Saturday Salute: Marines Demonstrate Inequality During Training

Okay, I apparently needed a LOT of sleep as I just woke up about 30 minutes ago. Yes, at 4pm. No, I was not awake until 8am. I went to bed sometime around 11pm to midnight. My back is killing me.

Anyways, sorry for the delay. Here is today's Saturday Salute.

I found this really neat article yesterday. Detachment Commander Lt. Col. Edward R. Sullivan addressed his group after they spent the day participating in fixed events for their Field Meet in California.

Ammo canisters were filled with different pay loads. Ropes provided traction for some teams and not others. Running lanes were shortened for some and lengthened for others.

Why?

Sullivan wanted to demonstrate to his soldiers that even though every soldier had the ability to win their competitions, certain groups were set up to make things either easier or more difficult in the attempt. This man is brilliant.

The quotes at the end of the article made me very proud.

I don't care about your gender, I don't care about your belief system, I don't care about your race, and I don't care who you prefer to sleep with. I care about how you accomplish the mission.

I think we can do better than we are doing right now. Take a look at this formation and ask yourself if we appear representative of the U.S.? Or, of the Marine Corps in general? Take some time over the weekend and think about what the MLK holiday really means. Think about how we can do better to keep the playing field equal.

Just incredible. Lt. Col Edward R. Sullivan embodies the spirit of the military that I have come to love. Nothing about a soldier matters except that they serve. That is all that should matter. Not how they pray. Not who they love. Not misdeeds in their past. They serve and so long as they serve honorably, that is all that should matter. Take a page from this man's book today. Do you represent the ideas of MLK like you should in your home, your workplace, your life?

Saturday Salute: Downtime Is Downright Funny!

Downtime is downright funny! See these pictures found around the interwebs for proof! Note: None of these photos are mine. All are easily found on message boards and websites with a Google search.

Edit: 8/15/2012 Images removed. I don't want to be sued. Google "funny military photos" etc. for pictures.

Saturday Salute: RIP Lucky and DASY

I'm going to keep this short as I'm crying a bit over these articles and really just need to go cuddle my puppy.

Article #1: Military working dog, Lucky, passed away in September from cancer. He was 10 years old and served 5 tours in Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan. This dog provided extra security for president, vice-president, and congress visits in addition to serving with his handler in over 30 local emergencies around Fairchild Air Force Base. This was the 3rd time he battled cancer over 10 short years. His service mates memorialized him on Thursday in a special ceremony, complete with a chaplain. His girlfriend, a Belgian Malinois working dog like him named Dakota, attended the service as well. RIP Lucky!

Article #2: In June 2005, Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell (author of Lone Survivor) was the only survivor of his team after a firefight with Taliban forces in Afghanistan. DASY, a Labrador retriever named with his initials and the initials of the team he lost (Danny, Axe, Southern boy, and Yankee), was shot by men while outside her family home on April 1, 2009. Luttrell had received DASY as a gift after coming home from the war to help him cope with mental and physical injuries sustained while on tour. These men not only shot the dog, but returned to the scene to beat the poor dog with a bat and laughed as she died at their feet. Luttrell found his dog and the criminals where he exerted a hell of a lot of control by not shooting them all on the spot. I wold have. Instead, he chased them through 3 counties before the police finally caught up to them and arrested the men for cruelty to non-livestock animals. The man that beat the dog was found guilty in early December for his part in the crime. Another man plead guilty to shooting the dog. Sentencing is planned to happen in February and these men face up to two years in jail and a $10,000 fine. They should get so much more than two years... like a tattoo on their foreheads that read "I am a puppy killer" or something. This is one of those instances where I am happy that justice within the prisons is harsh. I imagine there are a lot of jaded, pissed off, and beefed up prisoners that miss their own dogs. RIP DASY!

I read a poem/story a long time ago that is for animals when they pass away. I'm fairly certain the author is unknown, though if not, please correct me and I'll update it.

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.

Author unknown.

RIP doggies.

I'm going to go cuddle Aurora and Sadie now.

