Veterans Day - Part II - It's About The Living

Posted By Blackfive

Pearl Harbor survivor Houston James of Dallas embraces Marine Staff Sgt. Mark Graunke Jr. during a Veterans Day commemoration in Dallas. Graunke lost a hand, a leg and and eye when he was injured by a bomb in Iraq last year. (AP Photo)

Veterans Day - Part 1 - We Start With the Late Great Mike Royko

Posted By Blackfive

"A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards." - Theodore Roosevelt

Again this year (sort of a Veterans Day tradition), I wanted to offer up my favorite Veterans Day article from the late, great Mike Royko (1932 - 1997) who penned it in 1993.  I don't care if you were a paratrooper, cook, medic, grunt, pilot, or ran the laundry and bath point, you have my thanks for serving our country.

I think Mike's got the right idea about how to celebrate Veterans Day, GI-Style:

I just phoned six friends and asked them what they will be doing on Monday.

They all said the same thing: working.

Me, too.

There is something else we share. We are all military veterans.

And there is a third thing we have in common. We are not employees of the federal government, state government, county government, municipal government, the Postal Service, the courts, banks, or S & Ls, and we don’t teach school.

If we did, we would be among the many millions of people who will spend Monday goofing off.

Which is why it is about time Congress revised the ridiculous terms of Veterans Day as a national holiday.

The purpose of Veterans Day is to honor all veterans.

So how does this country honor them?...

Continue reading "Veterans Day - Part 1 - We Start With the Late Great Mike Royko"

How the New York Times does Veterans Day

Posted By Blackfive

I know you're not surprised.  I guess I still expect more from "professionals". For posterity, here's a screen shot of the NYTimes Veterans Day Section (archive):

On the right for web headlines about Veterans Day issues, the NYTimes lists:

Michael Moore - This Just In
GOP to send Veterans Day letter to Obama asking for troop increase to Afghanistan

CNN Political Ticker
Senator: 131,000 homeless vets a 'disgrace'

TAPPED
Think Tank Round-Up: Obvious Benefits to the Economy Edition.

VetVoice
Coal Front Group Hijacks Veterans, Dishonors Veterans' Day

BLACKFIVE
Five Student Veterans You Should Meet

I realize that it's pulling a feed.  But still, a little editing here?

When Michael Moore's voice counts on Veterans Day to veterans, that's the day I'll know this country is done.  But for now, it's the NYTimes has Moore for stories on vets.  And VetVoice, CNN, Moore, etc. are in the rotation.

Where the Hell is Mudville Gazette?  Where is the Castle Argghhh! ?  Where the freak is Bouhammer?  SpouseBuzz? Villainous Company?  The US Naval Institute?  I could go on all day.  Maybe we need to ensure we're added enmasse?

But that's not all...

Here is a list of their articles about Vets on Veterans Day which some seem more appropriate (at least a few of them):

Gridiron Gladiators: Block That Metaphor! - “Fox NFL Sunday,” which was broadcast from Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan, glorified fake warriors and their game, and played to a crowd of real warriors locked in an eight-year-old conflict.

Back From War, but Not Really Home - A sense of dislocation has been shared by veterans returning from war since Homer conjured Odysseus’ inauspicious return some 2,800 years ago.

Bush Honors Veterans at the Intrepid - Bush receives praise for his leadership since 9/11.

Decades Later, Recognition of a Seaman’s Heroics - America may not make presidents of those who serve it in uniform, but it does try not to forget them.

Echo of a Distant War -To seek peace, to oppose war, to cherish memory is a way to honor veterans on this day of armistice, this Veterans Day.

A Holiday to End All Wars - For Americans, Veterans Day celebrates the survivors of all the nation’s 20th and 21st century wars. In France and Britain, by contrast, the mood is altogether more somber.

All in all, I'd give the NYTimes Veterans Day Section a D+.

Mike Royko's article about Veterans Day is the best I've ever read.  We republish it here every Veterans Day.  I'll be at work but I'll set it to post for you all tomorrow.

Pass the tequila.

My third favorite video of all time...

Posted By Blackfive

Right after Tombstone and the entire Firefly series comes this video of Blackfive friend and uber-badass (and SF sniper) Tim Kennedy and Recon Marine Jon Walsh. Both are multiple tour (intense) combat vets, both have just returned from training Marines in Mixed Martial Arts techniques. This video is not about those techniques.

The guys at RangerUp are on fire. Don't put them out (they can take it, they ARE Rangers after all). Buy their shirts. Support their fighters.

