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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Beyond COIN v. CT or COIN + CT: An Emerging Third Position

Posted By Grim

How many troops do we need in Afghanistan?

Yesterday's publishing of State Department officer's letter of resignation brought us a practical expression of a theory:  essentially, that the unified insurgency would collapse if we weren't there for it to fight.  The theory holds that tribal ethic of "me against my brother, the two of us against our cousins, the four of us against our neighbors, all of us against the tribe across the ridge, all those tribes together against strangers..." is allowing the Pashtun-based Taliban to hold up a coalition that they couldn't manage without us present.  If we pulled back, or pulled out, these natural tensions would reassert themselves and the insurgency would be ripped apart from the inside.

There are several names associated with this theory that give it credibility.  The first is Dr. David Kilcullen, who needs no introduction to readers of BLACKFIVE.  His book The Accidental Guerrilla holds that there are two factions to the insurgencies we fight:  the hard-core ideologues who came to fight us, and the "accidental guerrillas" who got swept up into a fight that happened in their backyard.  Dr. Kilcullen gives advice not so much aimed at abandoning the fight, but on swaying those who have 'accidentally' fallen in with the enemy toward our side. 

Another, who should be as well known but is not, is MAJ Jim Gant, a Special Forces officer who has a new paper out on the subject of tribal engagement.  The paper is only 45 pages long, yet offers some fairly specific suggestions on how to reform current practices to support the strategy he proposes. [BlackFive edit. note:  Major Gant was a SYSK two and a half years ago for his courage and honor in Iraq, and there's a follow up piece here.]

In Iraq, tribal engagement is how the Awakening happened:  the tribal frictions began to pull some of the 'accidental' guerrillas away from AQI, and the Coalition was ready to do what it took to support their swing to our side of the conflict. 

How would that theory work in the absence of Coalition forces, which is what is being proposed in Afghanistan?  Presumably, one would wait for the tribal tensions to create open fissures between the hard core and the local tribals, and then make contact with those tribes and offer them support at a much-lower footprint:  perhaps with MAJ Gant's proposed SF advisors, or perhaps only with money and weapons.  In return for their support against terrorists, and tacit support for the government, they would be allowed to field forces and control their own territory (as the Sons of Iraq were so permitted).  This approach creates a whole new class of "warlords" in Afghanistan -- or reinforces existing ones -- but it could plausibly create a situation in which those warlords became clients of the Afghan government rather than foes of it. 

One of the hallmarks of COIN theory is that you shouldn't create local-national COIN forces that look like Western forces.  Rather, they should be organic to the local culture, so they will have credibility with the local culture instead of appearing to be a foreign imposition.  This approach suggests a modification of that basic hallmark:  you may need both.  At first, an organic tribal/militia force can actually win the fight on the ground.  The 'Westernized' security forces take longer to develop and purge of corruption, but are important to finalizing the peace and providing the central government with the ability to control the ground at the end of the day.

The Sons of Iraq are a good example of this, in just the way that the Iraqi Security Forces were not:  and it took the SOI to end the fight, so that the ISF could step in later and assume governance roles.  These roles may be in support of the tribes as much as they are in support of the central government:  the ISF becomes, as we have been, the negotiator between the central government they serve and the tribal leaders they work with every day.  In that way, they are the glue that holds the state together and allows for a final peace.

Another voice is Dr. Rory Stewart, who famously walked across Afghanistan in 2002.  He also holds that the US should back off substantially in Afghanistan in order to allow ethnic rivalries to work against the Taliban.  While they would capture some outlying areas, the Uzbek and Tajik rivalries should restrain them from overrunning the country.  A minimal Coalition presence in Kabul would keep the government from collapsing, and allow it to reach out to other Afghans with aid programs and economic support. 

Dr. Stewart isn't envisioning a high-level strategy of the type described above, but rather a sort of "muddling-through."  However, he sees the same basic tension at work:  the Taliban being constrained by rivalries that are suppressed because of our presence.

Dr. Tony Corn at SWJ proposed something similar recently, which he called "A Kilcullen-Biden plan."  His article is interesting because it looks at things from a higher level perspective as well:  can the US actually afford to fight this war?  He doesn't think we can.  Since the COIN model we are currently using requires substantial funding for a long time, if he is correct than a scaled-back model becomes inevitable. 

