Despair

The news of the repatriation of Mister Bergdahl for the price of however many innocents those 5 released terrorists will kill hit the airwaves and intertubes pretty hard yesterday. It caused me some reflection that bordered on, but did not cross into, despair. But first, the anger.

On the basis of what I've read, heard and generally learned I'm convinced that Mister Bergdahl is at best a deserter and possibly a traitor. The final evidence is still to come out but for the nonce I am disinclined to give him any benefit of the doubt. Go visit This Ain't Hell for more. They're doing bang up work. BTW, I refuse to give him a rank nor refer to him in any way as a member of the American Armed forces until he explains his actions 5 years ago and what he's been doing in that time. The President freed 5 pretty hard core jihadis to bring that person home and initial indications are that he did it in violation of current law that requires him to notify Congress 30 days prior to the exchange taking place. None of that is a surprise. The President is working pretty hard to destroy the military and has done a fair job to this point. But that's nothing new either, is it?

I entered the military service of my country in March 1977. That was a bare few months after Jimmy Carter took office. I remember those years very well. The Army was in the process of a little self destruction in the wake of Vietnam and our disastrous decision to end it on an ignominious note. Basically the politicians spit on the sacrifice of hundreds of thousands of our men and women who gave so much when asked and then were denied the honor and fidelity their courage had earned. No wonder that the Army started to come apart at the seams. Morale was low, leadership virtually non-existent. Virtually, not completely. There was still a core of dedicated officers and NCOs who managed to hold things together and were the seed upon which Reagen grew our modern military. The very ones who have steadily kicked ass and taken names everywhere so tasked.

But under the current political leadership we're seeing more of the same. We left Iraq to it's own devices only to see it backslide into massive sectarian violence and an unsettling relationship with Iran. We're about to do in Afghanistan just about what we did in Vietnam in 1975; leave with our tails firmly tucked between our legs. There (probably) won't be any dramatic, last minute helicopter flights full of refugees for the nightly news but anyone who thinks the Taliban won't be firmly back in control about 5 minutes after we leave isn't paying attention. I know we're leaving about 10,000 in country but all that does is open the door for an actual repeat of those infamous helicopter rides, a few more flag draped coffins and more veterans for the VA to fail.

Now, lest I be called hypocritical, I want us out of Iraq and Afghanistan but only because we've already screwed both of those pooches. Staying at this point is throwing away more precious American lives to no good result. The chance for a total victory is long past. The problem is those very lost opportunities and the men and women we've sacrificed, once again, on the altar of political expediency and failed foreign policy. And this Bergdahl mess is the cherry on top. Pay any price to get this person back but screw our veterans and the people we sacrificed in Libya.

We have refused to fight to win. We have demoted and run out of the military combat commanders who at the very least had their fingers on the answers. We have pushed our combat veterans and wounded warriors aside and relegated them to second class status. The bureaucracy sustains itself at the cost of the very lives of our best and brightest. Veterans and their supporters are incensed at their treatment by the VA and this administration answers that outrage by trading enemy combatants for a questionable soldier? What message is being sent here? That's easy. It's the same one Jimmy Carter sent. A view that every fascistic leftist in this country has always held.

Contempt. For the military, for the Constitution, for America. For anyone not of their political and cultural persuasion. I remember this country under Carter. I remember what the Army was like. I can sum it up with one word.

Despair. A feeling that everything we loved and honored was dead and gone. Kinda like right now. Our Vietnam veterans were treated deplorably once they came home. Fortunately that's not the case with our current returning vets, at least so far as public support is concerned. Led by those very same Vietnam Vets we have publicly hailed our returning heroes even if this administration has used them as political pawns to be given no more than lip service. Even that is starting to come apart as the true feelings of the far left in power come to the fore. Take a gander at Mister Bergdahl's father with the sitting President in the Rose Garden. If you can stomach it. I won't link to it.

But I also remember the feeling when Reagan was elected. I remember those officers and NCOs who kept the faith and were ready, willing and able when the call came. They formed the core of what became once again the finest military in the history of the world. I remember an administration that actually did the work of the American people and took the fight to the Soviets and won. I remember the rekindling of hope and the death of despair.

I remember the "Shining City On The Hill" speech and the stir it gave my soul. I remember the return of Americanism and the idea that we are a special breed, not to be found anywhere else in the world. I remember the return of pride and discipline to my beloved Army. I remember Poland and Walesa and freedom in the Eastern Bloc. I remember when the wall came down. I remember the abject defeat of our bitter enemy the Soviet Union.

I remember a robust economy and the end of gas lines. I remember Reagan's 'joke' about the bombing starting in 5 minutes and how our enemies were never really certain whether or not he was serious (I think he was). I remember a foreign policy that contained a lot more 'Thou Shalt Not' than 'Please Forgive Us'.

I remember God's sacrifice on the cross and his promise to always be with us. To never forsake all who believed. I know how all this ends (We win).

