present for a birthday party and I started to talk about how Daddy wouldn't be back until after his next birthday. Munchkin looked up at me, somewhat alarmed, and said, "No. No bye-bye. Daddy stay. No bye-bye. Daddy stay here."
Part of him is still here -- [Oh! That's gonna leave a mark]
Stuntman left home at the end of R&R more than 2 weeks ago.
The morning he left, he changed his ACU shirt when he realized that the one he was wearing was faded more than his pants. He removed the velcro patches and the pins and put them onto his new shirt. The old one was hung on the back of a kitchen chair.
It's still there.
Do Valor Awards Mean Anything? -- [Badgers Forward - in Iraq]
In January I wrote this post about Xavier Alvarez, a member of a California water board who falsely claimed to have been awarded the Medal of Honor in 1987. Mr. Alvarez was charged with a federal crime for falsely making the aforementioned claim and I took Mr. Alvarez's defense counsel, Briana J. Fuller to task for her assertion the Federal government did not have " a compelling enough reason" to regulate claims to military awards and such false claims should be protected as freedom of speech.
The story is one again in the news ...
Fixin' America's Military -- [Intel Dump]
In Slate today, Fred Kaplan and I have a column on several things we think the next president (regardless of who he/she is) should do to fix America's ailing military. The list looks beyond Iraq and Afghanistan to the deeper, structural issues facing the force, and hopefully proposes (or endorses) a few good ideas, including:
There's no place like . . .Kansas? -- [Jason's Iraq Vacation - home from Iraq]
I am back in the US. Not quite home, but I am in the US and happier then I can describe. We arrived at Fort Riley early in the morning a couple days ago, and haven't even really slept since then. A combination of de-mobilization, equipment turn-in and jet-lag has prevented most of us from getting any sleep, but we really don't care. Tomorrow I will be back in Philly and while it it will be sad to say goodbye to everyone, the sense of relief I feel about being home is overshadowing everything.
What Costs More Per Year Than The Iraq War? -- [Western Front America]
Illegals are taking the lives of 23 American citizens each and every day - thats 8,395 Americans a year. In the 5 years of the war in Iraq we have lost 4,000 soldiers. In those same 5 years we have lost 41,975 of our brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers to the invaders from Mexico and South America. These illegals are also costing American taxpayers 340 Billion dollas a year, and the numbers keep climbing.
1. $11 Billion to $22 billion is spent on welfare support given to illegal aliens each year. See Immigration and Welfare.
2. $2.2 Billion dollars a year is spent on food assistance programs such as food stamps, WIC, and free school lunches for illegal aliens.
3...
Progress is measured in steps, not moonshots -- [Peace Like A River]
Both Clinton and Obama have expressed their desire to reach waaaay down the gullet of victory and pull out defeat by pulling our troops out of Iraq. With lip service to the changes the surge has brought, they say the surge was really intended to give the Iraqi government room to meet the “benchmarks”, and since that’s not happening, they say, the surge has failed so let’s call it a day.
Coming Soon: A Crisis in Civil-Military Relations by Richard Kohn at World Affairs Journal. -- [SWJ Blog]
When a new president takes office in early 2009, military leaders and politicians will approach one another with considerable suspicion. Dislike of the Democrats in general and Bill Clinton in particular, and disgust for Donald Rumsfeld, has rendered all politicians suspect in the imaginations of generals and admirals. The indictments make for a long list: a beleaguered military at war while the American public shops at the mall; the absence of elites in military ranks; the bungling of the Iraq occupation; the politicization of General David Petraeus by the White House and Congress; an army and Marine Corps exhausted and overstretched, their people dying, their commitments never-ending. Nearly six years of Donald Rumsfeld’s intimidation and abuse have encouraged in the officer corps a conviction that military leaders ought to—are obliged to—push back against their civilian masters.
Student Mob Shuts Down MN Military Recruitment Center -- [Gateway Pundit]
Student leftists from MacAlester College wearing plastic arm tubes shut down an army and navy recruitment center in Minnesota on Thursday.
