Photo of the day
Each of the vice presidential candidates in this race has a son headed to Iraq. We will be hearing a lot about both of them as we head toward the debates.
But Track Palin and Beau Biden are not alone.
Click here for a reminder that while election-mania soaks up most of the airwaves, America’s sons and daughters continue to fight the war without front-page attention.
God bless them all.
Story from the Denver Post yesterday:
3,800 head for year in Iraq
Camouflage-clad soldiers packed up, drew weapons and shipped out for Iraq on Wednesday as tearful relatives watched and hoped for the best.
These soldiers — the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division — are charged with helping Iraqi forces south of Baghdad and in northern Iraq target terrorists and hostile militias.
The Americans “are the best-prepared soldiers for any war, between their combat life-saving and physical training,” Suann Bonner of Denver said as her son, Pvt. Robert Bonner, 21, stood by.
Through his military service, Bonner “has turned into a fine human being” and Iraq “is his destination, what he was supposed to do,” said his father, Don, who runs a gas station in Wheat Ridge.
“Good luck, Rob. Love you,” Don Bonner said as the private turned and fell into a formation that led him onto one of several red and silver buses.
***
A reader e-mails:
Having flown to Iraq more than two dozen times as an enlisted aircrew member in the Air Force Reserve, I feel that I’m a least somewhat qualified to comment on the upcoming deployments of Beau Biden and Track Palin. Biden will be going to Iraq as support staff, specifically, as a lawyer. In no way does that compare to Track Palin’s assignment to a Stryker unit. Biden’s status both as an officer and the son of a sitting senator in the majority party will afford him plenty of protection while in Iraq. It would not be in his commander’s best career interest to allow Biden to even get a hangnail. Track Palin, in the meantime, is an enlisted soldier who will be dodging IED’s on a daily basis in a claustrophobic metal box with wheels. I can understand the media trying to draw some sort of equivalence between their respective deployments, because Sarah Palin scares the hell out of them and they’re trying to downplay any good that comes from her and her family. However, comparing their respective deployments is ridiculous. Beau Biden’s greatest danger will be sun burn.
He has a point, but I am not going to dump on Beau Biden’s deployment. Everyone who has volunteered to serve in Iraq, in whatever capacity, whether enlisted or reserve, is doing something good for this country.
***
Reader D., a retired LtCol USMCR, adds:
While there is really no comparison between those who are walking on patrol and those who are serving in a support role in the camp, both roles are equally important to the overall effort. Also, I would be very surprised if Beau Biden was not sent outside the wire at least a number of times in order to conduct investigations or to resolve some claim against the US government. These are typical roles for a Staff Judge Advocate or a member of the Judge Advocate General Corps branch in the Army. These are also roles that cannot be accomplished from behind a desk within a secure compound. Both have volunteered to serve and both are putting their lives at risk for the sake of the country. While there is no comparison between the roles, there is equivalence in their service.
Semper Fi
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Categories: Iraq, Sarah Palin
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» Why Not Baghdad?
For many of us, not a day goes by that we don’t think about it.
God bless them all. At least we treat our soldiers better than they do in most places. Take a look at this article from the Times.
My borther in law shipped out yesterday.
Ditto pboilermaker. They are in my prayers every single night.
God bless him, chap. I pray he comes home safely.
GP: That is unbelievable!!
My husband’s best friend, who was supposed to be Best Man at our wedding, shipped out six months before our nuptials.
It is not easy.
My thoughts and prayers are with them all, and with your family, chapoutier.
God Speed to all.
and
Roger That!
God speed!
I hope he stays safe.
Yes, indeed! God bless and keep them all!!!
Thanks for all kind words, and EQ thanks for fixing my embarrassing typo.
Wow, England flips out that something could ‘possibly’ happen to Prince Harry in a combat position, but its not a problem to identify our politician’s kids with as much detail as possible.
I thought the same thing when I read. It was a total outrage. I’m just glad the backlash against the hotel has been loud and clear.
Yes…they do both have sons. One is heading off to Iraq on the seventh anniversary of the Islamic attack upon American soil in their quest for global domination. The other is being sued for defrauding a business partner out of millions of dollars along with his uncle.
I wonder if the media will get this one straight and report on them both?
I won’t hold my breath.
Politicians talk about their love of country. Soldiers show their love of country. There are advantages of deployments: you escape the circus back at home, especially around election time.