Love is love, no matter the back story. <3 DS

Saturday Salute: Australia Has Jobs for US Vets

With the Iraq War ending, we are expecting an influx of military veterans coming to an end of their service term, unwilling to reenlist for any number of reasons, and then adding to increasing our unemployment numbers. For soldiers and their families, this is a scary possibility. Fortunately for them, there is a solution for some service members.

Australia is hiring! They are especially looking for soldiers with experience in special forces, intelligence, and subs, but are accepting veterans with a broad range of military experiences. According to this article, we are expecting to lose over 7,000 Army jobs by October. Marines are looking to drop 16,000 positions, while the Navy has already cut 50,000 with plans to drop another 3,000. Unexpectedly, the Air Force plans to add jobs, to a tune of a few hundred.

U.S. and Australia has dual citizenship so this is a good prospect for soldiers looking at ending their military careers over the next year. Check the link above to the article to find out more information on this opportunity.

Love is love, no matter the back story. <3 DS

Saturday Salute: Two Christmas Poems

I decided to share two holiday military poems for today's Saturday Salute. The links are in the titles. Have a wonderful holiday. Stay warm and safe with your family and friends. I have presents to finish wrapping and a Christmas morning to plan so I will leave you with the poems.

Saturday Salute: The War In Iraq is Over

The 15th of December marked the official end of the Iraq War. We spent 9 years in Iraq, starting March 20, 2003 under the name Operation Iraqi Freedom. Former President George Bush Jr., with the help of UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, launched the attack with the intention of finding weapons of mass destruction. They did not find any WMD in 2003, with an American survey group concluding that Iraq ended their nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons production in 1991 but warned that President Saddam Hussein planned to resume production immediately after sanctions against such lifted.

Saddam was captured December 13, 2003 and executed November 5, 2006.
The UK pulled their troops April 30, 2009.

The United States has cased the colors and the flag (along with most of the soldiers) is on its way home. According to this article, about 4,000 soldiers remain in Iraq, though President Obama has said multiple times that all soldiers will be recalled by the end of the year.

We lost some 4,500 soldiers. The UK lost the next highest amount, but only about 4% of what we lost: 179. Iraq lost near 100,000 soldiers and civilians.

Yes, Saddam was gone, and I don't think many can argue that he was not a bad guy. Even without proof that he supported al-Qaeda, evidence shows he participated heavily in the genocide of Kurds between 1986 and 1989, resulting in the death of over 200,000 civilians. He invaded Kuwait. He tortured and imprisoned his own people and killed as many as a million during his rule. Yeah, he was a bad guy.

But regardless of how many pictures they show of little kids celebrating the arrival of US troops, women crying as they receive water and rice, and old men playing checkers with allied soldiers, I still go back to this and articles like it. These people didn't want us there and they are very glad we are gone. Maybe some benefited from our occupation of Iraq. But I can't help but think that 4,500 families will be without their loved ones this holiday season because Bush Jr. wanted to have a pissing contest with his daddy's rival Saddam. And it makes me very sad.

That being said, I am very happy the troops are coming home. I hope the 4,000 still in Iraq will make it before  the holidays are over. Today is a great day to thank a veteran for their service if you know any. Give them a call, swing by with a plate of cookies. Visit the veteran's home and say thank you for their service, their sacrifices, and their dedication.

Love is love, no matter the back story. <3 DS

Saturday Salute: Honoring a Pledge

This is a very short Saturday Salute. Kids are going crazy right now. :)

I want to recognize the veterans and active duty military that have come out to support the Occupy protesters. When enlisting in the military, soldiers take an oath to protect and serve United States Constitution and obey the orders of the President and officers. However, if you ask most soldiers, they will say they made a promise to protect U.S. Citizens and our Country. And some of those same soldiers are taking that promise to protect to heart. They have joined ranks to provide support and protection for the 99% protesters across the nation.

From the Veterans for Peace to groups of Occupy [Military], soldiers are coming forward (along with members of the police BRAVO!) to continue protecting us even after they have returned from war. It hasn't come without some issues. Former Marine Scott Olsen was critically injured at a raid against Occupy Oakland. Sargent Shamar Thomas verbally abraded NYC police; dissidents immediately went to work to tear him down via the Internet for daring to stand up for his beliefs.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you soldiers, for your service at home and abroad. You are exemplary of why I resolutely support the troops!