The Macalester SDS action was undertaken alongside a protest at the U by the Anti War Committee, UofM SDS, and Youth Against War & Racism. The slightly larger anti war march started at noon and met up in front of the Navy and Army recruitment center.
What A U.S. Surrender Looks Like -- [The Corner - Lisa Schiffren]
The current campaign has gone on long enough so that actual policies and pronouncements made more than a year ago by candidates would already be bearing fruit, were they our president. Take a look at this brilliant illustration of what the history books (websites) would look like if Barack Obama were really our Commander-in-Chief, and we were bound by his convictions on military and political strategy in Iraq, God forbid. As Meigs points out, there aren't a lot of pictures of American surrender. Those that exist are ugly. Increasing the number is not a good platform for a rational nation to embrace.
Washington Post embeds with the enemy -- [BlackFive - Uncle Jimbo]
Well color me shocked, but the Washington Post has a reporter embedded with the Mahdi Army. They are receiving first hand reports on how the Iranian-backed militias there are trying to kill our troops. I am just curious about how it would have gone over if they had embedded a reporter with the SS in France as we invaded Normandy, or in the caves on Okinawa to report on how well the Japanese were doing slaughtering Marines.
Fortunately for us our media has no qualms about engaging with (not in the proper way), reporting on, and essentially becoming terrorist press agents.
Hersh Says US Media Spreading Fake News and the US is "in real trouble" in Iraq -- [PressTV]
Prominent journalist Seymour Hersh says the US is 'in real trouble' because news coverage on Iraq is anything but balanced and unbiased.
When the American government says the US is winning in Iraq and is not torturing prisoners, they are just words, Hersh told his audience of journalism students in Regina, Canada. "We are in real trouble [in Iraq]."
Remind me again — who’s losing in Basra? -- [Hot Air - Ed Morrissey]
Anyone who follows the news closely in Iraq knew this day would come. The British left a power vacuum behind in the south that the Baghdad government could not fill at the time, and Sadr and the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council’s Badr Brigades filled it instead. They have fought each other and some smaller Shi’ite groups for control of the streets ever since 2005, as Steven Vincent tried to warn people just before they murdered him in Basra. The Iraqi government had no choice but to challenge the militias for control of Basra and the surrounding areas, but they waited until the Iraqi Army had enough strength to succeed.
Did our media give anyone this context? No. They reported it as some kind of spontaneous eruption of rebellion without noting at all that a nation can hardly be considered sovereign while its own security forces cannot enter a large swath of its own territory. And in the usual defeatist tone, they reported that our mission in Iraq had failed without waiting to see what the outcome of the battle would be.
Thank God for Stop Loss -- [MilBlogs - Greyhawk]
...because soldiers aren't capable of living in the cold cruel world outside the hellish military cocoon.
At least that's what the LA Times wants you to believe. Vets Face Grim Job Prospects - and if you think I'm exaggerating above, here are a few key quotes from the first few paragraphs explaining why.
My thoughts on the upcoming release of Bad Voodoo's War -- [J.P. Borda - milblogging.com]
The film Bad Voodoo's War airs on April 1st. Deborah Scranton and my Platoon Sergeant SFC Toby Nunn, have done an outstanding job telling the story of the Bad Voodoo soldiers. I know for a fact, my family, friends, and several of my readers are excited to see what I finally do over here.
It's always tough to explain my job. Even after my last deployment to Afghanistan from 2004-2005, I had some short video clips, photos, and my blog to help illustrate my job as an Infantryman. But man, having this film is way neater.
Prebirth Anticipation -- [Toby Nunn's Briefing Room - in Iraq]
Sand Storm yet. Its amazing to how accustomed we have become to getting sand in and around everything and now what was a catastrophic annoyance is now just another part of our functioning lifestyle. The good news, going to be another Sand Day!
