Saturday, May 29, 2010

Book Review: Surviving the Folded Flag: Parents of war share stories of coping, courage and faith

Surviving the Folded Flag: Parents of War share stories of coping, courage, and faith is probably one of the most beautiful, and heart-breaking books you will ever read.

Deborah Tainsh, author and Gold Star Mom, has compiled the stories of over two dozen Gold Star Families. These families give us an answer to the question that is often asked about our fallen heroes: 'Where do we find such men and women?' Through the writings of these devastated parents, as they open their hearts and share their children with us, it is so apparent that every one of our heroes was the result of amazing parents.

In the acknowledgments for this book, Deb Tainsh says:

...I wish with all my heart that such a book as this never had to be written. But unfortunately, this is planet earth and...humans are burdened with not only the joys of living, but also the pain.

The pain in these pages cries out so loudly, that it is a painful book to read. With incredible honesty, each of the contributors to this book share their journey of initial denial, to anger, to unimaginable agony, and what they each do to survive such a loss. Many of them struggle with relationship issues within their marriages, as they try to come to terms with their own personal grief.

Having said that, this is a book also filled with tremendous courage and laughter, and so many memories. Each of the parents recounts the births and formative years of their beloved children.

US Army Chaplain Col. John C. Powledge says in the foreword:

...these are also stories of triumph, and in each families story we find the reason for America's strength...


Indeed we do, and as we meet each of the families sharing their children with us, it is evident in every word, just how strong are the families of our fallen that nurture and raise the future heroes of the nation.

The first story is of a hero who was killed on 9/11 at the Pentagon: Navy Electronics Tech 1 Ronald Hemenway. Ronald, says mom Shirley, was a precious gift from the moment of his birth, arriving almost exactly a year after their second son, Dale, had died at six months old. Ronald was a boy who loved reading, especially encyclopedias. He also discovered a love of horses which led to an initial career in the equestrian field. Later Ronald shocked his family when he came home and told them he had joined the Navy. In 1995 he graduated at Great Lakes as the Distinguished Military Graduate of his electronics class. Stationed in Italy, he met the woman he would marry, and was finally selected - in March 2000 - from many applicants to move to Bolling Airforce Base in DC to work in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon.

A loving son, and a devoted husband to Marinella, Ronald's remains were never found. All though the day of 9/11, Shirley shares that they searched every avenue for information about Ronald, but none was found. She tells in excruciating detail of those terrible days, and how it was her family, and her church, that gathered together for strength and comfort. On March 11, 2002, Ronald's Marinella held a memorial service for Ronald, whose marker sits in Section F in Arlington, at the top of a steep hill next to a WW2 soldier.

Shirley describes how some people had trouble talking to her about her son, because no remains were ever found, and this seems to be a common theme throughout the family stories in this book. Many of the families say the loss of their child in this war changed their relationships with those around them forever. Another prevalent theme in all the lives, is how each family has chosen to focus on doing things that add meaning to the sacrifice they have made, to honour their children.

Ronald's parents became involved with TAPS, where they give back to other parents walking the same path as they find themselves on. They have also been to GITMO, as have other 9/11 families. Their health has suffered, and Shirley writes:

When we hear the word closure our response is that closure would only exist if only we could wrap our arms around Ronald again.

She knows this is not to be, and draws joy and reason to move on through their other children and grandchildren.

The importance of family - and respect for our fallen - is a major theme throughout this book. Another family is that of Army Specialist Matthew Holley. Following the loss of their only child, mum and dad, Stacey and John, lobbied for, and achieved, legislation that today sees all America's fallen heroes returned home with honour, respect and dignity on contracted private aircraft. Prior to Matthew's sacrifice, our fallen were handled as ordinary cargo. This law is a direct legacy of Matthew and his family.

In Lessons in Life that is Stacey's contribution to this book, she shares the lessons she raised Matthew with, and it is the first lesson that formed him: To whom much is given, much is expected. She retells that he told them his reasons for wanting to serve his country were: To serve a cause much greater than self.

