kc bob: MILITARY

Showing posts with label MILITARY. Show all posts

Reflections from Private Bob

Here I am a few weeks after I entered the US Army in October 1968. That day in October, when I raised my hand and became a soldier, seems so long ago. Yet it seems like yesterday. I can feel the fear of entering military service knowing that my friends John and Joey had recently died in Vietnam. I remember being drafted and knowing that I did not want to fight in Vietnam. That trip to the recruiter was deeply driven by a desire to find a path that did not include the War in Vietnam. I signed up for an extra year to serve in the US Army Air Command working on missiles with nuclear capability.

I served stateside for three years at a missile firing range in New Mexico. During my military service I grew up a lot. I learned valuable life skills - LOL, like doing my own laundry. I developed technical and interpersonal skills that would last me a lifetime. I met my first wife Ellen. I got outside of my comfort level in a major way as I learned to live away from home and my family. In the end, I wonder what my life would have been like if I had not been drafted.

... reposted from November, 2014

Honoring Service and Sacrifice

I am reposting this to commemorate Veterans Day. I am not sure that I have ever seen a more moving image representing what it means to honor our soldiers. Those who have served in uniform really understand what it means to honor those who have served us and have sacrificed, and are sacrificing, their all for their country.

I know that my three years in the US Army changed my whole image of military service. That time gave me a peek into both the mundane and extraordinary aspects of serving the country. Years later I learned a lot about the struggles of military families when my son courageously served two tours on the front lines of Iraq.

The truth is that military service can go from risking your life one day to doing menial tasks the next. Soldiers like my son do what needs to be done. They respond to terror attacks by volunteering to fight and to serve. For that I honor them all today.

Chaplain Emil Kapaun, 1916-1951

Some of the many unsung heroes of our military are the chaplains who serve and sacrifice for our nation. Today, on this day of remembrance, I thought that I would share a bit about one such man. The image at the right depicts a statue, located in Pilsen, Kansas, of Emil Kapaun helping a wounded comrade. Kapaun was a chaplain in the US Army during the Korean War. A few details of his inspiring service.

In January 1950 he was stationed near Mt. Fuji, Japan as a military chaplain until alerted into combat in July 1950.
In the same month, Chaplain Kapaun's unit, the 35th Brigade from Ft. Bliss, TX landed in South Korea during a big invasion.
He constantly ministered to the dead and dying while performing baptisms, hearing Confessions, offering Holy Communion and celebrating Mass from an improvised altar set up on the front end of an army jeep.
He regularly would lose his Mass Kit, jeep and trailer to enemy fire. He told how he was thoroughly convinced that the prayers of many others were what had saved him so many times up until his capture.
He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal in September 1950.
When his unit was overrun by the enemy he stayed behind with the wounded. He allowed his own capture, then risked death by preventing Chinese executions of wounded Americans too injured to walk.
In November 1950, he was captured near Unsan, North Korea.
In the prison camp his main complaint was lack of sleep for several weeks at a time.
He was noted among his fellow POWs as one who would steal coffee and tea (and a pot to heat them in) from the Communist guards.
On May 23, 1951, he died in a prison camp in Pyoktong, North Korea. He was buried in a mass grave near the Yalu River.
On August 18, 1951, Kapaun was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions at Unsan.
On April 11, 2013, President Obama posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor to Father Emil Kapaun

Today I remember Emil Kapaun, and chaplains like him, who do an amazing job ministering to our valiant soldiers.
I applaud the quiet and humble way that they serve those who have given all for peace.

John Thomas Brown, 1948-1968

I went to high school with John. I remember him as a very popular guy. He played both basketball and baseball. We both graduated in 1966. John died serving our country in Vietnam eight months before I enlisted in the US Army. Here are a few remembrances of John from his childhood friends.

