Tanker Brothers

Warrenpoint: Never forget

2009-08-27T12:23:00.002-05:00

(video found here)

Plus a post about that day over at Assoluta Tranquillita here

Always remembered and honoured. They matter.

Brat

Darrell "Shifty" Powers: Hero

2009-07-20T07:23:00.000-05:00

Airborne Icon and Hero Passes On - Godspeed, Darrell "Shifty" Powers

Posted By Blackfive
"I could hear bullets and shrapnel hitting the plane. As I jumped out the door, I could see that the left motor was on fire." - Darrell Shifty Powers talking about jumping over Normandy, France, on D-Day.

Read all about this hero at BlackFive here.
" Shifty" passed away recently, with very little media attention or public fanfare.

Rest in Peace, "Shifty." Always remembered and honoured.

Music and Me: If you're reading this

2009-05-24T09:14:00.002-05:00

Kory and Cooper (picture courtesy of BlackFive)

Eddie

Patrick

Joseph

Nichola

Just a few of MY heroes, "standing up for the innocent and the weak...."

Always Remembered and Honoured.

*And other Memorial Day posts at Assoluta Tranquillita*

Brothers At War movie in New York

2009-05-07T11:26:00.000-05:00

The award-winning documentary "Brothers at War" gives audiences a rare view into life on the frontlines of war.
The movie opens in New York City this weekend, at a series of screenings co-sponsored by Sony at the AMC Loews Village 7. Sony is also inviting New York City police officers, firefighters, and service men and women to attend the weekend screenings.
"Brothers at War," released by Samuel Goldwyn Films, follows Rademacher as he journeys to Iraq to embed with American combat units in an effort to better understand the mission of his two brothers, Capt. Isaac Rademacher, a decorated West Point graduate serving his third tour, and Sgt. Joe Rademacher, a Ranger, combat vet, and army sniper in the 82nd Airborne.
The movie, which has received standing ovations and praise from military families across the country, also offers a close-up glimpse of war's personal impact on the American family, from a brother's point of view.
Given unprecedented access to U.S. and Iraqi combat units, Rademacher takes the audience on reconnaissance patrols on the Syrian border, into sniper "hide sites" in the Sunni Triangle, and through raging machine gun battles with the Iraqi Army.
"Brothers at War" has already opened in more than 41 cities this year, with a number of special screenings on military bases. The movie is produced by Norman S. Powell ("24") and Jake Rademacher, and executive produced by Gary Sinise and David Scantling. It will open at additional locations in coming weeks, including Los Angeles, White Plains, N.Y. and Springfield, Ill., near the Rademacher family home in Decatur, Ill.
For more information on show times and theater locations of "Brothers at War" visit http://www.brothersatwar.com/.
You can see a trailer for Brothers At War at brothersatwarmovie.com.[brat note: A must see!]
FOX & FRIENDS Easter Sunday special on BROTHERS at WAR

H/T FSM

Please VOTE TODAY! UPDATE!!!

2009-04-13T21:54:00.002-05:00

UPDATE: The contest closed at noon PST and Roselle WON the vacation for her returning soldier and his family.

Thanks to all who voted.

I received two emails today about a project that will only take a couple of minutes of your time. I found the info posted at Miss Ladybug (here) so am just copying hers since she set it out so clearly:

Monday, April 13, 2009

Help a Soldiers' Angel give the gift of time to her returning soldier

Forwarded to me via email:

A Soldiers' Angel has planned a special gift for her Soldiers homecoming. She needs help in voting for him. See below:

My name is Roselle Portin and I am a friend of Lorraine Blacklock.

I have a favor to ask of you. Your consideration of this would be greatly appreciated.

I am a member of Soldiers Angels. My family and I have been blessed to receive Kxxxx Xxxxxxxxx as our adopted soldier. Through the program we write to him, send care packages and keep him in our thoughts and prayers every day. He has a family in NY that he will be returning home to soon.

I wanted to do something very special for Xxxxx upon his return. In order to do this I entered a contest to win a family dude ranch vacation in Idaho. The kids went door to door, we asked our church family for help, we asked everyone at school, everyone we came into contact with throughout the day and all our friends and family for help. We were winning.

Now we are not. My family will cover air fare for the Family but we cannot afford the ranch if we don't win it.

I was wondering if you had a network of people that would be willing to help me out in this. It is VERY easy to vote. No personal info is required and it only takes a minute.

Here's how it works.
1. go to www.redhorsemountainranch.com
2. click on 'win a family dude ranch vacation' under Guest Story Contest
3. click on Roselle Portin and VOTE.
The contest ends April 15th.

I know it's a big favor. I just wanted a really special way to send a very big 'thank you' to Xxxx and his family (he is not aware of this). If you could help I would be so thankful.

Please let me know what you decide.

Thanks for your time and all you do,
Roselle Portin

I've voted. Currently, Roselle is 313 votes behind the story with the most votes (currently in the lead with 827 votes). [bratnote: I voted and we seem to be gaining..] Please help. It will, indeed, only take a minute...

Updated:

Click Here for Poll Online Survey
| Website Polls
| Email Marketing

| Crowdsourcing
View MicroPoll

The code was supposed to embed the poll, but it's doing the results, instead:
Time is really critical here, but I know we can get 'er done - for this hero.

GO! NOW! And vote...And then pass this on to everybody you know..Thank you..

Brat

Remembering Marine Staff Sgt. Donald C. May, Jr.

2009-03-25T08:16:00.001-06:00

Don was a wonderful father and husband. Anyone who met Don remembered him because of his smile and his ability to make everyone laugh. He was the guy with the big smile. Don, you will be in our hearts forever........

On the back of Don's memorial cards I had printed:

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you
in the hollow of His hand.

Semper Fidelis

Wife Deborah May (here)

Marine Staff Sgt. Donald C. May, Jr. 31, of Richmond, Virginia.
Killed during convoy operations when his tank plunged off a cliff into the Euphrates River. He was assigned to the 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California. Died on March 25, 2003.

Always remembered and honoured, today and every day.

Semper Fi.

For our Canadians

2009-03-24T14:13:00.004-06:00

(thanks to Dena of Take a Soldier Fishing for the picture)

You will know it weighs heavy on my heart as our heroes are returned home to Canada. Since I heard of the latest news, this song has come back to me. Written and performed by a BC boy, (thank YOU, Shawn!) this one IS my heart. I want to share it - again - with all of you. My thoughts and prayers - and THANKS - go out to all our troops and their precious families.

Rest in Peace, faithful warriors.

*For earlier posts on our heroes - arriving home today - go to Assoluta Tranquillita here*

Dover: Tell me, Mr Gates

2009-03-19T08:53:00.001-06:00

Sometimes, the ignorance coming out of Washington DC is so stunning, I am rendered almost speechless. From Thunder Run comes the following:

Tell Me Mr. Gates....How Can You Lift the Ban After This?
Please Mr. Gates, tell me how you can continue forward with your plan to lift the ban after visiting Dover and having, as your press release notes: ".... very moving experience ..."?

Gates Pays Respects to Fallen Servicemembers at Dover
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2009 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates traveled to Dover Air Force Base, Del., last night to pay his respects to four servicemembers killed recently in Afghanistan, a senior Pentagon official said here today.

Gates “wanted to personally honor the sacrifice” of the three soldiers and one airman who died last weekend in a roadside bomb attack near Jalalabad, Afghanistan, Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters.

Jalalabad is located between the Afghan capital of Kabul and the Pakistani city of Peshawar.