Even as a three time national champion in Karate, and with, in Shirley's words, "a God-given talent for drawing," Matthew had many other options than military service. It was in the military, however, that Matthew was able share his love of drawing with children he met in Iraq. Matthew's last call home reinforced for his mum and dad that he had learned his lessons in life so well. He told dad John that he wanted to bring some joy and smiles to the children that had only known fear, and asked them to send crayons for them. "Doc" the medic was killed in Taji November 15, 2005.

As some of these incredible families share their hearts with us, they tell of the initial notification and how they reacted. Shirley says that when the notification officer told them, her husband said: You just killed me.

For every single one of the families in this book, we are given an intimate look at how they struggled to survive. Donna Parker, mother of Marine Sergeant Elisha "Eli" Parker, describes her family's challenges in uncharted, squally, waters of grief:

Renny [Eli's dad] and I try to practise being patient with one another... We admit to being emotionally fragile. One minute we talk about Eli with ease and the next minute tears and sadness overwhelm us. I find that extending grace to one another..., giving each other the space we need helps immensely.

As with most of the families here, the parents of Eli, who was known for his 'tender heart and strong spirit, a captivating smile and a quirky sense of humor,' find some comfort in continuing rituals that their children enjoyed. In the Parker family, the "Golden Squirrel" figures large, and was the cause of much merriment among Eli and his siblings. (You have to read the book to enjoy that particular hilarity!). Although the original golden squirrel was buried with Eli, there is now a Golden Squirrel Trophy for the Sergeant Eli Parker Memorial Dodgeball Tournament, and Eli's spirit lives on.

At the end of her essay, Donna includes a T. Roosevelt quote:

“In the battle of life, it is not the critic who counts; nor the one who points out how the strong person stumbled, or where the doer of a deed could have done better. The credit belongs to the person who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; ...[...] spends oneself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at worst, if he or she fails, at least fails while daring greatly."


Every single one of the fallen heroes we meet in this book dared greatly, and every single parent whose heart is shared in these pages strives valiantly. Every one of them is so inspirational.

Kim Smith, mother of Private Robert Franz, recalls her reaction when told of her son's death in Baghdad, June 17, 2003:

What I remember most was the gut-wrenching ache in my stomach...Children come from our womb. I felt as if my womb had been torn to shreds. It felt like a real physical injury that hurt like nothing I had felt before.


As Kim says how important personal connections are to the families of the fallen, and how much comfort the family gains having their loved one's comrades keep in touch, she relates a hilarious story that has to be read (if you can stop chuckling as you read it!) Let's just say Pepto Bismol figures large.

Kim also echoes a common thread with many of the families. She tells the story of a butterfly visit which confirmed for her that Rob is always close by. Deb Tainsh has told the story (originally in her first book Heart of a Hawk,) about the hawk that always lets her know when her and Dave's son Patrick is close by.

Rosalind Lewis, mom of Private First Class Clayton Henson, draws comfort every time she sees a white dove that visits their family home. She knows this is her Clayton, especially since
"On the Wings of a Snow White Dove," was a song from his funeral.

All the Gold Star Families find tangible ways to honor their fallen hero. For all of them, it is important to honor and support the troops still deployed. To read all that they do is to marvel. Some attends local burials, and reach out to other families starting the same life-changing journey, so they know they are not alone. Others create foundations which continue the missions their sons held dear. Becky Mizener, proud mom of Army Private First Class Jesse Mizener, began a non profit just months after she lost Jesse, called Packed With Pride, so named because as she says: "... I packed each box with the pride of a soldier's mum. "

A lot of the parents talk of their loneliness, that is often only soothed by the love and support of their closest family, or support groups made up of those who understand the loss. Diane Layfield, mother of Marine Lance Corporal Travis Layfield says she felt as if she died the day that her son, along with nine other Marines and one Navy corpsman, died in Al Anbar, Iraq, April 6, 2004. For her, her family, her children, her mother and a support group Operation Mom that she had joined before her Travis was deployed, were what helped her survive. Diane lives what every GS family has learned the hard way: Every breath counts. Reading Travis' life story, again it is so easy to see how our heroes are formed. Diane says her son 'had the greatest compassion and most genuine heart of anyone ...ever known.' He loved to dance. Diane recounts how they celebrate Travis' life, and how their home is filled with portraits and memorabilia and rooms painted in red, white and blue.

