“We really are just focused on what lies ahead.”
Photo credit: U.S. Marines and about 650 Afghan soldiers and police officers prepare to board CH-53D Sea Stallion and CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters on Forward Operating Base Dwyer, Afghanistan, July 2, 2009. The Marines are assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 3, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. The Marines and Afghan forces are partnered for a major operation in Helmand province to transition security responsibilities to the Afghan forces. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Chief Warrant Officer 3 Philippe E. Chasse
Matt Sanchez is embedded with the 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines in Helmand Province in Afghanistan. At FoxNews.com, he reports on how the Marines are staying focused:
Throughout Afghanistan, troops have been killed in action, but that hasn’t been a major concern. News doesn’t reach Fiddler’s Green 24/7, and because of a lack of Internet and phones, most of the 3/11 Marines are using pen and paper to send letters to loved ones back home.
“No media out here, not sure what’s really going on out there,” Corporal Tyler Ledbetter told FOXNews.com.
Ledbetter, who is three months into a 7-month tour in Afghanistan, refused to comment on the possibility of abduction, but was quick to explain why the rising death toll did not faze him.
“We’re the best trained fighting force in the world,” he said.
Throughout the day, redundant checks are designed to account for Marines. “Accountability. Eyes on every Marine, pre-combat checks, pre-combat inspections,” said battalion commander Lt. Chris Lewis. “Physical and visual accountability, nothing less.”
The battle-hardened command is much more stoic than the younger grunts with guns at the gate.
“Personally I have no fear of being kidnapped. Accountability is very strong for the Marines,” said Sgt. Christopher Rye, a 26-year old Marine combat camera photographer.
In the Combat Operations Center, one of the few areas with electricity and some climate control, Battalion Adjutant 1st Lt. Adam McLaurin is brief and blunt. “I’m not focused on casualties,” says the Gainesville, Fla., native, who is on his first deployment.
“We really are just focused on what lies ahead.”
Keep these men in your thoughts and prayers.
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Lance Cpl. Roger G. Hager, 20, of Gibsonville, N.C., and Master Sgt. John E. Hayes, 36, of Middleburg, Fla., died July 8 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. They were assigned to 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
And from Ft. Carson:
A veteran soldier who re-enlisted in the Army to support his 4-year-old son was killed Wednesday in Afghanistan, the Department of Defense announced Thursday.
Spc. Gregory J. Missman, 36, of Batavia, Ohio, died in Bagram, Afghanistan, after his unit was attacked with small-arms fire, the department said. He was part of Fort Carson’s 704th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
Missman had served in the Army in the early 1990s but had been a civilian for 11 years, his father, Jim Missman, told WCPO in Cincinnati. He recently re-enlisted after a divorce to provide health insurance for his son, his father said.
Missman was a 1993 graduate of Amelia High School in Batavia.
His unit deployed a month ago.
And more.
R.I.P. Your service and sacrifice are not forgotten.
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Categories: Afghanistan
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Specialist Missman is from my neck of the woods. This is a fairly tight community and Missman’s sacrifice will be duly recognized and honored.
My fear is that this poignant story of a man serving his country and supporting his family will be twisted by self-serving politicians to point out the need for universal government run healthcare. You know it’s coming.
THE ONE and his minions in Washington are steadily, progressively, exposing us to future terrorism:
Consider—
1. release of the Qud Five, special operators from Iran that are implicated in the death of several hundred Americans in Iraq (Iran is thinking about suing the US for detaining them)
2. planned release of more Iranian operators, taken in Iraq
3. release of GITMO detainees into un-secure foreign hands
4. revision of the posture of war to a posture of police action, including reading detainees Miranda Rights
5. politicization of our intelligence, including outright lies about the previous administration and the integrity of the intelligence services
6. various initiatives to domestic organizations with known terrorist connections
When you lower the costs of anything, you raise the demand for that thing. Terrorists see lowered costs associated with committing acts of terrorism against the US.
As effect follows cause, we are looking at a time of heightened risk for another major terror attack on the US.
R.I.P. Spc. Gregory J. Missman, Lance Cpl. Roger G. Hager, and Master Sgt. John E. Hayes. I thank you for your service.
That was my first thought after reading about Spc. Missman. Instead of seeing him as an upstanding, responsible father, they will portray him as a victim of society. That truly degrades his service to the country and the thought of that angers me.
Second thought that crossed my mind, too.
Agreed.
First thought: God bless these three men and the rest of our Armed Forces.
God bless our troops…especially the snipers!
As far as the liberal Congress, who secretly view the military as a threat to their domination is concerned Illegitimi non carborundum!
We, the patriotic people of America support you, as we know you support us, and our Constitution! Semper Fi!
