Don't be a fool and die for your country. Let the other sonofabitch die for his.
-- General George S. Patton
November 11, 2005
Veteran's Day 2005
I know I haven't been blogging at the caliber that most of you have come to expect, but for those of you close to me you know that life has been very busy these past 6 months or so. For this I apologize. I don't have the time needed to write anything profound in reflection of this glorious day so I will take a look at last years posts on the subject...
I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense. (Article 1, Code of Conduct)Today is Veterans Day. To me it is a day to celebrate and remember the countless men and women who have served this great nation. Of course this includes both those who have served and those who are serving.
Our nation has been blessed with literally millions of people over our 228 years who have chosen to serve this nation and its people.
From the Revolutionary War to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Marines, Soldiers, Sailors and in our more recent history Airman have laid it all on the line to preserve our freedoms and defend those people who cannot defend themselves.
This nation has been the center of, involved in, or the final solution in numerous world conflicts.
Americans have fought and won wars that reshaped the globe:
The Revolutionary War
The War of 1812
The American Civil War
WW1
WW2
Korea
Vietnam
Granada
Panama
Iraq
Bosnia
Afghanistan
IraqWhile the final result of some of these conflicts is still up in the air and others are hard to call a win, the one thing that is clear is that America's finest fought in these wars/conflicts.
We have also been involved in numerous other actions as well. There is no doubt that The United States has the best-trained, best equipped and most highly motivated military on Earth. It is an essential element in preserving the freedoms that our forefathers fought so hard for.
There are great patriots buried in American cemeteries throughout Europe and there are others still missing in Asia. The one thing that all of these men and women have in common is that they are Veterans. They are a small minority in this country and an elite group of people that chose a life of sacrifice.
I have the greatest respect for anyone who has served or is serving in the U.S. Military. Second only to the pride I have for my children I am most proud to say that I am an Airman.
I come from a family of military patriots. Though it looks like I will be the first to make a career of it most of my family has served in some capacity.
- I have two Great Great (etc.) Grandfathers that fought in the Civil War.
- My Grandfather, PFC (E-2) Robert C. Slagle was an infantryman in the Marine Corps during Korea.
- My Father, Sgt (E-4) Robert D. Slagle was a Security Policeman in the Air Force during Vietnam.
- My Uncle, Sgt (E-4) Carl M. Slagle was a Med Tech and Services Troop in the Air Force in the 80's.
- My Uncle, SSG (E-4 acting E-5) Lambertus J. Meyer was a Transportation Specialist in the Army During Vietnam.
- I am a SSgt (E-5 selected for promotion to E-6/Technical Sergeant) Combat Arms Instructor within the Security Forces career field. I have made multiple trips to the Middle East and proudly deployed during Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.
I also have cousins that have served in various branches of the U.S. Military. Needless to say it was in my blood.
I will serve this country and the USAF as long as they both will have me. My goal is to one-day rise to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant (E-9).
So, today on this Veterans Day, I stand at attention and salute all veterans, those before me, those I serve along side and those I am proud to have in my family.
Remember, honor and cherish these brave patriots.
I'll leave you with the Code of Conduct of the U.S. military:
ARTICLE I:
I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.ARTICLE II:
I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.ARTICLE III:
If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and to aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.ARTICLE IV:
If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information nor take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them in every way.ARTICLE V:
When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country or its allies or harmful to their cause.ARTICLE VI:
I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free
I will trust in my God and in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.SlagleRock Out!
Note: Since today is Veterans Day please click on my milblogs link and visit the sites of some other great veterans.
Happy Vets Day, Dad, B (Guest Blogging at Mama's), Matt, Bill, Bill, Jerrod, Greyhawk and the list goes on and on.
This is a direct reprint from Mr. Daniels website, Charlie Daniels.com. It comes from his "Soapbox".November 12, 2004Honorable
On Veteran’s Day I was in Washington DC and paid a visit to the Vietnam Memorial and the World War II Monument.
There was a ceremony going on at the Vietnam Memorial while we were there and as we walked into the crowd it was apparent that there were many Vietnam Veterans who had come to pay tribute to their fallen brothers.
They came in bits and pieces of uniforms or vests with their outfits blazoned across the shoulders. Some had worn a few medals and other accoutrements of past military service.
To stand shoulder to shoulder with these men as they solemnly
listened to the speeches being offered in homage to those who fell in the jungles of Southeast Asia, there was a kinship as far as being Americans was concerned but those of us who didn’t experience Vietnam will forever be outsiders.If you haven’t been there and done that you can’t imagine the horror these brave eyes have beheld and the memories that only they can share in.
That long black wall seems to mean something really special to these men and only they know what it is.
Then we went down to the World War II Monument, which honors all branches of servicemen and women who fell in all the theaters of World War II.
It too, was a touching scene, aged old gentlemen being photographed by their grandchildren in front of some part of the monument, which was meaningful to them. Elderly couples strolling around the grounds stopping to examine some bit of stone, which represents something special to them.
There were wreaths of flowers and pictures and notes stuck around the monuments left there by some loved one, commemorating and honoring the memory of some husband or son who paid the ultimate price in defense of our country.
All in all it was a touching scene watching two generations of veterans from two totally different kind of wars coming together to remember and honor the hundreds of thousands
of their comrades who gave their lives for freedom.And Veteran’s Day is not just about World War II and the Vietnam War. It’s about the Korean War, the Revolutionary War, Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom and every
act of hostility against the United States of America, which have been defended by those who served.I’m glad that America takes a day every year to honor our heroes in uniform, but the amount of gratitude we owe them cannot be fulfilled in one day or three hundred and sixty five days for that matter.
When you put your babies to bed tonight say a prayer of thanks and protection for our military, when you drive to work tomorrow morning thank God that this is a free country, we go where we want and do what we want. Thanks to a victorious military.
When you attend church Sunday or go to the high school football game Friday night, or watch your children playing in the back yard, when you go to bed tonight without fear of being rousted out and arrested in the middle of the night.
When you do all these mundane things, remember that they are not mundane to so many in the world.
These are the gifts of a free country, free by the grace of God and protected by a strong and dedicated military.
God bless our sons and daughters who wear the uniform of America. We can never repay you for all you do.
Pray for our troops.
What do you think?
God Bless America
Charlie DanielsOnce again, Charlie hits the nail on the head.
Thank you Mr. Daniels.
While all of these are great points and worth the read, the bottom line here is to remember America's heroes. Politics, Religion, personal beliefs aside, remember our heroes for their courage, sacrifice and drive to protect our freedoms, and label not these patriots for following the orders of this great nation.
Check out the tributes posted by these other great bloggers:
Emperor Misha I, stay tuned more to follow...
lagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 05:01 PM | Comments (9) | TrackBack
October 31, 2005
30 Day Observance
Please scroll down for new posts!
The flag here at the Slaughterhouse will fly at half staff for the next 30 days to remember A1C Jacobson and PFC Johnson as well as all other fallen heroes of our U.S. Military!
Please scroll down for new posts!
lagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 12:00 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
October 12, 2005
Another Legend Has Passed
Original Blue Angel pilot dies at age 86
It appears that some of us in the MilBlogs community missed the passing of a legend.
Back on August 10, 2005 the first Blue Angel, the original demonstration demon, hand picked by the legend, Admiral Chester Nimitz, passed away at his home in Monterey, CA.
According to CNN.com:
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A man whose pioneering flying career with the U.S. Navy began in the age of biplanes and ended in the jet age has died. Retired Navy Capt. Roy "Butch" Voris, an original Blue Angel, died at his home in Monterey, California. He was 86.Voris began his naval aviation career flying biplanes, and by the end of World War II, he had shot down at least eight Japanese fighter planes, earning himself the status of an "ace," as well as three Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Purple Heart and more than a dozen other medals.
In 1946, Adm. Chester Nimitz hand-picked Voris to organize a flight demonstration team to showcase naval aviation. He led the newly named "Blue Angels" in their first public performance that year in Jacksonville, Florida. In 1952, he once again was asked to lead the Blue Angels after they returned from combat duty in the Korean War.
He retired from the Navy as a captain and went to work with Grumman Aircraft Corporation, where he was instrumental in the early development of the F-14 Tomcat, which is still a key part of naval aviation.
His last career was as a spokesman for NASA during the historic 1970 Apollo moon missions.
Voris died on Wednesday.
He is survived by two daughters, their husbands and three grandsons. He is also survived by two brothers. His wife, Thea, passed away in 2003 after more than 50 years of marriage.
A legend like this deserves more than a mention and I apologize that it went unnoticed until being pointed out to me by one of my readers.
Readers 'Ten Hut, Present Arms, Order Arms
Capt. Voris we salute you, may you rest in peace.
lagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 01:53 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
October 01, 2005
First Female Airman Casualty In The War On Terror In Iraq
According to the Air Force homepage:
Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Jacobson, 21, was providing convoy security Sept. 28 near Camp Bucca, Iraq, when the vehicle she was riding in was hit by an improvised explosive device. (Courtesy photo)
Airman killed in Iraq9/30/2005 - SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) -- An improvised explosive device killed a female Airman during a convoy mission supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Jacobson, 21, was providing convoy security Sept. 28 near Camp Bucca, Iraq, when the vehicle she was riding in was hit by an improvised explosive device.
The Riviera Beach, Fla., native was assigned to the 17th Security Forces Squadron at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas. Airman Jacobson had been in the Air Force for two years and had been deployed to Iraq for more than three months.
She is the first female Airman killed in the line of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“She was an outstanding Airman who embraced life and took on all the challenges and responsibilities with extraordinary commitment to her country, her comrades and her family,” said Col. Scott Bethel, 17th Training Wing commander at Goodfellow.
“Her dedication to the U.S. Air Force and serving her country was evident in all aspects of who this young lady was,” he said.
“Team Goodfellow and the San Angelo community are deeply saddened by this tragic loss of one of our cherished family members,” Colonel Bethel said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family during this difficult time. We ask that all Americans keep Airman Jacobson, her family and the men and women serving in the military, overseas and in the United States in their thoughts and prayers as they continue to keep America free.”
For those of us in blue it is always painful to hear about the loss of an Airman, the loss of one of our own, one of the blue beret's is especially difficult to deal with.
I did not know Airmen First Class (A1C) Jacobson but I know many defenders like her. Dedicated to their country and the Air Force and their unit. It hurts every time we lose one of our brave men and women.
My heart goes out to the friends and family of A1C Jacobson.
The flag here at the Slaughterhouse will fly at half staff for the next 30 days to remember the brave defender!
I respectfully request that other bloggers link to this post and show respect and support for the family of this brave young woman lost in combat. To my readers who do not have sites of their own, please feel free to leave words of encouragement for those she left behind in the comments section.
Never forget that these brave men and women do this for all of us, for our friends, our families our nation.
Every day in my profession I train people in Combat Weapons, I teach them the tools they need to defend themselves. I see thousands of faces each year, all of whom could be thrown in harms way at a moments notice, and in many cases with little to no notice at all. I have been sent to the most remote areas of our planet and survived in terrible conditions. Each time I return home I know I must be blessed. Regardless of your politics, remember these brave people and respect them as they respect you each and every day by putting their lives on the line for you and your family.
**UPDATE** The Palm Beach Post has a nice article on A1C Jacobson. H/T to Linda for the link.
lagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 01:27 PM | Comments (42) | TrackBack
September 15, 2005
One Nation Under God
OK, so recently there has been quite a stir (once again) about two words in our Pledge of Allegiance...
Of course MTV.com was quick to run with this information:
A California atheist who has fought for years to have the words "under God" removed from the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools won a major legal battle on Wednesday.U.S. District Judge Lawrence Karlton ruled in favor of atheist Michael Newdow, deciding that the reference to God in the pledge violates the rights of children in three California school districts to be "free from a coercive requirement to affirm God," according to a report by The Associated Press.
Karlton made his ruling based on the precedent set by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled in Newdow's favor in 2002 with a decision that stated the pledge is unconstitutional when recited in public schools.
Newdow, a doctor and lawyer, took the case all the way to the Supreme Court last year, which dismissed it on a technicality when it ruled that Newdow did not have full custody of the daughter he had filed suit on behalf of. Newdow's latest victory came after filing an identical lawsuit on behalf of three unnamed parents and their children, according to the AP.
It's unclear when, or if, the Supreme Court — currently in a state of flux as chief justice nominee John Roberts undergoes confirmation hearings and Justice Sandra Day O'Connor awaits retirement — will take up the case.
Senator Jeff Sessions mentioned the ruling during Roberts' confirmation hearing on Wednesday, but Sessions did not ask the nominee what he thought of it because the issue might go before the Supreme Court in the near future. Roberts did say that the court "could be clearer" on issues regarding the separation of church and state.
Newdow would like the court to remove the reference to God in the pledge and bring back its pre-1954 wording, "one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
The original pledge was written by a Baptist minister's son, Francis Bellamy, to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' landing in America and did not include the reference to God. Congress adopted the pledge in 1942 and "under God" was added in 1954.
"I'm passionate about treating people equally," Newdow told the San Francisco Chronicle. "Imagine you send your kids to school every day, and the teachers made them stand up and say, 'We are one nation that denies God exists.' Imagine you are Jewish, and they say, 'We're one nation under Jesus.' Imagine you are Christian, and they say, 'We're one nation under Mohammad.' Do you think it's a big deal? Because that's exactly what goes on against atheists."
Though Judge Karlton said he would sign a restraining order to prevent the recitation of the pledge in three schools in Sacramento County that the plaintiff's children attend, the order will not extend to other districts, or the entire country, unless the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals or Supreme Court take up the case.
The superintendent of one of the districts, Steven Ladd, told the AP that the pledge will continue to be recited until the school receives the restraining order, which he expects to happen any day. "Our board has long supported the Pledge of Allegiance as an appropriate patriotic exercise for willing students," Ladd said.
The decision by Judge Karlton conflicts with an August ruling by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, which affirmed a Virginia law requiring public schools to lead a daily recitation of the Pledge.
— Gil Kaufman
OK, so what do I think about this issue. First, if it was accepted/adopted and utilized as our Pledge prior to 1954 in its original condition then that is how it should have remained. That is one thing that preturbs me about our great nation. We have very little traditions because we are always changing things. So the flip side to that is, it's been that way with "under God" for fifty one years, leave it alone and press on.
It is a pledge to our nation, our way of life. It is not a pledge to God. I also believe that while most of our documents refer to the Christian God it is just as easily accepted in the pledge or any other document as any God or your God. A Buddhist could affirm under Buddha the pledge of allegiance, a Muslim Allah. Our nation will never truly have any traditions if we are re-writing ourselves every 25-50 years to please one group or another.
Now before any of my hard core conservative friends flip on this point of view you will notice that I have the pledge clearly posted on my site in the right hand gutter. It is in it's current form "under God" and will remain that way on my site.
To all the LibTards out there, find something constructive to do with your time. Stop re-writing history and tradition just so your LibTard children can turn around and do the same thing to you.
I could go on and on about this, but just take it in short....
Leave it alone, leave all our historical documents alone and press on!
lagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 02:57 PM | Comments (13) | TrackBack
June 22, 2005
Ever Consider Recruiting
In the past few years the Air Force has had to involuntarily re-train numerous people into the recruiting service. I simply can't understand why. My friend sent me three good reasons to be a recruiter. What do you think?
So are you ready to volunteer for recruiting?
lagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 08:24 AM | Comments (3)
May 30, 2005
Memorial Day
"And when this ceremony is concluded, and all of us have gone on our way, the Honor Guard will keep watch over the Tomb. Every hour of every day, on the coldest nights, in the hardest rain, there is a sentinel of the 3rd U.S. Infantry standing guard. The soldiers entrusted with that duty count it a privilege. And, today, as we reflect on the men and women who have died in the defense of America, all of us count it a privilege to be citizens of the country they served."
--Remarks by President Bush at Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Day Commemoration Arlington National Cemetery May 31, 2004
What is Memorial Day?
From USMemorialDay.org:
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920). While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.
Traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country.
There are a few notable exceptions. Since the late 50's on the Thursday before Memorial Day, the 1,200 soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry place small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. They then patrol 24 hours a day during the weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing. In 1951, the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of St. Louis began placing flags on the 150,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery as an annual Good Turn, a practice that continues to this day. More recently, beginning in 1998, on the Saturday before the observed day for Memorial Day, the Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts place a candle at each of approximately 15,300 grave sites of soldiers buried at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park on Marye's Heights (the Luminaria Program). And in 2004, Washington D.C. held its first Memorial Day parade in over 60 years.
To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps."
The Moment of Remembrance is a step in the right direction to returning the meaning back to the day. What is needed is a full return to the original day of observance. Set aside one day out of the year for the nation to get together to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country.
But what may be needed to return the solemn, and even sacred, spirit back to Memorial Day is for a return to its traditional day of observance. Many feel that when Congress made the day into a three-day weekend in with the National Holiday Act of 1971, it made it all the easier for people to be distracted from the spirit and meaning of the day. As the VFW stated in its 2002 Memorial Day address: "Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed greatly to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."
For more information on Memorial Day please visit USMemorialDay.org
So what does Memorial Day mean to me; just exactly what was intended. It is a day for me to look back on the countless lives that have been given in forging this great nation into what it is today. It is a day to reflect on the lives of America's finest that have charged head first into harms way to see to it that our way of life is preserved. A little more closely to home it is a day to remember the fallen that have given their lives more recently in the War on Terror. Every branch of service has lost heroes in this recent war and though I was not related to any of the casualties I will always feel like I have lost brothers and sisters in arms.
This long weekend when you are sitting in the back yard, burgers a blazin', beer in hand make sure you remember the real reason you didn't have to work this Monday and remember the fallen who have paid the ultimate price to ensure that your beer and that burger taste sweeter than ever! Teach your children the true meaning of Memorial Day; they need to know it is so much more than another day off from school.
Last year I had this too say on Memorial Day.
Russ at TacJammer posted a great compilation of links to Memorial Day posts last year. And he posted an ever better compilation this year!
As usual Sir George at the Rott had a great post on the subject.
Count on GreyHawk at the Mudville Gazette to come through on this military holiday.
Also, Matt at Blackfive has something to say about Memorial Day, of course!
There are countless great tributes around the blogosphere to those who have served and fallen for our great nation. As I mentioned above Russ at TacJammer has a great list if you'd care to take a look at his site and his roundup.
Remember what Memorial Day truly means!
lagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 09:11 AM | Comments (1)
April 28, 2005
Great Quotes (Bumper Sticker)
I saw this on a bumper sticker yesterday and it has my vote for Bumper Sticker of the Year:
"If you can read this, thank a teacher -and, since it's in English, thank a soldier !!"
lagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 10:11 AM | Comments (3)
March 13, 2005
More Reflection
I thought I'd add a little more info (another example) to this story.
Though public support for the troops may not be as wide spread as it was on 9/12/01 it is still out there. On my way here to Germany BWI (Baltimore) served as my port call. We had to process the Air Mobility Command (AMC) terminal to leave the states. For those who have been through BWI you may know the area, for those who do not, the AMC terminal is located at the far end of ticketing. Below it is where military members returning from overseas process through customs and enter the terminal.
While I was standing in line to check my baggage I heard cheering and clapping. I looked over the balcony down to the floor below. There I saw about 75 people who were clapping and cheering for each and every military member who came out of the customs line and back home. There were men and woman from all branches of service returning from all over the world.
I saw a young man (Private First Class, U.S. Army) in a desert uniform, walking on crutches, missing part of his lower leg. He held his head high when the clapping began and he dropped to his knees and kissed the floor of the airport once he crossed through the door. I was touched. I still get a knot in my throat when I think about what that young mans life will be like.
The whole time we were listening to the crowd cheer for those returning, the Girl Scouts of America were working our line. They were handing out calling cards, cookies, and numerous small but very thoughtful and useful items.
As I stood in line I heard the clapping and cheering each time one of our brave men and woman came through the door I got a little choked up. I was also impressed that the clapping barely began to die down before the next person surfaced.
After about an hour of this, the last person came out the door and a customs agent locked the door behind them. I expected, when I looked over the edge to see the crowd had departed, but to my surprise these people weren't the friends and families of the returning troops they were just patriots. They were staying there for the return of the next rotator several hours later. In all there were about 50 people left that weren't there to great any one person, but to show support for all.
My father and I have had many discussions about supporting the troops and patriotism in general. He said that, "Patriotism is a funny thing, it is easier to be patriotic when you support everything your goverment says/does." I agree, there are fairweather patriots out there. The ones who only stand up when they agree. But these people impressed the hell out of me. They had taken hours out of there busy days to say thank you to people they didn't even know. I am sure that these patriots don't agree with all that our government dictates, but that day it didn't matter. They were there for the troops and trust me it was easy to see that it was appreciated.
