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November 20, 2009 By Claire
Posted in Life in the Military, Spouse and Family
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
I have always loved this definition of faith and find it compelling. There are many things around me that provide me of the substance of what I have hoped for, but the evidence of the unseen is all around us too. Spritually speaking I know the verse is pointing back to Christ. He was the substance of what the World needed and longed for, and we have faith today even though we do not see with our own eyes. It’s a definition that shows the irony of faith – substance and hope along with evidence and the unseen. Those are not things we normally put together.
What does this have to do with the military? I found the following article on DVIDS. I had faith that the military community would comfort one another, aid one another and would care for its own — I have seen this first hand and have witnessed the substance of things hoped for. Even though I am not there and did not see what was happening, I knew it was. The evidence of the unseen is easy because you hear about the strong tie of family that holds us and binds us together in the military. Service members and family alike. Families are taking care of young single soldiers while they convalesce, and they comfort one another while they grieve. That’s just a couple of examples:
Amid Tragedy, 20th Engineering Battalion Families, Soldiers Provide Utmost Care for Own
13th Public Affairs Detachment
Photo by Spc. Christopher Gaylord
Posted: 11.12.2009
EXCERPT
Nov. 5 began and might have ended like any other day for Kanesha Howard, an Army spouse and mother of two. Instead, she found herself living a nightmare by midday, franticly wondering if she still had a husband.
Later, she learned Staff Sgt. Alvin Howard, a heavy-wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 20th Engineer Battalion, had been wounded in the massacre at Fort Hood while preparing with other troops for their upcoming deployment.
Since Thursday, Howard has mustered the strength to smile again.
Amid unimaginable frustration and destruction, Howard’s husband’s unit assured her that the Fort Hood community is one that never stops caring for its own, even in the most stressful of circumstances.
Several Soldiers and fellow Army spouses showed up at Howard’s home in Killeen Sunday afternoon under the strain of arms full of food and hot meals, ensuring Howard had everything she needed in the aftermath of tragedy. Similar efforts are being made for other members of the battalion affected by the catastrophe.
“We just want to make sure that the families and the Soldiers have food and everything they need, so they won’t have to worry about going and getting anything or trying to cook, and they can take care of their families,” said Sharon Floyd, the battalion’s Family Readiness Group support assistant.
Hours after the shooting, Floyd organized a care group and donations from other military units, churches and members of the community.
Lt. Col. Jason Kelly, deputy commander for the 36th Engineer Brigade, had every family readiness support assistant in the brigade in his office looking for ways to contribute.
“There is no more I could ask of anyone,” Kelly said. “People are looking for ways to help.”
Working tirelessly Sunday morning, the FRG spouses and several Soldiers diligently packed canned goods, snacks, bread, fruit and warm, homemade dishes into vans and trucks for Soldiers and their families living both on and off post.
Even families waiting by their Soldiers’ bedsides received surprise visits from the group. Their help expanded beyond preparing and delivering meals to helping care for children and ensuring families would have access to available resources.
“They have been more than helpful,” Pfc. Joseph Foster, a utility equipment repairer with the 20th Eng. Bn., said. “It’s like a giant family. We just get stronger.”
Foster was shot in the left hip and was released from the hospital Friday afternoon. Meals and child care assistance provided by the FRG and FRSAs has been invaluable to him, his wife and their two young children.
Single Soldiers are receiving baskets of food and movies during their convalescence.
“We are ensuring they are not forgotten,” Kelly said.
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By Claire
Posted in Spouse and Family
I checked the submission site out and you can submit a note with or without a picture. You have a week to get it to them! It’s easy and free! You can submit to have your message online or in print. I submitted one for my son this morning.
Stars and Stripes Holiday Messages are now open for submissions!
Visit the Stripes Holiday Messages website to submit a Holiday Message to a loved one.
Messages submitted before Nov 27th will appear in the newspaper according to their publishing schedule.