And the despair passes like a gentle breeze.

Surrender, however inevitable defeat may seem, is never the answer. Courage and tenacity are. Reagan beat Carter in the general election and then beat him again when he took America to new heights. He erased everything Carter had ever done and stamped 'Failed' all over his presidency. We can do the same. This President will not be in office forever. His term expires in little more than 2 years and we have mid term elections in a few months. There are signs that the GOP has heard us though whether or not that lasts beyond next November remains to be seen. At least there are a few among their numbers who can be counted as solidly in the corner of American exceptionalism. I have stated loudly that I am no longer  Republican but that doesn't mean I'm not working actively to return them to our core values and thereby return myself to their fold. Maybe we can win at the ballot box and maybe we can't. I don't know. I do know that we cannot win a battle we refuse to fight.

I will take the mortal example of Reagan and the immortal one of Jesus to heart. I will keep my faith, I will never surrender to hopelessness or ennui, I will support and defend and I will smack the ever loving crap out of anyone who thinks that harsh language, fascism and political power trumps freedom, individualism and morality.

Courage, faith and hope. We owe them to those who proceed us.
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Hand Salute For Ukrainian Soldiers

Whatever your opinion of what's going on over there, courage is a universally respected quality. My opinion is simple, simplistic perhaps. I don't like the Russians. Never have never will. I spent my military career preparing to fight them and I see no reason to change my views of the Red Bear. Yeah, the Ukrainians used to be a part of that military machine but 'used to be' are the operative words.

That's a picture of some Ukrainian soldiers at the Perevalnoye base in the Crimea. Russian soldiers are reported to be just out of the camera view in that shot. They have reportedly refused to surrender after being given an ultimatum by those Russians. As you read that article please note this quote:

“Ukraine and Russia should solve this politically, not this way,” said Viktor Tshaglei who got into several shouting matches with others. “Mr. Putin will unite the Ukrainian nation by his actions.”  

Sometimes it isn't about winning or losing the fight at hand. Sometimes it's enough to spit in their eye, dare them to take their best shot and standing firm in the face of hopeless odds. And the odds here are hopeless indeed.

My respects for the men standing fast in Perevalnoye. May your sacrifice not become necessary but if it does may God be with you.

 Не приймайте раді свої страхи, але твердо в умовах ворогів з все, що ви тримаєте Шановні стояти. Воїн класу стоїть з вами в дусі і коли-небудь буде вшановувати дух і мужність. Мені випала честь називати вас моїх братів.

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RIP Drummer Lee Rigby

Ex Bootneck has a post up at The Mellow Jihadi about the Queen's Soldier brutally murdered by two animals who deserve no more than a short drop and a sudden stop.Drummer Lee 'Riggers' Rigby, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. Loving husband and father to two year old Jack. 



Farewell my brother. May you rest in peace and may God bestow his grace upon your family and your mates. By all that we hold dear your sacrifice will not be in vain. The monsters will be destroyed and your child shall grow up in a better world.

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Life: Some Courage Is Required

Be brave my friends. No one ever said this would be easy. No one ever promised a life free of worry or challenge. We get this one chance to live here and it's up to each of us how we spend our allotted time. In spite of all that has been done to us and what we see and fear that is just over the horizon our fates are still in our hands.

We are neither murderers nor criminals. We are not responsible for anything more than the desire to protect ourselves, the ones we love and indeed society as a whole. To exercise our God given liberties and to pursue Life, Liberty and Happiness as we see fit. There is no need nor place for guilt. We haven't committed evil nor have we embraced it. We have lived our lives as well as we can and ask for no more than the chance to live as free people.

We shed tears when we see evil committed but we also bear the burdens of our knowledge, intelligence, experience and what wisdom each of us carries. That means sometimes we must see reality for what it is and our our countrymen for what they are. We must be courageous enough to recognize the fight and not flinch no matter how afraid we are or how badly we want things to return to the usual and comfortable. Tears are expected and honorable but they must never blind us.

We aren't in love with our tools no matter what some may say. The fear mongers are among us and they will do or say anything to convince us to surrender and that we must never do. There can be no doubt that our very liberties are under attack and the future of our children at stake. To that there can only ever be one answer.

No.

We are the arbiters of our fate. We are those governed by our own consent. We cannot be enslaved, we can only surrender our birthright and so doom our descendants. By our own choice. If we fight the most we can lose is our lives. If we surrender we will have lost our very souls.

It is a bitter time. Sadness and grief loom. But there is also love in the world. We fight not for things or power or comfort. We do battle for honor and freedom. For goodness and light. For our loved ones. Because what is life without them? Ours is not the fight of conquest but of defense and there is no guilt attached. It is the good fight. It is the right thing to do.

But it takes courage. The will to face down those who would condemn us for the actions of those we have no control over. The fidelity to stand our posts in the face of overwhelming enmity. We know what is right and what is wrong. We need only the courage of our convictions and our indomitable will to face our challenges head on. We are not the aggressors, we are the defenders. Of liberty. Of truth. Of America.

