Not your grandfathers Army

The killing of of 13 and wounding of an additional 29 people by Major Nadal Halik Hasan was a disaster that could have been prevented had the Army paid attention to all of the warning signs that preceded this event. It has been reported that during a military briefing Hasan had written a power point presentation that had a slide that said, speaking of militant islamists,"we love death more than you love life". I guess he was part of the "we". He also stated that the war on terror was a war against Islam. Yes, against MILITANT islam, he further said that muslim soldiers should be released from duty as conscientious objectors if they choose to do so.
The end result of this is that peoples lives are ended and many others changed forever all because the Army marginalized the safety of it's soldiers in the name of political correctness.
I don't have a real issue with muslims serving in the Armed forces provided that they, like other soldiers put thier mission above themselves. Who they worship is thier business.
My problem with this whole thing is that I don't think that General Patton would have put up with the slightest sympathy or support for Nazism in his Army no more than MacArthur would have tolerated a soldier supporting the imperial Japanese . The Army should have discharged Hasan at the first hint of this activity. I have seen good soldiers careers ruined for a single act of indescretion that harmed no one. I served with some of the finest soldiers in the world and it was terrible to see boys discharged for being a overweight or injured (sometimes of no fault of their own) to a point where they could no longer do thier job.
So I guess the experts and Army brass will out on a show and try to make it look like they are doing something about this but nothing will change. I am just dissapointed that the same officers that would punish a soldier for missing a formation or a dirty weapon let this guy slide knowing that he was ideologically opposed to the mission of our Armed forces.

"Tookie Monk"

Southerners always give thier kids pet names or nicknames that don't always have rhyme or reason, sometimes a name just fits and it follows them forever (If you have one of these names you know what I'm talking about). Noah's nickname started out as "hoot" because he made little owl noises when he was a baby, but somehow "hoot" just didn't quite suit him. A few weeks later the name "tookie monk" came out and now its the chosen term of endearment for Noah, and believe it or not he likes when dad calls him that. The "Monk" part is pronounced like "Maunk"

The hardest part about leaving is missing my little "tookie monk" and all of his little phrases and habits. Not to mention stepping on his trains in the middle of the night or sleeping on the last 5 inches of the bed when he crawls into sleep with us every once in a while. I can't wait to get back and take him on his first camping trip. Noah will be the best big brother for Laurel. I can't wai to see them running around and playing together.

We're flying baby we're flying!

When I was a paratrooper we would get alerted everynow and again and sometimes it would just be a recall formation to make sure that we could assemble for deployment in the prescribed 2 hours. Once and a while the call up would lead to a training mission that involved a parachute jump. We would anxiously wait outside in the formation area for the word, when it was a "go" for a drop my platoon sargeant would smile real big and say:"We're flyin' baby, we're flyin'".

Now some 15 years later we're "flyin' " to Ukraine to hopefully adopt Laurel. I appreciate everyone's prayers, kind words and generosity that have made all of this possible. I am awestruck at your kindness. I felt that this was a bad time to do this due to the "recession" but you all have proven that the Lord works without the restraints of a bad economy and has done an amazing work through His body. Thank you al again and we are deeply moved by your many actions of love and kindness. "...Behold how they love one another..."

Please pray for Noah while we are gone, he has been breaking out in hives and I am afraid it is his anxiety about us leaving. Just pray that the Lord comfort his heart and pray for his grandparents while we are gone as they will be the one's to comfort and entertain him.

May the Lord return to you ten fold what you have given to us. Laurel is very fortunate to have an extended family like you.

"God be with you till we meet again"

The aircraft is a Ukranian Su-27 one of my favorite fighters

Mike

Killing the Golden Goose

Tobacco has been a source of major controversy due to the many health problems associated with the overuse of tobacco products. Tobacco can cause many health problems including lung cancer, asthma and heart disease. As most of you have seen there are very few businesses and institutions that allow smoking in or around their premises due to the reported hazards associated with smoking and "second hand smoking". That being said why is it still legal for use in the United States? The answer is it earns a heck of a lot of tax revenue for state governments, millions that most states do not want to loose. The tax increases are put in under the guise to prevent it's usage but government becomes almost dependent on nicotene addiction to keep this percentage of the state's tax revenue coming in. The truth is that the powers that be are okay with the use of tobacco because it is a Golden Goose. If someone is addicted to the nicotene in tobacco do we really think that a higher tax rate will decrease it's number of users? Probably not. I say if it is as bad as the government says it is, and they are really concerned about our health then ban it. At some point this may happen and when if it does the taxes will then be levied on candy bars, fast food and soft drinks.
Though I do not condone the uso of tobacco,I am against this sort of taxation as I feel it is an assault on personal freedom. My concern is where will this kind of taxation end? One of my goals in life was to hopefully never be a burden to our government; nor did I ever expect the government to become a burden to me. I don't mind paying my taxes, but this kind of predatory taxation needs to be stopped.
All too often the government is looking for new ways to increase taxes with only little thought given to decrease spending.