Every parent, every hero in this book, are people I wish I could know. To hear Jackie Kenny tell it, Army Captain Christopher Kenny was welcomed into a world surrounded by laughter, and this oldest child was a constant joy his whole life. Mom Jackie shares quite a few funny stories of his exploits as a young man. With eyes always filled with laughter, Christopher was generous and kind. A mind like a sponge, he was a voracious reader who would use enforced time out in his room to pick up a book.

Christopher's early life was spent on or around the water, and his mom wryly notes the irony that her 'water baby' drowned when the humvee he was in rolled into a canal, May 3, 2004.

Today, Jackie still has what she calls her 'black cloud' envelope her, but she and Jim [Christopher's dad] have learned to respect each other's grief.

The snapshots of all these heroes' lives prove, as if any of us needed such proof, the innate decency of all that is the best of America. The preemie, two and a half pound Army Specialist Nicholas Wilson, whose mom Debbie describes him as 'good kid who was very sensitive,' ; to Army Sergeant First Class Brent Adams, who little son often sees and talks to his daddy - 'a black belt angel working with God,' and whose family and friends remember his smile, leadership, sense of humor. Brent's dad and stepmom Pam also saw the longest shooting star ever shortly after learning they had lost Brent. Pam knows that was Brent telling them: "It's okay, dad and Pam. I've arrived home and I'm okay."

Army Sergeant Brian Wood, 10.5lbs at birth, was a quiet child, a keen observer of everything going on around him. Mom Patricia tells a story of Brian at 18 months old that demonstrated his acute observation skills. No surprise either that mom says Brian also always defended the underdog. As with so many of the other parents in this book who know they have received signs from their children, Patricia relates a time - since Brian died April 16, 2004 in Tikrit, Iraq - when she saw him sitting on his sister's bed. She takes this as a sign from him, and who are we to argue? I sure don't.

As with Brian, all of the fallen hero's families in here know the same thing about their sons:

My son knew he was taking on a difficult, dangerous job. He believed in what he was doing ...helping to make the world a better place. He died serving a just cause.

Just as the other families who opened their hearts for this book relate, Patricia knows that her fallen hero wants his 'family to keep living, be happy, laugh, and enjoy the life we have. '

Marine Corporal Christopher Leon died in Ramadi in June 2006. Adopted at birth by James and Kathi Leon, this youngster loved to pull pranks and always have the last laugh, according to mum Kathi. He last talked to his parents on Father's Day, and James was able to tell his beloved Chris 'what a priviledge it was to be his father, and how much we all loved each other.'

That pride and unconditional love is the overwhelming theme throughout this book. The love just shines from the pages. Marine Sergeant Byron Lane's parents saw a bright full moon the night he was born. Mom Carol says that from the beginning they were always amazed by Byron, the compassionate young man who joined the Marines out of love and appreciation for the country that had given him so much.

Love of country is another theme here. Navy Second Class Gunners Mate (SEAL) Danny (DJ)Dietz, Jr's mom, Cindy, uses the SEAL ethos in the introduction to her essay about her rambunctious, determined, above genius, strong-willed firstborn:

My loyalty to Country and Team is beyond reproach. I humbly serve as a guardian to my fellow Americans always ready to defend those who are unable to defend themselves.

There is also so much joy as the parents share the lives of their fallen heroes. Cindy Dietz tells a hilarious story of a stunt DJ pulled when he was growing up, that will make you laugh.

