Saving the Best for Last...

There were many things worth posting in the last few days.
I think we all know what they were.
The death of a Beloved President, The news of a wounded Blogger,

The execution of an evil dictator,

And the list goes on...

But I wanted my last entry of 2006 to be the one that touched me the most.
So, to close this chapter of my humble blog, I repeat a previous post...

The 19 Marines who I have come to love like brothers are OK...and 2007 is indeed a Happy New Year - Because it will be the year that brings them home.

The Best E-mail

Finally heard from...

God Bless You Guys!

Prayer Answered via "Chuck's Three Kings"

Sure enough, God came through, though injured servicemen wasn't quite the answer I was looking for.
(Those Mysterious ways at work again!)

Chuck, from My Position-On The Way, spent some time at Walter Reed for his own doctor apointment, and just like Chuck, he spent time visiting the wounded. Not only did he start the process to set them up with laptops through Valor I.T. - he has also posted their addresses for all of us here: Three Kings

(I think we know what we're supposeed to do with that information, right?)

Stop by to see photos of these men and read their stories...then do what your heart is probablly telling you to do already.

(Oh, by the way God, thank you, especially for Chuck!)

Dear God,

I know you're listening and I need your help keeping a promise.

I'm really beginning to realize just how blessed my family is to have all of our deployed members accounted for. I wish I could say the same about my friends, but I made them a promise a long time ago, the same one I made my family...to keep writing, emailing and sending care packages to them, to those I've "adopted" and to encourage others to do the same -- NOT to waste time and energy in endless worry and speculation, but to consider them alive and well until officially informed otherwise.
And I'm trying God, I really am...but right now I AM worried and speculating and crying and doing everything I swore I wouldn't do. And since this seems to be a fine time for confessions, I'm also wishing that everything in"that" area, plus a few others save for Isreal, becomes one giant glass parking lot, courtesy of the US Air Force. I'll even volunteer to go in and paint the pretty yellow lines before the geiger counters stop screaming.
Yes, I know it's wrong, not to mention unrealistic, but that's why I'm talking to you.

But before you get to me, God, please look after our troops everywhere and help their families to be strong....especially this one:

Local Marine killed in Al Anbar on Christmas Eve

Amen

101st AIRBORNE Delivers...(literally!)

The 101st AIRBORNE Division (Air Assault, I know...go with me here) may be needing a new Battalion...of storks!
The current number of a dozen babies born per day at Ft. Campbell is expected to reach 250 (TWO HUNDRED and FIFTY) by June, which just happens to be roughly 9 months after the 101st returned from Iraq.
This will "shatter" the base record if it happens.
I happen to be a pre-deployment creation of the 101st myself, so I'm glad to see that even in this crazy world of ours some traditions continue to hold fast.

h/t - a little bird told me

A Christmas Photo from 2/3 Marines

(released by DOD & 2/3 POA)

This is actually a photo taken on their previous tour in Afghanistan, but I saw it for the first time today and it seemed so fitting for Christmas, that I decided to post it now. Haven't heard from my guys in Haditha for some time - so this is as much for me as it is all of them.
Take Care Marines!

This is a test of the Emergecy B.S. System...

It is only a test.

In the event of a true B*** S*** Emergency you would be given instructions as to laugh, cry, scream or beat the hell out of the nearest inanimate object.

This is only a test

(imagine annoying noise of choice)

"Today in an unprecedented move of "solidarity and foresight" - World Leaders called for PEACE! It is reported that they believe this act of unity WILL bare fruit in the very near future."

Which leaves this blogger with one burning question:

"Solidarity and Foresight?"

Who the heck did they call, Miss Cleo???


Bet THAT cost a few nations their health care budget for next year!

(more annoying noises of choice)

This has been a test of the Emergency B.S. System.

We now return you to your Holiday Celebrations.

(Please note, I am referring to the "Leaders" of some of these nations, not those folks including myself who "pray" for peace.)

From Our's To Your's...Merry Christmas!

~Me and Mine & You and Yours~

For many of us, it began Here

And we know that because of You

It will end THERE!

Merry Christmas Sheepdogs!

Here Comes Santa!

I Got a Present!

My friend Mark gave me

The

BEST Christmas Present!

Flight Hours In This Bad Boy

(AT6 - Texan)

The skies may never be friendy again!

(second aircraft pic removed at request of owner)

*if you know what it was-you know why it's gone*

"Shhh..."

If we're really quiet...

And we don't move...

They'll never even know we took the plane!

The Texas A&M Skydiving Team of Christmas Past

Merry Christmas My Friends!

Do you think the Air Force Academey & West Point miss us? *evil grin*

Whose Going To Inspect My Inspector?

The next time you have to catch a flight, you may want to take a really good look at those folks inspecting your luggage, especially if they decide to screen you too.

3,700 identification badges and uniforms stolen from TSA

Four U.S. Troops Killed In Iraq's Anbar Province

Thursday, in the Al Anbar province of Iraq, three Marines and one Sailor were fatally wounded during a combat action.

All four were assigned to Regimental Combat Team 7.