We were classmates at Port Richmond High School, class of 1966 and when he was a senior, he was the best outside shooter, if not the best basketball player on the team. Although shorter than many of the other players he always played with heart and was a catalyst for the many wins Port Richmond had in 1966. I did not see him much after graduation, although I heard he had joined the Army in 1967. I always wondered why he didn't get a scholarship somewhere, he was that good. Reading through his history, I see he was killed during the Tet Offensive of 1968, one month after arriving in country and with less than a year in the Army. He was killed 6 days after I entered Basic Training. It wasn't until years later that I learned of his passing. He was a good friend and I always admired his positive attitude, infectious spirit and comradery. He gave his life for his country and i hope to see him memorialized at the 50 year reunion in 2016. God Bless John T. Brown. -Bob Pineiro

John Thomas Brown, was my classmate at St. Mary of the Assumption Elementary School for 9 years, where we were in the same classroom together about 7 hours every day. We hung out in a group and did many things together on weekends, such as riding our bikes to a local bowling alley to bowl on Saturday mornings. Though we went to different high schools, we continued to see each other often through those years. We both played basketball for our high school teams, and would often go to each other's games. After high school, and a childhood friendship of 13 years, we began dating each other. We were both only 19 years old when he was killed. It has been 45 years now, and I think about him, still - almost every day. When something reminds me of the Vietnam War, I still sob from the depths of my being with the loss of my precious friend. I will always love and honor him with all my heart. -Kathleen M Stuart

I remember hearing of John's death. It rocked me. It made me sad. It made me afraid. My draft status was 1A. John's death was one of the reasons that I signed up for a third year of service when I was drafted. At 19 I did not feel ready to die in Vietnam. My extra year of service involved six months of electronics training and a two and half year duty station in the New Mexico desert. My military service prepared me for the rest of my life. As I think back on 1968 I will always remember the impact that John's death had on me. On this weekend of remembrance, I remember John.

Joseph Vincent Camerlengo, 1948-1969

I grew up with Joe. We lived on the same street on Staten Island, NY. We both graduated high school in 1966.
We both served in the US Army. I was stationed in the New Mexico desert when Joe died serving in Vietnam on
October 20, 1969. Here are a few remembrances of him by the people he knew.

Today I remembered it was your birthday. So I googled you and saw pictures of your son. He has your dimples. I visit you when I go to my parents grave. I still can't believe how unfair life can be. Taken so young. Just wanted you to know as I am living my life I often wonder what you would be doing at 65 years old. I know you would be very proud of Joey Jr. -Your Friend and best man Nicky

I saw your name on the traveling wall and cried like I did when I heard you had died. I still have a picture of you and me taken in 1965 on Staten Island,New York.You are always in my prayers. Miss you. -Not Forgotten

You spoke to us this year with a letter carried by your son. Joe, you must be so proud. Your son is a wonderful young man. Through him your words and memories are with us. Thank you Joe. You are forever in our hearts and thoughts. -Rock

Joe You died so young. I have and will always remember you. Even as bad as it was we were tight. Man you were something. I often wonder about your "little girl" hell she must be 30 now. Joe, not in a hurry to hook up again but one day we shall. -RM

Joey I remember the day the 'army Vehicle' pulled up in front of your mother's house me and my brother Jimmy were standing across the street at Eddies Gulf station and we heard your mother scream after they broke the news of your death, we were devastated, you were a great friend. You are always remembered and prayed for. -Boyhood Friend

Hard to believe that it has been so long. I remember being at his house when I was young. We were not close friends but I remember how sad I felt when I learned that he had died.

On this weekend of remembrance I remember Joe.

Colonel Greg Gadsen

I saw Colonel Greg Gadsen several times this week on television because of his appearance in the new Battleship movie. I love that he is in that movie and I love the attitude this great warrior has. A bit of his story from Wikipedia:

An American bilateral above-the-knee amputee, occasional actor and motivational speaker. He has served in the U.S. Army for more than 20 years as a field artillery officer and on active service for; Desert Shield/Desert Storm (Kuwait), Operation Joint Forge, Bosnia, Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is currently the director of the U.S. Army Fort Belvoir Garrison.
...
On the night of May 7, 2007, while returning from a memorial service for two soldiers from his brigade, he lost both his legs and severley injured his right arm, to a roadside bomb in Baghdad. He became one of the first military personnel to use a next-generation powered prosthetic knee with technology to make it possible for amputees to walk with confidence and with a more natural gait.