That is the kind of homecoming that everyone wishes they could experience at one time or another. It is hard leaving your family behind. While I have had the opportunity to see more of the world than most will in their lifetime it doesn't make it any easier to leave my soul mate, my son and my little princess.
I remember hearing stories and seeing news clips from the troops returning from Vietnam and even as a kid it angered me to see people spitting on the troops and calling them names. Now that I have been enlisted for a decade it obviously hits closer to home.
Well, I just thought I'd share. I'd like to say thank you to those great patriots at BWI. And while this TDY I will not be in a combat zone I still had to leave my wife and my babies. It doesn't get any easier, but great patriots help ease the pain.
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 11:23 PM | Comments (4)
March 10, 2005
No One To Show It To...
I got this one in an email from a friend in Bosnia..
A group of Americans, retired teachers, recently went to France on a tour. Among them was Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83. When he arrived in Paris by plane and took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on at French Customs, the customs officer askedsarcastically, "You have been to France before, monsieur?" Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously. "Then you should know enough to have your passport ready." The American replied, "The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it." "Impossible. Americans always have to show your passports on arrival in France!" The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he quietly explained."Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in '44 to help liberate
this country, I couldn't find any Frenchmen to show it to."
How quickly people forget.
Thanks Sarge and stay alert.
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 12:14 AM | Comments (2)
February 18, 2005
When Does A Person Overstep Free Speech And Dive Into Hate Speech...
**Update** Forsakethetroops is gone!!!! **Update**
Recently I was talking to some friends and they pointed me to this website:
http://www.forsakethetroops.info (Notice I did not and will not provide a link. If you are interested in seeing one of the single most vile things on the web you will have to cut and paste. This site is not for the easily upset).
Forsake The Troops is a horrible website centered around hate for our military and hate for its members.
These are just a few of the "Headlines" from the "Military Newsroom" at Forsake The Troops.info:
This is beyond disgusting! In Ohio, you can get out of a contract by being military! NEVER trust a soldier-- NEVER!
Military scumbag families get even more handouts on our dime! SICK!
A scumbag in Tennessee ditches his family-- he even had an out-- and the military approves!
Notice I didn't provide links? I feel bad enough providing the URL for this horrible site. However, if you go to the site and find these "Headlines" you will soon notice that these are all good stories.
One of the things this site owner seems to have a problem with is how "grossly overpaid" the military is. If you take the time to break down some of the specialties you will see just how inaccurate this statement is. Even without considering area of expertise this statement is just ludicrous. He points out that an E-1 makes almost $1300 per month. Lets start with that. $1,300 per month x 12 months = $15,600.00. Remember that is before taxes. If that E-1 is an unwed troop without any children he gets the accommodations of a prisoner. On average a single 10'x10' dorm room with a bathroom that is joined/shared with the next room. In many cases this dorm room is shared with one or more roommates. These rooms would be laughed off my most college kids. So now we have an 18 YO kid who shares a prison cell with another person and makes thousands below the poverty line. All the while he has to stay fit, stay trained and be ready to leave what little he owns and the comfort of American soil for some nasty location on the other side of the earth.
Now lets look at specialties. Take a Military Policeman for example. What police department starts its new officers at $15,600 per year? If they did they wouldn't have a police force. How about a Doctor? Say a 1st Lieutenant, they get 2,343.60 per month starting off. That's just over $28,000 per year! How many Dr.'s do you know of who work for under $30,000 per year? Here is another example a little closer to home. A firearms instructor here in the local area gets paid between $75 and $100 per person for firearms certification. He can have classes as large as 30 people. A full class/one day he makes $3,000. That is more than my base pay for an entire month after ten years of service.
Moving away from his primary argument I'd like to focus on the hatred. I don't know what would motivate an American to say these horrible things about the troops. To speak of America's heroes in this way is just as dirty as any other hate based organization such as the KKK, The Aryan Nation, Hammerskins, Black Panthers etc.
This site is nothing but pure hate and filth. And while I believe the site owner has every right to free speech I also think his host has every right to terminate his site. People like this always choose false names and hide behind anonymous email addresses. Talk is huge, but action is non-existent. I know you will never find the site owner for Forsakethetroops.info standing outside a military installation spewing this filth. It's easy for him to hide behind a web page and talk down about America's heroes.
I am a firm believer in free speech, but this is just Hate. At what point does hate speech become a hate crime? I am not sure what our military did to upset these people. Perhaps they were dishonorably discharged or not even accepted for service. Maybe the fact that we have a military that fights for his/her rights to spew this filth makes these people feel obligated to do so. I don’t know. I don’t know how men and woman who spend YEARS away from their families can be grossly overpaid. I don’t understand how heroes who sacrifice so much can be overpaid or “scumbags”. I don’t understand how people who are willing to give up everything to fight for those who can’t and see death and destruction around them can be “overpaid”.
If you've looked at Forsakethetroops.info and you are appalled by what you have seen, let the web host know.
You can contact the web host for this horrendous site with the information below:
Michael Vogel
Silent Mike Internet Services
130 Westmoreland Avenue
Suite #140
Syracuse, New York 13203
1-315-424-3785
Email: operations@silent-mike.info
Let him know what you think of the site he hosts. Let the site owner know how far off he really is.
If you bounce around the sphere you will see others that have commented on this horrible site. For example:
Eric who provided me most of the initial information.
Delftsman at Emigre offers his two cents.
Note I will add other links as I find them.
Just in case these people who comprise the organization called Forsake The Troops visit my humble blog, pay notice that I didn't call you scumbags as you did me.
SlagleRock Out!
Also noteworthy (if only in humor):
I am happy to say that in a Google Fight I kicked the shit out of Forsake The Troops, their piss poor 101 links compared to my nearly 40,000!
Posted by SlagleRock at 09:13 PM | Comments (27)
January 22, 2005
Making Their Parents Proud
Sgt. 1st Class Jeff Due, right, a U.S. Army recruiter, is surrounded by protesters at Seattle Central Community College, Thursday, Jan. 20, 2005, in Seattle. After about a 10-minute standoff during which protesters tore up U.S Army literature, the protesters were successful in getting Due and another recruiter to leave their table under escort by campus security officers. Several hundred students walked out of classes at several Seattle colleges and universities to protest the inauguration of President Bush
Wow are these your children? I hope the parents of these kids are very proud to see their kids acting like this. These douchebags are protesting one of the very people who fights to secure their right to a college education.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. You don't have to agree with the war in Iraq, or the current administration, but you have an obligation to support the troops. There is no room for argument here. If you enjoy your freedoms you owe that to the men and woman in uniform.
Do you think life in the US is so grand because our nation is enclosed in some kind of forcefield? Do you think that with the exception of domestic terrorism and the events of 9/11 this country has remained untouched by foreign invaders "just because"? Absolutely not, this nation is what it is because of all the brave men and woman in uniform who fight, both at home and abroad to protect our freedoms.
Any of the kids involved in this protest should be expelled from school. That recruiter would not have been there without the permission of the school. Protest if you must, but they had no right to tear up "U.S Army literature."
Their smiles disgust me. When did we become a nation so small minded that it pleases us to place one of America's finest in a position like this.
I invite all of these "protestors" to show how much they really believe in the filth they spew. Enlist, do your part to make sure things are done the way you think they should be done.
They must have felt real tough shouting down the soldier...being that there are around 20-30 of them and only ONE of him. How about evening the odds and trying that shit when 30 of your ignorant screaming friends aren't around?!?
SFC Due, I salute you and all who serve!
These kids are nothing more than DOUCHEBAGS, products of the media.
SlagleRock Out!
H/T to Mamamontezz for the link.
Posted by SlagleRock at 10:29 AM | Comments (3)
January 20, 2005
Truly A Great Day In History
Today, January 20th, 2005 was the second time that George W. Bush was sworn in as president of the United States.
Here is some information on todays events:
Thousands Brave Cold to Ensure Successful Parade
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 2005 – Thousands of people began assembling in the Pentagon parking lot this morning in the frigid pre-dawn hours to ensure the presidential inaugural parade stepped off down Pennsylvania Avenue just as planned. As military marching units from all services and components, high-school and community bands, and drill teams of all ages gathered across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., members of the Joint Task Force Armed Forces Inaugural Committee were setting up on the National Mall, between the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument, to get the groups in the right order. Full Story
Bush Begins Second Term Vowing to Protect Nation
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 2005 – His No. 1 duty as president is "to protect this nation and its people against further attacks and emerging threats," and the best way to do so is to help expand freedom and democracy worldwide, President Bush said during his second inaugural address here today. Following his swearing-in by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist on the west front of the nation's Capitol, the president said he is "mindful of the consequential times in which we live" and determined to fulfill the commitment to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. Full Story
Ball Benefits Wounded Servicemembers
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 2005 – A host of celebrities is slated to turn out tonight to honor America's wounded servicemembers during the Red, White & Blue Inaugural Ball, a benefit event to be held at the Mellon Auditorium here. Wounded servicemembers receiving treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here, and at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., along with their family members, will be honored during the event. Full Story
Note: Each year my Father shares his birthday with the Inauguration of the President, but this year is special, it is the second time he has gotten to share this joyous day with President George W. Bush
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 04:38 PM | Comments (9)
January 16, 2005
Matt's At It Again
Matt Margolis is at it again. In his never ending pursuit to support our great President he has developed a new blog site:
Matt is also the the founder/editor of Blogs for Bush:
Get on over to GOP Bloggers and see what's cookin' and how you can help support our President.
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 08:44 AM | Comments (0)
January 03, 2005
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION
UNCLASSIFIED
As a mark of respect for the victims of the Indian Ocean Earthquake and
the resulting Tsunamis, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by
the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, that the flag
of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and
on all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval
stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the
District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its
Territories and possessions from Monday, January 3, 2005, until Friday,
January 7, 2005. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at
half-staff for the same period at all United States embassies,
legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all
military facilities and naval vessels and stations.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of
January, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-ninth.
///SIGNED///
GEORGE W. BUSH
Posted by SlagleRock at 04:46 PM | Comments (0)
December 22, 2004
A Picture Worth A Billion Words...
Thanks to my Uncle B for the Pic.
'Nuff Said!
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 07:52 PM | Comments (3)
When The Eagle Cries
Here is a link to a great video. It may be hard for some to watch but it is worth it. The song is called "When The Eagle Cries" by the band Iced Earth.
Enjoy
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 10:53 AM | Comments (1)
December 07, 2004
A Date Which Will Live In Infamy
On December 7, 1941 the United States experienced the pre-meditated murder of innocents by the Empire of Japan. We were not at war with the Japanese. At that time there were no hostilities between our governments.
"The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific." - President Roosevelt
On December 8th, 1941 President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave his famous Infamy Speech. One day after the attack at Pearl Harbor President Roosevelt had this to say, “I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again." That statement still holds true to this day. The US has not allowed any nation to deceive us the way the Japanese did that day.
As a result of their attack the US declared war on the Empire of Japan.
Shortly after the invasion of Hawaii began, Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto is quoted as saying, "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve."
Whether a true quote or mere theatrical fluff those words proved true. The people of the "Greatest Generation" came together in a way never seen before or since. Motor vehicle manufacturers made machine guns, Beer manufacturer’s canned water for the troops. Men, Woman and Children did their part. This nation adapted as it needed to not only to survive, but to ultimately stop the threat of the Axis powers.
Today is a day that we should all remember a date that every American should be familiar with. When someone asks the date and the response is December 7th their first thought should be of the Soldiers and Sailors who gave their lives at Pearl Harbor.
While the greatest generation will never forget the date December 7th, 1941 my generation will never forget September 11, 2001.
Our nation has suffered great loss and great victory and will surely experience both in our future. It is the resolve of that "Sleeping Giant" that makes us who we are, Americans.
Remember all who have served and cherish and support those who serve now, or will serve in the future.
SlagleRock Out!
If you want to show your support for the men and woman in uniform and serving in harms way please click the button below to see how you can support the troops.
Posted by SlagleRock at 11:16 AM | Comments (3)
December 02, 2004
Toby Keith Just Rules
I'm just trying to be a father
Raise a daughter and a son
Be a lover to their mother
Everything to everyone
Up and at 'em, bright and early
I'm all business in my suit
Yeah, I'm dressed up for success
From my head down to my boots
I don't do it for the money
There's bills that I can't pay
I don't do it for the glory
I just do it anyway
Providing for our future's my responsibility
Yeah I'm real good under pressure
Being all that I can be
And I can't call in sick on Mondays
when the weekends been too strong
I just work straight through the holidays
And sometimes all night long
You can bet that I stand ready when the wolf growls at the door
Hey, I'm solid, hey I'm steady, hey, I'm true down to the core
And I will always do my duty no matter what the price
I've counted up the cost, I know the sacrifice
Oh, and I don't want to die for you
but if dyin's asked of me
I'll bear that cross with honor
'cause freedom don't come free
I'm an American soldier, an American
beside my brothers and my sisters I will proudly take a stand
When Liberty's in jeopardy, I will always do what's right
I'm out here on the front line
Sleep in peace tonight
American soldier, I'm an American soldier
Yeah, an American soldier, an American
Beside my brothers and my sisters I will proudly take a stand
When Liberty's in jeopardy I will always do what's right
I'm out here on the front line
So Sleep in peace tonight
American soldier, I'm an American
An American, an American soldier
**UPDATE** This was posted by Mamamontezz in my absence. It was the Slaughterhouse's 400th post. -- Thanks Mama
Posted by Mamamontezz at 12:40 AM | Comments (4)
November 21, 2004
How To Be A Coward
I was looking at some of the comments left on my site in the last couple of days and one of the individuals commenting left the URL to a website called Educate - Yourself.
So, like any good blogger, I clicked the link to see what a reader has left me. What I find is a really poor web design with a ton of senseless babble.
This particular link led to an article called, Dodge The Draft? Refuse To Volunteer.
In the article the author gives his opinion on a few ways to be a coward. In other words he offers options that he believes would prevent a person from being drafted into the military.
For example:
Being willing (and eager) to fight for one's country when it is truly in danger is one thing. Having the courage to refuse to fight in immoral and/or unconstitutional "wars" is quite another matter, I believe. ICE No need to "dodge" the ball if they're not allowed to hit you with it, if you merely 'take your stand' and refuse to VOLUNTEER!1. Mr. A receives a "draft notice" and is told to report on a certain date to a certain place where he receives his physical and mental tests...then he
is classified with a number indicating whether he is A1(first called)...all the way down to 4F(unfit for duty).2. Mr.A is told that he is to report for "induction" into the military and to appear at a certain military base for that purpose on a date specified.
3. By "LAW" he must appear there...or a warrant for his arrest will be issued.
4. Assuming he reports as directed he will have another brief physical and tests and then is told to "line up on the yellow line (painted on the floor)
5. A Recruiting Officer will then tell all those "joining the army (or whatever)to take one step forward...(Oh, oh, THOSE WHO DID THIS JUST
"VOLUNTEERED!")This is done so that no one can "legally" claim they were "forced into involuntary servitude!" "RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND SWEAR ALLEGIANCE." (almost everyone does!...thinking it must be REQUIRED!): "I, (name) do solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America and will defend it against all enemies foreign and domestic, and will obey the orders of the President and the officers appointed over me, so help me God."6. Those who "voluntarily" stepped forward CANNOT NOW CLAIM THEY WERE"DRAFTED"...they stepped forward voluntarily and took the Oath voluntarily!
7. Assume Mr. B was smarter than Mr. A and HE DID NOT STEP FORWARD ANDTHEREFORE DID NOT TAKE THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE. (the recruiter will probably say something like this: "what's the matter with you, don't you know what' step forward' means?" Mr. B responds, "sure I do, but I AM NOTVOLUNTEERING TO SERVE IN THE MILITARY...If you want me you must 'take me' against my will by force!"
8. All of those who "volunteered" will now be excused from the room...and the Mr. B will be cajoled with persuasive arguments...at first...then, when
nothing works to change his mind he will be called names and insulted, possibly even assaulted by one or more military people present there as
witnesses.9.IF Mr. B does not weaken, stands his ground, eventually the tormentors will give up and have him arrested on some charge. However, there is NO
lawful way that they can MAKE him go into the military...because of the Constitutional prohibition against "involuntary servitude"...which is why NO
ONE IS TRULY EVER "DRAFTED" AND MUST BE "SEDUCED " INTO VOLUNTEERING!
Now that I’ve printed these "instructions" on how to be a coward here is what I think.
First, short of World War III I don't believe there will ever be a draft. Our all-volunteer force is the best trained, best equipped, best educated armed force the world has ever seen.
We have proven that we are capable of waging war on more than one front all the while having the reserves to kick ass here at home should some nation be dumb enough to bring it to US soil.
The volunteer force wouldn't want to work with non-volunteers any more than the cowards would want to work with real Soldiers, Sailors, Airman or Marines.
(Don't get your drawers in a bunch I acknowledge that there have been countless great service members who are drafted. When I refer to cowards I refer to those who try to snake out of their responsibilities.)
Second, I think anyone who attempts to aid the enemy by teaching Americans how to chicken out of their duties should be tried for treason.
Anyone interested in telling the web host what they think of the garbage he published?
Here is the contact information from the website:
Contact person: Ken Adachi
Voice Mail: (949) 726-5098
If anyone contacts him and he is brave enough to return your call, let me know what he says.
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 11:36 AM | Comments (5)
November 14, 2004
Charlie Daniels Speaks Up About Patriots And Patriotism
This is a direct reprint from Mr. Daniels website, Charlie Daniels.com. It comes from his "Soapbox".
November 12, 2004Honorable
On Veteran’s Day I was in Washington DC and paid a visit to the Vietnam Memorial and the World War II Monument.
There was a ceremony going on at the Vietnam Memorial while we were there and as we walked into the crowd it was apparent that there were many Vietnam Veterans who had come to pay tribute to their fallen brothers.
They came in bits and pieces of uniforms or vests with their outfits blazoned across the shoulders. Some had worn a few medals and other accoutrements of past military service.
To stand shoulder to shoulder with these men as they solemnly
listened to the speeches being offered in homage to those who fell in the jungles of Southeast Asia, there was a kinship as far as being Americans was concerned but those of us who didn’t experience Vietnam will forever be outsiders.If you haven’t been there and done that you can’t imagine the horror these brave eyes have beheld and the memories that only they can share in.
That long black wall seems to mean something really special to these men and only they know what it is.
Then we went down to the World War II Monument, which honors all branches of servicemen and women who fell in all the theaters of World War II.
It too, was a touching scene, aged old gentlemen being photographed by their grandchildren in front of some part of the monument, which was meaningful to them. Elderly couples strolling around the grounds stopping to examine some bit of stone, which represents something special to them.
There were wreaths of flowers and pictures and notes stuck around the monuments left there by some loved one, commemorating and honoring the memory of some husband or son who paid the ultimate price in defense of our country.
All in all it was a touching scene watching two generations of veterans from two totally different kind of wars coming together to remember and honor the hundreds of thousands
of their comrades who gave their lives for freedom.And Veteran’s Day is not just about World War II and the Vietnam War. It’s about the Korean War, the Revolutionary War, Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom and every
act of hostility against the United States of America, which have been defended by those who served.I’m glad that America takes a day every year to honor our heroes in uniform, but the amount of gratitude we owe them cannot be fulfilled in one day or three hundred and sixty five days for that matter.
When you put your babies to bed tonight say a prayer of thanks and protection for our military, when you drive to work tomorrow morning thank God that this is a free country, we go where we want and do what we want. Thanks to a victorious military.
When you attend church Sunday or go to the high school football game Friday night, or watch your children playing in the back yard, when you go to bed tonight without fear of being rousted out and arrested in the middle of the night.
When you do all these mundane things, remember that they are not mundane to so many in the world.
These are the gifts of a free country, free by the grace of God and protected by a strong and dedicated military.
God bless our sons and daughters who wear the uniform of America. We can never repay you for all you do.
Pray for our troops.
What do you think?
God Bless America
Charlie Daniels
Once again, Charlie hits the nail on the head.
Thank you Mr. Daniels.
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 04:19 PM | Comments (2)
November 11, 2004
Veterans Day
I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense. (Article 1, Code of Conduct)
Today is Veterans Day. To me it is a day to celebrate and remember the countless men and women who have served this great nation. Of course this includes both those who have served and those who are serving.
Our nation has been blessed with literally millions of people over our 228 years who have chosen to serve this nation and its people.
From the Revolutionary War to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Marines, Soldiers, Sailors and in our more recent history Airman have laid it all on the line to preserve our freedoms and defend those people who cannot defend themselves.
This nation has been the center of, involved in, or the final solution in numerous world conflicts.
