One Serving of Crow Please.
In my last post I mentioned, no I guess I moaned and complained a bit, about a soldier that was being asked to pay back part of his enlistment bonus because he could not complete the final three months of his enlistment due to injuries received in combat. A Department of Defense spokesman has issued the following statement, “Bonuses are not recouped simply for one’s inability to complete an enlistment or re-enlistment agreement through no fault of the military member.”
The statement went on to point out that bonuses cannot be recouped by the military when it would be contrary to equity or common sense. While this statement is a bit less than crystal clear in its meaning the statement also pointed out that bonuses cannot be recouped when the medical problem preventing completion of the enlistment or re-enlistment was not from misconduct by the person.
Sorry about the misinformation. I’ll try and double check my double checking of facts in the future.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Although the holiday is over, let’s continue to be thankful for our military men and women who make the ultimate sacrifice. Here are the names of three of our nation’s most recently fallen heroes:
S/Sgt. Jonathon L. Martin 2007 November 22 Bellevue, OH Army
Pvt. Isaac T. Corte 2007 November 27 Bronx, NY Army
Spc. Benjamin J. Garrison 2007 November 27 Houston, TX Army
S/Sgt. Jonathon L. Martin 2007 November 22 Bellevue, OH Army
Pvt. Isaac T. Corte 2007 November 27 Bronx, NY Army
Spc. Benjamin J. Garrison 2007 November 27 Houston, TX Army
Some Recent Happenings
British Vets Insulted
It seems that America is not the only country that has citizens that disrespect those that have sacrificed to preserve the freedoms they all enjoy. Recently in England some veterans who had lost limbs in either Afghanistan or Iraq were using a public pool for part of their rehabilitation exercises. Two women who were at the pool lodged a complaint about them being there because “they hadn’t paid” and the women had and that the veterans might frighten the children.
Earlier in the year residents of a neighborhood where there were plans to convert a private home to a 6-unit hostel for families of recuperating soldiers lodged a complaint with the town council objecting to the plan. Fortunately, the council has more intelligence than the residents and approved the plans so the conversion could move forward.
Can You Say Heroes?
Earlier this month 280 soldiers and one sailor voluntarily re-enlisted in their respective services. They had their swearing in in Al Faw palace, a former home of the late Iraqi leader and resident crazy man, Sadam Hussein.
As is almost always the case with people that serve in the United States Military, these re-enlistments cause hardships and sacrifices. One lady who re-enlisted that day gave her children a simple answer as to why both Mommy and Daddy were in the military and away from home, “. . . . because there were people who needed help from us.”
As a point of interest, these are just some of the people that John Murtha calls “cold blooded killers.”
On November 12th of this year a soldier who is currently in their third combat deployment recently returned to duty after receiving medical treatment for injuries suffered in their second Improvised Explosive Device attack. The return to duty in Afghanistan was not a forced return to the country but one the soldier volunteered to undertake. The reasons for returning to Afghanistan were simple ones. One, the soldier pointed out that they are shorthanded and need all the people they can get and second, that their unit is more like a family.
There is one other fact to this story that makes it even more interesting than it would normally be, this fine soldier cannot count themselves among America’s fighting men. She can, however, count herself among America’s fine fighting women.
Al-Qaeda Under Pressure
The coalition forces operating in Iraq, working together with the Iraqi Security Forces are keeping pressure on Al-Qaeda insurgents. The pressure is keeping the insurgent and terrorist group under duress and making it hard and maneuver and to plan and execute insurgent operations. In the last few months forces have either killed or captured several of Al-Qaeda’s leadership.
It seems that America is not the only country that has citizens that disrespect those that have sacrificed to preserve the freedoms they all enjoy. Recently in England some veterans who had lost limbs in either Afghanistan or Iraq were using a public pool for part of their rehabilitation exercises. Two women who were at the pool lodged a complaint about them being there because “they hadn’t paid” and the women had and that the veterans might frighten the children.
Earlier in the year residents of a neighborhood where there were plans to convert a private home to a 6-unit hostel for families of recuperating soldiers lodged a complaint with the town council objecting to the plan. Fortunately, the council has more intelligence than the residents and approved the plans so the conversion could move forward.
Can You Say Heroes?
Earlier this month 280 soldiers and one sailor voluntarily re-enlisted in their respective services. They had their swearing in in Al Faw palace, a former home of the late Iraqi leader and resident crazy man, Sadam Hussein.
As is almost always the case with people that serve in the United States Military, these re-enlistments cause hardships and sacrifices. One lady who re-enlisted that day gave her children a simple answer as to why both Mommy and Daddy were in the military and away from home, “. . . . because there were people who needed help from us.”
As a point of interest, these are just some of the people that John Murtha calls “cold blooded killers.”
