A.W.O.L...

It is only when we silent the blaring sounds of our daily existence that we can finally hear the whispers of truth that life reveals to us, as it stands knocking on the doorsteps of our hearts.
~~~~~K.T. Jong


A slew of thoughts clamoring to be processed.

Off to do some pondering.

In the words of one our Great Warriors, "I shall return."



And so it goes......

Sticks, Stones And Words...

It is easier to find a score of men wise enough to discover the truth than to find one intrepid enough, in the face of opposition, to stand up for it.
~~~~~A.A. Hodge


Do you remember that little adage from your childhood...

Sticks and stone may break my bones but words will never hurt me?

Yeah? Well, let me tell ya, words do hurt. Words spoken in anger are often repented in leisure. You've heard that one, too, haven't you? Words are very powerful things. They can be used to injure, anger, ridicule, inspire and motivate the people they are spoken to. Words of praise or words of grievance can make or break a career even.

The question has to be asked of oneself... how do you want your words to be taken?

The reason I'm asking this is due to the fact words have been spoken against one of our Warriors. A few weeks ago, I wrote a post about CJ Grisham of 'A Soldiers Perspective' and his families issues with the Huntsville AL. PTA and local school system. We had hoped that those issues would be resolved. Unfortunately, that's not been the case. The PTA leadership has taken it upon itself to destroy CJ's career with the Army. Essentially, the Army has thrown him under the bus.

I won't pontificate about all the words that have been flung into space, I'll let you read the words from a few far more knowledgeable bloggers than myself.

From a fellow senior NCO; Bouhammer has called upon the "Pitchfork Brigade" with words of support and a plan for action...

BlackFive has written their thoughts with "Want Freedom of speech in the Army? Then Convert to Islam."

The Attack Machine has links to all relevant posts from 'A Soldiers' Perspective', (note: CJ has closed shop at the blog) along with a few well written words. They also have a post with who to contact to bring attention and action to this travesty.

Our dear friend from Canada; Brat, has been fuming and building up steam after finding out about the actions taken against CJ, Emily and their children. Unable to contain herself, she wrote her thoughts on how "A school in America forgets they are the parents' EMPLOYEE".

There are many more out in the blog-o-sphere who support our Warrior CJ and his family, and agree that the words and actions of one PTA of Huntsville Alabama along with the attending school system have overstepped the boundary of official duties.

My questions regarding this... If this is allowed to stand without proper dissent, who's next? And where will it stop?



And so it goes......

Finally, A Funny...

No matter how well you know the rules of netiquette, you will eventually offend someone who doesn't.
~~~~~Don Rittner


It's been quite some time since I've posted a few funnies for that humor fix we all need amid the bad news of the day. This morning, I almost spit my coffee out when I opened and read the email... I can sooo see my sister O'Wise One doing this. Yup, she's one of those tech-tards or would that be tech-turds?


THREE WOMEN, TWO YOUNGER, AND ONE SENIOR CITIZEN, WERE SITTING NAKED IN A SAUNA.

SUDDENLY THERE WAS A BEEPING SOUND. THE YOUNG WOMAN PRESSED HER FOREARM AND THE BEEP STOPPED.

THE OTHERS LOOKED AT HER QUESTIONINGLY. 'THAT WAS MY PAGER,' SHE SAID. I HAVE A MICROCHIP UNDER THE SKIN OF MY ARM.

A FEW MINUTES LATER, A PHONE RANG. THE SECOND YOUNG WOMAN LIFTED HER PALM TO HER EAR.. WHEN SHE FINISHED, SHE EXPLAINED, 'THAT WAS MY MOBILE PHONE. I HAVE A MICROCHIP IN MY HAND....'

THE OLDER WOMAN FELT VERY LOW -TECH. NOT TO BE OUT DONE,
SHE DECIDED SHE HAD TO DO SOMETHING JUST AS IMPRESSIVE.

SHE STEPPED OUT OF THE SAUNA AND WENT TO THE BATHROOM.
SHE RETURNED WITH A PIECE OF TOILET PAPER HANGING
FROM HER REAR END.

THE OTHERS RAISED THEIR EYEBROWS AND STARED AT HER.
THE OLDER WOMAN FINALLY SAID............

WELL, WILL YOU LOOK AT THAT....I'M GETTING A FAX!!
~~~~~

Well... I hope y'all think that was funny. I thought it hilarious! Now I've got to get busy. Lots of chores to complete and a few more boxes to get shipped. We've got too many deployed men and women who need to be shown some lovin'. Whacha y'all doing bout that? Lord knows that there are plenty to go around. Just get yourself over to Soldiers' Angels and do some good today.



And so it goes......

Yes, We've Noticed...