Which one?

Posted By Blackfive

Which one was the Department of Homeland Security concerned about?

Happy birthday USMC

Posted By Blackfive

To all of our Marine brothers and sisters, Happy 234th Birthday!

For Our Allies and Family - Rememberance Day On November 11th

Posted By Blackfive

While we have Veterans Day, this Wednesday will be Remembrance Day for our friends in the Commonwealth. Below are a few videos in honor of their sacrifices.

Here's a video that an American Marine sent me that is about our Canadian brothers and sisters.

And you can't ever forget Aussie Beccy Cole's Poster Girl:

Any others out there? Link to them in Comments.

CNN interviews PVT Joe Foster - Another Hero Emerges

Posted By Blackfive

Another reason to be proud of our troops.  Another Hero emerges from this incident.

Listen to his comments about the experience, being Irish, and heading to Afghanistan.

JD Johannes - Saladin Province

Posted By Blackfive Head over to Outside the Wire to check out JD's latest photos of the trips he makes around Iraq.  Be sure to see the Iraqi army/police patches...and then read what JD thinks victory in Iraq will look like.

In Preparation for the US Marine Corps Birthday Tomorrow

Posted By Blackfive

I'd ask that go to this post, read it, but more importantly, READ THE COMMENTS.  Then, come back and read after the Jump.

Continue reading "In Preparation for the US Marine Corps Birthday Tomorrow"

ALERT: Veterans Day - Some Companies Continue to Support our Military

Posted By Blackfive

During these tough economic times, there are a few stand-up companies that continue to support military and veterans.

After the Jump, I'll put some official announcements for vets.  If I miss an announcement or a benefit, feel free to post it in the Comments.

Continue reading "ALERT: Veterans Day - Some Companies Continue to Support our Military"

Two Years Ago Today...

Posted By Blackfive

We remember:

PFC Joseph M. Lancour, 21, of Swartz Creek, Michigan
SPC Sean K.A. Langevin, 23, of Walnut Creek, California
SPC Lester G. Roque, 23, of Torrance, California
SGT Jeffrey S. Mersman, 23, of Parker, Kansas
Marine Sgt. Phillip A. Bocks, 28, of Troy, Michigan
Captain Matthew Ferrara, 24, of Torrance, California

A Hero's Salute

Posted By Blackfive

I believe that this young man is a medic with someone's blood on his shirt.  Words do not describe the pride I feel or the gratitude that we have such people in our military:

 

A first responder to a lone gunman's attack at Fort Hood Nov. 5 renders honors at retreat after aiding his fellow soldiers. U.S. Army photo

More photos of the incident below and after the Jump:

 

Post police take cover when a gunman fires shots at the Fort Hood Soldier Readiness Processing Center Nov. 5, 2009. U.S. Army photo

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SWAT team members approach a building with a gunman inside. Thirteen people were killed and 30 more wounded in an attack by a lone gunman at Fort Hood Nov. 5, 2009. U.S. Army photo

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First responders use a table as a stretcher to transport a wounded soldier to an awaiting ambulance at Fort Hood Nov. 5, 2009. U.S. Army photo

Continue reading "A Hero's Salute"

Fort Hood Shooting - Aftermath

Posted By Blackfive

First, Soldiers' Angels is gathering cards for the families of the fallen and the wounded.

SOLDIERS' ANGELS STANDING BY FOR FT. HOOD-- Collecting cards and NEW stuffed animals for the families and children of the fallen/wounded heroes. Please send cards and stuffed animals/blankets/anything NEW that may brighten the life of a child to:

Soldiers' Angels Warehouse
4408 PanAm Expressway
San Antonio, TX 78218

WE WILL FOCUS on the HOLIDAY OUTREACH as a major push.

Next, as the media tried to make PTS an issue (across all networks), I called a few producers to let them know that Hasan had never served overseas.  No "combat-related" PTS.

Also, the media tries for victim-hood on Hasan.  Apparently, reports are that he was harassed for being muslim.  I have sources that have stated that the Army investigated Hasan's claims that he was being targeted for his religion and found that either his reports were inaccurate or that he was faking the harassment. 

I have seen soldiers harass muslims (one of the best NCOs I had as a young cav scout platoon leader was Sergeant Hassan).  I have also seen soldiers harass each other for being Italian and Irish and Jewish, etc.  [as a soldier, I also put a stop to that nonsense]

The point of that is that it is not an excuse for murder.