Salute to America’s best.
Stay safe Chappy in law!
May the 4th ID kill plenty of Islamofascists during their tour. Good hunting to you all!
Yeah, RT, I caught that “footnote” yesterday about the lawsuit. Amazing, isn’t it?
On another note…God Bless those serving the country. At least on this board, I won’t be called a phony patriot like I was on ABCNews.com.
Why I subject myself to the abuse there is beyond me.
Not only do we treat our soldiers well, but they treat noncombatants in a war zone better than any other army, stray anecdotes notwithstanding. They are a credit to us all.
God bless our brave men and women. My sister-in-law’s fiance is in Iraq pitching in. He’s always mindful of the security challenges over there and sends back regular pictures via email. He’s told my sister-in-law how things have approved in Iraq and their infrastructure since he’s been there.
How’s that for change you can believe in, Obummer? Do you believe in victory now?
Seriously, fix yourself.
Not until his nutty base considers it politically expedient to root for victory.
Track is going to Iraq?
How can this be?
We have been told time and time again by the left that the only ones serving in uniform do so out of poverty and despair.
Another liberal lie busted.
Very interesting contrast between the two warfighters - almost a microcosmic mirror of the contrasts between the two parties:
From MSNBC:
And from Times Uk:
Anyone who’s been in, or has intimate knowledge of, the U.S. military should know exactly what I am driving at.
I know, I know, but someone’s got to hold the fort down over there. Do you know how rabid they are?
Yep, we get the “picture”.
Unbelievable.
Godspeed. And the Bidens, Palins and all the other families.
AS AN OLD VET OF THE VN ERA, GOD BLESS AND STAY SAFE TO ALL OUR PEOPLE IN THE SERVICES. THESE PEOPLE DESERVE OUR UNDYING GRATITUDE FOR THEIR SERVICE.
God bless each man and women serving in the military for our country. I ask Him to keep each one safe. Bless their families also.
L
Prayers are with him and your family. We thank you.
They deserve better treatment than this, to.
God Bless all Allied soldiers who are serving there.
On September 4th, 2008 at 3:33 pm, BlameAmericaLast said:
I’d bet my bottom dollar that, if these two warfighter’s respective postings had been reversed, Keith Olberman would be generating snotty comments about “JAG Officer Palin…out of harm’s way in the green zone…” while “Private First Class Biden is on the front lines in harm’s way.”
God bless ALL of our men and women in uniform! For all Ms. Malkin readers who have loved ones or friends on their way over, or already over there, a special prayer goes out to you all too. May I encourage those with military members’ addresses to write and send care packages as much as possible? From first hand experience, every package or letter received over there is like Christmas morning.
#26, I know what you are driving at, but a JAG in Iraq is still a servicemember serving in Iraq.
When serving in combat, it becomes very clear, very quickly, that everyone is on the team regardless of assignment, MOS, rating or designator.
AMEN
Our son signed for another tour in Afghanistan. Good man!
From the linked article:
First thing I thought of was Kipling’s “Tommy”:
I went into a public-’ouse to get a pint o’ beer,
The publican ‘e up an’ sez, “We serve no red-coats here.”
The girls be’ind the bar they laughed an’ giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again an’ to myself sez I:
O it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Tommy, go away”;
But it’s “Thank you, Mister Atkins”, when the band begins to play,
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it’s “Thank you, Mister Atkins”, when the band begins to play.
I went into a theatre as sober as could be,
They gave a drunk civilian room, but ‘adn’t none for me;
They sent me to the gallery or round the music-’alls,
But when it comes to fightin’, Lord! they’ll shove me in the stalls!
For it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Tommy, wait outside”;
But it’s “Special train for Atkins” when the trooper’s on the tide,
The troopship’s on the tide, my boys, the troopship’s on the tide,
O it’s “Special train for Atkins” when the trooper’s on the tide.
Yes, makin’ mock o’ uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an’ they’re starvation cheap;
An’ hustlin’ drunken soldiers when they’re goin’ large a bit
Is five times better business than paradin’ in full kit.
Then it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Tommy, ‘ow’s yer soul?”
But it’s “Thin red line of ‘eroes” when the drums begin to roll,
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
O it’s “Thin red line of ‘eroes” when the drums begin to roll.
