Thank You, Wisconsin

The State of Wisconsin's sons and daughters in the National Guards are headed to Iraq, in the largest deployment since World War II. They have been in training for this mission for 14 months.

MADISON, Wisc., , Feb. 20, 2009 – Citizens of Wisconsin gathered this week to send the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team off to Iraq with tears and smiles in the Wisconsin National Guard’s largest operational deployment since World War II.

Thousands of family members and more than a hundred civilian and military officials converged Feb. 17, 2009, at Dane County Veterans Memorial Coliseum to bid farewell to some 3,200 members of the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team on its way to service in Iraq.

“Not since World War II has so much been asked of our Soldiers,” said Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle. “Almost every Wisconsin county can name a student, a mother, father, son or daughter, who is part of the 32nd.”

The brigade is the direct descendant of the 32nd Division, which earned its “Red Arrow” patch by piercing every enemy line it faced in four World War I campaigns.

The division also logged 654 days of continuous combat in World War II, more than any other U.S. Army division in any war, and played a key role in capturing the enemy stronghold at Buna, Papua New Guinea, in early 1943.

After service at Fort Lewis, Wash., during the Berlin Crisis of 1961-62, the 32nd Division was deactivated and reorganized as the 32nd Separate Infantry Brigade.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, many of the brigade’s units and individuals have deployed for duty in Iraq or Afghanistan, to the extent that about half of the Soldiers deploying now are veterans of one or more recent combat deployments.

More than 14,000 members of the National Guard and Reserve have been called to active duty from Wisconsin communities since 9-11.

The brigade has trained intensively for its mission in Operation Iraqi Freedom, since it received the first alert order in late 2007.

“They have been training relentlessly for 14 months now as we mobilize under a new model that forces us to complete many training requirements prior to entering active status,” said Col. [...]

The Adjutant-General of Wisconsin, Brig-General Don Dunbar, spoke about the deployment of the famous 32nd Infantry Brigade, which many might resent.

"Many have said, ‘It’s not fair’ — And you know? It’s not fair. It’s never been fair. That’s what makes these Soldiers special.""

May God keep you in His sights, Wisconsinites.

Please Watch "Taking Chance" On HBO

"Taking Chance stars Kevin Bacon as LtCol Michael Strobl, USMC, in the story of a fallen Marine's final journey home. The 2009 Sundance Film Festival Official Selection premieres Saturday, February 21 at 8pm - only on HBO."

(Via WakeUpAmerica)

I always had thought Kevin Bacon looked good in an uniform since his part in A Few Good Men. But this poster is just brilliant.



When the airline agent rasped out emotionally, "Thank you for your service", I started to choke up. That's some powerful trailer.



INFO: That haunting song is by Greg Laswell, called "Comes and Goes (In Waves)". I just purchased it on iTunes.

World War II In 7 Minutes

"OMG dont be gay gimmie nuculer secrets"

"I Think I Made The Wrong Decision"

Whatever qualms I may have about President Obama and his political ideology, is as nothing compared to people who genuinely have a stake in the matter, whose lives and sacrifices are more than just misgivings.

Like the mother of James McDaniels, Diane.

Her naval son died in the USS Cole attack. She is directly affected by President Obama's decision to close down the Guantanamo detainee camp, and in fact, now regrets her decision to vote for him.

"My son was blown up along with 16 others. I buried body parts for three years," she told FOX News. "I'm still suffering and now he's withdrawing the charges?

Brutal, absolutely brutal. Poor woman.



(Via Picketlines)

Seventeen U.S. sailors died on Oct. 12, 2000, when Al Qaeda suicide bombers steered an explosives-laden boat into the Cole, a guided-missile destroyer, as it sat in a Yemen port.

The Pentagon last summer charged al-Nashiri, a Saudi Arabian, with "organizing and directing" the bombing and planned to seek the death penalty in the case.

In his Jan. 22 order, Obama promised to shut down the Guantanamo prison within a year. The order also froze all Guantanamo detainee legal cases pending a three-month review as the Obama administration decides where -- and whether -- to prosecute the suspects who have been held there for years, most without charges.

