Sunday, June 29, 2014

Rachel Frenkel: Good Reasons to Believe the Boys Are Alive





From Israel National News:
 Rachel Frenkel: Good Reasons to Believe the Boys Are Alive

by Yaakov Levi

Rachel Frenkel, mother of Naftali, one of the three Israeli teens kidnapped by Hamas terrorists, said that she was deeply moved by the army's efforts to find her son, along with Eyal Yifrah and Gilad Sha'ar, the other two kidnap victims.

Speaking on IDF Radio Sunday, Frenkel said that she was encouraged by the ongoing activity to find the boys. Despite the fact that over two weeks have passed with no indication of their fate or whereabouts, Frenkel said that she did not believe that “the search has reached a brick wall. As long as there is progress, we are hopeful.”

The IDF announced the names of two of the kidnappers last Thursday, but Frenkel said she had been told their identity soon after the kidnapping took place.

“The investigators were able to find this information out very quickly,” she said. With that, she added, “it has been very difficult for me to look at their photos. I can see the evil in their eyes. Unfortunately this is the situation.”

Frenkel also expressed appreciation to the artists and performers who were to appear Sunday night in a special rally in Rabin Square in Tel Aviv.

“We feel embraced by many people, and we wanted that the event should be a general one that would include everyone. Our message is one of solidarity, one for all and all for one – haredi Israelis, secular Israelis, Bedouin, Druze, and Muslims who have a conscience.”

The event, set for 7:30 PM, will feature appearances by many popular artists, including Miri Mesika, Koby Aflalo, David D'Or, Lior Narkis, Koby Oz, Dudu Fischer, Zvika Pik, Rami Kleinstein, and others.

“They are not 'symbols,' but real live children who are being held prisoner somewhere,” said Frenkel. “We miss our son terribly, and we are thinking constantly of what he must be going through."

"I try not to think too deeply, though, because those kinds of thoughts can deplete your energy. But we have good reason to be optimistic,” Frenkel said. “The signs point to their still being alive, and G-d willing with all the efforts and prayers I hope we will get them back alive.”

Saturday, June 28, 2014

UPDATED: Falkland Islands: UN sides with Argentina.....Islanders say "Hell, NO!"

News that makes me say: WTHHHHHHH??? 




From the Independant out of the UK:

UN committee backs Argentina over Falkland Islands 

26 June 2014

A United Nations’ committee approved a new resolution calling on the UK and Argentina to negotiate a solution to their dispute over the Falkland Islands, essentially favouring Argentina's stance in the long-running feud.

The 24-nation Decolonization Committee passed the resolution by consensus despite passionate speeches from two Falkland Islands representatives who said most islanders wanted to keep things as they are.

The decision showed that the committee members have been largely unmoved by a referendum in the Falkland Islands last year in which more than 99 per cent of voters favoured remaining a British Overseas Territory.

The UK has rebuffed Argentina's calls to negotiate the sovereignty of the south Atlantic islands, saying it is up to people who live there to decide...

Much more here.

Seems to me that the people of the Falklands already decided. Last year, the Islanders voted overwhelmingly in a referendum to remain British..Read my column on that here.



The UN seems to have ignored the history of Falkland Islands (they can catch up by reading my previous column here.)

My message to the UN and Argentina?  Keep your hands off MY islands.. Period.


*UPDATE*

From the Express(UK):

Falklanders slam UN calls for Britain to negotiate over disputed islands

FALKLANDERS have reacted with fury to a UN resolution calling on Britain and Argentina to negotiate over the disputed islands - a move apparently favouring the South American country. 

By Max Evans

27 June 2014

The UN's 24-nation Decolonisation Committee passed the resolution by consensus despite passionate pleas by two islanders, who said most living on the Falklands wanted to keep things as they are. 

The move suggests that committee members have disregarded the referendum held on the islands last year, which saw 99 per cent of voters wanting them to remain a British overseas territory. 

Britain has vehemently rejected Argentina's calls to negotiate the sovereignty of the islands - known as Las Malvinas in the South American state - insisting residents should choose for themselves.
The British Mission to the UN slammed the committee for ignoring the outcome of last year's vote. "It is disappointing that once again the C24 (the Decolonisation Committee) has not respected the clear and democratic expression of the Falkland Islanders' wishes and continues to describe the Falkland Islands' constitutional relationship with the UK as a 'colonial situation'," the mission blasted. ..


The UK took control of the islands when it placed a naval garrison there in 1833. ...
Read on,  here..

Let's see if British PM Cameron has the balls for this one.  Not holding my breath, but still.

Friday, June 27, 2014

Armed Forces Day


Armed Forces Day will be on Saturday, 28 June 2014.

It's an opportunity to do two things. Firstly, to raise public awareness of the contribution made to our country by those who serve and have served in Her Majesty's Armed Forces, Secondly, it gives the nation an opportunity to Show Your Support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to Service families and from veterans to cadets.

Across the country people are getting involved: communities hold local events and business show their support.

The National Event will be held in Stirling, but many more events will be held up and down the country in support of Armed Forces Day....

MUCH MORE information here.  Check it out.

Syria: BHO plans on $500M to train 'moderate rebels'


What could possibly go wrong?