The secretary’s visit to Dover last night “was a very moving experience for him,” Morrell said....

There is more, of course. Go here and read the rest, and be SURE to read the comments. David, and two Gold Star Families, goes beyond my "ignorance" comment.

The insanity continues.

Victory in Iraq Day

2009-03-19T07:45:00.000-06:00

Get to it!

Freedom for Gilad

2009-03-18T20:43:00.000-06:00

Gilad Shalit is STILL not free. Recently Mrs Clinton, emissary of Barack Obama, pledged $900m in "aid" to Gaza.

I am on the record as believing that if that money was tied irrevocably to the release of this Israeli soldier, he WOULD be released. It is beyond insane, in my opinion, to pour any more money into Gaza as long as we have proof that Hamas uses donations to further their weaponry stashes, enabling them to continue to attack Israel DAILY. Yes, there is proof of this, even though you may not read that in our msm. It is beyond comprehension that we pour any more money in there as long as Gilad is denied freedom.

Yesterday someone sent me a petition that we can all sign and send to Mrs Clinton. This petition very simply demands that the $900m ONLY be gtiven to Gaza upon release of Gilad.

If the Obama administration really does believe in human rights(oh, know you all know my views on that,) then let them refuse to give one more cent to Gaza until Gilad is home.

The petition is online right here. There is also a very short film featuring Gilad's father. Go NOW, watch the movie, and sign this petition. Please. It will take you less than one minute to sign the petition here.

Let's make our voices heard. Thank you.

H/T Katie

Bratdog asks: Can you help? woof

2009-03-18T09:30:00.001-06:00

My *almost* infamous Bratdog is my baby. Yes, she is, and as her mum I always worry about the 'what ifs'. The 'what if' I had to find someone else to look after her if I had to be away for any length of time. Lucky for me, that is not an issue because where I go, usually Bratdog goes.

However, for our military deployed far from home, finding someone to care for their furbabies while they are away serving overseas is a BIG issue. If you look at my sidebar over there >>> you will see the logo for Guardian Angels for Soldiers Pets. Just as Soldiers' Angels supports the homefront heroes - the families of our military - so the men and women away don't have to worry (too much), so too does GASP care for their furbabies if their in no other option.

Today, I find the latest from GASP:

March 9, 2009 - Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet (GASP) announced today they have finalized a contract to purchase 11 acres for the establishment of the first “Military & Veterans Pet” (MVP) Sanctuary. The property is located in eastern Garland County, Arkansas approximately 9 miles east of downtown Hot Springs and 60 miles west of downtown Little Rock off Hwy 70.

The first MVP Sanctuary will allow GASP to provide a caring, loving, and safe temporary home-like environment where an approved individual foster home is not available to care for the pet/pets to meet the deploying pet owner's time line, further ensure the pet is waiting for their owner's safe return from the deployment, and expand our programs and services to our Arkansas veterans' who need a temporary home for their pet in emergency hardship type situations.

Pet guests will be from Arkansas and surrounding states such as LA, MO, MS, OK, TN, and TX.

As part of the accepted purchase contract, the organization needs to raise $140,000 by March 31st to remove the contingency for obtaining the funds and setting the closing date.

During 2007 and 2008, we received donations earmarked for the project, but without a specific location/property identified; many people would not commit money without seeing where their donations were going. “We are now asking the military community and general public to help us make the sanctuary a reality via monetary donations”, said Linda Spurlin-Dominik, Founder/National CEO of the organization.

To make a donation, visit www.mvpsanctuary.org to make an online donation or mail check/money order payable to:

Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet – MVP Sanctuary
167 Candleberry Cir
Hot Springs, AR 71913-2109

Donations to the "MVP Sanctuary" are deductible as allowed under Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code (Guardian Angels for Soldier's Pet Federal Tax ID: 20-2229425).

Each donor will receive an official “Thank You” and pre-numbered receipt for their tax records.

To learn more about the MVP Sanctuary project visit www.mvpsanctuary.org and for more information about Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet visit www.guardianangelsfors...erspet.org

Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet is an ALL volunteer 501c3 nonprofit public charity organization supporting deploying military service members, veterans, and their beloved pets through programs and services aimed at reuniting the beloved pets with their owners following a deployment in harm’s way or an emergency hardship...

Go check out GASP, and see what YOU can do to help our troops and their furbabies.

Thank you.

*This message has been Bratdog approved. Woooooof!*

cross-posted from Assoluta Tranquillita

DoD...Recruiting and Retention Numbers for February 2009

2009-03-11T08:49:00.002-06:00

DoD Announces Recruiting and Retention Numbers for February 2009

The Department of Defense announced today its recruiting and retention statistics for the active and reserve components for the month of February.

· Active Component.

· Recruiting. All services met or exceeded recruiting goals for February.

· Army – 6,324 accessions with a goal of 6,000; 105 percent

· Navy – 3,060 accessions with a goal of 3,060; 100 percent

· Marine Corps – 1,752 accessions with a goal of 1,292; 136 percent

· Air Force – 2,486 accessions with a goal of 2,486; 100 percent

Retention. All four active components continued their success in fiscal 2009, meeting or
exceeding February retention goals.

· Reserve Component.

· Accessions. All six reserve components met or exceeded their
accession goals for the month of February 2009.

· Army National Guard – 6,114 accessions with a goal of 5,592; 109 percent

· Army Reserve – 3,614 accessions with a goal of 3,138; 115 percent

· Navy Reserve – 602 accessions with a goal of 602; 100 percent

· Marine Corps Reserve – 602 accessions with a goal of 602; 100 percent

· Air National Guard – 946 accessions with a goal of 859; 110 percent

· Air Force Reserve – 803 accessions with a goal of 803; 100 percent

· Attrition. Losses in all reserve components were within acceptable limits.

(source)

February Statistics Show Solid Recruiting, Retention Success

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 10, 2009 – Defense Department officials today announced across-the-board recruiting and retention successes in February, with every service meeting or exceeding its active-duty, reserve and National Guard goals.

The statistics reflect solid recruiting performance during a month that Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman noted is traditionally a slow recruiting period.

Both the Army and Marine Corps, which are in the midst of growing their forces, exceeded their February goals. The Army led active-component recruiting, signing on 324 more soldiers than its 6,000-soldier goal for February. The Marine Corps, with 1,752 new accessions, topped its monthly goal by a whopping 36 percent, officials said.

Meanwhile, the Navy and Air Force met their February goals with 3,060 and 2,486 accessions, respectively.

In the reserve components, the Army National Guard signed on 6,114 members, 109 percent of its goal. The Army Reserve, with 3,614 accessions, topped its goal by 15 percent.

The Air National Guard recruited 946 members, 110 percent of its goal. The Navy Reserve and Marine Corps Reserve both met their monthly goals of 602 recruits, and the Air Force Reserve met its 803-airman goal.

These recruiting successes continue a fiscal 2009 trend despite what the Pentagon’s accessions chief described last week as a particularly challenging recruiting environment.

“The services have done a remarkable job in recruiting a quality force in an environment that has been characterized by most as the most challenging since the advent of the all-volunteer force in 1973,” Curtis Gilroy, director of the Pentagon’s Accessions Policy Office, told Congress last week.

Gilroy cited a full range of recruiting challenges during a House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel hearing. Adult influencers have become increasingly hesitant to recommend military service, and young people are demonstrating a lower propensity to enlist than just four years ago, he said. In addition, the pool of qualified candidates is shrinking due to educational, physical fitness or health problems, including obesity.