On this Memorial Day weekend lets take a moment to honor, remember and pray for all of those (and their families) who have sacrificed and lost so much for the cause of freedom. We, who are free, are in their debt.

... originally posted in 2012

Fort Jackson

Fort Hamilton, NY :: the place I raised my right hand and was inducted into the US Army. Fort Jackson, SC :: basic combat training, the next step on my journey of national service. Fort Bliss, TX :: I wrote about my time there yesterday. Fort Benning, GA :: we watched my son graduate from basic combat training there in 2004. Fort Carson, CO :: a nice week with my son in between his tours in Iraq. I have been to a few Army forts in my life.

A few thoughts about my two months at Fort Jackson in the fall of 1968:

South Carolina is not all that warm in November;
marching in the sand with a backpack is really hard work;
google "drag ass hill" to see what our training was all about;
hated army chow but remember liking our Thanksgiving meal;
my drill sergeant was better than most but pretty bad;
listened to Hooked on a Feeling by BJ Thomas on my bunk;
sent my laundry out and it came wadded up in a bag;
was really homesick and called the folks when I could;
went to Charleston on my only weekend pass with buddy Mike Good;
was 5'9" and weighed 125 pounds when it ended in December;
have never been pushed that hard physically in my life.

I remember how that 19 year old kid, pictured above, was really afraid. The Vietnam War was raging and many of my friends, enlisted and drafted, in the barracks would be sent there. Perilous times. I was glad to be heading to Fort Bliss.

... a place that I have been to ... part of the A to Z series.

What is a Patriot?

I think that this quote from President Kennedy symbolizes what it means (to me) to be a patriot. Here is a comment that I recently left on the topic.

Patriotism is largely defined by sacrifice. Taxes in part can be a way that patriots sacrifice to help fellow citizens. Donating to charity can be another way.

Here are a few quotes about patriots and patriotism with my commentary.

There is much more to being a patriot and a citizen than reciting the pledge
or raising a flag. -Jesse Ventura

I am so tired of folks calling others patriots because of what they think rather than how they have served and sacrificed for our country.

A real patriot is the fellow who gets a parking ticket and rejoices that the system works. -Bill Vaughan

This is funny but somewhat embraces the idea that we are accountable to each other.

The patriot's blood is the seed of Freedom's tree. -Thomas Campbell

The voluntary sacrificial service of non-career soldiers epitomizes the concept of patriotism.

These are just a few thoughts to get a dialog started. How do you define patriot?

Remembering Pearl Harbor

67 years ago today (I originally posted this on December 7, 2008) the Japanese unleashed a vicious surprise air assault on the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, destroying nine ships and severely damaging 21 others. The torpedo and bomb attacks killed almost 2,400 sailors, Marines and soldiers. In memory of the folks who perished that day I am posting a few excerpts from an article in the Tulsa World newspaper:

Robert Norman (pictured right) knew it would happen, long before it finally did.

In 1937, he was a young sailor aboard the battleship USS Nevada, and he and his crewmates often watched freighters, laden with scrap metal, leave California ports westward across the Pacific.

Much of that metal went to Japan to feed its hungry war machine, "and we all knew those guns would be coming back at us eventually," Norman recalled.

Four years later, they did.
...
Norman was aboard the Nevada as a boatswain's mate, overseeing a crew of 120 in charge of the rear gun turret and the ship's crane.

He said the Nevada had steamed into Pearl Harbor on Dec. 5. The next day, he and his crew spent the day replacing old gun shells.

It was exhausting work. When they were finished at 11 p.m., all Norman thought about was a good night's rest.

At about 7:55 a.m. the next day, Norman was on his bunk, reading the newspaper, while the ship's band was above on the aft deck, getting ready to play for the morning's flag-raising.

All of a sudden, the band members came screaming down the stairs followed by an urgent voice over the public-address system: "All hands to your battle stations."

Norman had no idea what was going on, even as he dashed up the stairs. Then he saw the Japanese planes swarming in, "the red ball" on their wings.

He doesn't remember his exact feelings. But he recalls everyone jumping to their stations to defend the ship as they had been trained.

The Nevada, which was moored by itself, took a torpedo to the left front of the ship, filling up with water. The Japanese planes continued bombing.