H/t Brat at Assoluta Tranquillita
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November 19, 2009 By Troy
Posted in MilBlogger Interviews
8:10:22 PM: We are talking with LTG Ben Freakley
8:12:19 PM: LTG Freakley’s bio is at http://bit.ly/3pWQre
8:13:29 PM: New blog entry: Nov 19th You Served Radio Live Blog http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/?p=3637
8:14:59 PM: LTG Feakley is the CG of the US Army Accessions Command
8:19:04 PM: LTG Freakley says every year of his 34 years is the Year of the NCO
8:22:05 PM: the LTG just said TIVO was one of the best inventions ever
8:22:39 PM: LTG Freakley is talking about twitter, facebook, yahoo, myspace and ArmyStrongStories.com
8:29:14 PM: LTG Freakley is talking about impressive young troops he has led
8:32:38 PM: LTG Freakley is talking about the lack of MoH live award recipients
8:36:55 PM: LTG Freakley is talking about the current situation in Afghanistsan
8:42:07 PM: Now listening to James Hooker’s song
8:48:22 PM: Talking to James Hooker
8:50:12 PM: Here is the link to James Hooker’s website, http://bit.ly/zdwqO
8:51:49 PM: James met Pres. GW Bush in March 2011
8:51:56 PM: I mean March 2001
8:54:13 PM: For 20 years James was the music director for Nancy Griffin
8:59:19 PM: James’s new album is free for download on his site. He only asks for donations
9:02:50 PM: James considers the new media outlets help him get his music out.
9:16:58 PM: We are talking with Larry Pratt from Gun Owners of America, http://bit.ly/2vRF11
9:28:31 PM: Larry is talking about the Veteran’s Disarmament Act which Pres. Bush signed into law that keeps soldiers with PTSD from having guns
9:30:43 PM: We are now talking about Ft. Hood with Larry
9:37:34 PM: We are talking about how the Act to take guns from soldiers contradicts the Army’s no-stigma message
9:47:11 PM: Larry is the Exec Director of Gun Owners of America
9:52:43 PM: Just wrapped up with Larry and now Marcus is talking to Emily about the school board issue
10:46:00 PM: Listen to Episode #65 – LTG Freakley, James Hooker and L… on You Served anytime on BlogTalkRadio. http://tobtr.com/s/745809 #BlogTalkRadio
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November 18, 2009 By CJ
Posted in Uncategorized
On November 5, 2009, a religious extremist entered a Soldier processing facility and opened fire, killing or injuries 43 people. There’s some controversy over who exactly felled Hasan that day. The point is that ultimately, it doesn’t matter. Sergeant Kimberly Munley went charging up to protect those troops and civilians in the building, whether she fired a shot or not. She placed herself in harm’s way without knowing exactly what the threat was. Her valor and heroism should still be commended and used as an example.
Great Americans has a blog tribute up to SGT Munley.. Please take a moment to read it and leave a comment. I also wanted to share this great video they have on their site as well.
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November 17, 2009 By Troy
Posted in MilBlogger Interviews, Video
This interview is with another expo booth floor member. She was at a booth behind the milblog lounge. I wanted to see what her knowledge was of milblogs in general.
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November 16, 2009 By CJ
Posted in Uncategorized
Vision Strike Wear, purveyors of coolness and style, have designed an awesome t-shirt to commemorate the lauching of the new USS New York (or LPD-21).
And right now, if you buy this shirt or any others from Vision Strike Wear, donations will be made to the Fort Hood Chaplain’s Fund.
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November 15, 2009 By CJ
Posted in Charities/Contests
A few months ago, we interviewed Don Hays, owner of Maide Brigade. Don was giving away a franchise and starter money to some veterans on Veterans Day.
