America’s sons and daughters have been in the fight against terrorism for six years now and there are certainly countless ways to show our appreciation. We can offer a pat on the back and a handshake, a smile and a hearftelt “thank you,” a cold beer or a meal are all wonderful ways to thank a Soldier, Marine, Sailor, Airman, or Coastguardsman. But if you really want to show your appreciation, help take care of those in our ranks who have paid dearly, our wounded warriors.
ValourIT provides an excellent opportunity to say Thank You in just the right way. I highly encourage all to show your appreciation and chip in through team Army.
From Greyhawk we learn about Bobby The Gallivant, a reporter for McClatchy Newspapers and NOT to be confused with Michael (or Kit for that matter) from the famed Knight Rider. Bobby the reporter reports from the Green Zone in Iraq.
I encourage you to take a minute to read Bobby’s latest dispatch from the Green Zone and form your own opinion. Personally, I think Bobby comes off as an arrogant prick, but I could be seeing things from a warped perspective laced with an understanding of just how difficult a task it is to provide security in a place where a very determined and clever enemy constantly attempts to breach said security and kill us.
I’m sure it was a tremendous inconvenience to Bobby to have to endure the meticulous checking of his credentials by the Soldier as he fulfilled his duties to protect and defend (part of an oath he swore to by the way). I also imagine that life as a reporter for the McClatchy (aka Knight Ridder) Company can be stressful, but for the life of me I cannot understand why Bobby isn’t just a wee bit thankful his ass is alive because of the inconvenient security measures implaced and enforced throughout the Green Zone?!
I also find myself wondering if the good folks at McClatchy condone such arrogant behavior from their reporters and if they think they are getting their money’s worth from the security officers they’ve hired?
“When you’ve got nothing to lose,” I told my security officer, “you do what it takes.” He nodded in agreement.
For what it’s worth, Bobby you arrogant prick, I’ve stopped reading the Kansas City Star.
I’ve an Army of Soldiers who have received tremendous support from a group of Angels over the past few years and now the lady who organized those efforts has been nominated to be recognized for her work. Vote for Patti Patton-Bader now, that IS an order! Sgt Hook out.
The Medal of Honor, established by joint resolution of Congress, 12 July 1862 (amended by Act of 9 July 1918 and Act of 25 July 1963) is awarded in the name of Congress to a person who, while a member of the Armed Services, distinguishes himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against any enemy of The United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which The United States is not a belligerent party. The deed performed must have been one of personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his comrades and must have involved risk of life. Incontestable proof of the performance of service is exacted and each recommendation for award of this decoration is considered on the standard of extraordinary merit. Full-text Listings of Medal of Honor Citations The President, in the name of Congress, has awarded more than 3,400 Medals of Honor to our nation’s bravest Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen since the decoration’s creation in 1861.
Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy is the third warrior in the Global War on Terror, and the first from the Afghanistan Campaign, to be recognized for his personal bravery, self-sacrifice, and conspicuous gallantry with the awarding of the Medal of Honor, posthumously.
Lt. Murphy, of Patchogue on Long Island in New York, was the 29-year-old officer-in-charge of a four-man SEAL reconnaissance team tasked with capturing or killing a high-ranking Taliban leader in the Hindu Kush mountains, east of Asadabad behind enemy lines. A group of goat herders betrayed their position to the Taliban, and the team came under a heavy coordinated assault by dozens of insurgents, perhaps as many as 100.
The SEALs were at a tactical disadvantage and became pinned down in a ravine. Lt. Murphy, already wounded, moved out from behind cover, seeking open air for a radio signal to place a rescue call. He was shot several more times in the back. He dropped the transmitter, picked it back up and completed the call, and then rejoined the fight.
The battle, the last stage of Operation Redwing, was the worst single day of casualties for Naval Special Warfare since World War II. Only one man from the SEAL team would survive. A Chinook helicopter, carrying 16 soldiers for the rescue mission, was shot down by a rocket-propelled grenade.
Lieutenant Michael Murphy, truly an American hero, among the bravest of the brave. I’ll see you salute you on Fiddler’s Green LT. Sgt Hook out.
