Blackfive has an inspiring story of a true American Hero, Major Tammy Duckworth. We often tend to forget that women are contributing in a larger part than ever before in combat type operations.

The thing that makes Maj. Duckworth a real hero in my eyes is her determination to reassume her duties in the military despite the extent of her injuries. I certainly wish her well in her quest. Maj. Duckworth is the embodiment of the best qualities of Military service, Pride, Honor, and Faithfulness.

Kudos to Blackfive on being named Best Military Blog in the 2004 Blog Awards!
He certainly earned it.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 10:12 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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The Left has made much of Rumsfeld's comment that "you go to war with the Army you have, not the Army you want". Given the level of funding the Left would WANT to give the Military, here's an example of the aircraft defensive systems they would allow:

(note: NO body armor!)

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 05:23 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Here's another E-mail from Brandon.

The Story:

Claire Elizabeth Bailey was a friend of mine (a best friend's best friend) that was tragically lost in a car accident on April 18, 2003. She was on her way home from college, driving out to her parent's lake house, driving 35 in a 35, seat belt on, hydroplaned in the rain. She got hit by a Chevy Van on the passenger's side...she was doing everything right. Everything worked in her favor...yet still, the Lord called on her hand...and took her to her final resting place.

I was working really late one night and I sat down with a pen in my hand and saw a scratch piece of paper sitting in front of me. I don't know why but I was compelled to write down my feelings...I started and the whole thing just flowed from my brain to my fingers, from pen to paper. What was really weird is I hadn't written anything "poetic" since 7th grade...

The Poem:

CLAIRE

I sit here and think
As the rain hits the ground
My heart rests empty
Loneliness is around

The room echoes
With every word I whisper
There is no doubt in my mind
That I should be with her

She left quickly, quietly
Tiptoed through the night
Left it all behind
Vanished out of sight

The news ate at my heart
Like a plague-ridden rose
Tore through my soul
Worse than anything I've known

I'd like to ask why
But I know the answer
He called upon her hand
For he has his follower

What once was an angle on earth
Is now a star shining bright
She looks out over us
And protects with all her might

Darkness falls on this world of mine
Without her just the same
But knowing her light shines brightly above
Calms and soothes my pain

As I travel on my journey
I know we'll never part
She will be there by my side
Holding the key to my heart

Brandon

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 04:50 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I received an e-mail today from Cpl. Brandon Strassler USMC today. Brandon was a good friend of Cpl. Kyle Renahan's from Cherry Point. He had written a poem about how he felt about Kyles death, and Claire's death too. Here it is:

GROWTH

I'm learning to grow
I'm seeing the light
I realize what is happening
It's all about the fight

My emotions run deep
My soul cries out
I witness my purpose
I learn what life's all about

He whispers his words
He feeds my heart
I fuel my curiosity
I try to do my part

She shows me her love
She leads me her way
I tiptoe so softly
I catch up someday

His memory keeps me going
His memory soothes my pain
I smile at his picture
I know he didn't pass in vain

They both were called upon
They had completed their journey
I look back and see it now
I hope to learn from their maturity

I'm learning to grow
I'm feeling so safe
I FINALLY realize what is happening
It's all about the faith

Brandon
26 Dec 04

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 04:44 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Here is a poll that shows the attitude of the men and women on the "pointed end of the stick" in regards to Iraq.

These are the people who take the risks and see what is really happening on the ground in Iraq. I found it interesting to note that the support for the operations there was highest among those who had served there the longest.

It also shows that that the troops are under no illusions as to how long we may have to continue operations. I only pray that we don't have a repeat of the CIVILIAN anti-war crowd that we experienced in Viet Nam. It would be an immoral travesty to negate the sacrifices made by our troops in Iraq as we did in Viet Nam.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 06:33 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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The MSM has done everything in it's power to make Donald Rumsfeld out to be an overbearing, self-righteous ogre that cares little for the welfare of the troops under his purview. One father of a Marine captain killed in Iraq has a different view.

I think the reason for the villification of Rumsfeld is that he stands up to the press and answers their questions with cold logic and not a hand wringing angst of "what did we do?" Rumsfeld is a MAN in a mans position, and the press act like little children trying to play "gotcha" and playing as if the the cold hard facts of life in war don't apply to american soldiers. The questions SHOULD be tough about any military operations, but the focus shouldn't be about a personality, but about facts, results and consequences. Mr. Rumsfeld has shown himself to be able to handle his responsibilities like an adult, and it's irritating the childlike press.