From Homeland Security News Wire: 

Obama administration wants $500 million to train, equip moderate Syrian rebels

27 June 2014

The Obama administration is planning to escalate U.S. involvement in the Syrian civil war, and has asked Congress for $500 million for the U.S. military to train and equip moderate Syrian rebels. The training program would be the most significant action yet by the United States in the conflict in Syria. Yesterday’s (Thursday) request to Congress comes as the administration is looking for effective alternatives to the jihadist ISIS which is now in control of large swaths of Syria and Iraq. The $500 million request is separate from the $5 billion Counterterrorism Partnerships Fund, of which some $1.5 billion would go toward counterterrorism efforts in countries around Syria — Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, and Iraq. 

The president also wants to set aside $500 million to “address unforeseen contingencies” in counterterrorism, which administration officials said was a reference to developments in Iraq.

Obama’s request comes as part of the military policy bill authorizing the Pentagon to “train and equip vetted elements of the Syrian armed opposition to help defend the Syrian people, stabilize areas under opposition control, facilitate the provision of essential services, counter terrorist threats and promote conditions for a negotiated settlement.”...

Much more here. 

So much wrong with this.   

Video: IDF send in the dogs to find kidnapped teens



From Jerusalem Post:

WATCH: IDF, man's best friend set out in search for kidnapped teens

By JPOST.COM STAFF
06/27/2014

The Israel Defense Forces are sparing no means to ascertain the whereabouts of the three teenagers who were kidnapped earlier this month in Gush Etzion. 

 One of the tools at the army's disposal is man's best friend, specifically specially trained search dogs deployed by the elite Oketz Unit, one of the more well-known outfits in the IDF. The IDF Spokesperson's Unit released a clip on Thursday showing soldiers from Oketz and their four-legged comrades combing parts of Judea and Samaria in search for the boys – Eyal Yifrah, Naftali Frenkel, and Gil-Ad Shaer.

Oketz specializes in training and handling dogs for military applications. Originally, Oketz trained dogs to attack kidnappers, but training has since become more specialized, and now each dog is trained in a particular specialty....

Much more here. 

Added from the Israel Dence Forces FaceBook page today:

“Dear Racheli, Bat-Galim and Iris,

It wasn’t long ago that I was 16 years old. Today I am 19. Last weekend, as usual, I had the chance to spend Shabbat at home. As usual, I ate dinner around a beautiful table. I saw my family and friends, and I read and played football. Just like every week.

It was just like every week, except that last Shabbat wasn’t normal. It was bitter and sad because your sons, our brothers, couldn’t be with their families and friends. Eyal, Gilad and Naftali weren’t sitting around a beautiful dinner table. They didn’t have the chance to pray in synagogue. They couldn’t read or play football.

I wish that the world could hear this. I wish that the World Cup weren’t the media’s main focus. I wish that I could open my computer from anywhere in the world and see these events. Parents in Israel shudder when they hear this story, thinking "What if it were my son?" Teenagers tremble with fear, saying "It could have been me."

We’re looking everywhere for your sons, and we’re determined to find them.

Eyal, Gilad, Naftali – the entire nation is praying for your return. The whole army is working to bring you home. We will do everything so that your mothers can hold you in their arms again.

Sincerely,

Corporal Noemie”

Iraq: More US Military "Advisors" deployed


"Advisers"??????? Yes, that's what the Mouth In Chief (surely he hasn't earned the title of Commander In Chief) is calling the Troops being sent back to Iraq.

From Stars and Stripes:

More advisory teams arrive in Iraq; joint operating center opens in Baghdad

By Chris Carroll

Stars and Stripes

June 26, 2014
WASHINGTON — U.S. operations in Iraq have expanded with the arrival of more teams of advisers and the opening of a joint operations center in Baghdad, the Pentagon said Thursday.

Four additional teams of advisers with 50 special operations troops arrived in the city late Wednesday, raising the number of U.S. advisory teams in Iraq to six, with 90 members in total, Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren said Thursday.

Another 90 American troops on Wednesday opened a joint operations center in Baghdad to help the Iraqi military confront the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL, which has overrun vast swaths of northern Iraq and taken numerous cities....
 Much more here.

Are you paying attention, America?

50 Miles for Murph and Operation Red Wings


From Mud and Adventure:

Freddy Rodriguez
June 23, 2014

Last year was the first 50 mile run in honor of Navy SEAL Lt. Michael Murphy, his teammates and those who passed away during Operation Red Wings on June 28th, 2005. Jeff Rondina and I made the run from El Barrios Bravest Fire Department in Spanish Harlem, Manhattan out to Lake Ronkonkoma, Long Island. After 12 hours, we reached our destination just in time to begin the 4 mile Run Around the Lake which was being held in Murph’s honor. That was exactly one year ago today as I am typing this. Well, I will be doing the run once again this year.

