Vote for some other mom as America's Favorite Mom?
Personally, I know that MY mom is the best ever, but I can't vote for her every day until March 31st to try to get $5000 for Soldiers' Angels.
But we CAN cast votes for Patti Patton-Bader as America's Most Inspiring Mom at http://www.americasfavoritemom.com/ in hopes to win her the big prize.
Yes, you have to register. Yes, you have to remember another password, but that's not too hard, right?
Put a daily reminder on your calendar or pda to vote every day, too.
Still here? GO VOTE! *** CLICK HERE ***
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Y'all, this is cool: The Resolve to Win March from SC to DC
Four more veterans to make you proud: Dennis McCool, Marc Breslow, Carl Herrup and Gerry McCool. (HT: Hugh Hewitt and Bonnie at Soldiers' Angels who sent us a "heads up" email!)
Check out their "Resolve to Win" March that is taking them from South Carolina to Washington, DC. A sixteen day trek. Why are they doing this? Here's the blog post from Dennis McCool just before he returned from Iraq earlier this year:
Read the rest here.
If you live along or near their route, you can join them or cheer them on. Tomorrow will be Day 7, but if you live between Rocky Mount, NC and DC, you've still got time to wish them well or join them for a little exercise. Links along the left side of their website show you the exact route planned for each day (and note, Day 1 = March 1, Day 2 = March 2, etc.)
I have a Soldiers' Angels committment through lunchtime on Day 16, but I hope to join them on the final stretch to the Lincoln Memorial as that bit is right near my front door.
In the meantime, best wishes, Gentlemen! And well done.
Check out their "Resolve to Win" March that is taking them from South Carolina to Washington, DC. A sixteen day trek. Why are they doing this? Here's the blog post from Dennis McCool just before he returned from Iraq earlier this year:
As a soldier leaving Iraq after a one year tour of duty I have very mixed emotions about leaving here. I think all of us who volunteered to come here had hoped to see this situation in the Middle East resolved satisfactorily during our period of service. Now there is such a turbulent political climate in the US, the future is totally uncertain. What can we do now?
Out of desperation and an intense desire for the American people to understand the perspective of those who have served here, I have an idea, perhaps as drastic as volunteering to come out of retirement to do a tour in a combat zone. So, maybe if you are a Patriot, this idea will appeal to you as well.
Read the rest here.
If you live along or near their route, you can join them or cheer them on. Tomorrow will be Day 7, but if you live between Rocky Mount, NC and DC, you've still got time to wish them well or join them for a little exercise. Links along the left side of their website show you the exact route planned for each day (and note, Day 1 = March 1, Day 2 = March 2, etc.)
I have a Soldiers' Angels committment through lunchtime on Day 16, but I hope to join them on the final stretch to the Lincoln Memorial as that bit is right near my front door.
In the meantime, best wishes, Gentlemen! And well done.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Doubt. Question. Suspend Judgment.
Those are three things you can do when you see negative stories in the press about our men and women in uniform.
This was sort of my informal New Year’s resolution. Not that I didn’t do it before, but it seemed as if it was becoming more important.
When I first joined Soldiers’ Angels, I often felt that my role was partially to reassure someone who had volunteered to wear one of our nation’s uniforms that someone, like me, who hasn’t volunteered for that job, is still steadfast in my support of the job they have offered and trained to do.
Does my resolution seem a little over the top? Maybe giving too much benefit of the doubt? Maybe. But just maybe, our men and women in uniform and all those that have served before them are due a little more than the average benefit of the doubt. More questioning of stereotypes. More presumption of innocence.
Anyone deserves it. They have done plenty more to earn it. We, as a nation, have let them down in the past, so I think going a little overboard is okay. Especially as many others are still singing the same baseless tune that condemned or diminished our Vietnam vets for decades.
So, I will follow the lead of Mrs.G over at Mudville and offer you some contrast to any shock story you might see…
Master Sergeant Woodrow W. Keeble, USA
Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy, USN
Major Bruce P. Crandall, USA
Corporal Jason Dunham, USMC (and here)
Corporal Tibor Rubin, USA
Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith, USA
Those are the six most recent recipients of our nation’s Medal of Honor. Three received the award based on actions in our current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans of Korea and Vietnam received the other three. Read the citations. Visit the Jason Dunham memorial website.