But despite these challenges, Gilroy reported a strong year for military recruiting. “I’m delighted to report to you that the state of recruiting and retention for our active-duty force, as we are one-third of the way through fiscal 2009, is a success,” he told the congressional panel.(source)

Dover: If it bleeds it leads

2009-03-02T05:20:00.001-06:00

Dover is where our fallen first touch down on American soil on their final journey home. I recently posted pieces from two men more than qualified to have an informed firsthand opinion about the president overturning the long-time ban of the media from Dover; one was my friend Robert Stokely, Gold Star Father, and the other was Old Blue, active duty military, and blogger par excellence.

I have been listening the last few days to the furore over this latest "mistake" of the current White House resident. I am having a hard time deciding if he is just being disingenuous when he declares that it is now up to individual families whether or not to allow the media to photograph the Dove ceremonies; I am trying to figure out if he is merely callous or just plain stupid in the ways of the media machinations....

Read the rest at Assoluta Tranquillita here.

HEADS UP for Sunday March 1st

2009-02-28T07:41:00.001-06:00

This just in from CJ::

February 27, 2009 By CJ
Posted in Charities/Contests, Uncategorized

Navy veteran Michael Kuhn of Ocala, Florida, is brain injured and receives care at the VA medical facility in Tampa, Florida. He will participate in the Tampa Gasparilla Marathon on Sunday March 1, 2009 as an ambassador for the AFF and the WWP. Marc Reed (Veteran USMC) from SRI St. Petersburg will push Michael, in his wheelchair, all the way to the finish line to help raise awareness for America’s veterans.

There will be a bunch of troop supporters at the finish line cheering these guys on with their accomplishment. Please get the word out to your organizations, families, and friends if they can be there or are nearby. I know it’s short notice. If you’d like more information about linking up, contact Tampa Area Marine Parents Assoc., Inc. President and Executive Director Cyd Deathe at www.usmcfamilysupport.org. Cyd is also the mother of a wounded warrior herself.
Veteran Marine Pushes Wounded Warrior (in his wheelchair) In Marathon

Any questions? Go ask CJ on here.

American Honor Run

2009-02-26T08:18:00.001-06:00

Honoring Staff Sgt May Jr. KIA 3/25/03

On September 5, 2009 the 1st Marine Division Association and Chapter 785 of the Vietnam Veterans of America will be holding the first annual "American Honor Run" to raise money for the Construction of a Fisher House, Support of the Intrepid Foundation and to provide scholarships for the son’s and daughter’s of those who have given everything for our freedom. For more information contact theunit@cox.net or visit www.thehonorrun.org

This month’s featured hero is the fine young Marine in the photo [above]. The run will be dedicated to the memory of one new hero every month to insure we remember all they have given for all of us.

Donald C. May Jr. always wanted to be a Marine.

His mother, Brenda R. May, of Chesterfield County, was a Marine. His father, Donald C. May Sr., was awarded a Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts and the Navy Cross for his service as a Marine in Vietnam.

Staff Sergeant May, United States Marine Corps, Unit: 1st Marine Division was 31 years of age when he died defending our freedom. The tank he was commanding plunged off a bridge as it was crossing the Euphrates River. It was later found upside down and under water. According to his mother, another proud Marine, her son and his crew disappeared during a sandstorm that swept over Iraq as U.S. forces advanced toward Baghdad. SSGT May's Memorial Web page can be found at

http://donaldcmayjr.memoryof.com/About.aspx

Staff Sgt May left behind a wife and three beautiful children.

THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO INSURE THAT THIS FINE YOUNG AMERICAN IS NEVER FORGOTTEN FOR WHAT HE GAVE IN DEFENSE OF OUR FREEDOM. IT IS ALSO YOUR CHANCE TO LET HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN KNOW HOW HIGH WE ALL HOLD HIS GALLANT SERVICE AND WHAT A HERO HE AND SO MANY OTHERS HAVE BEEN.

Please make a donation NOW to help us honor the memory of Staff Sgt May Jr. and to show his family how much you care. His legacy of service will continue forever helping those members of our armed forces who so desperately need our support. Join us on 5 September 2009, in Oceanside, California, for the California Honor Run, dedicated to the memory of Staff Sgt. Donald May Jr.: a fine example of "The Few, the Proud, The Marines."

Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.

Many thanks for your support and Semper Fi. (here)

This is such an important project, which only goes some small way to showing our heroes - and their precious families - that we support them. Don's wife, Deb, is raising their three children:

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — In a Marine bar near Camp Lejeune, a blond woman handed a beer to the man drinking black coffee. She liked his Irish accent, which he admitted was phony, and his smile, which was genuine. It was the same big grin that blazed out of so many childhood photographs in which the crew-cut youth dressed like the Marine he since had become.
The love affair of Deborah and Donald May began in September 1999 as a happy collision of two hearts. It ended March 25, 2003, during the first days of the Iraq war, when the tank commanded by Staff Sgt. May, 31, plunged into the Euphrates River and sank to the bottom. He and his three tankmates drowned, trapped inside.

In less than four years together, the Mays had married, moved to the Marine base at Twentynine Palms, Calif., had two sons and were raising Deborah's daughter from her first marriage. Their talk, their letters, were filled with life and love....(USA Today here)

Don has three beautiful children--- Mariah, Jack, and Will. Mariah has so many memories of Don...he would walk her to the bus stop every chance he got, he would tease her endlessly, and tuck her into bed using his special "Daddy" technique. She talks about him with a big smile on her face, "Remember when Daddy......" Jack is a Mini-May. So very much like Don in his easy going nature. And he has that same "I can smile and get away with anything" attitude. And Will....never seen by Don here on Earth....has Don's eyes. He is the only one of the children that has Don's beautiful blue-green eyes. The children will forever be a reminder of Don and his easy-going spirit and love. We love you too much Don.... (source)

In the photos are Staff Sgt. May's three children: Mariah, Jack, and Will (who was born two months after his father's death.) (photos courtesy Fallen Heroes Memorial here)

Please check out the links to the American Honor Run and do whatever you can to support Staff Sgt May's family. Thank you.

Semper Fi, Marine.

(And yes, this site is dedicated to the memory of Staff Sgt. May)

Brat

The Victorian Bushfires..

2009-02-21T20:02:00.006-06:00

This image has more than likely been sent to every Australian, everywhere. The first time I saw it I could do little but stare, tears streaming down my face as they have a million times over the last 2 weeks.

The untold story of this Bush Fire Tragedy is the plight of our Native Fauna. There would be thousands out there suffering terrible burns.

Koalas do not drink much water, they get their moisture from the leaves, but this little fella's supply would be gone so he would be very grateful.

This aside, Koalas are also savage creatures. Despite their cute appearance, they have sharp claws and bad tempers. Our 'Angels in Yellow' as our CFA and CFS have come to be known, must have seemed like Angels to this poor Koala also for him to have trusted them this way.

This picture became a symbol of the suffering felt by so many during the recent fires that have become known as 'Black Saturday'.

The Memorial Service for the National Day of Mourning for those lost and affected by the Black Saturday fires has just finished, live feeds to our TVs have ended. Amazingly, I feel a sense of new beginnings now. The Service was extremely tasteful, VERY Australian and did give a sense of our great pride in our nation and those who make it what it is.

Since the fires began that terrible saturday, Feb 7th there has been a massive outpouring of grief from throughout the world. I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who emailed to make sure I was ok and to pass on their messages of support for my fellow Australians so gravely affected by this terrible event. To all of you who sent emails, left messages and ECards I can not thank you enough for your kind thoughts. For those of you I haven't had a chance to get back to I am roughly 8 hrs from the fires and safe. The fires that continue to burn are burning in the opposite direction.