For those unfamiliar with Murph and Operation Red Wings, I’ll try to give you a small insight to these men. After being compromised during a reconnaissance mission in the Hindu Kush of Afghanistan, the four man SEAL team consisting of Michael Murphy, Marcus Luttrell, Matthew Axelson and Danny Dietz, were in a heavily outnumbered firefight with the enemy having the high ground as well as the right and left flanks. Due to the terrain, their radio was unable to establish communication back at the base. After trying to reestablish their position by taking several dangerous leaps off the side of the mountain, their wounds started to get the best of these warriors. Murph decided to break from cover and go out into the open to try and receive a signal on his satellite phone in order to call for support and immediate extract for his men. Despite taking a round that caused him to drop the phone, Murph picked it back up and completed the call to get aid for his men, ending the call with “Thank you, sir.” Murph would eventually succumb to his wounds but due to his actions and giving their location, the remains of his men would later be found and would give a directional point on the search for Marcus Luttrell. Danny, as tough as he was, was always bringing up the rear and trying to establish comms during the fight. Axe continued to draw fire to try and draw the enemy away from Marcus’ location. His remains was eventually found with his pistol emptied and the slide locked back, showing he fought to the very end.


[...] These are the men who I am running for, who I am honoring. It is rare that someone would lay down their life for another and these men were willing to do that without hesitation. More people need to know about them and their sacrifice. This is why I am running in their honor. 

[...]

What I will be doing doesn’t come close in comparison to what these men went through. Their memories and the small stories I’ve read and heard about these men will keep me moving forward throughout the night. I will be once again escorted by the Floral Park Fire Department, along with the Mineola Volunteer Fire Department, NYPD and possibly a couple more including the Suffolk County PD.

I will begin the run on Friday, June 27th at approximately 7:00pm from Manhattan and plan on reaching Lake Ronkonkoma by Saturday morning around 8:00am. Then its the 4 mile Run Around the Lake in honor of Murph, possibly with some GRT friends who plan on carrying rucks, logs and other heavy objects. Most of my route will be covered via Jericho Turnpike from New Hyde Park Rd all the way out to route 454 in Suffolk County....

I appreciate any and all support during this mission of mine. My donation page is live and would really be humbled for any amount of donation. All proceeds will be going toward the Lt. Michael Murphy Scholarship Foundation and the Lone Survivor Foundation. My goal is to raise $1000 by the time I finish my run. 

GO HERE to read much more - and find the link to the donation page.


Thursday, June 26, 2014

Video: Ronald Reagan Humor - those were the days

Sometimes we all need a reminder of days gone by..take the time to watch this.


Iraq: CIA surprised by Terrorist rampage across Iraq?


(source - go read the article)

Everybody knows I have never claimed to be either a Military expert nor a political insider.

However,what is happening across Iraq - and neighbouring countries -  is so predictable that even I knew what was inevitable.

From Jihad Watch:
CIA officer: We had no idea ISIL would seize Iraqi cities
 June 25, 2014
Robert Spencer

John Maguire doesn’t say it, but another reason why the CIA was completely wrongfooted by the advance of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) was because the Obama Administration has completely deemphasized the jihad threat, and pretended that al Qaeda was the only jihad group. An obscure offshoot of al Qaeda in a country Obama was anxious to forget was not likely to be the object of serious analysis. “CIA OFFICER: We Had No Idea Militants Would Seize Iraqi Cities,” by Ken Dilanian, Associated Press, June 25, 2014  

Washington (AP)

When John Maguire was a CIA officer in Beirut in the late 1980s during that country’s bloody civil war, he spent weeks living in safe houses far from the U.S. Embassy, dodging militants who wanted to kidnap and kill Americans.

“We moved all over the city, and we would not sleep in the same place two nights in a row,” Maguire said.

In Iraq in 2014, by contrast, CIA officers have been largely hunkered down in their heavily fortified Baghdad compound since U.S. troops left the country in 2011, current and former officials say, allowing a once-rich network of intelligence sources to wither. Maguire and other current and former U.S. officials say the intelligence pullback is a big reason the U.S. was caught flat footed by the recent offensive by a Sunni-backed al-Qaida-inspired group that has seized a large swath of Iraq.

 [...]


The CIA declined immediate comment, but allies in Congress and some former agency officials strenuously dispute the criticism, saying that the intelligence community provided plenty of warning to the Obama administration that the insurgent Islamic State in Iraq and Levant, known as ISIL, could move on Iraqi cities.

“This was not an intelligence failure — this was a policy failure,” said Rep. Mike Rogers, a Republican and chairman of the House intelligence committee.

[...]

In the same briefing, the official disclosed that U.S. intelligence did not know who controlled Iraq’s largest oil refinery. And she suggested that one of the biggest sources of intelligence for American analysts is Facebook and Twitter postings….[yes, emphasis mine!]

If that doesn't all blow your mind, go read the rest of this here.

Texas: Illegal Immigrants create ghost towns on US border

We have all seen the many pictures of kids being warehoused in US towns after they have ILLEGALLY entered the US unaccompanied - bringing with them swine flu and goodness only knows what other threats.