We aren’t no thin red ‘eroes, nor we aren’t no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An’ if sometimes our conduck isn’t all your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don’t grow into plaster saints;
While it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Tommy, fall be’ind”,
But it’s “Please to walk in front, sir”, when there’s trouble in the wind,
There’s trouble in the wind, my boys, there’s trouble in the wind,
O it’s “Please to walk in front, sir”, when there’s trouble in the wind.
You talk o’ better food for us, an’ schools, an’ fires, an’ all:
We’ll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don’t mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow’s Uniform is not the soldier-man’s disgrace.
For it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Chuck him out, the brute!”
But it’s “Saviour of ‘is country” when the guns begin to shoot;
An’ it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ anything you please;
An’ Tommy ain’t a bloomin’ fool — you bet that Tommy sees!
– Reading that article, it’s amazing that some things never seem to change. Small wonder that even with a military that’s a shadow of its former self, the Brits still have trouble meeting their recruiting needs.
On September 4th, 2008 at 3:50 pm, PBoilermaker said:
Hey, no argument from me here. I am simply imagining what MSNBC would make of the contrast, I can easily see them fowling things up with cries of chicken hawk, etc.
I’m sorry but as a boots on the ground vet I have only marginal respect for Beau Biden. He’s just another GD lawyer who will I assume use his “service” as a talking point when it’s time for him to run for daddy’s Senate seat. VDH was right - if we want chaneg we need to STOP electing lawyers to office.
But then how many McCains have been Commodores or through the Naval Academy? Does anyone think that if PFC Palin has his act together, he will have an appointment to West Point soon?
(thanks not snarky, but hopeful)
Or Levi?
Maybe I’m just seeing something I want to see, but is the soldier in Denver Post picture reading his Bible?
I have no problem with JAGs - they have a different perspective on things. (At least the ones I knew)
BUT, as I often post, I still always root for Jack Nicholson to kick Tom Cruise’s tail in ‘A Few Good Men‘
Ditto that. My prayers are out to him and all our troops.
On September 4th, 2008 at 3:55 pm, RabbidSquirrel said:
Not quite sure what you’re driving at. What do legacy appointments to West Point (such as McCain’s) have to do with contrasting career paths and tour assignments between Palin and Biden?
I wasn’t accusing Biden of getting a “plum” assignment because of his dad being a senator, if that’s what you meant.
I wasn’t attacking you, just pointing it out. I agree that if Palin was a JAG and Biden was a grunt, they would not hesitate to question the nature of Palin’s service.
Still waiting myself to get called up. I voluntered a month ago. Some one let the pentagon know that sgt (soon to be ssg) sonofdy is ready to go!!! Its getting a little frustrating hearing how units are so short when nobody gives me a call to help.
Sorry - that was awful prose, let me re-write that whole section
==========================
But then how many McCains have been Commodores or through the Naval Academy?
If PFC Palin has his act together, he should soon have an appointment to West Point.
My faux pas - and Levi or the Palin girls?
Nor do I. The ones I knew actually felt guilty for not being in a forward location. It’s all relative.
Some of us would refuse commissions if you offered them to us.
May their sons, and your brother-in-law, chapoutier, all stay safe and return home safely at the end of their tours.
I do see the difference, so I’ll be aware of that should the media make comparisons, but I continue to appreciate their response to a call to duty, regardless of the assignment.
Well…he is just another guy from a small town, clutching his bible and gun who probably had no other choice but to go into the military….
Not at all… sorry. I was actually being positive not negative in that post.
I just seriously need to take a break from my computer for a while. LOL. I have too many blog windows open and my system needs rebooting.
I know what you are saying. I joined enlisted myself in two branches even though I had a degree and a career. And I would join again, before my kids were to be drafted.
Some people can’t cope with the added responsibility and burdens of effective leadership.
It is good that you know your limits.
As pointed out in the article there is a great deal of difference between an enlisted Infantryman and a commissioned JAG Corps Officer. As someone who spent a career in combat arms as both enlisted and an officer. My heart goes out to the men and women who like Track Palin will go outside the wire, risking life and limb to keep winning the hearts and minds of Iraqis in order to achieve victory there. The stryker isn’t an M1 Abrams it is highly susceptible to IEDs, EFP-IEDs, RPG fire and even fire from 12.7mm (.50 caliber) weapons. It’s not the same as being a JAG in the IZ or someplace like LSA Anaconda or Camp Victory. Patrolling route Gold or other vital roadway is far more dangerous than walking to and from an air conditioned office protected by hescoes, miles of wire and other infantrymen like Track Palin.
