Wheelchair is ready to roll in 09

My health has really put the kabosh on my activities the last 6 months. I start the New Year with hopes of writing more often. The list of items worth talking about should be long and fun as we set course with Emperor Obama at the Helm.

Ya know, I really fear our old friend Nancy. She really believes she is in charge now.

This should prove interesting.

So I say hello again to my friends, oil up my wheelchair, and let's see what happens in 2009

Petraeus testimony contradicts what troops on the ground report, say Iraq veterans attending hearings

Thats the headline for Iraq Veterans against the war's press release for the hearings. Lets see now. Adam Kokesh would have us believe that all "4" of the IVAW attendees speak for the troops on the ground.

Oh, did he forget to mention that in the release. Or how about the NY Times explanation on why it will not cover IVAW events.

It seems the Times answered Adam's complaints in a letter why they did not cover Winter Soldier. The Times responded, "Your so wittle" LoL

The Times even mentioned how Veterans for Freedom who clearly overshadows IVAW membership did not whine about zero coverage.

But that is how IVAW and Adam operate. Take a few lines, and hope you believe that some large number of Veterans were in attendance in Protest of the Hearings.

Adam seems to post this picture every chance he gets. His Mom must be so proud

When in reality it was Senator John McCain praising over 500 members of VFF just minutes before the hearings began for standing up to the Media and groups like IVAW

This is Adams favorite picture, he posts it every chance he gets. Who am I to disappoint ?

It was this big

Bill Clinton outside Philadelphia PA yesterday describing the average size Lie he tells each day. He also mentioned to the crowd he did not believe they would be fooled by Obama's rhetoric....we can only wish

CodePink in DC

Obviously they were out protesting in Elementary school during Spelling class.

Acomplishes ? What BoZo's

VFF Shirts for Sale ?

Not sure what David K's fixation with the shirt worn by one of our VFF participants Tuesday. But that seems to be the extent of his day beyond telling us how his legs fell asleep.

Joel ? Do we have an Xtra Small Shirts left over so we can help him out ? I guess when no one wants to hear your side of the story like it was for I.V.A.W. you need to film something.

And Code Pink ? WTF was that wardrobe malfunction all about ? The idea behind the Burka is to "Hide" that ugly mug. And lets not forget since it was women you need to keep your freakin mouths shut. I mean we want to respect Islamic Law and all.

Loved that glare you gave me in the hallway BTW. I thought the Viet Nam Vet Hippie was a nice touch too.

See you in the Funny papers boys and girls.

Volunteers for Freedom

Tuesday sapped what little energy I had left in me as “George” and I made the 450 mile road trip without medication to attend “Veterans for Freedom’s” – “Vets on the Hill”

For once the day truly did belong to us. Nary a sign from the Code Pinkers or my friends from I.V.A.W. Organized in support of General Petreaus’ report to Congress, well over 480 Iraq Veterans made their presence known.

Senator John McCain made it abundantly clear he would settle for nothing less than total Victory over Islamic Extremists. That alone made the trip worthwhile to myself. Followed up by a visit to Senator Corkers office, my new friends from the “Volunteer State” and I were a bit surprised by his attitude.

In an email from my State Captain Bill, I quickly learned why. It seems ole Senator Corker has yet to grow a pair and is taking political cover on Iraq and timetables. He also told me it did not bode well the rest of the day with our other illustrious representatives from Tennessee.

There’s a new force on the Hill. Just as I send a link to this blog to every representative from TN. I also included a link for “Veterans for Congress” They might take note there are too many of us willing to go after their jobs.

Sadly “George” was acting up on me by midday and I called it a day. I beat feet down the road to Virginia Beach to spend the night at my Uncles. And low and behold, here sits Senator Sam Johnson from TX who I just met that morning.

Johnson, McCain and My Uncle were all POW’s together in Viet Nam. It made for some interesting discussions that night.

