October 16, 2005

Remembering Another Young Warrior

Air Force Mom (a.k.a. Deb) proud mother of one of the Air Forces finest boys in blue has asked for my our help.

From her site:

October 06, 2005 Help Me Honor Pvt LeVena L. Johnson This morning I shared a Legacy link to post a message to honor Army Private First Class LaVena L. Johnson. http://www.legacy.com/Guestbook.asp?Page=Entry&PersonID=14603687

Needing to DO MORE to express to this family the sorrow of so
many in the loss of their daughter, I am putting together a
condolence book.
From a online news source I was able to locate the pastor's name
who spoke at the memorial service for LaVena.
I called the Church in Missouri and spoke to the pastor's
wife, Angela Sanders.
She told me that the family is deeply grieving the loss
of their darling daughter.

Please send me your messages of condolence that I can share
with this family to ease their pain.

Word File Documents would be great, but email messages
are very much appreciated also.

A part of me is so outraged that I am only hearing of
LaVena's death just now, after her passing in July of this year.
I know that I can channel that emotion into something good
by creating this book to send to her family.

Thank you kindly,
Debra Estep - Twinsburg Ohio
Proud Air Force Mom
afmomdeb@gmail.com

Private Johnson was posthumously promoted to the Rank of Private First Class. While this promotion is probably of small significance to those who've lost a loved one it is merely a symbolic gesture of the respect our military has for this brave young woman.

Follow the links to Deb's site and show your support for PFC Johnson.

lagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 11:46 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

July 07, 2005

Shut Up And Color! A Testament To The Professionalism Of Our Armed Forces

Straight from the Arizona Republic

Flyby honored fallen comrade

Jun. 28, 2005 12:00 AM

Regarding "A wake-up call from Luke's jets" (Letters, Thursday):

On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four-ship of F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over the grave of Capt Jeremy Fresques.

Capt. Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial Day.

At 9 a.m. on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and friend.

Based on the letter writer's recount of the flyby, and because of the jet noise, I'm sure you didn't hear the 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques as I gave them their son's flag on behalf of the president of the United States and all those veterans and servicemen and women who understand the sacrifices they have endured.

A four-ship flyby is a display of respect the Air Force pays to those who give their lives in defense of freedom. We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate respects.

The letter writer asks, "Whom do we thank for the morning air show?"

The 56th Fighter Wing will call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques, and thank them for you, for it was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of their lives.

Lt. Col. Scott Pleus
Luke Air Force Base
The writer is commander of the 63rd Fighter Squadron.

lagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 08:25 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

A Good Read...

I received this in an email from a friend. I was unable to confirm its authenticity, but either way it is worth reading and making note of:

READ WHAT SENATOR JOHN GLENN SAID about things to make you think a little.

1. During the month of January.....There were 39 combat related killings
in Iraq. In the city of Detroit there were 35 murders in the month of
January. In only one major American city, almost as deadly as entire
war in country of Iraq .

2. When some claim President Bush shouldn't have started this war, state
the following: FDR...led us into World War II. Germany never attacked
us: Japan did. From 1941-1945, 450,000 lost, or an average of 112,500 per
year.

Truman...finished that war and then he started one in Korea. North
Korea never attacked us! From 1950-1953, 55,000 lives were lost, an average of 18,334 per year.

John F! . Kennedy. started the Vietnam conflict in 1962. Vietnam never
attacked us! Johnson...turned Vietnam into a quagmire. From 1965-1975,
58,000 lives were lost, an average of 5,800 per year.

Clinton ...went to war in Bosnia without UN or French consent, Bosnia
never attacked us. He was offered Osama bin Laden's head on a platter three
times by Sudan. Clinton did nothing. Osama has now attacked us on multiple
occasions.

3. In the two years since terrorists attacked us President Bush has
liberated two countries, crushed the Taliban, crippled al-Qaida, put
nuclear inspectors in Libya, Iran and North Korea without firing a
shot, and captured a terrorist who slaughtered 300,000 of his own people.

Some citizens are complaining about how long the war is taking, but...It
took less time to take Iraq than it took Janet Reno to take the Branch
Davidian compound.

We've been looking for evidence of chemical weapons in Iraq for less
time than it took Hillary Clinton to find the Rose Law Firm billing records.

It took less time for the 3rd Infantry Division and the Marines to
destroy the Medina Republican Guard than it took Ted Kennedy to call the police after his Oldsmobile sank at Cappaquiddick, killing a woman.

Thanks for the email T.

lagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 08:18 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack

July 05, 2005

This Is What It's All About....

Here is a comment left in the Letters To The Troops post:

To the brave men and women who make up the United States Armed Forces: Unfortunately, there are many Americans who still do not understand what you're doing, or why. But I do; you are fighting for My Freedom. I have Muscular Dystrophy and am confined to wheelchair, I cannot fight. But you do, and I Thank You... Please be safe while you are protecting me, and I pray that you will all be able to come home soon to the families that you Love... We all Love You... And Thank You Again. Ben Dowling

This is a man who gets it, this is a man who understands and appreciates the Armed Forces. This was left on 4 July 05. I think it is not only a good way to appreciate our independence but to appreciate those who preserve it!

lagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 09:32 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

July 04, 2005

Denzel Is A Patriot But...

I received this email from a friend I was recently on Temporary Duty with in Germany. I promised him I'd run the story because it does fit the mold for my site. However, I did want to seperate fact from fiction. His email:

This needs as wide a distribution as we can create.

Forwarded in hopes that you all will give this info maximum disimination........FrankSubject: Denzel Washington
Subject: Brooks Army Medical Center

Don't know whether you heard about this but Denzel Washington and his family visited the troups at Brook Army Medical Center, in San Antonio,Texas (BAMC) the other day. This is where soldiers that have been evacuated from Germany come to be hospitalized in the States, especially burn victims. They have buildings there called Fisher Houses. The Fisher House is a hotel where soldiers' families can stay, for little or no charge, while their soldier is staying in the hospital. BAMC has quite a few of these houses on base but as you can imagine, they are almost completely filled most of the time.

While Denzel Washington was visiting BAMC, they gave him a tour of one of the Fisher Houses. He asked how much one of them would cost to build. He took his check book out and wrote a check for the full amount right there on the spot. The soldiers overseas were amazed to hear this story and want to get the word out to the American public, because it warmed their hearts to hear it.

The question I have is why does Alec Baldwin, Modonna, Sean Penn and other Hollywood types make front page news with their anti-everything America crap and this doesn't even make page 3 in the Metro section of any newspaper except the base newspaper in San Antonio.

So what is fact and what is fiction? Like most eRumors a good place to seperate the truth from fluff is Snopes.com. According to Snopes:

Denzel Washington

Claim: Actor Denzel Washington made a large donation to the Fisher House Foundation after visiting Brooke Army Medical Center.

Status: Multiple:
Denzel Washington visited Brooke Army Medical Center and made a substantial donation to the Fisher House Foundation: True.

Denzel Washington whipped out his checkbook and "wrote a check out for the full amount (for a new Fisher House) right there on the spot": False.

Examples: [Collected on the Internet, 2005]

Hi everyone,

Dan told me a great story he heard and I wanted to share it with the rest of you. Pleaaase spread the word!

Danzel Washington was visiting BAMC (Brookes Army Medical Center, in San Antonio) the other day. This is where soldiers that have been evac'd from Germany come to be hospitalized in the States. They have buildings there called Fisher Houses. The Fisher House is a hotel that soldier's families can stay at, for little or no charge, while their soldier is staying in the hospital. BAMC has quite a few of these houses on base, but as you can imagine, they are almost filled to the brim most of the time. While Denzel Washington was visiting BAMC, they gave him a tour of one of the Fisher Houses. He asked how much one of them would cost to build. He got his check book out and wrote a check out for the full amount right there on the spot. The soldiers overseas were amazed to hear this story and want to get the word out to the American public, because it warmed their hearts to hear it. I hope you will spread this story!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Don't know whether you heard about this but Denzel Washington and his family visited the troups at Brook Army Medical Center, in San Antonio,Texas (BAMC) the other day. This is where soldiers that have been evacuated from Germany come to be hospitalized in the States, especially burn victims. They have buildings there called Fisher Houses. The Fisher House is a hotel where soldiers' families can stay, for little or no charge, while their soldier is staying in the hospital. BAMC has quite a few of these houses on base but as you can imagine, they are almost completely filled most of the time.

While Denzel Washington was visiting BAMC, they gave him a tour of one of the Fisher Houses. He asked how much one of them would cost to build. He took his check book out and wrote a check for the full amount right there on the spot. The soldiers overseas were amazed to hear this story and want to get the word out to the American public, because it warmed their hearts to hear it.

The question I have is why does Alec Baldwin, Madonna, Sean Penn and other Hollywood types make front page news with their anti-everything America crap and this doesn't even make page 3 in the Metro section of any newspaper except the base newspaper in San Antonio.

Origins: In mid-December 2004, Denzel Washington — reportedly at the suggestion of a veteran known as "Ranger Jones" whom the actor met while filming the 1988 Civil War epic Glory — paid a visit to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. The popular actor took part in a Purple Heart ceremony, presenting medals to three Army soldiers who were recovering in the hospital from wounds received in Iraq.

The city's Express-News newspaper described one of the medal recipients' reaction to her encounter with the screen star:
When Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington entered the auditorium at Brooke Army Medical Center, Spc. Connie Spinks, healing from wounds from Iraq, was content to hold his hand, get a gentle peck on the cheek and hear him whisper a sweet nothing in her ear.

"He just told me he was proud of me, and that was enough," said Spinks, who has a broken femur, fractured fibula, shattered ankle, two broken fingers and second- and third-degree burns on her hands and face.

That brief encounter was enough to lift the Asheboro, N.C., native, a world away from her memories of Oct. 13, when a suicide bomber killed two soldiers and injured Spinks, 22, and four others in a convoy.

"If I wasn't already in a wheelchair, I would have fainted" when the screen star kissed her, she said.

Oh, but there was one more thing she needed. She waved her mother, Annette, up for a hug and kiss from the leading man, who has portrayed young military heroes in "Glory" and "Crimson Tide."

"I had to do that for my mother," said Spinks, who will be treated at the hospital at least through March. "She's been here for me since October."
Fort Sam Houston, which houses the Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC), also includes on its property two Fisher House facilities within walking distance of the medical center. Fisher Houses are a network of "comfort homes," essentially low-cost hotels built on the grounds of military medical centers in the U.S. and abroad that provide all the amenities of home and enable family members of servicemen to stay close to loved ones who are undergoing medical treatment for illness, disease, or injury. The modest fees charged by Fisher Houses (about $10 per night) make them accessible even to familes with tight budgets (a situation common to many military families).

As might be expected with the U.S. military's having been engaged in combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq for the last few years, the demand for space in Fisher Houses at some military facilities has exceeded their capacities. According to the Fisher House Foundation, when Denzel Washington was at Fort Sam Houston in December 2004, he did visit its Fisher House and learn of their need for additional facilities, and he did later make a substantial donation to the Fisher House Foundation; however, he did not, as described above, "get out his checkbook" on the spot and write a check for the full amount needed to construct a new building:
The problem, according to Fisher House President David Coker, is that while Washington did make a 'sizeable' donation to the program, the e-mail claim is almost entirely bogus.

"Denzel came to visit with the soldiers and Marines being cared for at Brooke Army Medical Center last December 17th," Coker said. "He visited with them and told them how much he respects their service. He also toured one of the two Fisher Houses at Brooke Army Medical Center."

Washington told Coker at the time he would like to make a commitment to support the work of Fisher House.

"Denzel did not take out a checkbook and write a check on the spot," Coker says. "He seldom carries a check book with him."

Coker said Washington did in fact make a sizeable donation to Fisher House several months after his visit to BAMC. He declined to comment on the size of the donation, but it was not enough to build a new Fisher House.

[Coker also] said the fact that Washington, 49, did not write a check 'on the spot' does not diminish his contribution to the Fisher House and his support 'for the men and women who serve our country.'
Evidently the confusion came about when the commander of the Brooke Army Medical Center simultaneously announced plans for a new Fisher House facility (costing about $1.5 million) near BAMC and the news of Mr. Washington's donation. People quite naturally associated the two news items with each other and mistakenly assumed Mr. Washington had donated the full amount required to build the new facility.

One version of the Denzel Washington e-mail in circulation concludes: "By the way . . . He has a son who is a Marine in Iraq." Although Denzel Washington does have two sons (and also two daughters), neither of his sons is a Marine or is stationed in Iraq. One son is far too young to be serving in the military (he's only thirteen years old), and Denzel's older son, 21-year-old John David Washington, is currently a senior (and a football star) at Morehouse College in Atlanta.

Dnezel Washington is well known for his philanthropy, reportedly having made large charitable donations such as $1 milllion to the Children's Fund of South Africa and $2.5 million to the Church of God. We have no idea whether it's true or not, but the following humorous anecdote plays on his reputation for generosity:
Denzel Washington was out with friends when a homeless man asked him for money. The actor's entourage ignored the beggar, but Washington handed him a $100 bill. The man began to cry, then grabbed a passerby and choked out, "Will Smith just gave me a hundred bucks!"

Also, from Truth or Fiction.com:

Actor Denzel Washington Spontaneously Paid for the Construction of a "Fisher House" During a Visit to Brooke Army Medical Center-Fiction! But He Came Through Later! Summary of the eRumor The eRumor describes a visit by actor Denzel Washington to "Brookes" Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. He saw the buildings known as "Fisher House," where families of hospitalized soldiers can say for little or no charge while visiting. He is described as having asked how much it costs to build one, pulled out his checkbook, and wrote a check for the full amount.

The Truth
Denzel Washington did make a visit to the Brooke (not Brookes) Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, Texas, in December, 2004.
Among other things, he participated in a ceremony awarding Purple Hearts to three soldiers and visited several others.

He also toured the Fisher House facilities there, was impressed with what they were doing, and did indicate a desire to support it.
An eRumor got started that he dramatically pulled out his checkbook on the spot and wrote a check for the cost of building an entire house, which was not true.
Fisher House says the confusion may have come when an announcement was made later in that a new $1-million facility was going to be built.
It was at the same time as a mention that Denzel Washington had pledged a donation to Fisher House. Four months later, however, he came through "in a big way", according to the folks at Fisher House. They won't disclose the amount of his gift, but Fisher House spokesman James Weiskopf says it's one of the largest in the organization's history and that Denzel Washington has agreed to serve on the Fisher House board of trustees.

Fisher House is a program that provides special housing at each of the Army's major medical centers for the families of soldiers who are receiving medical treatment, often from being wounded on duty.
Fisher house is either a facility or a group of facilities where family members can stay for no cost or reduced cost, which helps ease the burden of possibly having made a long and expensive trip to be by the beside of a family member and to make it possible for even low income families to be able to stay close by.

Last updated 6/8/05 A real example of the eRumor as it has appeared on the Internet:

From: Jackson, Gerald P Mr FAHC Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2005 11:35

AM Subject: Denzel Washington

I just received this from Ft.

Hood, Texas, where our son's family is stationed while he is deployed in Iraq. Denzel Washington was visiting BAMC (Brookes Army Medical Center, in San Antonio, Texas) the other day. This is where soldiers that have been evac'd from Germany come to be hospitalized in the States. They have buildings there called Fisher Houses. The Fisher House is a hotel that soldier's families can stay at, for little or no charge, while their soldier is staying in the hospital. BAMC has quite a few of these houses on base, but as you can imagine, they are almost filled to the brim most of the time. While Denzel Washington was visiting BAMC, they gave him a tour of one of the Fisher Houses. He asked how much one of them would cost to build. He got his check book out and wrote a check out for the full amount right there on the spot.

The soldiers overseas were amazed to hear this story and want to get the word out to the American public, because it warmed their hearts to hear it. I hope you will spread this story.

So, clearly Denzel does support the troops, though the eRumor has been inflated over time.

My thanks to Mr. Washington for his support.

lagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 01:27 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack

June 23, 2005

Top U.S. General Reminds The Fair-weather Patriots Why We Are In Iraq

Excellent story in the Washington Times today regarding the situation in Iraq and the value and importance of our mission there.

The top U.S. operational commander in Iraq warned yesterday against an emerging "complacency" among Americans who now question whether the two-year war in Iraq "is worth it."

"The United States has not been attacked again since 11 September. And so there's some questioning, perhaps, of whether or not what's going on here is worth it," said Lt. Gen. John R. Vines, who commands the Multinational Corps Iraq. "Quite honestly, I think we have a pretty clear-cut choice. We either deal with terrorism and this extremism abroad, or we deal with it when it comes to us, as it would inevitably, as it has previously."

This is definitely worth reading.

The Washington Times

H/T to Conservative Punk

lagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 12:36 PM | Comments (3)

June 15, 2005

Promotion Results

Today I got wonderful news...

Yours truly has been selected for promotion to the rank of Technical Sergeant or E-6.

For those of you who aren't familiar with the rank structure in the Air Force this is what the various Technical Sergeant stripes looks like:

Dress Blues Uniform

Battle Dress Uniform

Desert Camouflage Uniform

This is the same rank as an Army Staff Sergeant, a Marine Corps Staff Sergeant, and a Navy Petty Officer First Class.

Unfortunately promotions in the Air Force aren't instant or same day. Once selected we receive a "line" number and are promoted according to that number. My line number is 5236. I will most likely sew on my new stripe sometime after the first of the New Year.

I'd also like to extend a huge congratulations to all who "made it" this year be it E-6 or any promotion!! To those who pounded a few beers for "passover" just remember study hard and the promotions will come.

I just thought I'd share the wonderful news.

lagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 06:20 PM | Comments (18)

May 10, 2005

Zero Tolerance Or Zero Compassion?

COLUMBUS, Ga. May 6, 2005 — A high school student was suspended for 10 days for refusing to end a mobile phone call with his mother, a soldier serving in Iraq, school officials said.

The 10-day suspension was issued because Kevin Francois was "defiant and disorderly" and was imposed in lieu of an arrest, Spencer High School assistant principal Alfred Parham said.

The confrontation Wednesday began after the 17-year-old junior got a call at lunchtime from his mother, Sgt. 1st Class Monique Bates, who left in January for a one-year tour with the 203rd Forward Support Battalion.

Mobile phones are allowed on campus but may not be used during school hours. When a teacher told him to hang up, he refused. He said he told the teacher, "This is my mom in Iraq. I'm not about to hang up on my mom."

Parham said the teen's suspension was based on his reaction to the teacher's request. He said the teen used profanity when taken to the office.

"Kevin got defiant and disorderly," Parham said. "When a kid becomes out of control like that they can either be arrested or suspended for 10 days. Now being that his mother is in Iraq, we're not trying to cause her any undue hardship; he was suspended for 10 days."

On the Net:

http://www.mcsdga.net/schools/high/spencer.html

Ok, so my take on all of this. First, I agree with Acidman

You simply DO NOT resort to profanity and defiance in such a situation if you want to get your way.

However, I also agree with Mama that:

I'm a big fan of discipline in the schools. I also believe that there is no such thing as "One Size Fits All" when it comes to dealing with kids.

There is no 'one size fits all' for people in general, especially children. And even more so there is no 'one size fits all' for life’s situations.

I blame the teacher for escalating this situation to the point that the child had to become belligerent to defend his right to talk to his mother in Iraq. Like many troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and in all of the other horrible places on this planet that we as members of the military find ourselves, most of the time talking to loved ones is difficult and in some cases it is borderline impossible.

I have been all over the globe and have friends currently in Iraq, more often than not at many locations people are very limited in their ability to call home if at all. This woman likely made her one lone morale call for the month to her son at the only time possible.

If this kid was truly belligerent suspend him per school policy, but a little vacation without pay for the teacher is justified as well.

Support the troops and their families’ people; they do the job that you can't!

Hat tip to the Blog Mama for the story.

lagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 11:24 AM | Comments (5)

April 29, 2005

The Military Spouse

I received this in an email from a friend I am currently deployed with. He is about the same age as my Mother and is a SrA/E-4 in the Rhode Island Air National Guard. He is a great guy and a good friend. His patriotism looks well beyond his rank and age.

Military Spouses

By Paige Swiney

It was just another harried Wednesday afternoon trip to the commissary. My husband was off teaching young men to fly. My daughters were going about their daily activities knowing I would return to them at the appointed time, bearing, among other things, their favorite fruit snacks, frozen pizza, and all the little extras that never had to be written down on a grocery list.

My grocery list, by the way, was in my 16-month-old daughter's mouth, and I was lamenting the fact that the next four aisles of needed items would pass by while extracting the last of my list from my daughters mouth, when I nearly ran over an old man. This man clearly had no appreciation for the fact that I had 45 minutes left to finish the grocery shopping, pick up my 4-year old from tumbling class, and get to school where my 12-year-old and her car pool mates would be waiting.

I knew men didn't belong in a commissary, and this old guy was no exception. He stood in front of the soap selection staring blankly, as if he'd never had to choose a bar of soap in his life. I was ready to bark an order at him when l realized there was a tear on his face. Instantly, this grocery isle roadblock transformed into a human. "Can I help you find something?" I asked.

He hesitated, and then told me he was looking for soap.

"Any one in particular?" I continued.

"Well, I'm trying to find my wife's brand of soap."

I started to loan him my cell phone to call her when he said, "She died a year ago, and I just want to smell her again."

Chills ran down my spine. I don't think the 22,000-pound Mother of all Bombs could have had the same impact. As tears welled up in my eyes, my half-eaten grocery list didn't seem so important. Neither did fruit snacks or frozen pizza. I spent the remainder of my time in the commissary that day listening to a man tell the story of how important his wife was to him -- how she took care of their children while he served our country. A retired, decorated World War II pilot who flew over 50 missions to protect Americans still needed the protection of a woman who served him at home.

My life was forever changed that day. Every time my husband works too late or leaves before the crack of dawn, I try to remember the sense of importance I felt that day in the commissary. Some times the monotony of laundry, housecleaning, grocery shopping, and taxi driving leaves military wives feeling empty -- the kind of emptiness that is rarely fulfilled when our husbands come home and don't want to or can't talk about work. We need to be reminded, at times; of the important role we fill for our family and for our country.

Over the years, I've talked a lot about military spouses -- how special they are and the price they pay for freedom, too. The funny thing is, most military spouses don't consider themselves different from other spouses. They do what they have to do, bound together not by blood or merely friendship, but with a shared spirit whose origin is in the very essence of what love truly is.

Is there truly a difference? I think there is. You have to decide for yourself. Other spouses get married and look forward to building equity in a home and putting down family roots. Military spouses get married and know they'll live in base housing or rent, and their roots must be short so they can be transplanted frequently. Other spouses decorate a home with flair and personality that will last a lifetime. Military spouses decorate a home with flare tempered with the knowledge that no two base houses have the same size windows or same size rooms. Curtains have to be flexible and multiple sets are a plus. Furniture must fit like puzzle pieces.

Other spouses have living rooms that are immaculate and seldom used. Military spouses have immaculate living room/dining room combos. The coffee table got a scratch or two moving from Germany, but it still looks pretty good. Other spouses say good-bye to their spouse for a business trip and know they won't see them for a week. They are lonely, but can survive. Military spouses say good-bye to their deploying spouse and know they won't see them for months, or for a remote, a year. They are lonely, but will survive.