I salute those dusty men and women in the field, who make up the tip of the spear.
Hooah!!!
God Bless the American Soldier, our Daughters and Sons….
To Track Palin I would simply say: Stay safe, stay the course, stay on track, and someday follow your mother’s footsteps to the Presidency.
You don’t seem to know what the difference is between an NCO and an officer. I would rather be an NCO because of the direct contact with the troops. The best way to discribe it is that the officer says rasie that flag pole and goes away to sign more paperwork. The nco actualy does it with the troops.
People actually sign up for the fiasco in Iraq? Must have political ambitions. So-called “service” looks good on a political resume.
All gave some. Some gave all.
To all of our servicemen and women, past and present: stay safe and remember that there are so many people back home supporting you. Godspeed.
While it doesn’t take away from Track’s courage and honor, I really really doubt he’ll be seeing much front-line action if his mother becomes VPOTUS. One would assume that his location would be leaked and become a target by our enemies, endangering whatever unit he serves with. I’m seeing parallels to Prince Harry.
Some can’t. However, I preferred to play with the toys and to take care of business rather than manage the business.
Had I wanted to have been a lifer, I would have be an ‘O’. Doing what I did, there were actually a couple of millionaire kids in my group also.
Just because someone is an ‘O’ or a ring bearer does not necessarily mean they are a leader.
GOD BLESS ALL OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN. PAST PRESENT AND FUTURE.
Semper Fi
That’s nice to pretend that their service is equal. I get that being a fobbit has its own difficulties. Lack of respect being one of them. That said, please don’t lump in the outside the wire guys with fobbits in an attempt to make fobbits feel better. Fobbits should put on their big girl panties and deal.
http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo249/justme64_photos/AlaskanStyle-1.jpg
I can only imagine what contempt you must have for George Bush, who used his daddy’s connections to get into the National Guard, and Dick Cheney, who ducked out of Vietnam because he “had other priorities.”
If I may interject
Or for anyone else who received a deferment for service in VietNam?
No, but I have utter disdain, contempt and any other word to describe my complete dislike for anyone that ran off to Canada to avoid their call to duty. They should have immediately lost their American citizenship instead of receiving a Presidential Pardon (or whatever it was that Ford did).
Funny thing to say to an officer and combat veteran who is well aware of the differences, even across the branches.
I am now positive that you are woefully unaware. That is highly UNSAT, especially if you are the former or the latter.
That is a lazy and inaccurate way to describe it. Again, UNSAT. If that is how your CoC operates, it is doing you and your fellow personnel a great disservice.
I concur, that is why I said “effective”. It is one thing to wear the rank insignia, another to actually lead while doing it. Further, not all “O’s” are ring knocking caricatures. You and sonofdy should do yourselves a favor and drop the stereotypes.
For all others chiming in about the perceived “worth” of one’s service relative to their duties in theater, re-check the topic of this thread. It is about honoring all who serve honorably. If Palin’s son was a JAG, I’m sure this wouldn’t be a discussion and it is unfortunate the distinction needs to be made.
My recommendation? Stow the chips on your shoulders for a minute and acknowledge the contributions of fellow servicemembers performing their duties honorably, even if one of them happens to be a JAG officer with the last name “Biden”.
Am I the only one who sees the irony of “Track” Palin serving in a motorized (Stryker) brigade?
Must be a 9th ID(M) thing.
¡Vaya con Dios!
Perhaps you misunderstand what I am saying and its probably a factor of my writing. I come from a family of officers. I have nothing against officers or JAGS. I have nothing against ring bearers.
However I have found some of those - to expect respect - and not to have earned it. And, Yes, I will respect the rank. Never ask your men to do something you will not be prepared to do yourself.
If you read my posts from earlier in this topic, I believe I was defending JAGS and hoping that Track gets an appointment to West Point.
Dont pull rank on me, sir. Because I’m pretty sure I was in the same fraternity as a lot of O’s
No-o-o-o-o-o! Track deserves better: an ROTC scholarship to Washington University in Saint Louis!
Not a day goes by where I don’t thank God that these outstanding men and women live.
Check that. Given the choice of being a MSgt or a 2LT - I’ll take MSgt.