It was the only battleship that day to try to leave the harbor. But Japanese bombers spotted it and tried to sink it to block the harbor entrance. About 17 bombs hit the ship, killing 60 sailors and injuring more than 260.

During the attack, with flames rising, Norman climbed a mast to help Ensign Joseph Taussig Jr. of Newport, R.I., who had been stranded with a severed leg. Norman saved Taussig's life and earned a Silver Star.
...
Looking back on the Pearl Harbor attack, Norman said the biggest lesson is for the nation to be "eternally vigilant."

He said it's far better to recognize a problem ahead of time and stay ahead of it than to try to catch up.

Norman turns 89 on Monday, Dec. 8.

It was on that date in 1941 when Congress declared war on Japan for its "day of infamy."

Captain Robert James Norman, USN, 94, passed away on August 19, 2013 in Sarasota, Florida.

Treat Veterans With Respect, Not Pity

The theologian Jonathan Edwards didn't consider pity an expression of "true virtue." Pity addresses the perceived suffering, not the whole individual. "Men may pity others under exquisite torment," Edwards wrote, "when yet they would have been grieved if they had seen their prosperity."

Pity sidesteps complexity in favor of narratives that we're comfortable with, reducing the nuances of a person's experience to a sound bite. Thus the response of a New York partygoer who—after a friend explained that the proudest moment of his deployment to Iraq came when his soldiers were fired on and decided not to fire back—replied, "That must make the nightmares even worse."

This insistence on treating veterans as objects of pity plays out in our national dialogue as well, whether it is Bill Maher saying on his April 4 HBO show, "Anytime you send anyone to war, they come back a little crazy," or a Washington Times article about PTSD claiming that, "Roughly 2.6 million veterans who serve in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from PTSD-type symptoms." That is roughly the total number of veterans who served, which suggests that the reporter thought there might be a 100% saturation rate of PTSD among veterans.
...
Pity places the focus on what's wrong with veterans. But for veterans looking at the society that sent them to war, it may not feel like they're the ones with the most serious problem.

Excerpted from a Wall Street Journal article (read it here) authored by Phil Klay, a US Marine Corps vet
who served from 2005 to 2009, including a tour of duty in Iraq from January 2007 to February 2008.
He is the author of "Redeployment," a short-story collection published by the Penguin Press.

Chaplain Emil Kapaun

Today Chaplain Emil Kapaun was posthumously honored with the Medal of Honor, the military’s highest award.
Below is a post that I shared about him on Memorial Day in 2011.

In January 1950 he was stationed near Mt. Fuji, Japan as a military chaplain until alerted into combat in July 1950.
In the same month, Chaplain Kapaun's unit, the 35th Brigade from Ft. Bliss, TX landed in South Korea during a big invasion.
He constantly ministered to the dead and dying while performing baptisms, hearing first Confessions, offering Holy Communion and celebrating Mass from an improvised altar set up on the front end of an army jeep.
He regularly would lose his Mass Kit, jeep and trailer to enemy fire. He told how he was thoroughly convinced that the prayers of many others were what had saved him so many times up until his capture.
He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal in September 1950.
When his unit was overrun by the enemy he stayed behind with the wounded. He allowed his own capture, then risked death by preventing Chinese executions of wounded Americans too injured to walk.
In November 1950, he was captured near Unsan, North Korea.
In the prison camp his main complaint was lack of sleep for several weeks at a time.
He was noted among his fellow POWs as one who would steal coffee and tea (and a pot to heat them in) from the Communist guards.
On May 23, 1951, he died in a prison camp in Pyoktong, North Korea. He was buried in a mass grave near the Yalu River.
On August 18, 1951, Kapaun was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions at Unsan.

If you are interested you can find more about Kapaun with an internet search. Today I honor and remember chaplains like him who do an amazing job ministering to our valiant soldiers. I applaud the quiet and humble way that they serve those who have given all for peace.

Shop at Military Friendly Employers

The 10th annual list of Top 100 Military Friendly Employers® was released today on militaryfriendly.com, a new site that highlights companies with leading employment solutions for military. The list of 100 companies represents the top 2 percent of more than 5,000 eligible companies whose annual revenues exceeded $500 million.

