Marines raise a flagpole in the sideyard of the Dickinson family during Extreme Makeover Home Edition
Thursday will mark the 30th anniversary of the release of the Iranian Hostages. 444 days in captivity and we are still at loggerheads with Iran.
I read this article and found this quote by the youngest hostage, former Marine Sgt. Kevin Hermening, to be quite true:
“Since the United States did not respond with military action, our nation was seen (by Iran, and most other nations, especially in the Middle East) as a paper tiger,” he wrote to one girl from Kutztown, Pa., recently.
“Negotiation is very important, but it requires two honest brokers; Iran has never been one, even now. And so it makes our government look ridiculous, whether it was negotiating for the release of the 52 Americans held hostage in Iran from 1979-1981, or attempting to get Iran to end its current pursuit of nuclear weapons. Peace is best achieved from a position of strength and, with regard to Iran, we most frequently find ourselves in a position of weakness.”
Oh, and if you read that article, don’t read the comments. We are in Wisconsin and rewriting history and doing weird leftist non-sequitors has been raised to an artform. It will only make you mad.
If you are in the West Point area, maybe you could sneak in and shake the hands of some of those former hostages. I wish I could do so. I met one, years ago, in Virginia. COL Leland Holland was the base commander of Vint Hill Farms Station in the mid-80s. In my weird teenage-y way, I idolized him. He and his wife were always gracious and friendly. Every year, in the late fall, they’d host a hayride/party at their big southern style mansion that was his quarters on base. When the book 444 Days came out, the author did a signing on base and the COL was nice enough to autograph books also, even though we could all tell he was very uncomfortable with the hoopla.
He passed away a few years later and I was so sad to hear the news. Somewhere in one of my boxes, I have his COL rank that he gave to me for some reason or another.
I am just at the age where the hostage crisis made a huge impact on my view of world at that time. I hope we never forget the actions that Iran committed all those years ago. They continue to take American lives through materiel and financial support of terrorist organizations throughout the middle east. It would behoove Americans to remember.
Posted in Guest Blogger, Military History
Siding is up! The chimney has it’s finishing touches! The upper level porch ceiling is complete! Landscaping is in place! Half the picket fence in the yard is up! This house is really coming together!
A Marine family had come to watch the build. I know this family so I brought them into the media area to get a picture of them in front of the house. A group of folks attending a function in VIP tent with a local construction company. The builders sold two hour sponsorships during the build to local business to raise money for the family.
Paul DiMeo and Xzibit gave a press conference this morning. Xzibit is giving me a hard time in the first picture because I was the only media guy without a cool sleeve for my mic. Paul and Xzibit get share a few laughs with all the media present about the different mic sleeves.
Paul and Xzibit get down to business and discussed the build, what it meant to them, and answered questions from the press pool. I got to sit back and enjoy the press conference since all the TV stations were asking the good questions.
This moment has been the most significant of the entire build for me. Marines marched the flag pole down the street and placed it in the side yard of the home. The Old Glory and the Marine Corps colors fly from it with pride. I do not have many photos of this, but I have something much better…video. Check back for that later in the day.
Within minutes of the flagpole being raised, the rain started and continued for the rest of the day. Rain plus camera gear equals ruined camera gear so I packed it all away for the remainder of the day even though I stuck around a bit to watch the progress.
A popular program that turns donated frequent-flyer miles into free airline tickets for wounded warriors receiving medical care as well as their families will expand this year so families of the fallen and combat wounded can participate in two upcoming events. The Fisher House Foundation, which administers the “Hero Miles” program, plans to offer airline tickets so grieving families needing assistance can fly to Washington, D.C., this Memorial Day weekend to participate in the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors seminar. The program provides free round-trip airline tickets to two categories of passengers. Servicemembers on at least five days of approved leave from their medical center who do not qualify for government-funded airfare can receive tickets home and back. In addition, qualified Servicemembers may receive tickets to enable their family or close friends to visit them while they’re treated at the medical center. To date, the program has provided more than 21,000 airline tickets valued at more than $27 million to combat veterans of operation in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families. For further information, please go to: http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=62333
You Served Note- We have been pleased to have both Ken Fisher from the Fisher House and reps from TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) on our You Served Radio program in the past. Both organizations are fabulous and do great things for the families of our warriors.
I get organized about once a year and then I let it fall to wayside. Or at least I used to. Any more I organize the best I can and keep what works and don’t beat myself up over what doesn’t work. Different people organize in different ways. I do know one thing is for certain… people with even the smallest amount of organization will be less stressed than those who fly by the seat of their pants! Here’s a few tips to help you reorganize after a season of gift giving and house decorating and un-decorating!
The following was found at All Things Frugal:
1. Keep like items together
It’s really common sense, but you’d be surprised at how many people store like items in various locations throughout their homes. Teach the kids to keep all of their school work and similar items in one designated area. This not only cuts down on clutter but keeps their homework safe in a central location. It also saves time and eliminates the frustration of searching for papers that mysteriously get lost.