As a reminder, Mrs G. does you a favor on a routine basis by doing her “Dawn Patrol” round-up of web/blog reporting on the military and the GWOT. Check it out.
Want to read more? Go back and read here, here, or here.
Remember, bad apples aside, we should never be anything less than proud to call them “ours”.
This was sort of my informal New Year’s resolution. Not that I didn’t do it before, but it seemed as if it was becoming more important.
When I first joined Soldiers’ Angels, I often felt that my role was partially to reassure someone who had volunteered to wear one of our nation’s uniforms that someone, like me, who hasn’t volunteered for that job, is still steadfast in my support of the job they have offered and trained to do.
Does my resolution seem a little over the top? Maybe giving too much benefit of the doubt? Maybe. But just maybe, our men and women in uniform and all those that have served before them are due a little more than the average benefit of the doubt. More questioning of stereotypes. More presumption of innocence.
Anyone deserves it. They have done plenty more to earn it. We, as a nation, have let them down in the past, so I think going a little overboard is okay. Especially as many others are still singing the same baseless tune that condemned or diminished our Vietnam vets for decades.
So, I will follow the lead of Mrs.G over at Mudville and offer you some contrast to any shock story you might see…
Master Sergeant Woodrow W. Keeble, USA
Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy, USN
Major Bruce P. Crandall, USA
Corporal Jason Dunham, USMC (and here)
Corporal Tibor Rubin, USA
Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith, USA
Those are the six most recent recipients of our nation’s Medal of Honor. Three received the award based on actions in our current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans of Korea and Vietnam received the other three. Read the citations. Visit the Jason Dunham memorial website.
As a reminder, Mrs G. does you a favor on a routine basis by doing her “Dawn Patrol” round-up of web/blog reporting on the military and the GWOT. Check it out.
Want to read more? Go back and read here, here, or here.
Remember, bad apples aside, we should never be anything less than proud to call them “ours”.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Interested in accurate reporting on the war?
Donate to support embeds for independent journalists in 2008!
The crew over at Public Multimedia Inc and The Long War Journal are ramping up for another important year of reporting, and they need your support.
Not only is it a great cause, your donation is 100% tax deductible. I make automatic monthly donations just like I do with other charities and non-profits.
Why?
After adopting my first Marine through Soldiers' Angels, I became a war news junkie. I wanted to know how things were going where my guy was in Iraq in December of 2004.
Milblogs like Blackfive and Mudville Gazette immediately started to fill in some gaps and to give some insight from a military point of view.
Still, it is Bill Roggio and company's reporting over at The Long War Journal (http://www.longwarjournal.org/) that has taken war news blogging to a new level. Initial reporting and analysis based on Roggio's own embeds with troops in theater has morphed into a non-profit organization - Public Multimedia Inc (PMI) - that provides daily updates on the global war on jihadism, or The Long War. In addition to operating the news web site, PMI covers expenses of independent journalists who join our boots on the ground to provide first hand reporting.
And not only has The Long War Journal become a staple of those who get their news from the web, it is now becoming a resource for other media outlets. Last Thursday when news broke that a top Al Qaeda leader had been killed in Pakistan, the FOXNews TV news ticker credited The Long War Journal as their source confirming the Al Qaeda member's role in the terrorist organization.
I gave a small cheer from my hotel room in Philadelphia and sent Bill an email. Kudos to FOXNews for giving credit where credit was due.
So! Help PMI help us keep tabs on the war - donate today!
If you're interested in supporting consistent and in-depth reporting, don't hesitate. As PMI posts on their webpage:
"PMI believes an informed public is necessary for a functional republic, and PMI helps to provide that information. Accurate reporting of The Long War is critical for the American citizenry and her allies to make choices in the important decisions that affect their lives."
I agree.
Plus, I'm an Angel who wants to keep tabs on her current adopted soldier. :)
Friday, February 1, 2008
Lone Survivor: An Inspiring Story
I got this book, Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of Seal Team 10, as a Christmas gift from my sister.