I am very excited for the guys and I to watch "Bad Voodoo's War", I hope the men like it and that their families will enjoy and appreciate this legacy that they have created for themselves. Of course I am a little apprehensive about the public reaction and that of my family. I very rarely share my life outside the house with them. This in part not to create undo worry but to me there are just some things about me and what I do that are mine plain and simple. It's not that I don't trust them with this but Toby and Dad is a much nicer guy than SFC Nunn. Toby and Dad don't swear or cuss around the kids and house but here I have found that my vocabulary has suffered greatly and I am almost embarrassed by my mouth. This is one of the things I am sure Pops will relay to me upon seeing the show. I also hope that the other Families of the guys see how well their loved ones perform so that it takes some of their fears away.
Beating Hollywood -- [cannoneerno4]
People often complain about Hollywood’s leftward tilt when it comes to Iraq, but few do anything pro-active about it.
JD Johannes is trying to do something about it.
He has nearly died a few times trying to do something about it.
Hollywood and the entertainment industry is a business focused on the bottom line. If people want Hollywood to produce a pro-victory film, or a pro-troop television series, they will have to demonstrate that it is economically viable.
Most of the anti-war films have taken a beating at the box office.
To demonstrate to Hollywood and the cable TV networks that a pro-victory documentary is viable, he needs to sell 2,900 in 6 weeks.
Are you willing to prove to Hollywood that a pro-victory documentary is viable?
Are you willing to take on Hollywood and do something about the ongoing flood of anti-war propaganda films?
If you are, here is what you can do:
Don't Panic -- [A Soldier's Perspective]
I want to thank everyone for their support as we negotiate our issues with Big Brother. However, I want to ask that people be level headed for now. We're still in the preliminary stages trying to figure out what's going on. I'm communicating personally with the office and trying to get them to be specific about what rules I've specifically violated on which specific posts.
I would also ask that no one cast stones yet.
Milblog Hate -- [Steward Family Website]
First it was the Army tightening up on soldier’s abilities to post blogs, then they created a special unit out of the Virginia National Guard which is funded and resourced solely to read milblogs and make sure that nobody is saying anything that they shouldn’t. Then the Airforce started banning its people reading milblogs. After that the Coast Guard stopped its senior people from writing blogs.
Well it looks like this is a popular trend, and according to this report (not sure of its validity), even our enemies are catching on.
Blogging the Long War -- [CJR - Paul McLeary]
...As with any other niche in the blogosphere, some heavy hitters soon began to separate themselves from the milblog pack. Sites like Blackfive, The Mudville Gazette, MichaelYon.com, and BillRoggio.com became favorites for war geeks and anyone else looking for insiderish news and critiques from a decidedly pro-military perspective. Each fills a certain role—Blackfive is the irreverent, often partisan, group blog; Yon is the roving, embedded reporter; and Mudville is more an aggregation of other milblogs. Bill Roggio, though, a former Army signalman and infantryman who runs The Long War Journal (which replaced BillRoggio.com) and writes most of its posts, has his sights on something grander.
...is a soldier's best friend. (At least, if you believe the LA Times.)
...from Iraq - and you can get an advance copy of his book.
From a recent post...
If there's any hand-wringing at all in the media regarding the lack of coverage from Iraq (the news has been overwhelmingly positive over the past several months, and monthly death tolls for military and civilians have plummeted) it's over the conclusion that Americans are no longer aware of the total body count. (That conclusion is arguable, but I'll save that for another post.)Welcome to that other post.
Here's what Pew had to say about American ignorance of the Iraq body count:
Public awareness of the number of American military fatalities in Iraq has declined sharply since last August. Today, just 28% of adults are able to say that approximately 4,000 Americans have died in the Iraq war. As of March 10, the Department of Defense had confirmed the deaths of 3,974 U.S. military personnel in Iraq.Since the number actually hit 4000 this week - with much media fanfare - I suspect more Americans would get it right if Pew would repeat their survey now. (You'd think they'd have thought of that before they did their survey, but gosh, I guess not...)
