It was bad enough when someone who never served in the military lied about quasi military exploits. (Williams and Clinton are two names that come to mind.) It is simply stupefying when a graduate of the United States Military Academy and former member of the 82nd Airborne Division does so.
A veteran, particularly one in high office, can be rightly called out for making false claims regarding his military service.
When that individual is the Secretary of the troubled Veterans Administration, mere words can't do justice in conveying the profoundly unsatisfactory act of misrepresenting one's service.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Monday, February 23, 2015
A picture can say it all
For we Marines who ride motorcycles, this picture says it all.
Semper Fi, brothers.
Friday, February 20, 2015
HMLA-169 Vipers Memorial Service
Joining fellow Patriot Guard Riders, American Legion Riders, Los Angeles Fire Department Fire Hogs, and others, I participated in our mission in support of the memorial service for Major Elizabeth Kealey and Captain Adam Satterfield, who had perished in an aircraft mishap during training last month.
These Marine officers were assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, known as the Vipers.
Our support mission was comprised of escorting the families and close friends of the two Marines from a facility overlooking the Pacific Ocean on the western edge of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, to the flight line home of the Vipers. With three aircraft in front of us, two ceremonial black crosses outfitted with flight helmets, flight gear, and boots represented the departed.
Hundreds of Marines, sailors, and civilians gathered to help the Vipers say goodbye to two of their own. Sadly, these services are all too frequent, both during combat and in peacetime. As frequent as they are, I want to take a moment to highlight two specific portions.
First, the eloquent, determined, and dignified words of one young First Lieutenant, friend of and fellow Marine to Captain Satterfield. Eulogizing a friend is never -- say again, never -- a task undertaken without gut wrenching difficulty. With a steady, clear voice, this officer of Marines spoke with understanding and insight far beyond that which we might expect from a young man. His meddle was tested this morning and he was more than equal to the task.
Second, the unapologetic inclusion of prayers, Chaplains, reading of scripture, and even testimony to the unwavering faith of Major Kealey. I comment on this, because there are those fringe elements who seek to remove all things religious from our world and the military. Nay say I to those individuals and organizations. Go peddle your secular trash somewhere else.
After the missing man formation of helicopters had flown overhead and the Marines Hymn was played one last time by the pipes, the somber and knowing assembly had heard exceptional comments from a Marine officer and had bowed their heads in prayer led by the Navy chaplain.
The HMLA-169 Vipers Memorial Service accomplished its mission of helping all to say farewell to two Marines.
These Marine officers were assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, known as the Vipers.
Our support mission was comprised of escorting the families and close friends of the two Marines from a facility overlooking the Pacific Ocean on the western edge of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, to the flight line home of the Vipers. With three aircraft in front of us, two ceremonial black crosses outfitted with flight helmets, flight gear, and boots represented the departed.
Hundreds of Marines, sailors, and civilians gathered to help the Vipers say goodbye to two of their own. Sadly, these services are all too frequent, both during combat and in peacetime. As frequent as they are, I want to take a moment to highlight two specific portions.
First, the eloquent, determined, and dignified words of one young First Lieutenant, friend of and fellow Marine to Captain Satterfield. Eulogizing a friend is never -- say again, never -- a task undertaken without gut wrenching difficulty. With a steady, clear voice, this officer of Marines spoke with understanding and insight far beyond that which we might expect from a young man. His meddle was tested this morning and he was more than equal to the task.
Second, the unapologetic inclusion of prayers, Chaplains, reading of scripture, and even testimony to the unwavering faith of Major Kealey. I comment on this, because there are those fringe elements who seek to remove all things religious from our world and the military. Nay say I to those individuals and organizations. Go peddle your secular trash somewhere else.
After the missing man formation of helicopters had flown overhead and the Marines Hymn was played one last time by the pipes, the somber and knowing assembly had heard exceptional comments from a Marine officer and had bowed their heads in prayer led by the Navy chaplain.
The HMLA-169 Vipers Memorial Service accomplished its mission of helping all to say farewell to two Marines.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Hands off Joe (#handsoffjoe)
It baffles me beyond comprehension why POTUS and the leading lady Democrats haven't taken VPOTUS Biden to task, loudly and publicly for his repeated groping of females.
In the first and third pictures, the daughter of a member of Congress and the wife of the new Secretary of Defense clearly look uncomfortable. In the second picture, though laughing, I'll wager the lady was embarrassed.
Someone needs to corral this idiot and lable him Chief Sexual Harasser. Then he should resign from office for having dishonored it.
Join me in #handsoffjoe
Friday, February 13, 2015
Semper Fidelis - Always Faithful
The saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words.
Many of the motorcycle riders I have met, if not all, are veterans. Each proud, in his own way, of the time served in uniform. Some in peace. Some in combat. All having stood for something bigger and better than themselves. All having put team before self. All having sacrificed.
Seeing this picture, provided by a fellow Marine, leaves me hoping that Patriot Guard Riders or others escort this warrior on his final trip.
Semper Fidelis
Many of the motorcycle riders I have met, if not all, are veterans. Each proud, in his own way, of the time served in uniform. Some in peace. Some in combat. All having stood for something bigger and better than themselves. All having put team before self. All having sacrificed.
Seeing this picture, provided by a fellow Marine, leaves me hoping that Patriot Guard Riders or others escort this warrior on his final trip.
Semper Fidelis
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Limited Justice
Tonight we learn that Brian Williams has been suspended without pay by NBC News for a period of six months. Limited justice for falsely claiming to have been on a military helicopter that was hit by RPG fire. I say limited, because he should have been dismissed...fired...canned...sacked...whatever term the NBC News folks use to describe termination of employment.
It is not a matter of "misremembering" whether it was a Tuesday or Wednesday 12 years ago. It wasn't a matter of "conflating" two innocuous helicopter flights.