Can we make such a strategy work, and at a much lower cost in American lives and money?  It depends on whether the central theory is true.  The Taliban were able to overrun most of Afghanistan before, though what became the Northern Alliance did indeed stop them.  How far would we have to pull back, and for how long, before the tensions rising to the surface began to split the insurgency enough to reintroduce Tribal Engagement Teams, for example?

This approach would also mean consigning Afghan women and girls (and any remaining current allies!) in these remote areas to control by the Taliban.  That's a moral cost we'd have to decide that we were prepared to accept. 

Finally, it would create something akin to a safe-haven in those areas where the tribal/ethnic fissures were least.  Pakistan's decision to do this is what precipitated the strong, Taliban-based insurgency we are facing now.  We would be gambling that the new safe-haven would be contained by the fissures, so that the Taliban would have all it could do to deal with newly-opposed tribes and ethnic forces (who would have our support, of course, when they were prepared to accept it).

It's a strategy with some risk, then, and some known costs we'd have to elect to accept.  Nevertheless, it's not a foolish proposal:  some of our best and most experienced believe it can work, while saving American lives and fortunes.

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Evan Pertile - A Future Soldier and SYSK Follow Up

Posted By Blackfive RE: Evan Pertile - A Future Soldier You Should Know
RE: Spiritual Warfare Needed - Evan Pertile
RE: Some Spiritual and Caring Bridge Warfare Needed
RE: Evan Pertile - SYSK Follow Up
RE: Evan Pertile - Returned to Duty

Received this update from Brenda, one of Evan's guardian angels - read the whole report.  There's fantastic news at the end but we still need to send prayers and positive thoughts for Evan to stay healthy through this latest flu season as his immune system is still weak:

Dear Evan's Army,

Evan has been very excited about the response he received after his story was in the October issue of Soldiers Magazine.  He loved reading all of the guest book postings from his new friends.  It always amazes me that strangers take time out of their busy day to write words of encouragement to Army Strong Evan.

Evan received two packages from Afghanistan recently which he absolutely loved and which completely moved Alex and me.  One package was an Airbourne flag, signed by many brave men and women overseas, an Airbourne football (which William is actively coveting...), some Army Coins of Excellence, and an American flag that was flown in combat in Afghanistan in Evan's honor with an accompanying certificate from the pilots.

 Well, if that wasn't enough of a a tear-jerking present, the next day the other one arrived.  This one was a beautiful, very large frame from more friends.  The matting was signed by courageous members of our military.  The items displayed are so wonderful.  Yes - he received another American flag that was flown in his honor in combat along with the certificate signed by the Pilots.  The flag was folded in the traditional triangular shape and there was a perfect area in the display for it and for the certificate.  Surrounding the flag along the border were patches, probably taken off our brave soldiers' uniforms.  Evan of course thought this was "super-cool".

Thank you so much to the wonderful people who sent these awesome gifts to our son.  They mean so much to him!

Evan and I are sitting in the plane en route to Memphis right now.  He is very excited to go back and see his doctors and the great staff at St. Jude.   We are hosting a little pizza party tomorrow for the wonderful neuro-oncology clinic tomorrow, which should be fun.  Evan just looked out the window, turned to me and said "God made this world beautiful.  Mom, he really did!"  This child's glass is perennially half-full.  What a lesson in life and attitude he teaches me daily!  I was speaking to my friend the other day about grace under adversity and how I strive for that.  One of these days it may come true!

So, you probably clued in with by now that we are heading back to Memphis... 

Continue reading "Evan Pertile - A Future Soldier and SYSK Follow Up"

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Mission: To protect and promote the reputation and dignity of America's Warriors.
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Godspeed Navy SEAL Ryan Job

Posted By Blackfive

RE: Ryan and Kelly Job - Someone You Should Know

This is just horrible news that we lost Ryan.  He was one of the best human beings on the planet.