More will be revealed.  From where I stand, much of this looks like religion-inspired terror.  We need to know who his spiritual advisers are (one account is that his chaplain was the same guy who counseled Hasan Akbar, the Army sergeant who killed his fellow soldiers).

Last, many soldiers I have spoken with are deeply concerned about the President's response.  The President spoke for minutes about the Tribal Conference before addressing the tragedy on Fort Hood.  What was THAT about?

Update:  Here's the President's speech about Fort Hood.  Some, in the Comments, have noticed the "Late Night" host like attitude.  Weird.  His PR manager needs to get fired. BTW, most media outlets are cutting out the weird intro.

 

Update 2: Reader Steve sends this clip to NPR's All Things Considered where they discuss some aberrant behavior in Hasan.

NPR "All Things Considered" reports that Hasan talked at a professional meeting about beheading infidels. A fellow doctor reports:

"He gave a Grand Rounds presentation. . . You take turns giving a lecture on, you know, the correct treatment of schizophrenia, the right drugs to prescribe for personality disorder, you know, that sort of thing. But instead of giving an academic paper, he gave a lecture on the Koran, and they said it didn’t seem to be just an informational lecture, but it seemed to be his own beliefs. That’s what a lot of people thought."

"He talked about how if you’re a nonbeliever the Koran says you should have your head cut off, you should have oil poured down your throat, you should be set on fire. And I said well couldn’t this just be his educating you? And the psychiatrist said yes, but one of the Muslims in the audience, another psychiatrist, raised his hand and was quite disturbed and he said you know, a lot of us don’t believe these things you’re saying, and that there was no place where Hasan couched it as this is what the Koran teaches but you know I don’t believe it. And people actually talked in the hallway afterwards about ‘is he one of these people that’s going to freak out and shoot people someday?’"

Update 3:  One word.  HERO

http://abcnews.go.com/WN/fort-hood-officer-kimberly-munley-hailed-massacre-hero/story?id=9014951

Cone said Munley, 34, was doing traffic control in the area when Major Nidal Malik Hasan began spraying unarmed soldiers with rounds from two pistols.

The civilian cop headed straight for the sound of gunfire...
<...>
ABC News' Bob Woodruff reported today that Hasan is paralyzed from his injuries.

Taken into surgery afterwards, Munley spent Thursday night calling her fellow co-workers from her hospital bed to make sure everyone was okay...

Update 4:  I changed the PTSD to "combat related".  

Fort Hood Shootings

Posted By Blackfive

Update: RedCross.org has a  safe list when they are getting info on who is okay on Fort Hood.

Update:  FBI Counter Terror Unit now looking into it.

Gee, thanks, fellas.

Update:  Shooter was muslim convert in the Medical Corps.

Update:  FoxNews:  The FBI Ruled out terrorism

Seriously?

Update:  ABC News: Shooter: Major Malik Nadal Hasan 

Update:  LTG Cone briefs.  12 Dead.  31 wounded.  1 Shooter killed was a soldier.  the other two may be accomplices or shooters.  Weapons were handguns. 

UPDATE:  Wounded now at THIRTY.

UPDATE:  MSNBC has more info (emphasis is mine):

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33678801/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

...Two suspects were captured and four swat officers were wounded, NBC News and KCEN, based in Waco, Texas, reported. The station had earlier said that one of the shooters had been holed up in a building on the base and had opened fire on SWAT team members. KCEN quoted a source as saying the shooter had a high-powered rifle.
 <..>
A nurse at Metroplex Hospital on Fort Hood confirms that those injured in the shooting were being taken there. She told NBC they were all military personnel. The base was reportedly on lockdown. The Killeen Independent School District said all Fort Hood schools are on lockdown.

 

Ft Hood is on lockdown.  At this time, at least seven people dead and twenty are wounded.  One shooter is in custody and is apparently 40 years old.

Authorities are earching for second shoote and there is the possibility of a third shooter.  It appears that the shooters were coordinated and targeting the base theater, the soldier processing center and the PX.

One person who was killed in the PX appears to be part of the first response team to the shootings.

This is not a ramage but premeditated and cowardly murder.  And, quite frankly, appears to target families by hitting the PX and theater in the middle of the afternoon (although in the military, post theaters are often used as classrooms or briefing platforms).

Prayers going out to Fort Hood.

At Least 7 Dead, 12 Wounded in Shooting at Ft. Hood in Texas - Local News | News Articles | National

Source: www.foxnews.com