Don’t you know….lack of “affordable healthcare” killed this Marine…wait for it! Which politician will be the first to use this patriot’s death to further the statist agenda? Any guesses?
If you get a chance, listen to this song. It makes me cry every time I hear it.
Freedom’s Never Free
By Phillips Craig And Dean
Standing on a hillside
Where the river meets the sea
White crosses without number
Line the fields of peace
And each one a silent witness
Staring back at me
Every cross a story
Of another place in time
Where young men thought it worthy
To give their life for mine
And for the sake of honor
Left their dreams behind
And for the price they paid
I’m forever in their debt
Their memory will not die
‘Cause I will not forget
I will stand and hold my head up high
I will dedicate my life
To the glory of the ones who had to die
I will live, live what I believe
If for no one else but me
I will remember
Freedom’s Never Free!
I will walk free
I will stay free
I will live free
I will die free!
There is another verse, but this one is the one pertaining to our soldiers.
God Bless every one of them!!
My heart aches everytime I read of a man or women who dies for our country. My heart aches for their families. I ask God to please comfort the families and put His arms around those who have died.
L
Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord,
And let perpetual Light shine upon them.
May their souls
And the souls of all the faithful departed
Through the mercy of God
Rest in peace.
Amen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFBzNibOl78
Here is the vidoe of the song Freedom’s Never Free. It takes 6 minutes. If you want to be inspired like never before, listen and watch. It will be well worth your time.
God Bless these men. My fear is the vast majority of the nation will never know the history of our actions in Iraq and Afghanistan. The history will be kept to a few obscure books, if that, in part because of weasels in the media who will not report it. Worse, there are plenty of ungrateful sheeple who do not serve, who will never make sacrifices for the nation and will never be made to. who will not read whatever little will be written about it. I see a market for history and news out there that’s largely untouched.
The sacrifices of our servicemen and women must not be forgotten.
This is one of the reasons I have about 10 to 15 pictures of my brother the Marine all over my house. He complains and tells me to take them down. My response: I will leave them up until this is all over with to show my support for you guys. There are too many lefties who don’t, so I am your backup. He quit complaining.
very close to home. . . 5 minutes from here. He was on the news and it’s pretty sad. Always hate it when our young men get killed. Can’t dwell on it though. They have a job to do. And I always appreciate it.
One story being kept from the media and the American people, the Obama administration is forcing our military services to be used as a social experiment in the name of civil rights by lowering the academic requirements for black and Hispanics who apply for admission to the U.S. Naval Academy. The dumbing down of our officer corps. It shows you how mush respect the Obama administration and the liberals have for the safety of our men and women serving in harms way. The first priority of an officer is seeing to the safety of the men and women who serve under his command. Lowering the standards of our officers corps will only increase the casualties of our troops on the battlefields and at sea.
I sure hope the military has all it needs to fight this war now. I know there was the same concern even under Bush but I think they tried to make things right..but now, well, it’s hard to trust this administration. I worried when I heard that air support was being scaled back (Afghanistan).
Praying for our military, here and departed.
Imagine how disheartening it must be to be operating in a foreign contingency operation with a lying, anti-American jihadist creep like Obama calling the shots?
May God the Father comfort and ease the pain for the surviving families of these men. May He also welcome those men home with open arms. Pray for those lost and those with a job yet to do, and blast every news outlet that tries to distort the stories for their own agenda.
So, lgm – I assume you take Sundays to worship the ozone layer…but you were just pointing out to us how the NYT is more respectful of our brave and brilliant men and women in service than MM or the folks here, or something.
I strongly reccomend reading Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell for those here who have not already read it, and especially you lgm. What does giving your all for your country mean? Read the book. I literally couldn’t put it down.
I always find myself deeply humbled by these incredible folks, and all of you here who are and/or have served our country, (or have children/spouses doing so) You are in our humble prayers. May God richly bless you and your families. You are all heros!
Let’s just hope that Osama Bin Laden and Mullah Omar are dealt with because they perpertraited 9/11. Others have had the opportunity to deal with him and failed. Let’s hope this time we are succesful.
Once again one of the local libs acting like the dems are warriors! What a joke.
You think this gutless POS of a CIC would do anything to them if they ever had the chance to?
You are a useless idiot. I use that term not useful because it is closer to the truth.
You’ve got to love this generation of heroes focused on their mission with only one goal to WIN. Now if only the amateurs in the White House, the halls of Congress, and embedded in the Pentagon will just let them achieve this end. In my opinion the only functional branch of the Federal Government is the US Military that still manages to successfully complete any mission the political class gives them despite the micro-management of the arrogant, ignorant, and just plain stupid decision makers elected/appointed over them.
