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June 03, 2006



Rumsfeld on America: "a nation born of ideas and raised on improbability"

From a commencement speech given by Secretary of Defense, Don Rumsfeld, at the Air Force Academy on May 31:

Today, our country faces threats unlike any we have known. Violent extremists are trying to terrorize and intimidate free people into submitting to their will. Their war is more than a contest between opposing sides or societies. These extremists are waging a war against society itself. They have in mind only two outcomes - to control us or destroy us.

Let me say just a word or two about this moment in history and your role in it.

Just before Christmas in 2001, I traveled to Afghanistan and the neighboring countries. I visited with a group of special operations forces that were operating in truly remarkable ways. In preparation for performing a mission the month before, they had asked for the usual supplies, but one item stood out. They asked for horse feed.

From the moment they landed in Afghanistan, our forces began adapting to the circumstances on the ground, as they had to. And they ended up riding horses that had been conditioned to run through machine gun fire. They used pack-mules to transport equipment across some of the roughest terrain in the world, riding in darkness, and along narrow trails with sheer drops.

Some of those forces operating in Afghanistan were combat controllers from the U.S. Air Force. And those Airmen likely thought they would have sooner found themselves riding jet aircraft rather than horses, but they joined the American tradition of daring and ingenuity that has defined Airmen for generations.

Shortly after Pearl Harbor, aircrews from what was then the Army Air Forces replied with a stunning bombing raid on Tokyo that was led, as was mentioned by Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle. Like the three individuals who were just introduced, I've been around so long that I actually knew Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle, and I am sure that when he began flying, he never imagined he would be taking a land-based aircraft off the deck of an aircraft carrier. But he and his Raiders, the three men here today, were determined to accomplish their mission -- no matter what the odds.

And I remember as a boy the electrifying emotion in our country when we learned what that small band of airmen had done what they had done. They inspired our country. They gave the American people the strength to persevere on behalf of human freedom.

That is the force you join today. A force where the improbable can become the norm. Where individuals are dedicated to securing our liberties, no matter the circumstances -- no matter the odds.

Much of their success stems from the fact that we are a nation of optimists -- a country that forged freedom out of a frontier -- a country where our only limits are self-imposed.

Of necessity, new ideas are replacing outdated notions. And when that happens, there's resistance, always.

I remember during my first tour as Secretary of Defense in the mid-1970's, controversy engulfed the B-1 program. I actually approved the B-1 bomber back in the mid-1970's, and then it was cancelled by the next administration, but it was revived by the administration after that.

And interestingly, during the first months of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001, that platform -- the B-1B -- that I had approved in 1976, and was designed for Cold War nuclear strikes -- dropped 40% of the weapons and 70% of the precision munitions that helped to defeat the Taliban and the al Qaeda in Afghanistan 25 years later.

The process of transforming a big institution is an enormous challenge. But revolutions have always been challenged and resisted. It's a fact that many folks fought when people tried to end the horse cavalry. And I should add, here at the Air Force Academy, there were doubters who objected to the concept of a separate air service -- the service that today we call the United States Air Force.

Your challenge will be to go beyond simply a change of a process here or of a piece of equipment there. Our country did not survive and become great through timid responses or aversion to risk. Ours is a nation born of ideas and raised on improbability. Your charge will be to challenge inherited assumptions, and cherished habits, and seek out better approaches. I urge you to make that the bedrock of your career.

That is the spirit that made heroes of the Doolittle Raiders, that same talent for innovation that those Americans on horseback used in Afghanistan, and I might add, that same determination that lives in the lives of many of your fellow Airmen today, including a leader who was at my side during two wars at a pivotal time in our history, the now-retired Air Force General Richard Myers, the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

As each of you carry on their tradition -- when barriers seem too difficult to surmount -- remember that Americans have a long history of overcoming adversity. Ours is a nation that somehow:


  • Molded Founding Fathers out of farmers and shopkeepers; and
  • Pierced an Iron Curtain and helped bring down an evil empire.