I'd read Froggy's posts here and here (now linked among the Blackfive.net archive of "Someones You Should Know" posts) shortly after the events of June-July 2005 and had made a mental note to add the expected book to my reading list when it came out.
I was reminded that I hadn't read it yet in October of last year when Lt Michael Patrick Murphy was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
Not long after the New Year, I stayed up all night to finish reading the whole story.
**Tissue alert**! as we Angels like to say. As I continually grabbed for extra kleenex, I laughed as a vignette from the book came to mind, "Hydrate!" the Afghani said. Leak enough and you have to put down the book and get a glass of water. Or two. And be forewarned, have your tissues handy even for the introduction. I started this book on the plane from Texas back to DC and had to put it away -- I might have worried the flight attendants....
ANYWAY.
It's a heartwrenching story, made truly readable because we have Marcus to cheer for.
Leading Petty Officer Marcus Luttrell offers a priceless gift by telling his team's story. It's his tribute to those who couldn't make it back, but it's also a story every American should know. While it may be okay that a small percentage of citizens go into battle to defend the rest of us, I think we have some responsibility to understand how they train and what they are prepared to do on our behalf. They are a credit to everything for which our country stands. If you doubt that, read the book.
Kudos to co-author Patrick Robinson; thanks for whatever assistance you provided in getting this story down on paper.
I'd read Froggy's posts here and here (now linked among the Blackfive.net archive of "Someones You Should Know" posts) shortly after the events of June-July 2005 and had made a mental note to add the expected book to my reading list when it came out.
I was reminded that I hadn't read it yet in October of last year when Lt Michael Patrick Murphy was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
Not long after the New Year, I stayed up all night to finish reading the whole story.
**Tissue alert**! as we Angels like to say. As I continually grabbed for extra kleenex, I laughed as a vignette from the book came to mind, "Hydrate!" the Afghani said. Leak enough and you have to put down the book and get a glass of water. Or two. And be forewarned, have your tissues handy even for the introduction. I started this book on the plane from Texas back to DC and had to put it away -- I might have worried the flight attendants....
ANYWAY.
It's a heartwrenching story, made truly readable because we have Marcus to cheer for.
Leading Petty Officer Marcus Luttrell offers a priceless gift by telling his team's story. It's his tribute to those who couldn't make it back, but it's also a story every American should know. While it may be okay that a small percentage of citizens go into battle to defend the rest of us, I think we have some responsibility to understand how they train and what they are prepared to do on our behalf. They are a credit to everything for which our country stands. If you doubt that, read the book.
Kudos to co-author Patrick Robinson; thanks for whatever assistance you provided in getting this story down on paper.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
'Tis the Season... (updated)
...for some suggested reading on Islam and practicing Muslims.
I'm thoroughly enjoying the festive activities of the season, both my own Christmas doings, like attending a choir concert at the National Shrine in DC and participating in a Soldiers' Angels adopt-a-CSH (CSH=Combat Support Hospital) care package effort, as well as the Hannakah traditions being shared by friends and colleagues. It reminds me of when I first learned about the Jewish faith as a pre-schooler in South Carolina. It reminds me that while we have different faiths, we're muddling our way through living together in harmony as Americans.
During the last 6 years, there have been many commentaries on whether that harmony, particularly as acheived in a republic like ours, is ultimately incompatible with Islam. The discussion has extended to whether US intervention in predominantly Muslim areas can offer contructive solutions based on principles and liberties similar to those we take for granted. Since our men and women continue to be in harms way based on the premise that we can, a three part Q&A series with a Muslim American over at National Review Online was very encouraging and resonated with what I believe: that faith in God does not have to divide us.
So, it's slightly off-topic for my blog, but I wanted to recommend reading Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3. [HT: Small Wars Journal Blog]
And, actually, as Dr. Jasser is a former lieutenant commander in the United States Navy, these articles may not be that far off-topic for a Soldiers' [Sailors'!] Angel's blog after all. :)
I'm thoroughly enjoying the festive activities of the season, both my own Christmas doings, like attending a choir concert at the National Shrine in DC and participating in a Soldiers' Angels adopt-a-CSH (CSH=Combat Support Hospital) care package effort, as well as the Hannakah traditions being shared by friends and colleagues. It reminds me of when I first learned about the Jewish faith as a pre-schooler in South Carolina. It reminds me that while we have different faiths, we're muddling our way through living together in harmony as Americans.