Army Specialist John Young's mom
, Penny , shares how she thought she would never again know happiness after she lost her son in Iraq. But she draws peace and yes, joy, in the moments when she feels John close by as if he is telling her: "I'm okay, Mom, and you're going to be okay too." Penny also shares that on the day of John's funeral, a hawk circled above, and actually swooped down right over the coffin. A few days later she met Deb Tainsh, Gold Star mom of Sgt Patrick Tainsh, and author of Heart of a Hawk.

Service and faith are also writ large in these pages of the journey of survival each of these parents. Deb Tainsh, and so many others, share how it is only by the strength of their faith in a Higher Power that they get through those days when they just want to scream. James T. Simpson, father of Marine Lance Corporal Abraham "Abe" Simpson, and uncle to Jonathan, who was also killed in Iraq, says: God gives me strength to go on.

Just as their children served their country, so do the parents continue to serve. This book is part of their ongoing service to help other Gold Star Families. Surviving the Folded Flag also should serve as a great education for all who live in this era of our countries at war. It is a clear reminder that 'every soldier is one of our own, and every soldier's family is our family.' Every Gold Star Parent who contributed to this book was asked by Deb to share advice to others who may be called to face the same situation, and share they do. This section alone is worth the cost of the book, and should be read by every American. Blue Star Mother Beverley Krause writes at the beginning of this collection:

I read this book out of respect and honor...to learn how I could better serve Gold Star Parents... Because their children volunteered to serve and sacrifice for our freedoms, we owe as much.


She is absolutely right.

DJ Dietz's mom, Cindy, concludes her essay on her son's life and service with this:

"I heard a voice saying, 'Whom shall I send and whom will go for us?' Then I said I, Here I am; send me. " Isaiah 6:8



This book made me cry, made me laugh out loud, and gave me 'dot to dot (for that reference you need to meet Vikki Carver and her fallen hero son Navy Corpsman Charles "Otter" Sare.) It also affirmed for me the courage and grace of the Gold Star Family heroes who walk among us.

You may think that this current Global War on Terror has nothing to do with you. In these pages, we meet just a few of the American heroes and their families, who prove differently. Surviving the Folded Flag: Parents of War share stories of coping, courage and faith should be on every bookshelf. It is my belief that when the history of this war is written, years from now, this book will prove to be one of the most important contributions to the archives.

-30-




Surviving the Folded Flag...is being released Memorial Day 2010. The cost of the book is $14.95 plus shipping. Profits benefit TAPS and other military support organizations, including Soldiers' Angels, and you can find both of Deb's books at the SA online store here. You can also order from the publisher: www.elvaresa.com or if you want a personalized copy, contact Deborah Tainsh at heartofahawk@msn.com

Deborah Tainsh is also available for public speaking engagements.

What do I say to a Gold Star Mom/Dad?






Deborah Tainsh
Deborah is the author of Heart of a Hawk, her family's journey after the death of their son, and Surviving the Folded Flag, a collection of Gold Star families' stories.




As mentioned in the review above, Surviving the Folded Flag, Deborah Tainsh's latest book, does have a section with commonsense, helpful advice for those who are uncomfortable, and don't know how to talk with a Gold Star Family member.

Deb calls it the "Do's and Don't's," and has given me permission to share them here:


Please don’t ask a member of a grieving family: “Was Johnny saved?”

Saved from what? Yes, I know what you’re referring to, but consider this:

Oh, you mean that the Great God & Creator of this Universe is so vindictive that if Johnnny didn’t make a certain confession, because maybe he was Jewish, he is lost for all of eternity although Johnny’s MOTHER or FATHER learns that their child, the light of their life, was so fried in an exploding burning humvee that all his mother or father can hold upon his return is the empty uniform laying inside a casket? And to add pain on pain and confusion of life on earth, Johnny’s mother or father have to have more than one burial because a few body parts are finally found and determined to be remains of the “light of their life?”