Love is love, no matter the back story. <3 DS

Saturday Salute: U.S. Military

For the first Saturday Salute, I figured I would write a broad post about the U.S. Military to introduce the Saturday topic.

The United States military includes the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard. This includes the Reserves and National Guard forces as well. Led by the U.S. Department of Defense, and the President of the United States, the military works together under Unified Combatants Commands to carry out orders from the President and the Secretary of Defense.

Daily Posts to Resume

I really enjoyed the past couple months writing a daily post on a specific subject. It allowed me to share some of my interests without talking about myself. Over the past few months, until NaNo took over my life (and blog), I managed to share some of my favorite fairy tales, thrift shopping locales, and books. I also shared some personal stories and helpful information. It is my hope that readers have enjoyed these posts as much as I have.

I know that as a writer, I should be pushing my writing. But the fact of the matter is that I don't like to do that. Yeah, yeah. I'm supposed to be branding myself for the interwebs. Meh. I enjoy writing, just as I enjoy a myriad of other things. After a lot of soul searching and debate, I finally decided what I will be writing on from December 1st until I feel inclined to change it up again.

Here is my *new* list of dailies (and a short explanation for each) to look forward to once the madness of NaNo is over:

Monday Machinations: So a machination by definition is [intrigue, plot, or scheme]. On Mondays, I am going to address such things, be it current events, famous historical episodes, television shows/movies/books, whathaveyou. We'll see if I can get really creative when I'm digging around.

Tuesday Treats: It seems like every month has a holiday built around food. Here in the north, we had Sweetest Day on the 3rd Saturday of October. All of us Americans had Halloween on the 31st of October and Thanksgiving on the 4th Thursday of November. Then Christmas rolls around for our Christian Americans soon. Pagans have their own holidays around this time of year: Mabon, Samhain, and Yule (the actual names might be different depending on the particular Pagan flavor). Hanukkah, Yom Kippur, Kwanzaa, and many others join the list. And those are just holidays that have passed recently or are coming up soon! I am going to take the opportunity to post some of my favorite recipes on Tuesdays, possibly with pictures. I highly doubt they will be *my* pictures so I will try to site where I lifted the recipe and the photos whenever possible.

Wednesday Weird: Getting your news from mainstream news outlets is like getting ice cream from a butcher. You might get *something* resembling ice cream, but all bets are on it *not* actually being ice cream. I just made that up. Anyways. Weird news happens all the time. My friends share the strangest stuff in my Facebook newsfeed. Yahoo news has a section of their site dedicated to it. Wednesday is one of those days that we all need some funny in our week. I'm going to find weird news, pictures, videos, etc. to post on Wednesday. I'll be sure to provide commentary on why it struck me as odd. Chances are, it won't be why *you* find it weird. I'm weird like that.

Thursday Thought: I like quotes and inspirational sayings. I tend to share the funniest on my personal Facebook page. I find myself fascinated by idioms and colloquial sayings. Thursdays will be dedicated to such things until I get bored with it. I lived in the South for a long time so I have a lot stored up that I try to avoid using in regular conversation. Maybe I can get the uniquely Southern sayings out of my system.

Friday Five: This seemed to be a pretty simple daily post in the past so I will be continuing my Friday Fives. It shares a little bit of information about myself without going overboard. I think I'm going to try to pick a theme for each month and tailor the lists to the theme. Maybe. We'll see what December has in store.

Saturday Salute: Anyone that knows me understands that I resolutely support our troops. I may not support the government and the status quo, but I always support the troops. I'm going to use Saturdays as a means to talk about different branches of the military (briefly, I promise) and things pertaining to it. I may recognize a particular event, a person, etc. Who knows.

Sunday Scene: I am a bit of a dork. I love John Hughes films from the 80's. There are many other films that I look on very fondly filmed over the past few decades (less so much the current decade). So imagine my thrill when I found that there are several sites that have uploaded the scripts to many popular movies?! I'll be picking some scenes from my favorites to share with you. Don't worry, I will make sure to provide the link to said scripts when I capture them.

So what do you think about those new daily postings? Any qualms? Better suggestions? I'm open to change so long as it is interesting and will keep me entertained. :D

Love is love, no matter the back story. <3 DS