Americans have fought and won wars that reshaped the globe:
The Revolutionary War
The War of 1812
The American Civil War
WW1
WW2
Korea
Vietnam
Granada
Panama
Iraq
Bosnia
Afghanistan
Iraq
While the final result of some of these conflicts is still up in the air and others are hard to call a win, the one thing that is clear is that America's finest fought in these wars/conflicts.
We have also been involved in numerous other actions as well. There is no doubt that The United States has the best-trained, best equipped and most highly motivated military on Earth. It is an essential element in preserving the freedoms that our forefathers fought so hard for.
There are great patriots buried in American cemeteries throughout Europe and there are others still missing in Asia. The one thing that all of these men and women have in common is that they are Veterans. They are a small minority in this country and an elite group of people that chose a life of sacrifice.
I have the greatest respect for anyone who has served or is serving in the U.S. Military. Second only to the pride I have for my children I am most proud to say that I am an Airman.
I come from a family of military patriots. Though it looks like I will be the first to make a career of it most of my family has served in some capacity.
- I have two Great Great (etc.) Grandfathers that fought in the Civil War.
- My Grandfather, PFC (E-2) Robert C. Slagle was an infantryman in the Marine Corps during Korea.
- My Father, Sgt (E-4) Robert D. Slagle was a Security Policeman in the Air Force during Vietnam.
- My Uncle, Sgt (E-4) Carl M. Slagle was a Med Tech and Services Troop in the Air Force in the 80's.
- My Uncle, SSG (E-4 acting E-5) Lambertus J. Meyer was an Transportation Specialist in the Army During Vietnam.
- I am a SSgt (E-5) Combat Arms Instructor within the Security Forces career field. I have made multiple trips to the Middle East and proudly deployed during Iraqi Freedom.
I also have cousins that have served in various branches of the U.S. Military. Needless to say it was in my blood.
I will serve this country and the USAF as long as they both will have me. My goal is to one-day rise to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant (E-9).
So, today on this Veterans Day, I stand at attention and salute all veterans, those before me, those I serve along side and those I am proud to have in my family.
Remember, honor and cherish these brave patriots.
I'll leave you with the Code of Conduct of the U.S. military:
ARTICLE I:
I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.
ARTICLE II:
I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.
ARTICLE III:
If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and to aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.
ARTICLE IV:
If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information nor take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them in every way.
ARTICLE V:
When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country or its allies or harmful to their cause.
ARTICLE VI:
I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free
I will trust in my God and in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
SlagleRock Out!
Note: Since today is Veterans Day please click on my milblogs link and visit the sites of some other great veterans.
Happy Vets Day, Dad, B (Guest Blogging at Mama's), Matt, Bill, Bill, Jerrod, Greyhawk and the list goes on and on.
Posted by SlagleRock at 05:23 PM | Comments (8)
October 29, 2004
Exercise Your Right We Fight For
Just like the button above (yes it is a button to the original post at the Mudville Gazette) says, EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT WE FIGHT FOR.
Everyday thousands of men and women from the United States who are currently stationed all over the globe miss important family events. They miss weddings, funerals, graduations, birthdays, births, anniversaries and other significant family affairs.
They do this in support of the greatest nation on earth. They do this for those who cannot for one reason or another.
WE do this for all of America.
"Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
It is not the profession for all, in fact only a small percentage of our nation serves at any one given time.
Why do we serve? We serve to ensure that our children will have as great a nation full of freedoms to live and grow up in as we have. We serve to preserve the freedoms established by our forefathers. We serve so that other nations can feel the sweet taste of liberty.
It doesn't matter if you are a Republican, a Democrat, a Communist, Libertarian or Independent. If you don't vote your affiliation is irrelevant.
Each election season, millions of voices go unheard. Their votes don't count, not because they don't matter, but because they didn't vote. I have heard numerous excuses from people such as I just didn't have time or I was just too busy to mail in my absentee ballot.
NO EXCUSES
Don't go unheard. On Nov. 2nd, I urge everyone to be at your polling location and cast your vote.
The Presidential election in the United States is one of the single most important events on Earth, the election impacts people all over the globe.
The President serves as Commander in Chief of the greatest military on Earth and he represents the Greatest nation on Earth.
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 09:02 PM | Comments (1)
October 28, 2004
Stolen Honor
Previously I posted links to download Stolen Honor. While the original link wasn't a video of the greatest quality I have recently been informed by Jack that it is now available in three different formats.
Take a look, stay informed and VOTE!!!
VOTE VOTE VOTE DAMN IT I SAID VOTE
Don't bitch if you don't vote.
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 07:33 AM | Comments (3)
October 23, 2004
Political Petitions And Where They Go
Ever wonder what happens after you sign a political (or any other kind) of petition online? Click continue reading and you will find a petition generated on behalf of more than 180,000 readers of the Federalist Patriot.
Continue reading, that's an order!
SlagleRock Out!
Honorable John D. Ashcroft
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
Honorable Richard B. Cheney
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Honorable William H. Frist, M.D.
United States Senate
461 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Honorable J. Dennis Hastert
United States House of Representatives
235 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
18 October 2004
Hon. John D. Ashcroft, Attorney General of these United States: Hon. Richard B. Cheney, President of the United States Senate:
Hon. William H. Frist, M.D., Majority Leader of the United States Senate: Hon. J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker, United States House of Representatives:
On behalf of more than 180,000 Americans who have attached their names, including my own, hereto ("Petitioners"), I respectfully submit this request for investigation and indictment of Senator John Forbes Kerry (D. Mass.) for acts of treason in connection with the proffering of counsel and assistance to enemy agents in time of warfare ("Petition for Investigation and Indictment").
Specifically, Petitioners request the United States Department of Justice open or renew an investigation of Mr. Kerry's actions of "giving aid and comfort" to Communist North Vietnam, particularly in regard to his meetings with enemy agents in Paris on multiple occasions between 1970 and 1972 while still an officer in the United States Navy. Such counsel and assistance to enemy agents in time of warfare is in direct violation of UCMJ (Article 104 part 904), U.S. Code (18 USC Sec. 2381 and 18 USC Sec. 953) and other applicable laws and acts of Congress.
Some of Sen. Kerry's anti-American activities and protests in association with Vietnam Veterans Against the War and other subversive groups may have been subject to pardon by President James E. Carter's Executive Order 4483 of 21 January 1977, which provided general amnesty for draft evaders and other war protesters. However, it is the considered opinion of legal scholars that acts of treason in connection with providing aid and comfort to the enemy in time of warfare are not covered by EO 4483.
Though Sen. Kerry claims to have received an Honorable Discharge at the conclusion of his military service, he refuses to sign a Standard Form 180 authorizing the release of his complete military records in an effort, we believe, to conceal his separation from the military by a Dishonorable Discharge or, at best, an other than honorable discharge. This assertion is supported by the fact that Sen. Kerry's discharge was subject to review after EO 4483 by a board of officers acting under Title 10, U.S. Code Section 1162 and 1163 in reference to involuntary separation from the service. Those records are critical to the disposition of this Petition for Investigation and Indictment.
Additionally, in connection with a Dishonorable Discharge, the Department of Defense revokes all pay benefits, allowances, medals and honors. Here Petitioners note that upon becoming a U.S. senator in 1985, Mr. Kerry requested that all his medals be reissued, and, more recently, that he received a revised DD-214 listing an Honorable Discharge.
Why are we requesting that John Kerry be investigated and indicted now?
In October 2003, Mr. Kerry chose to make his Vietnam War record the centerpiece of his campaign for the presidency; this has been especially true since his Democrat Presidential primary victory in March 2004. Outraged by this and in response, the more than 180,000 signatories of the above-referenced Petition for Investigation and Indictment chose to make Mr. Kerry's war record the centerpiece of their campaign to disqualify him from public office.
In doing so, Petitioners cite the Constitution's Fourteenth Amendment, Section 3. The pertinent language states: "No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President ... having previously taken an oath ... to support the Constitution of the United States, [who has] engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof."
Of note, there is no statute of limitations on treason.
It is not Petitioners' intent that this Petition for Investigation and Indictment be acted on prior to the 2 November election as this would be disruptive to the election process. Such action by the Justice Department would only be viewed as "political" in nature. It is, however, Petitioners' intent to ensure that Sen. Kerry's actions are subject to investigative review in order to conclusively determine whether he is legally qualified to hold any future office in accordance with the Constitution's Fourteenth Amendment.
Regardless of the outcome of Sen. Kerry's campaign for president, be it known that Petitioners remain committed to holding Sen. Kerry accountable for his actions.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Alexander
Executive Editor and Publisher,
The Federalist Patriot
Posted by SlagleRock at 07:45 AM | Comments (4)
October 17, 2004
A Short Note From Iraq
Everyone, I thought I'd share this short email with you. Please bear in mind that this is from one of my best friends, a man I served with during Iraqi Freedom, a man who volunteered to go back and do 6 more months after doing 10 months in '03.
There may be some offensive text. I try to keep our emails as laid back as I can. I know it helps him stay as relaxed as can be expected under fire.
SlagleRock,Well another day down, 140+ to go, I can't wait. So is anything new? Same shit here, I was almost killed the other day, we got rocketed and it landed damn close, I was out like a Boner in sweatpants, I didn't have time to think about how fucked up the situation was until later in the day, and it hit me. We get attacked almost daily, allot of close calls but that one, made me think, and I hate that feeling like have you accomplished everything in life, because damn did that depress me. So is the Family good? MacKenzie turns 3 on Saturday the 16th I hope I get to call her, the phones have been down here for quite some time. Well just wanted to touch base and let you know I am still pimpin, hey someone's got to do it. Well take care, I am out like a fat kid in dodge ball, I am out like a Boner in sweatpants (Favorite line).
SSgt Butch (Name Changed to protect identity)
XXX ESFS/Bravo Sector
APO AE 00000-0000
"America will always be the land of the Free, because it's the home of the Brave"
Keep your head down Butch!
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 12:58 AM | Comments (1)
October 16, 2004
Poor Quality Equipment
**Note** I added four very solid/interesting posts today. Make sure you either scroll down to see all four or click on MAIN and then scroll down.**
What were they thinking when Iraqi insurgents attacked highly trained, well armed American troops with these?
These were taken into custody by a friend currently deployed on the Iraq/Kuwait border.
Good capture, Sarge! Keep your head down and watch your six.
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 01:07 PM | Comments (2)
America's Most Highly Decorated Living Veteran Calls Kerry 'a Man of Benedict Arnold Qualities'
I found this one on Human Events Online, but have decided to run it in its entirety here.
Thanks go out to Aaron of Aaron's Rantblog for the picture (tip:its a link to his site)
George E. "Bud" Day, Col, USAF is America's most highly decorated living veteran officer. He served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, receiving more than 50 combat awards and the Congressional Medal of Honor.
What he wants now is to stop John Kerry from being elected President.
Day traveled from his home in Florida to Washington, D.C., last week to participate in the filming of two new ads by Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. In one of the spots, he directly addresses Kerry: "How can you expect our sons and daughters to follow you, when you condemned their fathers and grandfathers?"
In the early 1970s, when Kerry was meeting with America's Communist enemies in Paris and falsely claiming to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that U.S. forces in Vietnam were committing war crimes on a day-to-day basis, Day was a POW, languishing in a North Vietnamese prison.
During his five-plus years of captivity he was brutally tortured. Now he is one of several former POWs featured in Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal, a documentary about the effect of the anti-war movement on American POWs in Vietnam. The film, which portrays John Kerry in an unsympathetic light, will soon air in part on 62 broadcast stations owned by the Sinclair Broadcast Group, despite loud protests from the Kerry camp. Many of the company's stations are in swing states.
HUMAN EVENTS Assistant Editor David Freddoso interviewed Day October 13 on his decision to publicly oppose Kerry:
You are a winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor, and well known among people familiar with the history of Vietnam. What is so important to you about this election that you have decided to get involved in the efforts of the Swift Boat veterans?
COL. BUD DAY: I felt a terrible sense of outrage when the Kerry campaign attacked President Bush about his National Guard qualifications, because I was the advisor to a Guard unit that got called up for Vietnam, and we lost three friends of mine. And I thought it was a very mean thing for him to be discounting that military service in the Guard, because that unit likewise could have been called up. They were flying 102s out of Thailand during the Vietnam War. It wasn't probable, but it certainly was possible. I thought it was a very unfair thing. And then, when his campaign began playing Kerry up as a war hero, I thought that was very questionable, considering the fact that while his service might have been satisfactory, what he did in 1971 after coming back was quite unsatisfactory.
What was your first exposure to Kerry's 1971 testimony?
DAY: At the time I was a POW, but I didn't connect it up with him, because there were a lot of loonies out there protesting the war. I had just heard that a Naval officer was badmouthing our performance and basically saying we ought to get out of Vietnam and the war was wrong and so forth. I wasn't aware that it was him until well after I was back from Vietnam.
Did it surprise you to hear of an officer's giving such testimony?
DAY: It astonished me, because basically it was a breach of faith with those people he had served with. It was absolutely untrue that we were committing atrocities there. It was absolutely untrue that we were raping women and murdering children and doing all those kinds of things. And either he knew that was untrue, or he should have known just from his own experiences . . . Later, I found out that he had made these two visits to meet with Le Duc Tho in Paris, and push the enemy's seven-point piece plan--which amounted to us tendering some kind of ransom for the POWs, and under that condition we would come home, and then we would apologize for ever having been in the war. It told me that he really was a man of Benedict Arnold qualities, because that's what Benedict Arnold did. He fought for the country and then crossed over to the British…
Did it undermine your morale to hear that a fellow officer of the U.S. military was essentially parroting what your captors were telling you and torturing you to get you to say?
DAY: Yes. And I have to be straightforward. I did not know who this Naval officer was, and I didn't know exactly what it was he was supposed to be saying. I just heard this story that a Naval officer was basically saying the same stuff that Jane Fonda was saying. Now, of course, in 1972, she was over there posing on gun sights, as were several other anti-war people who wanted the Communists to win. And so to be frank with you, in my mind in jail at that time, I just suspected that it was some sort of hanger-on with Jane Fonda. I just assumed that it was some Naval officer that had kind of gone around the bend, and I certainly never connected it up with him specifically. I had no clue who John Kerry was. I was skeptical of that story, and I thought it might just be some more propaganda from the Vietnamese...
Had John Kerry's plan to unilaterally withdraw from Vietnam been put into effect, would your life, as a POW, have been in greater or less danger, and would there have been a greater or a lesser chance of your going home?
DAY: It would have been in far greater danger. They always called me a war criminal, they threatened several times to shoot me after the war. Frankly, I didn't go to sleep every night sick with worry because in my gut I knew that our government was going to bomb them out, and we were going to get out under different conditions. But had the surrender occurred, it would have been a totally different thing, because then those people would have been totally able to do anything they wanted to do with us. They could have turned us loose, they could have not turned us loose, they could have shot us, they could have put us on trial. They could have done anything they wanted to. And not only that, but there would have been a blood bath of the South Vietnamese that would have been in the hundreds of thousands, that would have died and been tortured. . . .
On "Meet the Press," Tim Russert brought up Kerry's 1971 testimony. Kerry said that some of the language he used might have been inappropriate, spoken as an angry young man. Does that cut it for you as an apology?
DAY: It wasn't even in the ballpark. It was no apology--it wasn't even an explanation. He dodged the question, is what happened. . . . He blackened every Vietnam veteran's name when he came back and told all of those terrible stories about what we were supposedly doing. And he is just one of the reasons that the myth exists about all of the crazy, nutty, dope-addicted, booze-addicted failures that came out of Vietnam because of that awful war. Col. Bui Tin of the North Vietnamese government said words to this effect: that every day, the North Vietnamese listened to the radio to see what was happening back here in the United States. And what they heard from Kerry was exactly the kind of propaganda that they wanted to hear, because their claim was they were going to win this war on the streets of San Francisco and New York City. And it was clear that John Kerry was helping them do that. That was also part of the Soviet Union's disinformation program, which was saying exactly the same thing that John Kerry was saying… He basically functioned as a propaganda minister for both the Russians and the North Vietnamese. He basically was advocating that the Communists win.
Have you ever been active in politics before?
DAY: Yes. I supported Harry Truman in 1948. I supported Ronald Reagan. I supported George Bush Senior. I supported John McCain [in 2000], and I went with John's campaign to New Hampshire and Virginia and all around the country quite a bit. I was his commander in jail.
Now even the single most highly decorated Veteran is speaking out against Kerry. What's next the pope, and then maybe God or Buddha? It seems everyone who is anyone with any amount of common sense want to see Waffles fail miserably.
Bush-Cheney '04
4 MORE YEARS
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 12:52 PM | Comments (16)
October 11, 2004
A Personal Letter From Iraq
A Soldier's Letter
'A protector. A redeemer. A soldier stands at the end of the street...'
MamaMontezz pointed me to this great letter from a soldier serving in Iraq.
It is a personal letter about the situation in Iraq and the way the world views it.
Click continue reading for the full letter. It is worth your time and worth the read.
Support OUR Troops!
SlagleRock Out!
A soldier's letter
'A protector. A redeemer. A soldier stands at the end of the street...'
Published October 10. 2004 7:30AM
BY CAPT. BRIAN PATNODE
SPECIAL TO THE STAR-BANNER
EDITOR'S NOTE: The following letter from Army Capt. Brian Patnode was sent to the Star-Banner on Tuesday, Oct. 5, from Iraq, where he is stationed as part of the 497th MCT Transportation Battalion. Patnode is an Ocala native who attended Vanguard High School and later graduated the University of Central Florida. He was in the Army Reserves until he was 27 when he joined the regular Army. His wife, Rachel, and 2-year-old daughter, Ryleigh, are in Ocala awaiting his return from Iraq. Patnode is the son of Bruce Patnode of Ocala and Pam Vance of Belleview.
It is a little harder than usual to fall asleep on this particular evening. In the distance, the sound of a U.S.-made .50-caliber machine gun can be heard warning the unseen enemy away from our base camp.
To make sleep even more distant, the few minutes of quiet are interrupted by the penetrating concussion of several enemy rockets landing only a few hundred meters away from our living area. Having seen the effects mortars or rockets have upon impact, my mind dwells on the prospect of a direct or near impact from the enemy's weapon of choice. On this particular night I can hear the rocks, stirred by a rocket, landing on the roof of my dwelling as if to warn me that he has me in his sights. If it is his desire to prevent the U.S. soldiers that occupy his country sleep, then he is indeed succeeding.
It has been many months since our country's leadership first sent soldiers to this country. Despite the fact that only a few more months remain in my year-long tour, the word eternity remains constant. For it has been an eternity since I have held my wife or played games with my little girl. My wife spends her days attempting to create a normality that our little girl does not understand how to live without. All the while, her mother is plagued with a nagging fear that her husband may not come home at the end of the year as promised.
I made a promise to them both I would be home for Christmas - and that will hold true even if Christmas is not celebrated on December 25th, as is customary. In addition to the excitement I feel for going home, I am left with a fear Christmas will never be as it once was.
During the first few months in this desert, each soldier could be found running to the mortar bunkers shortly after the first explosion was heard. Over time, complacency took over, leading to a nonchalant approach to attacks. With only three months left in our tour, I again see my fellow soldiers move to the bunkers with an increased swiftness. We joke how we are too short to "die" now. Each of us can now believe we will not be one of the 1,000 killed or 10,000 wounded. Understanding we each have a 1 in 250 chance of being killed during the year, we are beginning to believe we have escaped the odds.
Sitting in the bunker on this evening, I could feel the cool air push by my face while the leftover daytime heat absorbed by the cement bunker warms my back. It is a feeling that draws memories from far away, reminding me of home. A typical Florida afternoon means the rain will fall for less than 30 minutes, cooling the air just enough so you feel how hot the pavement has become. The Iraqi desert is darker than home, so closing my eyes to cherish the sudden memory makes no difference. To see countryside covered with green grass, lakes every several miles and the chance to stop at my favorite restaurant for a well enjoyed meal with my girls. Here there is no stopping while on the road for fear of losing your life.
No, Christmas will not be the same this year. It can never be. I now understand the contentment I would see on a grandfather's face during the holidays. Just as a world war forever changed their perspective, mine has now changed forever as well.
This far into our deployment phrases such as "fighting for country" or "duty" are falling to the wayside. Approaching the end, all conversation drifts to home and the loved ones we will find waiting there. Just as well, that is where all my motivation is now found. Suddenly nothing matters more in the world than just returning home to what was once ordinary. It is not that serving my country in the most dangerous place on the planet has made me more deserving, just more grateful.
One day I will attempt to understand what it was like for my wife on the other side of the emotions. I can only imagine her fear and frustration every night as she watches the television. Well-dressed men and women debating the morality or legality of the war. Every time she hears the words: "two soldiers were killed in Iraq today . . ." Her breathing must stop just long enough to remind herself she has not received that dreaded phone call and she knows her husband is OK.
