Tribute to my Honor Guard

Here is my first attempt at creating a video that highlights my Honor Guard team. Its a little rough and the timing isn't exactly perfect but I'll keep working on it.

This is how I currently make my living when I'm not out on my M1A1 tank and these are the soldiers that work their butts off for me in an attempt to give the honors that our veterans have earned.

You'll see some older people in the slide show, these are members of the American Legion, VFW, etc. that show up every day to provide honors for our fallen brothers and sisters. Some are up in their 80's and receive no pay for their duty.

I hope you enjoy this rough draft and please let me know what you think.

P.S. You won't see me because I'm taking the photos ;-)







Technorati Tags : Iraq, Baghdad, War, OIF, Army, Military, Navy, Marines, Veterans, VFW

A Medal of Honor winner in my family

I was posting a little info about a family member on my other blog today and thought that you might be interested in reading a little about him as well.

My sister-in-law is the granddaughter of the famous Gregory "Pappy" Boyington.

For those of you that don't know who he was he lead the Black Sheep Squadron in the Pacific during WWII, was awarded the Medal of Honor, wrote a book called Baa-Baa Black sheep and had a TV show made about him and the squadron during the 70's.

Please jump on over and find out a little more about this war hero.

Read More!

Technorati Tags : WWII, History, War, Pacific, Army, Military, Navy, Marines, Veterans

How veterans feel about protesters

See how actual veterans feel about the Iraq war, anti-war protests and more!

Please watch the entire video and feel free to comment.










Technorati Tags : Iraq, Baghdad, War, OIF, Army, Military, Navy, Marines, Veterans, watada, protest, anti-war

Haven't posted in a couple of weeks.

I haven't posted in awhile because I really haven't had much to say that is worth sharing.

The Watada protests that we all expected outside of Ft. Lewis were a joke with about 200 showing up the first day and by the second day there were as many anti-Watada folks mixed in the crowd.

We all got a really good laugh out of the free Watada sign next to the "Hang the Coward" sign...nobody seemed to notice.

I hope all is well you you out there and I'll resume my normal rants when my anger over the actions of Congress subsides enough for me to form complete thoughts again.




Technorati Tags : Iraq, Baghdad, War, OIF, Army, Military, Navy, Marines, Veterans, watada, protest, anti-war

My first podcast.

Well, here it is, my first podcast. Its more of an introduction and a welcome to this cast than anything but I do touch a little on LT. Watada and what I think about his court-martial.

I hope you enjoy it and will isten more in the future!

Technorati Tags : Iraq, Baghdad, War, OIF, Army, Military, Navy, Marines, Veterans, watada, protest, anti-war

Pod Casts are comming soon!

I have decided to enter the world of Pod Casting and thought I'd let you all know that starting next week I will be putting together a couple of shows to find out if anybody is interested in what I have to say.

I find that all of these thoughts that I have while driving to or from work slip out of my mind during the day or that life gets in the way of my posting at night.

Now I will record my thoughts for you to listen to and comment on, maybe even do a couple of interviews so all of my readers can hear what real soldiers think about their job and their time in Iraq.

If you have any suggestions for topics, please feel free to send me a comment and I'll try to fit it in.



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

The trial of Ehren Watada begins tomorrow.

This is not a hero, this is a coward!

This is a hero!

Click here for his full story.

Tomorrow Lt. Ehren Watada will stand before a court-martial panel at Ft. Lewis Washington.

There are many out there that think he is doing what is right by refusing to deploy to Iraq because of personal convictions and some of those people will show up to support him tomorrow.

As a soldier that has served a lot longer than this young man, I for one will be following this case to its end.

There are some things that those of you that have never served need to think about.

He joined after we invaded Iraq of his own free will, he failed to file his request to resign his commission before his unit was called up to deploy, his choice to become a soldier caused him to willingly give up some of his rights like the right to free speech, soldiers can choose the life but not choose when, where, or how they will be used.

I could never explain to those out there that have never lived the life of military service exactly how much our lives change after putting on that uniform but we all put the uniform by choice and not by force. We lose the right to make a lot of our own choices in life but most of us do that so YOU are protected to make your own.

I have known some soldiers that were big and bad during times of peace but as soon as real bullets were being shot at them they wanted to turn and run like this LT.

To me they are all cowards, I'm not a big bad super soldier but I did make a choice, a choice that takes me away from my family for long periods of time, a choice that puts me in the field in harsh conditions with little sleep and comfort, a choice that could get me killed someday.

In the end, it was my choice and those that want to back out on their decision before they have completed their duty are filthy, lazy, cowards. They are not an example to be held up for the public to honor but an example of selfishness, lack of character and should be shunned.


Technorati Tags : Iraq, Baghdad, War, OIF, Army, Military, Navy, Marines, Veterans, watada, protest, anti-war

Washington State has passed a law to protect the families of dead soldiers.

This is one of the few times that you will hear me agree with new laws coming out of Olympia Washington. This state has been known to lean way to the left and the law makers do as they please and not how the people vote.

Having said that, this new law protecting veterans families from protesters is on the mark. These families have been through enough and don't need people yelling and screaming at them while they say their last goodbye to a loved one.

Don't these protesters understand that the soldier doesn't choose how they are used? Don't they know that the family is suffering or is it that they just don't care?

Since returning from Iraq I have been a part of the Honor Guard that provides services at a National Cemetery and I for one will protect the family of any soldier, sailor, airman or marine that I am providing final honors for.