From Homeland Security NewsWire:

Influx of border-crossers may render border towns to ghost towns // Source: patch.com

Proposed border security surge threatens to create ghost towns along the border -- again

26 June 2014

The U.S. Customs and Border Patrolhas apprehended more illegal immigrants in the Rio Grande Valley in the first eight months of fiscal 2014 (160,000) than it did for all of fiscal 2013 (154,453). Last May, agents apprehended over 1,100 illegal immigrants per day in the Rio Grande Valley. Texas officials have now authorized the Department of Public Safety(DPS) to send additional law enforcement personnel to patrol areas along the Texas-Mexico border at a cost of $1.3 million each week for the remainder of the year. Some residents compared the proposed surge, announced last week, to 2013’s Operation Strong Safety, which, these residents say, resembled a police state which created ghost towns along the border where illegal immigrants became afraid to go to work or send their children to school for fear of deportation.

[...]

“Securing the border is absolutely critical, and never before have we ever had so many people boldly coming across,” said State Representative Debbie Riddle (R-Tomball). “They cross the border, sit down and just wait for border patrol to pick them up.”

CBS News reports that some residents compared the proposed surge, announced last week, to 2013’s Operation Strong Safety, in which DPS agents patrolled border towns to identify illegal immigrants. Residents of the towns said the operation resembled a police state and blamed it for creating ghost towns where illegal immigrants became afraid to go to work or send their children to school for fear of deportation.

There was a large outcry from the community because, quite frankly, right here on the border we live with a number of people who are — to be blunt — not citizens. And this has been the way of life down here for hundreds of years,” said former State Representative Aaron Pena (R-McAllen). “Last time they initiated a surge, they flooded the area with more personnel. They had set up checkpoints in various places in the Valley that were somewhat controversial because we have a number of families where the kids are American, but the parents are not Americans and so a lot of people avoided the roads.”

 Much more here.

 [Related:  They keep coming...  ]

AFG Operational medals for The Poachers

From British Army:

26 June 2014

Soldiers who were heavily involved in training Afghan Security Forces and the closure of the last major bases in Afghanistan have received their Operational Service Medals.

More than 300 soldiers from the 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment marched on to the parade square to receive their campaign medals from Major General Simon Porter who is the President of the Royal Anglian Association and was the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment from 1997–1999.


Also on parade was World War Two veteran Harry Bellamy who presented members of the Drums Platoon with their Campaign medals. Harry (90) served with the Sherwood Foresters and the 46th Lincolnshire Regiment as a territorial soldier. He saw action in Monte Cassino before being captured at the Battle of Anzio and spending the last 14-months as a prisoner of war. 


 The Poachers

 
The 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, known as The Poachers, recruits from across East Anglia and the East Midlands and is based at Kendrew Barracks in Rutland. It deployed for one of the final tours of Helmand in September last year. Their tour saw the handing over of Main Operating Base Lashkar Gah and Patrol Base Lashkar Gah Durai to Afghan control. A third base Main Operating Base Price was also closed....  


There is more - here. 

Bergdahl: "initial investigation inconclusive"...???

(source)

From the DoD:

Official: Initial Bergdahl Investigation Was Inconclusive

By C. Todd Lopez
Army News Service

WASHINGTON, June 25, 2014 – An initial Army investigation into the whereabouts of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl following his disappearance in June 2009 did not conclude that he voluntarily left his installation, an Army official, speaking on background, said today.

"My recollection is that it didn't make a conclusive finding on that," the official said.

Bergdahl – who spent nearly five years in enemy captivity after he disappeared from his base in Afghanistan -- is now undergoing a "reintegration" process at Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston in Texas. Officials said his current status is medical temporary duty. He is receiving full pay as an Army sergeant.

The focus of the reintegration process, the Army official said, is from the point of capture onward. “We have no reason to believe that he engaged in any misconduct during that period of time," the official added.

Meanwhile, a new Army investigation, known as a “15-6” into the circumstances of his disappearance is underway, though an Army official said Bergdahl's reintegration process takes precedence.


"The scope of the investigation is fairly broad," the Army official said. "It's really to look at all of the facts and circumstances surrounding his disappearance up to the point of capture. Depending on what the findings are with respect to what motivated him and his actions, there are several conclusions that could flow from that."

One possible conclusion is that Bergdahl went away without leave -- commonly called "AWOL." Another might be that he deserted his post.

"It's also possible that he engaged in no misconduct," the official said. "We just don't know yet. The investigation is going to flesh that out, and will make findings and recommendations based on fact."...

"engaged in no misconduct"....... 

Right.  The facts I hear are pretty conclusive.

Go read the rest here.



Pay attention.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Arlington: Sergeant of the Guard's final walk

From US Army:

June 19, 2014
Staff Sgt. Jennifer C. Johnson, JFHQ-NCR/MDW Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (June 19, 2014) -- Sgt. 1st Class Tanner M. Welch, Sergeant of the Guard, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), participated in his last walk and conducted a rose laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

As a tomb sentinel, the last walk is the last time a sentinel will be on the guard post. It is a time for reflection and remembrance of duty and respect for the Unknowns.
"I have enjoyed seeing the Tomb through rain, sweltering heat, and inches of snow," said Welch. "I have the advantage of being able to be present when there is no one but a lone guard and myself as well as the buzz and hum of thousands of visitors."


The rose laying ceremony gives the sentinel the opportunity to pay their last respects to the Unknowns with a physical gift versus the gift of self. A sentinel lays a single red rose at the white marble sarcophagus above the grave of the World War I Unknown, and then lays other red roses at the crypts of the Unknowns from World War II, Korea and Vietnam that lie directly in front of the sarcophagus.

