This article about details concerning the multiple count indictment against Congressman Duncan Hunter and his wife is the source of considerable anger.
If he is found guilty of the charges, mad as hell won't even cover it.
The source of the is not just that a member of Congress is alleged to have expended campaign funds for personal use. Hell, it's likely lots if not all of them have.
What angers me most is that a fellow Marine Corps officer is accused of these crimes. It is insulting and embarrassing!
Officers of Marines are held to higher standards of integrity, ethics, accountability, and responsibility. It is simply a basic job requirement.
Once a Marine, always a Marine.
The brotherhood of officers of Marines should be sore, angry, pissed off, and just plain mad.
If Hunter and his wife are convicted, they must go to jail.
Update: Now Hunter blames it all on his wife. What kind of a poor excuse for a man throws his bride under the bus?
Showing posts with label Marine Corps. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marine Corps. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Friday, August 17, 2018
Standing for one who stood for us
A picture is worth a thousand words, as the saying goes. In this one, military veterans from the SoCal Patriot Guard Riders serve as pall bearers for a homeless Marine Corps veteran who was killed by a hit-and-run driver, while he slept on the sidewalk.
Standing for one who stood for us.
Standing for one who stood for us.
Monday, July 30, 2018
Americana
Americana
Staging for the Pine Valley Days Parade
Those who would want folks to believe Americana no longer exists are sorely mistaken. All they need do is visit small town America.
In July alone, two small towns east of San Diego held parades, each of which was filled with American flags, cheering, and respect and love for our country. No one was forced to come out to these celebrations, because friends and neighbors willingly sought out the events.
Unlike some liberal events, no one was paid to attend. No activists were bused in from out of town, if not out of state. No protesters drove all night from San Francisco to disrupt the activities.
Indeed, local people came out to honor a fellow patriot and combat veteran.
Wearing the straw hat in the back seat is Jack, a Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War.
Yeah, Americana is alive and well all across the country, so do not buy into the opinion of some that it is dying out. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
Saturday, November 25, 2017
Contrasts
Dictionary.com defines contrast, in part, as "to compare in order to show unlikeness or differences; note the opposite natures, purposes, etc."
What took place a week ago in El Cajon and Del Mar, California displayed a strong contrast between what some people might believe or assume about those who ride motorcycles; bikers, if you will. It is likely many average Americans think of bikers in the image of Marlon Brando in The Wild One,
What took place a week ago in El Cajon and Del Mar, California displayed a strong contrast between what some people might believe or assume about those who ride motorcycles; bikers, if you will. It is likely many average Americans think of bikers in the image of Marlon Brando in The Wild One,
or so called gangs of today. Leather, chrome, Harleys, loud pipes, denim, patches, and on and on. But that is where the contrast comes into play.
On November 19, bikers came together to give to the community. Specifically, the San Diego community via the U. S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots Program.
Beginning with registering and staging at El Cajon Harley-Davidson, they rode to the Del Mar Race Track, joining with track patrons to ultimately provide an estimated 2,300 toys and $8,600 in cash donations to the Marine Corps Reserves 4th Tank Battalion, so that some children in the San Diego region will have a piece of Christmas this year.
Hundreds turned out for this most worthy of causes.
If that isn't a contrast, I don't know what is.
Thursday, November 9, 2017
Marine Corps Birthday
Tomorrow is the Marine Corps birthday, a special day for all of us. As this picture shows, many deploy and are deployed around the world. What caught my attention in the picture, taken when the PGR welcomed home Marines from deployment, is the #10 in the lower right hand corner of the window. As we raise our glasses to celebrate the birth of our Corps, let us also remember fellow Marines are going in harm's way.
Thursday, September 7, 2017
Poignant
In addition to this blog, I do a little free lance writing, mainly about veterans and motorcycling. Doing so brings me into contact with some truly amazing people, including Marine Corps veteran Ana Sanchez.
A veteran of our most recent wars, it was my honor to interview her, which produced this article. It tells her story, including being a member of the Marine Corps Female Engagement Teams in ground combat, thus earning the unique recognition of being a Lioness.
Most sadly, Ana passed away recently, succumbing to cancer and leaving behind her husband, a daughter, and a son.
Her passing underscores that there are fantastic people who come into our lives, if only for a short period. They are extraordinary, simply because they are average, patriotic folks like most of us, working hard to live happy and productive lives day-to-day.
They are not individuals written about by the main stream media. They are not people about who various pundits and self-appointed experts speak. They are not the rich and famous. They don't travel in limousines or chartered aircraft. They don't appear on talk shows.
They are our fellow Americans, pure and simple, who have served their country. They do not seek handouts. They stand when our National Anthem is played. Their families are the centers of their lives.
They are male, female, white, black, Asian, Hispanic, Native American. They come from every part of the country. They like all kinds of music. They live in blue states and red states.
Remember, I suggest, these folks when tempted to complain about this or that. The paths of our lives cross for a bit, adding richness to each. This is the human experience and deserves recognition.
Just as Marine Corps combat veteran Ana Sanchez deserves our respect for her service. Her life mattered, not just to her family and friends, but to our nation as well.
Semper Fidelis
A veteran of our most recent wars, it was my honor to interview her, which produced this article. It tells her story, including being a member of the Marine Corps Female Engagement Teams in ground combat, thus earning the unique recognition of being a Lioness.
Most sadly, Ana passed away recently, succumbing to cancer and leaving behind her husband, a daughter, and a son.
Her passing underscores that there are fantastic people who come into our lives, if only for a short period. They are extraordinary, simply because they are average, patriotic folks like most of us, working hard to live happy and productive lives day-to-day.
They are not individuals written about by the main stream media. They are not people about who various pundits and self-appointed experts speak. They are not the rich and famous. They don't travel in limousines or chartered aircraft. They don't appear on talk shows.