Yes, this is real life for in living color for some of us. Such a death and MOTHER’s misery is told in my book, Surviving the Folded Flag. Such a question has been asked of me more than once.

If a Mother can love the child of her womb and life with such a love as no other can know or understand does not God the Father, who owned all our children before he loaned them to us, love them even greater?

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. --1 Corinthians 13:4-5

As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. --Colossians 3:12

Romans 5:19:For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.

New American Standard Colossians: 1:20

and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross ; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

Praise God and His Son, the one who died for us all!

Please don’t say: “Johnny is in a better place.”

A grieving mother or father cannot accept or comprehend such words. We wanted our child with us to keep hugging, shopping for, watch become the mature adult they would be, give us grandchildren, more laughter and stories, and hold our hand when we aged. Our children were our heaven on earth.

We would die for our children (as God through Christ died for us)

David’s grief over Absalom:

2 Samuel 18:33

The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: "O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!"

Job 17:7 My eyes have grown dim with grief; my whole frame is but a shadow.

Please don’t say “It was God’s plan”

We are human beings that are hurt to the point of near incapacitation. Our dad in heaven has let us down and denied us our greatest treasure to return home walking and talking. We are angry at the universe!

We have to find our own way back to accepting God’s love and “our forgiving Him!”

Please don’t think that because we return to church with a “fake smile” that we are “okay”. We’re struggling to return to the “old norm” that will never happen, but we have to learn this on our own and how to gradually move into our “new norm” and live with it.

So please don’t ask: “How are you doing today?” Unless you’re ready to be a sounding block and share some tears without need of your saying a word, or be prepared for a “lie” because we fear you don’t really want the truth anyway.

Please don’t say: “You seem to be still grieving so hard and it’s been over a year” because your view of time and what “passing time” is suppose to do is your perception, not our reality.

Through experience and watching hundreds of others’ journeys, grief is usually worse the 2nd year because during the first year we’ve been walking in a dense fog and by the end of the first year all the “local support” has returned to their own lives in their norm and we are facing our reality, “THIS IS REAL” and “I’ve got to come out of hiding” and I still don’t know what to do with this “burden”, a song, a story, a tv show, etc, etc, etc makes me cry and cry and cry…those around us don’t understand, often not even our own parents. It takes years to adjust and find our path that often means a great change in some relationships.

Please don’t ask how Johnny or Sally died…

A family suffering a death by suicide, drugs, etc carry a heightened level of grief ,stress and anxiety out of pure fear of judgment by others.

Question to you: How would you comfort a family member who suffered such tragedy?

*************************************************************************************************************

Please don’t say: “Time heals.”

As an expert in the grief field said to a group in a grief peer mentor training class:

“Time Passes!” It doesn’t do anything! It’s what we learn to do with the time that helps us travel the path of a healthy grief process!”

We have to find how to convert anger and frustration into activities that become meaningful such as creating living legacies to our children or through our own pain, help others. This all takes TIME to develop because our mental and physical being is dealing with great trauma.

Don’t say: “You’re not alone. God is always with you.”

When we are angry, frustrated, confused in our faith and searching for answers that it takes us a while to understand that we’ll not get on this side of heaven, WE DO NOT BELIEVE GOD IS WITH US. WE CAN’T TOUCH HIM, HUG HIM, FEEL HIS HUG. WE FEEL ALONE except for maybe the person strong and compassionate enough to be with us and show us often through silence, and patience that GOD IS STILL AROUND because YOU allowed God to use you to show HIS patience and love through our most horrific time on earth!

Personally, when I see others walk the walk (not talk), I know GOD is REAL!

As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. --Colossians 3:12

****************************************************************************

Don’t look away from us or take an alternate church or grocery aisle.

Okay, you don’t want to say the wrong thing! We get it!

You don’t know what to say! We get it!

