From A Marine Family

A brief interlude from the fun and frivolity to remember we still have men and women in harms way and we still have a President? who can't make a decision on how to proceed.

H/T Blackfive and Uncle Jimbo
Powerful words from the homefront
Posted: 24 Oct 2009 10:11 AM PDT

The brother and father of a Marine fighting the war in Afghanistan have some solid advice for our politically-challenged Commander in Chief.

As family members of a Marine deployed in Afghanistan, we know the importance of
timely decisions in the heat of battle--indecision in the field puts troops at risk and leads to casualties. Likewise, the president's indecision about the next steps in Afghanistan is placing the overall mission and the troops on the ground at risk.

Announcing his counter-insurgency strategy for Afghanistan this past March, President Obama said, "If the Afghan government falls to the Taliban or allows al-Qaeda to go unchallenged, that country will again be a base for terrorists who want to kill as many of our people as they possibly can."

This commitment was clearly re-affirmed by the president in an August speech before the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Yet, the president and his advisers are now engaged in a prolonged process of re-thinking America's Afghanistan strategy.

What has changed?

According to the White House, it would be irresponsible to act until a credible resolution to the presidential elections in Afghanistan emerges. But we fear, as many have reported, that the real reason for delay is anxiety amongst civilian White House aides that an escalation in Afghanistan will derail the president's domestic agenda. On the latter, let us be clear--considerations of political expediency have no place in the president's war room.
Man up Sir.

More Pictures

Marine Corps ROTC Unit Presents the Colors

October 26-Day of the Deployed

From my second family at Soldiers Angels.

Honor A Fallen Marine

Friends,

A school district near Austin, TX wants to name a new high school there Vandegrift High School after a fallen Marine who graduated in 1999. He was killed in Iraq serving his country, and the local school board voted to name the new high school after him. This is a great gesture of appreciation. But unfortunately some lunatic leftists are protesting this decision. Please read the background below and contact the Leander ISD to let them know you support their decision, despite what a vocal, anti-American minority has to say.Call the school district at 512-434-5000. Fax a letter to them at 512-434-5398. Email them at governance.team@leanderisd.org





The Leander ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously at their June 19,2008 meeting to name LISD High School #5 "Lt. Matthew Vandegrift High School.

Unfortunately, a vocal minority is pressing to change the name away fromVandergrift to something else.

Lt. Matthew Ryan Vandegrift (USMC) - a Leander High School honorsgraduate(Class of 1999) and athlete - was killed in Iraq in April 2008. 1st Lt.Vandegrift grew up in the Steiner Ranch community, and graduated from TexasA&M with honors and a degree in international business, before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in August 2005. He was killed four days shortof his 28th birthday.

During the school naming process public comment was accepted and theVandergrift name was the top vote getter. Since the June 18th meetingmembers of the LISD Board of Trustees have been pelted with emails assailing their choice.

One such email reads in part, "Naming the school after someone who signed upto serve in an illegal war promotes the board's political pro-war message.If you are set on honoring a service person, honor a fallen fireman or policeman. For many of us who are, and have been from the beginning, against this war, this is not the message that we want to send to our kids. Both my sons will attend this school. Both of them will know that it was named after someone who willingly signed up to take part in an illegal war defending, mainly, business interests. While I feel terribly sorry for bothLt. Matthew Vandegrift and his family for their loss, I cannot agree with their actions".

Those of us who are veterans know that civilians set policy and our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines follow their orders and serve where they are told. To denigrate the memory of such honorable service and a life well led is shockingly sad. That is why I am calling on you to do three things.

1. Email the LISD at the address below and thank them for naming the new high School after Lieutenant Vandergrift governance.team@leanderisd.org

2. Contact your friends and associates and ask them to do the same.

3. Attend, and encourage attendance at the next LISD Board meeting and give public comment in favor of the Vandergrift honor. The meeting will start at 6:15 on Thursday July 17 at the Cedar Park High School Auditorium.

Citizen's comments are normally around 7PM. I am sure that those opposed to supporting our soldiers will be there en masse. There is a strong chance that the naming of the school will come up for reconsideration by the board. It is up to Americans like you to stand up and recognize the honor, courage and sacrifice of service members like Lieutenant Vandergrift. Lieutenant Vandergrift stood up for you.will you stand up for him?


To the members of the LISD Board:
I am writing to let you know that I whole-heartedly support your June 19th decision to name the new high school in the Leander ISD after fallen Marine Lieutenant Vandergrift. As a non-military but patriotic citizen, I appreciate your desire to dedicate a new high school to the memory of such an outstanding American serviceman. I have heard that you have received some criticism from some members of the community over this decision. Let this letter represent my vote of support for your decision and a confirmation that you have made the correct choice. Please do not back down from your decision based on the complaints of a few vocal people who would link Vandegriftʼs faithful service to his country to the political ideologues in Washington. Vandegriftʼs service and ultimate sacrifice transcends the current political debate and deserves this recognition.
God Bless America.