<...>
In the current poll, more respondents underestimated than overestimated the number of fatalities. A plurality of 35% said that there have been about 3,000 troop deaths, and another 11% said there have been 2,000 deaths. Just under a quarter (23%) said the number of fatalities is closer to 5,000.
The number 4,000 is the correct answer. There's no arguing that point. Nor would I contend that Americans are really paying attention to the Iraq war - most who could tell you the exact body count probably couldn't tell you anything else, even the name of one of the fallen. (Office watercooler experiment: next time you hear someone cite the death toll in Iraq, ask them to name one of the 4,000 and the circumstances of their death. Be polite. If they fail, provide a couple [here's one for a start - here's another] - see how long they're willing to listen.)
It's likely that most who got the wrong answers - and even some who got the right one - did so as a result of a wild guess. But it's also likely that many who answered the question were aware that the number was "three thousand and something" and answered accordingly ("3,000"). While not sure of the exact number they know a bit more about the situation than Pew (and others) would like to give them credit for - given that "3,000" was the most common response I find this a very likely hypothesis.
But many of those who answered "3,000" might have been even more aware of Iraq casualties than the Pew researchers themselves. While 4,000 US troops have died in Iraq, the actual number who have been killed in combat is 3,261. But if they answered based on this figure they didn't read the question in the same way the pollsters wrote it - so shame on them. (I'm not arguing that this is a potentially large percentage - obviously if only 28% can identify the number of American troops who've died in Iraq, few could tell how many died from combat in Iraq.)
Combine the percentage of Americans who chose "3,000" (some of whom were "right") and the percentage who chose "4,000" (some of whom guessed) in Pew's survey and you have 63% - a number that probably at best serves as an "upper bound" to the percentage of Americans who know anything at all about the Iraq war.
Which leaves us with the numbers of folks who were completely out to lunch: "11% said there have been 2,000 deaths. Just under a quarter (23%) said the number of fatalities is closer to 5,000. "
I would expect to see 10% on either fringe of the bell curve, so I find that final figure the most curious of all. What could possibly explain why twice as many Americans significantly over estimate the numbers than under estimate?
And if only 28% can identify the number of American troops who've died in Iraq, and an even smaller number can tell how many were killed in action, how many could tell how many have been wounded there?
Back in 2005, Jack Murtha claimed "Over 15,500 have been seriously injured." He may have pulled his number from an article in the UK's Telegraph from March of that year: " While much was made of the US death toll recently reaching 2,000, little has been said of the 15,000 who have returned home mutilated." Wherever he got his information, he was wrong.
That was three years ago. Today I stumbled across this claim from someone named "Kevin" (comment dated Mar 29, 2008 2:37:15 PM) in comments on a post on an ABC News web site: "Bush murdered more than 4000 US soldiers and crippled another 50000+ US soldiers."
Now no one in their right mind would accept a comment on a blog - even one maintained by ABC News - as a reliable source. But somehow such claims have an odd way of appearing in many such places in a short period of time, and before long you have US Senators and Congressmen making the same claims, and being quoted in "reliable" news sources, and incorporated into "conventional wisdom" that shapes the national dialog on Iraq. Since Americans have no idea how many troops have even died in Iraq it's a fairly easy bluff to run.
Anyhow, since I'd debunked the claims from three years ago I knew where to get actual statistics, and did so - providing them in my own comment, along with links to the sources:
"Bush murdered more than 4000 US soldiers and crippled another 50000+ US soldiers."Oddly enough, my comment has subsequently been deleted. (Yes, I saw it posted, and later it was gone.) That's fine - the topic of the original post wasn't Iraq casualties anyway, and ABC can pick and chose what belongs on their web site and what doesn't.To date there have been 13,189 (source) troops wounded in Iraq whose wounds were significant enough to prevent their return to duty within 72 hours. By itself that's far short of your 50k crippled claim.
But I suspect (given your use of the term "crippled") you might believe there are 50k+ amputees - this number is even farther from the truth.