Say nothing! Just smile, sincerely. Ask if you can give us a hug. Ask can you come help us do the laundry, mop the floors, wash the windows, clean the toilets, cut the grass, weed the flower bed, plant some flowers, take us for dinner, sit on the porch and drink a favorite beverage…BUT MEAN IT! DON’T BE A BAG OF EMPTY WORDS AND BROKEN PROMISES!

Don’t be afraid of tears! Care enough to share them! Care enough to sit in silence and just be there! Pelagius (410A.D.) “The Christian should heroic fortitude like Job. And should have compassion, should “feel the pain of others as if it were their own, and be moved to tears by the grief of others.”

If you know a story about our deceased loved one, just ask: “Would you mind if I share a story about your son (or daughter) with you?” Stories are all we have left! They are gifts!

Ask: “Would you mind if I hold your hands and say a prayer for peace of heart, strength, and courage for you and your family?”

Don’t say: “I’m so sorry for your loss.” As one mom said, “There was nothing sorry about my son. We’re proud of his service to our country.” Or another mom who said: “You don’t have to be sorry, we’re so very proud of him.” (The reason some of us don’t like the words, “I’m sorry…” is because with military war deaths, the debate about the right or wrong of the war seems to instantly have some individuals want to pity us because the death was by war THEY didn’t believe in…Well, it’s not about what they believe in, but what they don’t know about what a military family may or may not believe in.

Better to Say: “I can’t imagine the pain you are suffering. I know there’s nothing I can say or do to make it better, but I want you to know I care.”

Please don’t try to empathize through sharing the loss of a parent, spouse, etc…each person’s grief is their own individual experience. Unless you’ve experienced the death of a child, don’t try to convince the grieving that you “understand” because of your personal losses.

Don’t ask: “Do you have other children?” or say “At least you have another son…”

As one mom said: “Consider a car. It has four tires, if one goes flat, you’re temporarily incapacitated until you replace the flat tire and go on your merry way. We are not cars. Our deceased child cannot be replaced by any other one and we will never live the same again. The loss is debilitating and crippling in ways unexplainable and will, even if only in small ways, be so the rest of our lives.”

And last but not least :


Do you know what the Blue Star and Gold Star Service Flags and symbols represent?

Parents with their Gold Star magnets or license plates on their car have been asked:


“What did you do to deserve that Gold Star?”

“Is there a Colonel living at your house?”

“Does that mean you won teacher of the year?”

“What’s that all about?”

“Did you win an award of some kind?”


Deb is a public speaker and what I have shared above forms the basis of some of her speeches.


Friday, May 28, 2010

Memorial Day: If You're Reading This



You are in my heart

Graduation Night - Moon over Yusufiyah

From The Thunder Run:

Graduation Night - Moon over Yusufiyah

The Stokely family sat in a football stadium on a warm Friday night just before Memorial Day 2001 to watch Mike Stokely graduate high school. He already had boot camp / basic training and a year in the National Guard under his belt and would be heading off for Advanced Individual Training at Ft. Gordon in a few weeks. His little sister, Abbey, almost nine, couldn't let go of him, even to have a photo taken with Mike and their brother, Wes. She swung on his arm adoringly - her look of love says it all.

On the morning of August 16, 2005, as my wife Retta and I sat with Wes and Abbey just after breaking the news to them of Mikes death earler that morning, then 13 year old Abbey buried her head into my shoulder, sobbing these words: "he was supposed to chase away my first boyfriend, he was supposed to cheer at my graduation from high school, he was supposed to be an uncle to my children..." These words seared my heart, broken as it was. I shall never forget them. She lost her oldest brother that day, her "Bubs" which she called him short for his nickname, Bubba.

