Big Dogs Weblog

She Says She Supports The Military, But She Does Not Act Like It

Dec 24, 2005 Military, Political

In this month’s Legion Magazine there is a pro-con issue regarding military recruiting in public schools. The no child left behind act tried to clean up some of the unfairness associated with recruiters. You see, while many public schools barred recruiters from job fairs and refused to provide information on students, the schools freely gave information to colleges and universities. The big difference in it all is that the government pays a lot of money to the schools so they said no recruiters, no money. This has some people up in arms. They think it is unfair.

The attitude is that these poor minors are not able to think for themselves so the recruiters should not be allowed to speak to them without parental consent. Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-California (where else) says in the magazine interview that she supports H.R. 551 which was introduced by Mike Honda (another California Democrat) that requires parents to give consent prior to any information being released. As it stands now, schools are required to provide contact information to recruiters unless parents object in writing. Basically, this bill discriminates against the military by saying it has to meet a condition no other entity, including colleges and universities (and probably prospective employers) must meet.

Parents must authorize the school to give their children contact information. Woolsey is worried that the little darlings, most of whom are minors, need to have parental approval before deciding on military service. Can someone explain why it is that 14 year old girls do not need to notify parents or get permission for an abortion but 17 and 18 year olds must have parental permission before speaking to a recruiter? This is exactly the kind of twisted liberal stupidity that the left is always involved in. They truly are hypocrites. A child is old enough to decide to have an abortion but not old enough to decide to join the military.

I would also like to know why Woolsey is opposed to withholding money for schools who do not allow recruiters. This precedent has been established. The government, required an all male military academy to admit a woman or lose federal funding. The moonbats were all in favor of that probably because it pushed their social agenda. In any event, there is no reason that taxpayers should pay money to schools who refuse to allow recruiters and there is no reason that access to information by recruiters should be different than for any other organization.

Woolsey says she respects a strong military but she sure does not walk the walk. This is another thing typical of the left. They keep telling us how much they support the troops, then they leak stories and publish photos that put the troops in danger. They say things equating them to Nazis and say horrible things about them, but they support them. One thing is for sure. We can never trust the Democrats with our national security or the defense of our country.

Tags: Political

Thank A Soldier

Dec 23, 2005 Military

It would seem that the Big Dog is a bit behind on this one. This week (19-25) is Thank A Soldier Week. I have gone to the website and posted a message to our wonderful men and women who are in harm’s way so that we can live a safe and free life. Without them, we could not live the way we do so I ask everyone to click on the link below and send a message to the men and women of our armed forces. I would also ask that you either email the link to this post or the link below to everyone in your mailbox. Regardless of how people feel about the war, it is only fitting and right that we honor those who do what they are told and follow the orders of their leaders.

Thank A Soldier.

Fisher House, Helping Military Families

Dec 23, 2005 Military

When a loved one is ill or injured and requires special care the family is often burdened with extra costs associated with the care. These costs include lodging and meals when the care is not near their homes. This is especially true for our veterans. I was recently made aware that a friend, who comments here, had a family member who required surgery. The surgery took place in a state other than his residence so he and his family went to where the surgery was being performed. I was sent an email updating me and I am happy to say that, with God’s blessing, all appears to be going well.

I was also made aware of a organization called Fisher House that provides lodging, and with the help of volunteers, some food for families of veterans who require care away from home or whose families must travel to be with them. The lodging is top notch and there is a complete kitchen with refridgerator and freezer so families can store and prepare meals. As I said earlier, volunteers also provide food. This is from the email:

We stayed at the Stratton VA Fisher House (http://www.fisherhouse.org) which was a couple of hundred yards away from the hospital where my Dad was a patient. While reservations are required (there are only so many rooms), you can stay as long as necessary. The rooms are very spacious, two full or queen size beds, TV, dresser, closet, private bath, etc.. There is a communal kitchen with all new appliances, flatware, cookware, pots, pans, dinnerware, utensils, and supplied common items such as spices, condiments, some veggies, and the like. A huge refrigerator/freezer and separate cupboard space allows a family to lay in a supply of food so that fast food or restaurant dining is by choice rather than necessity. Additionally, at least at this house, local volunteers bring in a lot of baked goods – cookies, cakes, scones, breads, etc.. And, this being the Christmas season, the manager of the facility, in conjunction with some local volunteers, prepared an entire Christmas ham dinner with all the “fixin’s”. It was in the refrigerator, all sliced and ready to microwave for a wonderful dinner. Eat in the kitchen or in the formal dining room, and relax afterward with a cup of tea in front of the fireplace in the library. I almost hated to leave!
(additionally),
Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher did very well in business. They wanted to do something for their country and decided to give help and comfort to it’s greatest asset – it’s military forces; the men and women who, past and present, have given so much to keep this the greatest country on the face of the earth, bar none!

As you can see, this was a nice place for a family to stay and relieve some of the stress and pressures that accompany the illness of a loved one as well as some of the costs associated with travel. The Fisher House is recognized by the DOD “America Supports You” program and 97% of all donations go to the organization with only 3% for administrative and fundraising. This is indeed a very nice way to support the families and the service members who have given so much to our country.