"In fact, the number is 719, according to Chuck Scoville, a program manager for the military's joint amputation-care system. Add limb amputations due to accidents, training mistakes, tumors or other noncombat causes and the total is 795 as of Oct. 20, Scoville said." (source)
While "none" would be a better number, I sincerely hope you don't find the actual truth to be disappointing.
Kevin's remains.
Again, what could possibly explain why twice as many Americans significantly over estimate the numbers than under estimate? I surely have no idea...
UPDATE: In her January, 2008 declaration of the failure of the surge, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi almost tells the truth about wounded troops in Iraq:
Nearly 29,000 soldiers have been wounded in Iraq since the war began – 12,918 suffering injuries so serious they were prevented them [sic] from returning to duty.The missing phrase "within 72 hours" is what separates this statement from fact. That omission is non-trivial, as without it the statement implies "forever".
And that's not even true of all the nearly 800 amputees:
Marine who lost a leg in Iraq attains his goal to join his unit for active duty in AfghanistanDoctors in Iraq had amputated his left leg at mid-thigh. His right leg had been scarred by shrapnel and third-degree burns. Hot metal had singed his left arm and shoulder.
Insurgents were so proud of the ambush that they posted Internet footage of Jones being thrust into the air by the blast.
Most above-knee amputees need an average of 12 to 15 months of rehabilitation, said Jennifer Town, director of the San Diego Naval Medical Center's C5 Program. She oversees an array of specialized care for amputees and other severely injured troops from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
An above-knee amputation makes it harder to use a prosthesis compared to losing a limb below the knee. But that didn't faze Jones, a snowboarder and extreme-sports athlete.
<...>
Jones is returning to active duty faster than any amputee ever treated in the C5 Program, said Peter Harsch, the hospital's chief prosthetist.
<...>
As he progressed with rehabilitation, Jones realized that he might be able to stay in the Marine Corps. The commanders and his fellow Marines backed his goal.“They are committed to me and I am committed to them,” Jones said. “I would not be here without them.”
<...>
Amputees and other seriously wounded troops are allowed to redeploy to a war zone only if they insist on it, the Pentagon said. They must still be screened for physical and mental fitness.
<...>
Jones will be one of just a dozen or so U.S. troops who have returned to the battlefield after becoming amputees during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.“If they weren't going back, I wouldn't be interested in deploying,” Jones, 22, said as a technician tightened a screw on one of his three artificial limbs. “It is the least I can do – to be there with my buddies.”
Pofahl said the unit is excited to welcome back Jones, whom he described as extremely positive and friendly.
“It's strange that he believes he hasn't given enough to us. He already gave a leg,” said Pofahl, who has kept in touch with Jones by phone every week or two.
Severely Wounded Troops Find Meaningful Ways to Continue ServingCaptain Dave Rozelle was first.WASHINGTON, July 13, 2007 – Army Sgt. John Keith likes to finish what he starts. So even after a rocket-propelled grenade tore into the door of his Humvee during his deployment to Iraq, leaving his leg dangling, he wasn’t willing to give up his 15-year military career.
Thanks to a new mentality within the military, and programs to back it up, Keith is among a growing legion of severely wounded troops who are opting to continue their military service. In his case, the former medic is now serving with the Army’s Program Executive Office Soldier to help get state-of-the-art equipment to warfighters quickly as possible.Sixty soldiers with 30 percent or higher disability ratings have applied to stay on active duty, and all have gotten the green light, said Col. Mary Carstensen, director of the Army’s Wounded Warrior Program.
A contribution from the folks at Walter Reed:
Race of their lives: Walter Reed Soldiers meet life’s, Iditarod challenges
By Sharon Taylor Conway
Stripe Staff WriterIt’s a long race through some of the most extreme terrain known to man and it’s easy to quit.
They run cross steep mountain ranges, intense forests, unmoving rivers and isolated tundra. Man and his team of 16 dogs take on perilous climbs and side hills in long hours of darkness and winds that threaten loss of visibility.
Not unlike the challenges and obstacles our Wounded Warriors face on the road to recovery.