Nor is it a matter worthy of comparison with statements told in the lead up to the Iraq war.
It is a matter of lying multiple times. Knowingly. Deliberately. Intentionally.
So the justice is limited. Maybe, just maybe, in the next six months NBC News will correctly come to see they can do without Williams.
It is not a matter of "misremembering" whether it was a Tuesday or Wednesday 12 years ago. It wasn't a matter of "conflating" two innocuous helicopter flights.
Nor is it a matter worthy of comparison with statements told in the lead up to the Iraq war.
It is a matter of lying multiple times. Knowingly. Deliberately. Intentionally.
So the justice is limited. Maybe, just maybe, in the next six months NBC News will correctly come to see they can do without Williams.
Monday, February 9, 2015
Run for the Wall 2015
In roughly three months, I'll ride to Ontario, California to meet with some of the leaders and riders for this year's Run for the Wall. As a retired Marine and rider who writes, my goal is to come away with individual stories and a collective story about this annual event.
As a brief background, the Run for the Wall originated in 1989 as the inspiration of Vietnam veterans "The Gunny" (Gunnery Sergeant James Gregory, USMC Retired) and Bill Evans. The goal: ride their motorcycles to Washington DC to visit the Vietnam Memorial (AKA The Wall) as part of the second Rolling Thunder Rally. Focused on POW/MIA, for deeply personal reasons The Gunny was particularly invested in the status of Marines Lance Corporal Hargrove, Private First Class Hall, and Private Marshall, who had been left behind on Koh Tang Island during the attempted rescue of the SS Mayaguez and her crew. Later reports indicate the three Marines were subsequently captured and executed by the Khmer Rouge. Originally classified as MIA, in July, 1976 their status was changed to KIA (not recovered).
On that initial ride, dubbed Run for the Wall (RFTW) by Bill Evans, over 100 riders began the journey, with 15 going all the way. The rest, as the saying goes, is history.
As offered in Run For The Wall: Remembering Vietnam on a Motorcycle Pilgrimage by authors Michalowski and Dubisch, RFTW is now an "American ritual." It is this "ritual" that I will write about, from the perspectives of the participants.
Ironically, RFTW 2015 will begin 40 years, almost to the day, and 8,300 miles from the events of the SS Mayaguez attempted rescue (12-15 May, 1975).
If you are going to ride in Run for the Wall 2015, please reach out so I can be sure to sit down and learn your story during my time in Ontario on 11-12 May. Comment on this post or send a note to o6rider@gmail.com and we'll arrange to meet.
As a brief background, the Run for the Wall originated in 1989 as the inspiration of Vietnam veterans "The Gunny" (Gunnery Sergeant James Gregory, USMC Retired) and Bill Evans. The goal: ride their motorcycles to Washington DC to visit the Vietnam Memorial (AKA The Wall) as part of the second Rolling Thunder Rally. Focused on POW/MIA, for deeply personal reasons The Gunny was particularly invested in the status of Marines Lance Corporal Hargrove, Private First Class Hall, and Private Marshall, who had been left behind on Koh Tang Island during the attempted rescue of the SS Mayaguez and her crew. Later reports indicate the three Marines were subsequently captured and executed by the Khmer Rouge. Originally classified as MIA, in July, 1976 their status was changed to KIA (not recovered).
On that initial ride, dubbed Run for the Wall (RFTW) by Bill Evans, over 100 riders began the journey, with 15 going all the way. The rest, as the saying goes, is history.
As offered in Run For The Wall: Remembering Vietnam on a Motorcycle Pilgrimage by authors Michalowski and Dubisch, RFTW is now an "American ritual." It is this "ritual" that I will write about, from the perspectives of the participants.
Ironically, RFTW 2015 will begin 40 years, almost to the day, and 8,300 miles from the events of the SS Mayaguez attempted rescue (12-15 May, 1975).
If you are going to ride in Run for the Wall 2015, please reach out so I can be sure to sit down and learn your story during my time in Ontario on 11-12 May. Comment on this post or send a note to o6rider@gmail.com and we'll arrange to meet.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Fire Brian Williams (#FireBrianWilliams)
It has come out that Brian Williams, of NBC Nightly News, flat out lied about being on a military helicopter that was shot down in Iraq in 2003.
His explanation? That he "misremembered" and "conflated."
There is no way to misremember or conflate being shot at, let alone being shot down.
He has perpetuated this lie, just as Hillary Clinton serially lied about landing under sniper fire in Bosnia, during a visit with daughter Chelsea while the First Lady.
Shameless, inexcusable self promotion seeking to assume some level of displayed bravery is the lowest form of cowardice. Their actions, perpetuated multiple times, insult the brave men and women who are serving and have served in the Armed Forces, which neither Williams or Clinton have done. Moreover, their lies are straightforward disrespect for the men and women who were wounded or killed in action.
The voters will determine if this will disqualify Ms. Clinton, should she decide to run for President. Not much else can be done at the moment in her case.
However, in the Williams' case, swift and sure action must be demanded. NBC Nightly News must, say again MUST, immediately and publicly fire Brian Williams. None of the usual claptrap about mutually agreeing to go separate ways. He is a supposed journalist and has a national microphone. So he must be publicly FIRED. Anyone who seeks to enhance their personal stature by repeatedly lying in this manner is totally and unquestionably unworthy of being allowed to speak to the American people.
Sadly, all too sadly, I fear NBC Nightly News will fail miserably in acting responsibly. NBC News in general has displayed dishonesty and irresponsibility for some time, so while I will be sorely disappointed, it will not be surprising when NBC News does nothing.
We, the American public, however can do something. We can and should boycott the NBC Nightly News until Brian Williams is publicly fired.
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