History will judge the necessity of this war. And while my fellow soldiers and I talk of it on occasion, we are relentlessly reminded there is indeed an enemy of the United States in this country. It is hard to debate Iraq meant harm to the people of the U.S. when several show it everyday. While my brothers in arms are willing to fight this enemy as he desires, we would be just as content to help him build his country into the example of prosperity and triumph this region has not seen in more than a thousand years.
Let us not forget our own history. During the War of 1812, a collection of New England states considered leaving the union in hopes of suing for peace. We should not expect every Iraqi to enjoy the prospect of democracy. In the exact same manner, the enemy here knows his only hope of obtaining power is by ensuring the masses do not rally in the name of freedom. Does no American find it odd that the greater numbers of Iraqis have not publicly requested the U.S. forces leave? There is no great outcry for our absence. Each person will argue for this reason as their ideology requires. Seeing with my own eyes, I can tell one why this is.
Within their land Iraqis see a group of people who were not scared of their oppressor of decades. Who in this world would ever have been brave enough to stand up to the man who abused and murdered their friends and family by the thousands? The quickness by which this Army came left them watching in dismay. And now, this redeemer stands in place as a reminder that the cause for which he entered the country is now worth remaining. The people in Iraq must wonder to themselves why this is important enough for this visitor to risk his life. No doubt there must be some speculation as to U.S. motives. And no doubt they do not trust entirely. Yet they must wonder. Having been oppressed or controlled by others for more than a thousand years, they could think nothing else.
On the other hand, this newcomer has promised and, thus far, delivered to them the means to govern ourselves. Why?
The answer is actually quite simple. Over a decade ago a war was fought. The cease fire of that war was clearly not abided by. At the completion of that war, we, the United States of America, urged the Kurds and Shiites to rise up in the name of freedom. By the thousands the Iraqi regime slaughtered them. We did nothing but watch as if helpless or not responsible. We are here now to complete what would have been just and right a decade ago.
I stand here with an open hand of apology. At times America has failed to follow through when needed only to see needless deaths. But today we do not. And we do not leave because to do so would make us no less deserving of God's grace than the evil we rid from this land. What is left of the former regime is what we are still fighting today.
Days from now, we will likely hear about another bombing or massacre of innocent woman and children. I do not believe there is any greater evidence of how what remains of the old government is still present using the only tactics they know. Only now the populous does not appear to be giving in. There is a new element. A protector. A redeemer. A soldier stands at the end of the street - a soldier that throughout history has never asked for any more land than that for which to bury his comrade.
Let the world judge us. I find no confidence in anyone who judges our actions on a political level. For it is so much more personal than that. There are millions of lives at stake. And each one has the same desire as anyone else - to live with the belief the next day will be better than the last, and our kids will know a better life than we did. For each U.S. soldier who has given their life, there are 25,000 others who now know what it is to have a life.
Thank you for your service!
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 01:28 PM | Comments (2)
October 09, 2004
Taking The Pep Out Of Pep Boys
**UPDATE**This story has been accused by some as being an Urban Legend. Not true. Take a look at UrbanLegends and you will see that the myth was that PEP boys was firing all military personnel. While that is simply not true you will however see that the law suit fired by Mr. Balodis is true and real. Please read the full story below.
**Update** According to Survival Forum: A federal lawsuit alleges Pep Boys fired a store manager because of his military obligation.
OSCAR ABEYTA and IRWIN M. GOLDBERG
Tucson Citizen
March 15, 2003
Automotive supply chain Pep Boys fired a Tucson store manager because his military Reserve duties took him away from work, according to a federal lawsuit filed here.
It may not be an isolated case. Several other reservists fired from Pep Boys in Tucson and Pennsylvania have contacted a military advocacy group with similar complaints.
Pep Boys' Tucson attorney, Todd E. Hale, declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing company policy not to discuss ongoing legal cases.
**UPDATE to the story that follows** Take a look at the Stars and Stripes
They published an article today that states that "A U.S. District court judge ruled last year that Balodis must arbitrate his claim instead of going to court. Depositions are scheduled for June. Regardless of the outcome, however, Balodis said that he has grown from the experience."
Obviously there is some truth to the story. I am eagerly awaiting the outcome.
Automotive supply chain Pep Boys fired a Tucson store manager because his military Reserve duties took him away from work, according to a federal lawsuit that has been filed.It may not be an isolated case. Several other reservists fired from Pep Boys in Tucson and Pennsylvania have contacted a military advocacy group with similar complaints.
Pep Boys' Tucson attorney, Todd E. Hale, declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing company policy not to discuss ongoing legal cases.
In the Tucson case, Erik Balodis, then a store manager at the 7227 E. 22nd St. Pep Boys, was fired after being called to a U.S. Naval Reserve exercise in June 2002. Balodis, a father of two young children, was unable to find work for five months.
He eventually found work as a store manager at Big Lots in October 2002 but by then the family's finances were in ruins. In February, his family was forced to sell its four-bedroom East Side home and file for bankruptcy. Balodis, who is stationed in South Korea, now earns about $20,000 less a year, said his wife, Kathy. Under the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act and Arizona state law, an employer may not terminate an employee who is called to active duty. In the lawsuit, Balodis' attorney, Andrea Watters, said Pep Boys fired Balodis because his duties with the Navy were keeping him from work. The suit says he told the company he was being called to training in June of last year. On the day he reported for duty, he was told by Pep Boys that we was being terminated for "job abandonment." The lawsuit indicates Balodis had worked 20 days in a row for the company without a day off before the termination. "On the surface it appears it would be a violation of section 4311, which is the section of the law that talks about discrimination," said Capt. Eric Davis, a mediator in the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve's Arlington, Va., headquarters. ESGR is a volunteer organization that works to help resolve employer issues with Reserve and Guard members. "If an employer makes an employment decision on the past, present or future military obligations, that sort of employment discrimination is illegal," Davis said.
The suit claims that, despite being an employee who was recognized repeatedly for his good work with the company, Pep Boys "demanded that he 'choose' his job over his military service." The suit cites a letter sent to the Naval Reserve by Pep Boys, dated Sept. 11, 2001, requesting Balodis "be exempted from any impending call to active duty as a result of the tragic and senseless acts of terrorism. ... While I recognize Mr. Balodis' commitment to protect and serve the nation, I must also make you aware that he holds a critical position in the Corporate Structure of Pep Boys."Court filings by Pep Boys, however, claim Balodis' termination had nothing to do with his Reserve duties. "Pep Boys consistently cooperated in accommodating those obligations," Hale wrote. "Pep Boys made the difficult decision to terminate him because his performance and judgement declined to an unacceptable level. His military service played no role whatsoever in the decision."
The filing made reference to three company memos regarding Balodis' performance and noted he had been demoted from district manager to store manager in February 2002. But Watters disputed the company's claims.
"I believe he was being set up for termination," Watters said. "The bottom line is, when they terminated him they issued a letter detailing why they terminated him which did not raise those issues."Other complaints
Balodis may not be alone in how he was treated by the Pennsylvania-based company. Two similar incidents were reported to Arizona's state ESGR chairman, William Valenzuela. Valenzuela said he spoke with two other Pep Boys employees who were called to active duty and terminated by the company at about the same time as Balodis. And he said he heard there may have been four others who faced a similar fate. He said Pep Boys is the only company he's heard of that has had that many termination disputes over military service here.
ESGR did not take any action with the other two Pep Boys employees because they had already contacted lawyers, which prohibits ESGR from getting involved, Valenzuela said. Davis said he received a complaint Thursday from Pennsylvania regarding a Reserve member who was deployed to Bosnia in May 2002. This reservist held a part-time job with Pep Boys and was told a drain plug was not put in a vehicle, Davis said. "This would have happened nine months prior to departure," Davis said. Col. Alan Smith of ESGR headquarters said his office has received 4,000 to 5,000 calls in the past couple of months and that, with the exception of the one case handled by Davis, Pep Boys hasn't been mentioned.Pep Boys has stores in 36 states. Aside from Arizona and Pennsylvania, no other states with Pep Boys stores have reported problems. Valenzuela said it's not unusual for companies to work through ESGR with the military to reschedule or postpone reserve training to accommodate work schedules. "During the time there's no war, the commanders can work with that," he said. "Right now the commanders can't work with that." He said he's seen an overall increase in termination complaints since the situations overseas have intensified, and the military has called up more Reserve units. "There's all kinds of call-ups going on right now, and there's some employers who are not going to go for it," he said.
In the vast majority of cases where service personnel are terminated because of their military service, he said a phone call or meeting to inform the employers of the law is all it takes to get the employee reinstated.
Family impact
Kathy Balodis has been packing up the four-bedroom East Side house where she, her husband and their two daughters have lived for three years.
"Our dream home that we worked so hard on," Balodis described it. With her husband off serving in Korea, she's had to do the packing by herself. They're supposed to be out by the end of the month, but she doesn't know where the family will be moving to yet. The family doesn't want to move, but after her husband was terminated by Pep Boys, he spent five months out of work. She said the family pretty much lived off credit cards during that time. Eventually he found work as a store manager at Big Lots, but their finances were in ruins by then. The Balodises put their house up for sale at the beginning of February and filed for bankruptcy two weeks later. "I'm trying to get qualified to buy a mobile home, but I don't know if that will happen with the bankruptcy. Maybe I can get some help from my parents, but if not, we'll be living in an apartment," she said, eyeing the boxes in her living room dejectedly. The sad part of it all, Kathy Balodis said, is that her husband was dedicated to Pep Boys and planned to work there until his retirement. "He gave 100 percent to the company, and when he had to give 20 percent to the military, they got rid of him. That's just not right," she said. Whether her husband gets a big settlement out of the lawsuit is not an issue for her, she said. "The main thing I want out of Pep Boys is for them not to treat anyone like they treated my husband."Other Pep Boys news
Pep Boys stock closed up 27 cents at $6.69 yesterday.
That came a day after the company disappointed Wall Street by posting lower-than- expected earnings for the fourth quarter ended Feb. 1.It showed sales falling from $508.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2001 to $482.7 million last year.
Pep Boys reported a loss of $1.83 million, or 4 cents a share, for the quarter compared with earnings of $3.68 million, or 7 cents per share, in 2001.
THE LAW:
Federal
A person who is a member of, applies to be a member of, performs, has performed, applies to perform or has an obligation to perform in a uniformed service shall not be denied initial employment, re-employment, retention in employment, promotion or any benefit of employment by an employer on the basis of that membership, application for membership, performance of service, application for service or obligation.State
An employee has a claim against an employer for termination of employment only if one or more of the following circumstances have occurred:The employer has terminated the employment relationship of an employee in retaliation for any of the following:
Service in the national guard or armed forces as protected by (state law).Needless to say I won't be frequenting any Pep Boys anytime in the near future. I only hope they have to pay out the nose for destroying Mr. Balodis's credit and his life.
We are a nation at war. Did you read that? A NATION. We are not a few military members in a mudslinging contest with the bad guys. We are a nation at war and it will take every member of this nation to win that war. That includes all active duty members, all reserve members, all corporations that employ members of the United States Military, every citizen or would be citizen of this great nation must do there part.
If all of this is proven to be true I will BOYCOTT PEP BOYS, Get the word out. Link to this, trackback, email the link and spread the word. This is the kind of treatment that the brave men and women of our military do not deserve. Let's make this huge (Perhaps a Google Bomb!?!?!). Please title your post that tracks back to this entry Exactly the same as my entry? Taking The Pep Out Of Pep Boys Thanks to Denita at Who Tends The Fires for the title.
I first caught wind of this from my wife. She sent me a link to The War Room.
SlagleRock Out!!!
**UPDATE to the story above** Take a look at the Stars and Stripes
They published an article today that states that "A U.S. District court judge ruled last year that Balodis must arbitrate his claim instead of going to court. Depositions are scheduled for June. Regardless of the outcome, however, Balodis said that he has grown from the experience."
Update: After further research I found a differing opinion on these events and discovered that this incident actually happened in 2002. Some of the text of this article may or may not be factual and may be based on biased opinion. Take a look at Break The Chain for the another side of this story. I seek only fair treatment of our military members and the truth.-- SlagleRock
Posted by SlagleRock at 12:37 PM | Comments (9)
October 08, 2004
Kerry Lied, While Good Men Died
Here is an awesome link. This is a look at the real John Fonda Kerry followed by a tribute to one of the greatest generations of men and women. The tribute looks at my generations parents, the men and women who braved Vietnam.
Kerry Lied, While Good Men Died
This presentation is a bit lengthy, but well worth the 5 minutes or so of your time.
We must not allow this vile wretched man to be elected President of The United States of America. Only a patriot should ever hold that post, and clearly he is not.
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 06:22 PM | Comments (1)
October 01, 2004
Make Your Vote Count
To all of my Military readers this post was written specifically for you. Due to the length of this article I have moved the bulk of it (all of the important links) to the Extended Entry.
If you need to know how to procure an absentee ballot or register to vote please click on Continue Reading....
**NOTE** This post will remain at the top of my blog until the election is over. Please look below, for all current entries.
Note (1 Oct 04) Due to demand from my readers I have altered the date of this post. It will slowly creep down the list so that my most recent entries are on top of my site.
SlagleRock Out!
During the 2000 election the Democratic party did everything it could to ensure that military absentee ballots would not count. They tried to force recounts and block absentee ballots. They fought when several states extended the deadline to have military ballots in to ensure that all votes would count.
The dirty Dems get an "A" for effort and an "F" for patriotism. What in the world would motivate a political party to decapitate the heads of the very people who protect the nation the so-called politicians "serve"?
Now, I may be a bit biased with this one, but I truly believe that the men and woman of the armed forces have more of a right to vote than any other demographic.
With that being said, this post will remain as the top post at the Slaughterhouse until the deadline for military absentee ballots has come and gone, bear in mind for most states that is either the day before or the day of the General Election wich is November 2, 2004.
Here are the resources that men and woman from all branches of service will need to ensure their voice is heard. There is no doubt that it was the military that helped push Bush over the top in 2000. Make sure to get your ballot in as soon as possible. DO NOT wait until the last minute.
For state-by-state voting deadlines and calendar CLICK HERE
Military voting information: Obtaining Voting Materials
U.S. Army ------http://www.usapa.army.mil/
U.S. Navy ----- http://www.persnet.navy.mil/nvap/
U.S. Airforce ----http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/
U.S. Airforce --- http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/votefund
U.S. Marine Corps -- http://manpower.usmc.mil/
U.S. Coast Guard: FPCAs and FWABs must be ordered using unit funds from GSA using the following data:
FPCA NSN 7540-00-634-5053
Unit of Issue: 1 HD
FWAB NSN 7540-01-218-4384
Unit of Issue: 1 HD
VAGs are automatically distributed through the DOT warehouse whenever a new edition is issued. Any unit on distribution that fails to receive their issue by January 1, 2004, should contact YNCS Lori McNaught. There is also a Coast Guard Instruction to guide VAOs: Federal Voting Assistance Program, COMDTINST 1742.3(SERIES).
U.S. Department of State mailto:burlingon.cscorder@gsa.gov
Representatives of organizations and corporations not associated with the Department of State or a Military Services may request the Guide directly from the FVAP. The most efficient way to order the Guide is to e-mail the FVAP at vote@fvap.ncr.gov. Provide your name, address, contact information and quantity desired.
Thanks for the links Jack, I am sure the men and women of the armed forces will be grateful.
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 11:51 AM | Comments (19)
September 24, 2004
Grouchy Media
If you need a little charge, or maybe you'd just like to see some very cool videos of our military at work take a look at GrouchyMedia.com
Grouchy has been around since 2001 and has several very cool military videos.
Three of the more famous videos are:
Taliban Bodies (The first video is a look at the terrorists of 9/11 and a tribute to our actions in Afghanistan)
Die Terrorist Die (The second video is a further look at the terrorists and the Taliban in Afghanistan)
Bomb Saddam (The third video is a look at us in our overthrow of Saddam Hussein)
Grouchy's website also has several other videos of military vehicles, aircraft and equipment in action. There are several tributes to the troops of all branches of service.
I realize grouchy has been around for a while, but I still find people everyday who haven't seen these awesome video compilations.
Thanks Grouch
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 04:04 PM | Comments (2)
September 15, 2004
Starbucks Supports The Troops
Recently I received an email from a friend in which a Sgt in the USMC was upset becuase Starbucks Coffee not only shot down troops in the Middle East when they asked for a coffee donation, but allegedly they told the troops that they didn't support the troops or the war.
As you would expect I very angrily emailed the people at Starbucks.
This is the response I got:
Dear Mr. Slagle,Thank you for taking the time to contact Starbucks regarding coffee donations to those serving in our armed forces.
Starbucks has the deepest respect and admiration for U.S. military personnel. We are extremely grateful to the men and women who serve stateside or overseas. We sincerely appreciate that they are willing to risk their lives to protect Americans and our values of freedom and democracy. While Starbucks as a company cannot directly donate to military personnel, many of our partners (employees) show their support by donating coffee.
Recently, there was an e-mail circulating the internet that contained misinformation about Starbucks and our support of the military. Starbucks was able to locate the author who turned out to be a Marine Sergeant. He was very grateful that we contacted him and apologized for any misunderstanding, as he did not intend to spread the rumor. He subsequently sent an e-mail to his original distribution list correcting his mistake, which I've included at the end of this e-mail.
I would like to take this opportunity to clarify Starbucks policy regarding charitable contributions. We are able to donate to nonprofit organizations that are designated as public charities under Section 501(c) (3) of the IRS Code, including public libraries and schools. The U.S. military or individual military personnel do not qualify as a public charity.
However, on an individual level, many Starbucks partners have collected and shipped numerous pounds of Starbucks coffee overseas. Starbucks partners receive one pound of free coffee each week as an employee benefit (known as "partner mark-out"). Many of our partners have elected to send their weekly mark-out of coffee to members of the military or military families, and related organizations.
As an example of this generosity, our partners in our Atascadero, California store sent their weekly mark out coffee to troops in Afghanistan so they are able to enjoy a little piece of home. Our customer relations department in Seattle donated hundreds of pounds of coffee to the sailors in the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group. These are just a few examples of our partners supporting the troops. We recognize and appreciate the very personal connection that customers have with us and how they might miss their Starbucks Experience while overseas.
Thank you again for writing and ask you to accept our deepest appreciation to servicemen and women and hope you remain a valued Starbucks customer. If you have any additional feedback or would like to discuss this further, please feel free to contact us at (800) 235-2883 or email us at info@starbucks.com.Sincerely,
David Campbell
Customer Relations
Starbucks Coffee CompanyText of Sgt. Wright's Email:
Dear Readers,
Almost 5 months ago I sent an e-mail to you my faithful friends. I did a wrong thing that needs to be cleared up. I heard by word of mouth about how Starbucks said they didn't support the war and all. I was having enough of that kind of talk and didn't do my research properly like I should have. This is not true. Starbucks supports men and women in uniform. They have personally contacted me and I have been sent many copies of their company's policy on this issue. So I apologize for this quick and wrong letter that I sent out to you.
Now I ask that you all pass this email around to everyone you passed the last one to. Thank you very much for understanding about this.
Howard C. Wright
Sgt USMC
1st Force Recon Co
1st Plt PLT RTO
Well, that is the official stance from the Starbucks Co. It is good to hear that they support the troops, if only in spirit.
On the flip side it is a bit upsetting that they didn't say such a terrible thing, I was looking forward to tearing them to shreds. Not that I have anything against Starbucks, but I have to admit that I did expect it to be true seeing how Starbucks was founded here on the left coast.
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 09:16 PM | Comments (8)
September 13, 2004
The Near Loss Of One Of Our Own
I received an email today that saddened me a bit. Security Forces almost lost one of our own. A Senior Airman, whom I won't name out of respect for his privacy, almost lost his life in Iraq.
The Air Force Cop was standing only 10-20 feet away from a mortar impact. After being evacuated to Germany he has finally made his way back to the states where he has undergone several surgeries at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
His condition is currently listed as fair after the "successful" amputation of his right hand and both legs above the knee.
My thoughts are with his family. I hope his recovery is speedy and his adaptation to his new life goes well.
At only 22 years old he paid the ultimate price (short of death) for his country. True patriots will be forever indebted to this young man and the many men and women of the armed forces who live every day in harms way to better secure our nation and the world.
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 09:37 PM | Comments (7)
September 11, 2004
September 11, 2001
On this day just three short years ago we were attacked. America was attacked by psychopathic Muslim extremists, as the media likes to call them. I just call them cowards. Like the cowards that they are, they chose to hijack civilian aircraft and use them as missiles by flying them into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
Maybe they are smarter than we think. They new better than to attack the US Military, so they went after innocent civilians, killing people from many different nations. The Afghanis probably had a false sense of manhood after handing the communist USSR its ass for nearly a decade. We showed them what a real military was capable of in Ashcanistan and Iraq.