Iraq vet, spokesman for wounded, dies at 28
Sunday, September 27 | 2:00 p.m.
BY LYNN THOMPSON

Blinded by a sniper's bullet in Iraq, Ryan Job retained his characteristic determination and persistence. He climbed Mount Rainier, trained for a triathlon and became a spokesman for an organization that helps wounded veterans transition to civilian life.

"He didn't back down from any challenge," said a friend, Tyler Lein, of Scottsdale, Ariz.

Mr. Job, who grew up in Issaquah, died Thursday morning after major reconstructive surgery at Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix. He was 28...

For those of you who didn't know of Ryan, Froggy wrote here on Blackfive about Marc Lee and Ryan Job:

Ryan was the SEAL who was critically wounded preceeding Marc Lee's death in Ramadi on 2 August 06.  Ryan was shot in the face and he has completely lost his right eye and may very well lose his left.  He is recovering at Bethesda Naval Medical Center in Maryland right now.  I had the privilege of speaking with Ryan this afternoon on the phone, and I was struck by the courage and committment of this young man even at what must be his darkest hour. 

Ryan was very grateful for Marc, "shooting for me," while his platoon tried to casevac him from the Ramadi rooftop where he was hit.  Ryan was also grateful that an M1 tank put two 120mm rounds into the building from which he was shot.  He told me that he takes great comfort in the fact that the terrorist who took his right eye won't be around to enjoy it, and I heartily agree with him.  Though he certainly knows that he won't have the chance, he emphasized repeatedly to me that all he wanted to do was to get back into the fight with his platoonmates and that he'd gladly give his left eye for the opportunity.

Where do we get such men?   

Ryan Job was also a recipient of a Valour-IT laptop thanks to Blackfive readers donations.

Words just fail me so prayers are on the way for Kelly and Ryan's family, friends and brother SEALs.

Godspeed, Ryan Job. 

Update:  RichardUSA posts valuable info in the Comments of where you can send a condolence card to Ryan's family or a donation:

Thank you for posting this Matt. Below are links to three charitable entities which the family has indicated as recipients for donations if anyone desires to make such a donation in memory of Ryan.

http://www.camppatriot.org/

http://www.nswfoundation.org/

http://www.sentinelsoffreedom.org/sof_rw/sof.cfm

Ryan had climbed Mount Rainier with the Camp Patriot organization after recovering from many of his injuries. He was their national spokesman. If anyone wishes to send a condolence card to his family, you may send it to me at the following address and I will see that they receive them. Please note that all cards will be opened before I send them to his family to insure that no one sends anything offensive. That is an unfortunate necessity on a public site.

The family of Ryan Job
C/O Patriot Support
716 Centre of New England Blvd. #173
Coventry, RI 02816

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Tim Kennedy Fight on Friday

Posted By Blackfive

Hey, good people of BlackFive, friend, hero and all-around uber-badass, Staff Sergeant Tim Kennedy will be fighting on Friday.  You can catch the fight in Tulsa (one of my favorite towns) or on Showtime.

You can go here for more details.

Also, bookmark Tim's new website at MMA.com.

Here is Uncle Jimbo's video interview of Tim:

And here is the link to his Someone You Should Know post.

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Mission: To protect and promote the reputation and dignity of America's Warriors.
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Colonel Hector Henry - Someone You Should Know

Posted By Blackfive

A Retired Medical Corps Doctor volunteers for another tour in Iraq (fourth).  He's seventy years old.  And not only is he serving in Iraq, he also serves on his town council via remote broadcast from Iraq.

A reader, Scott P., sends this story about COL Henry:

Concord Army colonel keeps up with city council duties from Iraq

Julie Rose
Tuesday September 15, 2009

...It's no surprise to his fellow council members that Colonel Henry has found a way to participate in council meetings while in Iraq. He has a reputation for being dedicated and very thorough

Actually, Councilman Jim Ramseur jokes it's kind of an advantage to have the Colonel so far away. "We like it on the computer better, you know, he doesn't say as much," says Ramseur, chuckling. "We kid him like he's in his early 100s. But he's actually 70. So 70 years old to go to Iraq. No matter, if you take everything else away, that's a major accomplishment. So we're mighty proud of him for that."