Bronze Star Medal with Valor Honoree. Recipient of a Purple Heart, campaign medals for Kosovo and Iraq and numerous Meritorious Service Medals. Those descriptions all apply to Major Philip Thomas Piaget. Now one more honor has been added: Gold Award in the Maid Brigade Veterans Franchise Giveaway. Piaget, of Crestview, Fla., won the company’s contest in time for Veterans Day 2009. The father of four retired from the Army in September after serving 20 years as an Airborne Ranger and entered the franchiser’s national contest the same month, noting that his life as a leader of infantrymen and that of a quality Maid Brigade franchisee have much in common. Compared to his daunting combat and diplomatic assignments surrounding the efforts to quell sectarian violence and insurgent attacks on Coalition Forces in Iraq, his road to franchise ownership was smooth.
Piaget and the five other veterans who made it to the final phase of the contest underwent intensive scrutiny on Nov. 4 and 5 at Maid Brigade headquarters in Atlanta. Throughout the contest, the company evaluated leadership, management and interpersonal skills, financial capabilities and behavioral profiles. The final phase also included one-on-one and group interviews with a judging panel of four seasoned professionals who earned their own stripes in the military and business arenas. The process was in-depth and sometimes emotional.
Piaget convinced each judge independently that he deserved the Gold Award, valued at more than $45,000, including working capital, equipment, waived franchise fees, training and support — everything he needs to establish a franchise operation in his hometown near Pensacola, Fla., by early first quarter.
“More than 100 veterans entered the contest, and although many would make excellent franchisees, Tom Piaget set a new gold standard for our program,” said Maid Brigade Chairman Don Hay. Along with military veterans and fellow judges Rear Admiral Michael Miller, Vet Jobs Inc. President Ted Daywalt and Maid franchisee Ray Toombs, Hay selected Piaget based on his demonstrated leadership and commitment in the U.S. Armed Forces, which are traits shared with successful franchise owners.
This year’s Silver and Bronze Award winners are, respectively, Thomas McWhorter of Fort Worth, Texas, a former Air Force captain who served for 10 years, and Gerald Zeigler of Virginia Beach, Va., a former chief petty officer who served 20 years in the Navy. They won second and third place versions of the Gold Award, with graduated levels working capital of $10,000 and $5,000, and will open their businesses early next year in their home markets.
The judges deemed the remaining finalists, former Air Force Captain Steven Buchanan of Lantana, Texas, and Air Force Major Michael Braibish of Salem, Ore., also highly qualified to own a Maid Brigade franchise. In addition to waiving these honorable veterans’ franchise fees as indicated in the contest rules, Maid Brigade is awarding them with $3,000 equipment packages when they open their Maid Brigade operations.
Maid Brigade will offer the contest again next year and broaden the eligibility to include the National Guard and the Reserves. After Veterans Day 2009, and until next year’s giveaway contest, Maid Brigade will continue to honor veterans by discounting its franchise fees 25 percent for all qualified and honorably discharged veterans. The program Web site, www.MaidBrigadeGiveaway.com, includes additional information about the contest, finalists, judging panel and award-winning 25-year-old franchiser Maid Brigade Inc.
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By CJ
Posted in Top Posts, Top Posts - My Post, Top Posts - Shared
I’m fed up with the reluctance or outright lack of desire to call what happened at Fort Hood an act of terrorism. This was brought up in a Facebook discussion and a journalist – a member of the media – said “it’s not our job to read into things. we can analyze, and find the “why,” but we can’t say it’s terrorism.”
I find that interesting considering all the media ever does is read into things. When was the last time the media waited until the results of an election were certified before declaring a winner? They didn’t have any problems blaming PTSD as soon as it was discovered that Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan worked with troops suffering from the disorder. Yet, they ignored the facts of PTSD which are obvious that it isn’t contagious.
Militant and extremist Islam has declared war not only on this country, but on our military specifically. Recently, it started in March 2003 when SGT Akbar tossed a grenade on Camp Pennsylvania and killed his fellow 101st Airborne Troops. Akbar was a Muslim and didn’t kill those troops because he snapped, but because of his religion.
