One can only imagine how appreciative the parents of these children must be:

When you hear that we had nothing whatsoever to do with the injuries sustained by these children and yet stop at nothing to help them recover, it reaffirms that the citizens of this country (be they military or civilian) are some of the [...]

Imagine spending your time (all your time) no more than 15 feet apart from your significant other:
Did you hear about that Buddhist couple who’re never more than 15 feet apart? Well, we tried it.
HT: Instapundit
Simon says:
A real shame exports are growing at a rate of about 2.8% a year. It is a [...]

Senator Lieberman, much like President Bush is a man I admire for his courage to follow his convictions even in the face of abandonment of his party.
Once again the Senator delivers remarks to Generals Petraeus and Odierno which only serve to reinforce my feeling toward him as an American first, Senator second:

The Senator’s remarks coupled [...]

If there are lingering questions about that “Mission Accomplished” banner aboard the USS Lincoln the day of President Bush’s speech for which it was a backdrop, this may help clear up the confusion:
Via Seamus, comes this email from a Navy Lieutenant who was aboard the USS Lincoln during the visit from President Bush. Yesterday [...]

Just telling it like it is:
In the recent political battle around the Marine recruiting station in Berkeley there has been much confusion around the concept or slogan of “supporting the troops,” but opposing the unjust wars of the Bush regime. Many who oppose the Bush regime wars also say they [...]

Greyhawk has listened to the pleadings of his wife and those in their comment section at Mudville Gazette and completed a version of “The Free and the Brave” in which the audio is much clearer than his initial attempt. (For those who still have a bit of difficulty with the lyrics, they are posted below [...]

Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids helps needy disabled children of Iraq by providing high quality pediatric wheelchairs, each sponsored by individual and corporate donors. Sponsors receive a picture of the disabled children as they are placed in their wheelchair for the first time! This is a unique opportunity, as families around the world have [...]

It has taken me until today to find that feel good story which I look for every week. This one has to rank up there among my favorites.
ENCINO, CA. - Operation Gratitude founder, Carolyn Blashek, and Director of Operations, Charlie Othold, traveled 9,000 miles to surprise an unknowing Soldier with the keys to [...]

It has never been my choice to debate the Iraq war with most. Each individual has their own thoughts as to whether or not we should have gone to Iraq initially, or how the battles both in Iraq and Afghanistan have been commanded.
I have always believed that once we have troops committed [...]

The wreath laying ceremony took place yesterday at Arlington.
It began with an 8:30 a.m. report to duty Saturday at Arlington National Cemetery where we heard Morrill Worcester’s remarks about those we would soon remember and honor with Christmas wreaths.
Much more including many wonderful photographs at The Radio Patriot.
*Original link, Lorie Byrd at Wizbang.

It may not sound like a lot, but the United States Military has begun to withdraw some of the troops used in the surge.
WASHINGTON — The first big test of security gains linked to the U.S. troop buildup in Iraq is at hand. The military has started to reverse the 30,000-strong troop increase and [...]

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army
IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now [...]

Update and bump. For those who may have missed this post originally, it is being bumped in hopes that throughout the weekend more individuals will find it in their heart to donate even a dollar to Project Valour-IT.
Folks, please use the link on the sidebar (or the one attached to this post), to donate [...]

There are no words to add to this excellent article by Jeff Emanuel except to those who perished, may you Rest in Peace, and to those who survived may you know the thanks, prayers and thoughts of many Americans are with you.
(There are restrictions on reprinting or reproducing portions of this piece, but it is [...]

Michael Yon in his own words speaking on the situation in Basra, Iraq.
Michael was interviewed from Basra, Iraq as part of a segment entitled “The British Troop Drawdown: Can the Iraqis control Basra?” Also featured in this segment was Nic Robertson, CNN Senior International Correspondent, reporting from Baghdad. The October 13th broadcast of CNN’s “This [...]