The government, which was designed for the people, has got into the hands of the bosses and their employers, the special interests. An invisible empire has been set up above the forms of democracy.
~~~~~Woodrow Wilson


Trying to keep with the things the power people in DC are doing can be a mind-numbing task. So much is being done behind closed doors while they espouse transparency. Uh huh... Our government is about as transparent as the Ohio River after a 3 day rain. So we watch and we notice those things being done, deals being made, bills slipped in behind other bills with no relevance to the original. Let's hope they notice we're noticing, and change their ways.

While visiting over at Coffeypot's place, I read the following piece and requested approval for re-posting. Coffeypot, being such a nice guy an all, as well as being a Veteran, permission was granted.

This was attributed to Sherry Hackett, Buddy Hackett's widow as the author, but that cannot be confirmed. It was intended for the September 11 Service Day but has taken hold on the web. Regardless, it is right on the mark and needs to be seen by everyone.

President Obama:

Today I read of your administrations' plan to re-define September 11 as a National Service Day. Sir, it's time we had a talk.........

During your campaign, Americans watched as you made mockery of our tradition of standing and crossing your heart when the Pledge of Allegiance was spoken. You, out of four people on the stage, were the only one not honoring our tradition.

YES, "We noticed."

During one of your many speeches, Americans heard you say that you intended to visit all 57 states. We all know that Islam, not America, has 57 states.

YES, "We noticed."

When President Bush leaned over at Ground Zero and gently placed a flower on the memorial, while you nonchalantly tossed your flower onto the pile without leaning over.

YES, "We noticed."

Every time you apologized to other countries for America 's position on an issue we have wondered why you don't share our pride in this great country. When you have heard foreign leaders berate our country and our beliefs, you have not defended us. In fact, you insulted the British Crown beyond belief.

YES, "We noticed.."

When your pastor of 20 years, "God-damned America " and said that 9/11 was "America's chickens coming home to roost" and you denied having heard recriminations of that nature, we wondered how that could be. You later disassociated yourself from that church and Pastor Wright because it was politically expedient to do so.

YES, "We noticed."

When you announced that you would transform America , we wondered why. With all her faults, America is the greatest country on earth. Sir, KEEP THIS IN MIND, "if not for America and the people who built her, you wouldn't be sitting in the White House now." Prior to your election to the highest office in this Country, you were a senator from Illinois and from what we can glean from the records available, not a very remarkable one.

YES, "We noticed."

All through your campaign and even now, you have surrounded yourself with individuals who are basically unqualified for the positions for which you appointed them. Worse than that, the majority of them are people who, like you, bear no special allegiance, respect, or affection for this country and her traditions.

YES, "We noticed."

You are 9 months into your term and every morning millions of Americans wake up to a new horror heaped on us by you. You seek to saddle working Americans with a health care/insurance reform package that, along with cap and trade, will bankrupt this nation.

YES, "We noticed."

We seek, by protesting, to let our representatives know that we are not in favor of these crippling expenditures and we are labeled "un-American","racist", "mob". We wonder how we are supposed to let you know how frustrated we are. You have attempted to make our protests seem isolated and insignificant. Until your appointment, Americans had the right to speak out.

YES, "We noticed."

On September 11, 2001 there were no Republicans or Democrats, only Americans. And we all grieved together and helped each other in whatever way we could. The attack on 9/11 was carried out because we are Americans.

And YES, "We noticed."

There were many of us who prayed that as a black president you could help unite this nation. In six months you have done more to destroy this nation than the attack on 9/11. You have failed us.

YES, "We noticed."

September 11 is a day of remembrance for all Americans.. You propose to make 9/11 a "National Service Day". While we know that you don't share our reverence for 9/11, we pray that history will report your proposal as what it is...a disgrace.

YES, "We noticed."

You have made a mockery of our Constitution and the office that you hold. You have embarrassed and slighted us in foreign visits and policy.

YES, "We noticed.."

We have noticed all these things. We will deal with you. When Americans come together again, it will be to remove you from office.

Take notice.

~~~~~

One last thing we've noticed... You may "talk the talk" on supporting our troops and giving them everything they need to complete the mission. But you have still yet to "walk the walk". We've been waiting for several months for YOUR decision for the needed troops for Afghanistan. Just this morning I read that four options presented have been rejected because you want a exit strategy. Which leaves me thinking that you and your cohorts are already planning on doing just that within the near future. Another message to the world that America is quitting before finishing the mission. Must be that 'Nobel Peace Prize' awarded for thoughts of things to come, eh?

Go watch this from Fox News.



And so it goes......

Thanks To ALL Our Veterans...