Here is the section of the law covering funerals:

13 (d)(i) Intentionally engages in fighting or in tumultuous conduct
14 or makes unreasonable noise, within five hundred feet of:
15 (A) The location where a funeral or burial is being performed;
16 (B) A funeral home during the viewing of a deceased person;
17 (C) A funeral procession, if the person described in this
18 subsection (1)(d) knows that the funeral procession is taking place; or
p. 1 HB 1168.PL
1 (D) A building in which a funeral or memorial service is being
2 conducted; and
3 (ii) Knows that the activity adversely affects the funeral, burial,
4 viewing, funeral procession, or memorial service.
5 (2) Disorderly conduct is a misdemeanor.
6 NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. This act is necessary for the immediate
7 preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the
8 state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect
9 immediately.



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

See the latest Saddam video - Warning Noose Damage -

This is a graphic video of Saddam after his hanging.

Please preview this before your kids see it as it isn't a pretty sight but at least we know that he is dead!

Good luck to the Iraqi people, the devil is dead!

Watch the video.

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

More troops to be sent to Iraq?

I know I don't want to leave my home and family any time soon but if they want more troops in Iraq then I'll go in a heart beat. I want to see this job done right and not screwed up like Viet Nam was.

When I say that I mean by the one sided press that likes to show nothing but American blood and the folks in D.C. that want to get back at President Bush.

The only reason we will loose in Iraq is if we allow those outside of the military to dictate how the war is fought and when we come home.

Send us! Send 300,000 more. Allow us to grow our total force to the Cold War status and own every inch of Iraq if that is what it will take.......Just let us do our job!



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

The Truth About Muhammad

I heard this the author of this book on the radio today and thought that he had some good information about the prophet Muhammad and Islam.

Have any of you read it yet? If so please pass along your thoughts because it will be a week or so before I have the time to pick it up.


Robert SpencerThe truth about Muhammad



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

Happy New Year!

I just wanted to wish you all a Happy New Year and pass along the hope that 2007 is your best year yet!

Keep the faith and God bless!

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

Notice to all Soldiers, Saliors, Airmen and Marines in Iraq!

I know that you can't post your stories from Iraq any more so I wish to extend this offer to you, e-mail me your thoughts and stories and I will repost them for you.

I will not use your name, rank or location unless you ask me to and I will only accept e-mails from a .mil account.

Your stories need to be told so that America knows what is actually going on over there.

E-mail me!!

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

Got a new book series for Christmas.

I received War Stories by Oliver North for Chrstmas this year and wanted to reccomend it to all of you out there. The books come with a DVD of the show that the stories were featured on and gives some wonderful insight from warriors past.

If you treasure the experiance of those that have come before you then you will love these books.







Technorati Tags : Iraq, Baghdad, War, OIF, Army, Military, Navy, Marines, Veterans, Books, WWII

See the Noose placed around Saddam's neck

This video was filmed as Saddam was being lead to the gallows. The Iraqi government has taken control of internal issues and have removed a part of the evil that hs been hanging over their heads for years. Lets hope this will allow the to move on and deal with some of their ther pressing issues like security and national unity.

read more digg story


Technorati Tags : Iraq, Baghdad, War, OIF, Army, Military, Navy, Marines, Veterans,Saddam

Saddam is dead!

The Iraqi government held the trial, they came to a verdict and handed out a punishment to the man that had ruled them by fear and torture for more than 30 years.

I wish the leaders of the new Iraq luck in the upcoming year as they have now laid their ghosts to rest. Their past in just that, their past and now they can move forward.

I have seen the progress with my own eyes and I wish them luck and am happy to see that they were able to turn the tables on the man that terrorized them for so many years.



Technorati Tags : Iraq, Baghdad, War, OIF, Army, Military, Navy, Marines, Veterans,Saddam

America's Army 2.8 has been released!

Come join in on the fun!

2.7 to 2.8 patch

2.8 Full install

There have been a few bug fixes as well as a map editor included in this version. Come play the best free game out there!


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

I've opened a new web site about flying!

I've opened a new site to talk about my adventures in aviation.
I invite all of you to stop on by and check out my progress with becomming a private pilot.
The site is currently under construction so if you have any ideas or would like to place an ad please let me know.

Check it out!

Tags:flying, airplanes, aviation, pilot

Merry Christmas to all!

I know I've been away for awhile but I just wanted to take a moment to wish you all a Merry Christmas from my family to yours.
Please don't forget our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines serving far from their loved ones this year.
Please add them to your prayers and have a very Merry Christmas.


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

Iran begging America to leave Iraq.

If he wants us out that bad then we must be on the right track.

Message of H.E. Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
To the American People
In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
O, Almighty God, bestow upon humanity the perfect human being promised to all by You, and make us among his followers.
Noble Americans,
Were we not faced with the activities of the US administration in this part of the world and the negative ramifications of those activities on the daily lives of our peoples, coupled with the many wars and calamities caused by the US administration as well as the tragic consequences of US interference in other countries?
Were the American people not God-fearing, truth loving, and justice seeking, while the US administration actively conceals the truth and impedes any objective portrayal of current realities;
And if we did not share a common responsibility to promote and protect freedom and human dignity and integrity;
Then, there would have been little urgency to have a dialogue with you.

Click here to read the full letter

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