Valour-IT 2010

Once again, it is time to ask people to donate to ValourIT

The program that provides computers with voice to text software and GPS locators to our wounded warriors.  These devices enable them to communicate and to regain a sense of freedom.

Over the years, I have written several pieces about ValourIT - archive

For a friendly competition between branches, you can donate or sign up at the links below

Marine Team

For more info on Team Marine - click here

Air Force Team

For more info on Team Air Force - click here

Navy Team

For more info on Team Navy - click here

Army Team

 For more info on Team Army - click here

*******************************************
See the competitive standings - here 

USS Cole (DDG 67) ~ 10 years ago

Ten years ago on October 12, a refueling stop in the port of Aden, Yemen, turned into a terrorist attack on the USS Cole.  The attack killed 17 sailors and wounded 39.  In this act of terrorism against the United States by the minions of Osama bin Laden, we were thrust ever farther into the War against Terrorism.

A tenth anniversary post from the USS Cole's commander, CDR Kirk S Lippold:
http://blog.usni.org/2010/10/11/uss-cole-ddg-67-a-guest-post-from-cdr-kirk-s-lippold-usn-ret/

 Attack on the USS Cole left 17 sailors dead and 39 wounded

Electronics Technician Chief Petty Officer

Richard Costelow

Morrisville, Pennsylvania

Signalman Seaman Recruit

Cherone Louis Gunn,

Rex, Georgia

Seaman

James Rodrick McDaniels,

Norfolk, Virginia

Seaman Recruit

Lakiba Nicole Palmer,

San Diego, California

Operations Specialist Second Class

Timothy Lamont Saunders,

Ringgold, Virginia

Ensign

Andrew Triplett,

Macon, Mississippi

Seaman Apprentice

Craig Bryan Wibberley,

Williamsport, Maryland

Hull Maintenance Technician Third Class

Kenneth Eugene Clodfelter,

Mechanicsville, Virginia

Mess Management Specialist Seaman

Lakeina Monique Francis,

Woodleaf, North Carolina

Information Systems Technician Seaman

Timothy Lee Gauna,

Rice, Texas

Engineman Second Class

Marc Ian Nieto,

Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin

Electronics Warfare Technician Second Class

Ronald Scott Owens,

Vero Beach, Florida

Engineman Fireman

Joshua Langdon Parlett,

Churchville, Maryland

Fireman Apprentice

Patrick Howard Roy,

Keedysville, Maryland

Electronics Warfare Technician First Class

Kevin Shawn Rux,

Portland, North Dakota

Mess Management Specialist Third Class

Ronchester Mananga Santiago,

Kingsville, Texas

Firecontrolman

Gary Graham Swenchonis, Jr.,

Rockport, Texas

May we ever remember them.......

 Bringing the USS Cole home

USS Cole Memorial - Norfolk

The 17 granite slabs around the monoliths are in remembrance of the 17 who were murdered that day.

The Memorial sits at the berthing area for the USS Cole.

The families still wait for a memorial at Arlington National Cemetery and for the justice they deserve.

Obama Administration drops charges against Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, 

the alleged mastermind behind the USS Cole bombing and other terrorist attacks,

in February 2009.

Marvin Roger Woods ~ I Remember

Marvin Roger Woods

Retired US Navy, Chief Radio Man and Civilian Pentagon Employee

January 6, 1944 - September 11, 2001 - The Pentagon

Marvin Roger Woods was devoted to the Navy and his country throughout his life.  He retired from the US Navy after 22 years on active duty, took a six week vacation, went back to work for next 18 years as a civilian communications manager for the Navy.  He had been stationed at the Pentagon since the mid-1990's and had an office in the newly renovated section of the building - the section hit by Flight 77.  He is buried in Section 64 in the shadow of the Pentagon with many others who were killed that day.

He liked to hunt and fish and to work in his woodshop behind his home.