How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!
~~~~~Maya Angelou

Have you ever stopped to consider what this country would be if not for our Veterans?

Have you given thought to the many heroic actions that are done by countless men and women while we sleep peacefully?

Have you ever pondered how many have given their lives in the service of our Nation since the day our country was established? Or how many died bringing forth our freedom to be called the United States of America?


Do you ever wonder why it's only one day of the year that we are prompted to say "thanks"?

Perhaps, every day should be Veterans Day... for without all 5 branches of our Military, and every one of those men and women who have made up the ranks within, our world would be a much different place. Thank God for each and every one of them.

Now go shake their hands, give them a hug, and whisper or shout those few little words of gratitude they deserve to hear. To all of America's Veterans here at home or deployed around the four corners of the globe;

Thank YOU!!

Thank You!!
Thank You!!

Thank You!!
Thank You!!

And so it goes......

Breaking Barriers ~ In Iraq...

Pilots are a rare kind of human. They leave the ordinary surface of the word, to purify their soul in the sky, and they come down to earth, only after receiving the communion of the infinite.
~~~~~Jose Maria Velasco Ibarra


A dear friend sent the link to this story of a Captain in the Air Force who is deployed to Iraq. That isn't unusual in itself, but what makes this story really special, besides being my friends daughter, is that Captain Grannis is the first female Mi-17 helicopter pilot instructor to be tasked with training the Iraqi's pilots for their Air Force. Now, THAT is breaking some major barriers.

I am reminded of that old commercial for Virginia Slims...We've come a long way, Baby!

Please read the complete article on the wonderful accomplishments that Capt. Grannis has achieved since arriving at Camp Taji, Iraq. As I told her Momma, "be sure you let her know how proud we are..."

CAMP TAJI, Iraq -- Air Force Capt. Kacey Grannis, 721st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron Mi-17 pilot, stands in front of an Mi-17 helicopter after a mission Nov. 5, 2009. Captain Grannis is the first female Mi-17 instructor pilot for Iraqi air force pilots at Camp Taji. She trains, advises and assists Iraqi helicopter pilots to develop their own air force. Captain Grannis is deployed from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and hails from Sturgis, S.D. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Johnny L. Saldivar)

Female advisor invades Iraqi air space

11/4/2009 - CAMP TAJI, Iraq -- A female Air Force pilot deployed from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., works in a male dominated environment training Iraqi helicopter pilots.

Capt. Kacey Grannis, 721st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron, is the Iraqi air force's first female Mi-17 instructor pilot at Camp Taji, a job which she describes as one of a kind.

"My primary duty as an air advisor is to train, advise and assist their pilots by expanding their knowledge base," she said. "I'm an American Air Force pilot flying in an Iraqi air force bird built by Ukrainians with an Iraqi co-pilot in a combat zone. Everything from the challenges we have to deal with, to the rewards that we reap from our relationships with the Iraqi co-pilots and the sheer 'cool' factor of the flying we get to do is rather unique."

In the Iraqi military female pilots are scarce, and upon notification their new advisor would be female, some Iraqi pilots doubted Captain Grannis' ability to handle the helicopter's large frame. However, the captain decided to let her skills speak for themselves.

"There have been other female air advisors, but not in this air frame," she said. "For the guys I was flying with, I think they were maybe not really sure what I could do, but they were at least willing to let me fly with them and let me demonstrate my skills. I was fortunate enough to have the best training in the world, so I was able to do what I know how to do. I believe I've garnered the respect I needed.

"One of my very good friends here is a member of Squadron 4's leadership," the Sturgis, S.D., native continued. "He's one of the most experienced Iraqi pilots here - he's an absolute wizard in the Mi-17 and he's known for being skilled for hovering without the flight control assist system. When I first got here, he wanted to fly with me to kind of gauge my skills. As we were out flying, I asked him if we could do some hovering with the auto pilot off, simply because I knew it was something he would find valuable if I could do it properly. I feel like the fact that I was able to one - do it, and two - do it well, I feel like he responded well to that."

Captain Grannis, who has more than 50 hours in the Mi-17, trains Iraqi pilots who have many more hours in the aircraft than she.

"Pilots as a whole tend to be competitive and respect number of hours and skill level," she explained. "The dynamic itself is very interesting - the pilots we fly with have a lot more experience in the aircraft specifically than we do; there are definitely things that we have as coalition advisors to learn from these guys. They are definitely the experts on the aircraft systems and the performance handling characteristics. However, we're not necessarily trying to teach them how to fly, we're trying to teach them how to employ the aircraft in ways that are different from what they've done in the past."

Outside of the learning environment, the Iraqis have come to view Captain Grannis as family.

"I get a lot of attention because I'm a female, but it's very respectful attention," she said. "A lot of times these guys kind of treat me like their little sister which is a great honor to me because I know in Iraqi culture, family is very important. I'm honored that these guys consider me a sister. But I tell them 'outside the aircraft, I'm a woman, inside the aircraft, I'm a pilot. And because I'm your instructor pilot, you're going to do what I tell you to do.'"