It is not a habit of mine to listen to Rush Limbaugh but I must admit my interest was peaked upon hearing he had used the phrase”phony soldier.” In reading his transcript from the show, it makes perfect sense if you had at all followed the case of the individual he mentions. [Emphasis: mine]
Here [...]

There is a great post at Politico rehashing the latest defeat in the Senate of another “surrender measure.”
Yet another Democratic amendment on Iraq failed Friday morning, and this one didn’t even earn a majority of Senate votes. The vote was 47-47 on an amendment sponsored by Sens. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) [...]

Funny how you can read two articles back to back and one allows for a warm and prideful feeling while the other stirs a bit of anger and frustration.
Such was the case this morning as I first enjoyed this story from the Examiner.
We’re fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and debating them in Washington. [...]

Thanks Mr. Thompson for saying what needed to be said. And in short order no less..we don’t see that very often these days in the political arena.

Also, if you missed it, courtesy of Fox News here is Rudy Giuliani on the President’s speech and Hillary Clinton’s remarks to General Petraeus at the [...]

There is an exclusive interview at Pajamas Media today in regard to the Scott Thomas Beauchamp affair. Bob Owens speaks directly with the investigating officer in this case, Major John Cross.
The head of the U.S. Army investigation into Pvt. Scott Thomas Beauchamp is breaking his silence in an exclusive interview with Pajamas [...]

26,000 U.S. and Iraqi troops are on a new offensive in the Nineveh area of Iraq.
About 26,000 U.S. and Iraqi forces are taking part in an offensive against al Qaeda in Iraq in northern Iraq, the U.S. military said on Thursday.
Iraqis gather at the site of a U.S. airstrike on Baghdad Thursday. Residents said people [...]

Next week General Petraeus will deliver his assessment of the military situation in Iraq to Congress. I expect there will be countless politicians attempting to spin this report to their advantage but as they do, I will be thinking of these folks who give of themselves every day, all over the world to not [...]

I had the intention of posting this a few days ago, but server problems (we all know those days) made a different decision for me.
I have met many individuals over the years who have asked me how I could handle being raised in a military family, never really having a “home” or not having the [...]

A few days ago J posted this video of a Marine who has obvious, strong feelings about the defense of our country.
When the video was being widely circulated, no one seemed to know the identity of this Marine but now thanks to Blackfive we have a name to put with the face.
Most of you [...]

A Georgia police chief who had been called up to serve in Iraq was fired by his town council. That is, until until the Mayor stepped in and said the firing was illegal.
A small-town Georgia police chief who left to face enemy fire in Iraq only to return and be fired by town officials [...]

Speaks for itself.
Frequent tours for U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan have stressed the all-volunteer force and made it worth considering a return to a military draft, President Bush’s new war adviser said Friday.
“I think it makes sense to certainly consider it,” Army Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute said in an interview with National Public [...]

This is an awful hard subject for me. I just don’t understand how you can charge someone with murder that is fighting a war.
A US general has dismissed all charges against two marines accused in the killing of 24 Iraqi civilians in Haditha, including women and children, the Marine Corp said yesterday.
Lance Corporal Justin [...]

Ya right. I don’t know about you but this guy reminds me of a shyster.
Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney on Wednesday defended his five sons’ decision not to enlist in the military, saying they’re showing their support for the country by “helping me get elected.”
Romney, who did not serve in Vietnam due to [...]

Speaks for itself.
Adm. Michael G. Mullen, President Bush’s nominee to head the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a Senate panel yesterday that the war in Iraq is taking a heavy toll on the U.S. military, warning that American forces are “not unbreakable” and stressing the need to “plan for an eventual drawdown” of troops.
Appearing in [...]

Yesterday in Washington, we had a slumber party in the Senate, Code Pink in the parking lot at Capitol Hill and anti war activists meeting with US Senators. I know because I endured endless stories about the first and a few stories about the second and third.
But somehow, the importance of the [...]