I did have family in the affected areas but all have escaped with their lives though some lost their homes, neighbours and friends.

To attempt to share the massive scope of these fires with you and the shattering toll they have taken on our country I have included newspaper articles, photos and clips. Please be aware that while these can be distressing they can barely give you an idea of the suffering in these areas. And yet, our nation strives forward because we are Aussies. Because we are committed to battling through this horrible tragedy together. Because nowhere in Australia would there be a person unaffected either directly or indirectly. And because right now, as we suffer together, we know that we will also move forward together.

How the battle with Victoria's bushfires was fought and lost

INSIDE STORY: Cameron Stewart and Corrie Perkin | February 14, 2009

Article from: The Australian

BRUCE Esplin woke at 6am last Saturday with a gnawing feeling in his gut. Victoria's Emergency Services Commissioner knew the odds were not good for the 3582 firefighters and emergency workers who had been placed like toy soldiers across the breadth of his state.

"We were about to face weather beyond our experience, and I just had this feeling of dread," Esplin says.

Across town, Ewan Waller, the Government's chief fire officer, was also on edge. By 7.30am he was already sitting in the Integrated Emergency Co-ordination Centre in central Melbourne, otherwise known as the "war room", where he would spend the next 15 hours alongside chief Country Fire Authority officer Russell Rees. These two men would jointly manage the defence of Victoria against the worst weather forecast in memory.

Barely 60km to the north, thousands of families scattered across the hillside regions of Kinglake, St Andrews and Marysville were waking up to a lazy Saturday. Many of these were tree changers: city commuters who had embraced the lush forested hills for both lifestyle and financial reasons.

They were mostly young families with young kids, and with the temperature tipped to hit 44C with strong, hot wind gusts, it was cooler to stay in their hillside homes than travel.

In Marysville, 20-year-old Lucie O'Meara spent the morning making pancakes for her husband, Luke, and their seven-month-old daughter, Charlotte. She then sat down at her computer and wrote on her Facebook site: "I am so enjoying the viewfrom my desk, Marysville is beautiful."

Just before 9.30am, Stuart Coombs arrived at the Victorian weather bureau's headquarters in Melbourne's Docklands to start his shift.

One of his jobs was to compile thunderstorm warnings. But when he scanned the charts he saw something that disturbed him even more than the "very dreadful" forecast of the previous night. "The thunderstorm conditions (meant) we knew there would be fire activity (from lightening strikes)," Coombs said.

Even so, for the next few hours, the war room was buoyed by what they saw. Although they were concerned by a fire that had jumped containment lines in the Bunyip State Forest, east of Melbourne, fire activity around the state was modest.

The day, which Premier John Brumby had warned on Friday might be the state's worst, had started well.

"There was a sense of 'well, we've got to lunchtime and so far so good'," Esplin says. "But we knew the most dangerous part of the day would be late afternoon." Read more here

I awoke on the following morning to the news of the fires. On saturday we had all known there were fires raging in Victorias beautiful bushland but thinking back, I honestly don't think we could have realised the enormity of what we were about to face. When the initial death tolls were announced on those first few days we could never have imagined just how high they would reach and even now, 2 weeks on they continue to climb.

Bushfires are a common part of our Summers here in Australia. Unfortunately there are people who feel the need to light a fire for their own gratification far outweighs the safety and welfare of the innocent people living in commonly affected areas. These people would ordinarily rely on good bushfire plans to protect their homes, often able to fight the fires themselves. But these fires showed none of the mercy witnessed in previous years fires. In the midst of the worst heatwave this country has ever seen, on the day of the worst conditions for bushfires seen throughout this heatwave, a handful of people made the conscious decision to risk lives and wreack havoc by starting a fire. What is perhaps most sickening is that for the week leading up to Black Saturday we had been warned continuously, across all aspects of the media about the risks. These people who chose to light these fires knew the risks....

Here you can find some of the lives lost in these terrible fires...Photo Gallery

As the week wore on Australians began to wonder how they could help. Massive fundraising appeals began to pop up everywhere, clothes and household items were collected and transported into the affected areas to give immediate aid to the victims. Buckets appeared on ever counter in every store, pub and service station across the country. Telethons were held, charity sports matches and the good old Aussie Sausage Sizzle to raise much needed funds for the innocent people affected so terribly. In the grip of a shocking economic crisis Aussies dug deep and then deeper still to help those in need. Less than a week after the fires began more than $100 million had been raised for the people of the affected areas. Fundraising efforts will continue throughout the year.

Now more than ever, we are not hearing the words 'What can I do to help', but 'What MORE can I do to help'. I would be suprised to hear that there was an Aussie that had not contributed in some way.

Australians have been heartened by the response to the devestation throughout the world. As always, those who fight alongside us, also stand beside us in times of need. Both America and Canada have sent firefighters to help us fight these fires and for that we are truly thankful. People from all over the world have donated to the Red Cross Appeal to help the victims rebuild shattered lives and to assist the families financially who face the daunting task of burying their loved ones. It is times such as these that we are reminded of how lucky we are that the spirit under which we fight together, extends to mourning and rebuilding together as well.

Australia mourns bushfire victims

TENS of thousands gathered in Melbourne, including hundreds of bushfire survivors, to remember those who died in Victoria's devastating bushfires.

The Rod Laver Arena was filled with people, including political leaders, religious leaders, Princess Anne and other dignitaries.

Many of those at the service were wearing the distinctive yellow overalls of the firefighters.
At least 209 people are known to have died in the February 7 fire storms, most of those from a sweep of towns and villages northeast of Melbourne.

Services are being held across Australia to remember the bushfire victims, although the one at the Rod Laver Arena is expected to be the largest.

In a sombre procession, members of the official party including Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Victorian Premier John Brumby, Governor-General Quentin Bryce and Princess Anne laid flowers at a wreath to remember the dead.

Singer Deborah Cheetham led singing of the national anthem.

Aboriginal leader Auntie Joy Murphy officially welcomed those to the land of the Wurundjeri people.
"The terrible loss of so many human lives, animals and homes is extremely difficult to comprehend and accept, to believe what has happened,'' Ms Murphy said.

"The spirit of the land will reclaim itself and the bush animals and the pets will return, this is nature's way,'' she said.

Premier John Brumby told those at the service that Australia was a nation deep in mourning.

"We are picking up the pieces after the worst natural disaster in Australia's history. Devastating fires that have taken family, friends, neighbours and workmates,'' Mr Brumby said.

"Destructive fires that have torn at the very heart of communities,'' he said.

Governor-General Quentin Bryce told the service bushfire communities would rebuild.

"We will open our hands and reach out and deep to give of ourselves whatever we are able. We each have our separate tasks, we know what they are and together we know the responsibilities we share,'' Ms Bryce said.

"In time, what was will be restored - no matter how colossal the effort.''

But she said today was a day of reflection.

"The unthinkable we must think; the unimaginable we must see; the unspeakable we must speak; the unbearable we must weep.''

Princess Anne represented Queen Elizabeth and the royal family at the memorial.

The princess read out a message written by Queen Elizabeth soon after the fires occurred and passed on her condolences.

"Although a little daunted, when faced with the scale of loss, and the physical and mental impact that these bushfires have made and are still making for Victoria, individuals and towns have responded with resilience, ingenuity, courage and selflessness to situations that were changing at terrifying speed,'' Princes Anne said.

She said she would be visiting fire affected areas on Sunday, and speaking to some of those touched by the tragedy.