Other spouses, when a washer hose blows off, call Maytag and then write a check out for having the hose reconnected. Military spouses will cut the water off and fix it themselves. Other spouses get used to saying "hello" to friends they see all the time. Military spouses get used to saying "good-bye" to friends made the last two years. Other spouses worry about whether their child will be class president next year. Military spouses worry about whether their child will be accepted in yet another school next year and whether that school will be the worst in the city -- again.

Other spouses can count on spouse participation in special events: birthdays, anniversaries, concerts, football games, graduation, and even the birth of a child. Military spouses only count on each other, because they realize that the flag has to come first if freedom is to survive. It has to be that way. Other spouses put up yellow ribbons when the troops are imperiled across the globe and take them down when the troops come home. Military spouses wear yellow ribbons around their hearts and they never go away. Other spouses worry about being late for mom's Thanksgiving dinner. Military spouses worry about getting back from Japan in time for dad's funeral.

The television program showing an elderly lady putting a card down in front of a long, black wall that has names on it touches other spouses. The card simply says, "Happy Birthday, Sweetheart. You would have been sixty today." A military spouse is the lady with the card, and the wall is the Vietnam Memorial. I would never say military spouses are better than other spouses are. But I will say there is a difference. I will say, without hesitation, that military spouses pay just as high a price for freedom as do their active duty husbands and wives. Perhaps the price they pay is even higher. Dying in service to our country isn't nearly as hard as loving someone who has died in service to our country, and having to live without them.

God bless our military spouses for all they freely give!

God bless America!

Thanks Steve that was a great story and I am sure most military spouses and their military family members can greatly appreciate and understand the sentiment found here.

lagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 07:35 AM | Comments (2)

April 20, 2005

Re-Engaging Pep Boys

Today I received this in the comments of an earlier post regarding Pep Boys mistreatment of its military employees:

Hello, I just saw this on a search and was so glad to see the support. They still have not compensated me a penny and keep canceling meetings for settlement and depositions... COWARDS!!!!!!!

I am now disabled and I've lost my home, but I will fight 'til my death to see justice for our Sailors and Soldiers. Some of my friends who served by my side and also some who died to fight for freedom so stupid ass Pep Boys can sell scooters and M&M's...

Let’s start it up again and email & write Mark Page. He was my friend and is a Vice President. He paid to move me as a store Manager from NH to Arizona to become a District Manager...... SO Mark Page needs to know people are pissed please help me, Mr. Eric Balodis

If you remember the original post it garnered about a dozen trackbacks from other great bloggers and got coverage in the milblog community. For those of you who aren't familiar with Mr. Balodis, here is the original post in its entirety.

**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 judgment 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 The War Room.

**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 another side of this story. I seek only fair treatment of our military members and the truth.-- SlagleRock

So, if you've read all of that and are interested in helping out (how couldn’t you be), the links above are your sources. Don't hesitate to write to Pep Boys directly, I did. Needless to say the cowards never sent a response. Let’s spread the word on this one, once again and see if we can get something going for Mr. Balodis. No service member deserves this kind of treatment, especially when their only crime is volunteering to preserve freedom.

lagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 12:15 AM | Comments (7)

March 28, 2005

Good Journalism Gone AWOL. Harpers Magazine Deserts Real Journalism All Together

The St. Petersburg Times has a story about some of their local heroes improperly pictured in an article about desertion.

The few, the proud - but surely not AWOL

St. Petersburg Marines are featured on Harper's magazine for a story on deserters, but they're not AWOL.
By SHARON L. BOND, Times Staff Writer
Published March 26, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - Marine recruits so new that their hair hasn't been cut don't sound like the best models for a story about soldiers going AWOL - particularly since none in the group is a deserter.

But there they are, pictured on the March cover of Harper's magazine along with a headline that reads, "AWOL in America: When Desertion Is the Only Option."

Lance Cpl. Kyle Bridge of St. Petersburg is one of them. When the 19-year-old Marine reservist first heard he was on the cover of a national magazine, he thought it sounded cool. A friend teased him about being famous.

Then he realized the story was about soldiers who desert from the U.S. Army.

"It's kind of frustrating," Bridge said. "Most people that see me, if they know me, they know I wouldn't go AWOL."

The cover photo, taken at Parris Island, S.C., shows seven Marines lined up in their T-shirts, shorts and socks. They are not identified in photo credits or in the article. In fact, Harper's says the Marines are not meant to depict people in the article.

"We are decorating pages," said Giulia Melucci, the magazine's vice president for public relations. "We are not saying the soldiers are AWOL. Our covers are not necessarily representative."

A media observer said using real people as "decorations" for a story about deserters might go too far.

"Going AWOL is not a favorable or positive thing," said Kenny Irby, visual journalism group leader at the Poynter Institute for Media Studies, which owns the St. Petersburg Times.

Another issue is that the photograph was altered. One recruit's image appears lighter than the others, as if he were disappearing.

Getty Images, the agency that sold the photograph to Harper's, did not know it would be manipulated. The agency prohibits tampering with an image.

"It's clear to me the customer has broken the rules," said Michael Sargent, Getty's vice president in charge of editorial.

And what of the soldier in the fading image?

Lance Cpl. Britian Kinder, an active Marine who asked that his base not be identified, is upset.

"It does make me pretty angry that they would do something like this. I'm pretty much upset that they would do this without my consent."

Kinder's father believes the magazine should correct the impression it has made of his son.

"People recognize this picture," said Mickey Kinder of Pinch, W.Va. "Put another picture of him in the magazine and do a retraction. He's not AWOL."

The idea of deserting fellow troops is painful for some in the military.

Bridge thought back to his days in boot camp. "You are getting yelled at all the time. You don't have any contact with anybody except for writing letters. No computer, no TV, no phone."

The isolation brings recruits together, he said. "You make best friends within two weeks. It is really neat to see. Then you read about these guys who desert everyone: fellow soldiers, fellow Marines, their country. It is tough to read about."

Philip Hennosy, another St. Petersburg recruit in the photo, said, "It was cool to be on a magazine cover, but weird that it was about being AWOL."

The Marine Corps allows photo agencies onto Parris Island to take photographs of recruit training, said Lt. Scott Miller, deputy public affairs officer. Agencies then have stock photographs they can sell to newspapers and magazines.

"Once they leave here," Miller said, "we can't really monitor who uses the photographs."

Times staff writer Mary Jane Park and Times researcher Caryn Baird contributed to this story.

Again, we have another fine example of piss poor journalism. Let's take new Marine recruits and put their photo on the cover of a magazine and make the topic desertion. What do you suppose that does to people's impression of these young men?

Lance Cpl. Britian Kinder's father said he "believes the magazine should correct the impression it has made of his son."

I agree 110%, Harpers should print another magazine and feature these young men as they are now (on the cover) and explain how there slanted views misrepresented these young heroes!

I guarantee this, Harpers won't be purchased by me or my family (not that I'd read there garbage in the first place).

So, to do my part here is a picture of Lance Cpl. Kyle Bridge:

This is a picture of an American hero. A young man who chose to serve this great nation, not a deserter, not a coward gone AWOL, a HERO!

I encourage each of you to contact Harper's Magazine and "encourage" them to print a retraction story and a new cover photo of America's finest, not misrepresenting them as deserters or AWOL.

And people wonder why so many have a negative image of our military. The so called Main Stream outlets can't even get the facts right. Cut these kids some slack!

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 03:43 AM | Comments (1)

March 27, 2005

Hillary Demands Respect - and Gets It? Well, sort of . (The Things They Make Us Do Against Our Will, LOL)

As they say a picture is worth a thousand words, well this one is worth a million:

H/T to the Chief for the picture and to the Soldier who so wisely chose to cross his fingers.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 01:11 AM | Comments (3)

March 26, 2005

Welcome A New Comrade In Arms

I'd like to welcome the Radio Active Chief to my blogroll. The Chief was a Chief Radioman, USN. He is retired with 26 years of service to this great nation.

Hop on over to his site and have a look. Make sure you tell him, SlagleRock sent you!

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 01:02 AM | Comments (0)

March 12, 2005

Reflection

Another email story from a friend:

I sat in my seat of the Boeing 767 waiting for everyone to hurry and stow their carry-ons and grab a seat so we could start what I was sure to be a long , uneventful flight home. With the huge capacity and slow moving people taking their time to stuff luggage far too big for the overhead and never paying much attention to holding up the growing line behind them, I simply shook my head knowing that this flight was not starting out very well.

I was anxious to get home to see my loved ones so I was focused on "my" issues and just felt like standing up and yelling for some of these clowns to get their act together. I knew I couldn't say a word so I just thumbed thru the "Sky Mall" magazine from the seat pocket in front of me. You know it's really getting rough when you resort to the over priced, useless sky mall crap to break the monotony. With everyone finally seated, we just sat there with the cabin door open and no one in any hurry to get us going although we were well past the scheduled take off time. No wonder the airline industry is in trouble I told myself. Just then, the attendant came on the intercom to inform us all that we were being delayed.

The entire plane let out a collective groan. She resumed speaking to say "We are holding the aircraft for some very special people who are on their way to the plane and the delay shouldn't be more than 5 minutes. The word came after waiting six times as long as we were promised that "I" was finally going to be on my way home. Why the hoopla over "these" folks? I was expecting some celebrity or sport figure to be the reason for the hold up. Just get their butts in a seat and lets hit the gas I thought.

The attendant came back on the speaker to announce in a loud and excited voice that we were being joined by several U. S. Marines returning home from Iraq!!! Just as they walked on board, the entire plane erupted into applause. The men were a bit taken by surprise by the 340 people cheering for them as they searched for their seats. They were having their hands shook and touched by almost everyone who was within an arm's distance of them as they passed down the aisle. One elderly woman kissed the hand of one of the Marines as he passed by her. The applause, whistles and cheering didn't stop for a long time.

When we were finally airborne, "I" was not the only civilian checking his conscience as to the delays in "me" getting some, finding my easy chair, a cold beverage and the remote in my hand. These men had done for all of us and I had been complaining silently about "me" and "my" issues. I took for granted the everyday freedoms I enjoy and the conveniences of the American way of life I took for granted others paid the price for my ability to moan and complain about a few minutes delay to "me" those Heroes going home to their loved ones.

I attempted to get my selfish outlook back in order and minutes before we landed I suggested to the attendant that she announce over the speaker a request for everyone to remain in their seats until our hero's were allowed to gather their things and be first off the plane. The cheers and applause continued until the last Marine stepped off and we all rose to go about our too often taken for granted everyday freedoms......... I felt proud of them. I felt it an honor and a privilege to be among the first to welcome them home and say Thank You for a job well done. I vowed that I will never forget that flight nor the lesson learned. I can't say it enough, THANK YOU to those Veterans and active servicemen and women who may read this and a prayer for those who cannot because they are no longer with us.

On a personal note last night we had an American investment banker (here in Germany on business) buy drinks for about 8 of us for hours and hours. I can't imagine what his bill was like. As he sat down at the bar he told the bartender to open his tab to any member of the U.S. military at the bar. It was a nice gesture. Thanks to him.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 03:27 AM | Comments (3)

March 07, 2005

Black Five's Call To Help

Take a trip around the milblogs (Gutter on the Right, hint, hint) and you will see that there are several ways to support the troops. Just like the Slaughterhouse's own Letter Project, Matt at Blackfive has started a campaign to support tankers in the Middle East. If you are interested in helping out go here for more information.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 02:03 AM | Comments (0)

February 20, 2005

There Is A Reason People Call Them Bad Ass Marines

I received this information from a MSgt in my unit, this is a story of heroism:

Marine 1stSgt Brad Kasal (in the middle). This photo is from the most recent major offensive in Fallujah.

1stSgt Kasal sacrificed his own safety to save a room full of fellow Marines. He ended up taking several AK rounds in the leg. Most of his lower leg was blown away but you can't tell it from this pic. He took rounds in the back which his armor saved him from. He took one round through his butt which passed through both cheeks leaving 4 holes in him. And he also took the brunt of a grenade blast.

He jumped on top of a younger Marine to cover him from the fire. He killed the terrorist who did most of the damage to him and his men, and despite a massive loss of blood he never stopped fighting. Notice that he's still holding his pistol.

He has been submitted for the Medal of Honor for his actions on that day. He already has several Purple Hearts for previous battles throughout his career and he has turned some down so that he could stay with his unit. (Kerry could learn from this example - my own thought)

While in the hospital he has met President Bush, Donald Rumsfeld and several other dignitaries. He said that Bush came in by himself and had a very long, sincere, and friendly visit with him.

1st Sgt Kasal is a true American Hero. He stayed with his men even when he could have simply accepted his purple hearts and went home.

It's not often that we here of someome being recommended for the Medal of Honor and are still alive, that too shows what a great deal of fight this brave man has in him.

I am sure his men, his commanders and his family are proud that he is one of their own.

I salute you 1st Sgt.

SlagleRock Out!

I first caught wind of this when it happened. I chose to sit on it until it appeared to be getting out. I wasn't sure how the 1st Sgt would feel about having his face plastered all over the net, but it is out there now. Here are some other sources that have information on this brave American HERO:

Blackfive, The Right Report, The Free Republic, Bigenwald Family, Eric at Vince Aut Morire

P.S.-- Why didn't we hear about this in the Main Stream Media!?!?!?!?!?

Posted by SlagleRock at 12:18 AM | Comments (3)

February 10, 2005

A Closer Look At Lt. Gen. Mattis

Thanks to The Crusader for this touching speech given by then Maj. Gen. Mattis just before entering Iraq at the start of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.

For decades, Saddam Hussein has tortured, imprisoned, raped and murdered the Iraqi people; invaded neighboring countries without provocation; and threatened the world with weapons of mass destruction. The time has come to end his reign of terror. On your young shoulders rest the hopes of mankind. When I give you the word, together we will cross the Line of Departure, close with those forces that choose to fight, and destroy them. Our fight is not with the Iraqi people, nor is it with members of the Iraqi army who choose to surrender. While we will move swiftly and aggressively against those who resist, we will treat all others with decency, demonstrating chivalry and soldierly compassion for people who have endured a lifetime under Saddam's oppression. Chemical attacks, treachery, and the use of the innocent as human shields can be expected, as can unethical tactics. Take it all in stride. Be the hunter, not the hunted: never allow your unit to be caught with its guard down. Use good judgment and act in the best interest of our Nation. "You are part of the world's most feared and trusted force. Engage your brain before you engage your weapon. Share your courage with each other as we enter the uncertain terrain north of the Line of Departure. Keep faith with your comrades on your left and right and Marine Air overhead. Fight with a happy heart and strong spirit. For the mission's sake, our country's sake, and the sake of the men who carried the Division's colors in past battles — who fought for life and never lost their nerve — carry out you mission and keep your honor clean. Demonstrate to the world that there is 'No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy' than a U.S. Marine.

J.N. Mattis Major General,
US Marines
Commanding

Does this sound like a madman, a murderer or a bad officer?

I think not.

Again, a big Hoo Ah to Lt. Gen. Mattis.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 08:13 AM | Comments (5)

February 03, 2005

Shot Down

Marquette University says 'no' to Republican students' plan

CHICAGO (Reuters) -- A Catholic university in Milwaukee, Wisconsin has blocked an attempt by Republican students to raise money for a group called "Adopt a Sniper" that raises money for U.S. sharp-shooters in Iraq and Afghanistan.

So it's wrong to support the troops?

The students were selling bracelets bearing the motto "1 Shot 1 Kill No Remorse I Decide".

While some may find the motto offensive it is the grim reality of the duties a sniper must perform.

"Clearly the rhetoric of that organization raised some questions and we had some strong objections as a Jesuit university," Marquette University school spokeswoman Brigid O'Brien said Thursday.

So what they are saying is that the Catholic community doesn't enjoy their freedoms? They don't agree with supporting the military?

The students, representing a group called College Republicans, originally got permission to set up a table at the student union to raise money for U.S. troops in Iraq.

But they chose to promote a group called Adopt a Sniper, which says on its Web site it supports snipers deployed by the United States armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The group says it "helps real snipers get the real gear they need to help keep us safe."

OK, so let me get this straight, they were willing to let the College Republicans support the other half million or so that have been involved with the war on terror, but not the sniper? It is ok to kill, but not from a distance? Where is the logic? The sniper has one of the most dangerous duties in our armed forces. More often than not they are alone or if lucky maybe with one other scout/sniper. Not to put one organization ahead of another, but I have great respect for the sniper and theirs is a worthy cause.

The brainchild of a Texas police SWAT officer Adopt a Sniper (www.adoptasniper.org) has raised thousands of dollars in cash and gear to supplement the kit of sharp shooters in U.S. combat platoons.

Among products sold on the site is a $15 coin with the imprinted phrase "Assistance From A Distance."

So screw Marquette University. Follow the link above and ADOPT A SNIPER

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 03:41 PM | Comments (2)

January 29, 2005

Marine Rejoins The Proud, The Few To Serve With His Son In Iraq

I'd like to know the particular of this story. It is unusual to hear of someone this age rejoining the service:

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - A 51-year-old Marine veteran is returning to the military to serve along with his son in Iraq and fulfill a personal dream of serving overseas, he said on Friday.

Jim Flaherty put in 24 years in the Marines, retiring in January, 2001. He got an e-mail last December from a military contact in Iraq inviting him to sign up for a 12-month tour working on the rebuilding of Falluja.

Flaherty, married for the second time with 18-month-old twins, had doubts about whether to go, but figured this was a last chance to satisfy a dream to serve overseas.

"I'm thinking, 'What am I? Nuts, when I've got two little kids?"' he said in an interview.

His stint with the Marines is expected to start in February or March.

In Iraq, Flaherty will join his son, James, a sergeant in the Marines who has been on active duty for about eight months. He may also be joined there by his daughter, Shannon, also a Marine, who expects to be deployed in April.

Flaherty's desire to serve overseas was almost fulfilled with a posting during the first Gulf War, but he missed out when Operation Desert Storm ended in 1991.

Flaherty said he did not think the request for him to return to active service at age 51 reflected any problems the military might have in finding enough people to go to Iraq. U.S. troop numbers were raised to 150,000 last month to strengthen security ahead of this Sunday's elections.

Flaherty, currently director of facilities for Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania, played down the danger of his mission, pointing out that he will be working on construction projects rather than being in combat.

"Have you ever walked through North Philadelphia or Camden (New Jersey) at night?" asked Flaherty, referring to Camden's status as the murder capital of the United States. "It's not going to be any worse than that."

I am impressed that a Father, who has already served his time would be willing to rejoin to serve alongside his son in Iraq. It is an amazing story.

If anyone has any other information about this story, feel free to place a link in the comments.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 10:40 AM | Comments (1)

American Hero Not Even American (Until Now)

Posthumous Citizenship Granted to Marine Killed in Iraq

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) - He was born in Vietnam and came to America at age 6. After growing up in northern Virginia, he joined the Marines even though he was not a U.S. citizen. Cpl. Binh Le became an American on Thursday, but he could not attend the citizenship ceremony held in the shadow of the Pentagon. Last month, he was buried nearby in Arlington National Cemetery, the victim of a truck bomb in Iraq during a voluntary second tour of duty there.

Le, 20, grabbed his rifle when the truck packed with explosives attacked his military post Dec. 3. He had run to a position to fire on the driver and hold back the vehicle when it exploded. His commanding officer recommended him for a Silver Star.

"His final act of bravery saved the lives of others," Capt. Christopher J. Curtain wrote in a letter read at the ceremony. "I will be forever grateful for his heroism."

An estimated 37,000 citizens of other countries serve in the U.S. armed forces. Since the Iraq war began, 54 have been awarded posthumous citizenship.

Le was raised by his aunt and uncle in Alexandria, Va. His parents, Lien Van Tran and Kim Hoan Thi Nguyen, traveled from Vietnam for his funeral. They are divorced but would like to remain in the United States to be close to their son's grave, Nguyen said.

"There's no way to describe the pain," she said.

Rep. James P. Moran, D-Va., said he is working to offer citizenship to Le's parents, which could require congressional action.

"I think this is a compelling enough case that we can get a single bill for citizenship for his parents," Moran said. "They certainly deserve it."

Tran said they didn't have a problem with their son enlisting in the Marine Corps, but they wanted him to have time to attend college.

"His main concern was to join the military so that he could help protect the country he loved so much," Tran said.

This is an amazing story. He went to Iraq, not once, but volunteered to go a second time. In a time when some of our own, actual American citizens refuse to go, and fail to report for duty, this brave young man went twice to do his part for a nation he longed to be a citizen off. It is sad that he was killed, any loss of life is a tragedy although a reality of war. I am glad to hear he was awarded his citizenship, even if only in spirit. I too hope he is awarded the Silver Star.

Now, as for his parents getting citizenship, unfortunately I disagree. There have been great parents that have had horrible children and horrible parents that have had wonderful children. I believe each person should become an immigrant on their own merit. It is a tragedy that their son passed on in Iraq, but that was his battle, his choice, his destiny if you will. If his parents are to become citizens it should be on their own merit and not a free ride "just because" their son was killed in Iraq.

Your thoughts?

SlagleRock Out!

On the Net:

Cpl. Binh Le tribute site

Posted by SlagleRock at 10:20 AM | Comments (3)

January 24, 2005

Show Your Support For Our Troops (Another Opportunity)

Got an email from the owner/operator of My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy today.

She had another unique way to show the troops that you support them.

I would like to encourage all of you to visit the Department of Defense webpage and sign a brief message thanking the men and women of the U.S. military services. The compiled list of names will be sent out to our soldiers at the end of the month.

So far there are less than 9 million names. What a pity. There should be hundreds of millions of "Thank You's". Please forward this message to
your friends, so they can do the same.

It takes less than a minute to sign the card.

Click on this link:

Sign and Show Your Support

Show your support for the troops. Take a few seconds, follow the link and sign.

Thanks Beth, for this link and the info.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 04:00 PM | Comments (0)

The HEROES Act

Big Hat Tip to Linda for this one:

Russ Vaughn has written a most excellent article for The American Thinker, the following is an excerpt:

DON'T JUST SIT THERE by Russ Vaughn

It’s so easy to say you support the troops, regardless of which side you come down on in the issue of the War in Iraq itself. Yeah, you can send care packages and put yellow ribbon magnets on your car to make you feel all warm and fuzzy that you’re doing your own small part.

But right now, folks, we have a rare opportunity, a seldom-held power for ordinary citizens, to actually do something for the troops that will bring them more comfort than any supportive letters or boxes of cookies and candy ever possibly could. You see, right now we have the ability to provide them with comfort of mind, to lift a mental and emotional burden that they all carry with them when they enter any theater of combat. We hold in our collective hands the ability to grant them assurance that should the worst befall them, we, their grateful nation, will provide for their loved ones in a manner that will approximate what they would have provided in the normal course of their lives.

Mr. Vaughn is speaking of the Honoring Every Requirement of Exemplary Service (HEROES) Act, which Senators Lieberman and Sessions will introduce when Congress reconvenes January 24 2005, would increase the maximum life insurance coverage for servicemembers to $400,000 and increase the death gratuity paid to families of servicemembers killed in combat to $100,000.

