Me and Sen. Reid Part II: Eat That!

Another late night after supporting the troops. I decided that I would give Sen. Reid the benefit of the doubt and check to see if he showed up anywhere supporting the troops. I googled his name and couldn't find him anywhere, particularly, at any event supporting our troops. I would bet that my original assumption about Sen. Reid knocking off early Friday from the Senate to recover from his busted all-nighter was incorrect. He apparently knocked off on Thursday. Sen. Boxer probably convinced him that the elderly, infirm (apparently dementia suffering) senators were tired after all that hard work undermining the troops and needed a day of rest. You know, 'cause our troops are loosing sleep "over there" and can barely get a day to themselves, much less a three day weekend. So, they took a three day weekend in solidarity with our troops.

How thoughtful of them.

Apparently, the only "troop" rally he can be tempted to attend are with the "bring our Nazi, civilian killing troops home, we support the insurgents" Code Pink folks. Still, I looked for him or any Democrats as we attended back to back troop support activities and planned for an unexpected "welcome home" Saturday morning. Maybe you can spot Sen. Reid.

Nope. No Sen. Reid here.





Still couldn't find him.








If he was here, he was camouflaged as a tree or a trombone. Probably a tuba, considering he's such a blow hard.






Friday morning, I looked for him again, but still no Sen. Reid. We went to send off the Kansas National Guard on their next mission to a place in Europe where Democrats once sent our forces to stop a genocide and *gasp* perform "nation building", ushering a couple of countries into independence, freedom and democracy. Something that is apparently not allowed if the troops are sent by a Republican president in a land where people are 50% more likely to be Muslim and brown while simultaneously fighting our number one enemy: al Qaeda.

At the pre-mission staging, PGR and Soldiers' Angels gather to chat and discuss the mission. Sen. Reid was no where to be found. Neither was Dennis Moore (D) or any other Democrat politicians from the area.



Is this Sen. Reid? Maybe he was late? He was definitely not part of our flag line. I walked up and down looking for him, but didn't see him anywhere.





Nope. Not Sen. Reid. Just a soldier with his young son who exhibited a little more maturity than Sen. Reid by having the good sense to slumber in his own carrier before the ceremony. No beds wheeled into the Senate for this youngster. I'm also certain that the cake, ice cream and punch served after the event was much more palatable and exciting than the pizza Reid had ordered for the Senators sleep over.


While this Sgt. Maj. had an uncanny resemblance to Sen. Reid, I read his name tag and it was definitely not "Harry" or "Reid". Later, the Sgt Maj hung out with us in the parking lot, drinking water and thanking us for our support. That clinched it. No Harry Reid here.


Here we have a general and a colonel walking down our flag line, thanking us for our support. He shook everybody's hand. I mean, everybody. I know it wasn't Sen. Reid because Sen. Reid couldn't even give a few minutes to the Vets for Freedom, actual veterans from OIF and OEF that support the troops and the mission, much less recognizing the patriotism and support of regular, everyday citizens who don't wear pink.

We were unexpectedly invited to stand behind the podium with our flag line for the event. We went before the entire unit and their families, standing in the hot auditorium for the 45 minute ceremony, in conditions that, I'm sure, the good senator would have protested.


As the ceremony proceeded, I scanned the crowds for the good Senator Reid and any other Democrat Senator or Representative, wondering if they had come in the back way to avoid all the adulation they were sure to receive from this very motivated crowd. Senator Reid was no where to be found.



Not on the podium. Not in the crowd. Not in a tree. Not on a train. Not in a car. Not on a plane. Sen. Reid, "I support the troops by pronouncing the war lost", was probably still at home enjoying a late breakfast of eggs and ham.

Actually, I was kind of glad that Sen. Reid wasn't there. He would have been a real drag on the rest of the ceremony. Not to mention, I think his sour puss would have gotten even more sour when he didn't get the same applause we did as the commanding general thanked us for our support and standing behind our soldiers, "no matter what the mission".

Here's a T.I.N.S. moment: One and two star generals, Sgt Majors and several Colonels turned around on the podium and the entire auditorium of national guard and their families stood and gave us a standing ovation for our continued support. No photos, but I do have the video.



Eat that Sen. Reid!

Summary only...

The Current Iraq Debate: Do You Want To Win

Well, the Democrats are at it again. Not even waiting for September and already pronouncing our activities a failure. This is what the military calls a "shaping movement". There is nothing gained here but position for September. They are working to control the story line so that people will, hopefully, buy their story and pressure their Republican counterparts to jump on board for their next "let's withdraw" attack on the Battle in Iraq.

I recently read Gen. Conway's comments on Iraq where he rightly indicated that the entire Iraq combat situation had been misnamed. It should have been called the Battle in Iraq and the Battle in Afghanistan in the war on terror (or whatever you want to call it). The truth is, there is no loss in Iraq. It can't be lost. Not just because I say so, but because it is a fact. Al Qaida and other groups cannot hold Iraq. Not while we are there. They can continue to be a pain. They can continue to kill people. But, they can't hold Iraq, control Iraq or otherwise feel safe there.