"People from around Australia and across the world watched in horror, but with admiration at their response,'' Princess Anne said.

"I would particularly thank all those involved in whatever capacity, in the emergency services and in the voluntary organisations,'' she said.

Victoria's Governor David de Kretser said there were no words to encompass the distress of those who had lost loved ones.

"These have also been difficult days for all Victorians. Days of fear, of pain and now of haunting sadness,'' he said.

"It is not only family and friends who have suffered loss. Entire communities have been devastated by these fires.''

Melbourne Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Black Saturday saw the worst of nature but the best of humanity, and vowed that every year on February 7 Australian flags would fly at half mast.

"In recent days we have witnessed unspeakable suffering. We have lost mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers. We have lost brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, the tiniest of children, family and friends and neighbours,'' Mr Rudd said.

"All these are precious lives. No words can provide solace for grief so personal. But simply know this. You who suffer are not alone.

"This great Australian family here assembled and across the nation today is with you.''

He said Australia's reaction to the bushfires was different to what may have been expected in other places.

"In some countries tragedy exposes the faultlines in a nation. The strong abandoning the weak. One region indifferent to the sufferings of another. One culture uncaring as to the needs of another.

"But ours is a different nation. Our nation has been as one. Australia, a nation of compassion,'' Mr Rudd said.

Melbourne Federal opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull said all efforts must be done to rebuild shattered towns.

"The measure of our support for you, indeed the measure of love for you, must be whatever it takes,'' Mr Turnbull said.

"Whatever it takes to put you back on your feet. Whatever it takes to heal broken bodies and soothe broken hearts.

"We mourn those we have lost. We are united in our sorrow for those who loved them,'' Mr Turnbull said.

For those who are able, donations can still be made at the following site Red Cross Appeal. There are also condolence books throughout the internet for those lost.

Flags will fly at half mast on February 7

PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd said Black Saturday saw the worst of nature but the best of humanity, and vowed that every year on February 7 Australian flags would fly at half mast.

"All these are precious lives. No words can provide solace for grief so personal. But simply know this. You who suffer are not alone.

"This great Australian family here assembled and across the nation today is with you."

He said Australia's reaction to the bushfires was different to what may have been expected in other places.

"In some countries tragedy exposes the faultlines in a nation. The strong abandoning the weak. One region indifferent to the sufferings of another. One culture uncaring as to the needs of another.

"But ours is a different nation. Our nation has been as one. Australia, a nation of compassion," Mr Rudd said.

Keep the media OUT of Dover!

2009-02-17T08:20:00.002-06:00

YOUR mission. TODAY.

Seems that this new American administration is really into this whole "change" thing. I am sure most of you are aware that when our fallen heroes are brought home, they come through Dover. President George W Bush barred the media from documenting their arrival, to allow the families private moments with their precious loved ones.

Now President Obama is reviewing this policy. Other blogs have voiced their opposition to this far more eloquently than I. MY opposition is that this msm has proved that they have NO respect for the fallen or their families. Even as they bleat that showing the fallen heroes returning would show the "true cost of war," they completely ignore the many, MANY other stories that show the 'real' war. Rarely do we see stories in the msm showing the realities, the progress of what our military is accomplishing. Having said that, I do not trust the msm to be respectful of our newly grieving Gold Star Families.

I could go on and on, but - as always - our military families say it far better. One such Gold Star father is Robert Stokely. Father of Sgt. Mike Stokely, Mr Stokely stands on guard for the respect and honour for our fallen. He sent an email and I am going to post it in its entirety. Once you have read it, you will know what to do. Please, do this for Mike, Patrick, Kory, Don, John, Josh and for Sean. Our fallen, and their families, have more than earned this small gesture of respect:

Please read and help Keep the Media out of Dover when our Fallen arrive home

Senator John Kerry / Democrat of Massachusetts and Senator Frank R. Lautenberg, and if you take the statements of then Senator Biden (who stated the soldiers are snuck in under cover of darkness), want Dover to be open to media coverage of arriving and departing flag draped caskets of our fallen and their unashamed purpose is to "show the real cost of war...". During his speech on the economic crisis on Monday, Feb. 9, 2009, President Obama, in answering the question of Ed Henry of CNN, stated he was ordering a review of the policy. The links below cover the interview with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates wherein he alarmingly states he is open to the policy being changes, stating it might show "more honor" for the fallen.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OBAMA_COFFINS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/11/us/11bodies.html?_r=2&hp

I take the stand that Dover is to special a place for our fallen to be made a spectacle of for many reasons, but I will offer these as the most important:

1. Just as the families should be the first to get the "call" that their loved one has died, so should the first non-military required handling and view of the fallen be their's to have rather than having it splashed about in the media for a political statement of "showing the real cost of war."

2. Our military personnel do not decide when, where or how long war is waged; such decisions are for political leaders to make and constitutional duty of any military personnel is to carry out the lawful orders of the Commander in Chief / President. Thus, the only purpose of the media and the above stated politicians desire to "show the real cost of war" is for a political purpose. Just for settling the debate, the real cost of war is already known for it is a little hard to hide the impact of a fallen has on his / her family, community and entire country and they are not snuck back in under cover of darkness to hide their loss, but if any use of cover of darkness is had, it is to shield them from being used as a political photo op.

I urge your action to contact your U.S. Senator and U.S. Congressman to have them exercise their contacts and leverage to keep Dover a private place for the fallen and the families who are about to receive them home for burial. And it is important to contact President Obama, Defense Secretary Gates, and others on the list below. I know it is a long list, but think about the time you spend in writing a letter, sending a fax, sending an email, or making a call versus the lifetime of love the fallen and their families have given for America.

The White House

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Phone Numbers
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461

TTY/TDD
Comments: 202-456-6213
Visitors Office: 202-456-2121

SCTY Defense Robert Gates:

Dr. Robert M. Gates
Secretary of Defense
1000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1000

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen:

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
9999 Joint Staff Pentagon
Washington, DC 20318-9999

General James E. Cartwright:

Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
9999 Joint Staff Pentagon
Washington, DC 20318-9999

General George W. Casey, Jr.:

Army Chief of Staff
200 Army Pentagon
Washington, DC 20310-0200

Admiral Gary Roughead:

Chief of Naval Operations
2000 Navy Pentagon
Washington, DC 20350-2000

General Norton A. Schwartz:

Air Force Chief of Staff
1670 Air Force Pentagon
Washington, DC 20330-1670

General James T. Conway:

Commandant of the Marine Corps
Headquarters USMC
2 Navy Annex (CMC)
Washington, DC 20380-1775

Senator John Kerry:

http://kerry.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

218 Russell Bldg.
Second Floor
Washington D.C. 20510
202-224-2742 - Phone
202-224-8525 - Fax

Boston
One Bowdoin Square
Tenth Floor
Boston, MA 02114
617-565-8519 - Phone
617-248-3870 - Fax

Springfield
Springfield Federal Building
1550 Main Street
Suite 304
Springfield, MA 01101
413-785-4610 - Phone
413-736-1049 - Fax

Fall River
222 Milliken Place
Suite 312
Fall River, Ma 02721
508-677-0522 - Phone
508-677-0275 - Fax

Senator Frank R. Lautenberg:

http://lautenberg.senate.gov/contact/index1.cfm

Newark Office
One Gateway Center
Twenty-Third Floor
Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: 973-639-8700
Toll Free: 1-888-398-1642
Fax: 973-639-8723

Camden Office
One Port Center
Suite 505, Fifth Floor
2 Riverside Drive
Camden, NJ 08101
Phone: 856-338-8922
Fax: 856-338-8936

Washington, DC
Hart Senate Office Building
Suite 324
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-3224
TTY: 202-224-2087
Fax: 202-228-4054

thanks,

Robert Stokely
proud dad SGT Mike Stokely
KIA 16 AUG 05 near Yusufiyah Iraq
USA E 108 CAV 48th BCT GAARNG

THIS is the very least we can do. Get on it.

