Easter Morn ~ Alelujah

Once more to new creation Awake,
and death gainsay,

For death is swallowed up of life,

And Christ is risen today!  

~George Newell Lovejoy

The joyful news that He is risen does 

not change the contemporary world.

  Still before us lie work, discipline, sacrifice.

  But the fact of Easter gives us the spiritual

power to do the work, accept the discipline,

and make the sacrifice.  

~Henry Knox Sherrill

The World Over...

I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing.

~~~~~Agatha Christie


Sometimes I can read something written by one of our Warrior Writers and get this sense of instant recognition that it was written by one that wears the uniform of the United States Military.  Not always so as the link to the post below will show. 

The General Idea

"I’m tired.

I mean, really fucking tired.

I apologize for beginning this somewhat delayed installment on such a whiny note, but it’s unfortunately the complete and utter truth. The closer I get to my escape from this ravaged, famished, forlorn country the slower the pendulum swings. How I miss the sweeping sun-up-sun-down days in the earlier months of our tour. A succession of six-day-long missions slumming it in compounds and on rooftops obliterated significant chunks of the calendar in such satisfyingly efficient fashion as to indicate an unstoppable momentum shoving us hurtling head first down the chute towards the plane ride home. Recently, that chute has mercilessly flipped over, presenting an unforgiving and gravity defying sheer wall. The wall. It’s been well and truly hit. Regrettably it’s not the only thing being hit over here these days. A week or so ago our guys offered up four more casualties to the Afghan altar. Two had their legs blown off by anti-personnel mines while a third was hit by debris from one of the explosions, and the fourth - a member of the air rescue team - was hit while loading the injured into the helicopter for evacuation. Jesus, do a good deed and there’s your thanks!"...

To give you a bit of background on the author of above mentioned blog post...That was taken directly from "Banks to Battlefields", written from within Kapisa province as a member of the French Foreign Legion who has been in country just a tad bit over the 5 month mark.   Legion-eire has just under 4 weeks left of his tour and as you read, you will note that he is getting pretty dang tired. 

Hmmm, now where have I heard the very same thing out of the mouth of one who was in that very same area not but a few years ago?  Perhaps it's the province itself that causes these types of thoughts in the men who are spending their time there? 
Nah, probably not.  I'd venture a guess that within a few weeks or months, he will be thinking of those he left behind in Afghanistan and be wanting to return.  Or maybe not.  Click the title link to finish reading this post.  Leave him your thoughts, and well wishes for a speedy completion of the remaining days he's facing.

Just so you know, he's not French per se, but an Irishman who gave up banking and joined the Legion.  I've been reading his blog for quite a while now, and have fallen in love with his descriptive style of writing. (Surprised any?  NOT)  He really is one of the good guys.  If you click on that link, you will find that he also has created a Facebook page for you to "like" if you're so inclined.  Why yes, yes I was of the mind to do just that.  I hope you are, too. 

With all that's been going on in Kapisa here lately, it's hard not to become concerned about the men and women who are living the reality of fighting the bad guys day in and day out.  I was told "Try not to worry" then and now. 

You betcha...TRY being the operative word here.  We saw how the first time worked out, didn't we? 



And so it goes......

Lead, Follow Or Get Out Of The Way...

I am more afraid of an army of one hundred sheep led by a lion than an army of one hundred lions led by a sheep.

~~~~~Charles Maurice, Prince de Talleyrand-Périgord 


Most everyone will remember Gen. Stanley McChrystal from the debacle late last year where he resigned from his leadership post in Afghanistan.  No matter the supposed statements by his minions, or his CinC, I happen to admire him and his style of leadership.  Several weeks ago, a video was posted of one of his presentations on "leadership".  It's well worth a watch.  It's my hope that Gen. McChrystal will have more videos forthcoming.





Say what you will about what happened, but it's my opinion that we did a great dis-service to our Nation when the President accepted his resignation.  But then again, it's been said...when the Lord closes one door, he opens another window.   I'm here to tell you I'd let this man in my window any day. 


And so it goes......

Spring Fever...

It's spring fever.  That is what the name of it is.  And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!

~~~~~Mark Twain

 The Tulips returned and have brightened the landscape with their colors.

 

 Even the dandelions are a giant splash of sunshine amongst the greening grass.  It's futile to resist...

 

The 'almost' Weeping Cherry Tree has budded out and has delicate pink blossoms the length of the limbs.

Spying the dandelion greens amongst the tulips reminds me that this bum knee is going to cause me pain.

Spring Bouquet by Raymond A. Foss

An earthen vase
held a bouquet
simple crocuses
at the street corner
in the downtown
of the city, around
the corner, down the block
on the way to school
a bit of color
shining through
the urban tableau
reminding us of beauty
amidst the clutter
of daily life

Our temps hovered in the mid 80's today.  Windows opened to air the house of winters smokey haze and shake loose the cobwebs from the corners of the rooms and perhaps even the mind.  The old familiar mantra from last summer was uttered as well..."Dang! It's hot."  'Twas music to my ears, indeed.

It does seem that hope springs eternal.  Time for the earth to awaken, to be turned, smoothed over and seeds sown in neat little rows.  Spring has arrived at last.  That's what I call...Winning!


And so it goes......

I've Learned...

I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught.

~~~~~Winston Churchill

There will always be lessons in life to learn.  Some we learn on the first try, others apparently we're forced to be taught again and again.  One day, perhaps those lessons will stand us in good stead.  Yeah, I'm waiting...

I read this post over at USNI, and thought it spoke well of this Marine and his life lessons since becoming a Marine and the ensuing eleven years.  Well worth a read.  Who knows, it may bring to mind some of the lessons you've learned throughout your own life.

 BLUF:   Esquire Magazine’s monthly column ‘What I’ve Learned’ is an excellently composed editorial on the meaning of life from the perspective of some of the world’s most intriguing statesmen, artists, and philosophers.  I am neither statesman, nor artist, nor philosopher (and if you ask any woman who has ever dated me, hardly intriguing) but I am a Marine who just left active duty service.  After 11 years since having first raised my right hand, and in the spirit of Esquire’s eminent feature, I spent the first day of my terminal leave reflecting…on what it is I’ve learned.

On Life. (in general)

Life’s much easier when you read wonderful books and stare at inconceivable art and listen to transcendent music and watch inspiring movies.  When you allow the great authors and poets and filmmakers and musicians and artists to help sort things out for you, life becomes easier, I think.  Perhaps this is because you realize you are not the first person that has ever felt that he had no clue what’s going on, or what’s to come.  You realize you are not alone.  And you say to yourself humble things like, “how small I am.”  And you become stronger.
But even with the nod of the greats, it’s important we each tell our own story in our own way.  It’s therapy, for one.  But it also preserves the memory.  I never want to forget any of the Marines I ever walked alongside.  They are my heroes.

Carry on...

(note:  Case in point for lessons learned.  Didya notice that BLUF up there?  I asked what it meant, and was told it represents; Bottom Line Up Front.  So, just in case you didn't know, now ya do.)

I hope you click the link to continue reading what serving as a Marine teaches our young men and women.  Those kinds of lessons can't be unlearned.  You know what they say bout Marines, don't ya?

Once a Marine, always a Marine.
Semper Fi


And so it goes......