We the People Speak

A good friend who epitomizes the American Dream and I attended our first Tea Party on April 15th. My friend who immigrated to the U.S. from Europe after World War Two obtained a college education and earned an Engineering Degree and then entered the U.S. Air Force. He courageously served our country as a pilot in Vietnam and has had a very successful career following his retirement. I also served my country as a young Marine and though I was never in harms way it was a life changing experience. We both enjoyed the event and admired the commitment and respect displayed by so many good citizens. Today I received an email from a dear friend that included a link to the following YouTube which is well worth watching.

Carl Langley Speaks Out

The following letter from local scribe Carl Langley appeared in the Aiken Standard today. To read the several comments made on his letter go here

 How far do we go with diversity?

In the awful aftermath of the shooting deaths of 13 people at Fort Hood, Texas, by a Muslim serving as a major in the U.S. Army, I was shocked at the words of the Army's top general, George Casey.

Gen. Casey's words, in which he declared that the shootings would not deter the military on its path to diversity, would have been better left unsaid. He should have spent his face time on television deploring the act of a mad man.

I watched with my mouth agape as Casey said diversity is building a strong society and a strong military. I ask him if diversity isn't now being given priority to building, training and maintaining the kind of military service needed to keep this country safe in a hostile world.

Gen. Casey should have limited his time to expressing his condolences to the families of those murdered and promising that the military would extact justice and retribution for this awful crime.

Watching Casey tap dance around the awful catastrophe at Fort Hood and go to mouthing the preachments of a society now being driven by liberal thought and speech at every level was too much for me.

I served in the Army long ago and am proud of my grandson who serves today as a captain in the same branch. I gave thanks that my grandson wasn't in the Fort Hood building that became a slaughterhouse.

While I agree that we have become a polyglot nation and must adapt to this changing world, promoting diversity is no excuse for the failure of Casey's army, or any other organization, to weed out those with religious and political agendas that drive most of them insane.

In the liberal world, conservatives, Tea Party protesters and those who disagree with the president and his administration are the real terrorists. Not so the Muslim radicals who are out to exterminate anyone who does not submit to Allah.

Because of this leap into diversity, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, who coldly shot down and murdered 13 people, is being referred to as the "alleged shooter." Can you imagine that? Here's a man whose killing spree was witnessed by dozens, included among them the more than 25 he wounded, and he is referred to as the "alleged shooter."

Here is a classic case in which liberalspeak or legal speak takes precedence over the obvious facts.

Considering the current sad state of affairs in the American justice system, let me offer that the trial of Hasan will be a long time coming because of the Byzantine maze that has been built into the justice system, both inside and outside the military.

This Hasan case will be around for a long time. During the coming months and years he will be lionized by Muslim radicals around the world, even here in this country, as a hero who stood against the infidels. They will be aided by American news media, especially People magazine and the like, who will clamor for a chance to tell his story, complete with pictures. Today's seniors will be long gone before justice is done in this case, if ever.

But back to Gen. Casey. After listening to his comments about the killings of his soldiers, I am left wondering who he is taking his orders from and who is clearing his commentary. I must assume it is some bureaucrat in the Defense Department.

I am among those who believe that if diversity continues at the expense of common sense we are likely to lose our nation, the anchor of, for the time being, the free world.

Carl Langley

Aiken

Happy Birthday Marines

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES

SEMPER FIDELIS!

Marine Corps Birthday- On November 10, 1775,  the United States Marine Corps was founded at Tuns Tavern in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. By tradition proud Marines all over the world celebrate this day.  Enjoy the Hymn.

Ivan Castro Continues to Inspire

Ivan Castro was in Augusta a few years ago being treated for his egregious wounds. He is still on active duty and a remarkable man. The following article appeared in an Annapolis newspaper.

Army officer blinded in Iraq inspires mids

By JENNIFER HLAD Staff Writer

Published 09/18/09

TOP: Gin Kai — Courtesy of the Naval Academy

 BOTTOM: Ivan Castro, a blind Army special forces officer, jogs with  midshipmen. 

 

Capt. Castro spoke Wednesday to the Brigade of Midshipmen during the Forrestal lecture at the Naval Academy. Castro lost his right eye and the vision in his left eye after a mortar attack in Iraq in 2006. He passed on a message of perseverance to the mids. When Capt. Ivan Castro learned his vision was gone, he started to second-guess his doctors. He hoped for a miracle, that he would wake up one morning and be able to see.