Two years ago, six Muslim extremists were charged in a plot to kill Soldiers at the Army’s Fort Dix military installation in New Jersey. The plot involved “assault rifles” and grenades with the intent to kill as many Soldiers as possible. Because these guys weren’t Soldiers and didn’t fall under the political correctness of coddling extremist religious views, this plot was thankfully foiled before any Soldiers were killed or injured.
In June of this year, Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad – a 24-year-old Little Rock resident formerly known as Carlos Bledsoe – killed one Soldier and injured another in a shooting that took place at an Army recruiting center. Police said that based off interviews with the killer, he executed the shooting because he was angry with the military’s supposed treatment of Muslims. A young Soldier – Pvt. William Long whom had nothing to do with the cause of Muhammad’s anger – was killed. Muhammad stated to police that he would have killed more if they had been outside at the time.
Now, we have the case of Maj. Nidal Hasan, in which he killed 13 people (including a pregnant Soldier) and wounded over 30 others earlier this month at Fort Hood. The media continues to pound the drum beat that he just “snapped.” A man who had never deployed in his military career somehow snapped and that is why he killed those brave warriors and Americans. They are painting HIM as the victim of this because he was “teased” in his military career. (Side note: will a Soldier of any faith who has never been teased please send me an email. That is worthy of a story in itself.) The media is further eroding their credibility by ignoring statements and evidence that prove this was an extremist ideological attack and not a mere case of stress.
The media is searching far and wide for so-called mental health professionals to support their biased positions of a Soldier broken by a failed war policy. They refuse to interview prominent Muslim scholars and religious leaders who could easily diffuse the religious backlash being heaped upon Muslims. These scholars could explain that this man was no Muslim in the strictest terms, but a radicalized terrorist who bent the teachings of Islam. But, that’s not the slant the media wants us to believe. Instead of reporting on the elephant in the room, they’ve taken the easy road of expounding upon the terrible tragedy that war brings to our troops, either real or made up.
They ignore the more than 34 clues as to why Hasan REALLY committed those premeditated murders and attempted murders of 43 Americans. Never mind that he visited websites espousing radical Islamist ideas. Never mind that he was disciplined for proselytizing about his Muslim faith with patients and colleagues. Never mind that he wrote an internet posting defending suicide bombers: “…..Suicide bombers whose intention, by sacrificing their lives, is to help save Muslims by killing enemy soldiers. If one suicide bomber can kill 100 enemy soldiers because they were caught off guard that would be considered a strategic victory…..”
And yet the military is expending great deals of energy to ensure that the rest of us don’t unfairly blame the religion of peace for what is happening to our troops around the world and in this country at their hands. They are worried that Muslims will be victimized, not that more troops will be victimized by Muslims. They are expending resources – at least publicly – in the hunt for more radical Islamic extremists within our ranks, but the the radical non-Muslim elements that may be seeking revenge, whoever these people are. They can continue to spout their rhetoric free of consequences until Soldiers die.
Political correctness is the friend of the extremist Islamic radical. They know that we have no backbone to seek out more potential perpetrators and will use that against us. The military is so publicity shy, that they don’t want to risk being called bigots for searching the ranks for more like-minded extremists. Instead, the rest of us who are concerned about the impact of all these attacks against us by a religious philosophy that doesn’t value life but exalts martyrdom will be treated like racists, bigots, and extremists in our own right. They will get away with it, but if you’re not a Muslim, don’t you dare stand up for anything you believe in. The military will attack you for it.
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November 13, 2009 By Claire
Posted in Spouse and Family
Please take a moment to listen to the interviews I did with Mil-Spouse bloggers and Blog World Expo participants Tammy Munson and Delta Whiskey. I had a lot of fun interviewing both of them. Tammy’s interview was back before her husband deployed, so we will have her back on again soon for an update.
CLICK to LISTEN
Stay tuned. I have a special guest interview coming up soon with Derek McGinnis, Veteran author or Exit Wounds.
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By CJ
Posted in Video
Alice In Chains bandmembers talk about entertaining wounded warriors and the Vietnam War influence of one of their songs.
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