On November 12th of this year a soldier who is currently in their third combat deployment recently returned to duty after receiving medical treatment for injuries suffered in their second Improvised Explosive Device attack. The return to duty in Afghanistan was not a forced return to the country but one the soldier volunteered to undertake. The reasons for returning to Afghanistan were simple ones. One, the soldier pointed out that they are shorthanded and need all the people they can get and second, that their unit is more like a family.
There is one other fact to this story that makes it even more interesting than it would normally be, this fine soldier cannot count themselves among America’s fighting men. She can, however, count herself among America’s fine fighting women.
Al-Qaeda Under Pressure
The coalition forces operating in Iraq, working together with the Iraqi Security Forces are keeping pressure on Al-Qaeda insurgents. The pressure is keeping the insurgent and terrorist group under duress and making it hard and maneuver and to plan and execute insurgent operations. In the last few months forces have either killed or captured several of Al-Qaeda’s leadership.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Fallen American Heroes
More of America’s heroes have given their lives protecting our freedom. Please take a moment to give thanks for their sacrifice.
Sgt. Kenneth R. Booker 2007 November 14 Army Vevay IN
2ndLt. Peter H. Burks 2007 November 14 Army Dallas TX
Sgt Mason L. Lewis 2007 November 16 Army Gloucester VA
Sgt. Steven C. Ganczewski 2007 November 16 Army Niagara Falls NY
Sgt. Alejandro Ayala 2007 November 18 Air Force Riverside CA
Pfc. Marius L. Ferrero 2007 November 18 Army Miami FL
Cpl. Jason T. Lee 2007 November 18 Army Fruitport MI
Cpl. Christopher J. Nelson 2007 November 18 Army Rochester WA
Sgt. Kenneth R. Booker 2007 November 14 Army Vevay IN
2ndLt. Peter H. Burks 2007 November 14 Army Dallas TX
Sgt Mason L. Lewis 2007 November 16 Army Gloucester VA
Sgt. Steven C. Ganczewski 2007 November 16 Army Niagara Falls NY
Sgt. Alejandro Ayala 2007 November 18 Air Force Riverside CA
Pfc. Marius L. Ferrero 2007 November 18 Army Miami FL
Cpl. Jason T. Lee 2007 November 18 Army Fruitport MI
Cpl. Christopher J. Nelson 2007 November 18 Army Rochester WA
Saturday, November 24, 2007
More Good New From Iraq
More Good News From Iraq
Terrorist attacks are at their lowest level since January 2006. The attacks are down a full 55% from the period just before the troop surge took effect according to an article by the American Force Press Service. The article went on to state:
Civilian casualties are down 60% throughout the country
Casualties in the Iraqi Security Force are down 40%
In a DoD News briefing and question and answer session Major General Hertling, who commands the coalition forces in the northern part of Iraq pointed out that one of the reasons that terrorists attacks are down is that Iraqi citizens are tired of their country “being used as a traumatic play ground” by foreign terrorists and are cooperating with coalition forces. The civilians want to see an end to the violence so they can return to a normal life rather than live in constant fear. The general emphasized this point when he revealed that of the last 79 weapons cache discoveries and seizures a full 22% were directly due to civilian tips.
A Financial Boost for Our Veterans
The Veterans Report had a bit of good news for our disabled veterans in its latest e-newsletter. Beginning December 1, 2007 they will receive a 2.3% increase in their pensions each month. Since the Veterans pensions are paid for the previous not the coming month the effects of the pay boost will not be felt until the checks for December arrive on January 1, 2007.
Terrorist attacks are at their lowest level since January 2006. The attacks are down a full 55% from the period just before the troop surge took effect according to an article by the American Force Press Service. The article went on to state:
Civilian casualties are down 60% throughout the country
Casualties in the Iraqi Security Force are down 40%
In a DoD News briefing and question and answer session Major General Hertling, who commands the coalition forces in the northern part of Iraq pointed out that one of the reasons that terrorists attacks are down is that Iraqi citizens are tired of their country “being used as a traumatic play ground” by foreign terrorists and are cooperating with coalition forces. The civilians want to see an end to the violence so they can return to a normal life rather than live in constant fear. The general emphasized this point when he revealed that of the last 79 weapons cache discoveries and seizures a full 22% were directly due to civilian tips.
A Financial Boost for Our Veterans
The Veterans Report had a bit of good news for our disabled veterans in its latest e-newsletter. Beginning December 1, 2007 they will receive a 2.3% increase in their pensions each month. Since the Veterans pensions are paid for the previous not the coming month the effects of the pay boost will not be felt until the checks for December arrive on January 1, 2007.
Believe It Or Not
A Story That Should Not Be
With the war on terror taking place on two active fronts, Afghanistan and Iraq the military is having some difficulty making sure that they have adequate qualified personnel. One of the methods the Department of Defense give sign up bonuses in various amounts as an incentive. These bonuses can be as much as $30,000 for individuals with certain job skills. This is all well and good and seems a great idea on the surface but as is often the case, there is a sizable fly in the ointment.