He was married to Betty Woods for 30 years.  Woods -- known as "Roger" to friends and family -- grew up in Owendale, Michigan. He served a tour in Vietnam, then met his wife in October 1971 while on leave. Three months later, they were married, and together they went off to his next assignment, in Puerto Rico. Like many military families, Woods, his wife and their three children traveled from city to city, port to port.

The post is part of Project 2996.

Dogs of War

Military Spouse Appreciation Day

Military Spouse

Appreciation

Day

Ben Stein, a television personality and writer, wrote this for an Army newsletter, The Strykers, out of Ft. Lewis, Washington. It was addressed to one of the wives of the soldiers. I wrote to him and asked for permission to share it, and he told me to share it as often as I can. On, Military Spouse Appreciation Day, I share it with all of the military spouses - thank you all.

Dear Karen,

I have a great life. I have a wife I adore, a son who is a lazy teenager but I adore him, too. We live in a house with two dogs and four cats. We live in peace. We can worship as we please. We can say what we want. We can walk the streets in safety. We can vote. We can work wherever we want and buy whatever we want. When we sleep, we sleep in peace. When we wake up, it is to the sounds of birds.

All of this, every bit of it, is thanks to your husband, his brave fellow soldiers, and to the wives who keep the home fires burning while the soldiers are away protecting my family and 140 million other families. They protect Republicans and Democrats, Christians, Jews, Muslims and atheists. They protect white, black, yellow, brown and everyone in between. They protect gays and straights, rich and poor.

And none of it could happen with the Army wives, Marine wives, Navy wives, Air Force wives – or husbands – who go to sleep tired and lonely, wake up tired and lonely, and go through the day with a smile on their faces. They feed the kids, put up with the teenagers’ surliness, the bills that never stop piling up, the desperate hours when the plumbing breaks and there is no husband to fix it, and the even more desperate hours after the kids have gone to bed, the dishes have been done, the bills have been paid, and the wives realize that they will be sleeping alone – again, for the 300th night in a row.

The wives keep up the fight even when they have to move every couple of years, even when their checks are late, even when they have to make a whole new set of friends every time they move.

And they keep up the fight to keep the family whole even when they feel a lump of dread every time they turn on the news, every time they switch on the computer, every time the phone rings and every time – worst of all – the doorbell rings. Every one of these events – which might mean a baseball score or a weather forecast or a FedEx man to me and my wife – might mean the news that the man they love, the man they have married for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, is now parted from them forever.

These women will never be on the cover of People. They will never be on the tabloid shows on TV about movie stars. But they are the power and the strength that keep America going. Without them, we are nothing at all. With them, we can do everything.

They are the glue that holds the nations together, stronger than politicians, stronger than talking heads, stronger than al Qaeda.

They deserve all the honor and love a nation can give. They have my prayers, and my wife’s, every morning and every night.


Love, and I do mean love, Ben.

Bad Day to be a Pirate!

03/31/2010 - Members of a U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachment and a visit, board, search and seizure team head back to the guided missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) after disabling a suspected pirate skiff in the Indian Ocean on March 31, 2010. The Farragut is deployed as part of Combined Task Force 151, a multinational task force established to conduct anti-piracy operations in and around the Gulf of Aden. DoD photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Cassandra Thompson, U.S. Navy. (Released)

Wreckage of WWII Helldiver Plane Found in Oregon

The Curtiss Helldiver, despite a reputation for being difficult to handle at low speeds, was responsible for the destruction of more Japanese targets than any other aircraft. It was primarily used to attack Japanese submarines/ The Curtiss SB2C single-engine dive-bomber joined the fleet late in 1943, joining the Douglas Dauntless as the primary attack/bombing planes for the US Navy. The two-man Helldiver had a top speed of 295 mph and good range, making it an essential tool in the far reaches of the Pacific war.