I am thankful for companies that pay more than lip service to returning vets. Here are a few of the companies that made the list:

GE (#9), Sears (#14), Verizon (#15), HP (#18), Pepsi (#24), AT&T (#30), Lowes (#38), State Farm (#41), Travelers Insurance (#52), Southwest Airlines (#58), Progressive (#69), T-Mobile (#71), Walmart (#78), Amazon.com (#89), Home Depot (#92), Microsoft (#99), Allstate Insurance (#100)

Wonder if the list will affect the ways that people shop for Christmas? Do you think that list will cause a person to buy at Walmart instead of Target? Wonder if it will influence anyone to buy HP/Microsoft over Apple? My guess is that the list will be unread by the masses. If you would like to know which companies they are you can check the list here.

Honoring Sgt. James Skalberg

Army Sgt. James Skalberg, a 25-year-old soldier from Red Oak, Iowa was killed in Afghanistan on June 27 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Following are the thoughts of my niece Angie about the day that Red Oak remembered this courageous American man.

I experienced a moment unlike any other in my life, today. It began by explaining to my children that we were going to stand along side the street to wave our flag and show our love for our country and a special man that died serving it. We weren't going to a parade and getting candy and we weren't celebrating. The young man that we were there to honor has a family, a young wife, a baby boy and friends that will never see him again because he loved our country so much that he would die for it.

My young son asked if there are other soldiers protecting us and I told him that there are and that we pray they come home safely to their families. My preschooler daughter proudly told everyone around that when this "nice man's car goes by, I will put my hand over my heart and hold my flag up."

When the procession passed by, everyone around went silent. Patriot guard riders drove by and I could feel the rumble of their motorcycles in my heart. My family and I watched a hero and his mourning family make their way down the street lined with American flags and proud but somber supporters. I will never forget the sight of the flag-draped coffin in the back of the hearse and for a moment wished the car had gone a little slower as it passed by - joining the many who wish for more time with this hero.

Tonight I go to bed sad, but filled with pride - pride in my children (whom I hope will remember today), pride in my town for showing so much support, and pride for the United States of America and for men and women like Sgt. James Skalberg who die defending our country and all of the people in it.

My children got extra kisses at bedtime tonight as I thought of Jamie's parents who used to kiss him goodnight when he was a child - never knowing what a hero their son would grow up to be. I also go to bed hoping that neither I, nor anyone else, has to have a day like today again.

The National World War I Museum

This week Ann and I visited this great Kansas City attraction. I thought of writing about it then remembered that I had posted these thoughts from my friend Kirk three years ago. His report says it all:

It was spectacular! I highly recommend it. They have transformed that whole park and made the Memorial Tower and the museum the focal point. You can tell as soon as you approach the gate. Seems very popular too; the street was lined with cars. The layout of the museum is circular. I started with the twelve minute intro movie. The first half of the circle is dedicated to the time between 1914-17 when everyone BUT the U.S. was fighting the war. That was very eye opening to me; at first I kept noticing "America" was missing from all the displays. In my ignorance, I just figured it was a demonstration of our great humility. Then my eyes opened to the fact that we didn't enter the war until 1917. The second half is dedicated to that time and half-way through they have a huge screen with a dramatic fifteen minute presentation slash diorama showing the transition. It was impressive. I decided to break at that point and go up in the tower for a great view of the city. Only waited a few seconds to get the elevator to the top. Returned to the museum and hurried through the second half expecting to save it for another visit, maybe next year. You could do it in less than two hours.

Thanks Kirk! You can virtually visit them at their website for more information. I highly recommend that you give it a try if you are ever in the Kansas City area.. and please let us know if you do - maybe we will take the trip with you.

Weeping for Our Wounded

Another interesting bit of information from the Sunday morning news shows was this offered by General Peter Chiarelli in his interview on "This Week with Christiane Amanpour" -

About 106,000 soldiers had "a prescription of three weeks or more" for pain, depression or anxiety medication. ... A portion of those 106,000 soldiers that I told you are on some kind of pain medication, it has nothing to do with a behavior health issue. There are soldiers who have been on two, three, four deployments, hucking a rucksack filled with equipment that may weigh 70 to 80 pounds at 8,000 feet, and they've got a knee injury or a leg injury that is painful. Probably should stay home and get operated on, but they go back for the second deployment, and they're on some kind of a pain medication. We have soldiers who suck it up all the time and hide from their leaders when they're hurt.