They are continually and ever more quickly being forced from one area to another in a spiraling effect that keeps them from being able to establish anything permanent or truly effective. At least, in a battlefield perspective.

Unfortunately, what they can do is keep the yellow tails' tongues wagging and the sky is falling chickens clucking up on capitol hill. These, in turn, keep the American Public trying to figure out what is going on. For what? It is very clear, considering the truth about Iraq, that it is to shape the final "battle" for control of the government in November 2008. No one should be confused on that subject. There is no higher moral ground nor security nor defense which prompts such actions.

Here's the truth about what the American Public thinks: they want our boys to come home. Hell, I want our men and women to come home. But, when you get down to brass tacks, the American public is split into three groups. The adamant "anti-war" crowd that didn't want to be at war anywhere. The "we shouldn't have been there and we should leave" and the "when is this going to be over so our men and women can come home" folks. That last group is the largest group. They are waiting to be told that the right strategy, the right battle, the end, is coming up and our troops can leave Iraq or draw down.

They want it to be over sooner rather than later, but they aren't demanding precipitous withdrawal. They are just as fatigued as our military over the continued battle front.

No, this is not a scientific poll. This is me, going to support the troops rallies, to open events and other programs where, as soon as someone mentions support the troops, someone, at some point of the night, is going to bring up "the war" and the administration and the troops.

I am not shocked by the attitudes. It is a long war. Fortunately, I am informed by history that there were plenty of people through out the civil war, WWI, WWII, etc who felt the same way. No one wants to see the wounded or dead. No one wants to be at war for ever. But, looking back on history, even as we took Normandy, traveled on to Paris and towards Nazi Germany, some were wondering how much longer this would take. Were these the last battles? Was the German Army really every going to be defeated? Even to the point where many were willing to negotiate with the Germans to end hostilities, leaving the Nazis in control of some areas and Germany in particular. Some folks really didn't give a damn whether the Nazis kept Germany or not if we could end the war.

Fortunately, smarter and harder heads prevailed, knowing that there was no peace as long as Nazi Germany and Hitler existed.

There in lies the lessons of our history. It is not really whether any of these ideologies look the same, sound the same or act the same. Though, Salafist Islamists do give every appearance of fascistic maniacs. It is not about whether one battle or the next looks like a current battle or strategy. Neither whether anyone of them led to final victory. It is about how we view the end results and their importance to our existence and future peace. It is about whether we have the patience. It is about what we will accept as an outcome.

Apparently, some believe we have weathered the great menace of Communism, came out on top, thus there is no one and nothing that could destroy us. Thus, there is no one, no place, no ideology that can oppose us. Thus, there is no reason to put in such a great effort.

I completely disagree. Such thoughts are the product of 20th century imagination which died on 9/11/2001.

It reminds of a little story of the man who was trying to out run a tiger, climbed a tree, only to find it occupied by a snake; fell out of the tree, climbed into a cave, was immediately bitten by a tiny, poisonous spider, ran home to his wife and promptly died in her arms.

The moral of the story is, it is not the most obvious nor biggest menace that you can see that can kill you. Those, at least, you can see and take actions against. Sometimes, it is the smallest things that are the deadliest.

In conclusion, yes, we want our men and women home, but, more importantly, we want the war to be over which is completely different than outright retreat. "The war to be over" means ending this ugly menace that comes in sizes sometimes too small to know it is about to attack you. The only way you can end that is by eradicating the species. The only way that occurs is if you go to the places it nests and stomp it out using the most effective means available: freedom backed with the fire power to ensure it.

I don't imagine that Iraq is the end of the actual "war" by any means. It is simply the next battle, the next hidey hole where they exist and it is not one that we can leave unattended or undisturbed.

The real question to the American Public is not whether they want "our boys" home. The real question is: Do You Want To Win?

I for one don't believe that we should cede one iota of sand when it is clear the enemy has not earned it, can't hold it and can't keep it.

In the meantime, Dick Durbin was quoted as saying that our men and women have been losing sleep over in Iraq while they are fighting this war and working hard, so congress should be willing to lose some sleep over this debate. News flash for Dick, I think our men and women know exactly how much sleep they have lost and may believe that Big Dick is partially responsible considering they have to keep getting up at night and watching their backs from the knife on the home front. Thanks for helping the enemy perform the pincer movement and various "Tokyor Rose" psyops on our own troops.

The real question here is how much sleep are you losing over our troops?

I don't know what Dick has been doing, but I know what I have been doing and why this blog has been silent even up to the lead up of this little political theater. I have a mission. That mission is to provide direct, meaningful, material and moral support to our troops. Every week, I plan, develop, cooperate with a coalition of other people and support groups to execute at least one operation to obtain or boost that support. Not because somebody like Dick told me to. He certainly doesn't give a damn and very unlikely has not donated any of his kickbacks or personal earnings to any organization to do so. If I'm wrong, goody gum drops for Dick. I'll put an extra dollar in the hat at the next rally I'm at.