My adopted platoon of Marines is also in the province, with Team 7, so this one hit me a little harder than usual.

Please keep these men and their families in your prayers.

h/t - The Jerusalem Post

Remember Them...Remember This

He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and 155mm howitzer. He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk.

He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must. He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional. He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march

He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts. If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.

He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job. He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and death then he should have in his short lifetime.

He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them. He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed. He feels every note of the Na tional Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.

Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.

He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding. Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.

And we have woman over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to War when our nation calls us to do so. As you go to bed tonight, remember this shot.. A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones in their helmets......

Remember Our Troops This Christmas

May God Keep Them Safe

Why I Still Love Santa Clause...

It's NOT just about the Toys!

(Then again, the Marines DO have some pretty cool toys...)

It's called "AMERICAN Airlines" for a reason...

Toni from Bear Creek Ledger has posted a beautiful letter from an American Airlines Pilot who recounts their flight bringing a fallen Master Sgt. home.

You can read it here:

Final Flight

Next time I need to catch a plane, I know what airlines I'll be patronizing.

Rejoice! For unto us a DRAGON Is given!

I know what you're thinking...

"Hey! That's not what it says in the Bible! No wonder you're a *Fallen* Angel!"

I know perfectly well what it says in the Bible, thank you very much. I went to Catholic Schools where the mantra was "Learn or Burn" when it came to scripture recitations.

This is a different story about a Virgin Birth...and Here, there be Dragons.

Seriously!

Bag your limit folks..."Open Season" has begun!

Normally, posting about something from Blackfive seems redundant...If you found your way to my little corner of the blogosphere, then you were probably reading Matt's blog long before I ever knew it existed.

I'm making an exception tonight because Uncle Jimbo, in his infinite wisdom, (and apparent appreciation for Heavy Metal,) has posted a video for the song "Open Season" by the band Stuck Mojo that is so incredible that I bought their new CD "Southern Born Killers" before the You Tube clip had finished.

I encourage you to check out Uncle Jimbo's post as it goes into much greater detail about what this song means, including an interview with the writer/performer Rich Ward. Both he and Uncle Jim answer the critics who consider it racist and anti-Muslim.

Ever seen an excellent black male rapper backed by a kick-ass all white male heavy metal band singing about loving America? Well, you're about to...(and if you can find the racism in that, please show me because the above description alone tells me to seriously doubt it's existence)



For free downloads of this and all the tracks on :Southern Born Killers," including complete lyrics visit Stuck Mojo's Media Page.

If you think the entire CD rocks as much as I did, help the band out and buy the CD from the link on the same page. What a nice change to spend money on a CD whose artists didn't contribute to the Kerry campaign!

Fortune Favors The Brave

A long time ago, in a country full of mountains and poppy plants, I adopted three Marines. I am proud to say that we are still in touch over a year later and that what began as three "adoptees" became a full platoon. Fortune really DOES favor the brave becasuse all the reservations I had about adopting roughly 19 Marines were more than overpowered by their overwhelming appreciation and the sheer joy of knowing that I might have made them smile on an otherwise rough day.

They deployed to a new country full of IED's, invisible AP sources and CNN embeded reporters, (more commonly known as treasonous cowards here at home,) and they are fighting the good fight.

I have watched some of these Marines grow from the greenest of kids into the finest of warriors - and they are by no means done. If you've never adopted just one Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine, then you are missing out on something truly special.

I encourage you to visit Soldier's Angels and Any Soldier and commit to adopting a member of our Armed Forces. You will never be more appreciated and you will be reminding those risking their lives for us that you too are greatful for their service.

If I can adopt a platoon...surely YOU can adopt just one!

(Unless of course, you work for CNN.)

Redemption!

You know you're a liberal moonbat freak when...

Danny Bonaduce of the Partridge Family smacks you down like friday night wrestling on camera




h/t Anti-Idiotarian Rotweiler

Ladies & Gentlemen...

I give you examples of Trust, Teamwork and one brave Lieutenant!

US Navy Presidential Ceremonial Honor Guard Drill Team

You May Have to Press your Space Bar and then the Start Arrow on the video screen.

h/t Sons of Texas Motorcycle Touring Club
Proud Members of The Patriot Guard Riders

Remember - Honor - Teach

Remember the fallen

Honor those who serve

Teach our children the value of freedom.


Those are the words that define the mission of Wreaths Across America

This past Thursday, I was honored to have participated in a wreath laying memorial that began in Arlington National Cemetery 15 years ago by a man named Morrill Worcester. Many of you have seen the photo above of the wreaths in the snow at Arlington, but this year, he, along with folks from The Civil Air Patrol decided to take it NATIONAL!

The National Cemetery in my area was one of over 200 that participated in a Moment of Silence coordinated with the same one held in Arlington. This was followed by the wreath laying itself. I'll let you read the details on your own as Arlington's wreath laying differ from the others.

But that didn't make it any less amazing.

I still really don't have the words to describe what it was like not just to be there, but to "experience" such hallowed ground. I stood at the resting places of men who fought with my Father in Korea. I knelt at graves of three CMOH recipients from WWII. I wept at the marker of a SEAL who mentored my cousin...and I was restored at that of a Marine, whose Mother cried on my shoulder and yet spoke with such pride in her son at the same moment.

