WAY OT: Iraq

[octane]

Hey guys and gals. While you're wrenching this weekend and likely throwing tools around the garage feeling sorry for yourself because you have to take those carbs off for the 12th time, take a minute to say a prayer for our deployed friends in the military. I found out today a high school friend was KIA in Northern Iraq earlier this week. I hadn't seen the guy in years, but he was a good dude. And placing a familiar face with the war casualties we read about every day has me a little shook up. Whether or not you agree with the politics, please support our soldiers.

[mwdbruno]

Not a day goes by I don't think about my friends and brothers (and sisters) in arms overseas.

As active duty military I can tell you the support we receive these days from the population of this great country as a whole is wonderful.  Never before have I seen such an outpouring of support and appreciation for what the military does.  To all of those who have ever thanked a military person or done something (even those "unseen" acts) for our military folks, let me say a heartfelt, Thank You!

I am due to end my military service next year and though I'm ready to move on to bigger and better things, I can't say I'd change the path I took.  And I'll always remember those who have fallen and those who sacrafice themselves day in and day out.

Thanks Octane!

Lane

[scratch]

Octane, our brother in arms is well thought of, I hope you feel better.

The one thing I miss about the military is the comraderie.

[JamesG]

Lane- What the hell is that coming out of your BDUs in your "DA photo"?


Luckily, none of my former camrades have been hurt or killed as far as I know of.  Its kind of bitter sweet that my Nat. Guard unit hasn't been called up and isn't planning on it any time soon.  Good that my regular life hasn't been disrupted and I'm as safe here as any other civilian. bad because, damn'it, I'm a soldier and there is a war on....

[70 Cam Guy]

Lane- What the hell is that coming out of your BDUs in your "DA photo"?

Looks like Pikachu :lol:

Back in the spring we did a big ride to SF to show support for the troops
http://www.raptorpilot.com/gallery/sbf_bbq/  Our group joined the big group in SF just off the bay bridge

[mwdbruno]

70 Cam Guy has it....

We decided to put up a wall of shame in my kennels and while taking official photos the photographer decided to take some "domedy" shots...you see the result.

[mwdbruno]

"domedy"  :dunno:


How about "comedy"....


Been a long day!  

[yamahonkawazuki]

all i can say for our peole in the field/or anywhere in the world, is  THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. my bro was in mosul up until a month ago, now back at ft campbell, may have to go back?, but i am behind them, and our pres. 110%        

[Cal Price]

AMEN
And to JBix who is posting from there, you hang on to that Balaclava, it can get pretty cold in that part of the world, I went once to recover an unreturned library book.

[JBix]

Thanks to all for your support.  I am happy to say that my unit is beginning processing to head back to the states, and that we are no longer in the danger areas in Iraq.  Unfortunately, we have two fallen brothers, along with several who have been injured.  I'm working on a web site, and there will be a tribute on of those whom I knew well.  Now my prayers go out to those who are still north of me, somewhere in Iraq.  James G, careful about thoughts like that.  I didn't think I'd be here because my unit is non-deployable.  Until they pulled out the whole cross-level thing.  Ugh.  Don't wanna get started...

[yamahonkawazuki]

fwd. from ft. campbell soldier, from marine in okinawa (please read)

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
> >HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
> >IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF
> >PLASTER AND STONE.
> >
> >I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY
> >WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
> >AND TO SEE JUST WHO
> >IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.
> >
> >I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
> >A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
> >NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
> >NOT EVEN A TREE.
> >
> >NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
> >JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
> >ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES
> >OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.
> >
> >WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
> >AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
> >A SOBER THOUGHT
> >CAME THROUGH MY MIND.
> >
> >FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
> >IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
> >I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
> >ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.
> >
> >THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
> >SILENT, ALONE,
> >CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
> >IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.
> >
> >THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
> >THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
> >NOT HOW I PICTURED
> >A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.
> >
> >WAS THIS THE HERO
> >OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
> >CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
> >THE FLOOR FOR A BED?
> >
> >I REALIZED THE FAMILIES
> >THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
> >OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS
> >WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.
> >
> >SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
> >THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
> >AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE
> >A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.
> >
> >THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM
> >EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
> >BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
> >LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.
> >
> >I COULDN'T HELP WONDER
> >HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
> >ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
> >IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.
> >
> >THE VERY THOUGHT
> >BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
> >I DROPPED TO MY KNEES
> >AND STARTED TO CRY.
> >
> >THE SOLDIER AWAKENED
> >AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
> >"SANTA DON'T CRY,
> >THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;
> >
> >I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
> >I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
> >MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
> >MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."
> >
> >THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
> >AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
> >I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
> >I CONTINUED TO WEEP.
> >
> >I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
> >SO SILENT AND STILL
> >AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
> >FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.
> >
> >I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE
> >ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
> >THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR
> >SO WILLING TO FIGHT.
> >
> >THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
> >WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
> >WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,
> >IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."
> >
> >ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
> >AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
> >"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,
> >AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."
> >
> >This poem was written by a Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan. The
> > following is his request. I think it is reasonable.....
> >
> >PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favor of sending
> >this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon
> >and some credit is due to our U.S. service men and women for our
> >being able to celebrate these festivities.Let's try in this small way to
> >pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes,
> >living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. Please, do your small part
> > to plant this small seed.
sorry about the long post here, but i think it fits  

[octane]

The website is a nice gesture JBix. Thanks for all that you do and come home safe.

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-lisold1120,0,5056798.story

http://www.newsday.com/mynews/ny-lisold183548164nov18,0,7063892.story

[alerbaugh]

It's kinda scary but that's where I'm likely headed when I got out of Airborne school!

[JBix]

It's kinda scary but that's where I'm likely headed when I got out of Airborne school!

Airborne, eh?  Hoo-ah!  What unit/MOS?

[yamahonkawazuki]

you with the 101? my bro is, just got back, had been there almost a year :mrgreen: ,may have to go back though but againthanks all,id treat ya to a beer, but since you are so far away, ill have one on your behalf                

[alerbaugh]

Hey Jbix,  I'm signed up for Infantry airborne.  I ship to Ft. Benning June 30 for basic and AIT for 17 weeks.