In the meantime, thousands of troops are daily looking for support from the home front. They are in the dust, the dirt, the mud, the bugs, the blood and the sweat. They are in Africa, Afghanistan, the Philippines, Iraq and deployed on ships at sea around the world in defense of our nation. I don't have time for these political hobgoblin dances and neither do our troops.

They are looking to us, to you and the rest of the citizens of our nation to provide the moral and material support they need while they are deployed, when they are injured and as veterans in our VA medical system.

I'm at Soldiers' Angels and our troops need your support!

Final question to Dick: Where'd you sleep last night?




Didn't think so. Now STFU because I have work to do!

PS...I note that the AP was good enough to mention that Moveon.idiots were staging a vigil to coincide with the congressional sleep over, but apparently couldn't mention that the Vets for Freedom were on capitol hill urging the senators not to give in. Talk about the third front in the war. Right here. In the media. What a bunch of crap.

Summary only...

Soldier Down - Kick Stands Up: PGR Missions Confirmed

John at Castle Arrggh! linked to the story of two soldiers who were killed in Afghanistan on Sunday by a loan gunman in uniform. Reports indicate the Afghani was dressed as an Afghan Soldier, but a message in Angel forums from a soldier in the unit indicates that he might have been dressed as a Afghan police officer.

Thanks Tammy,
I love poems like those, they always bring a little Tear to my eyes.

Its been a little tough here the past couple days, we lost A couple guys from here Sunday. We had a memorial service for Them on Tuesday, I knew one of them, not close but still, when You walk up to their picture and salute them, its heart breaking..
It was a senseless shooting, two guys killed two wounded, some frigging clown dressed up as a police officer.

Well we go on, and deal with it,

The Patriot Guard Riders are confirming the mission for Monday, May 14th in Leavenworth for Col. Harrison. Additional information will be updated here when it is received. Stand-by for details.

A special message was posted in the PGR Forums for the family and in rememberance of Col. Harrison:

To the family of COL James W. Harrison Jr. We have mourned the loss of this great leader who has served his country with honor and was well respected amongst his fellow soldiers. COL Harrison - I have been honored to serve as your Executive officer of the 5th Military Police Battalion CID for a year and half from 1999-2000 in Kasierslautern, Germany. Your superb leadership was well respected by the entire Battalion as well as the 202d Military Police Group CID. Thanks for your continued frienship over the past eight years. As my mentor, I thank you for all that you and your family have done for my family and myself. You were loved and well respected by the Hunt family and we have been honored to again serve with you here at Fort Leavenworth. Our families were close friends and we enjoyed the dinners at your house. When we heard the news our family was shocked and we immedately went to your house to comfort your family. My kids (all 8) made cards for your wife and boys and we sent over some pictures of my promotion ceremony that you participated in last fall. It has been very difficult for all of us who knew you well and were close to you. Our country has lost a great leader who was well loved and repected by his troops. I understand how hard it was to pull your retirement paper work and take this job in Afghanistan. You have sacrificed your life for our great nation. You will not be forgotten and you will always be remembered. I have your picture with myself and my wife at my promotion ceremony in my office at work. I was honored to have you participate in my promotion ceremony (Pictures enclosed). It will hang in my office always, where ever the Army takes me. You will be missed - my mentor, my friend. Our thoughts and prayers will always be with the Harrison family who have supported thier husband and father throughout his military career. May God bless you with his eternal peace always!

Hans F. Hunt
Lieutenant Colonel, Military Police
(Patriot Guard Member)

All Angels, military, PGR and troop supporters stand by.

MSgt Will Sabulu

There will be a Memorial Service/Military Roll Call for Master Sgt. Wilberto Sabalu Friday May, 11th at 11am at Soldiers Chapel on Fort Leonard Wood.

The PGR has been invited and we, will provide a flag line for this service. Also MSG Sabalu is scheduled to arrive at Ft Wood sometime on Saturday. So final arrangements have not been set. Keep reading this thread, I will update it as information is available..

Joe Smith
Sen Mo Ride Capt

Update on the Ride Mission for his funeral has not been provided. Stand-by for details.

Special messages in the forums:

Wil was a friend of mine and was a member of our Family, Freedom Of Road Riders. He was loved by all that knew him, with his positive outlook on everything and his enduring smile. Wil volunteered to go over to Afghanistan, because he felt as a soldier, that he needed to serve in this conflict against terrorism. He was due to come home to us in three weeks.

Wil, I thank you for your service, for your ultimate sacrifice to preserve my freedoms, and I weep at your loss, our Chilly Willy

From Keith at Post 1

To the members of the PGR,
I would like to thank everybody for their heartfelt wishes and condolences for MSG Sabalu. I have known Wil for several years now as his supervisor, fellow NCO and friend and I can honestly say that he was one of the most honest, hardworking and trustworthy men I have known. He was not only well liked by his soldiers and peers but also his supervisors. He was the NCO that people knew that they could count on to not only get the job done but get it done properly. Amy, I know that the upcoming times are going to be extremely rough but if there is anything that I can do please let me know. I have spoken to several members from the DB and they have all expressed their sorrow at losing Wil. The 31E's will not be the same for having lost such a great person.

SFC Collier, Keith (RET)

Summary only...