Clearly the World Trade Center must have been a secret military headquarters? Perhaps it was a cover up for the world’s largest nuclear weapons? Maybe the children in the towers were really secret US agents under cover as innocent children.
NO, none of these are true. The World Trade Center was a civilian commerce center. It was a landmark building that housed thousands of civilians who probably never gave thought one that they may be killed at work. Civilians, non-combatants, Men, Woman and Children, Innocents lost.
In my line of work Muslim extremists are a topic of discussion on a nearly daily basis. That is easy to understand when you look at all of the places that Airman are serving abroad.
September 11th was a tragic day in our history no doubt. For a few minutes Lady Liberty wept. That was likely the effect the terrorists were looking for. What they hadn't counted on was that while Liberty was crying for the loss of more than 3,000 of her children, Uncle Sam was sharpening his bayonet. Moments after the first tower fell the people I serve with were crawling over one another to volunteer to help secure the attack zones. They were volunteering to leave behind their wives, husbands, sons and daughters. They were willing to leave the comfort of home to go fight this evil. Where were they going? No one knew, but damn it we were all ready to take on whomever this was wherever they were hiding.
The terrorists need to remember that Americans are strong because we have to be. When you are the biggest dog in the junkyard all the little dogs want to make a name by getting a piece of you. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.
We have an election coming up and my only hope is that people will consider what a Dem in the Whitehouse means for terrorism. Look at how poorly the Democrats have handled our military in the past and it is easy to see how the terrorists of 9/11 were able to spend the better part of a decade planning their attack on the WTC and the Pentagon. The Clinton administration made us look like fools in Somalia, only half dedicated us in Bosnia and Clinton sure didn't openly appreciate us as a Commander in Chief should.
I for one am very grateful that George Bush was the President when terror knocked on our front door. I shudder at the thought of what would have happened had Al Whore been elected President.
Bow your heads for innocents lost this day 3 short years ago.
Never Forgive, Never Forget.
SlagleRock Out!
Surf around the blogosphere for many great reflections on this tragic day in our history. Here are a few great blogs to start with: The Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler, Mamamontezz, American Warmonger, Blogs For Bush, Cox and Forkum, Red Falcon, Bonfire, Castle Aarrgghh, BlackFive, In Bills World
If I left anyone out, I apologize, but I also know that via these links most of your are covered.
Posted by SlagleRock at 05:53 PM | Comments (4)
August 29, 2004
Never Forgive, Never Forget
This would seem not really all that relevant to us today until you
get to #14. Then chills go down the spine.
Dear Mr. Ex President Clinton: I recently saw a bumper sticker that said, "Thank me, I voted for Clinton-Gore." So, I sat down and reflected on that, and I am sending my "Thank you" for what you have done, specifically:
1. Thank you for introducing us to Jennifer Flowers, Paula Jones, Monica Lewinsky, Dolly Kyle Browning, Kathleen Willey and Juanita Broderick. Did I leave anyone out?
2. Thank you for teaching my 8 year old about oral sex. I had really planned to wait until they were older to discuss it with them, but now they know more about it than I did as a senior in college.
3. Thank you for showing us that sexual harassment in the work place(especially the White House) and on the job is OK, and all you have
to know is what the meaning of "is" is. It really is great to know that certain sexual acts are not sex, and one person may have sex while the other one involved does NOT have sex.
4. Thank you for reintroducing the concept of impeachment to a new generation and demonstrating that the ridiculous plot of the movie ie,
"Wag the Dog" could be plausible after all.
5. Thanks for making Jimmy Carter look competent, Gerald Ford look graceful, Richard Nixon look honest, Lyndon Johnson look truthful, and John Kennedy look moral.
6. Thank you for the 73 House and Senate witnesses who have pled the 5th Amendment and 17 witnesses who have fled the country to avoid testifying about Democratic campaign fund raising
7. Thank you, for the 19 charges, 8 convictions, and 4 imprisonment's from the white-water "mess" and the 55 criminal charges and 32 criminal convictions (so far) in the other "Clinton" scandals.
8. Thanks also for reducing our military by half, "gutting" much of our foreign policy, and flying all over the world on "vacations" carefully disguised as necessary trips.
9. Thank you, also, for "finding" millions of dollars--- I really didn't need it in the first place, and I can't think of a more well deserving group of recipients for my hard-earned dollar than jet fuel for all of your globe-trotting. I understand you, your family and your cronies have logged in more time aboard Air Force One than any
other administration.
10. Now that you've left the White House, thanks for the 140 pardons of convicted felons and indicted felons-in-exile. We will love to have them rejoin society.
11. Thanks also for removing the White House silverware. I'm sure that Laura Bush didn't like the pattern anyway. Also, enjoy the housewarming gifts you've received from your "friends."
12. Thanks to you and your staff in the West Wing of the White House for vandalizing and destroying government property on the way out. I also appreciate removing all of that excess weight (China, silverware, linen, towels, ash trays, soap, pens, magnetic compass, flight manuals, etc.) out of Air Force 1 The weight savings means
burning less fuel, thus less tax dollars spent on jet fuel. Thank you!
13. And, please ensure that Hillary enjoys the $8 million dollar advance for her upcoming "tell-all" book and you, Bill, the $10 million advance for your memoirs. Who says crime doesn't pay?
14. The last and most important point -- thank you for forcing Israel to let Mohammed Atta go free. Terrorist pilot Mohammed Atta blew up a bus in Israel in 1986. The Israelis captured, tried and imprisoned him. As part of the Oslo agreement with the Palestinians in 1993, Israel had to agree to release so-called "political prisoners."
However, the Israelis would not release any with blood on their hands. The American President at the time, Bill Clinton, and his Secretary of State, Warren Christopher, "insisted" that all prisoners be released. Thus Mohammed Atta was freed and eventually thanked the US by flying an airplane into Tower One of the World Trade Centre.
This was reported by many of the American TV networks at the time that the terrorists were first identified. It was censored in the US from all later reports.
Why shouldn't Americans know the real truth?
Thanks go out to Jack for this one!
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 03:18 PM | Comments (1)
August 28, 2004
John Kerry's The New Soldier
I first caught wind of this opportunity from Mamamontezz.
It appears that Stephen Macklin of No Mayo has been cool enough to post the much controversial book, The New Soldier, written by John Kerry in .PDF format for all to download and enjoy choke down.
I think this was an awesome thing to do. If you know anything about this vile book you must certainly know that most copies were gobbled up and destroyed by the Dems years ago when Kerry first started his career as a politician.
This book sells in excess of $2,000.00 on Amazon and for over $600.00 on eBay.
Just when the Dems thought they did enough to prevent the average person from being able to afford Kerry's vile book so they can see what kind of person he really is, the miracle of modern technology has stepped in and made it available for all.
You can find the atrocity at any of the links above or just click here for The New Soldier:
You can also click here to see the pictures from the book.
Mr. Macklin, my hat is off to you. The Slaughterhouse and its readers are indebted to you Sir. --Thanks again.
Get to know the candidate. Right click the links and save the .PDF file so you can read Kerry's atrocity. Know whom you may waste your votes on.
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 07:03 PM | Comments (3)
August 21, 2004
George Bush And The F-102
Here is a great link for you to provide to anyone who still wants to question Bush's service record:
Aerospaceweb.org is website that is operated by scientists and engineers whose primary focus is providing information on all things related to Aerospace.
The offer a unique perspective about the F-102 and the brave men who flew one of the deadliest planes the Air Force has ever operated. One of those men is our president, George W. Bush.
I am not, nor will I be one to try and portray Bush as a hero, however he did serve. George Bush chose the guard, but he also chose an area that was highly likely to place him in combat.
Any question of his service record was cleard quite some time ago, but a cornered moonbat will beat up on any old thing they can.
If I were a Kerry supporter I'd be scared shitless. He is a liar, and the Swift Boat Vets are pointing out all of the lies.
What was Kerry thinking when he chose to run on a military record that is so shady? Do you think maybe he should have run on is Senate record? Oh, wait that one is even uglier than his military service record.
Also, take a look at what John of Argghhh has to say about the subject as well.
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 07:58 PM | Comments (1)
August 10, 2004
Dear John Letter
I "borrowed" this post from my Uncle.He received this letter from a Vietnam Veteran. It sums up how many veterans of both past wars and present feel about Waffles.
Click continue reading to see the full letter from a Viet Vet to John Edwards
Dear John,
After all you’ve been through in the past year, losing in the primaries and being unable to win reelection to your own Senate seat, I do hate to bring more uncertainty into your life; but I’ve noticed that since being named John Kerry’s new best buddy, your Two Americas stump speech and your new commercial now include a challenge to voters that goes something like this: “If you don’t think John Kerry is a leader, just ask the men who served with him in Vietnam. They’ll tell you he’s a leader,” or words to that effect.
Well, OK, John, why don’t we do just that? Let’s ask them.
At a press conference in Washington this past May, an organization called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, a group of former sailors who served in Kerry’s unit in Vietnam, presented a letter to Kerry signed by more than 200 of his former shipmates calling on him to release his military records so that the truth about his abbreviated tour of duty, his spurious wounds and his undeserved medals could be revealed to the American public. Not surprisingly, this event and this organization were totally ignored by the major media, as they continue to be to this day.
Did you catch that press conference? No? Never heard anything about these ol’ boys at all huh, John? Well, listen up, Senator.
If you visit their website, Swiftvets.com or a sister site, Wintersoldier.com, you’ll see some choice quotes from those fellows who served with your new best buddy. From Admiral Roy Hoffmann, his former commanding officer, come such phrases and characterizations as:
“Contempt for the military and authority….”
“Arrived in country with a strong anti Vietnam War bias and a self serving determination to build a foundation for his political future….”
“Aggressive, but vain and prone to impulsive judgment, often with disregard for specific tactical assignments….”
“A loose cannon….”
“Bugged out of Vietnam….”
and finally, “Not fit to command.”
I’ll bet you a Florida precinct that any good trial lawyer would consider someone of Admiral Hoffman’s stature an unimpeachable witness, wouldn’t you? Loose cannon? Bugged out? Not fit to command? I’m not causing you to have any second thoughts here, am I, John? Hmmm?
Now take a listen to retired Navy Captain, Charlie Plumly, who had Kerry,
“under my command for two or three specific operations before his rapid exit.“
Plumly is even less charitable to your new bud than the admiral. His quotes on Kerry’s service include these colorful expressions,
“Devious, self-absorbing, manipulative, disdain for authority, disruptive.”
And then he gives us this little jewel,
“But the most common phrase would have been requires constant supervision.”
Boy that’s a comforting thing to read on the resume of the guy who wants to control the world’s greatest nuclear arsenal, isn’t it? Makes it a little more understandable why your buddy was willing to swallow a Republican as his number two in command, doesn’t it, John? You do have to give him credit for knowing he needed a more experienced hand like McCain watching out for him. Sounds to me like what he really needs is Dick Cheney, hear me, John?
Then there’s Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, now deceased, Chief of Naval Operations at the time of Kerry’s service, who said,
“With Kerry’s large ambitions, his career in Vietnam will haunt him if he were ever on the national stage.”
Oh my, and just look at who’s up there on that stage with him, bringing up that career at every opportunity. Hey, John, as a trial lawyer you’ve got to know some good investigators. Why don’t you part with a few thou and check some of this out? I mean this could take the expression, “egg on your face” to a whole new dimension, know what I mean?
The Swiftvets website has several testimonials from others who served with your buddy and none are laudatory. On the contrary, they are replete with refutations of John Boy’s claims in his book, Tour of Duty, ranging from emotional denials of the war crimes Kerry depicts there to ridicule of his wearing that leather flight jacket on the campaign trail and claiming it brought him luck in Vietnam,
“No one wore such a jacket in 90+ heat.”
You sure you want to keep bringing this guy’s service record up in every speech, John? I know it’s easy for someone who never served to be a little overawed, but good grief, even a weenie liberal lawyer ought to be able to figure out you don’t wear leather jackets on jungle patrols, you know? And what’s with this flight jacket business anyway? What was John Boy flying over there? Sure as hell wasn’t a supersonic F-102 interceptor like George Bush, now was it?
But of course! Why didn’t I think of it? That jacket could explain the minor nature of his award-winning wounds; kept all that nasty flak and flying lead from really hurting him instead of just breaking the skin, you know? Guess that’s why he calls it his lucky jacket. But I got tell you, Man, speaking of breaking, I’m sitting here breaking out in a sweat just thinking about it. I mean, jungle fatigues were hot enough; but leather? With fleece lining? Whew, man, that’s hardcore!
Well, I guess I am going have to admit this, John. In this regard, you’re right; there are Two Americas: there’s the America that believes your buddy wore a fleece lined, leather aviators jacket in the jungle; the America that will mindlessly heed your impassioned challenge to listen to the bought and paid for endorsement of the half dozen or so enlisted crewmen your buddy has shanghaied into his campaign. Then there’s that other America, the one out there waiting for the media to let us hear the more than 200 voices of those who served well and honorably, both officers and enlisted, who are telling the truth about your good ol’ buddy. Somehow, some way, I believe, I pray, that will happen.
And even if it doesn’t, what those truth tellers are saying has relevance for you, John. Think about it; your oh-so-affectionate, backslapping partner bugged out on them and then libeled and slandered them viciously to serve his own political goals. So you might just want to consider this, Senator: if you guys lose in November there will be Two Americas all right. And you can bet your biggest contingency fee anyone Kerry can blame for costing him the goal of his life sure won’t be part of his America anymore. Talk about getting a “Dear John” letter.
Think, Johnnie Boy, think. Didn’t your ol’ Daddy ever teach you nuthin' bout leopards and spots?
Russ Vaughn
327th Parachute Infantry Regiment
101st Airborne Division
Vietnam 65-66
'Nuff Said!
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 09:59 AM | Comments (2)
August 09, 2004
Hats Off To GreyHawk At The Mudville Gazette
My hat is off to GreyHawk at the Mudville Gazette for starting his week long look at the Vietnam Swift Boat Veterans For Truth.
He starts off day one with an email interview of one of the Swiftboat Vets.
Please swing by and take a look.
Everyday more garbage comes to light about this multi-millionaire liar, who claims to understand the middle class.
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 07:59 PM | Comments (1)
Have You Forgotten?
Does it sound like a used up catch phrase to you?
Have you forgotten? Hell no it's not used up. American's need to remember. We live in a nation full of fairweather patriots. Everyone in this nation wanted to wage war on terror on September 11th, 2001 but just 3 years later many have forgotten what has happened.
Some of the images at the above link may not be suitable for your children. Grab your tissues and remember that horrible day.
America must never forget!
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 05:30 PM | Comments (2)
July 30, 2004
Not Eligible To Be President?
It's official. John F. Kerry is the Democratic Party nominee for
President. But is he fit for office?
Kerry has a long and well-documented history of providing "aid and
comfort" to the enemy in time of war -- particularly in the case of
North Vietnam, Nicaragua and Cuba. Kerry, by his own account of his
actions and protests, violated the UCMJ, the Geneva Conventions and
the U.S. Code while serving as a Navy officer. Kerry met, on two
occasions, with North Vietnamese negotiators in 1970 and 1971,
willingly placing himself in violation of Article three, Section
three of the U.S. Constitution, which defines treason as "giving aid
and comfort" to the enemy in time of warfare.
Kerry was recognized for such "aid and comfort" in 1983, when he
received an award for special contributions to the Communist victory
from the incoming general secretary of the Communist Party of
Vietnam, Comrade Do Moi. See photos here
Thus, in accordance with the Constitution's Fourteenth Amendment,
Section 3, which states, "No person shall be a Senator or
Representative in Congress, or elector of President and
Vice-President ... having previously taken an oath ... to support
the Constitution of the United States, [who has] engaged in
insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort
to the enemies thereof," We, the People of these United States,
believe John F. Kerry is unfit for public office.
Please join your fellow Patriots and sign the petition demanding
that John Kerry be prosecuted for "giving aid and comfort to the
enemy" and disqualified for national office.
Link to -- Patriot Petitions
Sounds pretty cut and dry to me? What do you think? Should we overlook the fact that he was a traitor to his country? It's right there in the Constitution; what's to argue?
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 07:05 PM | Comments (2)
July 23, 2004
Canada Shows Its Ignorance Once Again
Once again Canada reminds Americans why we have no use for the Canadian Government.
Take a look at this one.
CRTC shows biased colours
Okaying Al-Jazeera coming into Canada, but forbidding Fox News, tells you all you need to know about the CRTC.
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 01:37 PM | Comments (2)
July 21, 2004
Taps (Corrected)
On the 19th of this month I posted an article titled TAPS and it told the origins of the song and the lyrics many don't know exist.
Thanks to Mollbot for this link which corrects the original posting and offers more information on the subject.
Here is the corrected story.
Of all the military bugle calls, none is so easily recognizable or more apt to render emotion than the call Taps. The melody is both eloquent and haunting and the history of it's origin is interesting and somewhat clouded in controversy. In the British Army, a similar call known as "Last Post" has been sounded over soldier's graves after interment since 1885. But the use of Taps is unique with the United States military, since the call is sounded at funerals, wreath layings and memorial services.
Up to the Civil War, the infantry call for "Lights Out" was that set down in Silas Casey's (1801 1882) Tactics, which had been borrowed from the French. The music for Taps was changed by Union General Daniel Butterfield for his Brigade (Third Brigade, First Division, Fifth Army Corps, Army of the Potomac) in July 1862.
Daniel Adams Butterfield (1831-1901), the son of a famous expressman was born in Utica, New York and graduated from Union College at Schenectady. He was the eastern superintendent of the American Express Company in New York when the Civil War broke out. A colonel in the 12th Regiment of the New York State Militia, he was promoted to Brigadier General and given command of a brigade when the militia was mustered into the Army of the Potomac. As the story goes, General Butterfield was not pleased with the call for "Lights Out", feeling that the call was too formal to signal the day's end. With the help of the brigade bugler (Oliver W Norton) Butterfield created the call to honor his men while in camp at Harrison's Landing, Virginia following the Seven Day's battle. The call, sounded that night in July, 1862, soon spread to other units of the Union Army and was even used by the Confederates. It was made an Official bugle call after the war. The highly romantic account of how Butterfield "composed" the call surfaced in 1898 following a magazine article written that summer. The August, 1898 issue of Century Magazine contained an article called "The Trumpet in Camp and Battle" by Gustav Kobbe, a music historian and critic. He was writing about the origin of bugle calls in the Civil War and in reference to Taps, wrote: "In speaking of our trumpet calls I purposely omitted one with which it seemed most appropriate to close this article, for it is the call which closes the soldiers.... "Lights Out".
I have not been able to trace this call to any other service. If it seems probable, it was original with Major Seymour, he has given our army the most beautiful of all trumpet calls".
Kobbe was using as his basis for the calls the army drill manual on infantry tactics prepared by Major General Emory Upton in 1867 (revised in1874) The bugle calls in the manual were compiled by Major (later General) Truman Seymour of the 5th US Artillery.
Kobbe's inability to find the origin of "Light's Out" (Taps) prompted a letter from Oliver W Norton in Chicago who claimed he knew how the call came about and that he was the first to perform it.
Norton wrote:...
"During the early part of the Civil War, I was bugler at the Headquarters of Butterfield's Brigade, Meroll's Division, Fitz-John Porter's Corps, Army of the Potomac. Up to July, 1862, the infantry call for Taps was that set down in Casey's Tactics, which Mr Kobbe says was borrowed from the French. One day, soon after the seven days' battles on the Peninsular, when the Army of the Potomac was lying in camp at Harrison's Landing, General Daniel Butterfield. then commanding our Brigade, sent for me, and showing me some notes on a staff written in pencil on the back of an envelope, asked me to sound them on my bugle. I did this several times, playing the music as written. He changed it somewhat, lengthening some notes and shortening others, but retaining the melody as he first gave it to me. After getting it to his satisfaction, he directed me to sound that call for Taps thereafter in place of the regulation call. ... The next day I was visited by several buglers from neighboring brigades, asking for copies of the music, which I gladly furnished. I think no general order was issued from army headquarters authorizing the substitution of this for the regulation call, but as each brigade commander exercised his own discretion in such minor matters, the call was gradually taken up through the Army of the Potomac. ... I did not presume to question General Butterfield at the tine, but from the manner in which the call was given to me, I have no doubt he composed it in his tent at Harrison's Landing. I think General Butterfield is living at Cold Spring, New York. If you think the matter of sufficient interest, and care to write him on the subject, I have no doubt he will confirm my statement."