I remember in my senior year in college, that was a long time ago, that was 1954, 52 years ago - our country faced many challenges. It was a time when the hardships of the Great Depression of the 1930's were still clear in our minds, when the experiences of World War II and the Korean War were still fresh. It was the dawn of the Cold War with the Soviet Union, and of the nuclear era.

A former Governor of my home state of Illinois - had been the defeated Democratic candidate for president against General Eisenhower. He spoke to my senior class, and he spoke about the difficult world we would inherit. His remarks could have been grim, they could have been pessimistic about our circumstance, but they were not. They were filled with hope. They were filled with promise.

Among the things he said to us:

"You live in a time of historic change and of infinite difficulty. But do not let the difficulties distract you. Face the problems of your time, you must. Deal with them, you must ... [Dare] to live your lives fully, boldly. Dare to study and to learn, to cultivate the mind and the spirit."

Most would prefer to live when times are calm -- when we might all peacefully go about our lives. But it is in the difficult times -- when the tasks taken on, and the challenges overcome, have the greatest significance.

Each of you have stepped forward to meet a dangerous threat. You have volunteered to stand on the front lines of freedom's defense. Your decision will help decide the fate of millions of human beings across the globe. And as Adlai Stevenson said to my senior class:

"[You] dare not... withhold your attention. For if you... do not participate to the fullest...of [your] ability, America will stumble, and if America stumbles the world [could] fall[s]."

That is an enormous responsibility. And each of you have seized it. And yours is a truly noble calling.

In this "long war," American forces have accomplished what few have before -- indeed, what few have ever even tried before. Our country has sent its finest young men and women in defense of the ideal that people, when faced with paths leading to either tyranny or freedom, will forever choose freedom.

Today, you volunteer to help lead them. You raise your right hands to say, "Send me to serve others." So to each of you, I thank you for what you do. I thank you for all that you are. Go out and make history.

Posted by Deb at 09:34 AM



June 01, 2006



Remember My Son

From the June 1 Sg. Grit newsletter, this is from Bradford M. Fields, Staff Sergeant of Marines, Retired, 1982 - 2004:

I commute down Route 93 from New Hampshire into Massachusetts everyday for work. It is a long drive and Thursday, May 25th was no different. Shortly after crossing into Massachusetts, I changed lanes and found myself following one of those big, king cab, heavy duty pick up trucks with several stickers on the bumper. The bright, cleanliness of one sticker in particular caught my eye. It was approximately 4" X 6", with the narrow side at the top. It was glistening white in color and had a small, gold border around the outside. In the center was a single, two inch, 5 point, gold star.

Directly beneath that, was the Eagle, Globe and Anchor of the United States Marine Corps. I had to stare at this sticker for a moment before I realized what I was looking at.

It is a tradition in many households dating back to World War I. A family who had someone serving in the military during a time of war, would hang a cloth banner in their window. It was snow white in color with a small red border around the outside. A blue, 5 point star would be sewn in the middle of the banner for each member of the family serving in harm's way. If that person were killed in battle, their blue star was exchanged for a gold one.

The mothers of these men and women, were known as "Gold Star Mothers".

The man driving this truck was a "Gold Star Father". And his son was a United States Marine who had died serving our Country. Judging by the "newness" of the decal, he had died recently, probably in Iraq. A lump formed in my throat. I suddenly needed to cry as memories flooded over me. I remembered how my hands shook as I placed a folded American Flag into the hands of Corporal Bean's mother. He was one of my Marines. And I remembered how dry my throat was and how my voice cracked, as I uttered those useless words, "On behalf of the President of the United States and a grateful nation... Useless, because they will never bring her boy back.

I remembered participating in a memorial service for the Servicemen from New Hampshire who were killed during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. There were 12 sets of parents there and I was asked to give a red rose to each mother. I would take a single rose from a bouquet in the front of the room and walk to where that mother sat and hand it to her, saying "My respects, Ma'am", or "Thank you for your sacrifice". Each trip back to the bouquet became harder and harder. It felt like their eyes watched my every movement and asked accusingly, why I had survived and their child had not. Survivor's guilt, I guess.