Colonel Henry rang me also using Skype.

"Hey Julie, this is Hector Henry calling you from Baghdad, Iraq."

In the background I could see a fridge, a black leather couch and a TV playing cartoons and old music videos. Colonel Henry says it's the break room for doctors and nurses at the clinic. They offer emergency care for soldiers that are seriously injured. But mostly, Colonel Henry says his job is run-of-the-mill care for the 3,000 soldiers of the North Carolina National Guard unit to which he's assigned...

Read the whole story here (audio too).

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Mission: To protect and promote the reputation and dignity of America's Warriors.
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SFC Jared C. Monti MOH Ceremony - "One In A Million"

Posted By McQ

Today President Obama presented the Medal of Honor to SFC Jared Monti's parents. If you have a moment, take the time to watch it and reflect on the sacrifices made in our name and in our defense by our men and women in uniform.

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The Commitment to Courage - MOH Convention in Chicago

Posted By Blackfive

I've been a bit silent on the net lately working on some big projects.  One of the ones that I'm proud to tell you about is the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's annual convention.  I'm on the Host Committee and have been working on marketing the convention with some of the very best people from the Pritzker Military Library and the Tawani Foundation. 

Special thanks to This Ain't Hell, Castle Argghhh!, the Mudville Gazette and Boston Maggie for helping to promote the convention.

The convention's theme is "Commit to Courage".

What defines courage?

That's a good question.  Last Saturday, I had to think about that when my 8-year-old son was playing in his minor league Little League game and was hit (really hard) by the pitcher at his last at-bat.  On Sunday, we went to practice after church and he asked me about bravery.  He was now, understandably, a bit afraid of getting hit by a baseball.  I told him that he couldn't be brave unless he already had fear.  And that everyone who is brave has fear.  He asked me if I had ever been afraid of jumping out of airplanes in the Airborne.  I told him "every time."  He asked me if I thought if he asked "god for help being brave would that help?"  And I asked him if he thought that god would simply give him bravery or would god give him the opportunity to be brave? 

He already knew the answer.  He had to commit to being courageous.

There are many definitions of courage.  We are told that courage is a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear.  Or courage is the strength to face danger or take on challenges. 

Recipients of the Medal of Honor will tell you while they understand courage, they felt intense fear.  And it is the ability to overcome fear in any situation that leads one to strength and understanding.  And with strength and understanding, comes courage. 

With courage, comes sacrifice.

The recipients wear their medal for everyone who has ever worn the uniform, perhaps more so for the men who were with them the day, THAT day...and always for the ones who did not come home. 

And these men, who demonstrated great courage and sacrifice in the face of danger, have stories that are lessons for the kind of courage needed to survive the challenges of everyday life (even Little League).  The recipients of the Medal of Honor ask us all to take the initiative, to respond to challenges and act responsibly (even courageously) when the opportunity presents itself in our daily lives.

That's committing to courage.

Here is an article in the Chicago Tribune...I'll give you just a taste so you should go and check it out.

They were all dead men who refused to die.

Outnumbered by the enemy, they risked everything to save the soldiers around them -- and they succeeded.

They are heroes, and they have the hardware to prove it. When more than 50 of the 95 living recipients of the Medal of Honor meet in Chicago this week for their annual convention, they'll form one of the nobler gatherings this city has seen. Never before have the Medal of Honor recipients convened here.

But most of these men -- tested so severely in combat -- were simply ordinary Americans before their wars, and after. And they can tell us a great deal about what makes a hero...

The kick off of the CMOH convention is today with a ceremony and autograph session at Soldier Field.  If you're in the Chicago area, come on down.  Ask for me at the media check in (Gate 2) and someone will track me down.

Join us on Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Chicago Commit to Courage
Medal of Honor Convention
Opening Ceremony
Soldier Field
1:00 p.m. at Gate O
Free Parking off of 18th Street on the Waldron Deck.
Ceremony Free.
Ceremony will be live webcast on nbcchicago.com
more...
Ceremony followed by autograph signing session
with over 45 Medal of Honor Recipients.
See link below for registering.

