"...I was honored to fight for freedom, and I’d do it again.”

Posted By Mr Wolf

Col Millett
THIS is a story.

The NYT has a great (!) story up in their obits about COL Lewis Millett, who just passed away.  A Medal of Honor recipient, his story is one of the most unusual you will ever read about.

BLUF: He went from the US to the Canadian army in WWII, back to the US, convicted of desertion (and fined 52 dollars) and then fought in Korea and Vietnam.  Honored for the famed Bayonet Hill charge, his legacy will long live on.

Captain Millett was wounded by grenade fragments, but his men took the hill. President Harry S. Truman presented him with the Medal of Honor in July 1951. As the citation put it, “His dauntless leadership and personal courage so inspired his men that they stormed into the hostile position and used their bayonets with such lethal effect that the enemy fled in wild disorder.”

Then, there is this one (WaPo):

As an antitank gunner in Tunisia, he earned the Silver Star after he jumped into a burning ammunition-filled halftrack, drove it away from allied soldiers and leapt to safety just before the vehicle exploded. Not long after, he shot down a German Messerschmitt Me-109 fighter that was strafing Allied troops. Col. Millett, who was firing from machine guns mounted on a halftrack, hit the pilot through the windshield.

God Speed, Colonel.  There are so few like you anymore...

Wolf



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November 19, 2009 • PermalinkComments (14)TrackBack (0)
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Cooking with the Wounded Phase II Kickoff

Posted By Laughing_Wolf

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There is little better in this world than doing some good, and especially doing some good for the troops with a good group of people. Cooking with the Wounded is now a formal program, and Phase II kicked off in high style thanks to Katy and Molly of the Yellow Bowl Bakery, who have founded their own group Bakers without Borders to do for the troops, and to Concrete Bob who brought together the 173rd ABN, the Warrior Legacy Foundation, DC Free Republic, and the grilling regulars to do quite a cookout. The result was pure Southern hospitality:  grazing from the early afternoon on into the evening.  

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The day started with Concrete Bob and company setting up for an afternoon of fine eating.  Bob provided some excellent chicken, which was far better than the last batch of BBQ chicken I did.  Carter and Dayna, Lisa Everington (Apogee Solutions), and Gunn Nutt took care of the sides, hamburgers, hot dogs, and more.  We even had Princess Crabby drive down from Boston to help with the cookout, and Mary Ripley of the U.S. Naval Institute joined in as well. Special thanks also go to Olga for her help. 

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This went from about 1 until 5:30, and a special shout out needs to go to a certain CSM who truly got things cooking.  The crowd was not quite what was expected, but it turns out half the residents had hopped a charter to Vegas and that some field trips caused the crowd to slowly build.  The families made it for me, however, and my favorite was the little girl who, when her parents wanted to leave and go inside, and daddy waved and said goodbye, simply looked up at him, smiled, waved, and called out good bye to him... 

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As things got dark, it was time to move in and for Soldiers' Angels to host Bakers without Borders.  These excellent chefs brought:  6 Kentucky Bourbon pecan pies; 6 pumpkin pies; 6 blueberry oatmeal pies; 2 sheet cakes; brownies; cookies; and... I know I'm forgetting something but I lost count and track of all the goodies.  I also have to admit, their pecan pie out did my momma's pecan pie and may even be my all-time favorite.  We didn't get a shot of the spread, in large part because the hordes descended and we think around 200 people were fed.  Again, I lost count and how do you count at least one person who came back for thirds on the pecan pie?  

Phase II of Cooking with the Wounded is off to a roaring start.  Work now turns to raising the money for the ladies of the Yellow Bowl Bakery to Landstuhl for the next event.  There is some community support, and all support is welcome.  Check out what we are planning, not just for Landstuhl but where we would like to take the program.  You can also check it out on Facebook.

My thanks to Bakers without Borders, Bob, and everyone who came and made this event such a success.  Just goes to show what you can do when good groups and people all work together.  Thank you.

LW

PS:  If you want to know why all of us, from all the different groups, do this here's one reason why from an e-mail sent to Concrete Bob:

Your group's presentation and serving of an afternoon meal on 11/14 at Malogne House was of the highest regard and is sincerely appreciated.  My son is recently returned from Afganistan with battle wounds, and is overcome with emotion at the incredible outpouring of support from virtually all he encounters.  May the Lord bless all of you, and all that you do, in support of these warriors.  Thank you again. 

Our thanks to you and to your son, Sir.  The honor and pleasure are ours. 



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November 16, 2009 • PermalinkComments (3)TrackBack (0)
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Want freedom of Speech in the Army? Then Convert to Islam

Posted By Blackfive

Wow, via Instapundit's comment:

WHILE MAJOR NIDAL HASSAN’S JIHADI SPEECH WAS HANDLED WITH P.C. KIDGLOVES, other members of the military are treated very, very differently. My advice: Convert to Islam, so you can get away with saying almost anything . . . .

Glenn's link takes us to the Mudville Gazette which shows why an American soldier cannot voice an opinion.  At least according to the Army...

It's a MUST READ!

PS:  CJ was part of the 3rd ID run to Baghdad.  Dog Face Soldiers, mount up! 

Over at Bouhammer, there are a few ways that you can help CJ. 



