Something does indeed smell rotten in DenmarkMoscow. Lest we not forget that there is a war on, a Global War on Terror, and how it started.
Quoting unnamed aviation officials and security experts, Russian news agencies said authorities were not ruling out terrorism and suspicions were heightened by the fact that the two planes disappeared around the same time.
In Washington, a U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity Tuesday evening, said it was the understanding of American officials that the two Russian planes disappeared within four minutes of each other, which “in and of itself is suspicious.”
My condolences to the families who’ve lost loved ones. Sgt Hook out.
Well, the Army Goes Rolling Along and as a result I’ve not been able to peck out a blog as of late, sorry folks, things have been quite busy around here but I hope I’ll find a few spare moments a little later on. In the meantime, might I recommend these fine blogs…
I don’t know how much you get to watch the Olympics, but if you have, have you noticed that the winners ( in particular the Gold medal winners) receive their medals, and an Olive Wreath worn on their heads? I noticed that a few of the American winners took off this wreath in respect for the playing of the national anthem. (the women I have seen didn’t but my husband informed me that civilian women didn’t have to, unless they were in the service).
Then he said, technically if the Wreath is considered a Crown, then it should be removed. But I guess that most don’t really consider it a HAT, so
my random question is- what do you think? Is it a hat, should it be removed?
Hmmm. First of all, I do not get to see much of the Olympics but have caught a few moments on the big screen in our chow hall and I do recall seeing the wreaths of olive branches that you mentioned. I’d have to agree with your husband on this one, when the National Anthem is played, it is customary to stand, remove any headgear, and place your hand over your heart. I would do the same, unless I happened to be in uniform, then I’d stand rigid at the position of attention and render the hand salute. Either way, it is a means of showing respect, rendering honors to our nation’s colors, the Star Spangled Banner. Women are not required to remove their headgear, but are still expected to stand and render honor.
And I would not conisder them to be “crowns.” We uncivilized yanks don’t do crowns remember, we’re a Republic, of the people and for the people. Well, there’s my answer, for what it’s worth. Sgt Hook out.
This was sent to me via email from a retired Command Sergeant Major that I know. Mr. Stein has always been a favorite entertainer of mine but he just received a jump in the polls after I read this letter that he wrote to an Army wife.
Wall Street Journal
August 18, 2004
Pg. 10
Strength At Home
By Ben Stein
This is a letter I wrote to the newsletter of an Army unit called The Strykers, stationed in Iraq out of Ft. Lewis, Wash. The editor asked me what I would say to make the wives feel appreciated while their husbands are in Iraq. This is what I wrote to one soldier’s wife.
Dear Karen,
I have a great life. I have a wife I adore, a son who is a lazy teenager but I adore him, too. We live in a house with two dogs and four cats. We live in peace. We can worship as we please. We can say what we want. We can walk the streets in safety. We can vote. We can work wherever we want and buy whatever we want. When we sleep, we sleep in peace. When we wake up, it is to the sounds of birds.
All of this, every bit of it, is thanks to your husband, his brave fellow soldiers, and to the wives who keep the home fires burning while the soldiers are away protecting my family and 140 million other families. They protect Republicans and Democrats, Christians, Jews, Muslims and atheists. They protect white, black, yellow, brown and everyone in between. They protect gays and straights, rich and poor.
And none of it could happen without the Army wives, Marine wives, Navy wives, Air Force wives — or husbands — who go to sleep tired and lonely, wake up tired and lonely, and go through the day with a smile on their faces. They feed the kids, put up with the teenagers’ surliness, the bills that never stop piling up, the desperate hours when the plumbing breaks and there is no husband to fix it, and the even more desperate hours after the kids have gone to bed, the dishes have been done, the bills have been paid, and the wives realize that they will be sleeping alone — again, for the 300th night in a row.
The wives keep up the fight even when they have to move every couple of years, even when their checks are late, even when they have to make a whole new set of friends every time they move.
And they keep up the fight to keep the family whole even when they feel a lump of dread every time they turn on the news, every time they switch on the computer, every time the phone rings and every time — worst of all — the doorbell rings. Every one of those events — which might mean a baseball score or a weather forecast or a FedEx man to me and my wife — might mean the news that the man they love, the man they have married for better or worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, is now parted from them forever.
These women will never be on the cover of People. They will never be on the tabloid shows on TV about movie stars. But they are the power and the strength that keep America going. Without them, we are nothing at all. With them, we can do everything.
They are the glue that holds the nation together, stronger than politicians, stronger than talking heads, stronger than al Qaeda.
They deserve all the honor and love a nation can give. They have my prayers, and my wife’s, every morning and every night.
Love, and I do mean Love, Ben.
They are indeed the glue that holds our nation together and I can’t think of any other group in our society for whom I have more admiration. Our wives, husbands, sons and daughters are often asked to make incredible sacrifices in the name of freedom and yet not one of them has taken an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States. No, they quietly make their sacrifices solely because they love the soldier who did take that oath. They are the true heroes of this war on terror and in case I haven’t done so lately, I’d like to thank the lovely and talented and downright sexy Mrs. Hook and our merry band of pirates for all they are doing for this great nation of ours.
Thank you babe, I love you. Keep the wind in your sails boys, I love you guys. Sgt Hook out.