Here is more information:

The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest military award presented for valor in combat. Of the estimated 42 million Americans who have served this country in uniform, only 3,447 individuals have received the Medal of Honor and many of those were awarded posthumously. There are today only 95 living recipients and these distinguished veterans have dedicated their lives to providing a better understanding to all citizens about the importance of service over self.

Recipients of the Medal of Honor are members of a select organization - the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Each year these heroes travel around the country and abroad, individually and in groups, for outreach activities to veterans groups, schools and military organizations. At their spring Board meeting in New York, the Society selects one city each year to host their convention. It is at these conventions that more than 60 recipients gather to meet directly with military, veterans, students, business leaders and the general public in a variety of events. In recent years, the Society has awarded the distinction of Medal of Honor Host City to Phoenix, Boston, Green Bay and Denver in 2008.

The goals of the convention are to further the bond of brotherhood and comradeship among the living Recipients of the Medal of Honor and their families, to remember in reverence and respect those who have received the Medal of Honor posthumously and those who are now deceased, to foster patriotism and to inspire our communities and to recognize and award outstanding citizens who promote and perpetuate the principles upon which our nation was founded through their life's work and achievements.

Please visit the schedule of events section of the website to learn of the days and times at which you can meet our visiting Medal of Honor Recipients.

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"Inconvenienced" Doesn't Begin to Describe It

Posted By Blackfive

Sergeant First Class William "Brian" Woods was a Team Medical Sergeant of Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne).  On August 14th, Brian was shot and killed by small arms fire in Ghazni, Afghanistan. At 32 years old, Brian had done multiple tours of duty in the War on Terror.  He enlisted in the Marine Corps and served four years before joining the Army and becoming a Special Forces Soldier. 

He leaves behind a wife, Elizabeth, and two daughters in Chesapeake, MD.

It seems that Brian's funeral procession in St Louis county caused one motorist an "inconvenience".  The motorist complained to the County Sheriff. 

The original email below was sent to Sheriff Glenn Boyer on Thursday, August 27. Below is the citizen's email followed by Sheriff Boyer's response.

I tried to call you earlier this morning, but was unable to obtain your extension from the voice mail system as I was not sure of your first name or correct spelling of your last.

I was inadvertently in this procession as I was leaving work on 270 from Creve Coeur and proceeding on Hwy. 30 West. I have some issues and complaints. I called the Sheriff's office last night, but the officer in charge would not speak with me. His name was Corp. Curtis. I am in no way complaining about your officers. I, however, was not treated very fairly when I called last evening because I wanted a ticket/complaint/or at least a slap on wrist for the people involved. Let me explain:
1) This procession should never have been held during rush hour traffic! Hwy. 270 is dangerous and people drive way too fast and there is too much traffic. This soldier's certainly would not have want his family hurt on the interstate taking him to Cedar Hill. People were dead-stopping on the interstate even though the procession was in the far right lane, the other three lanes just stopped. There were many near accidents and possibly were after I drove through. I was in the 2nd to left lane, no way obstructing the funeral procession.
2) I exited off on Gravois (30 W), far right lane. Your police officers went in the left lane to stop any additional on-coming traffic so the procession could exit off 270 into the LEFT lane of 30. Again, I was in the right lane. The St. Louis County officer stopped and turned around at Weber Hill to return on 270 after the procession passed.
3) The road was not closed. (Only for president as far as I know.) Again, the road was not closed. Your officers only had the left lane blocked/closed for the funeral. All other traffic by MO law can proceed as long as they do not interfere (weave in and out )with funeral procession.
Let me say, that I did not know what was happening. I knew the did not have Kennedy coming to STL, at least not yesterday. I was at work all day. No news. Nothing reported on the traffic on the radio driving home.
Anyway, two of these dirty, nasty, renegade, who knows what motorcycle men that were escorting the procession proceeded to stop in front of me in the right lane on Gravois. I had to stop in the middle of an intersection. They proceeded to scream and yell at me about respecting this soldier, etc. One of them climbed off his motorcycle and came over to me and stuck his head in my car continuing to scream at me. I asked him what this was for and he told me I needed to stop as the officers had the road blocked and show some dang respect. #1, the road was not blocked, the funeral was in the other lane. #2, I am proud of our country and sorry for the family, but they had no idea where I was going or anything else. I could have a child at day-care, I could have been sick and racing to the bathroom, I could have a sick parent waiting for me, etc., etc.
#3, They are not law enforcement and had no right to stop in the lane on Gravois and they had no right to scream at me and intimidate and threaten me. If I would have had my pepper spray, I would have used it on this nasty man! He is just a big hoo ha that is not even related to this soldier. The other man did not get off his scooter, but was along side of my passenger window screaming.
I left an abusive husband 1 1/2 years ago and I did not need this intimidation. I was livid and shaking!!
My son is a deputy sheriff in another MO county. I respect police officers. It was not their fault as they were busy with traffic, but I called to make them aware of what was going on during this thing. The St. Louis County officer saw it but of course he was out of jurisdiction.
However, I called last night and your office asked me if I knew about this soldier. Again, I am sorry about him, but I am a taxpayer. I got a speeding ticket a few months ago and paid the fine. I do not deserve to be treated like this. I wanted to let the officer know how these men were acting. Also, they were driving into the turnarounds on Hwy. 30 and then back onto the road. the funeral was much further ahead. One of them nearly got hit by me and other people almost hit him and another as well. I wanted to lodge a complaint about them why they were still there, but no one in your office would take any information or do anything.
This was not a military funeral, even though it was a soldier. There were not military vehicles. It was a funeral and the road was not closed, the lane was closed, I was in the other lane and again, these nasty men had no right to do this and I would have liked them to get a ticket!
I am sorry for the soldier and his family but you cannot let these motorcycle renegades do this. They could have caused several accidents and I really wanted them arrested. If they had any respect for the soldier they would have dressed better and not looked and acted so scuzzy.

