The Best and Worst Parts of Having Friends In the Right Places

is that you find out what's happening while its happening, but you can't tell anyone you know, because you've been sworn to OPSEC.

Its public knowledge now, and everyone can send Gary Sinise a huge OOOOOOOOOORAH!!!!!!!!! and "Welcome Aboard, Marine!!!" It could not have been awarded to a better man or a finer human being.

However, last Thursday night I recieved a text message from my BFF SKK. Here it is:

Needless to say, I was sorely tempted to send out a crypto-tweet thanking Stu Redman for his service to our Warriors and congratulating him on his latest accomplishment. If you don't know who Stu Redman is, you're not a die hard Gary Sinise fan-atic.

But, I followed orders and held myself in check. BTW, the cupcakes text is a reference to our upcoming Patriots Day event at Ft Belvoir. More on that later this week.

The New Bob Hope

Deployed in 2003, I had the chance to see Gary Sinise on a USO tour. All he did was walk on stage, without his band, but he got a rock star's welcome. Hardened combat vets were screaming like groupies: "Lt. Dan! Lt. Dan!" You could see the tears in his eyes at the welcome.

Here's the story about the "new Bob Hope."

Michael Yon, a Special Forces vet and the pre-eminent war journalist of our time, communicated his admiration in a dispatch from Bahrain: "Gary is a true friend of the American soldier. He does not hesitate to travel into war zones to express his admiration and personal support for those who defend us. He visits wounded soldiers, some of whom I personally know. All love him.

"Soldiers from privates to generals admire Gary for his dedication to a cause greater than any of us. Gary's dedication went much further. He personally supported sending millions of dollars worth of school and clothing supplies to Iraqi children. I saw this effort with my own eyes. Gary Sinise is a Great American."