Two military judges granted Obama's request for a delay in other cases.

But a third military judge, Army Col. James Pohl, defied Obama's order by scheduling a Feb. 9 arraignment for al-Nashiri at Guantanamo.

Watch her become a media and progressive aisle darling like Cindy Sheehan in 3...2...1...actually, in "never". Her pain at losing her son is devalued because she dares not to toe their line.

Thank you for your son's service, Mrs. McDaniels. May he rest in peace, since justice may be out of the reach of fate.

Govenor Palin Meets The Troops

Speaking of Sarah Palin...

The 3,500 soldiers who make up the Army's 4th Brigade Combat team (airborne) 25th Infantry Division took a photo with Alaska National Guard commander-in-chief, Governor Sarah Palin.

They're off to Afghanistan for a 12-month deployment to the warring hotspot, after the Brigade served 14-months there until November/December of 2007.

God bless them and keep them safe.

Christmas Tipjar

Every year, I give a little something to Christmas-themed charities. This year I am hurting the same as everyone else. It seems I am credit-rich, but cash-poor. I am tightening my belt as I type.

Yet, I still found a few pennies to send to one of my favourite organisations, Toys for Tots, run by the Marine Reserves to give toys to underprivileged children every Christmas.

Should you be able to spare some dosh, and believe me, I know it's hard, it's not too late. Help to put a smile unto some kid's face on Christmas Day!

CLICK HERE FOR DONATION

Oh, incidentally, did you read this?

This holiday season is a time to examine who’s been naughty and who’s been nice, but I’m unhappy with my findings. The problem is this: We liberals are personally stingy.

Liberals show tremendous compassion in pushing for generous government spending to help the neediest people at home and abroad. Yet when it comes to individual contributions to charitable causes, liberals are cheapskates.

Arthur Brooks, the author of a book on donors to charity, “Who Really Cares,” cites data that households headed by conservatives give 30 percent more to charity than households headed by liberals. A study by Google found an even greater disproportion: average annual contributions reported by conservatives were almost double those of liberals.

It doesn't have to be Toys for Tots, or a Catholic-based charity like I also donate moneys to at Christmas. Choose which ever one you want.

Charity shouldn't be a question of political inclination. It's just a question of doing the right thing. So, pace Spike Lee and Governor Huckabee, do the right thing.

Mission Accomplished

Flying shoes be damned. This is the send-off for President George W. Bush that you will not see on any hysterical cable news programme.



(Via Insty)

Thank you so very much for keeping us safe these 7 years. All of you.

Holy Massive Guns, General Dunwoody

"There is no one more surprised than I — except, of course, my husband. You know what they say, 'Behind every successful woman there is an astonished man.'"

General Ann E. Dunwoody

With these modest words, the US Army got its first full, or "four-star", general.

General Dunwoody's meteoric rise in the nation's oldest armed force didn't seem inevitable when she first joined in 1975. She wasn't a graduate of West Point, nor of course being a woman, did she have a formal combat role -- traditionally the path to the rank of general.

But this skillful woman had a military past: her father was a brigadier-general, Harold H. Dunwoody. Her father's family had been in their country's service since the 1860s, and a member of her overall family, since the 1700s.

She had spent most of her youth outside of the United States as a military brat, in Germany and later Belgium, even graduating from SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe) American High School in 1969.

All her siblings were likewise in the military. Her sister Susan, in fact, was only the third woman to become an Army helicopter pilot. Her niece, Jennifer, is a fighter pilot and the veteran of several missions over of Afghanistan. Amusingly, given the normal roles of the genders, her brother Buck (a graduate of West Point) left the Army as a first-lieutenant.

It was in the first Gulf War where the master parachutist came into her own. She was a battalion commander, handling logistics for the 82nd Airborne Division in Saudi Arabia.

Given her rather haggard appearance at the promotion ceremony, since she is only 55 years-old, I wondered what the young Ann Dunwoody had looked like. I went to the official Army Flickr page and to my astonishment, this ripped babe stared back, a full 17 years after the photo was taken.