This is the Iditarod.
The 1,049-mile sled-dog race from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska commemorates the historic trail that mushers (dog team drivers) used to carry serum to inoculate Nome residents against a deadly outbreak of diphtheria in 1925.
Walter Reed Chaplain (Capt.) Darrick Gutting, an Alaskan native with a rich family history of Iditarod racing, saw the annual race as an opportunity to prepare Wounded Warriors to face the multiple challenges they face.
The Chaplain led a small group of six servicemembers from the Army, Marine Corps and Navy, and their loved ones on a trek to Alaska for a spiritual fitness retreat centered on the Iditarod, Feb. 28.
The retreat focused on spiritual formation, social reintegration, physical courage and team building through close family relationships for servicemembers recovering from traumatic injury.
“The easy thing would be to quit. I could drive into any of the 18 to 20 checkpoints [along the race trail] and quit,” said Gutting’s uncle Dan Seavey, a four-time veteran of the race who took third place in the very first Iditarod Challenge in 1973.
“Think of the checkpoints as intermediate goals and progress to the finish line. You can quit anywhere you want — it’s very easy to quit,” said Seavey. “Niney-six teams started this year’s race. Seventeen teams scratched this year. Generally, about 20 to 25 percent normally quit.”
Each of the six Wounded Warriors rode with a sled team for the race’s 11-mile ceremonial start.
“The start of the race is completely chaotic: puppies are barking, the crowd cheering,” said Marine Corp 2nd Lt. Andrew Kinnard. “There are all these dog handlers. [These] dogs are built to run. They don’t know that they have to wait [so another team can start]. All they know is that they have to run. It takes three or four people to keep them from running ahead [before they’re supposed to]. It’s like running on a treadmill on the ice,” said Kinnard who rode with rookie musher Martin Koening.
The musher took a turn too sharply and Kinnard took a spill from the sled twice, halfway through the race. Kinnard says he wasn’t afraid at anytime.
The double-leg at the hip amputee didn’t need any assistance to get back into the sled. Kinnard is a 25-year-old Marine platoon commander who has spent nearly two years at Walter Reed recovering from an improvised explosive device blast in the Al Anbar province in Iraq.
Walter Reed occupational therapist Maj. Matthew St. Laurent said Kinnard was not injured from the spill in the race.
“They were aggressive in pursuing. No one held back because of their injuries,” said Seavey.
“It was an incredible experience. Seeing those mountains and that part of the country makes you feel closer to God,” said Navy Petty Officer Third Class Paul Hurley, from Washington, D.C.
“People were cheering the whole way,” he said. “It was a big moral booster.”
“Being in Alaska, you’re out of your element. Walter Reed is like a self-contained bubble. [In Alaska] We would catch some people staring — they’re not used to seeing us [amputees].”
The elder Seavey, whose son Mitch was the 2004 Iditarod winner, said the Soldiers participation was a reminder of the war amidst the excitement of the race.
“It let the rest of us know the war is still going on. The civilian population hasn’t really sacrificed and these fellas have. They personify the fact that there’s a price to be paid,” said Seavey.
Iditarod champion Mitch Seavey helped relate the Iditarod race to the Warriors’ struggles. The champion musher explained training, discipline and teamwork was an interesting parallel.
“Our dogs are very pack-oriented and loyal to each other and me, as their leader. The tougher things get, the more they rely on the pack. As things get more difficult later on in the race, they become more loyal to the musher — the guys seemed to relate to that,” said Mitch.
Gutting explained there is a critical point in training a dog team when, “You realize it’s not you. You can’t say ‘I built this team’. There’s trust there. They let you in — to be a part of the team.
“Patients are allowing us in. That’s the greatest compliment anyone can give me: when someone trusts me enough to let me in, to run the race [to recovery] along with them. Running along with folks, encouraging and empowering one another, that’s what you find in a dog team. Everyone is pulling together.”
“Not one of us is as good and strong as all of us,” said Gutting.