During the last 6 years, there have been many commentaries on whether that harmony, particularly as acheived in a republic like ours, is ultimately incompatible with Islam. The discussion has extended to whether US intervention in predominantly Muslim areas can offer contructive solutions based on principles and liberties similar to those we take for granted. Since our men and women continue to be in harms way based on the premise that we can, a three part Q&A series with a Muslim American over at National Review Online was very encouraging and resonated with what I believe: that faith in God does not have to divide us.
So, it's slightly off-topic for my blog, but I wanted to recommend reading Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3. [HT: Small Wars Journal Blog]
And, actually, as Dr. Jasser is a former lieutenant commander in the United States Navy, these articles may not be that far off-topic for a Soldiers' [Sailors'!] Angel's blog after all. :)
Monday, December 10, 2007
Not for Nothing, Take 5
Haven't done one of these posts in a while, but these words from LtCol JJ Dill, USMC, posted over at Blackfive.net reminded me of something that I think about alot...
So what is it that I think about? I think about the emails and letters that I wrote to my adopted soldiers and marines. I think about the times I struggled with what to say, especially in late 2006 when one of my soldiers was beyond frustrated with the apparent futility of his efforts. The frustration was aggravated but increasingly frequent changes of duty. No consistency in his day to day activities and no apparent progress being made. It saddens me just a little that he returned home in early 2007, before he had a chance to see the fruits of his labor, the impact of his persistent presence for over a year. While things weren't going well and progress seemed ellusive, his steps in the sand and his truck's tracks down the road were part of what got Iraq to where it is today. As his frustrations were peaking, Bill Roggio was posting about the Anbar Salvation Council and the Anbar Awakening (The Anbar Tribes vs. al Qaeda, Continued, November 2006) and solid glimmers of hope. I continued to write letters and emails, offering encouragement, gratitude, and cookies, and prayers.
A year on... Well! My soldiers and marines (yes, they're "mine" forever) and all the others who have done one or many tours in the desert have helped give the Iraqis a chance. A chance that the Iraqis seem to be embracing.
I hope that my soldiers and marines (and all the rest!) who've done duty in Iraq can see that from wherever they are today.
...our current success is a result of nearly 5 years of counter-insurgency operations. A general officer recently summed it up perfectly last week as we toured the industrial area of Hit, an area that just a few short months ago was abandoned and now is by all accounts flourishing and improving everyday, by stating, "Every step we took, every footprint we left over the past four years have allowed us to get to this point today." It was not chance or luck. The Sheiks and tribal leaders didn't just wake up one day and decide to join the CF and risk their lives to fight against AQI and the insurgents...we had to earn their trust, prove to them that our objectives were genuine and noble, and we had to fight the enemy with everything we had to show our determination.
So what is it that I think about? I think about the emails and letters that I wrote to my adopted soldiers and marines. I think about the times I struggled with what to say, especially in late 2006 when one of my soldiers was beyond frustrated with the apparent futility of his efforts. The frustration was aggravated but increasingly frequent changes of duty. No consistency in his day to day activities and no apparent progress being made. It saddens me just a little that he returned home in early 2007, before he had a chance to see the fruits of his labor, the impact of his persistent presence for over a year. While things weren't going well and progress seemed ellusive, his steps in the sand and his truck's tracks down the road were part of what got Iraq to where it is today. As his frustrations were peaking, Bill Roggio was posting about the Anbar Salvation Council and the Anbar Awakening (The Anbar Tribes vs. al Qaeda, Continued, November 2006) and solid glimmers of hope. I continued to write letters and emails, offering encouragement, gratitude, and cookies, and prayers.
A year on... Well! My soldiers and marines (yes, they're "mine" forever) and all the others who have done one or many tours in the desert have helped give the Iraqis a chance. A chance that the Iraqis seem to be embracing.
I hope that my soldiers and marines (and all the rest!) who've done duty in Iraq can see that from wherever they are today.
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