In the months leading up to my deployment, discussions at home with my merry band of pirates occassionally covered dad leaving and for how long and why. They were usually pretty short talks with only a couple of questions to be answered and not a lot of debate.
On the eve of my departure I broached the subject of my leaving with my swashbucklers as they were feasting on that evening’s bounty. The ever philosphic 9-year old Andrew the Adventurous set down his drumstick and matter of factly asked, “What abour your retirement?”
D: What about my retirement?
AA: Yeah, what about your retirement dad?
D: Do you want me to retire?
AA: Don’t you think it is time? Yes.
D: blink, blink, blink
AA: When are you going to retire?
D: I don’t know exactly, there is a lot to consider son. I have to provide for you and your brothers and mom and…
AA: Right.
He picked up his drumstick and resumed eating. The discussion was apparently over.
The following morning I drove the boys to school, saying my goodbyes to each corsair as I dropped them off. When Castaway Conner and Anderw the Adventurous hopped out of the truck and started walking to the front door of their school, backpacks bouncing on their shoulders, I said, “Hey! I won’t be here when you get home from school.”
Castaway Conner stopped, turned and ran into my arms giving me a huge hug and sloppy kiss and off he went to school.
Andrew the Adventurous cinched up his backpack, looked sideways at me as he kept walking and said, “I know dad, I’m disappointed. I’m very disappointed.”
Not your traditional “good bye” but heartfelt nonetheless. Sgt Hook out.
I had the sad occasion to attend my first memorial service in country today. I listened as the young man’s comrades and leaders each took a turn at the podium to tell us a little something about the fallen Soldier and I stared at his picture leaning against an M4, bayonet stuck into an altar behind a pair of desert combat boots and adorned with an army combat helmet. His dog tags dangled from the pistol grip, jingling in the wind. I felt an overwhelming feeling of grief swell inside my heart when two Soldiers began singing a very moving rendition of Amazing Grace.
Then the company first sergeant called the roll. When he got to the name of the fallen, he called out three times, “Specialist Brown!” each with no response. After the third silent moment, off in the distance riflemen fired a salute and a lone bugler played Taps.
America lost another son and though his death was not combat related, he was serving his nation, fighting our fights in a far away land when he passed. I’m not sure how many more heroes we have across our great country, but I’m damn glad we have the ones we do. I’ll see you on Fiddler’s Green Specialist Brown. Sgt Hook out.
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
We have a Specialist 4 John who was stationed at Ft. Bliss, Tx. in El Paso, Tx. and he was deployed to Iraq,injured and send to BAMC in San Antonio,Tx. he was in Med Hold and was going to be released soon back to his duty station and his wife Monalisa was driving up from Ft. Bliss where there three Children 9 year boy named Tyler, 5 year old girl named Ashley and 2 year old son named Logan.
Right outside Ozona, Tx. a truck hit them and from the nearest hospital they were life-flighted to Dallas, Tx. I am very sorry to say that the two year old Logan and the five year old Ashley were killed in the crash. Tyler is in Children’s Hospital at Dallas, Tx.
Monalisa is in Parkland hospital next door to Children’s Hospital.
Monalisa has a head wound, they thought she has 2 broken vertebrae in her neck or back and a broken arm. Turns out she looks worse than she is. No broken vertebra just some compressed disks and the head wound wasn’t as bad as they thought.
She just has a lot of bruises.
John was brought to the hospital in Dallas and he is with the family along with a 1st. Sgt. who is taking on the problems they are facing . This accident occurred Sat. 10/13/2007 and as of right now Tyler is still in a coma no better but no worse.
My heart aches for this young Soldier and his family. 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.
♦ Veterans - Use your VA Benefits to Refinance your home loan with VA Loan Refinancing from VLC.
♦ Allured by a cheap car insurance and other cheap deals. Many tend to overspend on their credit card. This leads them to loans and eventually a debt. If you are planning to work at home, you will have to be careful about all this and more.
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
"Grab it before the Pentagon orders it burned..." - Vanity Fair
"...nonpartisan patriotism is the common thread tying together these reflections, love letters and stories of combat. They make for riveting reading." - The Washington Post
Winner of the 2006 Gold Medal for Anthologies - Military Writer's Society of America
"This collection is an excellent introduction to an emerging form of war reporting." - Booklist
