Thursday, April 28, 2005
Help BlackFive Help Soldiers' Angels
Beside being a great looking shirt, for every one sold, he'll be donating the proceeds - approximately $5 - to Soldiers' Angels.
Get yours now. That's an order.
Online Lego Creator
Picture yourself in legos. What would you look like?
http://www.reasonablyclever.com/mini/index.html
Hattip to Linda at Technology in Teaching
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
LEGISLATIVE ALERT
Help Create Traumatic Injury Insurance for All Active Duty Service Members
BACKGROUND:
On Thursday April 21st the United States Senate passed legislation creating Traumatic Injury Insurance that will issue active duty service members a payment ranging from $25, 000 to $100,000, should they incur a life altering injury while serving their nation. This legislation, known as the Wounded Warrior Bill, was introduced as an amendment to the Emergency Supplemental Funding Bill by Senator Larry Craig (R-ID), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, at the urgent request of three injured soldiers from the Wounded Warrior Project. The Traumatic Injury Insurance will make an immediate payment to the service member and their family within days of sustaining their injury to support them during their hospitalization. Additionally, the legislation passed will make Craig’s measure retroactive to the start of Operation Enduring Freedom, which began in Afghanistan on October 7, 2001.
This payment will ensure that newly injured soldiers can concentrate more fully on their recovery and transition back into civilian life rather than on the financial hardship that their disability will have on them and their families.
ACTION NEEDED:
The Emergency Supplemental bill must now go through Conference Committee, where differences between the House of Representatives and Senate versions of this bill will be reconciled. As this Traumatic Insurance Provision is only in the Senate version of the Legislation, we must make sure that it remains in the final version of the bill to be approved by both the House and Senate.
Please Call the Members of the Conference Committee and Demand That They Include the Craig Amendment That Creates Traumatic Injury Insurance Coverage for Our Troops
all the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224- 3121
EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL SENATE CONFEREES
Senator Cochran (R- MS)
Senator Stevens (R-AK)
Senator Specter (R-PA)
Senator Domenici (R- NM)
Senator Bond (MO)
Senator McConnell (R- KY)
Senator Burns (R- MT)
Senator Shelby (R-AL)
Senator Gregg (R-NH)
Senator Bennett (R-UT)
Senator Craig (R- ID)
Senator Hutchison (R- TX)
Senator DeWine (R- OH)
Senator Brownback (R- KS)
Senator Allard (R-CO)
Senator Byrd (D-WV)
Senator Inouye (D- HI)
Senator Leahy (D- VT)
Senator Harkin (D- IA)
Senator Mikulski (D- MD)
Senator Reid (D- NV)
Senator Kohl (D-WI)
Senator Murray (D-WA)
Senator Dorgan (D-ND)
Senator Feinstein (D-CA)
Senator Durbin (D-IL)
Senator Johnson (D- SD)
Senator Landrieu (D- LA
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Tomb of the Unknowns
On Monday, April 18, 2005, Robin Bateman and Sara Ehrlich, representing the Soldiers' Angels Foundation had the honor of presenting a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery. Robin Bateman requested this opportunity and received a letter of permission from the Director of Ceremonies and Special Events-Memorial Affairs Division to present a wreath donated by Soldiers Angels following the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
There were many visitors present as well as a school group and a group of Boy Scouts from MA also presenting wreaths that day.
Each member of Soldiers Angels and each of our deployed heroes was there in spirit as the wreath was presented and Taps were played for those "Known But to God".
The Tomb is guarded 24-hours-per-day and 365-days-per year by specially trained members of the 3rd United States Infantry (The Old Guard).
After receiving detail instructions, Sara and Robin walk down the steps toward the tomb.
Robin and Sara present the wreath on behalf of Soldiers' Angels.
Taps was played
Soldiers' Angels wreath in front of the Tomb of the Unknows.
"Thank You" Sara and Robin from Angels everywhere.
Soldiers' Angels Motto: May No Soldier Go Unloved
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
From the desk of Patti Bader ~ Soldiers' Angels Founder
Please consider adopting another hero or donating here http://soldiersangels.org/ or sending in a check so we can continue to help heroes.
Welcome Home - Bangor, Maine Style
Locals in Bangor, Maine, are on a mission to greet every military plane, at any time, in any weather. Their tally so far: 200,000 troops.
Tired and bleary-eyed, Marines of the 1st Battalion, 7th Regiment, based at wentynine Palms, Calif., were finally back on U.S. soil after seven months on the front lines in Iraq.
But they were still many miles and hours from their families and the homecoming they longed for. Their officers told them they would be on the ground for 60 to 90 minutes while their chartered plane was refueled.
So they disembarked and began walking through the airport terminal corridor to a small waiting room.
That's when they heard the applause.
Lining the hall and clapping were dozens of Bangor residents who have set a daunting task for themselves: They want every Marine, soldier, sailor and airman returning through the tiny international airport here to get a hero's welcome.
Even if the planes arrive in the middle of the night or a blizzard, they are there.
Good job citizens. Read more at latimes.com.
Hat tip Mudville Gazette
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Not Another Dime
Also see Captain's Quarters and read Not. One. Dime.
Here's a screenshot of my nine cent donation today.
Friday, April 15, 2005
President Bush to Visit Today
After lunch the president will be holding a round-table discussion on Social Security at Lakeland Community College in an adjacent community.