"It is difficult to explain fully what it means to be a Tomb Guard," said Welch. "There are different meanings based on your point of view. To me, it means doing the best you can every day. We always fall short of our goal, perfection, but we all strive for that goal to the best of our ability."...
Much more - and pictures - here.

Lots of history you may not know, from the DoD:

There’s a lot you don’t know about Arlington National Cemetery

Carrie McLeroy, Soldiers


June 15, 1864, 200 acres of a 1,100-acre estate in Northern Virginia were officially designated for use as a national cemetery. Today, approximately 400,000 individuals are interred or inurned at the 624-acres of hallowed ground we know as Arlington National Cemetery.

While the cemetery was born out of the Civil War, there are veterans of every one of America’s conflicts, from the American Revolution through today, interred there. The stories of the men and women laid to rest at Arlington, known and unknown, are the stories of America.

To mark its 150th anniversary, ANC’s command historian, Dr. Stephen Carney provided us with a number of interesting tidbits about Arlington National Cemetery that you’ve likely never heard or read about.

You may not know that these people are buried at Arlington
  • Robert Todd Lincoln is buried in Section 31. He was the son of Abraham Lincoln and was the Secretary of War in 1883 when the Custis-Lee family was compensated for the Arlington Estate that had been seized at the beginning of the Civil War.
  • Samuel Dashiell Hammett, author of “The Maltese Falcon,” is buried in Section 12. Hammett is also a U.S. Army veteran of World Wars I and II.
  • There are several military veteran actors buried at Arlington National Cemetery, including Audie Murphy, Lee Marvin, Jackie Cooper and Charles Durning.
  • Anita Newcomb McGee is buried in Section 1. In 1898, she was the first woman to be appointed as the Acting Assistant Surgeon in the U.S. Army, and was in charge of the Army’s nurses under the Army Surgeon General’s Department. She pursued the establishment of a permanent nursing corps, which became the Army Nurse Corps.
  • James Parks is the only person buried in the cemetery who was also born on the property. Parks was a former slave who had worked at the Arlington House and later became a cemetery caretaker, likely burying thousands of service members. He died in 1929 and is buried in Section 15.
  • Three of the five flag raisers at Iwo Jima are buried at Arlington: Marine Corps Sgt. Michael Strank, Marine Corps Cpl. Ira Hayes, and Marine Corps Cpl. Rene Gagnon.
  • Most Americans know that President John F. Kennedy is buried at Arlington, but not as many may know that President William H. Taft is also buried there with his wife, Nellie. Taft was the 27th president of the United States and later served as the nation’s 10th chief justice — the only person to have served in both offices. Mrs. Taft was instrumental in bringing the Japanese Cherry Blossoms to the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C ...
 Much more very interesting history here.

[Related: Arlington Ladies make sure no one is ever buried alone ]

Welcome Home 21st Signals

From British Army:
Historic Bath welcomes home Wiltshire-based soldiers

 More than 200 soldiers from 21st Signal Regiment based at Colerne, Wiltshire, marked their homecoming from Afghanistan with a thanksgiving service and homecoming parade through the historic City of Bath yesterday, 24 June 2014.

The officers and soldiers deployed on the tour charged with delivering mission-critical communications from the strategic level to the frontline throughout Afghanistan. The regiment has also been heavily involved in the logistic efforts of drawing down the military footprint across Helmand. The regiment deployed with five Reserve personnel from 39 Signal Regiment, whose Headquarters is in Bristol. Many of the Regiment were on their first operational tour of duty.

The Parade took place at the invitation of Bath’s Charter Trustees and the ‘Salute’ was taken by The Right Worshipful The Mayor of Bath, Councillor Cherry Beath. Leading the parade was Lieutenant Colonel Adam Corkery, Commanding Officer 21 Signal Regiment. The parade followed a Thanksgiving Service at Bath Abbey. The Band of the Royal Artillery Regiment led the Parade and The Pipes and Drums of the Royal Corps of Signals played at the Abbey. The culmination of the day was a private medal presentation ceremony held at Azimghur Barracks, Colerne.

Images by Cpl Si Longworth.



Welcome home and thank YOU!

Wednesday Hero

This post was suggested by Kathi


Pfc. Clarence Wolf Guts

Pfc. Clarence Wolf Guts86 years old from South Dakota
1924? - June 16, 2010

U.S. Army
When the towers of the World Trade Center fell on Sept. 11, 2001, Clarence Wolf Guts asked his son to call the U.S. Department of Defense to see if the country needed his code talking abilities to find Osama Bin Laden. Wolf Guts was in his late 70s at the time, so his son did not make the call, but said the request personified his father's love of country. "He still wanted to help. He was trying to still be patriotic".

Pfc. Wolf Guts was the last surviving Oglala Lakota code talker from WWII.






You can read more about Pfc. Wolf Guts here

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.