These images and feelings flashed by in an instant and the "Gold Star Father" exited the highway moments after I first saw him. That's when I realized that man did not want my tears. He did not want my sympathy. By displaying that decal, he wants everyone who sees it, to remember his son's sacrifice. He wants us to remember that his son died for our freedom. He died protecting us. The decal, without saying a thing, screamed "Remember my son! He died for you! Whether you deserve it or not!"

Just like Jesus did.

Thank you & Semper Fidelis

Posted by Deb at 01:47 PM | Comments (2)



May 29, 2006



Owen West: "The Troops Have Moved On"

Owen West, former Marine Reserve Major who served during OIF and is cofounder of Vets for Freedom, wrote this must-read editorial in today's New York Times - it's a balanced critique of both sides of the debate on Iraq and how neither the press nor the politicians are serving the public as they should. In the meantime, our troops are soldiering on, working toward success in the face of eroding public support. It shouldn't be that way. It doesn't have to be. But it will take change from the top to make a difference.

Here's a snippet, but do read the whole thing.

Somehow Operation Iraqi Freedom, not a large war by America's historical standards, has blossomed into a crisis of expectations that threatens our ability to react to future threats with a fist instead of five fingers. Instead of rallying we are squabbling, even as the slow fuse burns.

One party is overly sanguine, unwilling to acknowledge its errors. The other is overly maudlin, unable to forgive the same. The Bush administration seeks to insulate the public from the reality of war, placing its burden on the few. The press has tried to fill that gap by exposing the raw brutality of the insurgency; but it has often done so without context, leaving a clear implication that we can never win.

In the past, the American public could turn to its sons for martial perspective. Soldiers have historically been perhaps the country's truest reflection, a socio-economic cross-section borne from common ideals. The problem is, this war is not being fought by World War II's citizen-soldiers. Nor is it fought by Vietnam's draftees. Its wages are paid by a small cadre of volunteers that composes about one-tenth of 1 percent of the population - America's warrior class.

Posted by Deb at 09:51 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack





General Hagee: On Marine Virtue

General Michael Hagee, Commandant of the Marine Corps, issued this message to his Marines as a reminder of the Corps values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment:

Recent serious allegations concerning actions of Marines in combat have caused me concern. They should cause you to be concerned as well. To ensure we continue to live up to General Lejeune's description of a Marine as someone who demonstrates "all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue," I would like to review the importance of our core values.

As Marines, you are taught from your earliest days in the Corps about our core values of honor, courage and commitment. These values are part of and belong to all Marines, regardless of MOS, grade, or gender. They guide us in all that we do; whether in combat, in garrison, or on leave or liberty.

To a Marine, honor is more than just honesty; it means having uncompromising personal integrity and being accountable for all actions. To most Marines, the most difficult part of courage is not the raw physical courage that we have seen so often on today's battlefield. It is rather the moral courage to do the "right thing" in the face of danger or pressure from other Marines. Finally, commitment is that focus on caring for one another and upholding the great ideals of our Corps and Country.

The nature of this war with its ruthless enemies, and its complex and dangerous battlefield will continue to challenge us in the commitment to our core values. We must be strong and help one another to measure up. The war will also test our commitment to our belief in the rule of law.

We have all been educated in the Law of Armed Conflict. We continue to reinforce that training, even when deployed to combat zones. We do not employ force just for the sake of employing force. We use lethal force only when justified, proportional and, most importantly, lawful. We follow the laws and regulations, Geneva Convention and Rules of Engagement. This is the American way of war. We must regulate force and violence, we only damage property that must be damaged, and we protect the non-combatants we find on the battlefield.

When engaged in combat, particularly in the kind of counterinsurgency operations we're involved in now, we have to be doubly on guard. Many of our Marines have been involved in life or death combat or have witnessed the loss of their fellow Marines, and the effects of these events can be numbing. There is the risk of becoming indifferent to the loss of a human life, as well as bringing dishonor upon ourselves. Leaders of all grades need to reinforce continually that Marines care for one another and do what is right.