Vets for Freedom

On July 9, 2008, Vets for Freedom (VFF) kicked off a nationwide campaign entitled “Four Months For Victory.” This grassroots effort, combined with a $1.5 million media buy, will remind Virginians of the importance of success in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the War on Terror as a whole.

VFF was founded two years ago by combat veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Today, our organization carries membership of 25,000 in all fifty states. The Virginia organization has 350 registered members, as well as countless supporters. We represent the courage, conviction and commitment of the thousands of service members in the Commonwealth, many of whom are still on the front lines working every day to complete their mission-defeating al-Qaeda and Iranian backed militias in Iraq, and helping to stand up a stable, democratic, and allied Iraqi government.

Our country’s strategic victory in Iraq is essential to our national security. A premature withdrawal will have severe consequences and endanger-if not completely end-the progress being made by the Iraqi government and military. Evidence of this progress is seen in the following facts:

§ Civilian casualties in Baghdad have decreased by 90% since June 2007
§ Overall attacks in Iraq have dropped by 70% since June 2007
§ The month of May 2008 marked an 86% decrease in American casualties as compared to May of 2007 - the lowest since 2003

We are not advocates for an indefinite military presence in Iraq. We know our brave servicemen and women will return home with the honor befitting their service. However, any withdrawal must be done carefully, and as conditions on the ground in Iraq permit. Our service members understand the grave consequences of a hasty withdrawal based on arbitrary timelines, and Virginia Vets for Freedom is their voice in the Commonwealth.

It is important to note that we are not an attack organization, nor are we affiliated with any political campaign or party. Supporting our troops is not a political or partisan issue. We are advocates on only one issue: our nation’s victory and success in the War on Terror. While we will-and should-question those elected officials who do not support this goal, Virginia Vets for Freedom will stand with anyone who is an advocate for our military and their mission.

Our first television ad, "Finish the Job," is airing in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia, and can be viewed at http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/multimedia/details.aspx?id=305. I also invite you to our Virginia webpage, http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/states/VA/. Over the next four months, we will combine additional advertisements with grassroots recruitment and other events. Together, Virginia Vets for Freedom will stand with the people of Virginia to send a clear message to our national leaders: Let Us Win!

This Needs to Be Seen

Marine wife answers moveon's anti-McCain ad.

Marines

Marines come in all shapes, shades, weights, sizes and states of sobriety, misery, and confusion.
A Marine is as sly as a fox, has the nerve of a dope addict, the stories of an old sailor, the sincerity of a politician and the subtly of Mt. Saint Helens.
They are extremely irresistible, totally irrational and completely indestructible.
A Marine is a Marine all their life. They're a magical creature.
You can kick a Marine out of your house, but not out of your heart.
You can take them off your mailing list, but not off your mind.
They are found everywhere. In love, in battle, in lust, in trouble, in debt, in bars... and behind them.
No one can write so seldom and yet think so much of you.
No one else can get so much enjoyment out of a letter or clean clothes or a six pack.
A Marine is a genius with a deck of cards.
A millionaire without a cent and brave without a grain of sense.
They are the PROTECTORS OF AMERICA, with the latest copy of Playboy/Playgirl in their back pocket.
When they want something it's usually 30 days leave, music that hurts the ears, a five dollar bill or someone they can count on.
The other branches envy them, mothers tolerate them, fathers brag about them, the government pays them, the police watch out for them and somehow they all work together.
You can beat their bodies but not their minds.
You can tame their hearts but not their souls.
They love the opposite sex!
A Marine dislikes small checks, working weekends, answering letters, missing chow, waking up, maintaining a uniform and the day before payday.
You may as well give in. They are your long distance lover.
They are your steel eyed, warm smiling, blank minded, hyperactive, over reacting, curious, passive, talented, spontaneous, physically fit, good for nothing bundle of worry... and will always be there for you regardless of how long it's been since you've last talked. -Unknown

More Marines Doing Good Things

From my brother Marine Major Pain, currently somewhere in Iraq:

Weapons Company 2/24 is more than "Motorized Mayhem"
Story by Sgt Benjamin Pepich

HABBANIYAH, Iraq (May 12, 2008) -- Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1 of Waukegan, Ill., helped bridge a gap in the Iraqi logistical system to provide compensation for local prospective policeman and civil operations in the North of the Al Anbar Province, May 12. Mobile Assault Platoon 3 (MAP 3) is the Iraqi Police transition team for Weapons Company. Their duties include going on partnered patrols with the emerging security forces in the area, helping them establish logistical and operational readiness, and providing them with a beacon of professionalism to emulate.

The platoon lives in a joint combat operations post with the security forces and conducts numerous trips throughout the week to the local police station to ensure that it is in good, working condition and the policemen manning the station have no reasonable qualms. MAP 3 has been tasked with this mission because their Marines and leadership have the maturity and tactical experience that is required of a partnered unit.

Today was a day that everyone enjoys, payday. The police officers have been working tenaciously for their area without pay or due compensation. They have manned posts on traffic control points, completed mounted and dismounted patrols, and most importantly kept their homes and area safe from insurgent attacks and intimidation without knowing when they were going to get paid.

