Honoring their memories

Today is about remembering our troops who have fallen in battle, men and women like Sgt. Adam Cann, 1st Lt. Laura M. Walker, Sgt. Robert G. Davis, Pfc. Devon Gibbons. Remember their lives and honor their sacrifice. John of Argghhh remembers.

Adopt a Hero

Thanks to Chuck for the reminder that this is National Miliary Appreciation Month. And the best way to show your appreciation for the military is to adopt one of our deployed troops. Go to Soldiers' Angels now to adopt one of the waiting Heroes. There are hundreds of deployed men and women who need, now more than ever, to know their sacrifice and separation from their family and friends is appreciated. To quote Chuck: To Adopt-A-Hero go to the website www.SoldiersAngels.org and click on the ADOPT button. Your commitment each month is simply a letter a week and a small package each month. Join our team. Our nation's heroes need you.

(Up)Grading Afghanistan

As in creating roads, one of the suggestions of this open letter from AfghanistanShrugged, a training team leader with boots on the ground. He makes some very good points about how the lack of infrastructure keeps the power in the tribes. Go read the whole thing. H/T to a tweet from JP.

Pledge allegiance to the Flag, not the man

The Pledge of Allegiance is an 'oath of loyalty to the U.S. flag and the nation it represents.' Over the years, there has been controversy about the inclusion of the words "under God", and I understand that there are schools where it is not recited at the start of the day, as it was every day of my public school experience. But when the pledge is spoken, it is directed to the flag, as our symbol of the country and the Constitution it is built on. Changing the focus from the flag, and the country behind it, to any person, is wrong. I don't care if that person is the President. This isn't an oath of allegiance, but indoctrination – maybe hero worship. If I were a parent whose child attended a school such as this, the principal and school board would be hearing from me.

Double Tagged

Both 1SG Keith and BillT decided to maim meme me. I think they conspired against me, trying to drag me back into my own blog. We'll see about that! So the rulez are thus... 1. Link to the person that tagged you 2. Post the rules on your blog 3. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself 4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs 5. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website. 6. Let your tagger know when your entry is up. My six things... 1. As discussed at the Castle, I don't have any kind of cuckoo clock, or anything with chimes, bells, etc. in my house. I can't stand noisy clocks or other noise disturbing my sleep! 2. Like Keith, I hang all of my shirts, sweaters, etc. so that they face in the same direction. Being right handed, I want to grab the hanger and see the front of the item, not the back. 3. At meals I like to take a bit of each item on my plate in each bite - something about balance and symmetry. Unless there's something I really want to cherish, then I save it for last :-) 4. When I travel, I always want to pack my suitcase the night before I am to check out and return home. Doesn't matter how late it is. 5. I love mixing cold cereal together, and keep anywhere from 3 to 8 boxes of cereal open between my own choices and the Hubster's. 6. I love Starbucks, and it's definitely for the coffee. I even buy espresso packs so I can make my favorite mochas when we're at home. Which is funny, since I didn't learn to drink the stuff until I was 25. Before that I drank Mountain Dew in the morning for caffeine. And the six random bloggers I am tagging are ... Sarah Jill Army Sean ArmyWifeToddlerMom Aaron Huntress

Celebrating Real Americans

Thanks to Max for the heads-up on this one ... "On call 24 hours a day, for the past five years, a group of senior citizens have made history by greeting almost 700,000 American troops at a tiny airport in Maine. The Way We Get By is a raw and intimate look at three of these troop greeters as they confront their own health problems, depression, financial debt, and the loss of meaning in their lives. Facing issues common to the nation’s ever-growing population of seniors, Bill Knight, Joan Gaudet, and Jerry Mundy find the strength to overcome their personal battles and transform their lives. This inspirational story will shatter the stereotypes of senior citizens today. Growing old will never be the same." *Update* For screening information, check the official web site. Take a look at the trailer ... If you are interested in a local screening, be sure to visit their site and provide your locale to let the film makers know. And follow either the Facebook group or the Blog to catch the news. Kudos to Aron Gaudet, Gita Pullapilly and Dan Ferrigan for creating a story about these real Americans and their devotion to our military men and women!

Why donate to Valour-IT?