They are our fellow Americans, pure and simple, who have served their country. They do not seek handouts. They stand when our National Anthem is played. Their families are the centers of their lives.
They are male, female, white, black, Asian, Hispanic, Native American. They come from every part of the country. They like all kinds of music. They live in blue states and red states.
Remember, I suggest, these folks when tempted to complain about this or that. The paths of our lives cross for a bit, adding richness to each. This is the human experience and deserves recognition.
Just as Marine Corps combat veteran Ana Sanchez deserves our respect for her service. Her life mattered, not just to her family and friends, but to our nation as well.
Semper Fidelis
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
Yet another mission
As the local news stations reported, there was yet another mission.
Patriot Guard Riders and others rolled out on their bikes this morning to honor Sergeant Chad Jenson, U. S. Marine Corps.
Sergeant Jenson died, along with other Marines and a sailor, when a KC-130 Marine Corps aircraft crashed last month. On this cool, overcast San Diego morning bikers of the Patriot Guard Riders staged near the San Diego International Airport, awaiting Sergeant Jenson's arrival. After the mission briefing, they rolled out to escort the procession of the hearse, Jenson's family, and friends to the mortuary. Superbly led by motor officers from the California Highway Patrol, the procession made its way north from the airport.
In the staging area prior to the mission, two retired senior officers who were to ride in the missing man formation (Navy Captain aviator and Marine Corps Colonel air command and control) spoke in clear, unambiguous terms about the state of Naval aviation, which includes the Marine Corps. Incensed by the loss of life, including Sergeant Jenson, the two officers are highly critical of the leadership (civilian and military) that made decisions leading directly to the situation in which we now find ourselves.
It is reported that 70% of Marine Corps F/A-18s can not fly. Also reported have been the grounding of a Navy F/A-18 squadron that is forward deployed on a carrier. These reports join those of maintenance personnel visiting aircraft "boneyards" to scavenge parts. And another of a mid-air collision between an instructor pilot and "nugget" aviator. Neither aircrew had anywhere near the required minimum flight hours needed to maintain proficiency.
Not enough money to maintain the aircraft. Not enough money for flight hours to train aircrews in perishable skills.
Though both senior officers have been retired for some time, their anger is no less intense as they recount other PGR missions for active duty personnel killed in aircraft mishaps that just should not have occurred. Like the Marine aviator who died when his aircraft fell apart during a training flight.
"Who the hell made these decisions?" one was heard to say. Condemning leadership failures at multiple levels, these gray beards are aghast at the needless loss of life. And they are equally angry at the totally unacceptable lack of readiness. The word angry does not adequately describe the intensity of their comments. With careers built upon training and leading our nation's finest as they prepare for combat, these war horses roundly castigated the civilian leadership, read Obama and successive SecDefs, as well as the flag and general officers in the Navy and Marine Corps who took the force to where it is today.
Who will hold those responsible for these failures?
I have no answer. So, on this Tuesday morning, it was yet another mission to honor a serviceman who died on active duty. In this case, a young Marine Sergeant and newlywed who died (with others) in an aircraft mishap on what should have been a routine flight.
How many more missions like this will these two warriors ride in?
Damn it.
Patriot Guard Riders and others rolled out on their bikes this morning to honor Sergeant Chad Jenson, U. S. Marine Corps.
Sergeant Jenson died, along with other Marines and a sailor, when a KC-130 Marine Corps aircraft crashed last month. On this cool, overcast San Diego morning bikers of the Patriot Guard Riders staged near the San Diego International Airport, awaiting Sergeant Jenson's arrival. After the mission briefing, they rolled out to escort the procession of the hearse, Jenson's family, and friends to the mortuary. Superbly led by motor officers from the California Highway Patrol, the procession made its way north from the airport.
In the staging area prior to the mission, two retired senior officers who were to ride in the missing man formation (Navy Captain aviator and Marine Corps Colonel air command and control) spoke in clear, unambiguous terms about the state of Naval aviation, which includes the Marine Corps. Incensed by the loss of life, including Sergeant Jenson, the two officers are highly critical of the leadership (civilian and military) that made decisions leading directly to the situation in which we now find ourselves.
It is reported that 70% of Marine Corps F/A-18s can not fly. Also reported have been the grounding of a Navy F/A-18 squadron that is forward deployed on a carrier. These reports join those of maintenance personnel visiting aircraft "boneyards" to scavenge parts. And another of a mid-air collision between an instructor pilot and "nugget" aviator. Neither aircrew had anywhere near the required minimum flight hours needed to maintain proficiency.
Not enough money to maintain the aircraft. Not enough money for flight hours to train aircrews in perishable skills.
Though both senior officers have been retired for some time, their anger is no less intense as they recount other PGR missions for active duty personnel killed in aircraft mishaps that just should not have occurred. Like the Marine aviator who died when his aircraft fell apart during a training flight.
"Who the hell made these decisions?" one was heard to say. Condemning leadership failures at multiple levels, these gray beards are aghast at the needless loss of life. And they are equally angry at the totally unacceptable lack of readiness. The word angry does not adequately describe the intensity of their comments. With careers built upon training and leading our nation's finest as they prepare for combat, these war horses roundly castigated the civilian leadership, read Obama and successive SecDefs, as well as the flag and general officers in the Navy and Marine Corps who took the force to where it is today.
Who will hold those responsible for these failures?
I have no answer. So, on this Tuesday morning, it was yet another mission to honor a serviceman who died on active duty. In this case, a young Marine Sergeant and newlywed who died (with others) in an aircraft mishap on what should have been a routine flight.
How many more missions like this will these two warriors ride in?
Damn it.
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