However, today was a good day for the police officers because MAP 3 went through the channels of bureaucracy and locked on payment for these warriors. MAP 3 spent the day paying jubilant policemen and providing them with funding for the further protection of their station. Additionally, MAP 3 met with the local sheik and provided him with compensation for water deliveries in the area and protection of the local government center from foreign threats.

All in all, it was an extremely productive day for MAP 3. They solidified the working relationship with the local security officials and built upon their strong bond with the local political leader through providing necessary reimbursement for civil projects.

Having a platoon capable of working with the local forces and excelling at it is every commander's dream in this austere environment. MAP 3 has done an exceptional job with this task and shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon. The country of Iraq needs a functional and completely operational security force for the protection of their people and infrastructure. MAP 3 is the tip of the spear with this effort in Weapons Company.

Shoulda Posted This Earlier

I follow a few vox sites run by military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan. The 1st Marine RCT 1 is in Fallajuh. They're doing good work.

This post is about the work they're doing training the women of Iraq to help defend their country.

Sisters of Fallajuh

Code Pink Has Moved Further to the Dark Side

FoxNews is reporting that Code Pink will use witchcraft to finally rid Berzerkley of the Marine Corps Recruiting Center.
Well, thay already tried bitchcraft and that didn't work. What else is left?

Fox also has a 24 hour web cam set up.

In Case You Missed It

Here is the segment from Cao's (pronounced "key") BlogtalkRadio with Rurick and me.

OK Who is In and Who Is Out?

I'm talking about Saturday morning in North Carolina. 12 miles south of the State line in Halifax, NC. We need some people on the ground, and we need some people to welcome these 4 hardy souls to the Old Dominion in true Southern fashion when they take the first step into our fair Commonwealth.
Don't make me do this alone. Bubba has been there since they crossed into NC and I want to take the lead in this for the first part of the walk in Virginia.
So, get up, get dressed, get breakfast, and for those of you with my cell number, call me when you need some directions or time frames. I'll be there at 0600, give or take a speeding ticket.

Looking for some help from the Richmond people. You know who you are. If you cant make it, you can listen to the Lee Brothers on Saturday morning for the call-in.

Come on, guys. Lets show these Patriots how we really feel about winning the Global War on Terror and giving the Iraqi people the same opportunities we enjoy.

It is truly time to "walk the walk".

News from Berkley and David Limbaugh

I've got two new posts over at vox.

David Limbaugh offers some insights on the presidential race and Breitbart has video from Berkley in front of the USMC Recruiting Station.

Hey Bob! Happy Birthday, ya Jar Head!

OooRah Marine Corp! Happy Frickin' Birthday from one of your taxi drivers... SemperFi!

One Last Mission

From Military Motivator:

General Pace goes to the wall and visits an old friend. There's video there, too.

Free Speech Lesson: Code Pink vs The Marines

I read an article on Rush's web site that commented on an open letter to the moon bats of code pink, written by Captain Richard Lund, who's military recruiting office at Berkley was vandalized by the wacko's as a "protest."

Recounting, Code Pink came to the recruiting office on September 26, 2007 and, among other things, scribbled the words "Recruiters are Traitors" across the door to the station. They did this during daylight hours, I believe, while Captain Lund was there, but he had no knowledge of what they were doing. He fired off an open letter to Code Pink, which was published in the Berkeley Daily Planet.

Says Captain Lund:

"I don’t consider myself a “recruiter.” I am a Marine who happens to be on recruiting duty. As such, I conduct myself in accordance with our core values of honor, courage, and commitment. I will never sacrifice my honor by lying to anyone that walks into my office. I will never forsake the courage that it takes to restrain myself in the face of insulting and libelous labels like liar and traitor. And, most importantly, I will never waver from my commitment to helping individuals who desire to serve their country as officers in the Marine Corps."

First, let me say how much I admire Capt. Lund's restraint in not finding every member of Code "Flat line" that he could find and showing them what "sending fire down-range" means.

To his credit, Capt. Lund chalks-up Code "Flat line's" miscreant vandalism to exercising their "Constitutional rights," but I don't know that either I or the law should be so generous. Exercising our First Amendment rights does not extend to destruction of government property, which is what was done by scribbling their message "recruiters are traitors."

It seems as though more and more indecent, and criminal behavior is being written off as an exercise of "free speech." Maybe it's time to rein-in free speech a little. Maybe it's time to say to groups like Code Pink, your speech will only be considered "free speech" after you speak it verbally in front of those who are the subject of your "free speech." Maybe we can go farther still, and count the response of the party that is the subject of the other's "free speech" as exercising their own "free speech" in return (come-on, what did you think would happen if some ditz from C.P. called a Marine a "liar and a traitor" to his face?) It wouldn't be considered violence, but "free speech." After all, Marines speak with their actions right? Men like Capt. Lund could lecture a semester in just a few blows -- I mean actions, and hey, it's all just "speech," right?

New Poet Laureate of the USA!

Outstanding! Apparently this Marine did this about a year ago and its just now hitting Fox.