According to a Politifact online piece:

Chiarelli was referring to information in the Army's Health Promotion, Risk Reduction, and Suicide Prevention Report, released Aug. 5, 2010. This seemed like an important issue to explore further.

The report explains that historically, the Army's suicide rate has been much lower than the civilian population's. But the Army's rate began increasing in 2004 and surpassed the national average in 2008. That year, the suicide rate in the Army was 20.2 per 100,000, compared with a typical civilian rate of 19.2. This increase prompted the study.

I do not know what your reaction is. For me, my heart is weeping for our wounded.

My Two-Cents on McChrystal

I think that this Denver Post cartoon says it pretty well. Probably a good idea for the General to step down. The war (or something else) must have gotten to him and impaired his judgment. Good chance an enlisted person would have been treated harsher. What do you think about his remarks?

Honoring Courage, Sacrifice, and Heroism

Paul Rieckhoff is the Executive Director and Founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), and the author of Chasing Ghosts. In his September blog post titled “Immeasurable Courage and Uncommon Valor”— Sgt. First Class Jared C. Monti Rieckhoff gives us a glimpse into the heart of a courageous soldier. A few excerpts:

Last Thursday, we were reminded of what true courage, sacrifice, and heroism is all about. At a private White House ceremony, worlds away from the polarizing health care fight and the latest Kanye West stunt, President Obama posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor to the family of Sergeant First Class Jared C. Monti. The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest decoration for military valor. It’s received, not won. And it’s a distinction so rare that in 150 years, less than 3,500 servicemembers have received it. To put it in perspective, this is less than the number of troops that have bravely given their lives during the Iraq war.

Sgt. Monti was only the sixth recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq and Afghanistan, all posthumously.

Like those honored before him, Sgt. Monti is to be revered for his exceptional bravery and tremendous personal sacrifice. At age 17, before he was eligible to vote, Monti enlisted in the Army. Returning from his first tour in Afghanistan, he was already highly decorated with the Bronze Star and the Army Commendation Medal for valor. A consummate soldier, and equally humble, his own father didn’t know Monti received the Bronze Star until he found it resting, tucked away in his son’s drawer.
But the day that would come to define his gallant service and leave a legacy beyond what many of us could fathom occurred on June 21, 2006 in Gowardesh, Afghanistan, near the Pakistan Border. Sgt. Monti was in charge of a 16-man patrol from the 3rd Squadron of the 71st Calvary Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division. Positioned on a mountaintop, Monti’s team was swarmed by Taliban fighters. While engaging the enemy, Monti simultaneously radioed for help, until he saw that one of his men, Pvt. Brian Bradbury was badly injured, and exposed to enemy fire.

Sgt. Monti’s patrol leader volunteered to rescue Pvt. Bradbury, but Monti insisted he be the one to go, saying: “No, he is my soldier, I’m going to get him.” Despite the intense enemy gunfire, Monti ran into the open and attempted twice to retrieve his wounded comrade. On his third try, he was cut down by a rocket-propelled grenade, and died shortly thereafter. His actions in that moment, however inspired his men to thwart the Taliban fighters, thanks in part to the air support Monti had called for before his death.

This past Sunday would have been Monti’s 34th birthday.

Please read the rest of the story here.. it is a way to honor a veteran on this day we dedicate to those who have given all for freedom.

The picture to the left is one of my courageous son taken over in Iraq. Today I am taking a moment to remember the joy I felt when he came home and giving thanks for his service. In my son I see the qualities of honor, courage, sacrifice and heroism that Paul Rieckhoff saw in Jared C. Monti. Our veterans deserve to be honored today.

Please take a moment of silence with me and meditate on the service of those who have given so much and have asked for so little.

Afghanistan: Why Are We There?