The large majority of Marines today perform magnificently on and off the battlefield. I am very proud of the bravery, dedication, honor, courage and commitment you clearly display every day. And America is proud as well. Americans, indeed most people around the world, recognize that Marines are men and women of the highest caliber - physically, mentally, and morally.

Each one of you contributes in your own unique way to our important mission; I am proud of your dedication and accomplishments. Even after 38 years, I still stand with pride every time I hear the Marines Hymn. The words of that Hymn mean something special to me. Especially, "Keep our Honor Clean". I know that means something to all of you as well. As Marines we have an obligation to past Marines, fellow Marines, future Marines and ourselves to do our very best to live up to these words.

As your Commandant, I charge all Marines to carry on our proud legacy by demonstrating our values in everything you do - on duty and off; in combat or in garrison. Semper Fidelis.


Posted by Deb at 06:51 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack



May 28, 2006



"It's one more rifle out of the fight."

Photo and story by Gunnery Sgt. Mark Oliva
No one is ever going to tell Cpl. Patrick A. Diener not to kick rocks again. The 24-year-old from Knoxville, Tenn., was kicking at some loose soil when he turned up a buried insurgent sniper rifle.

Diener, assigned to B Company, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, was on a "knock-and-talk" patrol in this rural area south of Fallujah when he made the find. It was the end result of patience, careful questions and a stroke of luck.

"I looked around to see if I could stir something up," Diener said. "It was the third hole I checked out at that site and it looked like something could be buried there."

Diener dug at the ground with the toe of his boot until he uncovered a smooth, black plastic surface. He knew he had a weapons cache.

"I saw a bag inside and pulled it out and it was the rifle wrapped up," Diener said.

Specifically, it was a modified Mauser 98 bolt-action rifle. It had a scope mounted on top and a crudely-fashioned sound suppressor over the barrel. For the small team of reconnaissance Marines, many of whom are trained snipers, it was an important find.

"It"s important for me," Diener explained. "We don"t have much to work with, so for a recon team to eliminate a sniper rifle from the fight, it"s an accomplishment."

The cache discovery was the result of a day's worth of work. Marines set out to patrol the area, gathering information. After several stops, one local Iraqi spoke of seeing men digging in a nearby farm field. Marines moved into the area based on that tip.

"Sometimes, it feels like we're playing CSI," said Sgt. Aaron C. Torian, a reference to the TV show about crime scene investigations. "Sometimes it's more of a gut feeling. Everything here happens in the shadows."

Torian, the 28-year-old team leader from Paducah, Ky., led his Marines to the area only to find they recently passed it earlier. They couldn't see most of the area, though, because of overgrown reeds in a canal.

"When we walked by the first time, we saw only one male," Torian explained. "When we came back everyone was gone. The family that was left didn't even look at us."

Torian reached into the black cylinder and wrapped his hand around the end of the rifle, wrapped in the burlap sack.

"As soon as I felt it, I knew," he said. "I felt the scope. It's a big prize for our snipers. For them, that's a trophy."

Torian said the find was the result of diligence and finding the patterns by which insurgents operate in this region.

"It's not a lazy man's game," he explained. "It's like chess. It takes a lot of moves to get to where you want."

It's long, monotonous work for the reconnaissance Marines. They'll patrol areas for hours on end, turning up empty on nearly every turn. It's frustrating at times, but every weapon they find is one less that can be used against them.

"You go out for 10 days of boredom and its 10 minutes of excitement," said Cpl. Scott Ostrom, a 21-year-old from Plantation, Fla. "Right about the time you want to give up, you find something. It keeps you going."

"It would be better to kill the dudes," Ostrom added. "You see the insurgent videos and it makes you feel good to get rid of those weapons."

Diener said he couldn't be sure if the rifle was accurate or even effective. Still, he said getting the rifle out of the insurgents hands was the important part.

"You constantly put yourself our there," Diener said. "Even though it's a little find, it's one more rifle out of the fight."


Posted by Deb at 02:24 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack