Some things to think about after the 2,000th American death in Iraq

I guess its about time that I added my 2 cents to the news of the last couple of days. It has happened, we have now lost our 2,000th soldier in Iraq. I feel for the families of all of those soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen that have lost their lives or had them forever changed.

Mine was forever changed the day I left my family for 13 months, that's 13 months that I will never get back with my 70 year old parents, my beautiful wife or my 9 year old son. I am forever changed by the events of my time in Baghdad and the things that I have seen. Some may say that I lost a year, I say that I lived for that year.

There are children and families in Iraq that are able to vote, to choose their own future because of what my brothers in arms and I have done. Do not make this political, do not try to divide our country as it was during Viet Nam. What we are doing is just, it is necessary and it should have been done a long time ago.

Do not cry for our service men and women, hold them high for what they are doing. Keep them close to your hearts and offer them thanks. If we were afraid to pay the price to spread freedom and democracy the French, Belgians, English and most of Europe would be called Germans. China and the far east would be a part of Japan. We didn't stop because it was hard or we had lost too many people during that struggle, we continued to fight the good fight and we made the world a better place. Germany and Japan were about as much of a threat to us back then as Iraq or any other "enemy" of our is now.

According to the D-Day Museum, we suffered 1,465 killed in action during the Normandy landings. On Iwo Jima during the 36 day battle for the island we lost 6,000 American soldiers.
During the Civil War at a place called "Little Round Top" the armies of the north and the south suffered 51,000 casualties during fighting that lasted only 3 days.

Freedom is not free, it is bought and paid for by the people that have the will to leave their homes and their families, to go and knowingly put them selves at risk not only to protect their current family but to protect future generations. To offer a future not only to Americans but to every person on this planet.

Today you hurt for the loss of a loved one either dead or far away, do not cry for them, support them and help to keep the memory of their deeds alive for future generations to look back on so that they may decide if it was just or not.


Technorati Tags : Iraq, Baghdad, War on Terror, OIF, Army, Military, Navy, Marines

New Link Exchange Program for blogs and retail sites

Everything Below Retail is offering a new link exchange program for your blog or retail web site. Right now it is set up for outdoor related blogs, sporting good and automotive sites but I bet if you ask for a new category one will be added for you. Get the full story over at the EBR Blog

Technorati Tags : links, retail, blogs, blogging, marketing, traffic

Response to comments from my last post

This post is for the person that left the long winded comment in my last post about the uninformed. Click here to read the comment.

I am educated and so are my men. Everybody on my crew has atleast an AA if not a BA, mine is in electrical engineering. We are the highest educated fighting force that America has ever fielded so I can tell that you are far removed from the American soldier. I can tell you what makes a terrorist, poverty like none you have ever seen in America, a lack of hope for tomorrow, a life that isn't a life. That is what I saw when I arrived in Iraq. Have you been there? Have you seen the new look of hope in the faces of the young and old alike? Have you seen the warm welcome and the thanks that the Iraqi people offer up to the American soldiers? I think not! If you had you would know that we are doing the right thing by offering those people a chance to choose their own life, to be free of a mad man. I don't know where you get your "facts" but maybe you should put your boots on the ground and see for yourself like I have and will do again! Stop swallowing everything that people like Michael Moore are feeding you because it is full of slander, half truths, and utter nonsense.


Technorati Tags : Iraq, Baghdad, War on Terror, OIF, Army, Military

The uninformed are everywhere!

Check out what this guy has to say and be amazed at the level of stupidity that some people posses. I hate to even link to this page but when I read it I didn't know if I should fall out of my chair laughing at this person or choke the living sh*t out of them. You figure it out for me please!

Attitudes we need to fight!


Technorati Tags : Iraq, Baghdad, War on Terror, OIF, Army, Military

The Combined Federal Campaign is seeking donations for many different causes!