The editor at the Century did contact Butterfield who wrote back;
"I recall, in my dim memory, the substantial truth of the statement made by Norton, of the 83rd Pa., about bugle calls. His letter gives the impression that I personally wrote the notes for the call. The facts are, that at that time I could sound calls on the bugle as a necessary part of military knowledge and instruction for an officer commanding a regiment or brigade. I had acquired this as a regimental commander. ... The call of Taps did not seem to be as smooth, melodious and musical as it should be, and I called in some one who could write music, and practiced a change in the call of Taps until I had it suit my ear, and then, as Norton writes, got it to my taste without being able to write music or knowing the technical name of any note, but, simply by ear, arranged it as Norton describes. I did not recall him in connection with it, but his story is substantially correct..."
On the surface it was not until the Century article that this seems to be the true history of the origin of Taps. Indeed, the many articles written about Taps cite this story as the beginning of Butterfield's association with the call. Certainly Butterfield never went out of his way to claim credit for its composition and it was not until the Century article that the Origin came to light There are however, significant differences in Butterfield's and Norton's stories. Norton says that the music given to him by Butterfield that night was written down on an envelope while Butterfield wrote that he could not read or write music! Also Butterfield's words seem to suggest that he was not composing a melody in Norton's presence, but actually arranging or revising an existing one. As a commander of a brigade, he knew of the bugle calls needed to relay troop commands. All officers of the time were required to know the calls and were expected to be able to play the bugle. Butterfield was no different - he could play the bugle but could not read music. As a colonel of the 12th N.Y. Regiment, before the war, he had ordered his men to be thoroughly familiar with calls and drills. What could account for the variation in stories? My research shows that Butterfield did not compose Taps but actually revised an earlier bugle call.
This sounds blasphemous to many, but the fact is that Taps existed in an early version of the call Tattoo. As a signal for end of the day, armies have used Tattoo to signal troops to prepare them for bedtime roll call. The call was used to notify the soldiers to cease the evening's drinking and return to their garrisons. It was sounded an hour before the final call of the day to extinguish all fires and lights. This early version is found in three drill and tactical manuals - the Winfield Scott (1786-1866) manual of 1835, the Samuel Cooper (1798-1876) manual of 1836 and the William Gilham (1819-1872) manual of 1861.
Sorry for any confusion, I didn't check the source. Thanks to both Jack and Mollbot for the information!
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 03:04 PM | Comments (2)
July 19, 2004
Taps
I have read/learned this before, but as Jack pointed out when he sent it to me, many people, even military don't know its roots.
If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which taps were played this brings out a new meaning of it.
Here is something EVERY AMERICAN should know.
We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, "Taps."
It's the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes. But, do you know the story behind the song?
If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings. Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.
During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention.
Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment.
When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.
The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier.
It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.
The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his
Enemy status. His request was only partially granted.
The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral.
The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.
But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician.
The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of
the dead youth's uniform.
This wish was granted.
The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" used at military Funerals was born.
The words are :
Day is done ... Gone the sun ... >From the lakes ... >From the hills
>From the sky .. All is well. Safely rest . God is nigh ...
Fading light ... Dims the sight ... And a star ... Gems the sky ...
Gleaming bright ... From afar ... Drawing nigh .. Falls the night ...
Thanks and praise ... For our days . Neath the sun ...
Neath the stars...Neath the sky .. As we go.
This we know .. God is nigh ...
I, too, have felt the chills while listening to "Taps" but I have never seen all the words to the song until now. I didn't even know there was more than one verse. I also never knew the story behind the song and I didn't know if you had either so I thought I'd pass it along.
I now have an even deeper respect for the song than I did before.
REMEMBER THOSE LOST AND HARMED WHILE SERVING THEIR COUNTRY.
And also those presently serving in the Armed Forces.
Posted by SlagleRock at 07:21 PM | Comments (4)
July 16, 2004
Treating Veterans Not Like Heroes But Human Beings
In an earlier article entitled Lunatic Leftists Fall Completely Off The Deep End it told a story reminiscent of the Vietnam Era, a story of how an injured Gulf War II vet was booed and mistreated during an Independence Day parade in Washington state.
Just when we think America is losing her mind, some true patriots step up and show 8 soldiers on leave for R & R their appreciation for all they do.
From CNN.com:
Returning soldiers ride first-classTravelers switched seats
Thursday, July 15, 2004 Posted: 11:44 AM EDT (1544 GMT)
DALLAS, Texas (AP) -- Eight soldiers flying home from Iraq for two weeks of R&R flew in style instead of coach after first-class passengers offered to swap seats with them.
"The soldiers were very, very happy, and the whole aircraft had a different feeling," flight attendant Lorrie Gammon told The Dallas Morning News in Thursday's editions.
The June 29 seat-swap on American Airlines Flight 866 from Atlanta to Chicago started before boarding, when a businessman approached one of the soldiers and traded his seat.
When the swapping was done, "the other two first-class passengers wanted to give up their seats, too, but they couldn't find any more soldiers," Gammon said.
Another flight attendant, Candi Spradlin, said she was impressed with the acts of good will.
"If nothing else, those soldiers got a great homecoming," she said.
Now, don't get me wrong I don't expect every hard working American to forfeit their very expensive first class seating to a veteran as I am sure they worked hard to be able to afford that seat. However, a kind gesture is what the troops deserve. I think many bleeding hearts forget that these brave men and women are following the orders of the officers appointed over them to include the Executive branch of our government.
These men and woman are heroes, and they go so many of the bleeding hearts don't have to.
Thanks to the eight first class passengers aboard American Airlines Flight 866, you truly are "First Class".
As for the title of this article, I am not saying people should kiss the feet of the Veteran, but remember he is an American and a person, a human being at the least. Their are only two kinds of treatment we should hear of when it comes to veterans and that is decent or praise. There is never a reason to treat a Veteran as a baby killer, murderer or rapist.
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 03:22 PM | Comments (3)
July 15, 2004
An American Marvel (The .50 Cal BMG)
As I mentioned in an earlier post I am attending a class at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX. That class is to get qualified on the M2 .50 caliber Browning Machine Gun (BMG) which I will then in turn teach at my own duty station.
So, to post on a lighter subject I thought I'd mention this American Marvel.
There is no doubt to anyone who visits this site that we live in the greatest nation on Earth. This is one example of why. American Ingenuity!
Truly John Browning was decades ahead of his time. The .50 Cal BMG has lent its design ideas to numerous other weapons throughout the years.
Ponder this for a moment. The .50 cal BMG is more than half as old as our nation and it is still one of if not the premier long range, man portable, machine gun. Mr. Browning invented the .50 Cal in the late 1800's and it has remained unchanged (mechanically) since it was introduced into the United States Inventory in 1918. It was intended to serve as a long range sniper weapon due to its ability to engage (accurately) targets out to nearly 2,000 meters. Think about that for a second. You can accurately hit a target at distances farther than a mile!!!!!! In fact during Vietnam (nearly a hundred years after the gun was invented) Marine Gunnery Sergeant Carlos N. Hathcock set the record for the longest sniper kill at a distance of 2,500 yards when he felled a North Vietnamese officer.
It is truly an amazing weapon. It averages a 700 grain projectile. That is more than ten times larger than an M-16 rd. The standard Armor Piercing round for the M2 can penetrate a full inch of Armor Plating (homogenous) or .9 in of Face Hardened Armor Plating. It will penetrate nearly two feet of sand, dirt or clay at distances of 1,500 meters.
The .50 Caliber BMG and its little brother the .30 Caliber BMG (No longer used by the US) have paved the way for nearly all modern firearms.
While leftists may not consider Mr. Browning’s machine guns worthy of patriotic mention he is in fact. The quad and twin .50's used by the Navy likely saved numerous lives at Pearl Harbor. He has provided the military with the cornerstone for the weapons systems of the future and he did it more than 100 years ago.
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 09:04 PM | Comments (5)
July 14, 2004
Powerful Quotes The Looney Left Need Read
"What we need in appointive positions is men of knowledge and experience who have sufficient character to resist temptations." --Calvin Coolidge
"A politician will do anything to keep his job -- even become a patriot." --William Randolph Hearst
"Every public official should be recycled occasionally." --John V. Lindsay
"There never was a bad man that had ability for good service." --Edmund Burke
"Better faithful than famous. Honor before prominence." --Teddy Roosevelt
"Real valor consists not in being insensible to danger, but in being prompt to confront and disarm it." --Sir Walter Scott
"Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less." --Robert E. Lee
"The trouble with practical jokes is that very often they get elected." --Will Rogers
My thoughts: It is as if Will Rodgers had the foresight to write about John Kerry. "The trouble with practical jokes is that very often they get elected."
Another quote that applies to Mr. Heinz-Kerry is that of Teddy Roosevelt. "Better faithful than famous. Honor before prominence." Kerry Clearly hopes his wealth will buy him an election. What's next Waffles? When do the vote JFK ads start running?
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 04:51 PM | Comments (5)
July 13, 2004
My Interview With An Iranian-American
Cancel that title! It should simply read my interview with an American. I am currently in Texas at Lackland AFB, San Antonio. I arrived in San Antonio yesterday afternoon. After arriving at the Airport I hailed a cab for the short ride to the base.
The cab driver was clearly a man on Middle Eastern decent. After loading my bags he introduced himself and asked where I was headed. I told the man that I needed to go to Lackland AFB. He immediately smiled and said, "Oh Air Force, my only son is in the Air Force and he is on his way to Baghdad for a 6-month tour.”
As we started to talk I mentioned my tour in the Middle East, and the fact that I had been more than once. First response he had was, "I am glad you made it home safe."
After hearing he clearly loved our country I asked where he was from originally. He told me, "Iran, Iran is a terrible place." He went on to explain that he came to the US 27 years earlier to attend the University of Texas. He met his wife (Also of Iranian decent in college and their son was/is the only naturalized citizen in their family).
After realizing that politics were not only a safe conversation, but an encouraged one, we discussed many things. We started with Afghanistan and Iraq. Mr. Kalliff (as I will call him) told me that ultimately the peoples of Iraq and Afghanistan will be much better for the US's involvement. He said, "The Taliban is nothing but a bunch of uneducated brutes, bullies, terrorists or whatever." He also said that "those" people don't even know why or what they fight for. If only they could taste freedom they'd never have an animosity towards the US. He said, that Saddam "is a son of a bitch. He is just a cowardly dictator who hid behind his abusive actions." He also said that "these" dictators are the sole reason that the Middle East is hundreds of years behind the rest of the modern world.
I asked him if he ever considered moving home. He smiled at me and said, "I am home." He went on to explain that he would rather be "just some poor cab driver who can honestly say he is an American than a wealthy Iranian any day!"
Mr. Kalliff was very passionate about these United States. He said he hopes more than anything that President Bush is re-elected and pushes for a regime change in Iran. He even said, "I know I could lose family in a war, but if it freed my people it would be an acceptable loss."
After talking about the war on terror I turned the discussion to politicians. My first question was what do you think about President Bush. His immediate reaction was, "I liked his Dad better, but he is a good man. He can be a little bit of a bully, but sometimes that is necessary." He said that he would like to see a democratic president elected because, "they are good to the people and the economy". He also said that now is not the time. Mr. Kalliff was very excited when he said, "John Kerry is a fucking liar, pardon my language but I think it would be a catastrophe if Kerry were elected".
As our conversation ended and I was unloading my gear from his cab, he once again held out his hand to shake mine. As I shook his hand he told me, "thank you for fighting for the greatest nation on Earth and making this a free place where even a poor boy from Iran can live free".
Sound too good to be true? Every word of it is true. He sounded every bit as patriotic as any member of the Armed Forces. It was hard for me to decide which he was more proud of, his son the Airman, or his right to vote and US citizenship.
Maybe, just maybe, there is hope for the Middle East. He certainly can't be the only person smart enough to realize that it is the dictatorships that are causing the demise of the Arab world.
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 05:12 PM | Comments (4)
July 11, 2004
Blogs For Bush
Here you will find a couple of great links to Blogs For Bush:
Senator Flip-Flop Lectures Bush On Values?
Kerry: I Don't Have Time For Briefings
Posted by SlagleRock at 06:09 AM | Comments (1)
July 08, 2004
Viewpoint
Recently we have had a few trolls here at the Slaughterhouse. These evil ignorant little cowards have tried offending me by shitting on my beautiful lawn.
Here at the Slaughterhouse my lawn is red, white, and blue. Apparently this offends some piss poor excuses for not only Americans, but human beings.
With this recent appearance of troll droppings I have decided to highlight a few things from the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)and Rules of Engagement (ROE)for SlagleRock's Slaughterhouse.
Q: Why do you allow profanity in the Slaughterhouse.
A: I serve in the military to protect American freedoms. One of those is the freedom of speech. While profane language is not always necessary sometimes there is no better substitute to simply telling someone what a stupid son of a bitch they really are.
Q: Why are your articles so biased?
A: Hello dumb ass, this is my blog!
Q: Why have my ridiculously long comments been edited down or deleted?
A: See queston #2 Asshat, this is my blog. If you feel the need to reprint my post before commenting on it don't waste your time or my bandwidth. Get your own blog! If your comments are longer than the post be prepared to have the garbage removed.
If you feel the need to bash the military, get your own blog. If you want to bad mouth the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines I suggest you have balls enough to do it face to face with a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine. My comment sections will not be a place for you to disgrace the good name of the brave men and women who serve our country.
Now that we have all had a chance to read that, I say to all you lunatic leftists (who should do us all a favor and move to Candy Ass Canada) don’t waste your breath. I will not tolerate you talking down about any member of the US military; this includes the Commander in Chief.
My site is pro military and pro American patriotism.
As a member of the US Air Force I have both a duty and a desire to support the President of the United States.
For all you fans of Fahrenheit 9/11, John Kerry and Michael Moore you may as well move on. You will find no love for these people/things at the Slaughterhouse. In fact you will find staunch hatred!
Want to bitch about the President? Get your own damn blog!
Want to bitch about the US? Get your own damn blog!
Want to talk down on/to the brave men and women who fight for your freedom to be a piece of shit? FUCK OFF AND DIE!!!
Anyone not understand how I feel now?
For my loyal/regular reader’s thank you for being here and I am sorry I had to waste a post explaining the FAQ and ROE for the Slaughterhouse. Apparently hit and run chicken shits don't bother to read the rules of engagement or FAQ.
GW... 4 MORE YEARS!!!
Michael Moore.... I hope you fester in a pool of your own vile flab!
John Kerry... You won't find any love or respect here and hiding behind the young facade of John Edwards won't save you!
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 08:50 PM | Comments (11)
July 06, 2004
Happy Birthday to you...
Happy 58th Birthday President George W. Bush.
SlagleRock Out
Posted by SlagleRock at 11:44 PM | Comments (1)
July 05, 2004
Armed Mexican Troops Attempt To Deny A US Marine's Ceremonial Burial
According to Fox News and SFGate.com 4 armed Mexican soldiers attempted to stop the ceremonial burial of a US Marine.
A contingent of 7 Marines was participating in the funeral of Lance Cpl. Juan Lopez, who was killed in an ambush in Ramadi, west of Baghdad, on June 21.
Hundreds of friends and relatives packed a small cemetery in SAN LUIS DE LA PAZ, Mexico for the funeral on Sunday of 22-year-old Marine, Cpl. Juan Lopez, who was born in this sun-scorched farming town, immigrated to Dalton, Ga., as a teenager and became a Marine.
Four U.S. Marines marched solemnly to the grave carrying an American flag and the colors of the Marine Corps. Two of the men had rifles that looked real, but could not be fired, strapped to their backs.
Four Armed Retarded Mexican Soldiers blocked this traditional posting of the colors.
Arrangements originally were made to give a traditional 21-gun salute during the ceremony in Lopez's hometown in Mexico. Retard Mexico's Secretary of Defense turned down the request last week, saying the salute violated constitutional measures preventing foreign soldiers from bearing arms on Retard Mexican soil. Mexico has a deep suspicion of foreign military forces in its territory. The Marine Hymn's "Halls of Montezuma" refers to the 1847 U.S. capture of Retard Mexico City.
After much bantering between the Marines and the Retarded Mexican Soldiers the ceremony went forward. One Marine began to play taps and the ceremony went on. After the ceremony concluded the Four Marines were escorted back to their vehicles where fourteen armed Retarded Mexican Soldiers stood watch.
Fourteen armed soldiers?!? Oh that was a good idea (Spit Spit Spit). I understand fully why the Retard Mexican government would cower at four US Marines two of which were armed with blank M14's (nothing more than cap guns). It is easy to see how this burial detail may have broken off from the ceremony in this small shit spot town in Retardsville Mexico and taken control of the entire government.
I certainly hope that apologies from the Retard Mexican Government will be issued to the family of Cpl. Lopez.
Though Mexican born he was a US Marine!
His true country, the United States will miss him and never would have dishonored him the way Bitch Ass Mexico did!
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 11:17 AM | Comments (10)
July 04, 2004
Independence Day
Posted by SlagleRock at 03:51 PM | Comments (1)
What Independence Day Means to Me, By President Ronald Reagan
Received this today via The Federalist. It's a good read from a great man.
"What July Fourth Means to Me" --Ronald Reagan
For one who was born and grew up in the small towns of the Midwest, there is a special kind of nostalgia about the Fourth of July.
I remember it as a day almost as long-anticipated as Christmas. This was helped along by the appearance in store windows of all kinds of fireworks and colorful posters advertising them with vivid pictures.
No later than the third of July -- sometimes earlier -- Dad would bring home what he felt he could afford to see go up in smoke and flame. We'd count and recount the number of firecrackers, display pieces and other things and go to bed determined to be up with the sun so as to offer the first, thunderous notice of the Fourth of July.
I'm afraid we didn't give too much thought to the meaning of the day. And, yes, there were tragic accidents to mar it, resulting from careless handling of the fireworks. I'm sure we're better off today with fireworks largely handled by professionals. Yet there was a thrill never to be forgotten in seeing a tin can blown 30 feet in the air by a giant "cracker" -- giant meaning it was about 4 inches long. But enough of nostalgia.
Somewhere in our growing up we began to be aware of the meaning of days and with that awareness came the birth of patriotism. July Fourth is the birthday of our nation. I believed as a boy, and believe even more today, that it is the birthday of the greatest nation on earth.
There is a legend about the day of our nation's birth in the little hall in Philadelphia, a day on which debate had raged for hours. The men gathered there were honorable men hard-pressed by a king who had flouted the very laws they were willing to obey. Even so, to sign the Declaration of Independence was such an irretrievable act that the walls resounded with the words "treason, the gallows, the headsman's axe," and the issue remained in doubt.
The legend says that at that point a man rose and spoke. He is described as not a young man, but one who had to summon all his energy for an impassioned plea. He cited the grievances that had brought them to this moment and finally, his voice falling, he said, "They may turn every tree into a gallows, every hole into a grave, and yet the words of that parchment can never die. To the mechanic in the workshop, they will speak hope; to the slave in the mines, freedom. Sign that parchment. Sign if the next moment the noose is around your neck, for that parchment will be the textbook of freedom, the Bible of the rights of man forever."
He fell back exhausted. The 56 delegates, swept up by his eloquence, rushed forward and signed that document destined to be as immortal as a work of man can be. When they turned to thank him for his timely oratory, he was not to be found, nor could any be found who knew who he was or how he had come in or gone out through the locked and guarded doors.
Well, that is the legend. But we do know for certain that 56 men, a little band so unique we have never seen their like since, had pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. Some gave their lives in the war that followed, most gave their fortunes, and all preserved their sacred honor.
What manner of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists, eleven were merchants and tradesmen, and nine were farmers. They were soft-spoken men of means and education; they were not an unwashed rabble. They had achieved security but valued freedom more. Their stories have not been told nearly enough.
John Hart was driven from the side of his desperately ill wife. For more than a year he lived in the forest and in caves before he returned to find his wife dead, his children vanished, his property destroyed. He died of exhaustion and a broken heart.
Carter Braxton of Virginia lost all his ships, sold his home to pay his debts, and died in rags. And so it was with Ellery, Clymer, Hall, Walton, Gwinnett, Rutledge, Morris, Livingston and Middleton. Nelson personally urged Washington to fire on his home and destroy it when it became the headquarters for General Cornwallis. Nelson died bankrupt.
But they sired a nation that grew from sea to shining sea. Five million farms, quiet villages, cities that never sleep, three million square miles of forest, field, mountain and desert, 227 million people with a pedigree that includes the bloodlines of all the world. In recent years, however, I've come to think of that day as more than just the birthday of a nation.
It also commemorates the only true philosophical revolution in all history.
Oh, there have been revolutions before and since ours. But those revolutions simply exchanged one set of rules for another. Ours was a revolution that changed the very concept of government.