Wednesday Hero Logo




Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Air Medical and EMS: Never forget the utlimate Sacrifice


We are proud to honor those who gave their lives in the line of duty in 2013. Each year, families, friends and coworkers from around the nation come together during this Weekend of Tribute. This weekend of events not only recognizes and honors their sacrifice, but also provides support to the loved ones who are left behind. Please join us for these important and meaningful events.
Air Medical Memorial
June 26 - 27, 2014
Littleton, Colorado
  NEMSMS
June 28 - 29, 2014
Colorado Springs, Colorado
2014 Air Medical Memorial Honorees
Denise C. Adams
Flight Respiratory Therapist, Le Bonheur Pedi-Flite
Carrie Renae Barlow
Flight Nurse, Le Bonheur Pedi-Flite
John N. Campbell
Pilot, Angel Flight
Dustin Dagenais
Paramedic, ORNGE
Christopher Michael “Chris” Denning
Flight Nurse, EagleMed
Herman “Lee” Dobbs, Jr.
Flight Paramedic, Air Evac Lifeteam
Jacques Dupuy
First Officer, ORNGE
Donald Mark Filliter
Captain, ORNGE
Jesse Lee Jones
Flight Nurse, Air Evac Lifeteam
Mark Alan Montgomery
Pilot, EagleMed
Eddy Wayne Sizemore
Pilot, Air Evac Lifeteam
Charles D. Smith
Pilot, Hospital Wing
Christopher Michael Snowball
Paramedic, ORNGE
 
2014 National EMS Memorial Service Honorees
Denise C. Adams
Flight Respiratory Therapist, Le Bonheur Pedi-Flite
Carrie Renae Barlow
Flight Nurse, Le Bonheur Pedi-Flite
Carene Brown*
Paramedic, FDNY-EMS
Francis Charles*
EMT-D, FDNY-EMS
Teresa Davis
EMT-I, Coffee Regional Medical Center EMS
Christopher Michael “Chris” Denning
Flight Nurse, EagleMed
Herman “Lee” Dobbs, Jr.
Flight Paramedic, Air Evac Lifeteam
Anthony Ficara*
EMT-D, FDNY-EMS
Robert D. Hanes, Sr.
Driver, Weeping Water Volunteer Rescue Squad
Rudy Havelka*
Paramedic, FDNY-EMS
Jesse Lee Jones
Flight Nurse, Air Evac Lifeteam
William Martin, Jr.
EMT, Stillwater Emergency Rescue Squad
Timothy C. McCormick
EMT, Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services
John McFarland*
Deputy Chief, FDNY-EMS
Cody S. Medley
Paramedic, Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services
Mark Alan Montgomery
Pilot, EagleMed
Freddie Rosario*
EMT-D, FDNY-EMS
Brian Schimpf
Captain, Grand County EMS
Clyde Sealey*
Paramedic, FDNY-EMS
Eddy Wayne Sizemore
Pilot, Air Evac Lifeteam
Charles D. Smith
Pilot, Hospital Wing
Kenneth Mark “Kenny” Stone
American Paramedical Services, Inc.
Randall Whiddon
Paramedic, Coffee Regional Medical Center EMS
John Wyatt*
Paramedic, FDNY-EMS
    *Honorees who succumbed to medical conditions as a
result of responding to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001


NEVER FORGET.


Israel: Kidnapped boy's mother addresses UNHRC


From Jerusalem Post:

Rachel Fraenkel tells UNHRC that kidnapping of her son is 'every mother's nightmare' 

By TOVAH LAZAROF

6/24/2014

Mother of kidnapped Israeli teen speaks in Geneva to seek help for her son and 2 other abducted boys.



 Every child has the right to return home safely from school, Rachel Fraenkel told the United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday morning in Geneva as she urged the international community to help rescue her son and two other teenagers who were kidnapped by Hamas earlier this month. 

She described the events of June 12, in which her son, Naftali, 16, along with Gil-Ad Shaer, 16 and Eyal Yifrah, 19, were abducted from a hitchhiking post in the Gush Etzion region of the West Bank, as they made their way home from school. 

“My son texted me, said he was on his way home, and then he was gone. Every mother’s nightmare is waiting and waiting endlessly for her child to come home,” Rachel Fraenkel told the UNHRC....

Go read much more of this mother's nightmare here.  And pray.



[Related: Sara Netanyahu joins #Bringbackourboys campaign for kidnapped Israeli teens]

Video: IRS - Issa hammers Commish


Obama famously declared - before any serious investigation - there is 'not a smidgen of corruption' in the IRS.

Apparently, not too many are buying that.  Take a look as Issa tells FOX News what he intends for the ongoing grilling of the IRS Commissioner:




As yesterday's Hearing got underway, Issa made this opening statement:



Things went downhill from there.  Current IRS Commissioner John Koskinen's smirk - his arrogance - took a beating,  and he was schooled,  even as Koskinen continued to claim 'I know nothing, I saw nothing wrong'...

 Note to Koskinen: The internet  is forever.  WE the People are also tired of your game playing:



Much as you may wish, THIS scandal is NOT going away. You have lots more 'splaining to do.

 Pay attention, America....

IRS (continued): Rep Stockman offers helpful hints to taxpayers


As we all watch IRS strain credulity with absurd testimony, US Representative Steve Stockman offers excuses that American taxpayers might also offer when the IRS comes knocking at their doors:

Stockman bill allows taxpayers to use same lame excuses as IRS

Jun 20, 2014
Press Release 
WASHINGTON -- Taxpayers who do not produce documents for the Internal Revenue Service will be able to offer a variety of dubious excuses under legislation introduced by Rep. Steve Stockman (R-TX 36) a week after the IRS offered an incredibly dubious excuse for its failure to turn documents over to House investigators.