Royal Marines refused a pint - in England!

2009-02-06T09:21:00.002-06:00

PUB TURNS AWAY PAIR WHO
SERVE ON FRONTLINE

STRICT DOOR POLICY: JD Wetherspoons

Tuesday February 3,2009

By David Pilditch

TWO Royal Marines were stopped from having a homecoming pint at their local after returning from the frontline in Afghanistan – when staff refused to recognise their military ID cards.

Dan Buchanan, 21, and Kelvin Billings, 22, were turned away at the Isambard Kingdom Brunel pub in Portsmouth when doormen said they didn’t look old enough.

They showed the cards – which included their pictures and dates of birth – but managers at the JD Wetherspoon pub insisted they were not an acceptable form of identification.

Lance Corporal Billings said: “It would have been our first pint since getting back.

“We’ve used our Marines ID all over the world and it’s never been turned down before. We’d been back a matter of hours after serving our country for five months. I’m going back for another two months next week.

“I’d seen a fair bit of action and just wanted a pint of Kronenbourg with my best mate. I couldn’t believe it when they wouldn’t let us in.

A day before I was putting my life on the line for Britain and yet that didn’t count for anything

Dan Buchanan

“I could understand if there were 20 of us trying to get in, but it was just the two of us.

“It’s not like we even look under 18. Both of us have got moustaches and if anything look older than we are.

“Portsmouth only exists because of the armed forces – they’ve been based here for hundreds of years. We keep the pubs in this city going.”

Marine Buchanan added: “A day before I was putting my life on the line for Britain and yet that didn’t count for anything. We were disgusted and angry, to be honest.”...

And there is more here.

My regular readers all know what is wrong with this picture (pitcher? never mind!)

I found it, courtesy of The Lone Voice, a British blogger, here.

Tuesday, 3 February 2009

JD Wetherspoon - Refuse service to soldiers.

Do your bit for Queen and country and Tim Martin's dire chav-palace chain of corporate fizzy larger suppliers to chavs, refuses to serve you.

This is what happened to two soldiers who popped into a Wetherspoon chav palace for a well deserved pint...

From the Express also The Mirror
TWO Royal Marines were stopped from having a homecoming pint at their local after returning from the frontline in Afghanistan – when staff refused to recognise their military ID cards.
Dan Buchanan, 21, and Kelvin Billings, 22, were turned away at the Isambard Kingdom Brunel pub in Portsmouth when doormen said they didn’t look old enough.

They showed the cards – which included their pictures and dates of birth – but managers at the JD Wetherspoon pub insisted they were not an acceptable form of identification.

Lance Corporal Billings said: “It would have been our first pint since getting back.

“We’ve used our Marines ID all over the world and it’s never been turned down before. We’d been back a matter of hours after serving our country for five months. I’m going back for another two months next week.
“I’d seen a fair bit of action and just wanted a pint of Kronenbourg with my best mate. I couldn’t believe it when they wouldn’t let us in.
So they are quite happy to serve feral chavs, bar customers for daring to complain, dish up South American zebu bushmeat as steak and allow the social underclass to use their Mc'Beer chain as a creche for the young ones during the day; but serve soldiers? Seems the answer is no.

Still no doubt Mr Martins chain will make a big issue of apologising before barring these fine young men afterwards as per company policy....

Go read a letter The Lone Voice wrote, here. I would say that is more than 2p worth, but he goes further:

Thursday, 5 February 2009

E Petition on soldiers ID: to make military IDs a nationally recognised form of ID.

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to make military IDs a nationally recognised form of ID -
make military IDs a nationally recognised form of ID. That way all establishments would have to accept them along with passports or driving licences. At the same time they can make it a crime to discriminate against military personel regardless of whether they are in uniform or not.
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/forces-id/

This was brought about by the poor treatment of two soldiers who popped into a Wetherspoon chav palace for a well deserved pint, after putting their lives on the line fighting for Queen & country...(here)

Yes, I signed the petition. This is so far beyond unacceptable treatment of our British troops.

Brat

*[cross-posted from Assoluta Tranquillita*]

He is home

2009-02-05T08:39:00.001-06:00

He is Home

A crowd gathered on a Tuesday eve.

His group was due in and I was pleased.

There were family holding welcome signs.

His friends showed too, to my surprise.

There was quite a crew to see him home.

Even though the holiday found him alone.

Now, two weeks later, he is really home,

And the strain is seeping out of his bones.

The stress and strength are not demanded.

The lines in his face are etched, indented

In his furrowed brow, without his knowing.

The frown shrinks while his smile is growing.

His face is relaxing from the war’s demands.

His adrenalin is not being used just now.

He does not have a load dragging him down;

Lives in the balance, and equipment too.

He does not face the political strife in lieu

Of a grateful nation that will never know

All he and others do in war’s blood-red glow.

The lines are softening, his child inspires love

And his wife feels his pain, seeks his truth.

He is home in body, but there are things,

Like a mind, which comes home more slowly.

I take myself back forty years and wonder.

“Can people see the lightening in my brain;

The questions that roll like summer thunder?

Some missed me with all their hearts yet

Others would not have minded had I stayed.

Some I love only want to continue old fights.

Will some folks grant me a little space

So I can choose my own homeward pace?

Will they crowd in and steal my air, smother me

With love, not letting me open my eyes to see?

Most mean well, others think I was on a lark.

The things I saw came with me, remaining stark.

I cannot tell them; I do not want to hurt them.

I will try to smile, yet deep in me I am still grim.”

Does he feel what I felt and questioned?

I dare not ask, dare not make the suggestion.

He is home…with different things waiting.

I had nobody I hoped more than any other

Would understand, wanting only to be a lover.

But they sometimes put their own demands

Ahead of a soldier’s needs and their words

And deeds can wound deeper than bombs.

What is asked could wait but often will not.

He does not need pushed ahead of thought.

His mind is still reeling, sweltering in desert heat.

He needs time to crawl, get the dust off his feet.

I walked down that street toward home, quickly,

Yet faltering, anticipating yet dreading my own tears.

He may have that same fear coursing in his veins.

It takes time, and compassion, to let war drain.

The welcome home was wonderful, special.

There was pride, the shoulders square, elation.

The love in the room was there in equal portion.

The joy and tears flowed without any shame.

Our progeny, our spouses, our heroes, our hopes

Were home, safely stepping back into today, here.

After the hoopla was pushed out, their minds quiet

The fear, the doubt, the trepidation, again crept out.

He is home but does home want him on his terms

Or only by its own… right back into the demands

Without space, without compassion for his passion?

He does not get some of the sneers that I got.

He does hear the criticism, from some people

And the major media that see him as a threat.

In jaundiced eyes he is not more than criminal.

Or some higher form of warmongering animal.

I will wait for his stories, for his words, for his tears.

Perhaps I am the only one who deters the demands.

I fight myself. I want to rush in and ask that he unload.

I will let him walk before I push him into a broken run.

If we who are closest push the hardest it hurts most.

We must quietly understand his battle with wars’ ghosts.

The old way at the end of World War Two may be best.

Two weeks at sea with warriors was a detoxifying rest.