Stay safe over there Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and you magnificent Marines! Many of us on the home front appreciate the daily sacrifices and suffering of you and your familes praying for your safe return to your loved ones.
Michael Yon, where are you?
CalCityC – Yeah, I was thinking by “deal with him” Z meant giving him a restaurant in the Bahamas or something along those lines.
God bless you happy, that was such a blessing to me!
Some of our brave military will die because of this decision of BO.
Swede, my husband kept asking me why I was reading it if it only made me cry? Never did get him to read it. It’s a truly amazing story. Every SEAL is now a bigger hero to me than they already were!
Do you think that our military is there to take on and vanquish the Taliban?
Your only partially right. The Taliban is not the ‘what’, they the ‘how’. Our military is there to secure an election for ‘bama. Our young people are dying for the black president’s Muslim agenda of securing an election. The offensive is only two weeks old and it will run at least until election day, Aug 20 of this year.
Our military men and women are honorable in doing their duty and following orders because for them non-compliance is not an option. However, fighting terror, the reason for being in the Middle East, is not the reason we’re in Afghanistan as it was in Iran.
Thank you members of our US Military. At least someone is focused on the ball.
Like your boy Bill?
Huh?
My comment was not partisan, and could refer to Pres Clinton and Pres Bush.
Get a grip, and stop projecting. I will not call you names, that is too easy. Having a cogent logical arguement that deconstructs what someone else says is far more ‘useful’.
Huh?
When did Bill become my boy?
Re-read my original comment, and take note that it was non-specific and non-partisan. I did not want to pick on any single President.
Why you thought I was talking only about Pres Clinton, or only about Pres Bush, is beyond me.
Do you really think that our military is in Afghanistan to take on and vanquish the Taliban?
Your only partially right. The Taliban is not the ‘what’, they the ‘how’. Our military is there to secure an election for ‘bama. Our young people are dying for this POTUS’s Muslim agenda of securing an election. The offensive only two weeks old and it will run at least until election day, Aug 20 of this year.
Our military men and women are honorable in doing their duty and following orders because for them non-compliance is not an option. However, fighting terror, the reason for being in the Middle East, is not the reason we’re in Afghanistan as it was in Iran.
To all of these brave men I hope they rest in peace and I give them a heartfelt SALUTE!
Though I’m sure that insurance was a part of Spec Missman’s decision to return to the army, but I’m sure there’s more to the story. That is such a giant decision that I would hope that sense of duty, love of country, and the desire to belong to a team were all contributing factors as well.
I know that the time between getting off active duty and becoming a full time ANG technican were two years and nine months of the longest time in my life. I didn’t realize I would miss all those things I mentioned above so much.
There’s no excuse for not answering yes to that question.
I’m hoping that this country isn’t attacked again. Not you – you’re “just” hoping OBL and Omar are “dealt with.”
Tree Bark, your chiming in is always interesting.
Tree Bark, why do you focus on what I do not say, vice what I do say? I did not say anything about future attacks. You are welcome to ask me about future attacks.
Avoid assigning motive to others when you can simply ask them a question.
swede said (#18):
I stand by that. This post from MM is a direct answer to my post from yesterday. She had gone days without mentioning troops.
No need to ask you. You only stated that we should “just” hope that OBL and Omar are dealt with. You clearly meant “just” to mean “only.”
I don’t need to ask you about something you deliberately excluded.
LGM,
I have a flash message for you.
The troops don’t gve a rat’s rear what you or the NYT’s thinks of them. They have a BS detector that is uncanny in its accuracy.
So do not even bother going through the motions of acting like you care one whit about them. They know better and just Drive On.
Gosh, lgm. Going days without mentioning troops is unacceptable? You certainly have very strange standards for MM.
Oh look, a liberal pretending to care about the troops..
Tree Barkie you give new meaning to spin.
LOL. Now you are telling me what I mean? Had I wanted to say ‘only’ I would have said ‘. . . approach with a single purpose of mind . . .’
I also deliberately excluded any mention of attacks on our England, on Israel, or any of our allies, on our troops, etc.
Since you said, “I’m hoping that this country isn’t attacked again” in your post #34, is it reasonable to suggest that you do not care one way, or the other, if England, Israel, or our troops are attacked? I think not. Yet they were deliberately excluded from your statement.
There is no way to assert, or conclude, that you would want harm to come to anyone because you did not mention them in your statement. That would be ridiculous and unfair.
I would not do it to you, and you should not do it to anyone either.
zyzzyg, feel free to explain to everyone what you meant by,
Tell everyone what you meant by the word, “just.” The word is exclusionary by definition.
I didn’t conclude that “because” you didn’t mention them. I concluded that because of your own word choice. Bad assumption on your part – very hypocritical of you.
If you think I’m taking your comment too literally, then feel free to explain to everyone exactly what you meant.