Tonight, May 27, 2010 at the football stadium for Northgate High School in Sharpsburg GA, Abbey Stokely graduated last with her class. She has had a rough five years that started with Mike's death in Iraq. Five months later, she and I were broad sided by a driver who ran a stop sign at 45 plus and rolled and flipped us several times, shearing her right rear passenger door away. She spent 18 months recovering from her serious neck, back, and head injury. Those two events might seem enough to cause a student to graduate last....


The Stokely family has given so much in service to America. As Robert says in his last sentence of this column:

I was reminded again that the highest cost of Freedom is A Lifetime of Love.



If you read nothing else today, or this whole Memorial Day weekend, go read this one here.

B*N*S*N1

Modular school build saves time, cash

BALAD – In an attempt to provide as many new schools as possible for the children of Iraq, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is turning to modular construction to save time and money.


The USACE has already served as the construction management partner on more than 1,100 school construction projects throughout Iraq, but some areas are still in dire need of primary and secondary schools to build on Iraq’s academic foundation for future success.

The dilemma is brick and mortar schools take more than a year to construct, so USACE engineers from the Balad Resident Office are modifying construction techniques to build four modular schools in the Salahuddin province.

The advantages of modular, prefabricated construction is that contractors can build an eight-room schoolhouse in just 120 days at a fraction of the cost. But prefabrication doesn’t mean temporary, as the structures are engineered to last 20-years.

Maj. Paul Patterson, the BRO officer-in-charge, says modular school construction offers two distinct advantages.

"The speed with which the project can be completed is an important consideration… “ he said. "It's also easier to ensure a consistent quality for the project across the province without dealing with the variability you get with the local labor pool when constructing concrete masonry unit type buildings."


Read more here.

B*N*S*N2

Three IEDs In A Row



helmandblog May 16, 2010One British Army platoon, based in the Sangin valley, has earned itself high praise after finding - and eliminating - numerous improvised explosive devices during a single patrol.

The men of C Company, 1 Scots, who are working as advisors to the Afghan National Army in Sangin for the next six months, have been carrying out frequent patrols in the notorious Green Zone.

On one recent mission they discovered and avoided IED after IED and all managed to return safely to their base. (source: Helmand Blog)

B*N*S*N3

05/21/2010 - U.S. Navy Chief Logistics Specialist Jose Rodriguez, assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), says goodbye to his daughter before the ship departs Naval Station Norfolk, Va., May 21, 2010. Truman is deploying in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rafael Martie, U.S. Navy/Released)



05/18/2010 - Sailors from the Guatemalan navy special forces participate in a pistol familiarization course taught by U.S. Sailors from Naval Special Warfare Command at a pistol range on Base Naval Del Pacifico in San Jose, Guatemala, May 18, 2010. The training is part of a five-week joint combined exchange training exercise to build military capacity through a partnership with the Guatemalan military. (DoD photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy/Released)


05/25/2010 - U.S. Navy Construction Mechanic 2nd Class Brandon Trumbo, assigned to 05/21/2010 - U.S. Navy Chief Logistics Specialist Jose Rodriguez, assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), says goodbye to his daughter before the ship departs Naval Station Norfolk, Va., May 21, 2010. Truman is deploying in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rafael Martie, U.S. Navy/Released) in , and Vietnamese volunteer Phan Thanh Tuan remove debris from the Hope Center engineering site in Vietnam May 25, 2010. The engineering project is part of Pacific Partnership 2010, a series of annual U.S. Pacific Fleet humanitarian and civic assistance endeavors aimed at strengthening regional partnerships. (DoD photo by Lt. Cmdr. Arwen Consaul, U.S. Navy/Released)



05/13/2010 - U.S. Navy Lt. j.g. Joshua Wymer, left, and Air Force Tech. Sgt. Melinda Ford, center, go through a patient's IV bag during an aeromedical evacuation flight over Southwest Asia May 13, 2010. Wymer is deployed to the Emergency Medical Facility out of Southwest Asia and Ford is deployed to the 332nd Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight out of Joint Base Balad, Iraq. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Quinton Russ, U.S. Air Force/Released)