These benefit changes would cover all servicemembers regardless of rank, and would apply retroactively to cover those lost in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

This bill must pass and you can help. Listen to Mr. Vaughn:

So you say you support the troops? Then as soon as you finish reading this, start hammering that keyboard and let your two senators and your congressman know that you expect no less than their full support for early passage of the HEROES Act. To a person, they all swear they support the troops, regardless of party affiliation or individual positions on the war. Let them know, their future electoral efforts will, in your mind, be dependent upon their actions on behalf of those troops and those families who have given that "last full measure of devotion," to their nation.

Do it people, please! Addresses for Senators and Representatives are here.

Thanks again Linda!!

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 12:11 PM | Comments (0)

January 23, 2005

"Wish You Were Here"

For all the free people that still protest.
You're welcome. We protect you and you are protected by the best.
Your voice is strong and loud,
but who will fight for you? No one standing in your crowd.
We are your fathers, brothers, and sons,
wearing the boots and carrying guns.
We are the ones that leave all we own, to make sure your future is carved in stone.
We are the ones who fight and die,
We might not be able to save the world, Well, at least we try.
We walked the paths to where we are at
and we want no choice other than that.
So when you rally your group to complain,
take alook in the back of your brain.
In order for that flag you love to fly
wars must be fought and young men must die.
We came here to fight for the ones we hold dear.
If that's not respected, we would rather stay here.
So please stop yelling, put down your signs,
and pray for those behind enemy lines.
When the conflict is over and all is well,
be thankful that we chose to go through hell.

Written by Corporal Joshua Miles and all the boys from 3rd Battalion 2nd Marines, Kuwait

Found on I Ride With The Cowboy.com

That pretty much sums it up!

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 04:06 PM | Comments (4)

January 20, 2005

Someone In The Main Stream Media Finally Gets It

Pillorying the Army will not help right to triumph in Iraq

The UK Telegraph makes a great point about the medias twisting of the facts and efforts to undermine the efforts in Iraq:

The reaction of Arab commentators is relatively easy to explain. Opportunities to occupy the high moral ground are rare and, when they come along, they jump on them.

The tone of the British press is slightly harder to fathom. How is it that the alleged actions of three lowly soldiers, reprehensible though they may be, severely undermine the reputation of the other 111,777?

If the standards that sections of the media are applying to the Army were imposed on doctors, the entire medical profession would have to hang its head every time a GP went off the rails. Ditto policemen, lawyers, accountants - even journalists.

The reason for this searing scrutiny is political. For those opposed to the Iraq war, the scandal reinforces the argument that, launched as it was on a false prospectus and prosecuted (at least on the American side) with incompetence and disregard for human life, all those engaged in it are morally tainted.

The whole adventure may be riddled with ethical confusions. But it is grossly unfair to link the alleged wrongdoing of a handful with the blameless conduct of the 65,000 men and women - half the British Army - who have rotated through Iraq.

Not just blameless, but admirable. Anyone who has seen British soldiers at work in and around Basra can vouch for the cheerfulness and restraint with which they go about their task. Their living conditions are grim. Fun is an alien concept. The natives for the most part may appear to be friendly, but the threat of an ambush or a car bomb is never far away.

No one wants to be there, but no one really complains - at least no more than usual. Despite the daily diet of depressing news, commanders persist in believing that the mission is worthwhile and that Iraq will get there in the end.

Just like in our own media, with Abu Ghraib, the actions of a few are supposed to reflect on the behavior of our entire military. This is clearly not so. The seven Army Reservists involved in the Abu Ghraib "scandal" are not a clear representation of our military. The actions of those 7 do not speak for the near millions of men an women in uniform.

It is time for the media, which is supposed to be an unbiased outlet for information, to step up to the plate and print a balance of information. Yes, things like Abu Ghraib are terrible, but what about the hundreds of thousands of us who have been rotated through Iraq and Afghanistan more than once and served with honor and integrity?

We need to hear of more school openings, and commerce and the elections. More stories of the Iraqi appreciation and less of the focus on the rogue few who fight against the coalition.

Major news outlets need to not only step up but grow up, show your support for our troops and maybe just maybe a hint of patriotism.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 11:03 AM | Comments (1)

January 18, 2005

Main Stream Media Gets Spanked By A True Patriot

Media's coverage has distorted world's view of Iraqi reality

Travel around the blogosphere or surf the MilBlogs specifically and you will notice one strong trend. Most of us who have been there tend to disagree with the picture painted by the Main Stream Media. Turn on the news, and you will hear stories of innocent civilians killed or "another" U.S. Soldier that died in Iraq today.

What you don't hear are the positive side of things, the reality of things in Iraq. You very rarely hear of the Iraqi's who are grateful for their freedom from Hussein and his Ba'ath party.

Do you honestly believe that these people would rather live a life of wonder, not knowing if today is the day they'll be gang raped or maybe their son will get thrown through the wood chipper?

Well, that is what most of the Main Stream Media would like you to believe. I have heard the Thank You's and seen the smiles. I know that the media quite frequently tells a one sided story, or a story that is all together wrong.

I remember catching a few minutes of CNN here or there during the war and on more than one occasion they reported something contradictory to an Intel brief I had just attended or photos I had just seen.

Click Continue Reading for a very well written editorial by Lieutenant Colonel Tim Ryan, Commander, Task Force 2-12 Cavalry, First Cavalry Division in the Abu Ghraib sector of Iraq. He's seen the best and worst of the events in Iraq and his view is very different than the "main stream" media.

It is worth the read!

**UPDATE** General says life in Fallujah is getting better and Iraqi's are returning to their homes.

SlagleRock Out!

Media's coverage has distorted world's view of Iraqi reality

By LTC Tim Ryan
SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Editors' Note: LTC Tim Ryan is Commander, Task Force 2-12 Cavalry, First Cavalry Division in Iraq. He led troops into battle in Fallujah late last year and is now involved in security operations for the upcoming elections. He wrote the following during "down time" after the Fallujah operation. His views are his own.

All right, I've had enough. I am tired of reading distorted and grossly exaggerated stories from major news organizations about the "failures" in the war in Iraq. "The most trusted name in news" and a long list of others continue to misrepresent the scale of events in Iraq. Print and video journalists are covering only a fraction of the events in Iraq and, more often than not, the events they cover are only negative.

The inaccurate picture they paint has distorted the world view of the daily realities in Iraq. The result is a further erosion of international support for the United States' efforts there, and a strengthening of the insurgents' resolve and recruiting efforts while weakening our own. Through their incomplete, uninformed and unbalanced reporting, many members of the media covering the war in Iraq are aiding and abetting the enemy.

The fact is the Coalition is making steady progress in Iraq, but not without ups and downs. So why is it that no matter what events unfold, good or bad, the media highlights mostly the negative aspects of the event? The journalistic adage, "If it bleeds, it leads," still applies in Iraq, but why only when it's American blood?

As a recent example, the operation in Fallujah delivered an absolutely devastating blow to the insurgency. Though much smaller in scope, clearing Fallujah of insurgents arguably could equate to the Allies' breakout from the hedgerows in France during World War II. In both cases, our troops overcame a well-prepared and solidly entrenched enemy and began what could be the latter's last stand. In Fallujah, the enemy death toll has exceeded 1,500 and still is climbing. Put one in the win column for the good guys, right? Wrong. As soon as there was nothing negative to report about Fallujah, the media shifted its focus to other parts of the country.

More recently, a major news agency's website lead read: "Suicide Bomber Kills Six in Baghdad" and "Seven Marines Die in Iraq Clashes." True, yes. Comprehensive, no. Did the author of this article bother to mention that Coalition troops killed 50 or so terrorists while incurring those seven losses? Of course not. Nor was there any mention about the substantial progress these offensive operations continue to achieve in defeating the insurgents. Unfortunately, this sort of incomplete reporting has become the norm for the media, whose poor job of presenting a complete picture of what is going on in Iraq borders on being criminal.

Much of the problem is about perspective, putting things in scale and balance. What if domestic news outlets continually fed American readers headlines like: "Bloody Week on U.S. Highways: Some 700 Killed," or "More Than 900 Americans Die Weekly from Obesity-Related Diseases"? Both of these headlines might be true statistically, but do they really represent accurate pictures of the situations? What if you combined all of the negatives to be found in the state of Texas and used them as an indicator of the quality of life for all Texans? Imagine the headlines: "Anti-law Enforcement Elements Spread Robbery, Rape and Murder through Texas Cities." For all intents and purposes, this statement is true for any day of any year in any state. True — yes, accurate — yes, but in context with the greater good taking place — no! After a year or two of headlines like these, more than a few folks back in Texas and the rest of the U.S. probably would be ready to jump off of a building and end it all. So, imagine being an American in Iraq right now.

From where I sit in Iraq, things are not all bad right now. In fact, they are going quite well. We are not under attack by the enemy; on the contrary, we are taking the fight to him daily and have him on the ropes. In the distance, I can hear the repeated impacts of heavy artillery and five-hundred-pound bombs hitting their targets. The occasional tank main gun report and the staccato rhythm of a Marine Corps LAV or Army Bradley Fighting Vehicle's 25-millimeter cannon provide the bass line for a symphony of destruction. As elements from all four services complete the absolute annihilation of the insurgent forces remaining in Fallujah, the area around the former insurgent stronghold is more peaceful than it has been for more than a year.

The number of attacks in the greater Al Anbar Province is down by at least 70-80 percent from late October — before Operation Al Fajar began. The enemy in this area is completely defeated, but not completely gone. Final eradication of the pockets of insurgents will take some time, as it always does, but the fact remains that the central geographic stronghold of the insurgents is now under friendly control. That sounds a lot like success to me. Given all of this, why don't the papers lead with "Coalition Crushes Remaining Pockets of Insurgents" or "Enemy Forces Resort to Suicide Bombings of Civilians"? This would paint a far more accurate picture of the enemy's predicament over here. Instead, headlines focus almost exclusively on our hardships.

What about the media's portrayal of the enemy? Why do these ruthless murderers, kidnappers and thieves get a pass when it comes to their actions? What did the the media show or tell us about Margaret Hassoon, the director of C.A.R.E. in Iraq and an Iraqi citizen, who was kidnapped, brutally tortured and left disemboweled on a street in Fallujah? Did anyone in the press show these images over and over to emphasize the moral failings of the enemy as they did with the soldiers at Abu Ghuraib? Did anyone show the world how this enemy had huge stockpiles of weapons in schools and mosques, or how he used these protected places as sanctuaries for planning and fighting in Fallujah and the rest of Iraq? Are people of the world getting the complete story? The answer again is no! What the world got instead were repeated images of a battle-weary Marine who made a quick decision to use lethal force and who immediately was tried in the world press. Was this one act really illustrative of the overall action in Fallujah? No, but the Marine video clip was shown an average of four times each hour on just about every major TV news channel for a week. This is how the world views our efforts over here and stories like this without a counter continually serve as propaganda victories for the enemy. Al Jazeera isn't showing the film of the C.A.R.E. worker, but is showing the clip of the Marine. Earlier this year, the Iraqi government banned Al Jazeera from the country for its inaccurate reporting. Wonder where they get their information now? Well, if you go to the Internet, you'll find a web link from the Al Jazeera home page to CNN's home page. Very interesting.

The operation in Fallujah is only one of the recent examples of incomplete coverage of the events in Iraq. The battle in Najaf last August provides another. Television and newspapers spilled a continuous stream of images and stories about the destruction done to the sacred city, and of all the human suffering allegedly brought about by the hands of the big, bad Americans. These stories and the lack of anything to counter them gave more fuel to the fire of anti-Americanism that burns in this part of the world. Those on the outside saw the Coalition portrayed as invaders or oppressors, killing hapless Iraqis who, one was given to believe, simply were trying to defend their homes and their Muslim way of life.

Such perceptions couldn't be farther from the truth. What noticeably was missing were accounts of the atrocities committed by the Mehdi Militia — Muqtada Al Sadr's band of henchmen. While the media was busy bashing the Coalition, Muqtada's boys were kidnapping policemen, city council members and anyone else accused of supporting the Coalition or the new government, trying them in a kangaroo court based on Islamic Shari'a law, then brutally torturing and executing them for their "crimes." What the media didn't show or write about were the two hundred-plus headless bodies found in the main mosque there, or the body that was put into a bread oven and baked. Nor did they show the world the hundreds of thousands of mortar, artillery and small arms rounds found within the "sacred" walls of the mosque. Also missing from the coverage was the huge cache of weapons found in Muqtada's "political" headquarters nearby. No, none of this made it to the screen or to print. All anyone showed were the few chipped tiles on the dome of the mosque and discussion centered on how we, the Coalition, had somehow done wrong. Score another one for the enemy's propaganda machine.

Now, compare the Najaf example to the coverage and debate ad nauseam of the Abu Ghuraib Prison affair. There certainly is no justification for what a dozen or so soldiers did there, but unbalanced reporting led the world to believe that the actions of the dozen were representative of the entire military. This has had an incredibly negative effect on Middle Easterners' already sagging opinion of the U.S. and its military. Did anyone show the world images of the 200 who were beheaded and mutilated in Muqtada's Shari'a Law court, or spend the next six months talking about how horrible all of that was? No, of course not. Most people don't know that these atrocities even happened. It's little wonder that many people here want us out and would vote someone like Muqtada Al Sadr into office given the chance — they never see the whole truth. Strange, when the enemy is the instigator the media does not flash images across the screens of televisions in the Middle East as they did with Abu Ghuraib. Is it because the beheaded bodies might offend someone? If so, then why do we continue see photos of the naked human pyramid over and over?

So, why doesn't the military get more involved in showing the media the other side of the story? The answer is they do. Although some outfits are better than others, the Army and other military organizations today understand the importance of getting out the story — the whole story — and trains leaders to talk to the press. There is a saying about media and the military that goes: "The only way the media is going to tell a good story is if you give them one to tell." This doesn't always work as planned. Recently, when a Coalition spokesman tried to let TV networks in on opening moves in the Fallujah operation, they misconstrued the events for something they were not and then blamed the military for their gullibility. CNN recently aired a "special report" in which the cable network accused the military of lying to it and others about the beginning of the Fallujah operation. The incident referred to took place in October when a Marine public affairs officer called media representatives and told them that an operation was about to begin. Reporters rushed to the outskirts of Fallujah to see what they assumed was going to be the beginning of the main attack on the city. As it turned out, what they saw were tactical "feints" designed to confuse the enemy about the timing of the main attack, then planned to take place weeks later.

Once the network realized that major combat operations wouldn't start for several more weeks, CNN alleged that the Marines had used them as a tool for their deception operation. Now, they say they want answers from the military and the administration on the matter. The reality appears to be that in their zeal to scoop their competition, CNN and others took the information they were given and turned it into what they wanted it to be. Did the military lie to the media: no. It is specifically against regulations to provide misinformation to the press. However, did the military planners anticipate that reporters would take the ball and run with it, adding to the overall deception plan? Possibly. Is that unprecedented or illegal? Of course not.

CNN and others say they were duped by the military in this and other cases. Yet, they never seem to be upset by the undeniable fact that the enemy manipulates them with a cunning that is almost worthy of envy. You can bet that terrorist leader Abu Musab Al Zarqawi has his own version of a public affairs officer and it is evident that he uses him to great effect. Each time Zarqawi's group executes a terrorist act such as a beheading or a car bomb, they have a prepared statement ready to post on their website and feed to the press. Over-eager reporters take the bait, hook, line and sinker, and report it just as they got it.

Did it ever occur to the media that this type of notoriety is just what the terrorists want and need? Every headline they grab is a victory for them. Those who have read the ancient Chinese military theorist and army general Sun Tzu will recall the philosophy of "Kill one, scare ten thousand" as the basic theory behind the strategy of terrorism. Through fear, the terrorist can then manipulate the behavior of the masses. The media allows the terrorist to use relatively small but spectacular events that directly affect very few, and spread them around the world to scare millions. What about the thousands of things that go right every day and are never reported? Complete a multi-million-dollar sewer project and no one wants to cover it, but let one car bomb go off and it makes headlines. With each headline, the enemy scores another point and the good-guys lose one. This method of scoring slowly is eroding domestic and international support while fueling the enemy's cause.

I believe one of the reasons for this shallow and subjective reporting is that many reporters never actually cover the events they report on. This is a point of growing concern within the Coalition. It appears many members of the media are hesitant to venture beyond the relative safety of the so-called "International Zone" in downtown Baghdad, or similar "safe havens" in other large cities. Because terrorists and other thugs wisely target western media members and others for kidnappings or attacks, the westerners stay close to their quarters. This has the effect of holding the media captive in cities and keeps them away from the broader truth that lies outside their view. With the press thus cornered, the terrorists easily feed their unwitting captives a thin gruel of anarchy, one spoonful each day. A car bomb at the entry point to the International Zone one day, a few mortars the next, maybe a kidnapping or two thrown in. All delivered to the doorsteps of those who will gladly accept it without having to leave their hotel rooms — how convenient.

The scene is repeated all too often: an attack takes place in Baghdad and the morning sounds are punctuated by a large explosion and a rising cloud of smoke. Sirens wail in the distance and photographers dash to the scene a few miles away. Within the hour, stern-faced reporters confidently stare into the camera while standing on the balcony of their tenth-floor Baghdad hotel room, their back to the city and a distant smoke plume rising behind them. More mayhem in Gotham City they intone, and just in time for the morning news. There is a transparent reason why the majority of car bombings and other major events take place before noon Baghdad-time; any later and the event would miss the start of the morning news cycle on the U.S. east coast. These terrorists aren't stupid; they know just what to do to scare the masses and when to do it. An important key to their plan is manipulation of the news media. But, at least the reporters in Iraq are gathering information and filing their stories, regardless of whether or the stories are in perspective. Much worse are the "talking heads" who sit in studios or offices back home and pontificate about how badly things are going when they never have been to Iraq and only occasionally leave Manhattan.

Almost on a daily basis, newspapers, periodicals and airwaves give us negative views about the premises for this war and its progress. It seems that everyone from politicians to pop stars are voicing their unqualified opinions on how things are going. Recently, I saw a Rolling Stone magazine and in bold print on the cover was, "Iraq on Fire; Dispatches from the Lost War." Now, will someone please tell me who at Rolling Stone or just about any other "news" outlet is qualified to make a determination as to when all is lost and it's time to throw in the towel? In reality, such flawed reporting serves only to misshape world opinion and bolster the enemy's position. Each enemy success splashed across the front pages and TV screens of the world not only emboldens them, but increases their ability to recruit more money and followers.

So what are the credentials of these self proclaimed "experts"? The fact is that most of those on whom we rely for complete and factual accounts have little or no experience or education in counter-insurgency operations or in nation-building to support their assessments. How would they really know if things are going well or not? War is an ugly thing with many unexpected twists and turns. Who among them is qualified to say if this one is worse than any other at this point? What would they have said in early 1942 about our chances of winning World War II? Was it a lost cause too? How much have these "experts" studied warfare and counter-insurgencies in particular? Have they ever read Roger Trinquier's treatise Modern Warfare: A French View on Counter-insurgency (1956)? He is one of the few French military guys who got it right. The Algerian insurgency of the 1950s and the Iraq insurgency have many similarities. What about Napoleon's campaigns in Sardinia in 1805-07? Again, there are a lot of similarities to this campaign. Have they studied that and contrasted the strategies? Or, have they even read Mao Zedung's theories on insurgencies, or Nygen Giap's, or maybe Che' Gueverra's? Have they seen any of Sun Tzu's work lately? Who are these guys? It's time to start studying, folks. If a journalist doesn't recognize the names on this list, he or she probably isn't qualified to assess the state of this or any other campaign's progress.

Worse yet, why in the world would they seek opinion from someone who probably knows even less than they do about the state of affairs in Iraq? It sells commercials, I suppose. But, I find it amazing that some people are more apt to listen to a movie star's or rock singer's view on how we should prosecute world affairs than to someone whose profession it is to know how these things should go. I play the guitar, but Bruce Springsteen doesn't listen to me play. Why should I be subjected to his views on the validity of the war? By profession, he's a guitar player. Someone remind me what it is that makes Sean Penn an expert on anything. It seems that anyone who has a dissenting view is first to get in front of the camera. I'm all for freedom of speech, but let's talk about things we know. Otherwise, television news soon could have about as much credibility as "The Bachelor" has for showing us truly loving couples.

Also bothersome are references by "experts" on how "long" this war is taking. I've read that in the world of manufacturing, you can have only two of the following three qualities when developing a product — cheap, fast or good. You can produce something cheap and fast, but it won't be good; good and fast, but it won't be cheap; good and cheap, but it won't be fast. In this case, we want the result to be good and we want it at the lowest cost in human lives. Given this set of conditions, one can expect this war is to take a while, and rightfully so. Creating a democracy in Iraq not only will require a change in the political system, but the economic system as well. Study of examples of similar socio-economic changes that took place in countries like Chile, Bulgaria, Serbia, Russia and other countries with oppressive Socialist dictatorships shows that it took seven to ten years to move those countries to where they are now. There are many lessons to be learned from these transfomations, the most important of which is that change doesn't come easily, even without an insurgency going on. Maybe the experts should take a look at all of the work that has gone into stabilizing Bosnia-Herzegovina over the last 10 years. We are just at the 20-month mark in Iraq, a place far more oppressive than Bosnia ever was. If previous examples are any comparison, there will be no quick solutions here, but that should be no surprise to an analyst who has done his or her homework.

This war is not without its tragedies; none ever are. The key to the enemy's success is use of his limited assets to gain the greatest influence over the masses. The media serves as the glass through which a relatively small event can be magnified to international proportions, and the enemy is exploiting this with incredible ease. There is no good news to counteract the bad, so the enemy scores a victory almost every day. In its zeal to get to the hot spots and report the latest bombing, the media is missing the reality of a greater good going on in Iraq. We seldom are seen doing anything right or positive in the news. People believe what they see, and what people of the world see almost on a daily basis is negative. How could they see it any other way? These images and stories, out of scale and context to the greater good going on over here, are just the sort of thing the terrorists are looking for. This focus on the enemy's successes strengthens his resolve and aids and abets his cause. It's the American image abroad that suffers in the end.

Ironically, the press freedom that we have brought to this part of the world is providing support for the enemy we fight. I obviously think it's a disgrace when many on whom the world relies for news paint such an incomplete picture of what actually has happened. Much too much is ignored or omitted. I am confident that history will prove our cause right in this war, but by the time that happens, the world might be so steeped in the gloom of ignorance we won't recognize victory when we achieve it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Postscript: I have had my staff aggressively pursue media coverage for all sorts of events that tell the other side of the story only to have them turned down or ignored by the press in Baghdad. Strangely, I found it much easier to lure the Arab media to a "non-lethal" event than the western outlets. Open a renovated school or a youth center and I could always count on Al-Iraqia or even Al-Jazeera to show up, but no western media ever showed up – ever. Now I did have a pretty dangerous sector, the Abu Ghuraib district that extends from western Baghdad to the outskirts of Fallujah (not including the prison), but it certainly wasn't as bad as Fallujah in November and there were reporters in there.

Posted by SlagleRock at 02:41 PM | Comments (2)

January 13, 2005

"Two Bags" or Just Plain Nuts???