The fact that Rumsfeld visits the wounded at Bethesda often and WITHOUT PRESS COVERAGE speaks volumes about the man in my mind. He could use these visits as photo-ops to ease the pressure against him, but he knows that only children and polititians think that way. He goes because it is the RIGHT thing for him to do. He takes his responsibilities personally and ackowledges the sacrifices made by the men and women who are affected by his decisions in a personal and heartfelt manner, not as a part of a political game.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 05:53 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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The Banty Rooster has a first hand account by an Army nurse anesthetist who witnessed an encounter between Donald Rumsfeld and a badly wounded soldier.

Read it. Bookmark it. And the next time someone disparages our SecDef, point the moonbat to this story and show him how a real man acts like.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 04:17 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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SOMETIMES, NOTHING MORE NEED BE SAID....

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 10:40 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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I posted about this before, and it seems that the reporter that fed the young dupe soldier the question didn't even try to get the facts right. He saw an opportunity to get Rumsfeld in a "gotcha" that would raise a furor with the sheeple folks back on the home front, and he took it. Like the CBS fake documents fiasco however, it seems that it's coming back to bite the reporter in the posterior.

From the Washington Times emphasis mine)

"The reporter who managed to get a National Guardsman serving in Iraq to question Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld about why his unit's vehicles lacked sufficient armor coached the soldier using false information," NewsMax.com reports.

"In fact, by the time Chattanooga Times Free Press reporter Edward Lee Pitts rehearsed Spc. Thomas 'Jerry' Wilson on what to say to Rumsfeld, the Pentagon had already up-armored 97 percent of the vehicles in Thomas' 278th Regimental Combat Team, senior members of the Army's combat systems development and acquisition team said Thursday.

"Further undermining the premise of Pitts' question, orders to up-armor the last 20 of the 278th's 830 vehicles were already in the pipeline when he engineered the bogus inquiry," NewsMax said.

"According to the Maryville, Tenn., Daily Times — a rival to Pitts' paper — Army Maj. Gen. Stephen Speakes and Army Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Sorenson said during last week's Pentagon briefing that routine pre-deployment preparations before proceeding to Iraq included adding protective armor plates to the last 20 vehicles of the Tennessee-based 278th Regimental Combat Team's 830 vehicles.

" 'When the question was asked, 20 vehicles remained to be up-armored at that point,' Gen. Speakes said, in comments completely ignored by the major media.

" 'We completed those 20 vehicles in the next day,' he said. 'In other words, we completed all the armoring within 24 hours of the time the question was asked,' Gen. Speakes added.

Just another case of the MSM trying to move their own anti-war/administration agenda.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 08:04 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Update on LCPL Kyle Renehan: Copied from the Baltimore Sun

CORPORAL KYLE J. RENEHAN, USMC (21), died on December 9, 2004,as a result of injuries he sustained while serving his country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is survived by his loving parents, James P. and Theresa L. Renehan; brothers, Brandon P., CPL (USMC) Christopher, Spencer L., and Cameron L. Renehan; nephew, Michael D. Renehan; grandmothers, Elizabeth Ann Renehan and Mildred L. Gallis. He is predeceased by both grandfathers, Patrick Renehan (paternal) and Cy Gallis (maternal). Family will receive friends on Sunday, December 19, from 12 to 3 P.M. and 5 to 9 P.M. at Fleck Funeral Home, Inc., 7601 Sandy Spring Rd., Laurel, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary's of the Mill Catholic Church, 114 St. Mary's Place, Laurel, Maryland on Monday, December 20 at 11:30 A.M. Interment, Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Silver Spring, MD. Donations in Kyle's memory may be made to: Fisher House Foundation, Inc., 1401 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 11:44 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Oliver North has a column showing up the MSM on just how biased it really is.

He compares and contrasts the media treatment given to two different stories about two very different Servicemen.

Go read it.

Ask yourself, why is one man "heroic", according to the MSM, for shirking his duty, while a TRUE hero who knowingly and willingly gave up his life to protect his brothers in arms live's is all but ignored?

The MSM is all too willing to broadcast anything embarrassing to the administration, but when there are stories of true heroism and self-sacrifice, there is an all but deafening silence. We The People must show the MSM that we. will. NOT stand for this obvious bias any longer. Hit them where it hurts, in the pocketbook. Write them and let them know why you refuse to read/watch/listen to them any longer. Patronize only those news outlets that show ALL sides of an issue, and report just the facts and not their opinions.