Toys and sporting equipment should also be kept together instead of shoes and uniforms thrown in the hall while bats and catcher’s mitts land in the living room. Use medium to large, inexpensive plastic containers and clearly label them. If you have a garage or some separate area such as a laundry room or entrance way, install shelves and stack the containers there for easy access.
2. Creatively tackle clutter
Keep a small and decorative basket or container of some sort at the bottom of the stairs. Instruct family members to use the basket for things that need to be put away or that need to be returned upstairs. Be sure to make use of hidden areas like under the bed and put shelves in closets to add even more storage space.
Cabinets or bookshelves that are tall but narrow take up the least amount of space and can be put just about anywhere. Make use of vertical spaces as well as the empty space around the ceiling that’s perfect for either storing or displaying items on shelves.
3. Organize in increments
Instead of feeling overwhelmed and depressed at the prospect of trying organizing your entire house in one day, give yourself a break and tackle the task in smaller increments. This way you’ll be more productive and actually accomplish a lot more in the long run.
Take a leisurely walk throughout the house and jot down all the areas that desperately need some serious organization. Try your best to see your home with a fresh perspective and then create a schedule or plan and stick to it. Post it on the fridge or somewhere you’ll see it often as a reminder of your vow to keep your home neat and organized.
4. Maintain your newly organized home
Set aside 15 minutes each day to walk through every room in your house, de-cluttering as you go. Carry a laundry basket with you to easily carry the items and transport them back to their rightful place on your return trip.
Have a designated bin or container to keep all of those to-do lists or important mail, receipts and papers in one place until you can deal with them, which should be at least once a week to avoid a pile-up of clutter.
Posted in Spouse and Family
Yet another day when I walked up to the house and was amazed at what had happen since I was last there.
Volunteers hard at work as always
I was completely fascinated with the gentleman working on the brick work leading from the road to the front door. He used a chalk rope to ensure a straight cut and then walked the saw through the cut. His talent was amazing.
Two of my friends at the work site. I thought I spotted the gentleman in the grey several times through my camera lens before I was able to confirm it was him. The gentleman in blue walked past me at least twice and each time I thought it was him. He manage to call out to me before I was able to see him again. It was great to see them at the site.
Builder, volunteers, and a Marine from 1st Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, Parris Island, SC.
The spectator area was once again well filled at all times. The weather wasn’t too cold and that provided a great chance for people to come out to watch.
My wife worked with this gentleman, named DiDi, the night prior. Anna had nothing but great things to say about him and he was a great guy. This was also my first last night excursion to the build site. Note the trim work that had been completed on the upper and lower levels since the early afternoon. The plastic on the lower level is in place to contain the heat they were pumping in to assist the dry wall mud in setting.
Save the date for the 2011 Military Fatherhood Award Ceremony! Join Military Fatherhood for an inspiring evening as they honor an outstanding military father for his commitment to his children and the family service staff who work tirelessly to support military families. If you are interested in nominating a military father for this year’s award, please go to: http://www.fatherhood.org/mfanomination for further information.
Posted in Spouse and Family
Work continues on all parts of the house
Oops, dropped the load off balance
Gettin’ back to work now
Come rain, sleet, snow, or Extreme Makeover Home Edition, the mail must be delivered!
Lots of spectators today
Hilton Head Kitchen & Bath brought in the hardware for a Robert Irvine event later in the evening
Robert was a great guy and Bella absolutely loved him
I brought the kiddos out to see Mommy work
The ladies are ready to spend a chilly evening working. They even went on the roof!
The Military Leadership Diversity Commission recently released a report calling the abolishment of rules that prevent women from serving in front-line combat units, like infantry and engineer.
The call by a commission of current and retired military officers to dismantle the last major area of discrimination in the armed services could set in motion another sea change in military culture as the armed forces, generations after racial barriers fell, grapples with the phasing out of the ban on gays serving openly.
I’m all for allowing women to serve anywhere men do….IF THEY MEET THE SAME PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS THAT MEN MUST MEET!!
H2 Builders, as part of the fund raising efforts for the family, has designed some awesome shirts. They were initially sold at a pep rally that took place on 4 January to get everyone excited about the build and to raise money for the family. Anna attended and bought a black shirt for me which I’ve had sitting on a chair next to my computer so I can truly remember what this project means to a most deserving family as I write.
Now you can become a Weapon for Mass Construction! Please contact Ms. Rose Ann Collins at rcollins@h2builders.com and let her know you would like to purchase a shirt. They sell for $10 plus shipping. Be sure to include shirt size, color, and shipping address when you contact her. Those in the Beaufort/Hilton Head/Bluffton area can purchase a shirt at the following locations.
Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce Visitor & Convention Bureau
713 Craven St.
Beaufort, SC
H2 Corporate HQ
40 Persimmons St.
Suite 105
Bluffton, SC 29910
The Chamber
1 Chamber Dr.
Hilton Head, SC 29928
Welcome Center
100 William Hilton Pkwy
Hilton Head, SC 29926
J Banks Design
35 North Main Street
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
(843) 681-5122
All money raised from the sell of the shirts will be used for the family’s mortgage and maintenance fund. Order one, two, or ten today!
Photo used with permission
You Served's Claire talks about the life of a military spouse - the hardships, the joys, and everything in between.
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