(Seated) Sgt. 1st Class Josh Ferguson of Fort Richardson, Alaska began the ceremonial start of the 2008 Iditarod Race in Anchorage, Alaska with rookie musher Rich Corcoran.
(From left) Juanita Robledo, Iditarod veteran Dan Seavey, Spec. Marco Robledo, WTB, and Shirley Seavey at the ceremonial start.
all pictures courtesy of Marty Cooke
You've probably already heard one or another versions of this recent story from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:
Vets for Freedom – a group of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans on a tour of the country — were disinvited from Forest Lake High School by administrators on Monday. These heroes are entitled to an honest answer about the reason for this perverse lack of courtesy.Ironically, Vets for Freedom Executive Director Pete Hegseth is a graduate of the school:Instead, they’re on the receiving end of a full-press disinformation campaign.
The brouhaha began when principal Steve Massey cancelled the vets’ appearance because of what the school described as about two dozen calls opposing their visit. Some of these apparently mentioned the possibility of protest.
Forest Lake High School principal Steve Massey says he cancelled today’s planned appearance by the Vets for Freedom tour at the school because he doesn’t want politics in the classroom. But the cancellation itself was apparently a response to political pressure.The "politics" were being supplied by those who oppose the group. (Did I mention that VFF is comprised primarily of combat veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan?)Pete Hegseth, a Forest Lake High grad and the director of Vets for Freedom, told the Star Tribune that he had talked with school officials during the planning process, and made clear that presenters would not make political statements. “It’s Iraq and Afghan veterans talking about what they saw and what they did there, and about what it means to put on the uniform of your country,” he said.
Massey said that the school had gotten several phone calls from parents and others, “some of whom indicated that they may stage a protest if the event took place,” according to the Star Tribune.
If you'd like to see what the kids missed, check out this appearance by David Bellavia - an incredible presentation of a compelling story, and one in which political issues are avoided - until he takes questions from his audience.
I've experienced the internet version of this treatment too many times to count. I write a post about Iraq, and an early comment will accuse me of being a Republican! (Often some other term for "Republican" is applied - "wingnut" being common.) If I bother to respond that I'm not writing as a political party member but as a guy who has been (twice now, and could return sometime in the future) to Iraq I am then accused of claiming that only people who've been to Iraq have the right to talk about it. That accusation is absurd - but the implications of the fact that I have the power to delete comments at will but let theirs stand seems never to cross their minds.
Anyhow, when did victory become a distinct and identifiable Republican characteristic? I'm not saying it is - but there are certainly a lot of non-Republicans out there who believe it without question or hesitation.
More later - hence "prologue".
I've been waiting to post about the conference, (that I was honored to attend) for other angels to blog so I could link them. Then the buzz and blur of daily life stepped in and deprived me of the time I needed to gather my thoughts and post.
The conference was a gathering of 150 Soldiers' Angels and supporters. We participated in workshops, exchanged ideas with team leaders, acknowledged angels with awards, and got to met each other, some for the first time.
It was quite humbling to be among so many who work relentlessly in support of our troops.
The highlight of my trip, and there are many, was to see some old friends and to meet new ones. One of them my "battle buddy", who I was blessed to work with while we were stationed in Germany, MaryAnn Phillips . As the lynchpin of Soldier's Angels Germany she visits the wounded, holds their hands and is in contstant contact with families stateside.
She was interviewed at the conference by radio show host Bob Calvert from "Talking with Heroes"
News Blaze has more here about MaryAnn
Sorry MaryAnn I know how you hate to see and hear yourself talk;P
She is a Godsend to so many families who are so far from their loved ones in need, and although she hates the spotlight, she deserves it.
I got to see Chuck Ziegenfuss and his lovely wife, Carren again. What an awesome pair. Takes a strong woman to stand behind (beside) a strong (willed) man.
For those who don't know, Chuck was injured in Iraq in 2005, and I was the first to visit him at Landsthul, and when my angel duties really began. It was good to see him recovering well, and that he hasn't lost his sense of humor.