He is home.

Now I must, and so must others, make him happy about that.

I have known soldiers who wanted only to go back.

I felt that. Others have too.

Let all who love him give him the space and time

He needs to really come home.

Mike Mullins, 1/6/09

Thank YOU, Mike, and please thank your son for his service.

Today ...

2009-01-30T09:25:00.002-06:00

From Assoluta Tranquillita:

COLONEL'S MARK - An Iraqi Army colonel raises his right hand outside of the Zafraniyah polling site to show his purple index finger, a sign he voted during the “special” voting day of the provincial elections in Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 28, 2009. The vote took place before the general provincial election, scheduled for Jan. 31, to accommodate Iraqi Security Forces, detainees, hospital patients and other special needs cases. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Douglas York (source)

And also this:

From the Conservative Underground comes this:

This Is A Day Of Victory! Elections Begin
Posted by Rosemary on January 28, 2009 at 8:30pm
Today is a wonderful day that will be ignored by those in the media who do not care about our men and women in the Armed Forces and the people we have liberated, but the news is available if you only seek outside of the United States! There are a few places within the states that are carrying this story, but they pay the AP for the copy right. Amazingly, they all say the same thing! That's real journalism? LOL.

I admit, after reading these articles, I do not believe I could write a better article than Taipei Times has written. So without further adeiu, here is their article with a little interruption for an image and a quote from ABC News.

Early voting begins in Iraq elections.

AGENCIES, BAGHDAD
Thursday, Jan 29, 2009, Page 4

Iraqi policemen hold up their ink-stained fingers after casting their vote in the country's provincial elections in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009. The polls opened Wednesday for members of the Iraqi security forces, detainees and hospital patients. General voting is scheduled on Saturday. (Hadi Mizban/AP Photo), courtesy of ABC News.

Soldiers, police, prisoners and displaced people began early voting yesterday ahead of Saturday’s provincial election in Iraq, which will determine the political landscape across the country as US forces withdraw.

Iraqis held in detention were also expected to take part in the early voting.

US and Iraqi authorities hoped the election would open the political process to more groups and further erode support for extremist networks....(source)

And then, on the BBC I find this:

Tight security before Iraq polls

The US military is sending heavy troop deployments onto the streets

A full-scale security clampdown is being rolled out in Iraq ahead of regional elections this weekend.
It comes after gunmen killed three candidates in separate incidents across the country, after a relatively violence-free campaign.
Millions of Iraqis are expected to vote for provincial councils, in the first country-wide elections since 2005.
They are being seen as a test of Iraq's improving stability and a guide to the general election later this year. ...(here)

Today, more than usual, I think about our troops who were there for the first elections, and are now there for this one.

You are in my prayers, CT.

VC winner Mark Donaldson

2009-01-17T00:42:00.000-06:00

Over many years and many wars we have met more heroes than any of us could ever have imagined possible. Those who take the words 'Uncommon Valor' to new heights but see themselves only as Soldiers doing their job.

Trooper Mark Donaldson is one of these people...

SAS trooper Mark Donaldson exposed himself so much to enemy fire that when Australia's last VC winner heard about his award he assumed it would be posthumous.

Over two hours in southeastern Afghanistan last September 2, Trooper Donaldson, 29, repeatedly fought alone in open ground raked by accurate and heavy Taliban machine-gun fire to allow his wounded comrades to be dragged to safety.

Deliberate exposure to draw enemy fire away from the wounded would have been enough for a Victoria Cross recommendation, but Trooper Donaldson then sprinted 80m over the same killing ground to save the life of a seriously wounded Afghan interpreter.

In the words of the award citation, Trooper Donaldson - whose story Kevin Rudd said yesterday would be known to generations of Australian schoolchildren - reacted spontaneously to regain the initiative following an ambush that inflicted the worst casualties suffered by Australia since the Vietnam War.

Under furious enemy fire Trooper Donaldson moved rapidly between alternative positions engaging the Taliban with his M4 carbine and 66mm and 84mm shoulder-fired rockets.

"He deliberately exposed himself to enemy fire in order to draw attention to himself and thus away from wounded soldiers," the citation says.

"This selfless act alone brought enough time for those wounded to be moved to relative safety."

But, there was more.

With the wounded, nine of them Australian, piled onto the vehicles the convoy began to withdraw with covering fire provided by Afghan US and Australian special forces soldiers sheltering beside the vehicles.

Those soldiers still fit to fight had to jog alongside the vehicles.

There was no space onboard, due to the large number of wounded.

One of the last to leave, Trooper Donaldson, spotted the Afghan interpreter lying wounded in open ground more than 80m away. "His movement, once identified by the enemy, drew intense and accurate machine gun fire from entrenched positions," the citation says.

"Upon reaching the wounded coalition force interpreter, Trooper Donaldson picked him up and carried him back to the relative safety of the vehicles and then provided immediate first aid before returning to the fight."

There were so many occasions when Trooper Donaldson could have been killed in the battle that, when Australia's last VC winner, Keith Payne, 75, heard about the award his first reaction was that it would be posthumous.

"I'm absolutely delighted we have a live one," said Mr Payne, who won the VC in Vietnam in 1969. "At a party like this

the chances of coming out alive are pretty negative and he never got hit and that's amazing."

The only other living Australian VC winner, Edward "Ted" Kenna, watched the ceremony on television from his Geelong nursing home. Mr McKenna won his VC in Papua New Guinea in 1945.

Mr Kenna, 89, told his daughter to say that he admired Trooper Donaldson for looking out for his mates. "He felt proud of Trooper Donaldson and thought that he was a worthy recipient," Marlene Day said.

Trooper Donaldson at a ceremony at Government House yesterday became the 96th Australian to win the country's highest award for gallantry. He is also the first to win the Victoria Cross of Australia, as it is now formally known after the imperial honours system was replaced in 1991.

A world away from the dusty mountains of Oruzgan province, the 1920s-era Canberra drawing room was filled with guests.

Among the gleaming Sam Browne belts and polished brass were former warrant officer Payne, defence force head Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Kevin Rudd, Malcolm Turnbull, army chief Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie and former defence force chief Peter Cosgrove.

Standing at the back of the room in mufti, many wearing sunglasses to avoid identification, were more than 20 members of Trooper Donaldson's SAS sabre squadron flown in from Perth.

With guests seated, doors were closed and shortly after 11.30am, Governor-General Quentin Bryce arrived to present the award.

"Trooper Donaldson, the people with you this morning come from the deepest and warmest layers of your life, the highest ranks of your calling and the judiciary and parliament of the nation you serve," Ms Bryce said.

"We award you a decoration whose words are reserved for the incomparable and unsurpassed.

"Words whose integrity is untouched by vernacular. Words rare and revered. Gallantry, valour, self-sacrifice, devotion to duty. You have cradled life in your arms," she said in reference to Trooper Donaldson's heroic rescue of the Afghan interpreter.

"You are the finest example and inspiration, Trooper Donaldson, I salute you."

The awarding of the VC marked a "momentous day" for the Australian Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Houston said.

Trooper Donaldson was now a member of a select "band of brothers", one of only 10 surviving winners of the VC alive in the world today, he said.

And as tradition dictates, Australia's most senior military officer then strode over to Trooper Donaldson and saluted him.

Mr Rudd said the Afghanistan, Iraq and East Timor veteran had joined the ranks of Australian heroes and his feat of arms would become the stuff of legend.

"Trooper Donaldson, the nation salutes you. A man of valour. A man who consciously took the decision to place his own life in peril to save the lives of others. I salute you," the Prime Minister said. "Generations of school children will now know of the story of Trooper Mark Donaldson.