“The United States was founded on the belief government is subservient and accountable to the people.  Taxpayers shouldn’t be expected to follow laws the Obama administration refuses to follow themselves,” said Stockman.  “Taxpayers should be allowed to offer the same flimsy, obviously made-up excuses the Obama administration uses.”


Under Stockman’s bill, “The Dog Ate My Tax Receipts Act,” taxpayers who do not provide documents requested by the IRS can claim one of the following reasons:

1.         The dog ate my tax receipts
2.         Convenient, unexplained, miscellaneous computer malfunction
3.         Traded documents for five terrorists
4.         Burned for warmth while lost in the Yukon
5.         Left on table in Hillary’s Book Room
6.         Received water damage in the trunk of Ted Kennedy’s car
7.         Forgot in gun case sold to Mexican drug lords
8.         Forced to recycle by municipal Green Czar
9.         Was short on toilet paper while camping
10.       At this point, what difference does it make?

Stockman’s bill comes a week after the IRS refused to turn over to House investigators emails from former Exempt Organizations Divison director Lois Lerner that would implicate agency personnel in illegal targeting of citizens critical of President Barack Obama.

The IRS claimed a “computer glitch” has erased the hard drives of all incriminating evidence.  The IRS further claimed the hard drives are not available for forensic investigation as they had just been destroyed for recycling.

The full text of the resolution follows:

The resolution may be cited as the “Dog Ate My Tax Receipts Resolution.”

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) must allow taxpayers the same lame excuses for missing documentation that the IRS itself is currently proffering

Whereas, the IRS claims that convenient, unexplained, miscellaneous computer malfunction is sufficient justification not to produce specific, critical documentation; and,...

Go read - and maybe print it out - here.  

Perhaps somebody should pass a copy along to IRS Commish Koskinen.  Any of these excuses has as much credibility as the bilge he has spewed thus far.


HMS Montrose tracks Russian Warship

From the Royal Navy:

HMS Montrose tracks Russian warship in international waters



HMS Montrose demonstrated NATO Allies’ resolve in the Baltic Sea last week as it tracked a Russian warship off the Danish coast.

Montrose, deployed on the multinational Baltops exercise, was dispatched to investigate after picking up the radar signature of an unidentified surface ship. 

Despite high seas and 30 knot winds, the crew of Monstrose identified the unknown ship as the 104m-long Steregushchiy-class corvette RFS Soobrazitelny, making her way west at slow-speed.

As Montrose closed with the Russian vessel a Russian Ilyushin IL-20 “Coot” maritime patrol aircraft was detected over 40 miles away, and soon appeared overhead, circling the two vessels....

Much more on the Montrose here.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Israel's kidnapped boys: Muslims celebrate - Israel prays


Golda Meir once said  'Peace will come to the Middle East when the Arabs love their children more than they hate us.'...

As Israel searches for the boys kidnapped, Muslims celebrate the kidnapping.  

From Atlas Shrugs
Muslims Celebrating Kidnapping of Jewish Children

This is beyond the banality of evil. It’s the celebration of evil.

Islamic Jew-hatred — it’s in the Quran. It speaks volumes about a culture, giving out sweets and candy ……. that would celebrate the Arabs Celebrating Kidnapping of Jewish Children

By: Jewish Press News Briefs, June 15th, 2014

Palestinian Unity Government Arabs have been celebrating the kidnapping of the three teenage boys. 
They are handing out sweets and cakes.

On social media sites they are praising the kidnapping of the boys.

It’s all very reminiscent of how they celebrated when the Twin Towers were destroyed in New York on 9/11....

Go see the photos showing the celebrations.

Meanwhile, in Israel:

Day Ten

Ten days since the boys were kidnapped; ten days since their parents spoke to them. Israel continues to pray, to hope. The parents set the tone, that is their right. They have not lost hope - more likely the opposite. Each brief glimpse is of three united couples, determined to see their sons again.

Each message is one of faith and trust. They trust the army and the government of Israel to bring their boys home. They believe that with prayer, miracles will happen.



[...]


I said their names in prayer over Shabbat and checked the news. The army is on the move in so many areas. I know personally at least two of the soldiers who are in action now, searching, working. But there are thousands more....

GO read more - and follow that site...

Golda Meir had it right.  As Israeli Mother says:  'the world has gone crazy....' and it has long been my belief that unless and until we squash the religion of peace, the craziness will escalate.

As we all watch and wait, I continue to pray with Israel.

[Related from IDF blog:  Hamas Indoctrinates Palestinian Youth after Kidnapping  ]

UK: Brit ISIS terrorists skip bail - run to Syria

From the Beeb:
UK extremists 'skip bail to fight in Syria'
18 June 2014 

Two known extremists who were under criminal investigation have fled the UK for Syria, the BBC can reveal.

Abu Aziz from Luton, a supporter of ISIS, the extremist group leading the insurgency in Iraq, was convicted in his absence on Wednesday for a violent attack on a member of the public in London.