Then he started to think about his future, he told the Brigade of Midshipmen Wednesday night.
The special operations soldier couldn't stand up on his own, he had lost 50 pounds of muscle and gained 70 pounds of fat since two 82-mm mortar rounds exploded near him in Iraq in 2006. But as he lay in a bed at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, he heard some nurses talking about the Marine Corps Marathon and decided he wanted to do it, he said.
Three years after he lost one eye and the vision in the other, he has run the Army 10-miler three times, hiked the 14,270-foot Grays Peak in Colorado, completed two half marathons, seven full marathons, a 50-mile race and a triathlon, Castro told the midshipmen gathered in the Naval Academy's Alumni Hall for his speech, which was part of the Forrestal Lecture Series.
Now Castro, the only blind special operations officer in the Army, is a student at the Maneuver Captain's Career Course at Fort Benning, Ga.
"What gets me fired up is all life has to offer," he said. "Live every day to the fullest."
Castro enlisted in the Army in 1988 and, after earning his degree, was commissioned as a second lieutenant in December 2004. He told the midshipmen about his experiences as a soldier and as a leader, saying they are in the perfect place to determine their leadership style and build the foundation they will need as officers.
"We are a nation at war, and you guys joined at a time of war," he said. "That makes me proud."
Castro served in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm as well as the current Iraq war. He also has served in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Albania, Bosnia and South America. Before he was injured, "all I wanted to do was deploy," he said.Now, Castro figures that by doing a desk job, he can allow someone else to go out and do the missions he wishes he could still do.
"I believe I can still contribute to the force," he said.
Still, Castro stressed he wouldn't have been able to do it without the support of his command, his friends and family, particularly his wife, Evelyn Galvis.
"I wouldn't be standing here if it wasn't for my wife," he said.
Vice Adm. Jeffrey L. Fowler, Naval Academy superintendent, said the message Castro delivered was the same one he and the commandant try to send to the midshipmen, but it may carry more weight coming from Castro.
"We try to make this special, a little different than their day-to-day classes," Fowler said. "We want this to be engaging."
The midshipmen were required to attend the lecture, but their reactions throughout the speech showed they remained engaged. He spoke for about 30 minutes, then opened the floor for questions. When he finished speaking, the brigade gave him a standing ovation, then cheered when he put on a Navy jacket.
As they prepared to sing "Blue and Gold," Castro stopped them.
"I heard that at the end of this song, you say something, and you were told not to say it because I am here," he said. "Stay true to what you believe. … I want to hear it."
The midshipmen obliged, shouting a hearty "Beat Army!" to end the evening.
"I think it was pretty amazing," Midshipman 1st Class Nathan Tocco of Jacksonville Beach, Fla., said after the speech. "It is inspiring to know that even if something like that happens to you, you can still overcome."

Retirement Ceremony at Fort MacDill

Donna and I spent the past week in Florida with our daughter Becky and her family. She is retiring from the U.S.Air Force after 25 years of reserve and active duty. The Special Operations Commander Admiral Eric Olson officiated at the retirement ceremony and we were honored to be there. We are very proud of her and all the incredible men and women who serve our country.

                                                   

                                                           God Bless America.

The U.S. Special Operations Commander Admiral Eric Olson and Colonel Becky at the ceremony.

Click here to view these pictures larger

Trace Adkins at Wounded Warriors Fundraiser

Marine Corps Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES

SEMPER FIDELIS!

Marine Corps Birthday- On November 10, 1775,  the United States Marine Corps was founded at Tuns Tavern in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. By tradition proud Marines all over the world celebrate this day. Last night the James L. Hammons Detachment of Aiken celebrated the 233rd Birthday of the United States Marines in high style. Enjoy the Hymn.

WOUNDED WARRIORS NEED HELP

FROM THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE

Fighting For War's Wounded
Augusta lacks advocates to help veterans with benefits
By Johnny Edwards Staff Writer
Sunday, July 13, 2008
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The passing of time has only made the pain worse, says Iraq war veteran Daniel Smith.
Iraq war veteran Daniel Smith, of Graniteville, said he found it hard not only to ask for help when he returned home, but to find it. The Wounded Warrior program aims to help veterans get benefits. For full story follow this link:http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/071308/met_465535.shtml