I'll tell you this. I got an "incentive" ride in an F-16D (2-seater) when I was a young Airman and Mr. Reilly's account (see below) is very accurate. I am proud to say I didn't "barf"

Anyone who has had the opportunity to experience such a ride truly should appreciate what these "fighter jocks" are capable of. It is truly amazing.

Below is an article written by Rick Reilly of Sports Illustrated. He
details his experiences when given the opportunity to fly in a F-14 Tomcat.
If you aren't laughing out loud by the time you get to "Milk Duds," your
sense of humor is broken.

"Now this message is for America's most famous athletes:

Someday you may be invited to fly in the back-seat of one of your country's
most powerful fighter jets. Many of you already have... John Elway, John
Stockton, Tiger Woods to name a few. If you get this opportunity, let me
urge you, with the greatest sincerity...

Move to Guam.
Change your name.
Fake your own death!
Whatever you do...
Do Not Go!!!

I know. The U.S. Navy invited me to try it. I was thrilled. I was
pumped. I was toast! I should've known when they told me my pilot would be
Chip (Biff) King of Fighter Squadron 213 at Naval Air Station Oceana in
Virginia Beach.

Whatever you're thinking a Top Gun named Chip (Biff) King looks like, triple
it. He's about six-feet, tan, ice-blue eyes, wavy surfer hair,
finger-crippling handshake -- the kind of man who wrestles dyspeptic
alligators in his leisure time. If you see this man, run the other way.
Fast.

Biff King was born to fly. His father, Jack King, was for years the voice
of NASA missions. ("T-minus 15 seconds and counting....."
Remember?) Chip would charge neighborhood kids a quarter each to hear his
dad. Jack would wake up from naps surrounded by nine-year-olds waiting for
him to say, "We have a liftoff."

Biff was to fly me in an F-14D Tomcat, a ridiculously powerful $60 million
weapon with nearly as much thrust as weight, not unlike Colin Montgomerie.
I was worried about getting airsick, so the night before the flight I asked
Biff if there was something I should eat the next morning.

"Bananas," he said.

"For the potassium?" I asked.

"No," Biff said, "because they taste about the same coming up as they do
going down."

The next morning, out on the tarmac, I had on my flight suit with my name
sewn over the left breast. (No call sign -- like Crash or Sticky or
Leadfoot. but, still, very cool.) I carried my helmet in the crook of my
arm, as Biff had instructed. If ever in my life I had a chance to nail
Nicole Kidman, this was it.

A fighter pilot named Psycho gave me a safety briefing and then fastened me
into my ejection seat, which, when employed, would "egress" me out of the
plane at such a velocity that I would be immediately knocked unconscious.

Just as I was thinking about aborting the flight, the canopy closed over me,
and Biff gave the ground crew a thumbs-up. In minutes we were firing nose
up at 600 mph. We leveled out and then canopy-rolled over another F-14.

Those 20 minutes were the rush of my life. Unfortunately, the ride lasted
80. It was like being on the roller coaster at Six Flags Over Hell. Only
without rails. We did barrel rolls, sap rolls, loops, yanks and banks. We
dived, rose and dived again, sometimes with a vertical velocity of 10,000
feet per minute. We chased another F-14, and it chased us.

We broke the speed of sound. Sea was sky and sky was sea. Flying at
200 feet we did 90-degree turns at 550 mph, creating a G force of 6.5, which
is to say I felt as if 6.5 times my body weight was smashing against me,
thereby approximating life as Mrs. Colin Montgomerie.

And I egressed the bananas. I egressed the pizza from the night before.

And the lunch before that. I egressed a box of Milk Duds from the sixth
grade. I made Linda Blair look polite. Because of the G's, I was egressing
stuff that did not even want to be egressed. I went through not one airsick
bag, but two.

Biff said I passed out. Twice. I was coated in sweat. At one point, as we
were coming in upside down in a banked curve on a mock bombing target and
the G's were flattening me like a tortilla and I was in and out of
consciousness, I realized I was the first person in history to throw down.

I used to know cool. Cool was Elway throwing a touchdown pass, or Norman
making a five-iron bite. But now I really know cool. Cool is guys like
Biff, men with cast-iron stomachs and freon nerves. I wouldn't go up there
again for Derek Jeter's black book, but I'm glad Biff does every day, and
for less a year than a rookie reliever makes in a home stand.

A week later, when the spins finally stopped, Biff called. He said he and
the fighters had the perfect call sign for me. Said he'd send it on a patch
for my flight suit.

What is it? I asked.

"Two Bags."

Well, I can tell you first hand, as Rick Reilly mentioned many famous athletes have had this thrill. I won't say when or which base, but I remember when Tiger Woods got his flight. He was scheduled to have an autograph signing afterwards...

He cancelled the signing.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 08:42 AM | Comments (2)

January 12, 2005

Iraqi Girl Saves US Troop Lives

I received this in an email from a retired Chief Master Sergeant, USAF:

Hello everyone…received a story from my American Legion post the other day and just wanted to share it with you..don’t worry, it’s short. Let me preface it by saying that each and everyone of you does make a difference with people you meet and in the war on terrorism…the question is what kind of difference do you want to make? For those who were at my retirement you may recall my point about the “George Bailey Affect”. Okay, here’s the story:

“A convoy of U.S. Humvees and trucks were moving down a road out of Bagdhad in Iraq, they came to a little girl sitting in the middle of the road. The convoy stopped momentarily and then proceeded to drive around the little girl. When a Marine in a Humvee approached the little girl, he recognized her as a child he had given a teddy bear to a few days before. He ordered the driver to stop, got out and approached the girl, noticing she was clutching the teddy bear in her arms. She then scooted over a couple of feet and using her finger pointed to the spot where she had been sitting. The little girl had seen terrorists plant a land mine in the road and her thoughtful action saved the lives of some of our military. This is the generation of Iraqi’s that must be saved from terrorists.”

An amazing story that I am sure you won't hear about in the Main Stream Media. This is far to positive for them to run.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 08:53 AM | Comments (2)

January 11, 2005

Tending Distant Fires

I received this from Greyhawk of The Mudville Gazette. Greyhawk is currently serving in Iraq and Mrs. Greyhawk is keeping the home fires burning while Greyhawk himself is:

Tending Distant Fires

Far from hearth and home, watching
Cold alone but not alone
On distant shore and only wanting
Safe return and little more

What tales we'll tell
When that time comes
When tales can be told

When things grim
Seem far away
When other fires go cold

Some distant sunset, vision fading
Memories remain
And tired eyes gaze 'pon folded flags
While distant drums beat their refrain

Saluting fallen friends whose names
And youth will never fade
Here's to those on other shores,
for them live well, the price is paid

- Greyhawk,
-- Iraq, December 2004

Thanks Greyhawk for doing what you do. To quote your site...

"Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

When called upon we go and do!

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 12:21 AM | Comments (2)

January 10, 2005

Michael Reagan

I got this from Todd at Stryker News.com:

Michael is a very well known portrait artist and a Vietnam veteran. He recently decided to retire and focus exclusively on providing free portraits of fallen service men and women for their families. He's done this for a number of our Stryker soldiers. He's trying to get the word out and I'd like to help him accomplish that. In his own words via email:

"I'm about to retire early from my job and the reason
for that is the love I've received from all of you.
This hasn't been an easy decision, I've prayed a lot
about what to do but each time the answer is the same,
do the pictures. I need to reach as many parents and
families of those we are losing with my gift."

If you think it's appropriate you could mention this
on your blogs. Otherwise, keep the following link
handy and feel free to send it to the families you
hear about that have lost loved ones.

You can visit Mr. Reagan's site here

Also take a look at the actual articles from the Stryker news here and here.

His is truly a noble cause and is worth all the exposure we can give it.

Take a look at all the links for the full story on Mr. Michael Reagan.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 11:08 AM | Comments (1)

January 05, 2005

Letters To The Troops

Many of you may remember my original Letters To The Troops campaign.

Twice here at the Slaughterhouse I have hosted a drive to generate letters of support for the troops serving abroad.

The first letter project generated 328 letters of support by the deadline, and has generated more letters since then.

This last drive was an attempt to generate 500 or more letters of support for the troops for the holidays.

I am proud to say that the holiday letter project also exceeded its goal of 500. I received 50 letters hosted via the TrackBack to other great blogs. I received 130 letters in the comments of that post. I found more than 25 letters left on other blogs via TrackBack. I received another 251 letters directly in my email which I printed and forwarded. I also recieved 54 Christmas Cards from the classmates of a BlogFriends children. This post has also picked up a few more letters since the original deadline.

I have comrades in arms who have just recently deployed to such sunny locations as Iraq and others who have been in the sandbox for several months.

Bloggers, I urge each and every one of you to write your own letter to the troops overseas. Make it a general open letter to any Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine. Keep in mind that the people reading these letters will be both male and female of all ages, ethnic origins and religions. Once your letter is posted, please trackback to this post so that I may find and print your letter. Please direct your readers to this effort as well. Non-bloggers, please leave your open letter of support in the comment section of this post. While it is possible for you to email me your letters, I'd like to see them in the comments so that troops overseas can access and read them online.

I've decided to make this an ongoing effort. I have a button posted on the right side of my site for the "Letter Project". Other Bloggers such as Mamamontezz and Delftsman have also posted this button. Any blogger who is interested is welcome to copy the letter project button and put it up on your site.

Anytime you would like to say thank you to the troops in harms way this is one way to ensure your words are read, I have many military readers and all of my friends who are deployed get regular updates from my site.

Please forward the link to this post to as many people as you can, both Bloggers and non-bloggers.

Let's keep the letters coming year round.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far!

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 06:03 AM | Comments (139)

January 03, 2005

Ann Margret

With John Kerry's recent failed bid for the Presidency names of other American traitors such as Hanoi Jane Fonda once again became common place.

In spite of all of this negativism there are other great stories to come from the Vietnam era. While I do not know the origin, author or authenticity of this story a close friend asked me to post it so please enjoy:

Viet Nam 1966

Richard, (my husband), never really talked a lot about his time in Viet Nam
other than he had been shot by a sniper. However, he had a rather grainy, 8
x 10 black and white photo he had taken at a USO show of Ann Margret with
Bob Hope in the background that was one of his treasures.

A few years ago, Ann Margret was doing a book signing at a local bookstore.
Richard wanted to see if he could get her to sign the treasured photo so he
arrived at the bookstore at 12 o'clock for the 7:30 signing.

When I got there after work, the line went all the way around the bookstore,
circled the parking lot and disappeared behind a parking garage. Before her
appearance, bookstore employees announced that she would sign only her book
and no memorabilia would be permitted.

Richard was disappointed, but wanted to show her the photo and let her know
how much those shows meant to lonely GI's so far from home. Ann Margret
came out looking as beautiful as ever and, as second in line, it was soon
Richard's turn.

He presented the book for her signature and then took out the photo. When
he did, there were many shouts from the employees that she would not sign
it. Richard said, "I understand. I just wanted her to see it."

She took one look at the photo, tears welled up in her eyes and she said,
"This is one of my gentlemen from Viet Nam and I most certainly will sign
his photo. I know what these men did for their country and I always have
time for 'my gentlemen.'"

With that, she pulled Richard across the table and planted a big kiss on
him. She then made quite a to-do about the bravery of the young men she met
over the years, how much she admired them, and how much she appreciated them
There weren't too many dry eyes among those close enough to hear. She
then posed for pictures and acted as if he were the only one there.

Later at dinner, Richard was very quiet. When I asked if he'd like to talk
about it, my big strong husband broke down in tears. "That's the first time
anyone ever thanked me for my time in the Army," he said.

That night was a turning point for him. He walked a little straighter and,
for the first time in years, was proud to have been a Vet. I'll never
forget Ann Margret for her graciousness and how much that small act of
kindness meant to my husband.

I now make it a point to say "Thank you" to every person I come across who
served in our Armed Forces. Freedom does not come cheap and I am grateful
for all those who have served their country.

Thanks Bill, that is far better than any of the horrors of John Kerry, Hanoi Jane or the so called Vietnam Veterans Against the War.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 07:32 AM | Comments (1)

December 31, 2004

I've Decided To Feed This Loon To My Readers

**UPDATE** Vickie Hugo as this assmunch has called him/herself has been chewed up and shit out by Lord Spatula I over at the Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler. Take a look at Spats Fisk of this morons comments about our actions in Iraq, our President and chickenshit deserters.

I received this garbage as a comment on this post.

Response to Mr Oliver North's recent editorial:

Mr North criticizes Pablo Paredes and states that his acts are acts of cowardice and shame. He also complains that the media has chosen to cover this and many other related stories and do not cover the actual heroic feets of those in battle.

Cowardice: Mr. North how brave is it to invade a third world country, kill hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians, destroy full towns, commit the human rights violations (with the prisoners) that we claim to have removed Saddam from power for, etc.? Where is the bravery in putting our young men in a position where they need to kill innocent, unarmed, injured civilians? And surely we all see a great deal of bravery in our president's service to the military. Why don’t the very brave senators and congressmen in support of the war send their own sons and daughters to fight for this their "righteous" cause?

Deciding to stand up for life, for justice, for humanity is far from being cowardice Mr. North. It is probably one of the greatest acts of patriotism and citizenship.

As a technician on defense system that is yet to actually be used in a combat situation, Pablo Paredes stood little to no danger himself. However, the thousands of Marines that were being transported would be going into harms way, forced to fight a cruel and unjust war. Perhaps hundreds of them will not return home alive and perhaps they will be forced to contribute to inflicting further inhumane and irreparable damage to the Iraqi people. This is something Pablo's conscience could not accept.

As a member of the military, you have not only the right, but the obligation to disobey illegal and immoral orders. The Iraq war is clearly both. Our leadership claimed before us and the world community that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction and was a threat to freedom. We are halfway done destroying the country and still not even a hint of the potential of being close to evidence that suggests it. In addition, there are still no identified ties between 911, Al Qaeda and Iraq. So why are we waging war there? Why are we sacrificing the lives of our young men? And more importantly, why are we doing it against the will of the American people? Virtually all polls show that half, or slightly more than half, of the population does NOT support the US decision to go to War. These same polls show constant decline in the approval ratings for the management of the war, or they directly disapprove of it. Kindly take a moment to see these figures at: http://www.pollingreport.com/iraq.htm

There is absolutely no shame in standing up for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Our principles state that everyone has the right to these 3 things. We currently have taken it upon ourselves to deprive the Iraqi people of all three. Since the inception of the war, over 5,500 servicemen have deserted. Are we to assume that there are 5,500 crazy cowards who joined the military or perhaps should we begin to entertain the thought that this war is wrong, illegal, immoral and cruel? This year suicide rates among the Marines have reached record highs, again she we assume they too are crazy cowards, or should we question the righteousness of our actions in Iraq? Better yet, should we assume that half this country consists of crazy, shameful cowards or should we ask our leadership in what math text book did they get the algebraic formula that says to hard headed leaders = a COALITION of the willing? Or even yet, maybe we should ask what is it they were willing to?

I must say for a conservative majority that supposedly voted Bush back into to office due to "moral" issues, you all sure have an interesting disregard for human life. Abortion not okay, but killing hundreds of thousands of civilians is your way of providing "enduring freedom". Back when I was in school, the word used for such murder in masses was genocide. Invading a country solely for economic gains was called imperialism. I guess I must have been absent the day they taught that genocide + imperialism = enduring freedom. Then again, I was never very good at math.

Your complaint about the media attention is also quit frankly foolish. The news is FILLED with recounts of heroic feats such as those of the New York gentleman who had a limb blown off by a grenade launcher and was replaced by another soldier who unfortunately was killed shortly after. The young brave newyorker said his biggest suffering was not that he had lost a limb but that he now had to live with the fact that someone died in his place. In fact if you did indeed take the time to actually do that google search for giggles, you would notice that the majority of your findings are blog stuff 100% against Pablo's actions. Actual news coverage has not been so dramatic as you claim.

Besides, with so much dissent for this war and its inhumanity, the media has an obligation to cover that dissent. When half the nation is against the war, the media must listen to that side of the story.

Let me end by saying that the young men and women currently serving in the War are indeed brave in my eyes. Those young folks sacrifice their lives with the FAITH that their country is doing the right thing. God Bless them. I have nothing against them. But we are betraying their faith in us by having them commit cruel, inhumane acts of aggression. And it is also brave, unselfish and patriotic to take a stance (at great personal risk) to say this is wrong. Waging war is wrong. Cruelty and inhumanity is wrong. This great country went from having a secretary of war to a secretary of defense. Why do think that is Mr. North? I'd like to believe that it is because we are not to be in the business of waging war. As the nation with the strongest military we should use that strength to defend this great nation and aid others, not invade others. Maybe that's what happened to W, given his challenges with English, maybe he mixed those two up. Who knows.

Regards,

Victor Hugo

Now hold on to your seats. This guy said his name was Victor Hugo and his email is solidaritywithpablo@yahoo.com

Imagine that another champion of the left that is too big a coward to leave a real name or a real email address. That's it stand up for what you believe in, but don't let anyone know you are doing it. You cowards make me sick.

So, rather than fisking this one, I thought I'd let all of you take a whack at it. Tell me and "Mr. Hugo" what you think of his lunatic babble.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 08:29 AM | Comments (7)

December 22, 2004

Information On The Attack in Mosul

It pains me everytime I hear that we have lost one of our finest.

This is from AP News

FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAREZ, Iraq (AP) - It was a brilliant, sunny day with blue skies and warmer than usual weather in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. Hundreds of U.S. soldiers had just sat down for lunch in their giant chow hall tent.

It was about noon Tuesday when insurgents hit their tent with a suspected rocket attack. The force of the explosions knocked soldiers off their feet and out of their seats. A fireball enveloped the top of the tent, and shrapnel sprayed into the men.

Amid the screaming and thick smoke that followed, quick-thinking soldiers turned their lunch tables upside down, placed the wounded on them and gently carried them into the parking lot.

"Medic! Medic!" soldiers shouted.

Medics rushed into the tent and hustled the rest of the wounded out on stretchers.

Scores of troops crammed into concrete bomb shelters outside. Others wobbled around the tent and collapsed, dazed by the blast.

"I can't hear! I can't hear!" one female soldier cried as a friend hugged her.

Near the front entrance to the chow hall, troops tended a soldier with a gaping head wound. Within minutes, they zipped him into a black body bag. Three more bodies were in the parking lot.

The military asked that the dead not be identified until families could be notified.

Soldiers scrambled back into the hall to check for more wounded. The explosions blew out a huge hole in the roof of the tent. Puddles of bright red blood, lunch trays and overturned tables and chairs covered the floor.

Grim-faced soldiers growled angrily about the attack as they stomped away.

"Mother (expletive)!" one mumbled.

Sgt. Evan Byler, of the Richmond, Va.-based 276th Engineer Battalion, steadied himself on one of the concrete bomb shelters. He was eating chicken tenders and macaroni when the bomb hit. The blast knocked him out of his chair. When the smoke cleared, Byler took off his shirt and wrapped it around a seriously wounded soldier.

Byler held the bloody shirt in his hand, not quite sure what to do with it.

"It's not the first close call I have had here," said Byler, a Fauquier County, Virginia, resident who survived a blast from an improvised explosive device while riding in a vehicle earlier this year.

Byler started walking back to his base when he spotted a soldier collapse from shock on the side of the road. Byler and Lt. Shawn Otto, also of the 276th, put the grieving soldier on a passing pickup truck.

The 276th, with about 500 troops, had made it a year without losing a soldier and is preparing to return home in about a month.

"We almost made it. We almost made it to the end without getting somebody killed," Otto said glumly.

At least two other soldiers with the 276th were injured, but it was not clear how serious their wounds are.

Insurgents have fired mortars at the chow hall more than 30 times this year. One round killed a female soldier with the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division in the summer as she scrambled for cover in one of the concrete bomb shelters. Workers are building a new steel and concrete chow hall for the soldiers just down the dusty dirt road.

Lt. Dawn Wheeler, a member of the 276th from Centreville, Va., was waiting in line for chicken tenders when a round hit on the other side of a wall from her. A soldier who had been standing beside her was on the ground, struggling with shrapnel buried deep in his neck.

"We all have angels on us," she said as she pulled away in a Humvee.

Wheeler quickly joined other officers from the 276th for an emergency meeting minutes after the blast.

Maj. James Zollar, the unit's acting commander, spoke to more than a dozen of his officers in a voice thick with emotion. He urged them to keep their troops focused on their missions.

"This is a tragic, tragic thing for us but we still have missions," he told them. "It's us, the leaders, who have to pull them together."

Just hours before the blast, Zollar had awarded a Purple Heart to a soldier from the 276th who was wounded in a mortar attack on another part of the base in October.

Zollar eventually turned the emergency meeting over to Chaplain Eddie Barnett. He led the group in prayer.

"Help us now, God, in this time of this very tragic circumstance," Barnett said. "We pray for your healing upon our wounded soldiers."

With heads hung low, the soldiers trudged outside. They had work to do.

Please keep all of these Soldiers in your thoughts.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 10:46 AM | Comments (2)

December 19, 2004

Another True Patriot

Did you know that Michael Jordan has an older brother in the Army? That's right, multi-millionaire, quite possibly the greatest basketball player in history Michael Jordan has a brother in the Army.

From CNN:

Michael Jordan's brother heads to Iraq

Older brother asks to delay retirement to complete deployment

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina (AP) -- Army Command Sgt. Maj. James R. Jordan has much in common with his younger brother, retired basketball star Michael Jordan.

He loves his job, believes in helping his team and expects maximum effort from those around him. And like his brother, James Jordan likes to leave on his own terms.

He has asked to stay in the Army for a year beyond his mandatory retirement date so he can complete a yearlong deployment to Iraq with the 35th Signal Brigade.

Command Sgt. Maj. James R. Jordan at Fort Bragg, North Carolina: 'That's what I am, a leader.'

"We are currently at war," Jordan said before the unit started shipping out Sunday. "We are doing things, and it requires leaders to do certain things. That's what I am, a leader."

Under normal conditions, the 47-year-old Jordan would wind down his Army career in the spring as he approached the 30-year mark, but he has no intention of getting on an airplane April 29 and coming home.

"That's not the way you want to end a 30-year career," Jordan told The Fayetteville Observer.

"People ask 'Why?"' said Col. Bryan Ellis, the brigade commander. "The answer is, he is completely selfless. We all want to see it go well."

Jordan is a no-nonsense noncommissioned officer with a shaved head and a wry sense of humor. He stands 5-foot-7, while his younger brother is about 6-foot-6. As the senior enlisted soldier in the brigade of 2,450 soldiers, he has kept a low profile at Fort Bragg and avoided calling attention to his family connection.

"If you don't believe in selfless service, you are not going to make it in this business," said Jordan, the oldest person in the brigade.

He was 36, wearing the stripes of a first sergeant, when he went to airborne school, where most soldiers are in their teens or early 20s. He still runs eight miles and expects soldiers to be alongside him.

Three years of Junior ROTC during high school in Wilmington helped convince Jordan that the Army was for him.

"I figured I wanted to be a soldier, plus I was the oldest of five kids," he said. "I wanted to get out of the house and do something myself."

He said some of his relatives don't really know what he does.

"They know I'm in the Army. That's about it," he said. "My immediate family and my wife, my kids, not extremely happy, but they are on the team. They say: 'Daddy, do what you've got to do."'