If, from the more wretched parts of the old world, we look at those which are in an advanced stage of improvement, we still find the greedy hand of government thrusting itself into every corner and crevice of industry, and grasping the spoil of the multitude. Invention is continually exercised, to furnish new pretenses for revenues and taxation. It watches prosperity as its prey and permits none to escape without tribute.

Thomas Paine, Rights of Man, 1791

Special Farces

SPECIAL FORCES SNIPER
army mechanic
army cook

Throughout my life I have meet many interesting people. Being an ex-paratrooper I love to talk to veterans. But in the past ten years I think that I have run into a statistical anomaly. Let me give you some background. First of all, Special Operations Forces constitute maybe 5-7 percent of the total structure of the armed forces. These are the nations elite, the funny thing is that the majority of people that I run into claim to be ex special forces soldiers, and to take it a step further somehow they all seem to be snipers. There was a saying in the army that says that for every combat soldier in the field there are 7 soldiers to support him. So the question is where are all the cooks and mechanics? Now I will be the first to admit that parachute infantrymen think that the world revolves around them and that the sun rises and sets on Ft. Bragg NC. Personally I cannot thank all of the cooks, mechanics, medics, parachute riggers and finance clerks who worked hard to take care of us so that we could focus on our training. There is nothing like a hot meal in the field when it is freezing outside or a truck ride back to the barracks instead of walking back. So to all of you who served in support roles THANK YOU you are the best.
The problem with these "special farces" soldiers is that they are dishonest and it belittles the role of support troops who make everything happen. Most of these "special farces sniper" types probably never served in the military but have seen lots of war movies. Usually if I press them for a few details that only those in the know have knowledge of they quickly back away and give me a wide berth as they suddenly figure out that I am on to them. Ask Martha and Rachael about the 18 year old "Coast Guard ensign" from SC who said he was the captain of a cutter. I knew he was blowing smoke so I asked "is it a 19 ft or a 21 foot ship" he confidently replied "it's a 19 footer" A 19 foot Coast Guard Cutter! Look them up they are pretty big ships. I know it's kind of mean but my Grandma always said that I have a devilish sense of humor.
I guess the problem that I have with all of this is that I hate embellished stories. I was raised by men (Dad, Larry and Pa) who had the right to brag about their athletic or military skills but they always spoke the truth about it and I appreciate that in a person. I never fired a shot in anger in defense of our country so I would never take credit for something that I did not do. It would only serve to take away from those who have done so.

What are your 10 favorite songs?

Although I can't read music don't play any musical instruments I still enjoy listening to it and sometimes singing. Most of the major events of my life have a song that reminds me of that time. When I was in the Army we really liked the song "In the Air Tonight" it always seemed to get us ready to go when we were going to do a night jump or do an air assault mission. There is also a song by Casting Crowns called "East to West" that illustrates how God forgives us even when we make a mess of things. I know that we all have a song that we would be embarrased if people knew that we liked it my song is ( and I'm really opening myself up here so you have to be honest with your list too!) Patty Smyth - The Warrior; really stupid 80's song.

1. Where the streets have no name - U2
2. In the Air Tonight - Phil Collins
3. East to West - Casting Crowns
4. With Arms Wide Open - Creed (reminds me of when Noah was born)
5. Be Thou my Vision - Best hymn ever
6. Abide With Me - Peter Sturgess intro'd me to this one, it's great
7. Can't you see? - Marshall Tucker Band ( reminds me of growing up in the
south)
8. Something beutiful - newsboys (reminds me of Martha and Noah)
9. One tree hill - U2 Reminds me of travelling
10. Spirit in the sky - Norman Greenbaum (reminds me of all of my parachuting
and flying days)

I could add more but we will keep it at ten for now. Let's hear yours and don't forget your emabarassing song. Maybe the next list will be favorite 80's songs. Can't wait to hear your lists.

Veterans Day

I delivered my second sermon this past Sunday for Veterans Day with the help of my good friend John who is going to Iraq next year. It was an exciting time for both of us and John did a great job describing how God protected him the first time he went to Iraq. The church was full and many got to hear how the Lord looks after us in times of danger. Veterans Day is an important day to honor those who served in times of war and those who helped maintain the peace. If you know a Veteran call them and thank them for their service. It is the least we can do.





I served with the 82nd Airborne Division from 1991-94, I never saw a day of combat but was honored to serve with such an elite group of soldiers. "Airborne,All The Way"

Vietnam Veteran at the Wall in Washington DC. Alot of these men did not get the respect the deserved when they came home. These men fought bravely in a very difficult war with little support from their nation. If you know a Vietnam Veteran thank them for their service. I feel that these Veterans have never recieved an appropriate "Welcome Home" and a kind word of thanks spoken to them would mean alot to them.

Marines in WWII moving a fellow Marine who has been killed in battle. The Marines fought a tough campaign in the Pacific against the Japanese. Thier ferocity in battle helped them to maintain their reputation as one of the toughest fighting forces in our country. One of my favorite books "With the Old Breed" by Eugene Sledge gives a good account of the war in the Pacific.

There aren't many WW2 veterans around any more. If you get the chance to talk to one you should. Listening to their stories will make you appreciate the sacrifices that they made to insure our freedoms. I know a few and make an effort to thank them when I see them. They really appreciate it.