One of our soldiers was injured while serving in Iraq and as a result of the injuries he received IN COMBAT he was discharged and was therefore unable to complete his commitment. The injuries this man received will also prevent this great young man from becoming a police officer, the career he has dreamed of for many years. Now, the military has sent him a letter demanding he repay $3,000 of his enlistment bonus because he did not serve the full enlistment as stated in his enlistment contract. This is just wrong no matter how you try and explain it.
There is one more element to this story which is another example of why I refer to all those who serve in our various branches as heroes. After completely loosing sight in his right eye, after being deprived of his chosen career path, after the military demanding he return money he earned, this young man said, “I’d do it all over again…. I’m proud to have done something for my country.”
Listed below are the addresses of people that are in positions of power and decision making authority within our Department of Defense. Please take a few minutes and write each one demanding they change this policy and apologize to the American heroes that have been forced to return money that was rightfully theirs.
Dr. Robert M. Gates
Secretary of Defense
1000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, D. C. 20301-1000
Eric S. Edelman
Under Secretary of Defense
2000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, D. C. 20301-2000
Gordon R. England
Deputy Under Secretary of Defense
1010 Defense Pentagon
Washington, D. C. 20301-1010
With the war on terror taking place on two active fronts, Afghanistan and Iraq the military is having some difficulty making sure that they have adequate qualified personnel. One of the methods the Department of Defense give sign up bonuses in various amounts as an incentive. These bonuses can be as much as $30,000 for individuals with certain job skills. This is all well and good and seems a great idea on the surface but as is often the case, there is a sizable fly in the ointment.
One of our soldiers was injured while serving in Iraq and as a result of the injuries he received IN COMBAT he was discharged and was therefore unable to complete his commitment. The injuries this man received will also prevent this great young man from becoming a police officer, the career he has dreamed of for many years. Now, the military has sent him a letter demanding he repay $3,000 of his enlistment bonus because he did not serve the full enlistment as stated in his enlistment contract. This is just wrong no matter how you try and explain it.
There is one more element to this story which is another example of why I refer to all those who serve in our various branches as heroes. After completely loosing sight in his right eye, after being deprived of his chosen career path, after the military demanding he return money he earned, this young man said, “I’d do it all over again…. I’m proud to have done something for my country.”
Listed below are the addresses of people that are in positions of power and decision making authority within our Department of Defense. Please take a few minutes and write each one demanding they change this policy and apologize to the American heroes that have been forced to return money that was rightfully theirs.
Dr. Robert M. Gates
Secretary of Defense
1000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, D. C. 20301-1000
Eric S. Edelman
Under Secretary of Defense
2000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, D. C. 20301-2000
Gordon R. England
Deputy Under Secretary of Defense
1010 Defense Pentagon
Washington, D. C. 20301-1010
Monday, November 19, 2007
The following list contains the names and hometowns of American Heroes that have recently made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Please take a moment to give thanks for them and the many others that are putting it all on the line to preserve the freedoms we so often take for granted.
Name Year Month Day Branch Hometown State
Maj. Jeffrey R. Calero 2007 October 29 Army Queensvillage NY
S/Sgt. James D. Bullard 2007 October 30 Army Marion IL
Sgt. Daniel L. McCall 2007 October 30 Army Pace FL
PFC Rush M. Jenkins 2007 October 30 Army Clarksville TN