Sgt. Rafael Peralta USMC, rest in peace. You made the ultimate sacrifice for your fellow Marines, may you be forever remembered with the honor you deserve. Semper Fi

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 08:25 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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This statue currently stands outside the Iraqi palace, now home to the 4th Infantry division. It will eventually be shipped home and put in the memorial museum in Fort Hood, Texas.

The statue was created by an Iraqi artist named Kalat, who for years was forced by Saddam Hussein to make the many hundreds of bronze busts of Saddam that dotted Baghdad.

Kalat was so grateful for the Americans liberation of his country; he melted 3 of the heads of the fallen Saddam and made the statue as a memorial to the American soldiers and their fallen warriors. Kalat worked on this memorial night and day for several months.

To the left of the kneeling soldier is a small Iraqi girl giving the soldier comfort as he mourns the loss of his comrade in arms.

Do you know why we don't hear about this in the news? Because it is heart warming and praise worthy. The media avoids it because it does not have the shock effect that a flashed breast or controversy of politics does. But we can do something about it. We can pass this along to as many people as we can in honor of all our brave military who is making a difference.

hat tip to SlagleRock

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 05:37 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Today is the tenth anniversery of my nephew's entry into the hallowed ranks of Those Who Serve, in the Air Force to be specific.

So to SSgt. Robert G. Slagle USAF, Congratulations and many more happy years in doing what you do best.

Go on over and give him your best wishes.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 01:14 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Much has been made in the MSM about a question that a young dupe trooper asked Donald Rumsfeld about getting more uparmored Humvees into the thjeater of operations. Greyhawk has a good take on it from the perspective of one who is there and doing that.

One of the points he makes is that no army anywhere has ever gone into battle with everything that they needed, or most certainly, wanted. One of the great strengths of American servicemembers has always been the ability to "make do" and to adapt their equipment with on the ground modifications to suit the needs of the particular theater where they were operating in.

That is not to say that that the government shouldn't ensure that they provide the best and the most equipment possible to the troops at the pointed end of forcefull diplomacy, but to acknowledge that it will never be a perfect system, and there will always be needs unmet, in any exercise of military power.

I sincerely believe that the shortcomings are being addressed, and hopefully overcome, in the shortest possible time.

Why did I call the trooper a dupe? Because he was cajoled into asking the question by an imbed reporter trying to set up a "gotcha" moment so he could write yet another story critical of the war. It was a valid question, but the ensuing coverage reveals the true reasoning behind it wasn't to try to protect the troops, but to try to embarrass the administration yet again.

It was a question from one who hasn't entered the zone yet, maybe the conditions in the zone are aren't what they are in the staging area. The fact that he stated that "they were scounging steel to add to their vehicles" shows that the men higher up are aware of some the problems and are trying to overcome them in a time honored way..Yankee ingenuity.

Soldiers will always bitch about the conditions they are fighting in, and the equipment they are fighting with. That is a military tradition. They usually come up with ingenious ways to upgrade their equipment on their own to meet their needs and be more in tune with their conditions. That is also a military tradition.

Some MSM sources try to make much of the fact that some troops were sent without adequate body armor. The same MSM that 15 years ago complained that military expenditures were far too high. In my time of service body armor was almost unheard of, other than the "Flackjacket" type issued to some troops in Viet Nam, and found to be highly wanting to the type of operations and environment being fought in.

The fact is that the technology has been vastly improved in the intervening years and come into much greater use, but this technology is expensive and choices must always be made in military appropiations. Sometimes those choices are wrong, and the grunt on the ground suffers for it. Thats life, get over it. There will always be shortcomings in war. We will get enough armored vehicles/body armor in the theater, and there will arise another shortage item. That is also life.

Civilians always assume that any piece of military gear can be used in any condition for any mission. That is far from the truth. The fact is that if you put enough armor on a Humvee to protect the soldiers within to the greatest extent possible, you'd no longer have a humvee, you'd have an APC. An APC can't do things that a humvee can. Military operations always carry great risk to the personnel involved, there is no way around that other than not engaging in the operations in the first place. Service members know the risks when they join, that is what truly makes them all heroes, knowing the risks and doing the job anyway.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 11:49 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Blackfive has a last request made by one of the brave men that paid the ultimate price in Iraq. He wanted Toby Keiths "American Soldier" played at his funeral. This man is a patriot even in his death!

Davids family and friends want to go one better, and want to try to have as many radio stations playing the song on the air at one time in memorium to him, in as many parts of the couintry as possible. In this way they feel they can honor David in the way it was most like him.