Good God...



...Madonna would kill to have those guns, instead of the disgusting, zero-fat, muscle pads she calls arms. Ick.



Her female colleague is leaning into then Colonel Dunwoody, who looks somewhat masculine (understandable given her career and circumstances. The last thing you want to be, is a pert miss like Private Benjamin). Dunwoody had first impressed in her testosterone world because she was a fierce athlete, having competed in gymnastics in high school, and even today she jogs, and plays tennis with ardour.

But I regret to inform the misses O'Donnell and DeGeneres that this accomplished woman is happily married to retired Colonel Craig Brotchie, USAF.

Here they are in Ft. Bend, Oregon, in the 1990s. She looks unrecognisable!



You know, 2008 was a disappointing year for women in power. Not only could we have had either a first female US President, but later potentially the first US Vice-President. Israel could've had its second female Prime Minister too.

None of them panned out.

Moreover, the nation seemed to accept the most egregious sexism I have ever seen, directed to both of these American politicians. The pity is that it was done by people who allegedly champion women by virtue of their more liberal politics.

So this promotion startled me, and actually made me quite happy.

Like General Dunwoody, I too come from a military family (medical military, thus they too are non-combatants). It was always my dream to go to either Sandhurst or West Point, which entrance to Oxford put a stop to. I could've gone on to Sandhurst after graduation, like my own father did, but I didn't. Life took me to other climes, and other circumstances.

But Ann E. Dunwoody was not to be denied. Despite being surrounded by men who allegedly are more narrow-minded than creatures called Chris Matthews, they saw her potential and rewarded it at every turn.

Women like General Dunwoody don't come often. As she takes up her Materiel Command this month, she can be truly proud of what she has accomplished. But her story has a moral embedded with the honours.

“You can live a humdrum, everyday life or live it for all it’s worth,” General Edmunds said. “She lives it to the fullest.”

So ladies, there you have it.

Live life to the fullest, because not only is that your own doing, but no one can take that away from you.

P.S.: The military is without a doubt, the fairest of all professions. It is socially egalitarian, and has a democratic ethos -- one which protects the man or woman to the right or left of you. There is no need for affirmative action programmes there. If you're good, you're good, and you'll go far. It is a severely maligned profession, by those who only boil it down to the evils of bloodshed.

Hug A Veteran Today

Whatever it is that you call today, whether it's Veteran's Day, Remembrance Day, Armistice Day, Poppy Day, please join me in honouring those who served their country.

Here in this blog, we have Ruth Anne Adams, former JAG officer, and total Sundries heroine. I also honour my father's service, as well as my two male cousins, one of whom is currently deployed abroad in Afghanistan.

I, for one, am forever in their debt.

Please check back later, as I update this blogpost with photos of the commemorations around the world.



In case you wonder why some call it Poppy Day, or why poppies are associated with 11 November (the date which ended World War I), the answer lies on Flanders Field:

In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland the poppies are paper representatives of the flat Earl Haig variety with a leaf, mounted on a plastic stem. Wearers require a separate pin to attach the poppy to their clothing. In Scotland the poppies are curled at the petals with no leaf. In Northern Ireland, because the poppy honours soldiers of the British Armed Forces and due to The Troubles, it is worn primarily by members of the Unionist and the Irish Protestant community.

President Woodrow Wilson had these words to say on November 11, 1919 when the first commemoration of Armistice Day was proclaimed:

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"

1) AUSTRALIA



IN THE COMMENTS: Please join me in honouring Chickenlittle's late father. He writes:

My father (RIP) was a Korean War Vet (19 year-old inductee). He served in the 141st tank battalion. I'll be flying the colors for him especially tomorrow.

Thank You For Your Service

I saw this photo last night of Spc. Clayton Hodge serving in Afghanistan, and had to choke back a tear.

These men and women are my heroes, every one of them. God bless them and keep them safe, always.