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November 13, 2009 • PermalinkComments (6)TrackBack (0)
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A New Campaign for the Warrior Legacy Foundation

Posted By Mr Wolf

In honor of this very special Veterans Day, the Warrior Legacy Foundation is letting you all in on a little secret- they are letting out a sneak preview of a new fundraising and awareness campaign- all led by WLF Board Member and Country Singer Derek Sholl.

This is a teaser of what is to come, and what they are working on with his team to accomplish.  Headlined under the banner ''For a moment, put yourself in their shoes..'' and have celebrities, entertainers, leaders and others be photographed in the boots of our Warriors.  Here are some sneak pictures of SOME of those who have already committed to getting photos done (and many more to come...)

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November 11, 2009 • PermalinkComments (10)TrackBack (0)
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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"



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November 11, 2009 • PermalinkComments (4)TrackBack (1)
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Let's Put Valour-IT Over The Top

Posted By Laughing_Wolf

We are almost there, or are we? Times are tough, but there is always more we can do.  Yet, sometimes we need a bit more incentive to go do it.  Well, we have some incentive for you.  Patti and others are willing to go bald if you will take it over the top.  With an example like that, how can I fail to step up?

If Team Army gets to $50,000 by Wednesday evening, I will go bald as well.  I will even arrange to have photos or video taken if you can kick it up to that level. 

So, what's it to be?  Shall we just barely equal the Marines, or show what Army Strange Strong really means. 

LW



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November 10, 2009 • PermalinkComments (5)TrackBack (0)
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ReMIND.org & Stand Up For Heroes

Posted By Laughing_Wolf Last Wednesday, I had the honor to attend the third annual Stand Up For Heroes gala in New York.  A fundraiser for the Bob Woodruff Foundation/ReMIND.org, it brings together a variety of people to raise money for our wounded.  Not only that, but the first three rows at The Town Hall theatre (where the phrase "not a bad seat in the house" was coined) were given over to some of those wounded in the last year and their families. 

Brian Williams of NBC was the MC, and the acts, well, let's see:  Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen, Louis CK, Stephen Colbert, and Lisa Lampanelli were the highlights.  Jon Stewart, along with the First Lady and President G. H. Bush, sent a video presentation for the evening.  All the performers, and I include Brian Williams in that category, were good.  Williams has a very dry sense of humor, and the decency to keep the audience informed of what was happening in a certain world series game...  Louis CK was good, and Colbert (in his camo suit) got off some really good lines, my favorite was his discussion of Gen. Odierno as Shreck, and how soft the generals hands were and about how he gave Colbet a full Brazilian to go with the haircut.  I will also admit that Lisa Lampanelli has never been a favorite of mine, but her equal opportunity picking upon was well done, and I (and others) just about fell out of our seats over her gay Navy routine.  The best line was "that's why the Navy uses powdered soap, it takes longer to pick up." 

The goal was to raise money, and they did.  A company promised to match any and all donations made that night up to $150,000.00, and given that I think they raised more than the $150k based on pledges, I suspect they cleared well over $300,000.00 on that alone.  In addition, Bruce Springsteen presented the guitar he played in his last set for auction, and it was bought by actress Mariska Hargitay for $50,000.00.  The victory dance she did when Bruce handed her the guitar (possibly in/on her seat) was worth the price of admission. 

Two things need to be noted here.  First, ReMIND.org gives most of the money it raises to other charities, grassroots organizations that are already doing the work with the wounded.  They are not trying to reinvent the wheel.  Second, they -- like Valour-IT -- are in doing a fundraiser centered on Veteran's Day.  If you are of a mind to, they are looking to get people to donate $11.11 on Veteran's Day.  It's a good cause and I've donated to them before myself. 

While it was a quick trip, I did get to do a couple of other things.  Rich Lowe and his wife were kind enough to offer me the hospitality of their home, and it was a pleasure to get to peruse his library a bit and to view the excellent collection of military miniatures and impressive dioramas there.  Richard was also kind enough to buy me an excellent lunch at the Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station (Blue Point Oysters with anchovy butter) before I walked over to the U.S.S. New York for a visit.   I want to thank the Navy for letting me aboard, and the Marines for an excellent visit/tour/instruction session.  It was a true pleasure to spend time with such a good group, and to be able to present a Soldiers' Angels "May We Never Forget" coin to a ship that has "Never Forget" as its motto. 

Don't forget, if you can, give a bit to ReMIND.org and there is still a chance to get my head shaved if Team Army gets extremely lucky.  Come on, you want to see me bald...

LW



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November 10, 2009 • PermalinkComments (4)TrackBack (0)
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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.



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November 09, 2009 • PermalinkComments (10)TrackBack (0)
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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"



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November 09, 2009 • PermalinkComments (2)TrackBack (0)
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Military Motivators For Valour-IT - USAF Nancies in the crosshairs

Posted By Blackfive

Update: Been receiving a lot of email from irate USAF personnel and retirees. Please, people, I respect the USAF - just not until November 11th when the Valour-IT competition (divided by military branch) is over. Stop with the emails about how many times you were in combat or how many times you were shot, stabbed, shanked, punched, burned, and blown up in the line of duty. Chip, meet shoulder.

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Let's boost TEAM ARMY and donate to Valour-IT. More Military Motivators at the expense of our brothers and sisters in blue after the Jump.

Continue reading "Military Motivators For Valour-IT - USAF Nancies in the crosshairs"



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November 02, 2009 • PermalinkComments (22)TrackBack (1)
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