Pvt. Cody M. Carver 2007 October 30 Army Haskell OK
Sgt. Louis A. Griese 2007 October 31 Army Sturgeon Bay WI
M/Sgt. Thomas A. Crowell 2007 November 1 Air Force Neosho MO
S/Sgt. David A. Wieger 2007 November 1 Air Force North Huntington PA
Nathan J. Schuldheiss 2007 November 1 Air Force New Port RI
2nd Lt. Tracy Lynn Alger 2007 November 1 Army New Auburn WI
Sgt. 1st Cl Johnny C. Wells 2007 November 2 Army Bremerton WA
PFC Dwane A. Covert Jr. 2007 November 3 Army Tonawanda NY
P. O. 2nd Cl Kevin R. Bewley 2007 November 5 Navy Hector AR
Sgt. Daniel J. Shaw 2007 November 5 Army West Seneca NY
S/Sgt. Carletta S. Davis 2007 November 5 Army Anchorage AL
S/Sgt. John D. Linde 2007 November 5 Army New York NY
Sgt. Derek T. Stenroos 2007 November 5 Army North Pole AL
PFC Adam J. Muller 2007 November 5 Army Underhill VT
Sgt. Christina M. Ndururi 2007 November 6 Army Dracut MA
Capt. Benjamin D. Tiffner 2007 November 7 Army ????? WV
Sgt. Lui Tumanuvao 2007 November 7 Army Fagaalu Am. Samoa
Ist Lt. Matthew C. Ferrara 2007 November 9 Army Torrance CA
Sgt. Jeffrey S. Mersman 2007 November 9 Army Parker KS
Spc. Sean K. A. Langevin 2007 November 9 Army Walnut Creek CA
Spc. Lester G. Rogue 2007 November 9 Army Torrance CA
Pfc. Joseph M. Lancour 2007 November 9 Army Swartz Creek MI
Spc. Jermaine D. Franklin 2007 November 9 Army Arlington TX
Sgt. Phillip A. Bocks 2007 November 9 Marines Troy MI
S/Sgt. Patrick F. Kutschbach 2007 November 10 Army McKees Rocks PA
Sgt. Joseph M. Vanek 2007 November 12 Army Elmhurst IL
Capt. David A. Boris 2007 November 12 Army ???? PA
Spc. Adrian E. Hike 2007 November 12 Army Callender IA
Spc. Ashley Stetsema 2007 November 12 Army Melrose Park IL
Sgt. Christopher P. Kruse 2007 November 13 Army Emporia KS
Spc. Peter W. Schmidt 2007 November 13 Army Eureka CA
Pfc. Casey P. Mason 2007 November 13 Army Lake MI
2nd Lt. Stuart F. Liles 2007 November 13 Army Hot Springs AR
Spc. Derek R. Banks 2007 November 14 Army Newport News VA
Name Year Month Day Branch Hometown State
Maj. Jeffrey R. Calero 2007 October 29 Army Queensvillage NY
S/Sgt. James D. Bullard 2007 October 30 Army Marion IL
Sgt. Daniel L. McCall 2007 October 30 Army Pace FL
PFC Rush M. Jenkins 2007 October 30 Army Clarksville TN
Pvt. Cody M. Carver 2007 October 30 Army Haskell OK
Sgt. Louis A. Griese 2007 October 31 Army Sturgeon Bay WI
M/Sgt. Thomas A. Crowell 2007 November 1 Air Force Neosho MO
S/Sgt. David A. Wieger 2007 November 1 Air Force North Huntington PA
Nathan J. Schuldheiss 2007 November 1 Air Force New Port RI
2nd Lt. Tracy Lynn Alger 2007 November 1 Army New Auburn WI
Sgt. 1st Cl Johnny C. Wells 2007 November 2 Army Bremerton WA
PFC Dwane A. Covert Jr. 2007 November 3 Army Tonawanda NY
P. O. 2nd Cl Kevin R. Bewley 2007 November 5 Navy Hector AR
Sgt. Daniel J. Shaw 2007 November 5 Army West Seneca NY
S/Sgt. Carletta S. Davis 2007 November 5 Army Anchorage AL
S/Sgt. John D. Linde 2007 November 5 Army New York NY
Sgt. Derek T. Stenroos 2007 November 5 Army North Pole AL
PFC Adam J. Muller 2007 November 5 Army Underhill VT
Sgt. Christina M. Ndururi 2007 November 6 Army Dracut MA
Capt. Benjamin D. Tiffner 2007 November 7 Army ????? WV
Sgt. Lui Tumanuvao 2007 November 7 Army Fagaalu Am. Samoa
Ist Lt. Matthew C. Ferrara 2007 November 9 Army Torrance CA
Sgt. Jeffrey S. Mersman 2007 November 9 Army Parker KS
Spc. Sean K. A. Langevin 2007 November 9 Army Walnut Creek CA
Spc. Lester G. Rogue 2007 November 9 Army Torrance CA
Pfc. Joseph M. Lancour 2007 November 9 Army Swartz Creek MI
Spc. Jermaine D. Franklin 2007 November 9 Army Arlington TX
Sgt. Phillip A. Bocks 2007 November 9 Marines Troy MI
S/Sgt. Patrick F. Kutschbach 2007 November 10 Army McKees Rocks PA
Sgt. Joseph M. Vanek 2007 November 12 Army Elmhurst IL
Capt. David A. Boris 2007 November 12 Army ???? PA
Spc. Adrian E. Hike 2007 November 12 Army Callender IA
Spc. Ashley Stetsema 2007 November 12 Army Melrose Park IL
Sgt. Christopher P. Kruse 2007 November 13 Army Emporia KS
Spc. Peter W. Schmidt 2007 November 13 Army Eureka CA
Pfc. Casey P. Mason 2007 November 13 Army Lake MI
2nd Lt. Stuart F. Liles 2007 November 13 Army Hot Springs AR
Spc. Derek R. Banks 2007 November 14 Army Newport News VA
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Tombs of the Unknowns
Give honor to whom honor is due.......