Chuck has become the inspiration behind Valour-IT, a program I hold dear to my heart. He suffered serious hand wounds when injured. He had a cast at the conference from yet another surgery for this injury.
You can listen to Chuck Z tell of his experience here in Operation Price of Freedom.
This brings me to angel Beth, also know as Fuzzybear Lioness whose dedication to Valour-IT has helped make it the success it is today. It was good to see her again.
I got to hang out with Holly Aho the fiery red headed angel with an insatiable laugh, who does a tremendous amount of webmaster work for the SA Site. She's just awesome.
Newsblaze did an article on her and Bob of Talking With Heroes radio also interviewed her.
Due to a mishap in room reservations I got to meet and room with angel Shelle Michaels, who I had been linking for a while but had never met. We have alot in common. ;) Mishaps can be a good thing.
It was nice to meet up again with angels, Laurie and Gretta Gretta remembered me but did not know who I was til now, that's ok, I was sort of incognito at the last meeting, but hey NZ Bear was there and he didn't even remember meeting me and we saw the President together. I forgive you NZ.
just giving you a hard time
I got to meet for the first time Blake Powers - a.k.a Laughing Wolf of Blackfive and played a little Texas Poker (for chips - no real money) with The Patriot Guard Riders. I did pretty good, I have a great poker face. (The Chaplin was a hoot - gambling is against his religion but since it wasn't real poker, no harm done :) The Patriot Guards are unwavering in the support and honor they render to families of the fallen. It was truly an honor to meet them.
There were many angel supporters there, one being Brigadier General (Retired) James Combs, a 41 year veteran of the US military. I got a quick introduction but unfortunately, did not really get a chance to talk to him much. He did speak at the conference. He was very appreciative of the support given to his soldiers over the past three years.
His interview can be found here.
One of my biggest highlights was to see Gold star Dad, Robert Stokley again. He's one of the most graceful men you'll ever meet. We discussed a project he's working on in honor of his son. Definitely a worthwhile effort. (And thank you Robert for being our protective escort from the conference thru the dark streets to our hotel.)
Newsblaze did an article on him as well and Bob of Talking With Heroes radio also interviewed him.
I also have to mention the opening of the Soldiers' Angels museum. It was just beautiful and there were so many things on display, thank you letters from the front, photos, flags flown at different bases, awards SA has received and other mementos. To say it was amazing would be an understatement. The video does not do it justice.
The Soldiers' Angels Museum Narrated by Soldier's Angel Holly Aho
(Takes a moment to load.)
Greta has some pictures from the conference and the Soldiers Angels museum here. I hope to find more. (My camera was on the fritz.)
And last but not least my favorite angel(s) for whom if it weren't for, I would not be writing about this.
Patti Patton Bader and her husband Jeff. What an awesome pair. Takes a strong man to stand behind (beside) a strong (willed) woman.
Newsblaze did an article on them, and tireless Bob of Talking With Heroes radio interviews Jeff Bader here.
This brings me to the end of the conference review but brings me to America's Favorite Mom. Patti would give you the clothes of her back, literally. Last time I saw her at the MilBlog Conference, I complimented her outfit and the next day she wrapped it up in a bag and gave it to me (we're the same size) I still have it and wear it often. Amazing. Next to my own mother and mother-n-law, she is my favorite mom.
Which is why I voted for her as America's favorite mom, and yoiu can too. Here's Shelle:
First of all I would like to personally thank each and every one of you for truly being Angels on Earth. All Soldiers Angels contribute to a cause that truly makes a difference for the better of those heroes who volunteer to defend our freedoms. Although Patti is the founder and our public persona, without you, none of this would happen.
Our Soldiers Angels chain is only as strong as each link in it and we are one strong organization with over 180,000 volunteers. Together combined we walk the walk and accomplish great deeds of kindness.
Each and every Angel shares in any and all awards bestowed upon Patti and all of you are America's Favorite Moms and Dads. From my heart tha