If you don't listen to country music, there is a link in his post to where you can find the station(s) in your area.

This man gave his all in OUR defense, the LEAST we can do is spend just a few minutes of our time to try to honor him in a way he would have found delightfull.

He is being laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetary at 10 Am EST on the 15th of December.
David's family and friends are asking radio stations to play Toby Keith's "American Soldier" on the 15th at 1pm EST with a dedication to Specialist David Mahlenbrock.

Let's make this happen!

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 01:08 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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LCpl Kyle Renehan USMC died this this morning of complications from his injuries sustained in a mortar attack in Fallujah on November 29, 2004

I offer my most heartfelt condolences to his family and hope that they can take comfort in the fact that Kyle was a man that that saw and performed his duty to his country in the finest traditions of the Marines. May his name be forever remembered in the Corps as one of their own who gave the last full measure in the service of his country.

Condolences may be extended to the family through LC & IB BethW at Yeah,right,whatever.
The family has asked, in lieu of donations or flowers, that a donation be made to a military charity of your choice.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 11:44 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Citizen (LT) Smash has a great open letter to Pedro Paredes, giving him a knock with the cluebat™ on what his future will be if he continues on his present course of action. Definately a MUST READ!

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 09:52 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Want to see a view of Fallujah from one who is there?

Here's an article in The American Thinker by Maj. Steve Ramos,USMCR. His view is different than that of the MSM.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 10:33 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Some soldiers in the Sandbox are complaining that the Army is in breach of contract by making them stay in the T-o-O beyond the term of their enlistments.
Eight of them are filing a lawsuit to try to force the Army from continuing it's Stop Loss Policy.

I believe that some of these men may have a case, in that they have fulfulled terms far beyond the standard eight years of obligation. On the other hand, it's always been standard military policy that soldiers engaged in combat theaters are there "for the duration", in this case, that means for the duration of their unit's deployment in the T-o-O.

The policy isn't "fair" to some of these men, I agree, but sometimes the needs of the service outweighs the needs of the individual. The policy was instituted to provide for unit continuity of experience, which can be vital in safeguarding service member's lives. Having a "rooky" next to you in a firefight can be downright dangerous.

I still wish that the Military would relax some age and condition restrictions on prior service citizens. I may be 50, but I can still perform my prior service job almost as well as I could when I was 20, and the influx of volunteers with a relaxationion of restrictions may ease the need for the Stop Loss Policy. I truly believe that there are a great number of us "seasoned" former servicemen/women that would volunteer in a second, were we provided the opportunity to do so. At the very least, even if we were restricted to stateside duties, we could free up younger, more able-bodied, men and women to serve in the active Theater of Operations.

UPDATE: The soldier that was the standard bearer in this case, Spc. David Qualls, lost his case in Federal Court. The court held that it was CLEARLY stated in the the enlistment contract that his duty could be extended against his wishes in time of national emergency or war. At last, a court that doesn't follow the PC "everyone's a victom" syndrome of recent years! I heartily applaud U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth's ruling.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 09:05 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Petty Officer Third Class Pablo Paredes has a problem with the war in Iraq. He was recently assigned to join a transport ship ferrying Marines to Iraq, and Petty Officer Paredes has decided that he could not in participate in that activity, as he disagrees with the war.

"I don't want to be a part of a ship that's taking 3,000 Marines over there, knowing a hundred or more of them won't come back," he said. "I can't sleep at night knowing that's what I do for a living."

While I can somewhat understand that he may not be in favor of the war, I feel that PO Paredes has been in the Navy long enough to have known what the job of the Armed Services consists of, and if he had a moral objection to obeying lawful orders, he should have applied for CO status and release from his military obligation long ago.

The individual service member doesn't have the right to pick and choose which wars he will participate in, thats part of the contract he undertook when joining the service. He may disagree with his CiC, but he still has the obligation to obey his orders as passed down through the chain of command.

I do believe him when he states that he isn't afraid for his own life, but doesn't want to be a contributor to the deaths of any Marines, but he gave up the right of that choice when he raised his hand and took the oath, and he of all people should understand that each and every Marine voluntarily made his or her own choice to be where they are, and doing what they do.

At least he had the integrity to announce his intentions and states that he is willing to take the consequences. That, at least, shows that he does realize he has to take responsibility for his decisions. I hope that owning up to his responsibility will comfort him in his stay at Leavenworth.

To not fullfill an obligation he freely undertook is nothing less than hubris, and if he takes the actions that he says he intends to, he should be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible under the UCMJ.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 08:22 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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