Let’s just hope that Osama Bin Laden and Mullah Omar are dealt with…
‘Everyone’ is not curious about my meaning. Only you are, because you are the only one asking about my meaning. Others have suggested a level of partisanship, which I rejected.
‘Dealt with’ means, what it meant when Pres Bush said, “Dead or Alive”. I prefer dead, maybe with his head on a stick. But, I am extreme in that way.
Using the word ‘just’ is merely a colloquialism. You taking issue with a pattern of speech, is just ridiculous.
There is no way to assert, or conclude, that you would want harm to come to anyone because you did not mention them in your statement.
Yes, those are my words. Do you agree, or disagree? ‘Everyone’ wants to know.
Nope. That is a stretch. I want to know.
For your benefit I will repeat the question that you did not address, and hope that you do so now, “Since you said, “I’m hoping that this country isn’t attacked again” in your post #34, is it reasonable to suggest that you do not care one way, or the other, if England, Israel, or our troops are attacked?”
If you do not mention all the people, places and countries that you do not want harm to come to, are you, by exclusion, wanting harm to come those you do not mention?
I made no assumptions, and am far from being hypocritical. I presented a hypothesis. One that I had hoped you would examine. Try examining the hypothesis and answering the direct questions.
Again, it is not everyone, it is only just you. Geez, did I just use the words ‘only’ and ‘just’? LOL.
For your benefit -
Main Entry: col·lo·qui·al
Pronunciation: \kə-ˈlō-kwē-əl\
Function: adjective
Date: 1751
1: of or relating to conversation : conversational
2 a: used in or characteristic of familiar and informal conversation ; also : unacceptably informal b: using conversational style
Take me literally, or don’t take me literally, but try commenting on what I said, and not on what I did not say.
Unless, of course, you now want to take me to task, because I deliberately excluded any mention of the terror experienced by women in Aghanistan, and attacks on the same.
Tree Barkiie, your serve. And have the stones to answer the questions this time.
You’ve often insisted on being taken literally on here. From now on, tell us when you want to be taken literally and when you don’t want to be taken literally.
That’s exactly what I did. You’ve attempted to dismiss what you said.
I never stated otherwise.
It’s good to see you admit to the definition of the word “just.” Now, own it!
Yes, you did.
It’s weak for you to suggest that I took you to task for what you didn’t say. I’ve been very clear, and it’s obvious.
Your words, cut and pasted -
Try answering the following question -
Since you said, “I’m hoping that this country isn’t attacked again” in your post #34, is it reasonable to suggest that you do not care one way, or the other, if England, Israel, or our troops are attacked?”
If you do not mention all the people, places and countries that you do not want harm to come to, are you, by deliberate exclusion, wanting harm to come those you do not mention?
No it’s not.
I stated, “I’m hoping that this country isn’t attacked again.”
I didn’t state, “I’m only hoping this country isn’t attacked again.”
I didn’t state, “I just hope this country isn’t attacked again.”
The latter two statements would be exclusionary. This isn’t rocket science. Second graders would easily understand this concept.
That’s stupid. See above. Stop attempting such a stupid counterattack. It makes you appear desperate.
As I have explained, the use of the words that cause you such distress is a colloquialism.
There is no such thing as a stupid question. Only stupid people who are fearful of answering them. Are you stupid or fearful? If you do not want to answer the questions, have the stones to say you will not answer the questions, ‘everyone’ wants to know.
Since you said, “I’m hoping that this country isn’t attacked again” in your post #34, is it reasonable to suggest that you do not care one way, or the other, if England, Israel, or our troops are attacked?”
Yes, or no?
If you do not mention all the people, places and countries that you do not want harm to come to, are you, by deliberate exclusion, wanting harm to come those you do not mention?
Yes, or no?
Don’t hide behind semantics.
It is entirely too easy to call people names and be dismissive, but is it that difficult to respond with a simple ‘yes’ or, ‘no’? Anything else is a cop out.
Come on tree barkie, don’t tell me the moss growing on you is keeping your mouth shut.
Oh, wait a minute, maybe you have been harvested and have wait 5 to 7 years to grow a pair?
Your words, cut and pasted -
Are you feakin kidding me?
I actually cut and pasted your words, and then you actually cut and pasted your words, and it is the same freakin’ thing.
Please Corkie. Please, I am begging you, don’t comment on my posts.
I’m willing to accept the fact that you didn’t mean exactly what you typed in your first comment. No problem. But don’t try salvaging your credibility by asking me stupid questions which aren’t analogous to your poor word choice.
There most certainly is. And that’s a stupid statement.
I know it’s late, but do try to keep up. My “No it’s not” wasn’t a denial of my words. I was refuting your point.