I'm glad to see that the teams are mixing it up well - with Fuzzybear Lioness hijacking the Castle to post for the Marine team. (Run, Fuzzy, Run!) Still, the Army team is currently holding a decent lead in the inter-service rivalry. Go Army! Beat Navy!!! Fun aside, there are many reasons to support Project Valour-IT. When it was created, the concept was simple - provide a laptop and voice-activated software to allow wounded servicemembers to communicate with their loved ones. To give them a means of interaction that didn't require someone else at the controls, and to give them a tool for further independence. If you need help understanding how much it means to have this, be sure to try Chuck's visualization exercise. Go ahead and come back, I'll wait. ... So, did you cheat? Now, imagine that you *couldn't* cheat. Because your arms are too hurt and encased in bandages, or maybe one or both are gone. Imagine how you would stay in touch with your buddies back in the sandbox, or with your family and friends back home. Over the past three years more than 2700 laptops have been distributed, to men and women like Lieutenant Colonel X : I don't know where to start. I was thrilled and truly appreciative of the laptop donation that Soldiers Angels sent. My neurology team is ecstatic with the progress that I have made, yet we all temper our excitement as I still have a long recovery ahead. Due to the great hearts (sponsors, donors, volunteers and others too numerous to mention) within Soldiers Angels I have become more mobile in my rehabilitation and the laptop is absolutely one of the tools that I have in my recovery toolbox. I use it to keep current on my schedule and have several applications that assist with recovery. I know that my recovery has been aided by the cards, letters, and notes sent by your Angels. I love to read them and have started to send Thank You's to many of them. I just want you and everyone to know that your organization is a Godsend to Soldiers. Please send this note of Thanks to the appropriate personnel, and if there is anything I can do to help, let me know. God Bless You and God Bless America. Lieutenant Colonel X Amen to that, sir. Each year the project has improved, and this year, new technologies have been added for even more impact. One big change is the partnership between Project Valour-IT and the CAP program of the DoD : Originally Valour-IT provided the voice-controlled software that accompanies the laptops, but now works closely with the Department of Defense Computer/electronic Accommodations Program (CAP): CAP supplies the adaptive software and Valour-IT provides the laptop. In addition, DoD caseworkers serve as Valour-IT’s “eyes and ears” at several medical centers, identifying patients in need of laptops and other technological support for their recovery. The program is great, but ... there isn't enough money to meet the needs. As Chuck explains, they need our help. Give up some lattes or mochas, and go pop a few dollars in the pot to keep this program going strong. Help to ensure that all of our injured troops who can benefit from this program get hooked up - with the technology that will help them recover and stay connected to the world around them. Oh - and make sure you donate right here!

Veteran's Day and a Call to Action

Today is set aside to honor our Veterans, those men and women who have served, and those who are serving, offering their lives in defense of the United States of America. It's really something we should do every day - take a minute to thank the Vets around you for their service, send cards / letters through Soldiers' Angels, AnySoldier or Books for Soldiers, stop at a VA facility and brighten someone's day -- whatever way works for you. But at least, take the time today to seek out and thank as many Veterans as you can. Thanks to John and SWWBO, Bill, Dusty, Sgt B, Keith, Heartless Libertarian, ChuckZ, Neptunus Lex, Doc in the Box, Maj Pain and America's Son. Thank you to the whole gang at Blackfive, Greyhawk, Michael Yon, Army Girl, Allie, Joel, MacGyver, and so many others I have met through blogging. And thank you to Max (both of you!), Wendell, Sneddy, Rob, and countless more who I've met over the years. Thank You - You guys and gals ROCK! Today is also the perfect day to launch this year's Project Valour-IT event. That's right, it's time to use a little of that inter-service rivalry for a great cause ... the 2008 Valour-IT fundraiser! Project Valour-IT (formerly Voice-Activated Laptops for OUR Injured Troops) In memory of SFC William V. Ziegenfuss It was the first time I felt whole since I’d woken up wounded in Landstuhl. –Major Charles "Chuck" Ziegenfuss, on using a voice-controlled laptop Project Valour-IT, in memory of SFC William V. Ziegenfuss, helps provide voice-controlled/adaptive laptop computers and other technology to support Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from hand wounds and other severe injuries. Technology supplied includes: •Voice-controlled Laptops - Operated by speaking into a microphone or using other adaptive technologies, they allow the wounded to maintain connections with the rest of the world during recovery. •Wii Video Game Systems - Whole-body game systems increase motivation and speed recovery when used under the guidance of physical therapists in therapy sessions. •Personal GPS - Handheld GPS devices build self-confidence and independence by compensating for short-term memory loss and organizational challenges related to TBI and severe PTSD. The experience of Major Chuck Ziegenfuss, a partner in the project who suffered serious hand wounds while serving in Iraq, illustrates how important these laptops and other technologies can be to a wounded service member's recovery . As a Denizen of Argghhh!, I am joining the Army team ... Check back for updates! Meanwhile - go read more at the Soldiers Angels site. And then donate to the ARMY team!