"I've been doing this by myself for so long, being my own person, being my own soldier," he said. "I'm going to continue doing it the same way until the day I feel like I need to hang it up, not when they feel like I need to hang it up."

This speaks volumes about this great man. His brother is wealthy beyond the imagination of most people. I am sure he doesn't have to stay in the Army. Michael Jordan would likely see to it that his big bro and his family were well taken care of. However, despite this fact Command Sgt. Maj. Jordan not only stayed in the Army now he is fighting to stay beyond mandatory retirement so that he can see his troops through their upcoming one year deployment in Iraq.

While the media likes to focus on the negative, like the Navy's P03 Paredes, a coward who publicly refused to deploy to Iraq and cowards turned deserters Hinzman and Huey what they really need to focus on is the brave selfless actions of great men like Command Sgt. Maj. Jordan.

I sincerely hope the U.S. Army and the Department of Defense find a way for Jordan to stay with his troops until their safe return.

This is the Jordan that people should associate with the words role model and hero. While his little brother Mike was a basketball phenomenon the older Jordan is a life phenomenon!

Command Sgt. Maj. Jordan you are truly a man that any enlisted man in any branch can look up to and aspire to be like.

Hooah Sgt. Maj.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 08:45 AM | Comments (1)

December 18, 2004

Update: Letters For The Troops

Well, I admit we started a little slow but we have certainly picked up momentum.

For those of you who haven't yet got on board with the Letter Project there is still time. I originally posted a deadline of 17 December 04. That deadline is not an actual deadline (not truly the last possible instant to submit). I set that date to allow myself the time needed to compile all the links and print the letters to be carried to Iraq. However, I will still have contact with my comrades in arms in numerous locations in the Middle East well beyond the original deadline. Please continue to push this effort and get your letters in.

So where are we now? Well, there are 105 letters in the comments of the original post. There are also 41 via trackback plus 10 more that have been left at other bloggers sites. I received 104 in the mail from the Holy Ghost School. I also received another 54 from the school of LCBeth's sons. I also have 99 letters in my email that will be printed and sent along as well. So, as of this minute our efforts have raised 413 letters of support for the troops. We have shattered the last effort by nearly 100 letters. We still have a week before Christmas. Lets make that final push to get another 87 letters to reach our original goal of 500.

We have also received letters of support for U.S. Troops from people in France, England, Italy, Canada and Australia. There may even be more that haven't identified themselves.

Please feel free to post a link to this update, but remember ask your readers to put their letters in the comments of the original post.

Thank you all who have helped. Thanks in advance to anyone who posts an update and helps with the final push!

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 12:09 PM | Comments (1)

December 15, 2004

Twas The Night Before Christmas

Have the tissues ready...

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone, In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone. I had come down the chimney with presents to give And to see just who in this home did live.

I looked all about a strange sight I did see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.

With medals and badges, awards of all kind
A sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different, so dark and dreary,
I knew I had found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.

I heard stories about them, I had to see more
So I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping silent alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one bedroom home.

His face so gentle, his room in such disorder,
Not how I pictured a United States soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I’d just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean shaven, his weathered face tan,
I soon understood this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night
Owed their lives to these men who were willing to fight.

Soon ‘round the world, the children would play,
And grownups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
Because of soldiers like this one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone
On a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa don’t cry, this life is my choice;
I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more,
my life is my God, my country, my Corps."

With that he rolled over and drifted off into sleep,
I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.
I watched him for hours, so silent and still,
I noticed he shivered from the cold night’s chill.

So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
And I covered this Soldier from his toes to his head.
And I put on his T-shirt of gray and black,
With an eagle and an Army patch embroidered on back.

And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
And for a shining moment, I was United States Army deep inside.
I didn’t want to leave him on that cold dark night,
This guardian of honor so willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over, whispered with a voice so clean and pure,
"Carry on Santa, it’s Christmas Day, all is secure."
One look at my watch, and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night!

There are several different versions of this poem. The above version comes from this page on the IWVPA site. It appears to be a faithful reproduction of this Leatherneck Magazine version, which Snopes is convinced is the original version. Thanks go out to Bill Faith of A Small Town Veteran for the links.

I have heard that it was written by an Army Ranger and "stolen" by the Marines. Some say it was in fact written by A Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan. The original email included this request from the Marine. I think it is reasonable . . . PLEASE. Would you do me a thoughtful favor of sending this poem to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S. service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities.

Regardless of whom wrote this poem or which branch of service they serve in, it is a great representation of the American fighting men and women of all branches of service. There are Airman, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines all serving in harms way. People from all branches have been shot at, attacked by mortar and shelled at random with everything from shoulder fired weapons to large artillery.

Please remember these brave men and woman. And when you are enjoying your holidays with your family, remember the hundreds of thousands of Airman, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines that are thousands of miles away from home and who will miss "another" holiday or special event with their families.

Support the troops!!

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 07:00 AM | Comments (4)

December 12, 2004

The Letter Project (Update)

Well, we have been at this Letter Project effort for about a week now and so far we are doing OK, notice I just said OK. The last time I sent the call to help I was flooded with letters, over 200 in the first 5 days or so.

So far this effort has yielded about 150 letters. 100 of those can be found in the comments of my original post or in the trackbacks to that post. Roughly 50 I have received via email, and I know of a bundle coming from a few elementary schools, but I do not yet know the numbers.

Lets keep spreading the word. The original goal was 500, but at this rate it is going to be difficult to achieve by Christmas Eve.

I know we can get there, please spread the word and write your letters. See the original post for instructions and details.

Thanks to all whom have contributed so far.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 05:11 PM | Comments (1)

December 09, 2004

In Memorium

It is with a level of sadness that the written word cannot explain that I write this post.

This morning, Lance Corporal Kyle Renehan, USMC, passed away due to complications from injuries he received on Nov. 29th while stationed in Iraq.

While I never met Lance Corporal Kyle Renehan I can tell you that I lost a brother. A brother at arms.

There is no information yet on his return to the States and interment.

I'd like everyone to read this tribute to the fallen written by Mamamontezz:

Sweet Warrior

Come to me, sweet warrior.
Take me by the hand.
Follow me to quiet places
in a quiet land.
Sleep in fields of emerald
beside the quiet sea.
Feel the sun upon your face
and stay awhile with me.

I followed you to battle, son,
and helped to calm your fears,
and laughed with you in happy times
and brushed away your tears.
I shielded you with tender wings
when you were very small,
staying close across the miles
after duty's call.

Come to me, sweet warrior.
Take me by the hand.
Follow me to quiet places
in a quiet land.
Walk with those who came before
beside the quiet sea.
Feel the mists upon your face
and stay awhile with me.

Gone's the time of duty now,
your battle has been won,
and brothers wait to welcome you
beneath a rising sun.
Take my hand, we'll go to them
it's where you need to be,
a land of gentle warriors
each one, USMC.

Come to me, sweet warrior.
Take me by the hand.
Follow me to quiet places
in a quiet land.
Walk amongst your brothers here
beside the quiet sea.
Feel the warmth of heaven's grace
and stay awhile with me.

-Lila "Mamamontezz" Meyer, Dec 9, 2004

I SALUTE YOU

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 08:21 PM | Comments (1)

Warrior's Last Request - We Need Your Help!

I found this posting at Blackfive. It is the loss of a hero. Another American killed in the war in Iraq.

Damn, just damn. Specialist David Mahlenbrock was killed by an IED on December 3rd in Kirkuk, Iraq.

I (Matt from Blackfive) received this email via Soldier's Angels. It's from David's Squad in Bravo, 65th Engineers and they are forwarding a request from David. It appears that David had a special letter sent to his squad in the event of his death. Hold on to your seats, folks:

Dear 1st Squad,

If you’re reading this, then I’ve died for our country. I just hope it wasn’t for nothing.

After the IED went off yesterday, I wanted to write this in case something happens to me. There are a few more letters that I’d like you to give my wife and family.

I’d like to have a military funeral, but, if you can work please make sure that Toby Keith’s “American Soldier” is played at the ceremony in addition to the bagpipes. If they won’t let it happen, that’s ok, thanks for trying…...

I know that all the belongings I have here will go to Melissa, but there are a few more things I’d like for you guys to make sure she gets. I have a dog tag w/ our picture on it along w/ some pictures and an American flag in my left breast pocket. There is also a can that says “Son” on it that Melissa’s parents gave me that I’d like for them to have, and that angel stone should go to her grandma and grandpa Snow.

Now if I died w/ blue eyes (one blew that way and one blew the other way) and there’s nothing really left of me, that’s ok, I know you meant well.

Alright, enough with the dead guy’s last request, there’s a lot of thank you’s I wanna say to you fellas……

Specialist David Mahlenbrock will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetary on Wednesday, December 14th at 10AM EST. David's family and friends are asking radio stations to play Toby Keith's "American Soldier" on the 14th at 1pm EST with a dedication to Specialist David Mahlenbrock.

Do your part, call your local radio stations and ask them to play "American Soldier" on the 15th! It is the least we can do to honor this brave young man and all who serve!

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 11:14 AM | Comments (3)

December 04, 2004

"Oh, Fallujah"

"Oh, Fallujah"
(sung to the tune of "Oklahoma"")

Oh, Fallujah,
Where the bombs fall right before a fight.,
and the tracer's shine
can look divine
through the cross hairs of a rifle sight!

Oh, Fallujah,
Every night my rowdy crew and I
walk a street patrol
and rock and roll
while Apaches rip across the sky.

You know we could all use a break
And we'd kill for big, juicy steak!
So when we yell (Hooah!)
You'd better run like hell (Hooah!)
We're mopping up this mess
that we found in Fallujah.
Damn Straight!

Oh, Fallujah,
Grabbing sleep and chow along the way.
All those IED's
and damned sand fleas
They can really fuck a person's day.

You know we could all use a break
And we'd kill for big, juicy steak!
So when we yell (Hooah!)
You'd better run like hell (Hooah!)
We're mopping up this mess
that we found in Fallujah.
Damn Straight!
Oh, Fallujah,
F-A-L-L-U-J-A-H
Oh, Fallujah! Hooah!

Written By Mamamontezz

Posted by SlagleRock at 04:10 PM | Comments (2)

"A Fathers Farewell"

"I cannot imagine the gut-wrenching sadness of writing my own child's obituary. In a perfect world, no parent would ever be placed in the position of burying a child."

I was trying to catch up on the sphere when I spotted this post at Mamamontezz's Mental Rumpus Room. Mama originally posted this on the 27th of November.

Today at the Federalist Patriot site we see a father doing exactly that, and doing so in a powerful, personal, and touching way.

"My son, the soldier, comes home for good.
At last report he had left Iraq and was waiting a flight in Kuwait. With luck he will be in Germany today and then on to Texas. By the way, he is called "remains" but I know better. He is my son.

I want to tell you about him. Not because he is so great a guy - although I think so, but because he represents the thousands of sons and daughters America is sending to far away places to secure our peace and our liberties at home."

"Retired Colonel Tom Sims, a grieving yet proud and realistic father, saw his son through the eyes not only of a parent, but of a fellow warrior, and articulates this with an honesty and a love no one but a father can feel.

This is a better country for having known both father and son."

Thanks for a great post, Mama.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 03:50 PM | Comments (1)

My Soldier

Manhattanville College has a wonderful program called My Soldier.

It is a great opportunity to "adopt" a soldier and start a chain of correspondence with one of America's finest .

I urge everyone to follow one of the links above, take a look and consider this program!

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 03:24 PM | Comments (0)

A Poem For The Media

I got this one from Bill at Small Town Veteran. The Author below has every right to tell it like it is, both he and Bill have been there and done that!

This is one Veterans view on the main stream media.

Fightin’ Words

You media pansies may squeal and may squirm, But a fightin’ man knows that the way to confirm, That some jihadist bastard truly is dead, Is a brain-tappin’ round fired into his head.

To hell with some weenie with his journalist degree
Safe away from the combat, tryin’ to tell me,
I should check him for breathin,’ examine his eyes.
Nope, I’m punchin’ his ticket to Muj paradise.

To hell with you wimps from your Ivy League schools,
Sittin’ far from the war tellin’ me about rules
And preachin’ to me your wrong-headed contention
That I should observe the Geneva Convention,

Which doesn’t apply to a terrorist scum
So evil and cruel their own people run from,
Cold-blooded killers who love to behead,
Shove that mother’ Geneva, I’m leavin’ em dead.

You slick talkingheads may preach, preen and prattle,
But you’re damn well not here in the thick of the battle.
It’s chaotic, confusin’ it all comes at you fast,
So it’s Muj checkin’ out because I’m going to last.

Yeah, I’ll last through this fight and send his ass away
To his fat ugly virgins while I’m still in play.
If you journalist weenies think that’s cold, cruel and crass,
Then pucker up sweeties, kiss a fightin’ man’s ass.

Russ Vaughn
2d Bn, 327th Parachute Infantry Regiment
101st Airborne Division
Vietnam 65-66

Thanks Bill and Russ. Great Poem, and I concur. The media needs to stick to what they do best and of course that is lies scandal and ratings.

Leave the wars to the warfighters and go HOME.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 03:19 PM | Comments (3)

November 30, 2004

Update on LCpl. Renehan

I just got out of AIM with Spence, the brother of LCpl. Kyle Renehan, and I have some updated information.

Because of some difficulty with the wounds to his leg, they are giving him a transfusion and are holding him in Iraq until the wound closes enough to make air travel safer. He is still sedated heavily and basically unconscious.

He will remain in Iraq until tomorrow night. They will start the process of waking him tomorrow, and reassess any damage to his brain. LCpl Chris will remain with him until he is moved, which is very good for Kyle. I'm sure he is talking Kyle's ear off, and that's good for both of them at this point.

Spence also said that he appreciates all of the kindness shown during this situation. Good and wonderful people have been hitting the Paypal link and doing what they can to assist his family, and it was overwhelming.

If you can help with prayer, please do so for Kyle and for his parents who are taking this very hard and need your support. If you can help with the finances, please go to Spence's page and drop a little change in the kitty.

[Mamamontezz: Spence has asked that we take down the link at this time. His parents will not need to fly to Germany, as they are not going to keep him there for any length of time before flying him to Bethesda Naval Hospital. He appreciates the generosity and prayers of all of everyone.]

Posted by Mamamontezz at 12:53 PM | Comments (3)

November 29, 2004

Mom the best Medicine.

And while we're on the topic of Wounded Warriors, I want to bring your attention to this piece from the Tennessean.

"At 18 months old, Ryan Autery flew off a swing and bloodied his front teeth. His mom, Trish, was there to clean him up and calm his tears.

At 10, he accidentally spilled a cup of boiling water. And Trish was there in the days that followed to change the bandage on his deep arm burn.

Now at 19, Ryan stood next to the dining room table Tuesday as Trish placed a large rectangular bandage underneath his left elbow.

Stitches crisscrossed this place on his arm like lines on a basketball after 10 surgeries. The latest set of stitches keeping a new skin graft in place looked angry red.

Ryan then kept the bandage from moving as Trish began to weave a wrapping around it, the elbow and upper arm. After putting on one layer, she started another. Midway through, however, Ryan had to sit down at the kitchen table.

Sometimes he can't bear to look.

''It's an abomination,'' he says of his injury.

His comment does not break Mom's concentration. And after a couple of minutes, Trish finished redressing this new hurt on her son, now a Marine corporal.

He lost the lower part of his left arm in Iraq."

Take a look at this powerfully written look at the situation this family is in, and do what you can. The link is at the bottom.

Semper Fi, young man. Persist.

Posted by Mamamontezz at 10:30 PM | Comments (1)

The Stuff Legends Are Made Of...

Marine Sacrifices His Life For Others In Grenade Blast

According to the Seattle Times, heroism of epic proportions has been displayed by a Marine in Fallujah.

"It's stuff you hear about in boot camp, about World War II and Tarawa Marines who won the Medal of Honor," said Lance Cpl. Rob Rogers, 22, of Tallahassee, Fla., one of Peralta's platoon mates in 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment.

Peralta, 25, as platoon scout, wasn't even assigned to the assault team that entered the insurgent safe house in northern Fallujah, Marines said. Despite an assignment that would have allowed him to avoid such dangerous duty, he regularly asked squad leaders if he could join their assault teams, they said.

One of the first Marines to enter the house, Peralta was wounded in the face by rifle fire from a room near the entry door, said Lance Cpl. Adam Morrison, 20, of Tacoma, who was in the house when Peralta was first wounded.

Moments later, an insurgent rolled a fragmentation grenade into the area where a wounded Peralta and the other Marines were seeking cover.

As Morrison and another Marine scrambled to escape the blast, pounding against a locked door, Peralta grabbed the grenade and cradled it into his body, Morrison said. While one Marine was badly wounded by shrapnel from the blast, the Marines said they believe more lives would have been lost if not for Peralta's selfless act.

"He saved half my fire team," said Cpl. Brannon Dyer, 27, of Blairsville, Ga

Go read the full story. Follow the link at the top of the post.

This is the type of story that you read about in military history books, and it is the sort of thing that movies are made of.

This Marine deserves the Medal of Honor. It is small consolation for the loss of his life, but it is the least our government can do for this brave man.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 07:02 AM | Comments (3)

November 21, 2004

Of Unsung Heroes And Split-Second Decisions...

...Of Mo Duc and Fallujah. Of Soldiers and Marines and Killing or Dying. Of Kevin
Sites and a Camera. Of Doing The Right Thing. Click here.

This link takes you to Small Town Veteran home of Bill Faith. He's a Vet, Father, Grandfather, friend and damn good blogger. This post is inspired by the recent events in Fallujah and well worth the read!

So follow the link and get over there. While you are there, give Bill a salute and tell him SlagleRock sent ya!

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 11:48 AM | Comments (2)

Vietnamese Refugee And US Soldier Killed In Iraq

From the title I am sure most have assumed I am talking about two people. In fact I am talking about only one.

Army Sgt. Quoc Binh "Bo" Tran was killed in Iraq. According to AP News:

WESTMINSTER, Calif. (AP) - A Vietnamese refugee who fled through the jungles of Southeast Asia but died in the deserts of Iraq was buried Saturday with military honors. Army Sgt. Quoc Binh "Bo" Tran, 26, of Mission Viejo, was killed outside Baghdad on Nov. 7 when a car he was riding in was struck by a homemade bomb.

"To Bo ... you have fought the good fight," his father, Van Tran, said during services at the Vietnamese Alliance Church in Midway City, a suburb in Orange County's Little Saigon area.

"We know you had a life full of danger, but you never called back to complain," he said. "You have honored the Vietnamese in this country."

Van Tran was a former second lieutenant in the South Vietnamese army who was captured and placed in a "re-education camp" after the fall of Saigon in 1975.

Van Tran said that in 1986 as a young boy, his son carried one sister on his shoulders and led the other by the hand as the family fled through the jungle in Vietnam.

The family went through Cambodia and Thailand and eventually reached the Philippines. They came to the United States in 1989.

After active Army service, Bo Tran joined the California Army National Guard about three years ago. A mechanic, he was deployed with the 81st Brigade Combat team based in Camp Murray, Wash.

Tran tried to reassure his family about his deployment. He told his mother, Thu Truong Tran, that he was completely safe during a telephone call five days before he died.

More than 400 people, including about three dozen members of the military, attended Tran's funeral, which was held in English and Vietnamese. He was buried at Riverside National Cemetery.

Just one more reason why our military is so powerful and effective. We have people who serve this nation out of pride, others that feel obligated, and troops like this who are immigrants and served with distinction!

RIP Sgt Tran

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 08:24 AM | Comments (2)

November 19, 2004

Damned if they do, Dead if they don't...

In their latest campaign to eradicate Jihadi vermin on the Iraqi warfront with Jihadistan, U.S. Marines and Army infantry have, in the last two weeks, purged Fallujah of more than 5,000 terrorist insurgents who were dug in throughout the city. The combat has been fierce.

A week into the Fallujah operation, an NBC photographer embedded with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, recorded video of a young combat-hardened Marine entering a room in a mosque where he found several insurgents on the floor under covers. Unable to determine if these enemy combatants were injured, dead or preparing to ambush his unit, the Marine raised his rifle in preparation to defend himself and his fellow Marines. When he detected movement from one of the combatants, the Marine yelled, "He's fucking faking he's dead! He's faking he's fucking dead!" and killed the Jihadi -- and that is where this story should have ended.

As it turned out, however, the Jihadi had been wounded the day before and the NBC photographer, Kevin Sites (whose photographs are featured on many anti-war Website), stepped up to get his 15 seconds of fame. Sites turned the video over to his network, telling them that he did not think the Jihadi was a threat, and within 24 hours, Lefty lynch mobs were forming to hang themselves a Marine.

Notably, the loudest protests of "war crimes" were from those who have never been closer to combat than the distance between their living-room lounge chairs and TVs. (Of course, it is a war crime to store weapons in a mosque as was documented, but the Lefties are not protesting that.) Indeed, the Leftmedia's mindless promotion of this video (as with the Abu Ghraib feeding frenzy) was tantamount to shaking a hornet's nest -- making the task of our fighting forces in Fallujah and elsewhere in the region all the more difficult. Actions have consequences, and the exploitation of this video empowered Jihadis in the region -- in effect, making life very difficult for our Armed Forces.

But what you're not hearing from NBC's Tom Brokaw or any other Leftmedia talkingheads in their wholesale condemnation of this incident is that Jihadis (knowing that U.S. military personnel have the decency to tend to wounded enemy combatants) have routinely booby-trapped the bodies of dead insurgents. In fact, one member of the Marine squad now being scrutinized was killed (and five others wounded) when attempting to check on a wounded Jihadi only days earlier. In addition, the Marine now being questioned for killing this wounded Jihadi suffered a wound to his face a day earlier when an injured Jihadi fired on him.

These facts notwithstanding, the Left and their media minions have now made this young Marine their poster boy for U.S. atrocities. Here, we would remind these hypocrites that a few short weeks ago, they were doing all in their power to support John F. Kerry's campaign for the most powerful office in the world. This would be the same JFK who received a Silver Star (with and erroneous "V") for chasing a wounded Vietcong combatant (described as a young boy in a loin cloth) around a hutch and shooting him in the back.

While we have strenuously questioned the merits of John Kerry's Silver Star for this action, we have never questioned his decision to kill this VC enemy, whom he judged to be a threat to his boat crew. By the Kerry standard, the young Marine in question should get a Silver Star. (Of course, enlisted personnel really have to do something spectacular to pin one of those on.)

Now that the Left is once again decrying military actions to liberate Iraq, please take a moment and join more than 115,000 grateful Americans who have already signed An Open Letter in Support of America's Armed Forces in support of our Patriots in uniform. These American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen have plowed the ground for liberty while protecting their countrymen back home. We remain the proud and the free because they have stood bravely in harm's way and remain on post today.

For this, we, the American People, offer our heartfelt thanks. Please support our troops -- let your voice be heard! Join fellow Patriots on the front lines in defense of our liberty and national sovereignty. Link to --

Memo to the Pentagon: Leave the reporters embedded, but have them check their cameras in the rear. Otherwise, the resulting Leftist hype will continue to jeopardize our mission -- and jeopardize the lives of American military personnel.

Quote of the week...