Let the Fourth of July always be a reminder that here in this land, for the first time, it was decided that man is born with certain God-given rights; that government is only a convenience created and managed by the people, with no powers of its own except those voluntarily granted to it by the people.
We sometimes forget that great truth, and we never should.
Happy Fourth of July.
--Ronald Reagan, President of the United States (1981)
(Federalist)Editor's Note: The day after this Independence Day (providentially, we believe), July 5th, marks the end of the month of official mourning for Ronald Reagan's death -- with flags returning to full staff.
Posted by SlagleRock at 12:00 AM | Comments (1)
Happy 228th Birthday America
Posted by SlagleRock at 12:00 AM | Comments (1)
July 02, 2004
A Legend Retires (Last Vietnam POW Set To Retire)
U.S. Air Force Reserve Maj. Gen. Edward J. Mechenbier, 62 is scheduled to retire. He has reached the mandatory retirement age for his rank.
His career spanned 44 years and included nearly 6 years of captivity in the Hoa Lo prison in North Vietnam also known as the "Hanoi Hilton". Gen. Mechenbier was taken captive when his fighter jet was shot down over North Vietnam in June 1967 during his 80th mission.
To mark the end of this great mans career one of his co-workers suggested that he pilot the "Hanoi Taxi" for his last mission. The "taxi" is a C-141 cargo plane. It is also the very same plane that brought General Mechenbier home on February 12, 1973.
U.S. Air Force Reserve Maj. Gen. Edward J. Mechenbier, 61, points to an emblem on the side of the Hanoi Taxi, a military C-141 cargo plane, prior to a formal handover ceremony of remains of American servicemen missing in action from the Vietnam War, at Hanoi's Noi Bai airport, on Friday.
After more than four decades of service this great man will surely be missed. General Mechenbier is the last Vietnam era P.O.W. still in the service. He also says he is the oldest active pilot in the military.
U.S. Air Force Reserve Maj. Gen. Edward J. Mechenbier, 61, right, watches as the remains of an American serviceman are loaded onto a C-141 cargo plane during a formal handover ceremony at Hanoi's Noi Bai airport on Friday.
To read the full story on this great man, and the remains he retrieved from North Vietnam check out MSNBC.com
Also take a look at what Greyhawk at the Mudville Gazette had to say about this great man.
Major General Edward Mechenbier I salute you! Enjoy your retirement Sir you have clearly earned it.
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 12:08 PM | Comments (5)
June 30, 2004
Letter From The Marines
From a Marine officer on the Iraqi warfront with Jihadistan...
(This is an open letter to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, "Islamic
Response," and the rest of the so-called al-Qa'ida "insurgents"
in Iraq and elsewhere. We don't have an e-mail address for these
swine -- though we are closing in on their snail-mail address,
but we are forwarding this letter to Federalist Patriots around the
world in the hope you good people will forward it to as many other
Patriots as possible to rally prayer and support for our fellow
Marine, Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun. Should these al-Qa'ida pigs
spill his blood, we want them to rest assured that the contents
of this letter will eventually be nailed to their foreheads. Thank
you for your assistance.)
To al-Qa'ida terrorists in Iraq:
I see that you have captured a U.S. Marine, and that you plan
to cut off his head if your demands are not met. Big mistake.
Before you carry out your threat I suggest you read up on Marine
Corps history. The Japanese tried the same thing on Makin
Island and in a few other places during World War Two, and came
to regret it. Go ahead and read about what then happened to the
mighty Imperial Army on Tarawa, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. They paid
full price for what they did, and you will too.
You look at America and you see a soft target, and to a large
extent you are right. Our country is filled with a lot of spoiled
children who drive BMWs, sip decaf lattes and watch ridiculous
reality TV shows. They are for the most part decent, hard working
citizens, but they are soft. When you cut off Nick Berg's head
those people gasped, and you got the media coverage you sought,
and then those people went back to their lives. This time it
is different. We also have a warrior culture in this country,
and they are called Marines. It is a brotherhood forged in the
fire of many wars, and the bond between us is stronger than
blood. While it is true that this country has produced nitwits
like John Kerry, Michael Moore, Howard Dean and Jane Fonda who
can be easily manipulated by your gruesome tactics, we have
also produced men like Jason Dunham, Brian Chontosh and Joseph
Perez. If you don't recognize those names you should. They are all
Marines who distinguished themselves fighting to liberate Iraq,
and there will be many more just like them coming for you.
Before the current politically correct climate enveloped our
culture one of the recruiting slogans of our band of brothers was
"The Marine Corps Builds Men." You will soon find out just how
true that is. You, on the other hand, are nothing but a bunch of
women. If you were men you would show your faces, and take us on
in a fair fight. Instead, you are cowards who hide behind masks
and decapitate helpless victims. If you truly represented the
interest of the Iraqi people you would not be ambushing those who
come to your country to repair your power plants, or sabotage the
oil pipelines which fuel the Iraqi economy. Your agenda is hate,
plain and simple.
When you raise that sword over your head I want you to remember
one thing. Corporal Wassef Ali Hassoun is not alone as he kneels
before you. Every Marine who has ever worn the uniform is there
with him, and when you strike him you are striking all of us. If
you think the Marines were tough on you when they were cleaning
out Fallujah a few weeks ago you haven't seen anything yet. If you
want to know what it feels like to have the Wrath of God called
down upon you then go ahead and do it. We are not Turkish truck
drivers, or Pakistani laborers, or independent contractors hoping
to find work in your country. We are the United States Marines,
and we will be coming for you.
They not only need fear Marines, but also every Sailor, Soldier and Airman in country. The US military is a brotherhood these swine will never understand.
SlagleRock Out!
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Posted by SlagleRock at 05:32 PM | Comments (1)
June 27, 2004
Marine Held Hostage in Iraq
According to APNews, Fox News, and CNN another hostage has been taken in Iraq, this time it is not an innocent civilian but a US MARINE.
Wassef Ali Hassoun, as stated on the photo of his ID card released by his captors has been identified as a US marine. Terrorists claim that they lured him outdoors, after gaining access to a Marine Post in Iraq, and then took him hostage.
Cpl. Hassoun as well as a Pakistani man (Civilian Employee for Halliburton) have both been threatened with their lives. The terrorists claim that both will be beheaded if the US doesn't release all prisoners held in "occupied" prisons such as Abu Ghraib.
I am afraid these men are most likely already dead. As we have seen in every other similar scenario the captives are brutally decapitated while they are bound.
These chicken shit terrorist know that we will not comply with any demands so what reason would they have to wait until the deadline to perform their barbaric, ritualistic, murder.
My only hope with this scenario is now that the captive is one of the Few, the Proud, the Marines the US will put even more pressure on these terrorist cells. I'd like nothing more than for the Marines to learn the location that these men are being held hostage and deal the terrorists slow torturous death. These Jihadists, Ba'ath Party Members or just plain douche bag Islamic Extremists need to feel Uncle Sams wrath.
We should hold nothing back in finding Cpl. Hassoun and any others taken hostage by rogue groups.
Also, I think that it is time to shut down Al Jazeera. This scumbag “news” agency is nothing more than a terrorist puppet. They have posted photos, letters, audio and video of everything from Usama Bin Laden to the beheadings of innocents. They clearly choose to side with terror and should be dealt with as such.
Pray for the Cpl and his family.
Semper Fidelis Corporal!!
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 05:07 PM | Comments (6)
June 22, 2004
The Flag Means...
This morning as I was dropping my four year old off at pre-school I stopped to take a look at some of the childrens artwork.
There were about 40 little scribbled pictures of flags. As usual the "teachers" wrote on the bottom what the children said the artwork was depicting.
I soon discovered that the overlying theme was for our upcoming Independence Day. The children were asked, "what does the flag mean to you?"
One child drew a colorful flag and it stated, "this is a rainbow flag."
Another drew one that was red, white and blue, and stated, "the flag means we have airplanes." (Being an Air Force child that is expected)
Then I saw a third, it was red with white stripes and a blue field of stars. While the number of stars and stripes were incorrect it was very clear what it represented. At the bottom of the picture it said, "the flag means we are Americans!" When I discovered that it was my child who drew this flag and said these words I felt a little choked up.
Now the point of this blog...
No, I am not bragging that my 4 year old has better patriotism than John F*ck Face Kerry. And no, I am not bragging that my child drew a better flag than a bunch of 3-5 year olds.
My point is always remember just how impressionable these young minds really are. They pick up everything both good and bad. Just imagine how messed up Michael Moores kids must be!?!?
The flag flies in front of my house and always will. My daughter will always know just how important "Old Glory" really is to our great nation.
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 08:03 AM | Comments (5)
June 20, 2004
No One Asked Us
Below in bold you will find a letter that was emailed to me by a most trusted friend.
Upon completing a search of the Internet I too discovered that Major Coerr is who he claims to be. I also discovered that this letter has found its way onto numerous websites and several very respectable blogs.
As a man having the same feeling on the events in Iraq, as well as an inside perspective I decided that it needs to be posted here at the Slaughterhouse as well.
No One Asked Us
By Major Stan Coerr, USMCR
George Bush coalesced American support behind invading Iraq, I am told, using two arguments: Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and the capability to deliver them, and Iraq was a supporter of Al-Qaeda terrorism, and may have been involved in the attacks of 9/11. Vicious words and gratuitous finger-pointing keep falling back on these points, as people insist that "we" were misled into what started as a dynamic liberation and has become a bloody counterinsurgency. Watching politicians declaim and hearing television experts expound on why we went to war and on their opinions of those running the White House and Defense Department, I have one question.
When is someone going to ask the guys who were there?
What about the opinions of those whose lives were on the line, massed on the Iraq-Kuwait border beginning in February of last year? I don't know how President Bush got the country behind him, because at the time I was living in a hole in the dirt in northern Kuwait. Why have I not heard a word from anyone who actually carried a rifle or flew a plane into bad guy country last year, and who has since had to deal with the ugly aftermath of a violent liberation? What about the guys who had the most to lose...what do they think about all this?
I was there. I am one of those guys who fought the war and helped keep the peace. I am a Major in the Marine Reserves, and during the war I was the senior American attached to the 1 Royal Irish Battle group, a rifle battalion of the British Army. I was commander of five U.S. Marine air/naval gunfire liaison teams, as well as the liaison officer between U.S. Marines and British Army forces. I was activated on January 14, 2003, and 17 days later I and my Marines were standing in Kuwait with all of our gear, ready to go to war.
I majored in Political Science at Duke, and I graduated with a Masters degree in government from the Kennedy School at Harvard. I understand realpolitik, geopolitical jujitsu, economics and the reality of the Arab world. I know the tension between the White House, the UN, Langley and Foggy Bottom. One of my grandfathers was a two-star Navy admiral; my other grandfather was an ambassador. I am not a pushover, blindly following whoever is in charge, and I don't kid myself that I live in a perfect world. But the war made sense then, and the occupation makes sense now.
As dawn broke on March 22, 2003, I became part of one of the largest and fastest land movements in the history of war. I went across the border alongside my brothers in the Royal Irish, following the 5th Marine Regiment from Camp Pendleton as they swept through the Ramaylah oil fields. I was one those guys you saw on TV every night- filthy, hot, exhausted. I think the NRA and their right-to-bear-arms mantra is a joke, but by God I was carrying a loaded rifle, a loaded pistol and a knife on my body at all times My boots rested on sandbags on the floor of my Humvee, there to protect me from the blast of a land mines or IED. I killed many Iraqi soldiers, as they tried to kill me and my Marines. I did it with a radio, directing airstrikes and artillery, in concert with my British artillery officer counterpart, in combat along the Hamar Canal in southern Iraq. I saw, up close, everything the rest of you see in the newspapers: dead bodies, parts of dead bodies, helmets with bullet holes through them, handcuffed POWs sitting in the sand, oil well fires with flames reaching 100 feet into the air and a roar you could hear from over a mile away.
I stood on the bloody sand where Marine Second Lieutenant Therrel Childers was the first American killed on the ground. I pointed a loaded weapon at another man for the first time in my life. I did what I had spent 14 years training to do, and my Marines - your Marines - performed so well it still brings tears to my eyes to think about it. I was proud of what we did then, and I am proud of it now.
Along with the violence, I saw many things that lifted my heart. I saw thousands of Iraqis in cities like Qurnah and Medinah - men, women, children grandparents carrying babies - running into the streets at the sight of us, the first Western army to arrive. I saw them screaming, crying, waving, cheering. They ran from their homes at the sound of our Humvee tires roaring in from the south, bringing bread and tea and cigarettes and photos of their children. They chattered at us in Arabic, and we spoke to them in English, and neither understood the other. The entire time I was in Iraq, I had one impression from the civilians I met: Thank God, finally someone has arrived with bigger men and bigger guns to be, at last, on our side.
Let there be no mistake, those of you who don't believe in this war: the Ba’ath regime were the Nazis of the second half of the 20th century. I saw what the murderous, brutal regime of Saddam Hussein wrought on that country through his party and their Fedayeen henchmen. They raped, murdered, tortured, extorted and terrorized those in that country for 35 years. There are mass graves throughout Iraq only now being discovered. 1st Battalion,
5th Marines, out of Camp Pendleton, liberated a prison in Iraq populated entirely by children. The Ba'athists brutalized the weakest among them, and killed the strongest.
I saw in the eyes of the people how a generation of fear reflects in the human soul.
The Ba'ath Party, like the Nazis before them, kept power by spreading out, placing their officials in every city and every village to keep the people under their boot. Everywhere we went we found rifles, ammunition, RPG rounds, mortar shells, rocket launchers, and artillery. When we took over the southern city of Ramaylah, our battalion commander tore down the Ba'ath signs and commandeered the former regime headquarters in town (which, by the way, was 20 feet from the local school.) My commander himself took over the office of the local Ba'ath leader, and in opening the desk of that thug found a set of brass knuckles and a gun. These are the people who are now in prison, and that is where they deserve to be.
The analogy is simple. For years, you have watched the same large, violent man come home every night, and you have listened to his yelling and the crying and the screams of children and the noise of breaking glass, and you have always known that he was beating his wife and his children.. Everyone on the block has known it. You ask, cajole, threaten and beg him to stop, on behalf of the rest of the neighborhood. Nothing works. After listening to it for 13 years, you finally gather up the biggest, meanest guys you can find, you go over to his house, and you kick the door down. You punch him in the face and drag him away. The house is a mess, the family poor and abused...but now there is hope. You did the right thing.
I can speak with authority on the opinions of both British and American infantry in that place and at that time. Let me make this clear: at no time did anyone say or imply to any of us that we were invading Iraq to rid the country of weapons of mass destruction, nor were we there to avenge 9/11. We knew we were there for one reason: to rid the world of a tyrant, and to give Iraq back to Iraqis.
None of us had even heard those arguments for going to war until we returned and we still don't understand the confusion. To us, it was simple. The world needed to be rid of a man who committed mass murder of an entire people, and our country was the only one that could project that much power that far and with that kind of precision. We don't make policy decisions: we carry them out. And none of us had the slightest doubt about how right and good our actions were.
The war was the right thing to do then, and in hindsight it was still the right thing to do. We can't overthrow every murderous tyrant in the world, but when we can, we should. Take it from someone who was there, and who stood to lose everything. We must, and will, stay the course. We owe it to the Iraqis, and to the world.
Stan Coerr is a SuperCobra attack helicopter pilot and Forward Air Controller, and was recently selected for Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve. He lives in San Diego.
[Google search verifies Coerr is who he says he is. First saw reference in an El Paso column. His home is San Diego
On more than one occasion while I was deployed in support of OPERATION Iraqi Freedom I heard news reports that were inconsistent with what was going on. I heard so-called intelligence reports that where very off the mark. I heard claims of troop conditions and events that were very askew from the truth.
Like Major Coerr, we didn't think we were there to prevent the construction of WMD, and we weren't there to avenge or seek any type of retribution for the cowardly attack on 9/11.
We were there to stop that bully, that wife-beater, that evil son of a bitch Saddam Hussein.
Hussein is a man on a short list of the world’s most evil dictators. Genghis Kahn, Pol Pat, Mao, Idi Amin, Hitler to name a few. Men who are pure evil. Men who themselves do not deserve to live, let alone to be in a position to force their evils on innocents.
To Major Coerr, I say, HUA. And though I am an Airman and not a Marine I can say I will be Semper Fidelis.
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 10:11 AM | Comments (2)
June 19, 2004
American Apologies
I received this in an email. While I do not know who the author is, I thought it was worth posting.
Author unknown - sentiment shared.
For good and ill, the Iraqi prisoner abuse mess will remain an issue. On the one hand, right thinking Americans will abhor the stupidity of the actions while on the other hand, political glee will take control and fashion this minor event into some modern day My Lai massacre.
I heard some Arabs are asking for an apology. I humbly offer mine here:
I am sorry that the last seven times we Americans took up arms and sacrificed the blood of our youth, it was in the defense of Muslims (Bosnia, Kosovo, Gulf War 1, Kuwait, etc.).
I am sorry that no such call for an apology upon the extremists came after 9/11. I am sorry that all of the murderers on 9/11 were Arabs.
I am sorry that Arabs have to live in squalor under savage dictatorships. I am sorry that their leaders squander their wealth. I am sorry that their governments breed hate for the US in their religious schools.
I am sorry that Yasir Arafat was kicked out of every Arab country and high jacked the Palestinian "cause". I am sorry that no other Arab country will take in or offer more than a token amount of financial help to those same Palestinians.
I am sorry that the USA has to step in and be the biggest financial supporter of poverty stricken Arabs while the insanely wealthy Arabs blame the USA.
I am sorry that our own left wing elite and our media can't understand any of this. I am sorry the United Nations scammed the poor people of Iraq out of the "food for oil" money so they could get rich while the common folk suffered.
I am sorry that some Arab governments pay the families of homicide bombers upon their death. I am sorry that those same bombers are seeking 72 virgins? I can't seem to find one here on Earth.
I am sorry that the homicide bombers think babies are a legitimate target.
I am sorry that our troops died to free more Arabs. I am sorry they stopped the gang rape rooms and the filling of mass graves of dissidents.
I am sorry they show so much restraint when their brothers in arms are killed. I am sorry that Muslim extremists have killed more Arabs than any other group.
I am sorry that foreign trained terrorists are trying to seize control of Iraq and return it to a terrorist state. I am sorry we don't drop a few dozen Daisy cutters on Fallujah.
I am sorry every time terrorists hide they find a convenient "Holy Site". I am sorry they didn't apologize for driving a jet into the World Trade Center that collapsed and severely damaged Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church - one of our Holy Sites.
I am sorry they didn't apologize for flight 93 and 175, the USS Cole, the embassy bombings, etc,
I am sorry Michael Moore is American; he could feed a medium sized village in Africa.
I am sorry the French are french?
America will get past this latest absurdity. We will punish those responsible because that is what we do. We hang out our dirty laundry for all the world to see. We move on. That's one of the reasons we are hated so much. We don't hide this stuff like all those Arab countries that are now demanding an apology.
Deep down inside, when most Americans saw this reported in the news, we were like - so what? We lost hundreds and made fun of a few prisoners.
Sure, it was wrong; sure, it dramatically hurts our cause, but until captured we were trying to kill these same prisoners. Now we're supposed to wring our hands because a few were humiliated? Our compassion is tempered with the vivid memories of our own people killed, mutilated and burnt amongst a joyous crowd of celebrating Fallujans.
If you want an apology from this American, you're going to have a long wait. You have a better chance of finding those 72 virgins.
Author unknown - sentiment shared.
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 12:01 AM | Comments (7)
June 18, 2004
President Bush and Wife Laura
Posted by SlagleRock at 07:26 PM | Comments (0)
Quotes Referring To The Flag (Flag Day Tribute Concluded)
"It was leadership here at home that gave us strong American influence abroad, and the collapse of imperial Communism. Great nations have responsibilities to lead, and we should always be cautious of those who would lower our profile, because they might just wind up lowering our flag." --Ronald Reagan (1994)
"A star for every state, and a State for every star." --Robert C. Winthrop
"I want the people of all the earth to see in the American flag the symbol of a Government which intends no oppression at home and no aggression abroad, which in the spirit of a common brotherhood provides assistance in time of distress." --Calvin Coolidge
Who could say it better than these great men? I know I can't.
This concludes my first ever week long (M-F actually) tribute. I hope everyone found the information provided both educational and motivating. If you are like me you bleed red, white, and blue.
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by SlagleRock at 12:00 AM | Comments (1)
June 17, 2004
Dirt Bag Deserters Honored at Fundraiser in Candy Ass Canada
Many of you may remember my story about American Deserters back in April of this year.