Junaid Hussain of Birmingham left the UK while on bail pending investigation for violent disorder...


Go watch the video of this moron.


Canada: 2CMBG remembers the AFG mission



From Daily Observer: 

By Sean Chase -  Daily Observer
June 21, 2014




GARRISON PETAWAWA - The men and women of 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group have finally closed the book on the Afghanistan mission.

Denied the opportunity to participate in last month's National Day of Honour due to operational commitments, the garrison's largest formation took the time from their hectic training schedule Saturday to reflect on a campaign – Canada's largest since the Second World War – which claimed 158 of their comrades, including 40 from Petawawa alone.

In a remarkable demonstration of foot drill precision, some 3,152 soldiers, sailors and airmen marched in formation onto Worthington Parade Square and smartly formed a massive hollow square in front of family, friends and dignitaries, who came out to mark this special milestone with the troops.

When the 40,000 who fought and the 158 who died were honoured during a national ceremony on Parliament Hill on May 9, the brigade found itself training on a major exercise in Wainwright, Alberta. Although they paused for two minutes of silence, families back home were concerned that their loved ones would miss out on such an important occasion. The brigade's leadership felt their troops needed their own day too.

Col. Peter Dawe, commander of 2CMBG, told the troops this Afghanistan commemoration parade was a time to honour not only the sacrifices of the fallen but to remember what families back home had to endure while their loved one was deployed to such a war zone. He reminded the troops that they accomplished much during those long days and months in Afghanistan.

“There's no doubt in my mind that what we did was noble, that it was meaningful, that Afghanistan is less a threat than it was when first step foot there in 2002,” said Dawe....


Much more here + more pictures!

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Fly your Flag, America!


Here we go again - this time in Texas.  Yes, TEXAS!

My long-time readers know that over the years I have written about Americans who try to tell other Americans where, and where not, they are *allowed* to fly their American Flag.

Now, comes this, and Freedom Post has plenty to say:

Patriotism Attacked, Man Can’t Fly US Flag Because It Offends Muslims 

19 June 2014

Duy Tran, a citizen of Webster, TX was told to remove his American Flag from his apartment balcony.

The reason?

He was told it was a “threat to the Muslim community.”

What difference does it make as to which community it could potentially offend?

We can’t do anything that might potentially offend Muslims, we can’t do anything that might offend Mexicans as they celebrate Cinco de Mayo in American schools. Why?

This is still America. That is our country’s flag, and every American should be able to fly the flag any place they choose....

They have much more to say here.   They also have the link to the original story out of Texas.  Go read it..

Over the years, I have some doozy non-reasons spouted by tin-pot despots for denying Freedom to Americans, but this one tops my list. 

"Offends muslims"???????  Say what?  THIS is America.

Fly your Flag, America!

Video: Paul Ryan to IRS Commish: NObody believes you...


Back in January I wrote about the IRS harassment of an American taxpayer.

Since that time, it has come to light that the IRS chooses not to exercise the same due diligence they demand of  every-day citizens.  As we have watched (yes, almost agog as the various IRS officials play fast and loose with the facts demonstrating that they break the rules) Hearings have proved the arrogance of IRS employees who plead the 5th, and seem to believe they are above the laws of the land.

The latest?  The IRS Commissioner gets a tongue-lashing from an extremely pissed off Paul Ryan.

From FOX News [Insider]:


There is much more here.

Good to know that I am not the only one who wants to wipe the smirk off the face of that arrogant *******

 Pay attention, America.

9/11 Museum: Soldier tours to revisit day that changed his life

From dvidshub:

Soldier tours 9/11 Museum to revisit day that changed his life

Story by Suzanne Ovel

June 18, 2014

 Suzanne Ovel
Staff Sgt. Isaac Rios is a native of New York City, N.Y., who visited the 9/11 Memorial Museum there on the Army’s birthday on June 14, 2014. Rios is participating in the 2014 U.S. Army Warrior Trials at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y., June 15-19, 2014. He is assigned to the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Warrior Transition Battalion.

WEST POINT, N.Y. - As he stepped onto the streets of Manhattan, Isaac Rios found himself in New York City for the first time in years— before the world-shattering event of 9/11. The Brooklyn native— Coney Island, to be exact— joined about 130 fellow Soldiers, Marines and Veterans, all a part of the 2014 U.S. Army Warrior Trials, in a trip on June 14 to The National September 11 Memorial Museum. The visit, which coincided with the Army birthday, brought back memories that are never too far from the surface for Rios anyway.


Rios, along with more than 100 wounded, ill and injured service members and Veterans from across the United States are at West Point to compete in the Army Warrior Trials, June 15-19. The event is hosted by Warrior Command and includes athletes from the Army, Marines and Air Force facing off in archery, basketball, cycling, track and field, swimming, shooting, sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball.


“Each and every single big picture that they had (of the World Trade Center attack), it gives you the memory of what you were doing; I can remember everything I was doing at that time, and the feelings that you felt when you saw that picture— it was the same pictures that they showed in the news,” said Rios, a staff sergeant from the Warrior Transition Battalion, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. “It felt like your heart dropped.”...


Much more here.