Go to Wreaths Across America and find out what YOU can do to honor the fallen in 2007.

It's a lot more than you think!

Angel Goes Shopping

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I would rather face a firing squad than the mall ANY time of year, but at Christmas, I would rather be gut shot by said firing squad then venture into one of those places.

(Ok...I'm exaggerating just a bit but you get the idea)

This year, I am joining the 21st Century and doing alot of my shopping online. Some folks might think that's a bit impersonal, but could you get THIS for YOUR DAD at the mall?

Take one photo of my Dad in Korea, circa 1953...

Add one picture of "Rocky" mascot for the 3rd Infantry Division

Send them to someone like Frankie Cee at "Frankly Opinionated's" Cafe Press Shop

And Viola! MERRY CHRISTMAS DADDY!

Finally - Some Good news for the Good guys!

Texas man gets 14 life sentences for trooper shooting

The Houston Chronicle reports on a 39 yr old Tyler Texas man's sentencing after pleading guilty to 14 counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon against a public servant, all of which are first-degree felonies.

Francisco Saucedo, a Mexican citizen who lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was also sentenced to more than 10 years in federal prison for being found illegally in the U.S. after being deported to Mexico twice before because of felony convictions.

He will be 99 when he becomes eligible for parole.

Bring the Christmas Spirit to Wounded Marines!

Bear Creek Ledger has a way for you to do just that - by sending Christmas Cards to wounded Marines at the National Naval Medical Center to and wounded Soldiers at Walter Reed.

There is also a request to send cards to a young Pfc. who has been in the hospital since this time last year...and very recently had his leg amputated. This alone was more than enough for me to put pen to paper but then I found out"the rest of the story" from Michelle Malkin, and I was infuriated. I'll let you read it for yourselves, but when you're finished, I hope you'll agree that we in the blogosphere should fill up the entire hospital wing where Pfc. Josh Sparling is recovering with enough cards, letters and Christmas goodies that it brings the postal service to a stand still!

All the information you need to send cards to the wounded Marines and Soldiers is listed in Bear Creek Ledger's post along with the specific address at Walter Reed for Pfc. Joshua Sparling.

Please take the time this year, as you write out your Christmas Cards to family and friends, to write just a few more for these outstanding men and women - many of them will not be able to see their families over the Holiday...and for those without close family members, YOUR Christmas Card may be the only one they receive this year. Don't let them down!

h/t Bear Creek Ledger
h/t Michelle Malkin

These Marines are NOT Martyrs!

There is an excellent article by Steve Schippert at ThreatsWatch.org entitled "Distorting Marines as Martyrs." It is yet another example of leaked intelligence ending up in the hands of the media, but in this case what should have been portrayed as a victory for the Marines in the Anbar Province was so horribly twisted by the Washington Post, (no surprise there,) that it came off looking like a defeat.

There is a link to the Wo-Po article on the site as well as a detailed explanation of the original leaked intel report so that one can easily see just how far off the mark the media is when reporting on the war and the state of our troops.

Thank goodness for the Michael Yon's of this world who, on their own dime, willingly place themselves in harms way to report back to us about the real situation is on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan. His dispatches, along with those of many deployed service members who take the time to write about their own experiences, give us more than just balanced perspective, they give us what CNN claims to offer yet rarely delivers...the unvarnished truth.

We Remember...Pearl Harbor Day

We Remember

65 years ago today, our nation was attacked by the Japanese, marking our entry into WWII, and forever designating December 7th as The Day of Infamy.

Below is the story of one sailor and his memories of that day as he watched the attack from the USS Phoenix.

A Veteran tells his tale...

Let us all take a moment to remember the men who lost their lives that day, and to thank God for those who bravely serve our nation past and present.

I like this bastard!

Found a great blog, Crotchety Old Bastard, through a post on one of my all time favorite reads, BLACK FIVE.

Check out his post on "Effective Diplomacy." and I bet you find yourselves nodding your head in agreement...especially after you read the previous post entitled UN******* BELIEVABLE!

While you're visiting, be sure to read the post that led me to him "Welcome Home Son," where you can leave a message for his son and other members of the 82nd AIRBORNE who are due home in the next few days.

I suspect that this guy is about to become one of my favorite reads!

Angel Out!

h/t BLACK FIVE

h/t Crotchety Old Bastard

And on a lighter note...

ROFASIX - CAV Guy! has the latest Darwin Awards posted and they are as hysterical as always!

Check 'em out folks - they are more than worth your while!

Ok, Ok, I know who won, but...

You just HAVE to see this video posted by THE FAST SQUIRREL!

Congratulations MAJOR Zeigenfuss!

For those of you who read From My Position...On The Way, the excellent blog by Chuck Ziegenfuss, you already know that he has officially been promoted to Major!

Stop by his blog and send the man an 'atta boy! Buy one of his GREAT shirts while you're there too - the proceeds go to Soldier's Angels.

(Raising her glass to Major Z!)