Sgt B is boots-on-the-ground

I was so wrapped up in election angst that I missed Sgt B posting! He is now boots-on-the-ground in Iraq, and has recognized he isn't in Kansas (or eastern Washington) any more. Godzilla's fangs are exposed ... hoping for quiet, but ready for the alternative. I'm pretty sure I speak for the Denizennes when I say, we fervently hope it's a boring rotation. With Sgt B and Bill both lounging in Iraq, quiet and boring would suit us just fine! Speaking of Bill - his latest edition of Argghhh-onauts is up. Keep 'em coming, Bill!

It's funny, until it's not

While I haven't blogged much about politics, or anything else, this fall - I am sure I won't surprise anyone by saying that I support the McCain/Palin ticket. I was extremely happy with the selection of Gov. Palin, and I like the lady's style, wit and brains. So it's no shock that I got a big chuckle out of this Youtube video portraying the Obamunist being mocked by the world's dictators. It's low humor, but funny. But the following video wasn't made to be funny, although it made me laugh as I watched it. I laughed at the idea that anyone seriously wants to vote for a man who couldn't even bring himself to show up on time for his committee meetings ... before he started his public campaign for the Democratic nomination. His constant apologies for his tardiness and absence during testimony, which he then (apparently) intends to comment on, would be disappointing in a high school senior. In a U.S. Senator it is highly unprofessional. From a man who thinks he deserves to be President, it is unforgiveable. This isn't the biggest reason *not* to vote for Obama, with his views on raising our taxes redistributing our wealth, and relieving us of our guns. But if you know anyone who really intends to vote for Obama/Biden, make sure they watch both videos, won't you?

Recent activities

Much has happened in the last few weeks, and many miles have been traveled. A few weeks ago, I hopped on an airplane with BCR and headed for Last Vegas and the MilBlogging conference. One of the best things about that weekend was getting to meet so many of my imaginary friends, and to hang out with others once again. In addition to the list below, I was tickled to chat with Francis Marion of Where I Stand again (our previous meet-up was documented here). And I shared tears and hugs with Sarah of Trying to Grok, in remembrance of Mike Reed, AKA Bunker Mulligan, who we lost in 2005. The fact that two people who were meeting in person for the first time could cry over the loss of someone neither had met in person is just one of the aspects of the blogging world that non-bloggers can't really grasp. Last weekend, I took advantage of a business trip to spend a day at Castle Argghhh, home of the Armorer of Argghhh and She Who Will Be Obeyed. I arrived late Saturday night to find a crowd in the kitchen - Bloodspite of Techography, Wendy of Girl on the Right, and Kat of The Middle Ground and Castle Argghhh were already enjoying life mightily, and we all visited into the night/morning. Among the benefits of a day at the Castle is the opportunity to throw some lead downrange with John, and several interesting and fine firearms were offered for testing. John captured the visual evidence, and provides context here and here. I'm traveling again this weekend, headed farther yet away from my PNW anchor. More later!

Milblog Party - Success

Thanks to Matt of Blackfive, and the wonderful folks at the Penthouse club, the milbloggers party was great fun. I had lots of fun meeting old friends for the first time, and putting faces and 'real names' together with blog / commenter names. The club provided a room just for our crowd, complete with dancing poles (more on that later) and an open bar staffed by comely young ladies. Matt started the night off properly, with a toast to Absent Companions, then encouraged us all to enjoy the party, which order was taken to heart. Bad Cat Robot and I greeted our fellow Denizens - John, SWWBO, AFSister, Maggie, FbL - and tracking down Homefront Six to introduce ourselves for the first time. Then it was off around the room to visit with new/old friends. One of the people I made sure to track down was blog-brother That 1 Guy. After nearly 4 years of blogging, it was nice to put a face to the guy! Along with the people who have kept me informed and amused over the years, like Matt, Froggy, Laughing Wolf and Uncle Jimbo of Blackfive, Greyhawk (but still waiting to meet Mrs. G), NZ Bear of TTLB, ChuckZ, American Soldier, Sean Dustman of Doc In The Box, and Andi of SpouseBuzz - and many more. I obviously have to do some work on the "Bloggers I have met" section of the sidebar! Of course, as HF6 says, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. But she is keeping track of the evidence. I won't say what happens next after that little series of pictures, but let's just say that there will be blackmail Fund-raising opportunities to come. Stay tuned!