President Bush is making his third trip to Lake County (on the North Coast of Ohio) in a little more than eight months. I haven't seen him yet in person (here), however, at this rate, it looks like I will have a couple more opportunities before he leaves office!
I did see him in person (along with 60,000 other people) when he gave the commencement address at The Ohio State University in 2002 when our daughter graduated.
Monday, April 11, 2005
Don't Forget
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Wednesday, April 06, 2005
The Last Full Measure of Devotion
"Keep me loaded," Smith yelled.
While his men made it to safety, Smith kept up the fight. Then, suddenly, he slumped in the personnel carrier, mortally wounded by an Iraqi bullet. For his bravery that day, Smith on Monday was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by President Bush. Link
We honor his service and are mindful of his sacrifice.
The Medal of Honor for Sgt. 1st Class Paul Smith. Awarded posthumously Monday, April 4, 2005, during ceremonies at the White House.
Eleven-year-old David Smith looks solemnly towards the audience as he and his step-sister Jessica, left, hold their mom's hands during ceremonies Monday, April 4, 2005, at the White House. David's father, Sgt. 1st Class Paul Smith, was honored posthumously by President Bush with the Medal of Honor, the first presented for service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
David Smith, 11-year-old son of Sgt. 1st Class Paul Smith, holds his father's Medal of Honor, awarded Monday, April 4, 2005, by President Bush during ceremonies at the White House. Looking on are Smith's wife, Birgit, and step-daughter Jessica.
David Smith, 11-year-old son of Sgt. 1st Class Paul Smith, holds his father's Medal of Honor, awarded Monday, April 4, 2005, posthumously by President Bush during ceremonies at the White House.
A soldier plays "Taps" for Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., April 5, 2005.
Birgit Smith visits her husband's memorial headstone April 5, 2005, at Arlington National Cemetery, Va.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld speaks to the audience gathered at the Hall of Heroes in the Pentagon, April 5, 2005
Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith was posthumously inducted into the Pentagon Hall of Heroes at a ceremony April 5. President Bush awarded the Medal of Honor to Smith's family in White House ceremonies April 4. Smith is the first to receive the military's highest award for his actions in the war on terror.
Rest In Peace SFC Paul R.Smith, USA
Sunday, April 03, 2005
The Smugglers' Blues
My wife's nephew (from a first marriage) who we remain close to, is a chopper pilot for the 1159th Air Medial Company Detachment (Air Ambulance). They are an Aviation Brigade of the 29th Infantry Division of the Maryland Army National Guard. He is serving his second tour of duty in Iraq.
He sent us a link from a forward unit of the 1159th located in Tal Afar, Iraq and assigned to the 2-14th Cavalry Medical Platoon.
The Smugglers' Blues
Operating under the unit call signs Smuggler 40 & 41 they have a few photos and a great video featuring both video footage and still images. Click over to the video page and watch it! From the opening:
The 1159th Air Medical Company is dispatched to Iraq in support of OIF III.
A forward unit was assigned to Tal Afar and attached to the 2-14th Calvary. Their mission, to provide rapid evacuation to the injurd soldiers of the Cav.
The Smugglers Blues
From the 1159th website:
The 1159thth Medical Company Detachment(Air Ambulance) supports Division or equivalent size forces. Using UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, medevac pilots, crewchiefs, and flight medics perform rescue and medical evacuation missions.Keep up the good work!
When deployed the 1159thth Medical Company Detachment(Air Ambulance) supports the Division's area support and forward support medical companies. Advanced avionics and extended range fuel tanks enable Blackhawk Air Ambulance helicopters to operate over longer distances and in day, night, and instrument conditions.
The crewchief and flight medic operates the cabin mounted, high performance rescue hoist performing rescue operations over land and water. The flight medic is qualified and equipped to provide advanced trauma life support. Up to four trauma patients can be transported in side the helicopter.
Friday, April 01, 2005
Indianapolis Scum
Tuesday night asshats in Indianapolis damaged and defaced the Medal of Honor Memorial, The nation's only memorial honoring all recipients of the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest award for military valor.
The memorial features glass panels etched with the names of the 3,410 Medal of Honor recipients, their branch of service and the locations of their heroic actions.
Glass panels on the monument were smashed and obscene words about President Bush and Gov. Daniels, along with peace symbols were spray-painted on canal walls.
Too bad BlackFive and his blogger buddies weren't drinking in Indianapolis Tuesday night instead of Chicago. They might have stumbled across these miscreants and dealt with them accordingly.
Hattip to Smash.
Home Defense
In the course of reading, I came upon Harvey’s blog, Bad Example. There I found a well written and highly informative guest post by Peter of Carnival of Cordite: Long Guns for Home and Personal Defense
It is a long read full of good information concerning gun ownership and self defense in your own home.
This week we are going to discuss long guns for home and personal defense. There are many reasons why a person would choose a long gun instead of a handgun, the most obvious being that some locations have Draconian laws about the ownership of handguns by civilians. A strong second reason is that some long guns are nearly impossible for a child, too young to understand, to shoot. In a later installment we'll talk about the fact that it is very difficult to childproof a gun kept in a ready state but quite easy to gunproof a child who is strong - meaning old - enough to work the action.
Hattip to Teresa of Technicalities who led me to Bad Example.