To my new battle buddies from Tennessee…..Count me in anytime, anywhere. It was a pleasure to meet all you young warriors.

Bulldog 27 is Down

I had my driver park in front of one of those many 10 foot tall posters of Saddam in what looked to be the entrance to a warehouse area on the east side of the Airport. It had been chosen for it’s relative safety to conduct what would be the first of many memorial services I would participate in before my 3^rd tour was completed.

Heart breaking enough it was for a friend and by far my best Platoon Sergeant. It had been less than 48 hours since SFC Paul Smith’s death, and we had been rocked by the loss of 2 more soldiers just hours ago. It was a gut punch to learn the young man I had chosen to replace Paul, SSG Lincoln Hollinsaid had been killed by heavy Machine Gun fire while trying to establish a secure perimeter for the Platoon.

April 4^th 2003 was clearing to be what looked like the first really nice day since taking the Airport. Task Force Cottonbailer had begun pushing outwards along with my Bravo Company down Highway 8. Then clearly separated by a median of hugh palms and lush vegetation. Unlike the barren concrete checkpoints that cover the area now. It was also riddled with 2-4 man positions occupied by Fedaeen and Al Kut fighters. Armed with Heavy Machine guns and RPG’s

It seemed it was less than an hour since I pulled out of the F.A.S.T. set up for anticipated wounded. Sporadic firing was heard from 2-300 yards down the road as the Bradleys inched forward. SFC Smith was already busy clearing an area he had chosen for the equally anticipated EPW’s

I had pulled up along side elements of my Charlie Company when several AT-4 explosions could be heard followed by enemy mortar fire. Some minor chatter was picking up on Brigades Command Frequency. I was also monitoring the lead Infantry units frequency, so at first the messages did not make sense, as it was conversations about 2 separate fights.

It was this initial confusion as to where the fighting was actually taking place that may have been the crucial minutes before SFC Smith committed himself to manning the .50 cal on one of his squads APC’s.

Having already taken a direct hit from Enemy Mortar fire, SFC Smith was faced with evacuating 3 wounded soldiers from the squad he was with. 2 of them were the Squads NCO’s

This is not a minute by minute account of what took place that morning. It likewise is not about just SFC Smith. Rather it is about the brave men of Bulldog 2^nd Platoon, 11 the Combat Engineer battalion. Here are the men of the toughest SOB Platoon Sergeant, and this Sergeant Majors biggest pain in the ass Platoon Sergeant at that.

Were it not for the level of training, and no bullshitting around mentality of 2^nd Platoon. And certainly dozens of soldiers would likely have been killed and injured that morning. Just beyond the Platoons position sat Medics, Mechanics and other support personnel. Certainly not equipped or even aware that over 100 Iraqi soldiers from Saddam’s Special Republican Guard was attempting to flank and destroy their position.

It was his instinctive actions manning that Machine Gun and holding off the attack while the wounded were evacuated. Thus allowing the remainder of us to organize a hasty defense and 1SG Campbell’s equally heroic attack on the lead and controlling elements in the tower that saved many soldiers that day.

Certainly Paul rightfully was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions that morning. As was 1SG Campbell’s awarding of the Silver Star. I believe I was equally as proud when just over a year later all but 2 or 3 of those very same men became the first to return to Iraq while at War.

Today many of them are on their 3^rd tour of Iraq and live the events of that morning each night when they close their eyes. One young man, SGT John Mele a private back then, closed his eyes for good when he was killed last fall on his 3^rd tour.

I am currently consulting with a film company for a proposed release date of Nov 11 2008 on a documentary that will hopefully capture the valor of SFC Smith and all the men of 2nd/Bravo.

Certainly Paul would be among the first to shun this type of attention. I like to joke with his family it is my way of getting revenge for all the headaches this one of a kind young man gave me. I first met Paul during Desert Storm when he was a PFC. I knew then he was destined to be a great Leader. Just how great, even I did not know. Sip a cool one compadre…you earned this one.