DoD Kicks Off 2005 Combined Federal Campaign By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2005 – Acting Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England kicked off the 2005 Combined Federal Campaign here today by thanking Defense Department employees for their generosity in supporting hurricane-relief efforts and encouraging them to continue that same level of support for other important causes. England acknowledged that this year's CFC goal of $12.8 million might be challenging in light of more than $1 billion department employees and other U.S. citizens have donated to hurricane-related charities. This year's CFC campaign includes several hurricane-related causes, along with hundreds of others whose needs "did not go away because (Hurricane) Katrina happened," England said. "Many people are in need of help from Hurricane Katrina and Rita," the deputy secretary told a group of service and DoD agency leaders and CFC key workers. "But we must not forget that there are also regional and national and international charities that need our support." Speaking in a room decorated with red, white and blue balloons and a banner urging, "Please Give," England encouraged department members to continue their long history of generous support to the CFC campaign and to support this year's theme, "Be An Everyday Hero." England praised the "uniquely American" spirit in which DoD workers open their hearts and their wallets to others in need, in most cases, to people they've never met and never will. "You don't know the lives you've changed and the effect you've had," he said, noting that CFC donations cause a "ripple effect" throughout local communities and the nation as a whole. England referred to a famous Winston Churchill quote in urging department members to give during this year's CFC campaign. "You make a living by what you get," he said. "You make a life by what you give." Goals for this year's campaign, by organization, are: Department of Defense -- $12.8 million Navy and Marine Corps -- $3.45 million Army -- $2.95 million Air Force -- $1.75 million Defense Intelligence Agency -- $800,000 Office of the Secretary of Defense -- $780,000 National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency -- $560,000 Defense Information Systems Agency -- $525,000 Defense Logistics Agency -- $347,000 Joint Staff -- $275,000 Defense Threat Reduction Agency -- $195,000 DoD Inspector General -- $170,000 Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences -- $169,000 Washington Headquarters Services -- $136,000 Missile Defense Agency -- $132,000 Defense Contract Management Agency -- $115,000 Defense Contract Audit Agency -- $96,000 Defense Finance and Accounting Service -- $95,000 Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency -- $80,000 Pentagon Force Protection Agency -- $50,000 Department of Defense Education Activity -- $40,000 Pentagon Federal Credit Union -- $32,000 Defense Security Cooperation Agency -- $25,000 Defense Security Service -- $14,000

Related Site:

Combined Federal Campaign

Technorati Tags : Donations, Charity, Army, Military, Navy, Marines, DOD, Government

Child Firearm Safety Program

Check out this post for more information on child firearm safety and order your free safety kit with 2 gun locks today!
Read More



Technorati Tags : Guns, Shooting, Kids, Safety, Firearms,

Resources for the Army family

Everybody knows that military life is tough. Not only is it tough on the soldier but it is tough on the entire family. A soldier's day can pass quickly while in training or on deployment but there is always somebody that is left behind at home. Children are missing a parent to talk to, play with and provide guidance. There is a spouse that has to become mom and dad, handle the kids and home on their own and pass the down time alone.

The Army is trying to make this transition as easy on the family as they can by extending assignments and trying to stick to published training schedules. As anybody that has ever served knows its best to live by the motto "Semper Gumby" meaning always be flexible.

I'd like to direct all soldiers and their families to the Army family web site called, My Army Life Too. This site is full of resources for the entire family and includes things like child development, deployment preparation, adjustment to post deployment life and many other resources.

Check it out!

Technorati Tags : Iraq, Baghdad, War on Terror, OIF, Army, Military

Leo Damascus knife at Everything Below Retail $305 plus free shipping!

Everything Below Retail

A truly rare and unique piece of work blending the centuries-old art of hand forged Damascus with a piece of history. The Leo Damascus a high performance Damascus steel was made available to Boker through a noted European Damascus forger Markus Balbach. The steel used in this knife is forged out of the barrel of the German battle tank Leopard I thus Leo Damascus. This speciality steel is not available to the market and there is no material number even assigned to it because it was only used by the military.

Herr Balbach was fortunate to acquire some for the exclusive use of Boker. A chromium-manganese and vanadium tool steel alloy was added to this extremely wear-resistant barrel steel. The result is a remarkably high hardness for Damascus steel (63-65 HRC). A very high performance Damascus. The pattern provided on the blade is labeled "small pyramid" providing a spectacular work of art; and as with all true Damascus every blade is different.

Handle material is hard coated 6061-T6 aluminium and features exotic desert ironwoods inlays. Liner locking. Includes certificate of authenticity and gift box. Serialized.

Overall length: 7 7/8". Blade length: 3 3/8".

Everything Below Retail

Technorati Tags : Shooting, Fishing, Knives, Hunting, Army, Military

'Operation Restoring Rights' to secure Tal Afar

September 13, 2005


BAGHDAD, Iraq (Army News Service, Sept. 13, 2005) – At least 119 suspected terrorists have been detained since Sept. 10 by Iraqi security forces and Coalition troops in northern Iraq as they continue operations to purge insurgents from the city of Tal Afar, about 30 miles west of Mosul.

In a cordon and search Sept. 10, Coalition forces detained 41 individuals suspected of terrorist activity, officials said. Security forces also seized a mortar system with multiple rounds of ammunition and a cache consisting of hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

“Operation Restoring Rights is being conducted to remove terrorists and foreign fighters operating in Tal Afar,” said Col. Billy J. Buckner, spokesman for Multi-National Corps-Iraq.