Thank you.

Here is Sheriff Boyer's response:

From:
Glenn Boyer/JEFFCO
Date: 08/31/2009 02:05 PM

Subject: Re: Fw: Re: Funeral Procession - Yesterday p.m.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear XXXXX:

Yes, you do deserve a response and I am willing to give you one.

I would like to say that I am sorry for the inconvenience we caused you during the funeral procession of Sergeant 1st Class William B. Woods, but I cannot do so. I would ask instead that you take a moment of your time to take into consideration the scope of the event. Your very right to complain was the reason Sgt. Woods fought for his country and ultimately gave his life; thus making the ultimate sacrifice for you and your family.

Let me introduce you to him. After high school, Sergeant Woods entered the Marine Corps. After his contract was up, he joined the Army, where he became a Green Beret. He comes from a long line of military members in his family. His Uncle is a Vietnam Veteran and two of his grandfathers were World War II Veterans. His job in the Army was one of the most dangerous jobs - he was a sniper looking for the bad guys to stop before they killed or injured one of our soldiers. He has numerous decorations to include the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

He grew up in Catawissa and was best known by his middle name, Brian. He enjoyed the outdoors, playing sports, and skydiving. He had a wife, Elizabeth, and two daughters, whom he loved dearly. He was a soft-spoken, level-headed young man who was proud to serve his country no matter what the risk. Now, I did not know him, but I wish I did. I am quoting from newspaper articles written about him.

At the young age of 31, he was shot during an engagement with Taliban forces in Ghanzi , Afghanistan . He died of his wounds in Germany on August 16, with his family by his side. He did not choose the time of his death, nor did he choose the time his remains would be brought back to his home in Catawissa. He just did his duty. He was quite a young man.

While you were being inconvenienced in your car on your way home, there were soldiers just like Sergeant Woods carrying 100+ pounds of equipment in 120 degree heat, up some mountain or in the middle of some desert. They will shower out of a helmet liner if they get the chance. They will eat a cold meal of MRE's; something most people would consider garbage. They cannot text their family or friends, or go to McDonalds, or watch TV. They can only continue the mission and look out after the guy to the left and right of them. They don't complain because they know they volunteered. The only thing they ask is that we do not forget the sacrifices they have made.