The purpose of this post is two fold. First, I wanted to make this information available to anyone who needs the services of the Fisher House. With the ongoing war on terror there are, as unfortunate as it is, many people who are injured and brought home for extended care and lengthy hospital stays. We also have an aging veteran population that requires care. I hope that those loved ones who must endure the hardship of injury or illness involving their veterans will find this information useful. I also ask that if you have discretionary income and are looking for a worthy cause to donate the money to, you will consider the Fisher House. Information on contributing can be found here.

The entire email can be read here but I want to echo the final paragraph:

While I pray that you, and any veteran reading this, never need avail yourselves of hospital care, if the need arises, Fisher House will be there to help out you and your family during those difficult times.

Father’s Tribute To His Fallen Son

Dec 22, 2005 Military

I want you to click on the link below and read the email that was sent to GreyHawk at the Mudville Gazette. This email is from the father of a soldier who was killed in action in Iraq. I think I should warn you that you need tissues before you read this.

May God bless the soul of this fallen warrior and grant him eternal peace.

A Fallen Soldier

Trackback to:
Mudville Gazette

Proud Of MY Soldiers

Dec 7, 2005 Military

I have been proud of the work that all the men and women of our armed forces are performing. They work hard, long hours in a dangerous and hostile environment and they have to constantly deal with the attacks on them from the liberals in this country. They are out fighting and doing work few others would have thew courage to do so that jackasses like Howard Dean and John Kerry can tell them they can not win and that they are terrorists. I am particularly proud of a special group of soldiers, those that are mine.

As many of you know I am retired from the service. I last served as the First Sergeant of a Medevac unit. My soldiers (and they will always be mine) are over in Iraq at this moment saving lives. My medics, crew chiefs, and pilots are some of the best trained and most professional people with whom I have had the honor to work. I was recently made aware of awards to some of them for bravery under fire. I never doubted for a minute that these guys would act this way, the awards only confirm what I have known all along. In each of them beats the heart of a warrior, next the soul of an angel. Here is the information regarding the heroes (the ones in bold are mine):

Vines Pins Valor Medals on 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment Troopers By Sgt. 1st Class Donald Sparks 3d U.S. CAVALRY PAO

Thanksgiving Day for several troopers of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment included turkey, dressing, sweet potato pie and medals for valor.

Lt. Gen. John R. Vines, who commands the Multinational Corps Iraq, paid a visit to Forward Operating Base Sykes to personally commend the troopers for their acts of heroism and to thanks the troopers of the Regiment for their sacrifices in the war against terrorism.

“Some time today on television, a sports announcer will talk about the hero of a football game,” Vines said before a formation of nearly 150 3rd ACR troopers. “Well these Soldiers standing before me are the true heroes of our nation. It’s an honor to spend this Thanksgiving with you and I’m proud of what you’re doing for our country and the people of Iraq.”

Capt. Daniel Anderson, Chief Warrant Officer Milton Walker, Sgt. Jerome Shai

, and Sgt. Kevin Doyle were pinned the Air Medal with Valor for their heroic actions on Aug. 29.

Assigned to 1159th Medical Company (Air Ambulance), 36th Medical Evacuation Battalion, the aeromedevac team conducted a mission, under direct enemy fire without concern for their personal safety, for two urgent-surgical pilots from a downed OH-58D Kiowa Warrior aircraft in the city of Tal Afar.

In less than seven minutes from notification, the crew - Smuggler 62, lifted off under night vision goggle conditions. Their aircraft received small arms fire to the rotor blades and inside the pilot and crew compartment.

Shai, from Gambrills, Md., was the first of the crew to identify and report the small arms fire and the location of the firers. Maintaining strict composure, Shai rapidly assessed the aircraft for damage and reported to the pilot commander, Anderson, that the aircraft was capable to continue the mission

Anderson, from Sacramento, Calif., and Walker, from Bel Air, Md., immediately executed emergency procedures to avoid the continuing volley of fire from the ground.

With concern for the pilots on the ground, Smuggler 62 continued to fly toward the downed aircraft. Once on the ground Anderson instructed the crew chief to conduct a physical inspection of the Smuggler 62 aircraft which identified multiple indications of small arms impact and bullet fragments within the aircraft.

After exiting the aircraft, Doyle, from Peabody, Mass., began searching for the location of the casualties. Doyle, armed with his M-4, ran to two Bradley Fighting Vehicles near the landing zone and received negative confirmation on the location of the casualties.

He identified two dismounted Soldiers and ran to their location. Upon his arrival to their location, enemy small arms fire was heard and they assumed protective fighting positions.

Doyle continued the pursuit across open ground, within enemy small arms range, to locate the injured pilots and located the patients in a third Bradley where he organized two litter teams and loaded the patients onto the aircraft.

“The bravery and the courage of these air crew members of the 1159th Air Medevac exemplifies what is good about Army Aviation and the efforts of our troopers here Iraq,” said Maj. John Scott, commander, Longknife Squadron, 3rd ACR. “I’m extremely proud of them.”

There is no greater reward for a leader than to see the fruits of his labor come to pass in the skillful performance of duty by his subordinates. At that time comes the realization that the countless hours burning the midnight oil was more than worth it.

In addition to these fine troops I have been informed that others have been awarded medals including the Bronze Star (I will post about this if possible). I am proud yet humbled to have been a part of the lives of such wonderful heroes. I echo the words of MAJ Scott and take great pride in the mission of the Medevac. Our guys never leave until we have secured the wounded and when you are in our hands you are being cared for by the best the Army, no the world, has to offer.

Great Job Guys, I know your families are proud, as am I.

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