Matthew Hoh was a 36-year-old foreign service officer serving in Afghanistan until he resigned his post last week. Mr Hoh is a former Marine Corps captain who served multiple tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. He received citations for uncommon bravery. He seems to be a credible voice in the Afghanistan discussion.

I found this call-in interview session with Mr Hoh to be an informative one and considered Hoh's thoughts about our efforts in Afghanistan to be insightful. Here are a few excerpts of his responses to questions:

I resigned because I reached a point in my conscience where I could not support the loss of American lives for a goal I don't believe serves strategic US interests. If I agreed with this policy, I would have remained working in Afghanistan at the provincial level.
I was hired as a limited non-career foreign service officer. I was sworn into the foreign service as as foreign service officer for at temporary period of time. The US government "deputizes" people in such manner to make up for shortfalls in manning or to bring in people with specialized experience.
Upon arriving in Afghanistan and serving in both the East and the South (and particularly speaking with local Afghans), I found that the majority of those who were fighting us and the Afghan central government were fighting us because they felt occupied.
I feel that our two goals in that region should be the defeat of al-Qaeda and the stabilization of Pakistan ... If anything, evidence suggests our presence in Afghanistan has destabilized Pakistan.
The people we are fighting, for the most part, in Afghanistan are fighting us because they do not want to be occupied by either a foreign army or a central government force. Simply put, al-Qaeda does not exist in Afghanistan and 60,000 troops with the hope of stabilizing the Afghan central government which may or may not succeed in 5-10 years time will not defeat al-Qaeda.

I find the views of Mr Hoh to be compelling ones. I admire his resolve and his courage of convictions. I hope he will be heard by those who influence policy in Afghanistan.

I think that the questions we need to ask in Afghanistan are the whys and not the whats or the hows. I think that if we focus on how to win and what we need to do to succeed we will miss asking the question of why are we there. I am hoping that our president is asking the right questions.

TT: Revolutionary Prosthetics

In this edition of Tech Thursday, I submit to you this excerpt from an article titled
Winner: The Revolution Will Be Prosthetized:

It’s October at Duke University, in Durham, N.C., and Jonathan Kuniholm (pictured above) is playing ”air guitar hero,” a variation on Guitar Hero , the Nintendo Wii game that lets you try to keep up with real musicians using a vaguely guitarlike controller. But the engineer is playing without a guitar. More to the point, he’s playing without his right hand, having lost it in Iraq in 2005. Instead he works the controller by contracting the muscles in his forearm, creating electrical impulses that electrodes then feed into the game. After about an hour he beats the high score set by Robert Armiger, a two-armed Johns Hopkins University engineer who modified Guitar Hero to train amputees to use their new prostheses.
...
The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is pouring at least US $71.2 million into the program in the hope that it will let amputees do what most people take for granted: make gestures, test the water in a teacup, turn a key, even peel the shell off an egg. Words like bionic and thought -controlled have been thrown at the project, but they don’t do justice to the sheer ordinariness of its purpose. DARPA isn’t looking for a superstrong ”Six Million Dollar Man” arm; it just wants an arm that moves exactly like a real one does.

Pretty amazing stuff.. makes me glad for our wounded veterans.

Afghanistan: More Questions than Answers

Over at ForeignPolicy.com Tom Ricks compares "President Bush's decision to surge in Iraq to President Obama's current deliberations." This point in his article caused me to reflect a bit:

"Second, when Bush endorsed the surge, he was rejecting the advice of almost all his military advisors. By contrast, if Obama goes for a troop escalation, he will be embracing the recommendations of his generals."

Ann and I were talking about a surge in Afghanistan a few days ago and I opined about how it is not always wise to listen to the generals.. military officers are tasked to wage and win wars.. presidents and their advisors are tasked to determine the advisability of wars and their accompanying escalations.

When I think about the war in Afghanistan I wonder what the strategy should be over there. I wonder if winning over there is simply keeping terrorists engaged.. keeping them off our American soil. When I think about a major escalation in that war I think about how weary our troops (and their families) are and wonder how much more these few will have to sacrifice for us. I also wonder if a national draft is being considered along with an escalation in forces in Afghanistan. I guess I have more questions than answers.

What do you think we should do in Afghanistan?

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