Technicalities

Can You Say Role Model!

PFC Jessica Lynn Nicholson - this is the type of woman we should be holding up for young girls to emulate! An outstanding soldier who makes Jihadi's cry! Blackfive has the story - DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!

Not only that, but she looks good even in full BDU - eat your heart out Britney Spears!

Sgt Hook in the News

Cool Blue has the story! Sgt Hook has gotten a blurb in his local paper, along with a picture! Operation Shoe Fly is getting some notice. So, if you are a loyal follower of the good Sgt. don't miss this.

And while you're there, check out the newest chapter of Star Chores. There's someone out there who thinks he's God... the crew shows him otherwise.

Just Dropping Off

If you've ever had difficulty dropping off a passenger... too much traffic, no place to stop. Go check out Sgt. Hook's description of a Special Forces drop in the Afghanistan mountains. Front and center is the ever resourceful Jaf along with an excellent Pilot In Command. Take a deep breath, hold on to your seat, and click on over to read the further adventures of Hook's crew.

Shoe the Children

Sgt Hook has done it again! Just when I thought I couldn't be further impressed by the man, he comes up with yet another way to outdo himself. He's on a mission to collect shoes for the children of Afghanistan. Head over to his place and get all the details on

Operation Shoe Fly

Then get collecting! Walk around your neighborhoods, head to Payless, Walmart, or other inexpensive places if you can afford it. Even if it's only a pair or 2, every little bit helps!

Any questions? Let's get to work!

D-Day in the News

To borrow the excellent description from Laughing Wolf: This post is part of Blackfive, the Paratrooper of Love's D-Day Blogburst Armada.

This year we have arrived at the 60th anniversary of D-Day June 6, 1944. A pivotal date in World History - the Invasion of the European continent in an effort to crush Hitler and his totalitarian Axis. There will be many bloggers covering all aspects of this day in history. Most of them with direct military experience and all of them with a tremendous interest in how this momentous event was accomplished.

I am going to concentrate on how D-Day was covered by the Newspapers of the day.

Speechless

Yes, THIS asinine article by Reggie Rivers has left me speechless. After 24 hours of consideration, my conclusion is...

Wormtongue Lives.

Memorial Day

On a day to honor all of those who have given their lives to make our country such a great place. I am remembering

Staff Sgt. Jacob L. Frazier, 24, St. Charles, Ill., died March 29, 2003, Afghanistan

A friend of my daughter's from high school.

Defend America has all the names of Fallen Warriors in our current war on terror.

And Sgt. Hook has his own list in their honor.

Our neighborhood party was yesterday. Today I remember...

As We Approach Memorial Day

Blackfive gives us yet another reason to take some time this year and remember those who have given their lives for our country.

Major Mathew Schram deserved a place on the cover of Newsweek magazine. It was his heroic efforts that saved the life of a Newsweek reporter, not to mention the men in his convoy, at the expense of his own. What he got - was... nothing, not a picture, not an article, not a mention.

What we got was Blackfive. We've gotten the stories that the major media can't be bothered to tell. We've gotten insight into the military and how it works. We've gotten analysis on the conduct of this war on terror.

Out of the blackness that is the loss of a man such as Mat Schram, Matt of Blackfive has turned on the light. Showing us stories of these men and women doing heroic jobs to keep our country safe. It is probably the best tribute he could ever have given to his friend.

Thanks Matt.

A Few Things You Should Read

I am officially tired of the Iraq Prisoner Scandal. Yes I know I should really have a longer attention span, but this has been blown so out of proportion and has become so ridiculous, I conclude that I really do need a break from the "news". Mind you, I am not minimizing what was done. I'm not saying justice should stop now. I am saying, with the levels of hysteria that this story has reached, you would think they had lined up ALL the prisoners and shot them - dumping the bodies into mass graves.... Oh wait, that was Saddam. Well, you get my point.

But if you want to stay informed Blackfive has a terrific list of links you will want to check them out.

And Glenn (as usual - and even though he's sick) has things to say and even more links. (but when does Glenn NOT have excellent links!)

Unless the mood strikes me, I may just leave this story alone. I may even take the weekend off and not look at the net, listen to news - just recharge. I was amazed how going to one meeting - meaning I was out of my office and offline for about 4 hours - made me feel so much better. Imagine this - an entire group of people and not one single mention of the prisoners!

The Timeline

Greyhawk has spent some time and effort working out the timeline of the Iraqi prisoner abuse case. I know the news media want desperately for it to look as if nothing was done until their "intrepid" reporters broke the case, but it's quite easy to see that's not the case at all.

Oh and don't miss the interesting little side note on our pet troll from CBS - Andy Rooney.