I salute both of these men for serving their country. Infantry, cooks, JAGs, Stryker, communications (and many many more) - they all contribute.
My wonderful son did two tours in Iraq as a Marine. His wife did one.
It’s a marvelous thing these people do for us.
I’m not pulling rank.
Don’t call me sir.
God bless them both with a safe and successful deployment.
OT–In the picture –
Why does the napping soldier directly below the reading soldier
have a pistol in his hand while sleeping?
Unsafe!
Ma’am, I was leaning that way from past posts, but I didnt have time to research your background properly. And this time I hit submit too quickly since I had to rush off to soccer practice. Mea Culpa
And I’m guessing you did not resign your commission, Ma’am
[ so back to being a civilian again - as you were, carry on ]
We cool?
I only know that I haven’t gone, and I am grateful to all who do go, whatever their duty.
Thanks men and women of our Armed Forces.
Assuming you are being genuine here, I am not a woman. As for titles, we are anonymously discussing topics on a political blog, so military protocol has no place here. That is what I meant by “don’t call me sir”.
I left active duty late last year, I’m in the Reserves now.
Not if you keep calling me ma’am.
God Bless our troops!
I think it’s kind of pointless to quibble over the difference between CPT Biden and PFC Palin. Everyone has their place. They serve in different capacities but the point is they volunteered and I am sure both with serve honorably.
The larger issue, IMHO, is that Sen. Biden, Sen. McCain, and Gov. Palin all have immediate family that are or soon will be in country, in uniform.
But what about Sen. Obama? Does he have any family, any family at all, that have any military experience in the GWOT? Any close friends?
Yes, we should be proud of both young men…no matter what their MOS.
My husband served honorably in the USMC during the First Gulf War and he was an NCO there. He worked for a squadron of A6 Intruders. He saw no combat.
But a Marine is a Marine…whether they are cooks, officers, lawyers, or combat infantry. Each one has to earn the right to be called a United States Marine.
So, I am thankful for any man who “straps on the boots” and volunteers to serve their country honorably. Yes, even those who served in the Texas Air National Guard.
God bless them all.
Oh, dude, you got me on that one. I was just being sarcastic on the first ’sir’, then I thought you all went and got defensive on me, so I switched genders.
Im a civi thru and thru so there is no current military protocol with me. lol But that doesnt mean I don’t want to be over there again at this very moment.
My nepthew is going back for his third tour in Iraq in the next week. I think about him and all the other troops every day and say prayers for them. We should all do this because these are the men and women who are keeping this country from being invaded, no matter their background - Republican, Democrat, or Independent. They are all true American heroes.
Adopted son is in Iraq right now. 1/87 He’ll be coming home by Christmas.
God Bless the Sky Angels
God watch over the 3/1 in Kunar.
HOOOOAH!!!
Nope, just a militant wife that would like to pick up an automatic weapon and a bro who’s a hut peep in Africa as well as assorted brothers and sisters that are constantly being discovered. Does a terrorist friend count for experience with explosives?
Did you hear that Kieth Olbermann is now an expert on “OpSec?” and he is VERY concerned with the fact that Sarah Palin mentioned the date of a military ceremony at a post here in the US. He says she may have committed a criminal act. It is good that we have such men watching over our warriors.
Seriously, though. Does ANYBODY actually watch Olbermann? They should change the name of his show to “Countdown to Dementia.”
I was one of the lucky draftees (1964–66) who served in the stateside Army at White Sands Missile Range doing engineering missile testing analysis and instrumentation design / operation tasks–which became my future line of work. I pray daily for the safety of our brave military men and women who protect us–and for their families.
Both Mrs. Palin’s son and Mr. Biden’s sons are “in the crosshairs” in their Army service. The enemy can hit them at any time–snipers, IED’s, rockets, etc. May God keep them safe and may they both come home uninjured.
We see the strength of the wounded soldiers on T.V. daily as they rebuild their lives. It has always been so–the courageous overcome their injuries and take charge of their lives again–with the help of God, their families, and their country.
John Bibb
Sonofdy #47: As one old NCO to another, God Bless you, guy, and keep your flak vest/armor handy. We will be praying daily for your safe return if you deploy. We are so fortunate to have so many patriotic Americans willing to put their lives right on the line for, not only Americans, but so many others. God love ‘em.