"It is a story of a hero, one which will be told in classrooms, workplaces and watering holes for many years to come."

After official photographs flanked with senior army brass, Australia's latest VC winner, accompanied by his wife, Emma, and two-year-old daughter, Kaylee, spoke briefly to the media.

No, he didn't think the award would change him. "I'm still Mark Donaldson, and we'll keep going from day to day and we'll see how we go," he said.

"I don't see myself as a hero, honestly. I still see myself as a soldier first and foremost."

Emma Donaldson, overcome with emotion during the ceremony, admitted to nervous moments while he was away, but said she fully supported him.

"He was married to the army before he married me, and I support him all the way."

Cav Tanker Deploys Again

2009-01-12T22:40:00.001-06:00

Where did the year go? Just a year and a couple of weeks ago we were welcoming CavTanker back from a long 15 month deployment to Iraq. It was so good to have him home safe and sound.

In the past year CavTanker has spent time getting reaquainted with his family, helped with relief work in Louisiana due to the hurricane, participated in training excercises to keep sharp and prepare for future deployments and MOST IMPORTANTLY, married the love of his life.

Now he's back in Iraq for, what he hopes, is a 12 month deployment. Where did the year go? I sure hope this next year passes as quickly and as safely for him as the past one has.

Be Safe dear friend. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. We are so proud of you!

HAPPY NEW YEAR BAGHDAD!

2009-01-01T00:20:00.000-06:00

(source)

News

U.S. Vacates Baghdad Palace Ahead Of Handover

Military vehicles at an entrance to Baghdad's fortified "Green Zone" in November

December 31, 2008

BAGHDAD (Reuters) -- U.S. officials have withdrawn from the Saddam Hussein-era palace they occupied in Baghdad since 2003, a sign of the change of power when their troops were to come under Iraqi authority at midnight.

The U.S. force in Iraq, now more than 140,000 strong, has operated since 2003 under a UN Security Council resolution expiring at midnight on New Year's Eve. From January 1, U.S. troops operate with authority granted by the Iraqi government under a pact agreed by Washington and Baghdad.

The pact -- viewed by both countries as a milestone in restoring Iraqi sovereignty -- requires U.S. troops to leave in three years, revokes their power to hold Iraqis without charge, and subjects contractors and off-duty troops to Iraqi law.

Iraq also reached a deal with Washington's main ally Britain on December 30 giving its 4,100 troops until the end of July to depart. Small contingents from Australia, El Salvador, Romania, Estonia, and the NATO alliance will also leave in 2009.

U.S. and Iraqi officials were planning a ceremony for the morning of January 1 to formally hand over control of the Green Zone, the heavily fortified central sector of the capital that houses Western diplomats and Iraqi government offices.

In recent weeks U.S. diplomats have gradually moved into a newly built compound, the world's largest U.S. embassy, leaving behind a sprawling yellow marble palace of ousted dictator Saddam Hussein, which looms over the Tigris River.

"The palace will be in the possession of the Iraqi government from January 1, 2009," U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Susan Ziadeh said of the ornate building, where Americans worked beneath garish frescoes depicting Hussein's arsenal of missiles....(read the rest at Radio Free Europe here.)

The future of Iraq now really does belong to children like those in the top picture. And THAT is great news!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR to ALL our troops who made this possible.

H/T Donna :)

*cross-posted from Assoluta Tranquillita*

Wednesday Hero

2008-12-31T00:42:00.001-06:00

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Kathi

2nd Lt. Christopher E. Loudon
22 years old from Brockport, Pennsylvania
1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division
October 17, 2006

2nd Lt. Christopher Loudon graduated from Slippery Rock University with a Baccalaureate Degree in Environmental Health in 2005. Upon graduation, he entered the United States Army on September 9, 2005. He received his commission as an Infantry officer and was assigned to 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 4th Infantry Division at Ft. Hood, Texas. He deployed to Iraq in July 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

2nd Lt. Loudon’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Ranger Tab.

He was KIA in Baghdad, Iraq when an IED detonated near his vehicle. Also killed with him were; Corporal David M. Unger, 21, of Leavenworth, Kansas ;Corporal Russell G. Culbertson III, 22, of Amity, Pennsylvania and Specialist Joseph C. Dumas Jr., 25, of New Orleans, Louisiana.

He leaves behind his parents, Randy and Susan Loudon ; his wife, Jacey Loudon ; a daughter, Isabel Loudon ; two brothers, First Lieutenant Nicholas Loudon ,and Jonathan Loudon ; his paternal grandmother, Florence Loudon and his maternal grandfather, Everett William Campbell.

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.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

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.

Happy New Year To The Troops Show 2009!

2008-12-30T17:19:00.000-06:00

~Snooper~

This show was scheduled earlier today after many conversations with several people yesterday, last night and early this morning. Feel free to tune in on BTR (link here ). I, for one, know exactly what it is like being far away from home in a distant and hostile land and after the GREAT success of the Chandlers Watch, Buffman and Wrench and Do The Right Thing Christmas Shows for The Troops, what could be more appropriate than to hold a special show specifically for New Years?

I spoke with that crazy guy Loki and he said we should go for it so here it is!

Feel free to pick a graphic and run with it.

THE TROOPS! THE TROOPS!! AND NOTHING BUT THE TROOPS!!!

TOCB: 2000 > 2200
Chandlers Watch: 2200 > 2400
ALL TIMES ARE TEXAS TIME!
12/31/08

*cross-posted from Take Our Country Bac k*

Brat

Tanker Brothers

Warrenpoint: Never forget

Darrell "Shifty" Powers: Hero

Airborne Icon and Hero Passes On - Godspeed, Darrell "Shifty" Powers

Music and Me: If you're reading this

Brothers At War movie in New York

Please VOTE TODAY! UPDATE!!!

Monday, April 13, 2009

Help a Soldiers' Angel give the gift of time to her returning soldier

Remembering Marine Staff Sgt. Donald C. May, Jr.

For our Canadians

Dover: Tell me, Mr Gates

Tell Me Mr. Gates....How Can You Lift the Ban After This?

Victory in Iraq Day

Freedom for Gilad

Bratdog asks: Can you help? *woof*

DoD...Recruiting and Retention Numbers for February 2009

DoD...Recruiting and Retention Numbers for February 2009

February Statistics Show Solid Recruiting, Retention Success

*cross-posted from Assoluta Tranquillita*

Dover: If it bleeds it leads

HEADS UP for Sunday March 1st

American Honor Run

The Victorian Bushfires..

How the battle with Victoria's bushfires was fought and lost

Australia mourns bushfire victims

Flags will fly at half mast on February 7

Keep the media OUT of Dover!

Royal Marines refused a pint - in England!

PUB TURNS AWAY PAIR WHO

SERVE ON FRONTLINE

By David Pilditch

Tuesday, 3 February 2009

JD Wetherspoon - Refuse service to soldiers.

Thursday, 5 February 2009

E Petition on soldiers ID: to make military IDs a nationally recognised form of ID.

He is home

Today ...

Posted by Rosemary on January 28, 2009 at 8:30pm

Tight security before Iraq polls

VC winner Mark Donaldson

Cav Tanker Deploys Again

HAPPY NEW YEAR BAGHDAD!

News

U.S. Vacates Baghdad Palace Ahead Of Handover

Wednesday Hero

Happy New Year To The Troops Show 2009!

Bratdog asks: Can you help? woof

cross-posted from Assoluta Tranquillita