Loggers along the Oregon Coast (between Wheeler and Rockaway) have found the remains of a Helldiver in the forest. Three planes were known to have gone down in the area - 2 in 1945 and 1 in 1948. Logging crews saw a wing, tail section, landing gear and other debris in a heavily wooded area. The debris field was strewn over a 200 yard area.

Munitions experts have searched for any live weapons and JPAC (Joint Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Command) are looking for any possible human remains in the area, as the Helldivers carried a crew of two.

U S Navy

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Mar. 02, 2010) - The fleet replenishment oiler USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199), center, transfers fuel to the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), left, and the transport dock ship USS Denver (LPD 9) during underway replenishment. Essex and Denver are part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and are conducting spring patrol to the Western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Geronimo Aquino)

History is Our Stories ~ Charlie Wilson of Texas

Representative Charlie Wilson
The Liberal from Lufkin
1933-2010

If you haven't read and seen Charlie Wilson's War --- you should.
If you are interested in the history of Afghanistan --- you should read and see Charlie Wilson's War.

Charlie Wilson was the Congressman from the 2nd District of Texas from 1973-1996. He was known as "Good Time Charlie" for his excesses as a hard-drinking womanizer. But, he was also a very hard working Congressman and defense hawk. He is best known for the appropriations he secured for the US covert war in Afghanistan against the Soviet Union. The money provided weapons for the Afghans who drove the Soviet Army out their country, contributing to the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union.

After the ousting of the Soviet Union, the US withdrew its support, in spite of Wilson's encouragement to help rebuild. "That caused an enormous amount of real bitterness in Afghanistan and it was probably the catalyst for Taliban movement," Wilson said in a 2001 interview.

Charlie Wilson loved this country and the men and women who served to protect and defend her. He was a staunch supporter of the VA and its hospitals. He was a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in 1956 and served in the Navy from 1956 to 1960.

One of my favorite Charlie Wilson stories:

A Trinity city councilman purposefully poisoned his dog and killed him, when Wilson was 13. Wilson described how he used his hardship driver's license to round up voters from the poor neighborhoods to vote in the councilman's election. Wilson said he told the voters as they got out of the car that he did not want to tell them which way to vote, but the councilman, Charles Hazard, killed his dog. Wilson said he drove 96 voters to the polls, and Hazard lost his reelection by 13 votes. Wilson described that as the day he fell in love with America.

America is a better place because of Charlie Wilson. And, east Texas is a better place because of Charlie Wilson.

Wilson is survived by his wife, Barbara, who he married in 1999, his sister, Sharon Allison, a niece and nephew. He was born in Trinity in 1933. Funeral services are pending.

Rest in Peace, Charlie --- and thank you!

A great interview (8 minutes) http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/10858

USS Carl Vinson ~ Providing Aid to Haiti

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson maneuvers off the coast of Haiti. Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing 17 are conducting humanitarian and disaster relief operations as part of Operation Unified Response after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake caused severe damage
near Port-au-Prince, January 12.
Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Daniel Barker

U.S. Air Force service members carry a Haitian child who was medically evacuated to the airport at Port-au-Prince, Haiti by a helicopter from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Heather Roe

U.S. Navy Sailors assist a woman from an SH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson to awaiting medical personnel.

Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Daniel Barker

Soldiers load water to a Helicopter from Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15 assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson for distribution to earthquake victims.
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Stephen G. Hale II

United Nations volunteers and Haitian citizens unload supplies delivered by a helicopter assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26 embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.
Photo by Aaron Shelley

USS Missouri ~ Back Home in Pearl Harbor

PEARL HARBOR - Jan. 7, 2009
The battleship EX-USS Missouri (BB 63) returns to Ford Island after finishing scheduled repairs at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. Missouri underwent three months and $18 million of preservation and maintenance repairs at
Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard.
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Robert Stirrup/Released

The Japanese surrendered on the deck of the USS Missouri in 1945.
It now serves as a museum, docked next to the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor.
The Missouri will re-open on January 15 with a grand re-opening ceremony on January 30

USS Missouri site

Marines man the rails on the USS Missouri BB-63
as she returns to her dock in Pearl Harbor.