Michelle Malkin points to a list of prominent politicians and media figures who have served in our nation’s military service. The list includes bloggers, well one blogger, Kos which strikes me as odd because it takes me a week to surf my Milblogs ring.
It struck Jeff Quinton, the Backcountry Conservative, as odd also and he is now compiling a list of bloggers who have served or are serving in uniform, but he needs your help. Drop on over and let him know when and where you pulled duty. Sgt Hook out.
I received several wonderful, heartfelt, and sincere wishes of sympathy, pride, and respect recently in the comment section of my post describing SGT Daniel L. Galvan’s memorial service earlier this week. One of those comments in particular reaffirms my commitment to fighting spammers to the death to keep the comments open.
Thank you Sgt Hook for telling us about my son’s memorial in the plywood chapel. His Mom and I would also like to thank everybody kind and gracious enough to post their words and thoughts. I don’t know how we will be able to respond to all individually. His Mom and I are very proud of our soldier and your words and thoughts and our pride in our son will hopefully give us the strength to carry on, which we must for his siblings, his wife and his kids. Again thanks to all who have posted in this and every other blog and site.
Blas E. Galvan
MSG USA Retired
I didn’t know that SGT Galvan’s dad is a retired Army Master Sergeant, a peer, nor did I know that he reads Sgt Hook. I was deeply moved by his comment and sent him an email asking if he would like that I post his message on the front page to help he and his wife to respond with their gratitude to all of the well wishers, most of whom they’ve never met, or ever will.
Hook,
I do not mind at all your posting my email on your blog. Your words and thoughts are greatly appreciated as is your blog appreciated as a way to pay tribute to our soldiers. If you would pass on my thanks to Daniel’s First Sergeant for the conduct of his memorial. I have only gotten second hand reports through my daughter-in-law but what I have heard it was a moving experience for my son’s fellow soldiers in attendance.
If I may be so bold, I charge Daniel’s Division with completing the duty we have to make sure that the lowlifes that hit us on our homeland on 911 are brought to justice. You can pass the word to Daniel’s fellow soldiers that his Dad is proud of him and of all who wear the uniform, I will pray daily for all and that we bring this action to a fitting and just conclusion in a timely manner; I can think of no better tribute to Daniel that that.
In closing let me say that Daniel loved the Army, flying, his family, his parents and above all he loved the USA. I used to say that my heart pumped OD blood (half in jest) but I believe that Daniel’s heart did.
Blas E. Galvan
Thanks Top. I cannot fathom the anguish that you, your wife, and your son’s wife and children and siblings are feeling, but I do share your pride in Daniel’s selfless service to this great nation of ours. This We’ll Defend. Sgt Hook out.
Catch the blogosphere’s rising stars over at the new New Showcase sponsored by Simon. There you’ll find some great stuff like a heartfelt video thank you from a Soldier serving in Iraq from Keystone. (WARNING: Tissue Alert)
Or a fabulous post about walking in the rain and reliving a moment of those carefree, innocent, childhood days and though I have no earthly idea what the hell “wellies” are, some sound advice in regards to wearing them in the rain from Chaotic Clarity.
Keeping with the “All Things Blog” category, if I may recommend some posts from old favorites as well. Jim at the Parkway Rest Stop has obtained a transcript of a very interesting phone converstation between Mr. Kerry and the Swift Boat Vets.
The Acidman gets more than milk and eggs at the Winn Dixie.
Fred Schoeneman has some comments on the topic of my earlier post regarding the U.S. withdrawal from the now peace-torn Europe.
And last but by no means least, Armies of Liberation has a new look and a new location but not to worry, the same outstanding content that we’ve come to expect is still there. Go visit, you’ll be sorry if you don’t. And thanks for the donation Jane. Sgt Hook out.
An exit strategy has finally been announced and the U.S. military will begin to pull back troops in an orchestrated manner over a period of time. After successfully prosecuting the war along with our allies and liberating an oppressed people, the time has come to withdraw many of our troops and bring them home. Just as predicted, a U.S. presence was required following the end of major combat operations first as an occupation force, and later as a stabilizing force providing protection for the fledgling nation as she emerged under the light of freedom. Some may argue that we stayed too long, some, not long enough. Only time will tell, once the U.S. pulls back, if peace will remain in the region.
Defense officials for the first time have confirmed plans to withdraw both heavy Army divisions from Germany and move them to bases within the United States later this decade. The 1st Armored and 1st Infantry divisions - actually just four combat brigades - would be transferred gradually to stateside installations over an extended period ranging from 2006 to 2009, officials said in a Pentagon news conference Monday.
I’m of course concerned for Europe’s safety, but confident that the time is right and that they are ready to defend themselves. Sgt Hook out.
This site is a collection of my writings, thoughts, and ramblings and in no way reflects the official positions of the United States Army or the Department of Defense. OPSEC trumps everything.
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In view of a recent tendency to identify characters in fiction with real people, it seems proper to state that there are no real people in this volume: both the characters and their names are ficticious. The names or designations of any military units are ficticious. There are no living people nor existing military units presented in this book.
-Ernest Hemingway
Halfway down the road to hell,
In a shady meadow green,
Are the souls of all dead troopers camped
Near a good old-time canteen.
And this eternal resting place
Is known as Fiddler's Green.
-Author Unknown
The Blog of War
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