One student who has responded well to the Captain's training is Iraqi air force Capt. Jabbar, who says he has no qualms working with another female advisor "if they are as talented as Captain Grannis."

"Captain Grannis is the first female pilot I've worked with," he said. "She's a very good instructor and she has good experience for training and teaching. She always gives good advice and she never gives up."

With the training he and his peers are receiving, Captain Jabbar has high hopes for his country.

"We're making good progress with our training, and I hope the Iraqi air force is a strong air force for this country," he said. "I wish peace for Iraq and I wish the Americans a good and happy life, and I hope they wish the same for us."

Captain Grannis does.

"This has been a great experience," she said. "I'm very fortunate to have been able to come here and meet all these great people. I'm honored to work with the officers, warrant officers and airmen of the Iraqi air force. Without exception, every one of them is highly patriotic and dedicated to the job they're doing and dedicated to the idea of a free peaceful Iraq, and I think that's amazing."

CAMP TAJI, Iraq -- Air Force Capt. Kacey Grannis, 721st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron Mi-17 pilot, talks with an Iraqi air force pilot after a mission Nov. 5, 2009. Captain Grannis is the first female Mi-17 instructor pilot for Iraqi air force pilots at Camp Taji. She trains, advises and assists Iraqi helicopter pilots to develop their own air force. Captain Grannis is deployed from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and hails from Sturgis, S.D. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Johnny L. Saldivar)

And so it goes......

Just Follow The Links...

Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.
~~~~~Confucius


It's been a busy weekend so far. The Hunny Bunnies and Booger Butt have been in residence. Anyone that has children or grand children will know of which I speak. Yesterday, after much pleading and reasoning, we ventured off to one of the area's multiplex theatre's to see the movie "UP". Not being a huge fan of animated movies, I was doubtful that it would hold their attention. Lo and behold, every one of them sat the entire 90+ minutes without misbehavin'. Shocked, I was! And I must admit, I found it entertaining as well. A very good kid movie.

Today, the youngins' are outside playing and riding their bikes while I try to catch up on everything that's going on in the rest of the world. Earlier we were able to catch part of the Fox NFL Sunday show being broadcast from Afghanistan. Talk about exciting stuff...

"Look Nana, is that ******? I think he's waving at us."
"No, sweetheart, it isn't. But He's there somewhere." And he was. Just not hangin' out with the NFL Sunday Show.

Catching bits and pieces here and there, I've came across a few blog posts and news bits that are important enough to share. All you gotta do is... the clicky click thing! Yup, It's up to you to keep up with the happenings in our growing ever smaller world.

Now for those little links you will be wanting to click.

First, with what happened down at Ft. Hood this past week. It was stated in most news that Maj. Hasan was slated to go to Afghanistan to counsel the Warriors who had been in firefights. Supposedly, the horror stories that he had been listening to while at Walter Reed and Brook Medical had somehow transferred themselves to him and he developed PTSD. That would be Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Well.... JR Salzman begs to differ with that supposition. Fair warning though, JR is a soldier. And he speaks soldier talk. Lots of the f-bombs and other words that most mothers don't like to hear. Let me tell ya, this one doesn't mind! JR cuts through the BS and says exactly what he and so many others in the military are thinking. So, go ahead and click if you aren't afraid of a little strong language.

It isn't often that 'first hand accounts' are found without having gone through a clean up process. Not so on this one. It is a email detailing exactly what one soldier saw through his own eyes during that massacre that Maj. Hasan has been alleged of doing. In my eyes, there isn't any alleged to it. Just cold hard facts. Smoking guns were seen in his hands no matter the reason or why for's. But I'm sure that our court system will drag this one out and milk it for all it's worth. While we continue to pay for his medical care, housing and all other related costs.

From the official side of things, a special to the American Forces Press Service...
In the Line of Fire: Fort Hood's First Responders Heroically Save Lives

I've been catching up on a few posts over at American Thinker that really do make you think. Most times, I'm nodding my head in agreement. Today's was... A Memo To ABC: There's a Reason He's not called Smith. Yeah, my head was nodding up and down like a bobble head on the dash of a car traveling down a country gravel road.

I know the Army has released the names of those who lost their life at the hands of Maj. Hasan. As far as I know, the names of the wounded haven't been. Airman Mom has a post up with the names and a picture of all except one. Now you will be able to put a face to those who were so tragically cut down while readying to deploy in service to our great Nation.


If after reading all of the above links, you get this overwhelming desire to do your part in helping those who have experienced the worst, PLEASE go visit the USO at Ft. Hood. We all know that the various USO's around the world help 'Our Guys' whenever and however they can.



And so it goes......