“This operation is in support of the Iraqi government’s efforts to bring safety and security to the citizens of the city,” Buckner said. “The local government requested Coalition assistance in setting the conditions needed to establish permanent Iraqi security for the people of Tal Afar that will allow them to vote in upcoming elections.”

Task Force Freedom detained 78 more suspected terrorists during operations in Tal Afar Sept. 12 as Operation Restoring Rights continued.

Soldiers from 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment detained 57 individuals suspected of terrorist activity during two operations.

Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 3rd ACR detained 15 terror suspects during a cordon and search operation.

Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment detained four suspected terrorists.

Soldiers from 3rd ACR also detained two individuals suspected of terrorist activity while patrolling. The suspects are in custody with no Multi-National Force injuries reported

Since Aug. 26, Iraqi and Coalition Forces have captured 211 terror suspects, killed 141 terrorists and confiscated nine weapons caches, MNC-I reported.



(Editor’s note: Information provided by two press releases from the Multi-National Force-Iraq Combined Press Information Center.)

Technorati Tags : Iraq, Baghdad, War on Terror, OIF, Army, Military

Updates on the offensive in Tal Afar

The offensive in Haditha is in full swing. The Army along with soldiers from the Iraqi army are moving in to secure the town. Read more at In The Bull Pen

Iraqi Soldiers Donate to Katrina Victims

Iraqi soldiers collected 1,000,000 Iraqi dinars for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

By Multinational Security Transition Command-Iraq

TAJI, Iraq, Sept. 9, 2005 —

Iraqi soldiers serving at Taji military base collected 1,000,000 Iraqi dinars for victims of Hurricane Katrina.Iraqi Col. Abbas Fadhil, Iraqi base commander, presented the money to U.S. Col. Paul D. Linkenhoker, Taji Coalition base commander, at a Sept. 5 staff meeting.

"We are all brothers. When one suffers tragedy, we all suffer their pain."
Iraqi Col. Abbas Fadhil“We are all brothers,” said Abbas. “When one suffers tragedy, we all suffer their pain.”The amount of money is small in American dollars - roughly $680 - but it represents a huge act of compassion from Iraqi soldiers to their American counterparts, said U.S. Army Maj. Michael Goyne.

“I was overwhelmed by the amount of their generosity,” Goyne said. “I was proud and happy to know Col. Abbas, his officers, NCOs and fellow soldiers. That amount represents a month’s salary for most of those soldiers.”

Abbas read a letter he wrote after giving the envelope to Linkenhoker.

"I am Colonel Abbas Fadhil; Tadji Military Base Commander,” Abbas wrote. “On behalf of myself and all the People of Tadji Military Base; I would like to console the American People and Government for getting this horrible disaster. So we would like to donate 1.000.000 Iraqi Dinars to help the government and the People also I would like to console all the ASTs who helped us rebuilding our country and our Army. We appreciate the American's help and support. Thank you."

Technorati Tags:
New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina, Military, Iraq, Disasters, War, Army

Sep. 11th 2001, a day hard lessons were learned. Remember 9/11

Its been 4 years since that terrible day and a lot has changed. We are engaged in 2 theaters of war, our transportation systems are guarded like never before, there is great debate amongst the masses regarding our foreign policy, we know without a doubt that America is a target.

Before 9/11, we lived in our own little world where the bad things that happened to us were of our own making. Now, we have an enemy. Not only does this enemy dislike us because of our freedoms, they hate us for our religion. To them we are the enemy no matter where or if we worship, how much money we make, or what we do for a living. These people believe that by killing us they will earn a reward in heaven. We must NEVER forget what happened on that morning 4 years ago, we must never stop working to prevent things like this from happening EVER again.

Some think that we brought this on ourselves......I ask, how? Afghanistan is better off for our being there, Iraq will be better off very soon. So what if Saddam bluffed us about the WMDs....or did he? I have been there and seen what we are doing in Iraq, and I will always say that we are preventing future attacks on our country with our actions in the middle east. We are making the lives of the people in Afghanistan and Iraq better and we are killing terrorists in their own region and not on the streets of America. Find the enemy, fix the enemy and kill them. That is how we can protect America.

Never forget the pain in your hearts when you saw the twin towers come crashing down, never forget the sight of people jumping to their deaths, never forget the hero's that we saw during that time and the feeling of community that we as Americans haven't had since Pearl Harbor.