"Dear Mr. Obama"

If you can believe this, I saw this video on a Hillary Clinton forum. They do say politics makes for strange bedfellows, after all...

Just Right

TOO HOT



TOO COLD



JUST RIGHT











See also:

Come With Your A Game

Because the lady service personnel of the USS Ronald Reagan aren't easily impressed! (Via Ron at Fluffystuffin)



That was a fun video remake of Shania Twain's "That Don't Impress Me Much" -- for what has been a very fun, relaxed Saturday, at least on my end.

How was your Saturday?

Patton on Iraq

What he said.

Brave Harry

Take a good look at this fresh-cheeked young man in his Sandhurst dress uniform.

He is H.R.H. Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales, dit Prince Harry, third heartbeat in line to the British Throne, and as of yesterday, is awaiting DEFINITIVE transportation to the Iraq theatre of war.

His regiment, The Blues and Royals (motto: Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense -- Shame on him who thinks it evil), are part of the Regiment of Guards, which are the most socially, and militarily elite regiments in the British Armed Forces.

Of course, Old Etonians, later Sandhurst graduates, are a dime a dozen in the Guards. He doesn't stand out for that, one whit.

Even my father, an old Wykhemist, later Oxford grad, went into the Coldstream Guards (motto: Nulli Secundus -- Second to None), which had been his father's and his father's father's regiment, since before the turn of the last century. Like him, his brothers are all medical doctors who served in either the Senior Service, the Royal Navy, or in other regiments.

Now, we are not aristocratic, but our family share one thing in common with the Royal Family.

An unwavering dedication, not just in code of honour, but in practise, to preserve the Realm and to keep its subjects safe from invasion or worse, subjugation.

As Nancy Mitford once said of this warrioring breed:

"Say what you want about this class, but they have never failed to put their money where their mouth is, when it comes to fighting for England."

And today, that dictum was borne out yet again by this young man's decision to stay put with his regimental comrades.

Now, you may be asking yourself, does this make Harry more worthy of being admired because of this decision?

No, it doesn't.

- Does this make him a more decent guy than he has been proved to be, before?

Not really.

- Should we care about this situation in the great scheme of things?

Probably not.

You can also ask, will Harry's military duty eradicate visions of him admitting to having smoked pot, of dressing up as a Nazi for a fancy dress party, or of drinking and carousing with his mates in stripper clubs, or of this decidedly poor choice of T-shirt?





Chances are, it may not for you. Or for me, come to that.

But I will tell you one thing.

Prince Harry easily could've resigned from his regiment, as his uncle Prince Edward did when the Royal Marines got to be too much for his delicate personality.

Indeed, the Royal Family could have insisted that he be transferred out of The Blues and Royals, due to their scheduled deployment to the most dangerous place on earth -- Iraq.

But they didn't.

And you know why that is?

Because after you strip away all the royal palavah, with the funny hats, the stuffy protocol, and oft-ridiculous customs, they have never shirked their duty when it comes to being front-and-centre in times of military action.

Obviously, the monarchy and the military are intertwined and in fact, are indissoluble from one another -- a once and forever link to their feudal past.

The Queen is the Supreme Head of the Armed Forces, and holds the highest rank in all its branches.

She herself served, as millions of other girls did in Britain at the time, in the A.T.S. during World War II, and not just for show, either.





As the film, The Queen, showed so vividly, she is a mean car mechanic when push comes to shove.

In doing so, she and today her grandson were following the natural course of service any member of the Royal Family is expected to give, during their lifetimes.

In fact, rare is the Royal personage who HASN'T or DOESN'T serve in some military capacity.

And though most people do not know this, rare is the Royal generation who hasn't given to his country the ultimate sacrifice, of giving his life for it.

Below is a list of men in the immediate Royal Family of their time, who have all died in action, often in pitched battle.

1. Prince Henry of Battenberg: Son-in-law to Queen Victoria, daughter of her youngest daughter Beatrice, Prince Henry died during the Ashanti campaign, in 1895.