"Some 40 Marines have just lost their lives cleaning out one of the world's worst terror dens, in Fallujah, yet all the world wants to talk about is the NBC videotape of a Marine shooting a prostrate Iraqi inside a mosque. ... The al-Zarqawi TV network, also known as Al-Jazeera, has broadcast the tape to the Arab world, and U.S. media have also played it up. The point seems to be to conjure up images again of Abu Ghraib, further maligning the American purpose in Iraq. Never mind that the pictures don't come close to telling us about the context of the incident, much less what was on the mind of the soldier after days of combat. Put yourself in that Marine's boots. He and his mates have had to endure some of the toughest infantry duty imaginable, house-to-house urban fighting against an enemy that neither wears a uniform nor obeys any normal rules of war. ... When not disemboweling Iraqi women, these killers hide in mosques and hospitals, booby-trap dead bodies, and open fire as they pretend to surrender. Their snipers kill U.S. soldiers out of nowhere. According to one account, the Marine in the videotape had seen a member of his unit killed by another insurgent pretending to be dead. Who from the safety of his Manhattan sofa has standing to judge what that Marine did in that mosque?" --The Wall Street Journal

This is just one of many very good perspectives found on the Federalist Patriot.

This absolutely hits the nail on the head. Support this Marine, sign the petition.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 04:11 PM | Comments (2)

November 18, 2004

Show Your Support (Marine Kills Insurgent In Combat)

By now everyone has either seen short clips from the "horrible" video in which a US Marine is seen shooting an Iraqi that is "pretending to be asleep" inside a mosque.

This has popped up in different formats from around the world. Newspapers, Blogs, TV News etc.

This Mosque Shooting as it is being called by many is raising quite a stir.

BAGHDAD, Iraq - As U.S. and Iraqi officials expressed concerns and regrets about the fatal shooting by a U.S. Marine of a wounded and apparently unarmed man in a Fallujah mosque, the U.S. military said Wednesday it is investigating whether other wounded Iraqis in the mosque were similarly killed.

I won't rewrite the story as it can be seen in full detail here on the Muslim Suport Network a.k.a. MSN. You can even see part of the video in question here.

Matt at Blackfive has offered 3 updates on the story, here, here and here.

Mamamontezz also offers her view and opinion on this incident.

Indigo offers a host of links to other sites/blogs that refer to this incident.

Now is your time to help. Don't be afraid to put your name to your beliefs. Show your support for this man by signing the online petition at Patriot Petitions.com

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 09:47 PM | Comments (9)

November 11, 2004

Another View Of Veterans Day

The Mad Ogre posted his view of Veterans Day last year and decided it was worth running again. I agree Ogre:

Just a word to you cake eating civilians out there… You don’t say Happy Veterans Day. You don’t say Merry Vets Day. But just because you don’t have a meaningless Seasons Greetings for it doesn’t mean you don’t say anything. This isn’t some fat bunny in a sled passing around Jack O’Lanterns because it’s Santa’s birthday… This isn’t about some old fable-become-tradition. Veterans Day is a day for those that are still alive, and for those who are dead… those who died for your freedom to flip soldiers the bird and to call them baby killers and spit on them in the airport. Veterans Day is for the guys that died fighting for your personal independent liberty… It’s for that Veteran that walks with just a slight limp and seems otherwise fine, but he doesn’t have a spleen because an enemy of our country blew it out his back with an AK-47 so you can get 15% Off that new leather fat-ass reclining couch that your going to sit on to mock the President from while watching your 42 inch plasma TV flipping through the channels trying to find some Friends rerun. Veterans Day is for the guy that came home while all his friends didn’t. Veterans day is for the woman who gave up the best years of her young adulthood so she could press her hands over the sucking chest wound of some guy from her own home town 6 thousand miles away from home. Veterans day is for that old woman over there that raised 2 kids alone because when she was young she sent her handsome young husband off to fight for your freedom and came back as a flag folded into a triangle. That’s what Veterans day is for… and what do you say to those people who served? You just say “Thank You”.

Too extreme? Nah, just the slap in the face that some Americans need from time to time. Well said, Ogre, well said.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 05:09 PM | Comments (3)

November 10, 2004

Fat Anti-American Michael Moore Does Not Speak For This Marine Corps Mom

Mama pointed me to this gem of a story at the Tennessean.com

Eva Savage of Livingston, Tenn., has a message for filmmaker Michael Moore: You don't speak for me.

Savage has been more than capable of speaking for herself since her son, Jeremiah, a Marine corporal, was killed last May in Iraq. And tomorrow, she speaks at the Veterans' Day ceremony at the courthouse in Livingston, along with the mother of fallen Marine Cpl. Brad McCormick.

Webster's Dictionary should put Eva Savage's picture next to the word ''hero'' for a more pertinent definition beyond sports and Hollywood celebrities. Last month, I watched her pack holiday boxes for Tennessee Marines in Iraq, knowing no box would be for her son. I read her e-mail of congratulations to local Marine mothers on the return last month of their sons.

So, when Eva sent me a note she wrote in protest after Michael Moore posted a picture of President Bush — composed of the images of our fallen including her son from Iraq — I promised to publish her words. Heroes deserve as much. And people like Moore should be challenged.

''I will not allow the Michael Moores of this world to take my son's death and turn it and twist it to suit their own greedy and malicious purposes,'' she told me.

Eva is right. For Moore to represent himself as speaking for America's war dead in Iraq is like him claiming to be a spokesman for Weight Watchers. And consider the outrage and insult of a stranger using your son's image for their punitive politics. This is not the first time Moore has stooped so low. He used footage of the funeral of U.S. Air Force Maj. Gregory Stone for Fahrenheit 9/11. Maj. Stone's family told The Washington Times:

''We are furious that Greg was in that casket and cannot defend himself,'' Kandi Gallagher, Maj. Stone's aunt, said. ''And my sister, Greg's mother … called him (Moore) a 'maggot that eats off the dead.'''

Gold Star families are capable of speaking for themselves (for Bush or against). I know four such families personally. And Eva Savage's response to Moore is most appropriate for Veterans Day: ''I am the mother of a United States Marine. Jeremiah was killed in action in Ramadi, Iraq on May 12, 2004.

''People like Moore would have you believe that we hold President Bush responsible for my son's death. Michael Moore has not spoken to me — ever. So he cannot profess to know how I feel. He is a coward who thrives on the lives of others by twisting the truth and rewriting it to suit his own agenda.

''Lance Cpl. Jeremiah Edward Savage was a United States Marine. He was not drafted. He chose to join. It takes a special person, someone with a sense of honor, duty, commitment and courage to be a member of the Armed Forces. My son believed in his mission, in his duty to protect the way of life all Americans enjoy.

''A few Americans take that for granted and would have you believe that our military heroes have died in vain. My son did not die in vain. The only way that would be true is if you believe people like Michael Moore. My son died for Moore's right to use the First Amendment. But if Moore had said those same things about Saddam Hussein as an Iraqi, he would no longer be living.

''Michael Moore wants us to believe that the picture of President Bush's face — a mosaic of the lost lives of our soldiers in Operation Iraq Freedom — is a statement that President Bush is responsible for lives lost in vain. Let me tell you what I see: I see heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice so we can continue to be free. I see faces that make up the face of our commander in chief who is not afraid to stand his ground, not afraid to say 'enough is enough' and will not back down to the terrorist, not afraid to cry with a mother, a wife when he meets with them, not afraid to admit he prays to the living God. I see honor, duty, commitment and courage. I see Semper Fidelis (Always faithful).

''I will continue to speak out against closed-minded co-wards like Michael Moore. I used to be afraid to say what I thought for the way someone would think of me. Not any more. You do not walk in my shoes, Mr. Moore. You do not know what I feel or think. Until you have stood where I stand, do not put words in my mouth.

''I have a voice, and it is about damn time I stop being silent. My son died giving me the right to speak, and speak loud. I will not allow his name or even his picture be disgraced.''

Tomorrow, because of Jeremiah and for Jeremiah, Eva Savage speaks. This Gold Star mother — not some Hollywood filmmaker — will have the last word about what her son died for.

Tim Chavez is a columnist in The Tennessean.

One of those that deserves to be posted as is!

Enough said!

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 06:03 PM | Comments (2)

Happy Birthday USMC!

The Marine Corps celebrates its 229th birthday today. And with that in mind, Mamamontezz sent me a link to this story from the New York Post:

FORTUNATE SON

By WILLIAM McGURN

November 10, 2004 -- FORGIVE Mindy Evnin if she's not up for cake and candles today. Even if she knows how important this birthday was for her son.
On this day in a Philadelphia tavern, the Continental Congress gave birth to the Marine Corps almost a full year before the Declaration of Independence. More than two centuries later in Fallujah, America still looks to the Marines to do the job no one else can.

And no one knows better than Mindy Evnin the price: On a dusty Iraqi roadside in April 2003, her son, Cpl. Mark Evnin, gave his life wearing that same uniform.

But you hear only admiration for the corps from Mindy.

Until the Marine recruiter came to her home the day after Thanksgiving during Mark's senior year at South Burlington (Vt.) High, his mother didn't know what her son would do with his life. And once he did know, it was sometimes hard to explain to her social circles: "At a book club where the other mothers were all talking about which college their children were going off to," says Mindy Evnin, "I shared that Mark wanted to go to sniper school."

Mark's recruiter had given Mindy a Marine bumper sticker — which, he noted, she had no right to affix to her car until Mark had made it through boot camp. As she confesses over lunch in Manhattan, "I told Mark I wasn't sure then I could ever put it on my car."

Gradually, however, as she watched the changes in her son and his pride in his achievements, she realized that the little boy who wore fatigues to Hebrew school was finally where he was meant to be: with his fellow Marines.

In Iraq last April, a San Francisco Chronicle correspondent embedded with Mark's unit let him use his satellite phone to call home. Two days later, Cpl. Mark Evnin was killed in action while returning fire in an Iraqi ambush.

Click Continue Reading for the rest of this amazing story.

The United States Marine Corps is a relatively small elite group of true patriots. The brave men and women of the USMC have been kicking ass and taking names for Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty for more than two centuries.

Happy Birthday USMC!

SlagleRock Out!

And that's when Mindy really learned about the Marines. When Mark's buddies came back from Iraq, they wrote her as they might their own moms, and Mindy flew out to the base at 29 Palms, Calif., to spend some time with them. The young Marine recruiter who was in Burlington when Mark was killed recently invited Mindy to his wedding — and insisted on seating her in the row reserved for his family.

The sergeant-major whom Cpl. Evnin was driving when he was killed invited Mindy to his wedding. And on the first anniversary of Mark's death earlier this year, Marines sent her a bouquet of crimson-and-gold. (Actually, they had them delivered the day before, so she wouldn't be disturbed that painful day.)

Mindy's done her own work. She tells me she was particularly taken with a book by novelist Frank Schaeffer, "Faith of Our Sons: A Father's Wartime Diary," written after his son joined a Marine Corps that was initially as alien to him as the Navajo.

"I was able to relate to him," she says, "because he describes himself as a Volvo-driving eastern-establishment parent who did not know anyone in the military before his son enlisted, and whose friends wondered what was wrong with his son's private-school education that allowed this to happen."

Like Frank Schaeffer, Mindy was well aware of the Marine reputation for ferocity in battle. Nothing either has learned since changes that. But they have also learned what few outside the corps seem to appreciate: That Marines' heroics have mostly to do with the courage and pluck shown in looking out for one's fellow Marine.

So, the next time you hear of a hopelessly polarized America, remember Cpl. MarK Evnin, USMC, and the life he freely gave for something larger than himself.

And on this special birthday, with Marines fighting for Fallujah, remember too the Jewish mother in Vermont, a self-described product of the '60s, whose car now sports a bumper sticker that not so long ago would have been inconceivable: Proud Parent of a U.S. Marine.

Posted by SlagleRock at 05:55 PM | Comments (1)

November 02, 2004

Chief Master Sergeant Of The Air Force Gets New Stripes And Further Distinction

New CMSAF insignia debuts Nov. 1

WASHINGTON -- Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray explains the significance of his new stripes during an interview in his Pentagon office Oct. 21. His new insignia becomes official Nov. 1. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jim Varhegyi)

by Tech. Sgt. David A. Jablonski
Air Force Print News

10/29/2004 - WASHINGTON -- A new chief master sergeant of the Air Force insignia debuts Nov. 1, and stands out as a highly distinguished symbol representative of all Airmen, officials said.

The new insignia contains the Great Seal of the United States of America and two stars in the upper blue field. The chevrons and the laurel wreath surrounding the star in the lower blue field remain unchanged to retain the legacy of the stripe worn by all 14 chief master sergeants of the Air Force.

The decision for the re-design came from a number of factors, officials said. Air Force enlisted insignias have evolved over the years, while maintaining the historical roots of the Airman star and chevrons. Today, each grade has a definable rank. Some positions such as command chiefs and first sergeants have additional distinguishing features.

Senior Air Force leaders, former chief master sergeants of the Air Force and Airmen throughout the service encouraged a re-design of the CMSAF insignia. In 2002, the process began to select a stripe that would be an even stronger representation of our enlisted force.

“A lot of people, including my predecessors, have said that the current stripe, although it is a distinctive stripe, may not be easily recognized,” said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray. “Many young Airmen thought the stripe should have more or be more. They tell me, ‘It’s hard to tell the difference between you and other chiefs.’”

That distinction is important, Chief Murray said, because the chief master sergeant of the Air Force is the senior representative of more than 300,000 enlisted Airmen.

“One of the foundations of the enlisted corps is that every Airman should have the same equal opportunity to promote through the ranks and to achieve (his or her) goals,” Chief Murray said.

“One of our Airmen serving today will be the 15th CMSAF and then the 16th and so on,” the chief said. “This honorable position provides not only something for Airmen to look up to, but provides a goal and motivation for their service. When they see our nation’s emblem in the new stripe, it will help them to realize this position, and the person who holds it, has the ultimate responsibility of leading and representing all of our Airmen -- America’s Airmen. This new stripe clearly identifies who represents them to the chief of staff, the secretary, Congress and the American people.”

A new insignia is not a new idea, nor is it something Chief Murray said he devised alone.

“In 2003, a formal statement was made in a meeting between the Air Force chief of staff and former chief master sergeants of the Air Force that we should change the insignia,” Chief Murray said.

“The first CMSAF, Paul Airey, truly embraced this and has been a leading proponent for change,” Chief Murray said. “It is something that has been supported by those before me and is something I believe is more for our Airmen to identify with, in what we stand for, in support of our nation.”

“It was definitely time to update the stripe,” retired Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Eric W. Benken said.

Chief Benken is also a strong supporter for the latest change. During his tenure, he created the command chief master sergeant position out of the former major command senior enlisted advisers and gave them a star in the top field of their insignia. Many people said that insignia began to overshadow the CMSAF insignia.

“The old one served us well, but the change is necessary, and it’s for the better. The new stripe also aligns us more with the other services’ senior enlisted leaders and that is a clear benefit as we go down the joint service path,” Chief Benken said.

Inspiration for the re-design came from the CMSAF’s official emblem, which contains the seal that has been the official national symbol since 1787.

Insignia of the top enlisted leaders from the other services provided additional inspiration. The insignia of the sergeant major of the Army also contains the seal. The insignia of the master chief petty officers of the Navy and of the Coast Guard contain an eagle with three stars above it. The sergeant major of the Marine Corps’ insignia uses its service emblem and two stars. All stand out from the ranks of their peers and subordinates.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper said he liked the new stripe so much he wanted Chief Murray to put it on as soon as possible.

“This is the right time, and the right level of attention has been brought to it,” Chief Murray said. “Even though (he) had already made his decision, (General Jumper) introduced it first to all of our senior officers at Corona. They warmly embraced it and, in fact, they said 'sew it on immediately.'”

”As we continue to evolve as an Air Force, we must always preserve the honor of those who served before us,” Chief Murray said. “It will be a privilege to be the first of many to wear this stripe that maintains our heritage, yet provides an element of distinction to the highest enlisted position.”

Just thought I'd share. The Chief deserves the recognition and distinction without a doubt!

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 06:42 AM | Comments (4)

October 31, 2004

BlackFive's Call For Help (You Can Help)

All right everybody lets help one of America's heroes!

Matt at Blackfive posted this and has more information on this brave man and how you can help him and his family!

Sergeant Joseph Bozik, an Airborne Soldier with the 118th MP Company (Airborne) from Ft. Bragg, was recently wounded. He has lost both legs and an arm from a landmine, is not not conscious and has many medical complications. On Monday, Sergeant Bozik will be flown into Walter Reed from Landstuhl (Germany).

Unfortunately, the family doesn't have enough money to maintain themselves in a hotel (let alone buy food) for an extended period. The Army paid for airfare for 2 family members and Soldiers' Angels paid for airfare for 2 two more. The Angels can cover hotel expenses for only three days. Fisher House is full so they have to stay at a hotel.

We need your help. You can donate directly to a fund set up to assist the family with caring for Joe. You can send donations to the address or call the phone number below.

SGT Bozik Fund
c/o Centura Bank
ATTN Aiko Raynor
14615 US HWY 17 PO BOX 74
HAMPSTEAD NC 28443

910 772 8930

You can donate through Blackfive or you can follow this Link to Soldiers Angels and Donate there!

Even if it is only a few dollars it will add up!

Do what you can, that's an order!

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 04:30 PM | Comments (1)

Amid Rhetoric, Let Our Soldiers' Voices Be Heard

I got this link from Mamamontezz. I decided to run it as is. This is an article written by Bob Hill of the Lousville, Kentucky Courier-Journal

The voices least heard from in our war in Iraq are those of the men and women fighting it. Their voices are lost in the midst of the angry, bitter and increasingly irresponsible rhetoric of the 2004 election over the need to be in Iraq — and our level of support for the troops, moral and physical.

We are a country trying to export a democracy we have repeatedly sullied in recent months with everything from the petty, childish destruction of political yard signs to hearing our highest elected officials hurl lies and distortions at each other.

Now come the sexual innuendoes, gutter politics, the vile voices of the political bottom-feeders. Aren't we a better nation than that?

Both parties have spent hundreds of millions of dollars manipulating sound-bite messages aimed at voters who do not want to hear the more complicated truth. We talk about a great and liberating upcoming election in Iraq, and we can't even count our votes in Florida.

Some democracy. Do you ever wonder if the soldiers just back from Iraq don't look around and ask: "Is this what we are fighting for?"

Yet the polls taken among the military in Iraq and Afghanistan show the overwhelming majority of them support the war, and President Bush — although there is a growing number of dissenters.

The support is understandable, and laudable. The military exists through the chain of command, and the politics get less complicated when someone is shooting at you and your only hope of survival is to shoot back. Your immediate loyalty is to the people with you in the trench; there may be time to discuss the larger political ramifications later.

Beyond that, they believe in what they are doing; they enlisted for those very reasons. We can support that while arguing over their cause.

One soldier in Iraq

One of those soldiers is David Hill, 28, a St. Xavier graduate who earned a degree in political science at the University of North Texas. He then enlisted in the service, earned his wings in airborne at Fort Benning, is now driving an armored vehicle with the 25th Infantry Division, Stryker Brigade in northern Iraq. He married his girlfriend of four years one month before he went over; he won't get home until next October.

"David's always talked about the military," said his mother, Ellen Eirk. "He played soldier as a little boy. ... Now he's already been shot at and you name it."

About six weeks ago, she saw a television segment about a program called Cell Phones for Soldiers — see cellphonesforsoldiers.com. It was started in Massachusetts by two children, who, after hearing a news report about a local soldier running up a $7,600 phone bill, started a campaign to raise money for calling cards.

It's now a national not-for-profit program in which people donate old cell phones at local drop boxes, or donate cash. The phones are reconditioned and resold. The income is used to buy calling cards for soldiers in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan.

"David's been able to afford to call us," said his mother. "Not everybody in the military is that fortunate."

Ellen Eirk's cell phone drop box is located at Bob Hook Chevrolet, 4144 Bardstown Road, where her husband works. She's already collected 50 old phones; more than $150,000 has been raised for phone cards nationwide.

She's heard from her son by phone three times — "He was in the middle of a lot of bad things" — but the cell phone program did not pay for his calls; there are other voices to be heard.

"I'll do anything I can to support the troops," Eirk said. "I never appreciated what military families are going through. ... Now I'm living it."

Bob Hill's column runs Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. You can reach him at (502) 582-4646 or e-mail him at bhill@courier-journal.com. You can also read his columns at www.courier-journal.com.

That is the truth. Everyday we hear people on the news tell us what is wrong with this war, or even what is going on in this war, but the one group (the most reliable source for information on the war on terror) that never gets heard are the soldiers, sailors, Airmen and Marines that are on the ground in harms way.

It's pretty simple people it's not about whether you support the war or not, or whether you support the President or not, it is about supporting the troops. Remember these brave souls are your sisters, brothers, Mothers, Fathers and friends. Contrary to common leftist beliefs the military is not a bunch of criminals or drop outs. We are the best equiped, best trained, best educated military the world has ever known. There is much value to be held in the information provided by those on the ground.

SUPPORT THE TROOPS!!

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 11:02 AM | Comments (1)

Fired Reservist Prompts Federal Action

Take a look at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and you will see that finally the Fed is standing up for the little guy.

In the first suit of its kind in Western Pennsylvania, the U.S. attorney in Pittsburgh has sued a Mercer County paper company on behalf of a major in the Army National Guard who says he was fired from his job as plant manager because of his military obligations.

U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan said in the suit, brought by the Justice Department, that McLaughlin was fired from Newark Paperboard Products in Greenville on Aug. 27, 2001, the day he returned from two weeks of Guard duty.

Buchanan and one of her assistants said McLaughlin's status as a Guard member was a "motivating factor" in Newark's decision to fire him in violation of the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act of 1994. That law is designed to keep companies from punishing or otherwise discriminating against someone for serving in the military.

If you'll recall I wrote a piece on a similar situation regarding the Pep Boys Auto Parts chain.

Take note Pep Boys, and all employers whose greed overshadows doing not only what is write, but what is required by law, the Federal Government is starting to crack down!

These brave men and woman who serve in our Guard and Reserve units do this in addition to their daily lives, and though not full time military they are put in harms way like the rest of us. The least this nation and its corporations can do for Guard and Reservists is ensure they still have their jobs to come home to.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 11:01 AM | Comments (2)

October 30, 2004

From The War Front

Below is a letter from BGen Hunt in Afghanistan, it offers an inside look at the progress the Afghan people are making. It is also a reliable letter. It came through my government email which is generally considered for official use only. Luckily this time it also came with the OK to release it to the public:

All,

Sorry it has taken so long for me to update you on the situation in Afghanistan. As you can imagine, it has been busy over here! It hasn't slowed down a lot, but we are certainly proud of the accomplishments of the past week or so over here--it has been exciting, to say the least.

The successful elections are certainly the big news. Well, at least the big news for a day or two. Don't worry too much about the alleged "fraud;" while the ink mistake was unfortunate, it was not widespread and probably won't affect the election results at all, from what I hear in the press over here. It's good that the ink and several other charges are being investigated, but even the U.N. says that the election was well done, and I can tell you they'd be one of the first to speak up if there were problems!.