Finally, NEVER forget who the enemy is and that only the American people can stop the enemy from trying to change our way of life. Be proud to be American, there is no other country like ours. We make mistakes, we don't have all of the answers, but we try and we care about each other. We have chances that people in other countries could never have, protect that.

Technorati Tags : Iraq, Baghdad, War on Terror, OIF, Army, Military, WTC, 911, Terrorism,

The Civilian Marksmanship Program

For anyone interested in shooting but that doesn't know a lot about it, or those that are or have been in the Military, I have a wonderful resource for training and the purchase of M1 Garand rifles.

Its the Civilian Marksmanship Program.

This program was started to provide training and low cost rifles for citizens so that they would have basic marksmanship training to speed up the draft process. It followed the every man is a rifleman theory that during the time of war, everybody should be able to work a fire arm to defend their country or themselves.

Technorati Tags : Army, Military, America, Shooting, Hunting, Guns,

Our prayers are with those in the path of hurricane Katrina

Our prayers as well as our thoughts go out to you all..........

Technorati Tags:
New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina, Alabama, Mississippi, Disasters

One more example of news not covered by main-stream media. I guess Cindy Sheehan is more important!

I don't know about you but I haven't seen any coverage of this part of the Cindy Sheehan story.

Move America Forward has a caravan of people, to include parents of slain soldiers, moving across the country to promote support for the troops and the President. Where are the cameras?
Where are the head lines about the families that are proud of the sacrifice that their children made?

I guess they either don't think anybody cares, or they don't want people like you and me to know that there are some Americans left that believe in the President, our soldiers, the job we are doing in Iraq, or in America itself.

You Don't Speak For Us, Cindy!



Technorati Tags : Iraq, Baghdad, War on Terror, OIF, Army, Military, Cindy Sheehan, America

Large selection of knives and accessories at Everything Below Retail.

Well, I knew this would happen sooner or later....the famed shameless plug! Wel, we all do have to eat after all, and most of us know what the Army pay scale is like. ;-)

For a large collection of outdoor items to include knives, hunting gear, fishing tackle, camping equipment, gun accessories, and much, much more.... visit Everything Below Retail.

Thanks to those that have already checked out the new store and to everyone, I ask that you let me know how you like it. After all, what good is a store that is missing what people need, doesn't work properly, or is just plain ugly? I can't wait to hear your feedback.

Have a great day and keep your powder dry!




Technorati Tags : Shooting, Fishing, Knives, Hunting, Army, Military

Does the war in Iraq really have no heros?

I have heard it said that America doesn't have any heros to look up to in the Iraq war. To them I say, you are wrong!

This a hero........

This is a hero......

This is a true hero, SFC Paul R. Smith, Medal of Honor winner.

Technorati Tags : Iraq, Baghdad, War on Terror, OIF, Army, Military

Send a service member a care package!

Here are some links to find information about sending care packages to our
troops.

I will tell you that there is nothing like being away from home and getting a
letter or package from ANYBODY.

Any and all mail we received was counted as a blessing.


Adopt a Platoon

Any Soldier

Operation
Care and Comfort

Operation Care
Packages

Operation Gratitude


Operation Holidays

Operation
Military Pride

Operation
Military Support

Operation Mom

Operation
Morale

Operation Paperback

Operation Support



Operation Troop Appreciation

Operation We Care
US Troop Care
Package

USO Care Packages

Technorati Tags : Iraq, Baghdad, War on Terror, OIF, Army, Military, Navy, Air Force, Marines,

Help our service members call home!

Here are links to help deployed service members contact their loved ones.

Please let me know of any other links that I should add or if any of these
links are broken.

Cell Phones for
Soldiers

Freedom Calls
Foundation

Help Our
Troops Call Home

Operation Uplink

Technorati Tags : Iraq, Baghdad, War on Terror, OIF, Army, Military, Navy, Air Force, Marines,

Resources for service members in need of family support

Here are some links that I found for service members needing family support.

Please contact me if you find more links that I should add or if any of these
links are broken.

Air Force Enlisted
Village

American Heroes Tribute

American
Military Family

American
Red Cross

Armed Forces
Foundation

Armed Services YMCA

Army Emergency Relief

Association of the U.S.
Army Family Programs


Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund

Citizens Helping
Heroes

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance


Deployed Soldiers Family
Foundation

Marine Moms Online

National Military Family
Association


Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society

Operation Child Care


Operation Family
Fund

Operation Homefront


Our Military Kids

Salute Our Services


The Military Family Network


Yellow Ribbon
America

Technorati Tags : Iraq, Baghdad, War on Terror, OIF, Army, Military, Navy, Air Force, Marines,