100 sailors take the oath of reenlistment on the deck of the USS Missouri
as she returns to her dock.

For those who like special historical things, you can have your flag flown over the USS Missouri
Go here to see how.

Wednesday Hero ~ Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Elsey

Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Elsey


Abdul Rashid, a 5-year-old resident of the Nawa district of Afghanistan, receives a dressing for a wound on his face from Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Elsey, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, while a linguist translates at a medical aid station at Patrol Base Jaker Dec. 3. Rashid was injured by a motorcycle earlier that day. Navy hospital corpsmen like Elsey routinely see local residents and children here to treat their wounds.

Photo Courtesy United States Marine Corps

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives
so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday.
For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Military Appreciation Day at the Golden Corral

Golden Corral

Military Appreciation Day


Monday, November 16, 2009


Active Duty Military and Veterans Eat for FREE



For hours and more information, go here:
http://www.goldencorral.com/military/

Applebee's Offers Veteran's Day Meals to all Veterans & Active Duty

Applebee's

On Veteran's Day, November 11,
all active duty military and veterans can eat for free
as a Thank You for your service to our country.

Details can be found here:
http://www.applebees.com/vetsDay/default.aspx

Take you ID or proof of service with you.
There is also a restaurant finder on the site.

Bon Apetit!

VALOUR-IT ANNUAL FUNDRAISER

It is the annual fundraiser for VALOUR-IT
The Soldiers' Angels program to provide voice-activated software
to wounded soldiers who can no longer use their hands,
enabling them to communicate and be part of the world.

The fundraiser is broken up into team competitions.
Click on the 'team' name if you would like to support the event.

If you are a blogger and would like to join, click here
http://soldiersangels.org/index.php?page=project-valour-it

Wednesday Heroes ~ Sailors and Marines

Sailors & Marines Playing Volleyball With Local School Children


Sailors and Marines assigned to the amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) play volleyball with students from Sangley Point National High School during a lunch break at a community service project. Tortuga, the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) are participating in Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) 2009. PHIBLEX is designed to improve interoperability, increase readiness and develop professional relationships between the U.S. military and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Photo Courtesy Navy.mil Taken By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Geronimo Aquino

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives
so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday.
For that, I am proud to call them Hero.


This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero ~ LT John Madea

Lt. John Madea


Lt. John Madea holds his daughter as she is baptized with holy water from the ship's bell of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46). This is the fourth person baptized aboard Tortuga since the ship's christening in 1988, and her name will be inscribed inside the bell as a tradition of the U.S. Navy.

Photo Courtesy U.S. Navy
Taken By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Geronimo Aquino

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives
so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday.
For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero ~ Yeoman 1st Class Timothy Gilbert

Yeoman 1st Class Timothy Gilbert


Yeoman 1st Class Timothy Gilbert, assigned to Headquarters Company of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB 74), donates blood during a blood drive for his six-year-old daughter at the Naval Construction Battalion Center base chapel. Gilbert's daughter has been diagnosed with atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor and is receiving chemotherapy at Tulane Childrens Hospital.

You can read more about Yeoman Gilbert and his daughter, Timia, here.

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan G. Wilber courtesy of United States Navy.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives
so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday.
For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Missle Defense

Pacific Ocean - July 30, 2009
The Aegis-class destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70) launches a standard missile (SM) 3 Blk IA during exercise Stellar Avenger, successfully intercepting a sub-scale short-range ballistic missile launched from the Kauai Test Facility at the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sans, Kauai, Hawaii. This was the 19th successful intercept for the Aegis BMD program in 23 at-sea firings, including the February 2008 destruction of a malfunctioning satellite above the earth's atmosphere.
US Navy Photo

And, the current administration is cutting funding for this successful program,
which is necessary to our defense.
Write your Congressman/Senators now.