The real story is the desire of the Afghan people to vote. The weather here for election was the worst I've seen since I got here in May--snow in the mountains, rain, a sandstorm in the south, and low clouds. It hardly stopped these people. We worry about rain affecting voter turnout in the States, even though we drive cars to vote--these people didn't let the weather bother them, and most walked to the polling centers!

I heard stories of lines over a mile long, with people waiting patiently to vote. I also heard of people standing in those lines on crutches, with legs amputated because of landmines, and families who pulled their grandparents to vote in oxcarts, because they were too old to walk. I also heard of people standing in lines at 3:00 in the morning, in the snow, so that they could vote. (The polls opened at 7:00AM). There are also a few stories of people angry because the polls closed early, or mad that they couldn't vote a proxy vote for members of their village that couldn't walk to the polling place, but those were actually rare.

The Afghan Army and Police did a great job. We've trained them well, and these patriots took their lives into their hands to guard polling centers, villages, and cities to ensure little or no violence. Sure, we helped them prepare, but they found explosives, suspicious vehicles, rockets, and people who wanted to disrupt things all on their own. No running from a fight for these folks!

Finally, I leave you with a personal experience. We have a group of Afghan men who clean the building where I work. They're here every day and I see them in the hallway seven days a week. They like to practice their English, or at least the English phrases they're learning in books or class: "Good morning, How are you? I am fine, thank you..." You get the idea. They didn't work on election day, because they were voting, and the roads were pretty congested. I asked them the first morning they were back to work if they had voted. They all got smiles a mile wide, had to show me their thumbs with ink on them, and each of them wanted to shake my hand and I got to congratulate each of them on their new country! Now, if that doesn't bring a tear to your eye, then you have ice water in your veins!

As good as this is, we're not done yet. There are still some out there that would like to cut off thumbs, rather than stain them with ink. But that group is up against a dedicated, capable Coalition that will not accept failure. They may have come over here "just doing their job;" but that changes with most as soon as they meet these great people--most in the Coalition are fighting not only for their own countries, but also they fighting for the great people of Afghanistan.

We will continue the fight here. As I've written before, you can be very proud of this young generation--whether soldiers, sailors, Airmen, Marines, or civilians, they are impressive! Someday they'll take over the leadership of America, and from what I see over here, we'll be in great shape!!

Everybody take care--be proud of what's happening here! I just wish you could have seen the pride in the eyes of those Afghans in the hallway; then you'd understand what we've done here!

Cheers

Jim "Beak" Hunt, Brigadier General USAF
Afghanistan

Any "from the heart" first hand account of what is going on in the war on terror and the reshaping of the Middle East is far more valuable than anything you will ever hear on the news.

SlagleRock Out!

Support the Slaughterhouse

Posted by SlagleRock at 11:41 AM | Comments (1)

What Really Are The Finer Things In Life???

Here is a soldier stationed in Iraq, stationed in a big sand box. He asked his wife to send him dirt, fertilizer and some grass seeds so he can have the sweet aroma and feel the grass grow beneath his feet.

If you notice, he is even cutting the grass with a pair of a scissors. Sometimes we are in such a hurry that we don't stop and think about the little things that we take for granted.

Everyday we take for granted our cell phones, our Starbucks, our central heat and air conditioning, our luxury cars.

Stop and look at this man in this place and see the simple side of life.

This is the kind of person who fights for your right to be free, your right to vote.

SlagleRock Out!






Oh and thanks for the email Bill

EADYBBOS

Support The Slaughterhouse

Posted by SlagleRock at 10:19 AM | Comments (3)

October 29, 2004

Stockings For The Troops

The wonderful people over at Keystone Military are looking for a little help supporting the troops.

Whether it is a donation or some other kind of assistance anything you can do to help support the troops is always appreciated.

If you do nothing else today, swing by Keystone Military and see if you can help.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 11:05 PM | Comments (1)

October 27, 2004

Fallen Marine, Daniel Wyatt, LCpl, Fox Co, 2nd Bn, 24th Marines, USMC

Jack at the Conservative Insurgent provided this link that pointed to this letter from Lt Col Mark Smith USMC.

Letter about Fallen Marine

October 25, 2004

It is with the deepest sadness and most profound grief that I must report to you the loss of Daniel Wyatt, LCpl, Fox Co, 2nd Bn, 24th Marines, USMC. Daniel was killed in the line of duty, while conducting foot patrolling operations in Yusufiyah Iraq. Daniel was killed by a command detonated improvised explosive device. He died instantly, suffered no pain and was immediately recovered by his fellow Marines.

My command security element and I personally recovered Daniel's body and escorted him back to the forward operating base, and then onto the helicopter for the beginning of his final ride home. I cannot even begin to express to you the soul touching sight of combat hardened Marines, encrusted with weeks of sweat and dust, who have daily been engaged in combat, coming to complete and utter solemnity and respect in the handling of the body of one of their own. It puts on display a level of brotherly love you just cannot see anywhere else.

We conducted a memorial service for Daniel in the battle space owned by his fellow Marines, as well as one the following day at the battalion forward operating base. I have spoken with his fiance and expressed the sorrow and sympathy of the entire Battalion.

If I might for a moment, I hear and see some of the media coverage. I hear the accusations and charges. I hear what could almost be labeled as hysteria over the situation in Iraq. Let me tell you something from ground level. The town of Yusufiyah that Daniel and his fellow Marines seized, had not seen government structure or security forces for over 8 months. FOREIGN FIGHTERS, TERRORIST AND THUGS have had free reign and have routinely murdered people in the market for no reason other than one day they MIGHT support a democratic process and speak for themselves. For nothing more than they MIGHT choose a version of religion even slightly different than the terrorists and foreign fighters. They live in squalor and fear. The Marines of Daniel's unit have not had a shower since seizing the town. They have eaten MREs day in and day out. They live a Spartan existence that few can imagine. And, on all my trips to their position for planning, coordination and command visits, I ask them if they want to be relieved. To a man, they look me in the eye and tell me NO WAY. Why? Well, I am not going to soften it for anyone, the primary reason why is to kill terrorists. Please remember, that is what they are trained and paid to do. But, they also tell me, they want to help the people of Yusufiyah. They want to show all of Iraq that they can stand on their own feet, push back against extremism, and with our help live the life of freedom that all men yearn for. Yes, from the mouths of these young and hardened warriors, this is what they tell me. And then...and then...they ask me how I am doing! Un-freaking believable! They worry about everyone else but themselves.

So believe what you want. That is your right as Americans. But I am telling you, there are no heroes on any football fields, basketball courts or halls of government. There are honorable and decent people all over America. However, the heroes are on the battlefields of Iraq. Suffering, killing and DYING that others might live, and live in FREEDOM. Americans free from terror, Iraqis free from oppression and tyranny.

I am an under-educated gun toter from Indiana who is just lucky there is an organization like the USMC where a half-wit like myself with some rudimentary combat skills can succeed. But I do know heroes! I am surrounded by over a thousand of them. And I am not the least bit ashamed to tell you I have wept like a baby for Daniel Wyatt. Because when one of these heroes falls, it is if an Angel of God himself has fallen from heaven! I will not profess glory of battle or any other such hype. I will profess duty and sacrifice. Daniel showed us all true duty and ultimate sacrifice. I have no doubt that the instant he died, he was whisked to heaven on the wings of Angels and placed before the unapproachable light of Jesus, who himself said: "greater love hath no man, than a man lay down his life for his friends."

GOD BLESS AND KEEP DANIEL WYATT, HIS FAMILY AND FIANCEE AND GOD BLESS AND KEEP ALL THE FAMILIES OF 2/24.

Yours in profound sadness Mark A. Smith, LtCol

Another hero fallen. We bow our heads at the Slaughterhouse.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 05:43 PM | Comments (1)

September 09, 2004

US Military Death Toll In Iraq Hits 1,000

Saddly as of this past Tuesday the American Military death toll in Iraq has reached 1,000.

According to Yahoo News the death toll that was at 990 will officially reach 1,000 after the families of the fallen are notified.

US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld earlier that the 1,000 death toll would soon be passed. But he insisted that Iraq was better off than before the US-led invasion in March 2003.

"Soon the American forces are likely to suffer the 1,000th casualty at the hands of terrorists and extremists in Iraq. When combined with US losses in other theaters in the global war on terror, we have lost well more than 1,000 already," he said.

Rumsfeld and General Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said insurgent attacks on US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan were likely to intensify as elections in the two countries approach.

Anytime an American life is lost it is a tragedy. However in this crucial moment before the elections Americans need to keep this number in perspective. The U.S. Military has now lost 1,000 of its finest men and woman. Think back to another unpopular war, Vietnam, and remember that more than 50,000 were lost in that conflict which as far as we were concerned ended unfavorably.

We won the war in Iraq and now we are fighting to help the newborn government sustain order. Any person of reason must realize that lives are lost in war. It hurts to see 1,000 of my brethren pass on but they knew why they were there and I know their families are proud.

**SlagleRock Bows His Head As 1,000 Of His Brothers And Sisters Have Passed On**

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 02:57 PM | Comments (2)

August 20, 2004

Regarding Censorship: Kerry's Latest Insult to Vets

Before I left for work today, the headline and developing story at Drudge was probably one of the most frightening things I've seen in a longtime. As scared as some folks are about the Patriot act, this causes me much more concern. Members of the Democrat National Committee are attempting to have a book banned because the content of this book is detrimental to the election campaign of their candidate, John Kerry.

This isn't some group of overanxious parents trying to protect their children from our history as presented by Mark Twain. This isn't some church group asking the library board to prohibit children from reading Salinger. Nor is it a community asking for internet filters in libraries.

Today a political party is attempting to silence a group of citizens who espouse and present an alternate political opinion and an alternate version of facts as pertain to a seminal series of events surrounding their presidential candidate. Because character assassination against members of this opposing group has failed, they now attempt to silence them by demanding that their book be banned and their 527C status revoked.

This is an extremely dangerous precipice on which we find ourselves poised. What happens during the next several days could be very telling about where we are as a nation.

Will we allow a group of citizens to be silenced because of a dissenting opinion? Will such guardians of Civil Liberties as the ACLU avail themselves of this group of citizens, or will they allow their prejudices and obvious historical political affiliations to override their reason for existence? Will we as a thoughtful, informed and intelligent citizenry demand that such attempts at political censure be seen as what they truly are, as direct attacks on our constitution?

I'm afraid there are more questions than answers at this point. But from what I have seen before, if past experience is any indicator of what to expect, there will be no outrage from those who generally hide behind the petticoats of the first amendment. The press will not speak out, nor will the "main stream" broadcast or cable media. Those who do speak out against this censorship will be labeled as ideologues or reactionaries.

No one will remember the tremendous hue and cry against Mel Gibson personally or against his movie. No one will remember the organized attempts by action groups to stop production of his film, or to have his film banned by theater chains. Every reporter, pundit, editorialist and journalist, however, will point out any slight or criticism of Michael Moore's fantasy, real or imagined, and declare them the equivalent of what is now being directed at these naval veterans.

But we know better, don't we?

I don't normally agree with hijacking anothers words, but more often than not it is hard to say some things better than Mamamontezz.

She asked me to post this on her site for her. I also have posted it here (obviously) If she protests I will gladly remove it from here.

Written by Mamamontezz

Thanks Mama, I needed to fill the void as I am sooooooooooooooooooooo busy!

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 05:13 PM | Comments (5)

August 16, 2004

SPC Flannery's Invitation

Back in April when I was just a baby blogger I got a link from the BlogMama about a female hero. That's right a female. We don't normally here much about women in combat and it was such a good story I had to share it.

In short 26 year old Specialist Theresa Lynn Flannery was involved in a two-hour fire-fight near Najaf, Iraq. Not only did SPC Flannery put the smack down on Iraqi insurgents, but even after she broke her wrist during the fight she managed to save the lives of some of her fellow soldiers.

Pretty impressive for a former Miss Teen Madison County. That's a whole lot of fire for a 5'3" woman.

Now the point of this blog. Like all who are wounded in combat (not those like John Kerry who apparently self inflict) SPC Flannery has earned the Purple Heart.

With this news SPC Flannery has extended this invitation (in spirit of course):

Aug 20th 2004 11:30-12:00 350th hhc Award Recipient Spc Flannery (Purple Heart). Here is the time hope you can make it.

She will be sending more information after the ceremony. I hope to post pictures and the citation.

To read my original posts on SPC Flannery go here and here.

Congratulations SPC Flannery!

Theresa you've earned it!

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 08:56 AM | Comments (4)

August 15, 2004

Near and Dear

Mamamontezz and I are working on a project that is near and dear to us. I am sorry if the blogging is slow, but working on second site takes some time.

Please be patient it will be well worth the wait.

While we are waiting take a look at this:

Guard and Reserve Troops are losing their civilian jobs

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 07:13 PM | Comments (2)

August 09, 2004

Slowing Down

As you all know, I have been pushing the effort to send Letters of Appreciation to the Troops in the Middle East.

We are starting to slow now. We just topped 210 letters and I have only received one since Saturday.

It's not to late, get your letters blogged, trackback to this post, or place your letter in the comment section of this post!

Thanks again to everyone who has participated. I will be doing a best of post once we pass the deadline and I get the letters to the troops on the ground.

Thanks again, and remember, if your letter isn't in yet we still have three days!!!!

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 08:36 AM | Comments (1)

August 07, 2004

Over 200 Letters!!!

Well, thanks to everyone who has helped out so far we topped 200 letters for the troops today. That number includes the letters that have been tracked back to my site by other bloggers, letters submitted via email, letters that I have found in my comments section and letters I have found in the comment sections of other bloggers.

(Did I provide enough links to the post that started it all?)

I know there are more out there. If you know of any great blogs that have written letters to the troops, even in the past if you can put a link to it in the comment section of this post I will be sure it gets printed and included in the bundle of letters that I am sending out next week. Again the deadline is Thursday 12 August. After that I will be printing out all of the letters I can find and sending them to Iraq with a friend.

I am here to tell you (having spent 9 months there myself) that letters from true American patriots really help. Just when you think things have hit the lowest of the low you receive an open letter from someone who truly appreciates what it is that you are doing. These letters can keep you going.

During my last trip to the sandbox we got letters and care packages from people of all walks of life. We received colored pictures from elementary school students and multi-page letters of appreciation from Harvard professors. We got care packages from Veterans and those who wanted but could not serve. It is a great feeling to know that America cares!

Don't let this fizzle; keep the trackbacks, letters and comments coming. We have 5 more days to build the numbers.

Thanks again to everyone who has assisted/participated.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 06:33 PM | Comments (2)

August 04, 2004

Great Appreciation And A Little Luck

The Letters to the Troops Campaign is gaining steam. So far we have accumulated 20 trackbacks from other great blogs. I have been emailed about 25 letters from readers and there are numerous letters in my comment area, not to mention the comment areas of the other great bloggers that have posted on this!

So far I have about 100 total letters. Let's see if we can make it 500!!

Now, for the luck. Our deadline is being extended. We now have until mid next week to get all of the letters together. I will be gathering and printing the letters from the trackbacks, emails and comments next Thursday evening (the 12th). Sometime shortly thereafter they will be hand carried to Iraq.

Keep 'em coming. Keep up with the trackbacks, emails and comments.

Thanks all great bloggers, blog readers and patriots!!

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 07:33 PM | Comments (11)

August 03, 2004

Keep The Letters Coming

Well, this is the first full day of my campaign to generate letters for the troops. I have a close personal friend who will be headed to Iraq in the very near future.

So far the campaign has generated about 25 letters that I am aware of.

I want to say thanks to those bloggers who have helped me get the word out.

The following bloggers have been very helpful by either generating letters of their own or linking to my site:

Denita x3, Mamamontezz, Delftsman, Pudgy Pundit x2, The Dissident Frogman, The Backcountry Conservative, Bill's World and Bonfire x2.

I'd also like to thank those of you who have emailed your thoughts and letters to me. I have received 11 so far from readers who do not have blogs of their own. I have also received a few letters in my comments sections.

Jack, where are you buddy? I am waiting to see yours in my comments.

Dad, you to!

For those of you bloggers and readers out there, help me hit up the big dogs like The Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler and Blackfive. Anytime you comment at a great blog this week throw in a plug for this effort to tell my brothers and sisters at arms just how important they really are. Lets make sure they know that there are more true patriots out there than the fair weather patriots that appear during a crisis or elections.

Keep the trackbacks, the emails, the post and the comments coming. I want to send my friend off with a ton of letters that he can give to the brave men and woman that have been "in the shit" for quite a while.

Thanks again

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 07:13 PM | Comments (22)

August 02, 2004

Letters To The Troops (Help From All Bloggers)

Yesterday I wrote a post inspired by Mamamontezz and SPC Joe Roche. After writing this post I received a couple of trackback pings and some very nice comments from readers and other bloggers.

I was talking to Denita of Who Tends The Fires and was inspired to make this posting a much larger event. 'Nita said that she wished she knew a way to get the letters to the troops.

I have that way. A close personal friend is about to embark on his first deployment to the Middle East. Let’s send him off with some words of inspiration!

Now, I issue a challenge to all bloggers and their readers.

If you haven't already done so, please write a post/letter to the troops. Trackback to either this post or my letter. I will give it a couple of days for the trackbacks to build. Then I will go to each of your sites and print out your letters. I'll use the trackbacks to ensure that I get the letters of all who wish to participate and don't miss any. I will be giving those letters to a Technical Sergeant in the USAF to hand carry to the troops on the front lines.

For the readers of blogs, if you do not have a blog of your own, feel free to place your letter to the troops in my comments section of either this post or my letter post. A warning to trolls, don’t say anything negative about the troops! This is for supporters of the troops only!!

Let’s think/go big on this. I am asking all the great bloggers to help me out with this. While Mama, Denita and a few others have written good letters I'd like to send him off with more than a few.

Let’s show the troops just how much they truly mean to all of us.

SlagleRock Out!

For all interested parties, here are some of the motivators for this post/idea:

Mamamontezz, Blackfive, Who Tends The Fires, Bonfire, TacJammer, Castle Argghhh, and Incite just to name a few. I hope to include their thoughts along with any others willing to contribute!

Posted by SlagleRock at 07:58 AM | Comments (42)

July 19, 2004

Marine Corps Etiquette

Originally Posted at Obnoxious Droppings

Marine Corps Etiquette

The Commandant of the Marine Corps was General Al Gray, a crusty old "Field Marine." He loved his Marines and often slipped into the mess hall wearing a faded old field jacket without any rank insignia on it. He would go through the chow line just like a private. (In this way, assured of being given the same rations that the lowest enlisted man received. And, woe be it to the mess officer if the food was found to be "unfit in quality or quantity.") Upon becoming Commandant, General Gray was expected to do a great deal of"formal entertaining," fancy dinner parties in full dress blue uniform. Now, the general would rather have been in the field eating cold "C-rats" around a fighting hole with a bunch of young "hard charging" Marines. But the General knew his duty, and as a Marine he was determined to do it to the best of his ability. During these formal parties a detachment of highly polished Marines from"Eighth and Eye" (Marine Barracks located at 8th and I Streets in Washington, D.C., home of the Silent Drill Team) were detailed to assume the position of "parade rest" at various intervals around the ballroom where the festivities were being held.

At some point during one of these affairs, a very refined, big-chested, blue-haired lady picked up a tray of pastry and went around the room offering confections to the guests. When she noticed these Marines in dress blues, standing like sculptures all around the room, she was moved with admiration. She knew that several of these men were fresh from our victory in DesertStorm. She made a beeline for the closest Lance Corporal, drew near him and asked, "Would you like pastry young man?"

The young Marine snapped to "attention" and replied, "I don't eat that shit, Ma'am." Just as quickly, he resumed the position of "parade rest." His gaze remained fixed on some distant point throughout the exchange.

The fancy lady was taken back! She blinked, her eyes widened, her mouth dropped open. So startled was she that she immediately began to doubt what she had heard. In a quivering voice she asked, "W-W-What did you say?"

The Marine snapped back to the position "attention" (like the arm of a mousetrap smacking it's wooden base). Then he said, "I don't eat that shit, Ma'am." And just as smartly as before, back to the position of "parade rest" he went.

This time, there was no doubt. The fancy lady immediately became incensed, and felt insulted. After all, here she was an important lady, taking the time to offer something nice to this enlisted man (well below her stationin life), and he had the nerve to say THAT to HER!

She exclaimed, "Well! I never...!" The fancy lady remembered that she had met "that military man who was over all these 'soldiers' a little earlier. She spotted General Gray from across the room. He had a cigar clenched between his teeth and a camouflaged canteen cup full of liquor in his left hand. He was talking to a group of1st and 2nd Lieutenants, so blue haired lady went straight over to the Commandant and interrupted.

"General, I offered some pastry to that young man over there. And, do you know what he told me?" General Gray cocked his eyebrow, took the cigar out of his mouth and said, "Well, no Ma'am. I don't." The lady took in a deep breath, confident that she was expressing with her body language her rage and indignation. As she wagged her head in cadence with her words, and she paused between each word for effect, "He said, I - don't - eat - that - shit - Ma'am!"

The lieutenants standing there were in a state of flux. A couple of them choked back chuckles, and turned their heads to avoid having their smirks detected. The next thought that most of them had was, "God, I hope it wasn't one of MY Marines!", and the color left their faces. General Gray wrinkled his brow, cut his eyes in the direction of the lieutenants, put his free hand to his chin and expelled a subdued, "Hummm."

"Which one did you say it was Ma'am?", the General asked. "That tall sturdy one right over there near the window, General," the woman said with smug satisfaction. One of the lieutenants began to look sick and put a hand on the wall for support.General Gray, seemed deep in thought, hand still to his chin, wrinkled brow. Suddenly, he looked up his expression changed to one indicating he had made a decision. He looked the fancy lady right in the eyes and said,

"Well, fuck him! Don't give him any."

Thanks GOC your site is off to a good start.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 12:04 AM | Comments (5)

June 28, 2004

SPC Maupin Presumed Dead

Another sad day for America...

According to Fox News:

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi militants killed an American soldier they have held hostage for nearly three months, saying the slaying was because the U.S. government did not change its policy in Iraq, Al-Jazeera television reported Tuesday.

News of the killing of Spc. (Keith) Matt Maupin, 20, of Batavia, Ohio, came hours after the United States returned sovereignty in Iraq to an interim government. The report did not say when Maupin was killed.

Spc. Matt Maupin was missing for nearly three months (April 9, 2004). See my earlier post One U.S. Soldier Missing One Held Captive .

Maj. Willie Harris, public affairs spokesman for the Army's 88th Regional Readiness Command, said the videotape is being analyzed by the Department of Defense.

"There is no confirmation at this time, that the tape contains footage of Matt Maupin or any other Army soldier," he said, adding that the Maupin family was briefed "as to the existence of a videotape."

Al-Jazeera said a statement was issued with the video in the name of a group calling itself "The Sharp Sword against the Enemies of God and His Prophet." In the statement, the militants said they killed the soldier because the United States did not change its policies in Iraq and to avenge "martyrs" in Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Algeria.

Maupin was among nine Americans, seven of them contractors, who disappeared after the April 9 attack.

While we are awaiting confirmation of Spc. Maupin’s passing it is likely safe to assume that he is in fact dead.

These lunatic terrorists have held true to all of their chicken shit attacks, beheadings, and other brutal murders.

Keep the Maupin family in your hearts and thoughts.

