Not for Nothing - Take 12

In pictures, see Iraq then and now.

Note that most of the initial pictures (2 through 10) are from 2007, which was the year of the "surge": Gen Petraeus was confirmed in early 2007, and additional troops soon followed him to Iraq. The most intense fighting raged through the summer.

Thank you, Ms Hagar for helping to document the changes in Iraq.

My favorite photo is her last one: a teacher and school girls smiling while on a field trip to Babylon.

In 2007, that photo might have seemed too much to hope for. Now that it's reality, it's particularly sweet.

Please Remember...

...that the sacrifices are heartrendingly huge.

...and that remembering and honoring are our responsibility.


Thanks to The Sniper for the photo/poster.

"Thank you" from a Marine's little sister

I've blogged before about the lunches that Soldiers' Angels hosts at the hospital at our National Naval Medical Center on a weekend day every month or so.

I was there again this past Sunday and was pleased to provide a sandwich, soda, and cookie to a couple dozen patients and family members and a bunch of medical staff.

We always get lots of thank yous, but this is the first time we've gotten a hand-crafted one. Little Eileen brought this by when I was cleaning up. Since there are lots of folks out there whose donations make these lunches possible, I thought you'd like to see our thank you gift from a Marine's little sister.

Her big brother was on a restricted diet, but his mom and I came up with a grape jelly sandwich, some grapes, and some pretzels.

Not bad, Team. Thanks.