One of the dirty "big hoo ha" bikers, as you call them, was Brian's uncle, a Vietnam Veteran, like myself. We were not treated with a homecoming. We were spit on and called baby killers by a misguided public. Brian's uncle was giving him the respect that he, himself, never received when he came back and I, for one, am proud of him for doing so.

You say that your brother is a deputy in another Missouri county. I am sure he would be proud to escort the casket of a fallen solder, the same as he would that of a fallen officer. I am also sure he would not agree with your complaint about being inconvenienced.

My mother recently passed away. She was a World War II Veteran, serving the U.S. Army. She would say, maybe you should pick up Sergeant Woods' ruck sack and carry on where he left off. Then you could see first hand what it really is to be inconvenienced.

Per your request, I will forward your complaint to the Prosecuting Attorney's Office for his review. It is my personal opinion that your complaint is self-serving and without merit.

Sheriff Oliver "Glenn" Boyer

And before any of you go to check Snopes to see if this is real or not (and Snopes is occasionally wrong), here is the article about the incident in the St Louis Post Dispatch(courtesy of Blackfive reader Val)

Here is a video interview of Sheriff Boyer:

Last, you can send a donation to Brian's little girls:

Monetary donations for Lily & Elle Woods can be made at ANY Bank of America location - simply ask to donate to:

Daughters of Brian Woods Trust Fund

Godspeed,Brian Woods.

Update: More here at Soldiers' Angels Germany.

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Matthew Lancelot Ryan - Someone You Should Know

Posted By Blackfive
2,996 is a tribute to the victims of 9/11.

On September 11, 2006, 2,996 volunteer bloggers
will join together for a tribute to the victims of 9/11.
Each person will pay tribute to a single victim.

We will honor them by remembering their lives,
and not by remembering their murderers.

Battalion 1 Chief Matthew "Matty" Lancelot Ryan was not assigned to me in due course of the project. There were two reasons I requested to cover Chief Ryan for the project: [1] As I researched the fire chief, I discovered that we have a lot of similiarities (reading newspapers, hockey, and classic rock) and [2] someone that was originally assigned to cover Chief Ryan would have tried to hurt the Ryan family and tarnish the Chief's memory.

Matthew “Matty” Ryan, an Irish New Yorker, was born in 1947, married Margaret in 1969, and became a Firefighter in 1973. Ryan was known in the New York Fire Department as one of the calmest and under control fire fighters. He also was known for his love of hockey which he played at a seminary in Pennsylvania  And, as I mentioned previously, while he listened to all forms of music (including Jazz and Irish music), he most loved classic rock.

From Newsday:

“Often as the battle against a major fire was being waged, it was said, Ryan could be found whispering instructions and calming words of assurance in the ears of less seasoned firefighters…”

Matthew Ryan was recognized as always being the team's rock in the storm of a fire.  And because of his unflappable nature, he rose through the ranks in the Fire Department first as a fire fighter in Engine 280 in Brooklyn before becoming a lieutenant in Engine 43 in the Bronx among other assignments before becoming chief of Battalion 1 in Manhattan.

On Sunday, September 9^th, 2001, the Ryans had just returned from a family vacation on Cape Cod.

On September 11^th, terrorists flew two planes into the World Trade Center towers.  The FDNY responded to the attack.  We all know the story.  While people escaped the flames, other men and women ran into the towers.  Police and Firefighters saved who they could instead of saving themselves.  Their chiefs were on the ground and in the towers giving orders.

Based on all I've found, I'm certain that Chief Ryan was their anchor that day, even as the towers fell.

There is a scholarship set up in honor of Matthew Lancelot Ryan.

The BC Matthew Ryan Memorial Scholarship benefits children of active, retired and deceased members of the FDNY that played hockey (FDNY, Firehouse, Town , local or league teams).  The scholarship is available for use in HS, Trade, Vocational, or College/University purposes. You inquire how to help the fund via Mrs. Ryan:

Margaret Ryan
PO Box 1096
Massapequa, NY 11758

Please visit the other bloggers of the 2,996 project.

Update: NBC's Bryan Williams had a recent piece about the sons of the fallen firefighters becoming firefighters themselves.  Chief Ryan's son, Matthew, is now a FDNY Firefighter and wears his father's recovered claddagh ring.

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