Today I was watching Fox News and saw a story about a group of Canadians that held a fundraiser to raise money for these douche bags so they can continue to cower in Canada. I am not going to spend much time on this one as I said my piece in the original story, but I do think that the 200 or so people who purportedly attended the fund raiser need to back off and let these cowards pay their own way.
If they were Americans and not panty wastes this wouldn't be an issue and wouldn't even be a blip in the media. I think Hinzman, Huey and any others who have chicken shitted out and run should pop their heads out of their asses, find their manhood and face the music.
For further information about the scumbags check out what Bill O'Reilly had to say about it.
My support goes out only to those with balls enough to follow through with their commitments.
SlagleRock Out!
Oh, by the way I apologize for interrupting my Flag Day tribute by mentioning these wastes of flesh.
Posted by SlagleRock at 02:40 PM | Comments (4)
Guidelines For Display Of The U.S. Flag (Flag Day Continued)
GUIDELINES FOR DISPLAY OF THE U.S. FLAG
Public Law 94-344, known as the Federal Flag Code, contains rules for handling and displaying the U.S. Flag. While the federal code contains no penalties for misusing the flag, states have their own flag codes and may impose penalties. Traditional guidelines call for displaying the flag in public only from sunrise to sunset. However, the flag may be displayed at all times if it's illuminated during darkness. The flag should not be subject to weather damage, so it should not be displayed during rain, snow and wind storms unless it is an all-weather flag.
It should be displayed often, but especially on national and state holidays and special occasions.
The flag should be displayed on or near the main building of public institutions, schools during school days, and polling places on election days.
It should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
When carried in procession with other flags, the U.S. flag should be either on the marching right (the flag's right) or to the front and center of the flag line. When displayed on a float in a parade, the flag should be hung from a staff or suspended so it falls free. It should not be draped over a vehicle.
When displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, the U.S. flag should be on its own right (left to a person facing the wall) and its staff should be in front of the other flag's staff. In a group of flags displayed from staffs, the U.S. flag should be at the center and the highest point.
When flags of states, cities or organizations are flown on the same staff, the U.S. flag must be at the top (except during church services conducted at sea by Navy chaplains).
When other flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the U.S. flag should be hoisted first and lowered last. It must be on the right of other flags and no other flag should stand higher than it. Flags of other nations should be flown from separate staffs. International custom dictates that flags of different nations be displayed at the same height in peacetime and be approximately the same size. If the flag is suspended outdoors from a rope stretched from a building to a pole, the flag should be hoisted out from the building with the union first. When the flag is displayed other than from a staff, it should be flat or suspended so that it falls free.
When displayed against something, such as a wall, the union should be at the top and to the flag's own right, the observer's left - whether displayed horizontally or vertically.
When displayed over a street or sidewalk, where it can be seen from either side, be sure the union is to the north on an east-west street, and to the east on a north-south street. The same directions apply in a building lobby or corridor with entrances to the east and west or north and south.
When displayed flat against the wall on a speaker's platform, the flag should be above and behind the speaker with the union on the left side as the audience looks at it (again, the flag's right).
When the flag hangs from a staff in a church or public place, it should appear to the audience on the left, the speaker's right. Any other flags displayed should be placed on the opposite side of the speaker.
The flag may cover a casket, but should not cover a statue or monument for unveiling. It should never be draped or drawn back in folds. Draped red, white and blue bunting should be used for decoration, with the blue at the top and red at the bottom. On a casket, the union (blue field) should be at the deceased person's head and heart, over the left shoulder. But the flag should be removed before the casket is lowered into the grave and should never touch the ground.
The flag may be flown at half-staff to honor a newly deceased federal or state government official by order of the president or the governor, respectively.
On Memorial Day, the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon. Whenever the flag is displayed at half-staff, it should be first raised to the top. Lowering from half-staff is preceded by first raising it momentarily to the top.
Posted by SlagleRock at 12:01 AM | Comments (3)
June 16, 2004
Flag Named Old Glory (Flag Day Continued)
Flag Named Old Glory
The name "Old Glory" was first applied to the United States Flag by a young sea captain who lived in Salem, Massachusetts. On his twenty-first birthday, March 17, 1824, Captain William Driver was presented a beautiful flag by his mother and a group of Salem girls. Driver was delighted with the gift. He exclaimed, "I will name her 'Old Glory.'" Then "Old Glory" accompanied the captain on his many voyages.
Captain Driver quit the sea in 1837. He settled in Nashville, Tennessee. On patriotic days he displayed Old Glory proudly from a rope extending from his house to a tree across the street. After Tennessee seceded from the Union in 1861, Captain Driver hid Old Glory. He sewed the Flag inside a comforter. When the Union soldiers entered Nashville on February 25, 1862, Driver removed Old Glory from its hiding place. He carried the Flag to the Capitol building and raised it above the state capitol.
Shortly before his death, the old sea captain placed a small bundle into the arms of his daughter. He said to her: "Mary Jane, this is my ship's Flag, 'Old Glory.' It has been my constant companion. I love it as a mother loves her child. Cherish it as I have cherished it."
The flag remained as a precious heirloom in the Driver family until 1922. It was then sent to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, where it can be seen today.
Posted by SlagleRock at 12:01 AM | Comments (3)
June 15, 2004
Betsy Ross Sews First Official Flag (Flag Day Continued)
Betsy Ross Sews First Official Flag
Hopkinson requested compensation from Congress in 1780 for his design, but Congress denied it, saying that others had worked on the project as well. Betsy Ross was commissioned by a congressional committee to sew the first official flag. Some believe she was responsible for changing the stars from being six-pointed to five-pointed, easier to make.
After Vermont and Kentucky became states in the 1790s, Congress approved adding two more stars and two more stripes to the group that represented the original 13 colonies, now states. This was the "Star Spangled Banner" of which Francis Scott Key wrote in 1814. As other states entered the Union, it became obvious that stripes could not be added continually, so in 1818 Congress reestablished the 13-stripe flag and allowed for additional stars for new states.
1818 Law Sets Final Form
The law specified that stripes should be horizontal, alternately red and white, and the union, or canton, should display 20 stars for the states then in the union. But it did not specify color shades or arrangement of the stars, and wide variation persisted. During the Civil War, gold stars were more common than white and the stars sometimes appeared in a circle. In 1912, when the stars numbered 48, standards of design were set which became even more precise when the 49th and 50th stars were added in 1959 and 1960.
The regulated design calls for seven red and six white stripes, with the red stripes at top and bottom. The union of navy blue fills the upper left quarter from the top to the lower edge of the fourth red stripe. The stars have one point up and are in nine horizontal rows. The odd-numbered rows have six stars. The even-numbered rows have five stars, centered diagonally between the stars in the longer rows.
The reason the flag is folded into a triangular shape is to symbolize the shape of the cocked hats worn by soldiers of the American Revolution.
The first time the Stars and Stripes flew in a Flag Day celebration was in Hartford, Conn., in 1861, the first summer of the Civil War. Numerous patriotic groups supported a regular nationwide observance. In the late 1800s, schools held Flag Day programs to contribute to the Americanization of immigrant children, and the observance caught on with individual communities. But it was not until 1916 that the president proclaimed a nationwide observance and not until 1949 that Congress voted for Flag Day to be a permanent holiday. It is not a "legal" holiday, however, except in Pennsylvania.
Posted by SlagleRock at 12:01 AM | Comments (1)
June 14, 2004
Flag Day
How many people do you know that remembered and honored Flag Day?
Below you will find some very interesting information about both Flag Day and the U.S. Flag, "Old Glory". Much of this information was recently published in The Federalist.
As a tribute to our great flag I will be posting something about the flag and the traditions that go with it each day this week. Check back daily to read further tributes to Old Glory and Flag Day.
Let start first with this great quote:
"I want the people of all the earth to see in the American flag the symbol of a Government which intends no oppression at home and no aggression abroad, which in the spirit of a common brotherhood provides assistance in time of distress." --Calvin Coolidge
Flag Day Reflection
On May 30, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson announced during his Memorial Day address, that June 14th of each year would be celebrated as Flag Day. "This flag, which we honor and under which we serve, is the emblem of our unity, our power, our thought and purpose as a nation," said President Wilson. "It has no other character than that which we give it from generation to generation.... Though silent, it speaks to us--speaks to us of the past, of the men and women who went before us, and of the records they wrote upon it."
On Flag Day 2004, I urge all American patriots to display and pay homage to our National Flag.
As I look around me 75% of my neighbors proudly display the US Flag (OF course, I live in military family housing on base). Do yours? If they don't maybe you should share this information about the flag with them and encourage them to do so. --SlagleRock
The United States Flag
The flag of the United States is one of the oldest national standards in the world. No records confirm who designed the original "Stars and Stripes," but historians believe Francis Hopkinson, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, probably modified the unofficial Continental flag into the design we now have. General George Washington raised the Continental Army flag in 1776, a red-and-white striped flag which included the British Union Jack where we now have stars.
Several flag designs with 13 stripes were used in 1776 and 1777, until Congress established the official flag on June 14, 1777 -- now observed as Flag Day. The act stated "That the Flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white, that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."
George Washington explained it this way: "We take the stars from heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing liberty."
The flag was first carried in battle at Brandywine, Pa., in September 1777. It first flew over foreign territory in early 1778, at Nassau, Bahama Islands, where Americans captured a fort from the British.
Posted by SlagleRock at 09:39 PM | Comments (3)
June 12, 2004
Quotes From Ronald Reagan's Children During Burial Service
The Associated Press
Published: Jun 11, 2004
"Ron Reagan adopted me into his family in 1945. I was the chosen one. I was the lucky one. In all these years, he never mentioned that I was adopted either behind my back or in front of me. I was his son, Michael Edward Reagan." - Michael Reagan.
For more great quotes click on Continue reading, "Quotes From Ronald Reagan's Children During His Burial Service" -- SlagleRock
"Nearly at the onset of Alzheimer's disease, my father and I would tell each other we loved each other and gave each other a hug. As the years went by and he could no longer verbalize my name, he recognized me as the man who hugged him. So when I would walk into the house, he would be there in his chair, opening up his arms for that hug." - Michael Reagan.
"Dad, when I go, I will go to heaven, too. And you and I, and my sister Maureen ... we will dance with a heavenly host of angels before the presence of God, we will do it melanoma and Alzheimer's free." - Michael Reagan.
"I know that at his last moment, when he opened his eyes, eyes that had not opened for many, many days, and looked at my mother, he showed us that neither disease nor death can conquer love." - Patti Davis.
"He used to say, 'A gentleman always does the kind thing.' And he was a gentleman in every sense of the word - a gentle man. ... Dad treated everyone with the same unfailing courtesy." - Ron Reagan Jr.
"He is home now. He is free. In his final letter to the American people, dad wrote, 'I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life.' This evening, he has arrived. - Ron Reagan Jr.
Posted by SlagleRock at 06:21 AM | Comments (1)
June 11, 2004
Family Eulogies For President Reagan
Text of Ron Reagan Jr.'s Remarks at Father's Burial Service
Published June 11, 2004
Text of remarks by Ron Reagan Jr. at Friday's burial service for former President Reagan, as transcribed by eMediaMillWorks Inc.:
RON REAGAN JR.: He is home now. He is free. In his final letter to the American people, Dad wrote, "I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life." This evening, he has arrived.
History will record his worth as a leader. We here have long since measured his worth as a man. Honest, compassionate, graceful, brave. He was the most plainly decent man you could ever hope to meet.
He used to say, "A gentleman always does the kind thing." And he was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. A gentle man.
Big as he was, he never tried to make anyone feel small. Powerful as he became, he never took advantage of those who were weaker. Strength, he believed, was never more admirable than when it was applied with restraint. Shopkeeper, doorman, king or queen, it made no difference, Dad treated everyone with the same unfailing courtesy. Acknowledging the innate dignity in us all.
The idea that all people are created equal was more than mere words on a page, it was how he lived his life. And he lived a good, long life. The kind of life good men lead. But I guess I'm just telling you things you already know.
Here's something you may not know, a little Ronald Reagan trivia for you, his entire life, Dad had an inordinate fondness for earlobes. Even as a boy, back in Dixon, Ill., hanging out on a street corner with his friends, they knew that if they were standing next to Dutch, sooner or later, he was going to reach over and grab hold of their lobe, give it a workout there. Sitting on his lap watching TV as a kid, same story. He would have hold of my ear lobe. I'm surprised I have any lobes left after all of that.
And you didn't have to be a kid to enjoy that sort of treatment. Serving in the Screen Actors Guild with his great friend William Holden, the actor, best man at his wedding, Bill got used to it. They would be there at the meetings, and Dad would have hold of his earlobe. There they'd be, some tense labor negotiation, two big Hollywood movie stars, hand in earlobe.
He was, as you know, a famously optimistic man. Sometimes such optimism leads you to see the world as you wish it were as opposed to how it really is. At a certain point in his presidency, Dad decided he was going to revive the thumbs-up gesture. So he went all over the country, of course, giving everybody the thumbs up.
(UNINTELLIGIBLE) and I found ourselves in the presidential limousine one day returning from some big event. My mother was there and Dad was, of course, thumbs-upping the crowd along the way, and suddenly, looming in the window on his side of the car, was this snarling face. This fellow was reviving an entirely different hand gesture. And hoisted an entirely different digit in our direction. Dad saw this and without missing a beat turned to us and said, "You see? I think it's catching on."
Dad was also a deeply, unabashedly religious man. But he never made the fatal mistake of so many politicians wearing his faith on his sleeve to gain political advantage. True, after he was shot and nearly killed early in his presidency, he came to believe that God had spared him in order that he might do good. But he accepted that as a responsibility, not a mandate. And there is a profound difference.
Humble as he was, he never would have assumed a free pass to heaven. But in his heart of hearts, I suspect he felt he would be welcome there. And so he is home. He is free.
Those of us who knew him well will have no trouble imagining his paradise. Golden fields will spread beneath a blue dome of a western sky. Live oaks will shadow the rolling hillsides. And someplace, flowing from years long past, a river will wind toward the sea. Across those fields, he will ride a gray mare he calls Nancy D. They will sail over jumps he has built with his own hands. He will, at the river, carry him over the shining stones. He will rest in the shade of the trees.
Our cares are no longer his. We meet him now only in memory. But we will join him soon enough. All of us. When we are home. When we are free.
Text of Michael Reagan's Remarks at Father's Burial Service
The Associated Press
Published: Jun 12, 2004
Good evening. I'm Mike Reagan. You knew my father as governor, as president. But I knew him as dad. I want to tell you a little bit about my dad. A little bit about Cameron and Ashley's grandfather because not a whole lot is ever spoken about that side of Ronald Reagan.
Ronald Reagan adopted me into his family 1945. I was a chosen one. I was the lucky one. And all of his years, he never mentioned that I was adopted either behind my back or in front of me. I was his son, Michael Edward Reagan.
When his families grew to be two families, he didn't walk away from the one to go to the other. But he became a father to both. To Patti and then Ronnie, but always to Maureen, my sister, and myself.
We looked forward to those Saturday mornings when he would pick us up, sitting on the curve on Beverly Glen as his car would turn the corner from Sunset Boulevard and we would get in and ride to his ranch and play games and he would always make sure it ended up a tie.
We would swim and we would ride horses or we'd just watch him cut firewood. We would be in awe of our father. As years went by and I became older and found a woman I would marry, Colleen, he sent me a letter about marriage and how important it was to be faithful to the woman you love with a P.S.: You'll never get in trouble if you say I love you at least once a day, and I'm sure he told Nancy every day "I love you" as I tell Colleen.
He also sent letters to his grandchildren. He wasn't able to be the grandfather that many of you are able to be because of the job that he had. And so he would write letters. He sent one letter to Cameron, said: "Cameron, some guy got $10,000 for my signature. Maybe this letter will help you pay for your college education. He signed it, Grandpa. P.S. Your grandpa is the 40th president of the United States, Ronald Reagan. He just signed his sign." Those are the kinds of things my father did.
At the early onset of Alzheimer's disease, my father and I would tell each other we loved each other and we would give each other a hug. As the years went by and he could no longer verbalize my name, he recognized me as the man who hugged him. So when I would walk into the house, he would be there in his chair opening up his arms for that hug, hello, and the hug goodbye. It was a blessing truly brought on by God.
We had wonderful blessings of that nature. Wonderful, wonderful blessings that my father gave to me each and every day of my life.
I was so proud to have the Reagan name and to be Ronald Reagan's son. What a great honor. He gave me a lot of gifts as a child. Gave me a horse. Gave me a car. Gave me a lot of things. But there's a gift he gave me that I think is wonderful for every father to give every son.
Last Saturday, when my father opened his eyes for the last time, and visualized Nancy and gave her such a wonderful, wonderful gift. When he closed his eyes, that's when I realized the gift that he gave to me, the gift that he was going to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He had, back in 1988 on a flight from Washington, D.C. to Point Mugu, told me about his love of God, his love of Christ as his Savior. I didn't know then what it all meant. But I certainly, certainly know now.
I can't think of a better gift for a father to give a son. And I hope to honor my father by giving my son Cameron and my daughter Ashley that very same gift he gave to me.
Knowing where he is this very moment, this very day, that he is in Heaven, and I can only promise my father this. Dad, when I go, I will go to Heaven, too. And you and I and my sister, Maureen, that went before us, we will dance with the heavenly host of angels before the presence of God. We will do it melanoma and Alzheimer's free. Thank you for letting me share my father, Ronald Wilson Reagan.
Text of Remarks by Patti Davis at Father's Burial Service
The Associated Press
Published: Jun 12, 2004
Many years ago, my father decided to write down his reflections about death, specifically his own, and how he would want people to feel about it. He chose to write down the first verse of an Alfred Lord Tennyson poem, "Crossing The Bar," and then he decided to add a couple lines of his own. I don't think Tennyson will mind. In fact, they've probably already discussed it by now.
Tennyson wrote: "Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea." My father added: "We have God's promise that I have gone on to a better world, where there is no pain or sorrow. Bring comfort to those who may mourn my going."
My father never feared death, he never saw it as an ending. When I was a child, he took me out into a field at our ranch after one of the Malibu fires had swept through. I was very small and the field looked huge and lifeless, but he bent down and showed me how tiny new green shoots were peeking up out of the ashes just weeks after the fire had come through. "You see," he said, "new life always comes out of death. It looks like nothing could ever grow in this field again, but things do."
He was the one who generously offered funeral services for my goldfish on the morning of its demise. We went out into the garden and we dug a tiny grave with a teaspoon and he took two twigs and lashed them together with twine and formed a cross as a marker for the grave. And then he gave a beautiful eulogy.
He told me that my fish was swimming in the clear blue waters in heaven and he would never tire and he would never get hungry and he would never be in any danger and he could swim as far and wide as he wanted and he never had to stop, because the river went on forever. He was free.
When we went back inside and I looked at my remaining goldfish in their aquarium with their pink plastic castle and their colored rocks, I suggested that perhaps we should kill the others so they could also go to that clear blue river and be free.
He then took more time out of his morning - I'm sure he actually did have other things to do that day - and patiently explained to me that in God's time, the other fish would go there, as well. In God's time, we would all be taken home. And even though it sometimes seemed a mystery, we were just asked to trust that God's time was right and wise.
I don't know why Alzheimer's was allowed to steal so much of my father - sorry -Before releasing him into the arms of death, but I know that at his last moment, when he opened his eyes, eyes that had not opened for many, many days and looked at my mother, he showed us that neither disease nor death can conquer love.
He may have in his lifetime come across a small book called "Peace of Mind," by Joshua Loth Lieberman. If he did, I think he would have been struck by these lines: "Then for each one of us, the moment comes when the great nurse, death, takes man, the child, by the hand and quietly says, 'It's time to go home, night is coming. It is your bedtime, child of Earth.' "
Posted by SlagleRock at 11:59 PM | Comments (1)
A Nation Wept...
... As Lady Liberty Bowed Her Head And Uncle Sam Stood Vigil Over A Saddened Nation.
Posted by SlagleRock at 09:35 PM | Comments (1)
June 10, 2004
Comments on the Loss of President Reagan by Mr. Racicot (Chairman of the Bush-Cheney '04 Campaign)
Below you will find comments from the chairman of the Bush-Cheney campaign regarding the loss of president Reagan as received in the Bush-Cheney re-election campaign email newletter.
Dear SlagleRock,
America has lost one of its greatest leaders. President Reagan's optimism and vision restored America's spirit and helped to spread freedom and democracy.
On behalf of President Bush's campaign I would like to offer our sincerest condolences to Nancy Reagan and the Reagan family. Our nation mourns with you.
In this time of mourning, I encourage you to go to www.GeorgeWBush.com to read some of President Reagan's greatest speeches.
Sincerely,
Marc Racicot
Chairman,
Bush-Cheney '04
Posted by SlagleRock at 06:24 PM | Comments (1)