2. Prince Christian Victor of Schleswig-Holstein: Grandson of Queen Victoria, son of her daughter Helena, Prince Christian Victor perished in Pretoria in 1900 whilst serving with his regiment the 4th King's Royal Rifle Corps, a victim of the Second Boer War.

3. Prince Maurice of Battenberg: Son of Prince Henry, Prince Maurice was killed in action whilst serving with the 60th King's Royal Rifles in 1914, one of the very first victim's of the First World War.

4. H.R.H. George, Duke of Kent: Son of King George V, the Duke of Kent was killed when his R.A.F. plane hit a mountain in Scotland in 1942, en route to Iceland during military service.

Then there are male members of the Royal Family, who served valiantly during the course of their military careers.

George, Lord Lascelles (future Earl of Harewood): Grandson of King George V, Lord Lascelles was captured by German forces, whilst serving with the 60th King's Royal Rifles, and held in notorious Colditz prison. He escaped...TWICE. His mother, Mary, the Princess Royal, had been notified twice of his death, but she later said she never believed it.

H.R.H. Edward, Duke of Kent: Grandson of King George V, son of George, Duke of Kent, who served in Northern Ireland, when his regiment the Royal Scots Greys, were deployed to Belfast at the height of the Troubles. When there was a suggestion by his Colonel-in-Chief that he perhaps resign his commission, rather than to subject either he or his regiment to unncessary murderous attention, his battalion threatened to resign EN MASSE, if he were not allowed to serve with them. He stayed.

H.R.H. Prince Andrew (future Duke of York): Served as a helicopter pilot in the Royal Navy and saw heavy action during the Falkland Islands campaign, in Port Stanley.

Since the 1890s at the very least, members of the Royal Family have been in the thick of action, wherever the Union Jack was hoisted during battle.

This list is by no means exhaustive, since I have failed to include many, many other extended members of the Royal Family, who died or served in the military, not all of them for the British cause.

Princess Margarethe of Prussia, sister of the last Kaiser of Germany (yet another grandchild of Queen Victoria), and mother of the only two known sets of royal twins in history, lost FOUR of her six sons fighting for their country.

Why even Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Harry's blustery granddad, won a row of medals for his participation in battle as a Royal Navy lieutenant in WWII, and was even present on a British cruiser during the Japanese surrender, in Tokyo Bay.

But perhaps most tellingly of all, for our purposes to highlight royal duty in the field of warfare, the future King who abdicated, Edward, Prince of Wales, put his life in danger during his visits to the front line, during World War I.

This despite the fact that he had been categorically refused from serving with his regiment, the Grenadier Guards, in battle.

When he went in person to protest to Lord Kitchener, the man whose very image of outstretched hand and pointing finger, was the focus of the most successful recruiting programme in British history, told the naive princeling...

"Sir, if I could be assured that you would be killed in battle, I wouldn't hesitate to authorise you to join your regiment in the front-line. You have four brothers living, after all.

But we cannot take the risk of you being a propaganda tool by falling into enemy hands."

Years later, I remember putting down the Duke of Windsor's memoirs after having read this paragraph, and saying to myself, Lord Kitchener was right.

As horrible a thing as it is to be able to tell a young man, eager and willing to fight as part of his chosen career path, that his death was not so much important -- it's as nothing as the embarrassment his capture by his sworn enemy, would be to his country.

Besides, the times of the ransoming of kings, are long since over.

No, Prince Harry isn't notable amongst his royal brethern for his stance in wanting to serve in Iraq.

Nor is he particularly noble because of it, because it's expected of him by tradition, and by conviction.

But nevertheless, Prince Harry is one brave young man.

He is worthy, at least, of our respect for his decision...not to be killed, so much as to the possibility of his being captured by dozens of men, who then would parade him happily on Al-Jezeera.

Let's hope this never comes to pass for this spirited young officer.

Give 'em hell, Harry!

UPDATE: My blogger colleague, and Sundries commenter, Ron points us to this link -- which gives the young Prince's military minders a few pointers on how to best protect the prince in Iraq. It's very interesting!