Keith Matthew Maupin may have paid the ultimate sacrifice and for this he will forever be a hero.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 08:33 PM | Comments (9)

June 06, 2004

The Sixtieth Anniversary of D-Day

Today is a momentous day in world history. Today marks the 60th anniversary of D-Day.

On June 6th, 1944, over 150,000 men landed by sea and air in Normandy to liberate France and all of Europe from Nazi oppression. Operation Overlord was to be the most massive military assault in history. It planned for the invasion of the 50-mile stretch of coast to be completed in fewer than 24 hours.

The valiant efforts of "the greatest generation" were fruitful. Ultimately the Nazi's were defeated and Europe was liberated.

Now, 60 years later, only roughly one fourth of veterans who fought for this nation in the Second World War are still alive.

Every morning I start my duty day at the base gym, 0600 sharp. Every morning I see men and women from all walks of life that have chosen a life of service. There is one man who stands out in the crowd. Each morning there is an elderly gentleman on the treadmill beside me. Now at 88 years young he doesn't run nearly as fast as I do, but he is there nonetheless. He walks at a very respectable pace for a man his age for 45 minutes each morning 5 days a week. It is almost hard to imagine this gentleman as a battle hardened Veteran of Operation Overlord.

Over the last few months I have started talking to him in passing. First our exchanges were limited to a hello and then a little more. I noticed that each morning when he arrives at the gym he proudly wears a hat that has WWII veteran across the front.

Friday I asked him how he felt about the upcoming 60th anniversary of D-Day. Before he could say a word his eyes filled with tears. He told me that he was the only one left. He was the only member of his unit that was still alive. I acknowledged that must be tough and I too felt a little choked up. We spoke at great length about the days leading to "the big jump" and how scared he was and how he knew he "was going to die in some unknown village in France." He told me about how as he was falling to the earth all he thought about was his fiancée back home. They had plans to take over his father’s farm in Idaho and raise a large family.

Out of pure respect I didn't ask many questions. I let him tell what he felt he needed to share.

He is a remarkable man. He was once a twenty eight year old Sergeant in the Airborne who was hard as nails, now he is a frail old man. However, despite the years, there is more strength in the belly of this great soldier than in any ten of today’s youth.

The respect that I have for him and his generation is unwavering. They are a shining example of America's finest. If it weren't for men like him, German would most likely be the national language of France and many other European nations.

I was late to work last Friday (although my boss didn't mind when I told him why). I lost track of the time while listening to his stories; most of which I choose to keep for myself.

I have a profound respect for his generation and consider it an honor to run alongside this true American Hero.

To the greatest generation my sincerest thanks.

SlagleRock Out!

For all who are interested, check out BLACKFIVE for a list of great bloggers who have posted tributes to D-Day on this most momentous of days.

Posted by SlagleRock at 04:37 PM | Comments (2)

May 30, 2004

What Memorial Day Means To Me

When I was a very young boy, growing up in central Indiana, Memorial Day was just another day off school, at least in the beginning. By the third or fourth grade I started to better appreciate the holiday for what it was. The older I got the more I understood why we observed Memorial Day. I grew to think of Memorial Day as a day of remembrance for the sacrifices of the brave men in the Second World War. I am not sure exactly why the fallen heroes of WWII stood out but that is whom I always thought of.

Mine was a generation that hadn’t really lived through war. I was born in 1975 and by the time I can remember Vietnam already seemed like a thing from the past. Then in 1990, my freshman year of High School, Iraq invaded Kuwait. We watched the televised war very carefully every day at school. From the time of the invasion to the day the Iraqi’s were driven out of the small country of Kuwait.

It was then that I started to really understand the meaning of Memorial Day. Yes it was a way to honor the hundreds of thousands who sacrificed their lives during the Second World War, but it was also a way to honor all service men and women from all wars. I thought of the 50,000 plus lost in Vietnam, the men who gave their lives in Korea and Grenada. I thought of those lost in Kuwait. I started to learn more about the brave Soldiers, Sailors, Airman and Marines that served our great nation.

As I finished high school I went on thinking about those who sacrificed their lives for this great nation.

I joined the Air Force in 1994 and some of my “understanding” of Memorial Day has changed quite a bit.

I know now, that Memorial Day isn’t just a way to honor the dead, but a way to honor all who have served. Everyday, I am surrounded by some of America’s finest. Men and women who have seen hells gate and chose to remain in the service. I have seen hostile fire and I know those with purple hearts. I have had friends lost and family scared to death over where I might go next.

As we observe Memorial Day this year I will remember all who have served. I will think of those who stood up to tyranny from the revolutionary war to the liberation of Afghanistan and Iraq. I will think of my brothers (and sisters) at arms with whom I served side by side for eight long months in the Middle East. I will think of those whom I work with everyday.

Memorial day is not only a tribute to the brave men and women of the armed forces but also a tribute to the American spirit.

Enjoy your freedoms and remember those who fight for them.

SlagleRock Out.

Posted by SlagleRock at 04:38 PM | Comments (3)

May 28, 2004

"One Day Isn't Enough"

I recently received this in an email from a friend and fellow veteran, while I haven't attempted to authenticate it I think it is worthy of printing regardless of who wrote it or what their age. If in fact a twelve-year-old girl wrote it, I commend her. We need more young people who think this way.

The following is a verbatim copy of the winning entry at Lakeview Middle
School for a Memorial Day Contest sponsored by Jackson Center Boro. A 12-year-old girl named Trina Jewell wrote this. As a veteran I was very moved by this peace. Many times we don't give our younger generation enough credit for having these kinds of feelings.

This young lady won a 100-dollar savings bond but I really felt she
needed some additional recognition. I am putting this on the Internet in
hopes of generating some encouragement and recognition for Trina. Please
forward this to anyone who would enjoy her tribute to the veterans on
this up coming Memorial Day.

Dennis C Winger
wingerdc@certainty.net

"One Day Isn't Enough"

by Trina Jewell, Age 12

Everyone has their own opinion about different holidays. My
opinion about Memorial Day is that it's a great day to honor soldiers,
our freedom, and all those who fought to protect us.

This is not your typical story of one man but a story about millions of brave men who have fought in many wars and conflicts to keep America's freedom and beliefs alive. There comes a time in everyone's life when they must stand up for their beliefs. For the veterans their beliefs were for freedom and democracy. There have been tyrants around since the beginning of time and there has always been men who have stood up to them, but in America we unite and we all stand up for them. Sometimes it means dying for your beliefs, but in every veterans heart giving their life for our country to be free would be a
great honor. A lot of wives and parents have gotten the news that their child was killed defending our country. Although they were sad they were also proud to have children that believed in our way of life and were willing to give their life to support it.

Freedom is a very word that is often overlooked by the average person, but a veteran knows that freedom isn't free. People have been trying to take our freedom since the Declaration of Independence was signed, but the more they try the harder America fights. America owes its freedom to all of its veterans who have fought every person and notion who have challenged our freedom. Often they gave their lives, but they will never regret the hard fought battles they fought for our right to speak, walk, work and do what we want. That is a right that has been protected for us by veterans. For over 200 yrs. Not only do we owe our lives to veterans, but everything that we do or want to do is because they fought and died for our right to do it.

A lot of young men enlisted in the armed forces on their own, but a lot got a letter in the mail saying that they had been drafted. They were scared, but they were more than willing to serve their country. It don't matter how rich or poor you were, once you were enlisted you were all the same. None wanted to go to war but if called on they would fight with all the courage they had, and if you needed help the rest of the men were there. They weren't behind you, but beside you, all more than willing to help carry the burden. America has never and will never lose our freedom thanks to all the people who have fought for our rights. Not all came home, but none will be forgotten.

Nobody ever wants to go to war, but when it happens America has never had a shortage of volunteers to go and fight for our country. Some volunteers were as young as 14, they had to lie to enlist, but fighting for their country was worth it to them. Even when drafted the men came and fought, all of them willing to give there life for their country. We have lost a lot of men and women in wars, but America remains free. In my heart the veterans deserve more than just one day to honor them. A month would not even be enough to thank them for the sacrifices they had made for all of America.

Anytime you do anything, you should thank a veteran, because
without their sacrifices you would not have freedom to do anything. So
in my opinion one day a year is not enough.

Trina Jewell I commend you on this essay! It is wonderful to hear such things from America's youth.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at 04:42 PM | Comments (1)

May 17, 2004

US Troops To Re-Deploy From South Korea

Some 3,600 troops will be deploying to Iraq from South Korea. Troops from the 2nd Brigade will be deployed to Iraq for up to a year. The brigade was selected because it had not done a tour in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Some in South Korea fear any cut in U.S. military presence might weaken its defense readiness against the million-man army of North Korea, the world's fifth largest military.

Korea is the last remaining "front" from the cold war. While there mission in S. Korea is vital so to will be their role in Iraq.

I think in one respect any diminishment of troop numbers in S. Korea could be a bad thing. On the other side of the coin is the relatively small number, 3,600, isn't even a tenth of the troops on the peninsula.

To the troops of the 2nd Brigade, keep your head down and spirits up.

It is nice to see that the scandals have slowed just enough for us to hear of regular troop deployments and re-deployments.

SlagleRock Out

Posted by SlagleRock at 09:39 PM | Comments (2)

May 03, 2004

Rene Gonzalez, Coward, Intellectually Impaired or Just Plain Stupid?

Ok, I know I am a day late, but certainly not a dollar short. This is a subject that I have left alone too long. At the request of several readers I have decided to add my two cents on UMASS student Rene Gonzalez. I’ll bet in hindsight Rene wishes he never had his 15 minutes of fame.

Shortly after it was announced that former NFL player Pat Tillman was killed in Afghanistan a storm of comments appeared on the web. Everything from hero, to fallen patriot to a “"G.I. Joe" guy who got what was coming to him.” According to UMass student Rene Gonzalez. He also said, “That was not heroism, it was prophetic idiocy.” He went on to senselessly babble about the American propaganda machine and how Pat Tillman “was acting out his macho, patriotic crap”. He tried to imply that outside the US or "in his neighborhood" the view of the US is very different.

Another comment Gonzales made that stuck in my mind was, “in my neighborhood in Puerto Rico, Tillman would have been called a "pendejo," an idiot.” Well Rene, why don’t you go back to your neighborhood since obviously there is nothing for you in this land that has so ineptly educated you. Oh and by the way pendejo, we speak English and don’t care what you or your “intellectually immature” friends on the block have to say.

Another thing, Patriotic Crap? Who is this idiot to sit and denounce American patriotism? I have served proudly with some very fine people from Puerto Rico. They serve proudly in positions throughout the United States Department of Defense. I recently spent eight and a half months in the Middle East with a group of US Air Force Air National Guardsman from Puerto Rico. I will tell you this. They believed in what we we're doing there. They were also proud to serve the United States and all hoped someday that Puerto Rico would be the 51st state. Most of which were also soon to be US citizens. Are these the people that would call Tillman a "pendajo"? I think not, these are people who would mourn the loss of this unique man.

Rene wasted his time and that of those of us who read his literary garbage. He said numerous idiotic remarks in his article about fallen hero Pat Tillman and American patriotism.

Since Rene made his anti-American remarks in the opinion piece published in the UMass Daily Collegian, he has back peddled and offered an apology to the family of Pat Tillman.

Gonzales said his comments were “insensitive”. Insensitive to say the least, ignorant is more like it.

I say his apology should be just a start. Since he chose to spit on the grave of Tillman and all proud Americans who have fallen this war and all wars before he should next move on to every POW/MIA or KIA that has ever served this nation with distinction. Once he is finished apologizing to the families of Mr. Tillman’s military brethren he should return to Puerto Rico and never again return to the United States.

UMass should be ashamed to have the likes of Rene Gonzalez in their ranks. Gonzalez is nothing more than an intellectually ill-equipped, half-wit who doesn’t have the stones to do what Pat Tillman and countless others have chosen to do.

Posted by SlagleRock at 09:29 PM | Comments (5)

May 01, 2004

News From Iraq

Today we live in a world where the media whores want to portray us as a violent nation. They chose only to focus on the horrendous. Often the news is more a biased entertainment (if you can call it that) broadcast than an accurate portrayal of what is really going on. I know this first hand as I have been deployed to several locations in the Middle East and many times what we were watching on CNN was not the way it was at all. Recently I received an email with a focus similar to mine. Getting the information out there as it really is or how it is perceived by those who are there and those who have been there.

I do not know the author of this email personally. I received this by way of a friend of a friend so to speak and some where along that chain someone purportedly knows SFC Ray Reynolds. SFC Reynolds is a member of the Iowa Army National Guard, serving in Iraq. In an email to friends and family SFC Reynolds wrote:

As I head off to Baghdad for the final weeks of my stay in Iraq, I wanted to say thanks to all of you who did not believe the media. They have done a very poor job of covering everything that has happened. I am sorry that I have not been able to visit all of you during my two-week leave back home. And just so you can rest at night knowing something is happening in Iraq that is noteworthy, I thought I would pass this on to you. This is the list of things that have happened in Iraq recently: (Please share it with your friends and compare it to the version that your paper is producing.)

* Over 400,000 kids have up-to-date immunizations.
* School attendance is up 80% from levels before the war.
* Over 1,500 schools have been renovated and rid of the weapons stored there so education can occur.
* The port of Uhm Qasar was renovated so grain can be off-loaded from ships faster.
* The country had its first 2 billion barrel export of oil in August.
* Over 4.5 million people have clean drinking water for the first time ever in Iraq.
* The country now receives 2 times the electrical power it did before the war.
* 100% of the hospitals are open and fully staffed, compared to 35% before the war.
* Elections are taking place in every major city, and city councils are in place.
* Sewer and water lines are installed in every major city.
* Over 60,000 police are patrolling the streets.
* Over 100,000 Iraqi civil defense police are securing the country.
* Over 80,000 Iraqi soldiers are patrolling the streets side by side with US soldiers.
* Over 400,000 people have telephones for the first time ever.
* Students are taught field sanitation and hand washing techniques to prevent the spread of germs.
* An interim constitution has been signed.
* Girls are allowed to attend school.
* Textbooks that don't mention Saddam are in the schools for the first time in 30 years.

Don't believe for one second that these people do not want us here. I have met many, many people in Iraq that want us here, and in a bad way. They say they will never see the freedoms we talk about but they hope their children will. We are doing a good job in Iraq and I challenge anyone, anywhere to dispute me on these facts. So If you happen to run into John Kerry, be sure to give him my email address and send him to Denison, Iowa. This soldier will set him straight. If you are like me and very disgusted with how this period of rebuilding has been portrayed, email this to a friend and let them know there are good things happening.

Ray Reynolds, SFC
Iowa Army National Guard
234th Signal Battalion

To SFC Reynolds I say thank you. Also, I agree John Kerry doesn't have a clue. It would be a sad day if he were elected president of our great nation. The thought of having a Commander in Chief that has done so much to hinder our military is NAUSEATING.

Posted by SlagleRock at 09:46 PM | Comments (1)

April 24, 2004

Talks Of Military Draft Reinstitution

Recently there has been much talk about brining back the military draft. Some argue that the heavy commitments in the Middle East (war with Iraq and Afghanistan) along with our support of NATO commitments such as Bosnia, Korea and others that a return to the draft is imminent.

Take a look at Yahoo News and you will see there are as many different opinions about the draft as there are any other political topic.

I personally tend to agree with Defense Secretary Rumsfeld.

Many from the President on down the military chain of command have stated on numerous occasions that our all-volunteer military is the best in the world. This makes perfect sense. An all-volunteer force is bound to be far more effective than a force that is largely made up of people who don't want to be there. Look how well the draft worked in Vietnam.

From the inside. Currently the Air Force is cutting several thousand people from its numbers. That's right they are downsizing. This downsizing is taking place across the board. I know of two people, personally, that have been granted an early out from "critically manned" career fields. One is a Combat Arms Instructor, like myself and the other is a Security Forces member. If we are downsizing internally, why is there talk of a draft. This doesn't make sense does it?

I personally think that all able bodied people who are physically fit enough to do the job should serve in some way, but I also believe that it should be the individuals choice. A draft would only brew bad blood. Are we ready to have a military similar to that of the Vietnam Era? Now, before any Vets get angry, I salute you. I am simply referring to the large number of troops that were more of a burden than a help.

A draft should clearly be a last resort, and I think it should only occur if we fight a war on our own soil!

Posted by SlagleRock at 01:24 PM | Comments (2)

April 23, 2004

Former NFL Safety Is Killed in Afghanistan and Liberal Pukes Dirty His Good Name

Brave American sacrifices friends, family, fame and fortune in defense of this great nation.

On 23 Apr it was reported that former NFL Safety Pat Tillman was killed in Afghanistan. Tillman left his multimillion-dollar NFL career and joined the Army Rangers in 2002. Friends and family said he "needed to pay something back". Like many true Americans the events of 9/11 hit Tillman hard. Instead of sitting idly by Tillman did something about it. He served bravely in both Iraq and Afghanistan until his death in April '04. While Americans should pay tribute to all who serve, Pat Tillmans case is extraordinary. He gave up millions of dollars (3.6 million for 3 years) for the paltry pay of a soldier.

Some dickheads (for a lack of a better title) at the Portland Independent Media center (please notice that I did not provide a link, please read on) have chosen to slander his good name. They took an article from the Washington post, and not so cleverly re-titled it "Dumb Jock Killed in Afghanistan". Who are these ass holes that waste their freedom of speech on bashing the very people who provide that freedom?

Being the vocal American and Airman that I am I have made numerous attempts to post a comment on their site. In my endeavors I discovered that since I am a military Blogger they have blocked my IP address from posting comments. Chickenshits!! Not only are they afraid to serve they are also afraid to allow those who do the place to share their opinions. I ask all who read this to please visit their site (oh how it pains me to send traffic their way) and tell them exactly how you feel. Since I did not provide a link, as your efforts would be in vain, if you accesed there site from mine I instead ask everyone in the real world to go to this address(please cut and paste or type in your browser):

http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2004/04/286523.shtml

Tell these chickenshit, worthless, waste of flesh, pussy, bleeding heart, sons of bitches just exactly how you feel. Please take a moment to let these media whores know exactly what true patriots think of the filth they spew and what we all think of Pat Tillman and all who serve.

--Bless the troops

--Bless Pat Tillman

Posted by SlagleRock at 12:22 PM | Comments (3)

April 15, 2004

Support the Commander in Chief

President Bush is a great commander in chief and has done great things for this country. He has been the best commander in chief that I have had the privilege of working for.

During Slick Willies presidency I had serious reservations about re-enlisting and making a career out of the Air Force. After President Bush took office it was clear that he was the president that the armed forces so desperately needed to repair the damage done by the Clit-on era. While I have deployed twice during President Bush's tenure and I have spent more than a year away from my family I have re-enlisted and I will make a career of the Air Force. Despite the increased deployments since 9/11 the quality of life in the military has raised ten fold...

...Throughout my career I have been part of many presidential details. I've shaken hands with, both Clinton and Gore (needless to say I almost scrubbed the flesh off of my hands afterwards), I have had the pleasure of speaking to Gen. Colin Powell, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Gen. Tommy Franks, I met Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf (guest speaker at a military event) and above all I have spoken face to face with George W. Bush on two separate occasions, once at Travis AFB in CA and once in the Middle East.

Now having been face to face with these people I offer you a comparison. All three times that I worked near the former president Clit-on, he rushed from his limo to the podium and back again. He barely acknowledged the troops around him. He failed to return salutes. (It is optional for him to return the salute, but it burned the troops every time he failed to.)

George Bush on the other hand works the crowd. In CA after he spoke (shortly after 9/11) he spent nearly two hours shaking hands with the troops and speaking to everyone he could. He spoke to everyone from our commanding General all the way down the lowest ranking Airman Basic.

Can we afford another Dumbocrat that can't even acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the troops?

George bush is not only the best president for our troops he is clearly the best president for our nation’s defense.

In recent ads presidential wannabe, Senator John "Scary" Kerry, has questioned President Bush's military service. How can you question the service of the "highest ranking" member of the armed forces. I have respect for John Kerry's military record as I respect all Servicemen and women. However, until you have been the commander in chief how in the hell can you question the military record of the commander in chief.

George bush is a people’s president. He is also a true American. He is not afraid to speak his mind. He is honest, and he is not afraid to act. The actions following 9/11 have been called reactive by the Dumbocrats. I say they were pro-active. By freeing both Afghanistan and Iraq from there oppressive rulers we have shown the world that we will act to prevent acts against humanity. We will act to prevent terrorism, and we will dedicate the time, money, troops and effort needed to get the job done.

Show your support for President Bush. Visit Blogs for Bush and check out their patriotic downloads to show support for this great president

Posted by SlagleRock at 09:00 AM | Comments (7)

April 12, 2004

Pro Troops, not Pro War (Bullshit!)

A few days ago I read an essay on Mamamontezz's blog city site that rekindled a flame of distaste. As you will all learn, I am an Airman. A SSgt by rank a Combat Arms Instructor by profession and always an Airman at heart. I am very proud of my service and all of the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and my fellow Airman that I call brother or sister.

Now, the question I pose is how can a person claim to be against the war, but support the troops? How can you support a person when you denounce all that they stand for.

Everyday you see or hear of another protest of our involvement in the war on terrorism and the liberation of Iraq. While their frequency is dictated by the eb and flow of casualties in the middle east (because most Americans are wishey-washey) the rhetoric has become the same. The anti-war protests have become a trend that started shortly after the average american lost interest in our actions in Afghanistan. While the initial patriotism post 9/11 was astounding it fleeted. Many Americans seem to have forgotten the countless lives that were lost to a senseless act of terrorism on that September day.

Many Americans (and others abroud) frequently protest the war. What these protestors fail to realize is that they lack all credibility in their efforts. How can you protest the actions of war, but try and save face by claiming to support the troops? Don't run your mouth if you can't stand by your own convictions. These protests do far more bad than good. A public tear is not going to change the fact that we handed Saddam his ass in only three weeks. A public tear will not bring back the 300 plus Americans who have died in Iraq so that those people can have a better life and so that we have less to worry about in the realm of State Supported Terrorism. A wasted tear and a protest sign won't bring back the 343 firefighters who died on 9/11. Nor will it bring back the thousands of Americans who thought they were just going to work like any other day.

It is very difficult for many who do not have family in the service, or whom have never served themselves to understand just how important it is to the troops to know that they are supported. Morale can win or lose wars just as quickly as superior technology or numbers. Most war fighters are just like anyone else. They need the pat on the back when they have done good. They need to know that the very people they protect support and appreciate them. The difference between the warfighters and the protestors is not opportinity or wealth. The difference is that some have chosen a life of service. All branches of service are filled with people from all walks of life. In fact todays Air Force is better educated than most civilians ever will be. We have decided to set aside fame or fortune to defend the Constitution of the United States and the freedoms that allow arrogant spoiled youth to protest the actions of our troops as set forth by our federal government and commander in chief.

To the protestors I say, stop the protests, stop cowering behind your signs and stop whining about something that you can't influence. The only ones who will ever affect the outcome of any war are those who brave the combat and those who support their efforts. I invite all opinions, beliefs and interests on the subject, but be forwarned if you are that protestor and we meet in public you will see that I am the better man.

Posted by SlagleRock at 08:01 PM | Comments (12)