But we must set aside our fear and our trepidation. We must don our whole armor and move into the arena of battle because it's for damn sure those who would dominate us are there already and have even now begun the sack. Put away the feelings of guilt because you do not deserve them and they can only be forced on you if you accept. Be courageous and Fight. Fight for what you believe in, for your freedom, for those you love.

We must find our inspiration where we can. With family, and friends. With the memory of those who came before and have left us. Lu and I remember the birth of a beloved dog who came into our lives on this day 16 years ago. We remember a brother who was lost to us many years ago in a place called Iraq. We remind ourselves that we have a daughter and grandchildren who need our strength. We hold each other tight and shed tears of love and loss. Then we find the ember of our courage and fan it into the flame of determination. And so we go on, one foot after the other and place our faith in God and each other. The bonds of love are so much stronger than any chains forged by hate.

Life is worth living in spite of a hard road. Perhaps even because of it. The ride may be perilous, full of danger and uncertainty, but the companions and joys we find along the way make the journey sweeter than honey.

The fight for our liberty is far from certain but one thing is. The battle for our future is here. Now. Freedom needs every hand, every heart and every mind working as one toward the preservation of all we hold dear lest we lose it and fade into the annals of history. Unmarked except with contempt. Losing means the end of America The Free, perhaps forever. The blood of our forefathers, shed on every continent in this world, cries out to us to rise in her defense and we are honor bound answer that call.

Remember who and what you love. Smile and laugh and live. Eat and play and enjoy. Never forget who you are. Never despair and never surrender. Never hate but never back down. Dare those who hate you to step up and take their best shot. Take to the fight with a smile on your face and a song in your heart. Life is a gift, live it as joyfully as you can.

Don't let the bastards get you down. I love you all my friends. I'll see you on the trail.

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Chance Encounter With A Hero

Every once in a while, if you're really lucky, you get the chance to meet someone special. Today was that day for me and Lu. Let me preface this by saying that I've met celebrities before. Mostly it's been Meh. The only exception was when I met Evel Knievel. Until today. Today I met Samuel Tom Holiday at a local restaurant.Who is Samuel Tom Holiday?

He was sitting at the next table with a woman I believe is his daughter. He was wearing a Marine Corps cap with Navajo Code Talker printed on the brim. I was stunned. I watched and waited until they were done with their meal and getting up to leave. Then, with a certain amount of trepidation, I approached him and introduced myself (I'd have paid for that meal but they were already in the settling up phase when we sat down). I asked him if he was an actual code talker and he confirmed that he was and gave me the above business card. All I could get out was "Thank you Sir" and "It's an honor to meet you" while shaking his hand. He actually made the rounds of the restaurant afterward, talking to folks and shaking more hands. I've still got a huge smile plastered on my face from the encounter.

Go here and take a look at his website. It's fascinating. There were only ever 280 Navajo Code Talkers and there can't be more than a bare handful left. Soon, all to soon, they will be gone forever. It was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity and for this veteran and admirer of the honorable it was one of the highlights of my life.

Thank you Mister Holiday for your valorous service and your kindness to an awestruck fanboy. I will remember you always. It may not be acceptable to give a 'Semper Fi!' from an old Soldier but I'm going to do it anyway and extend it to you on behalf of every Marine who will never get the chance I got. You and your brothers will never be forgotten.

Awesome.

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Jars Of Sand

I wanted to post about this day in history but so many better have already done so. I do want to remember and honor those men in my own small way.

My lovely and talented daughter, the DO, was in Hungary for a couple of years. Stationed there with her AF husband and my two wonderful grandchildren. Last year they decided they'd best take advantage of their situation and visit all the places they'd always wanted to see. One of those places was the D-Day beaches. I've always wanted to go and she's sworn that one day she will take me but in the interim, in case I never make that trip, I had a request. Some sand. Just some sand from those beaches where American soldiers taught the world what the true price of freedom was and then paid it. In cash.

Two small bottles containing some sand from beaches half a world away. Utah in Red. Omaha in Blue. The sand isn't the same that those men scrambled over and died upon. No, that sand, like their lives, has been washed away to be replaced with the new. Their blood and sweat never stained these grains. But their spirit remains. It is as tangible as the kiss of wind on my face. I dare not touch it. I am unworthy. But I can sit and hold the bottles containing the remembrance of valor and struggle and death and victory and imagine and remember and honor. June 6th, 1944. Freedom's victory.

They did not die in vain. This country shall not fall. Their spirit remains alive in America today. I can feel it. There is still honor and courage and sacrifice and duty. We shall keep those flames alive. In their memory.

Two small bottles of sand from beaches half a world away. Collected and presented to me by a daughter who knows and understands because she has herself served. They are priceless to me.

Keep the Faith my friends.

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