One of the thing I do, in my role as a member of Congresswoman Boyda's veterans and military affairs advisory council, is talk to people - my neighbors, friends, co-workers, and sometimes just sit and listen as I overhear strangers talk - about the war. A recurring complaint is about how we're going it alone, without support from the international community.
Which, regarding Iraq, is certainly arguable, if not exactly accurate. It is less true regarding Afghanistan, the Under-Reported War. The Press seems to still support that one, so they aren't going to report on it, seemingly, since they can't use it to Bash Bush while at the same time support the war without getting confused. Or something.
Regardless, NATO is there, and I assure you, as a former soldier of NATO, I don't think too many NATO nations had on-the-shelf plans for Afghanistan. Currently, there are two Italian soldiers missing, feared kidnapped.
Just recently, Canada suffered another fatality and wounded soldiers. Corporal Nathan Hornburg is Canada's 71st fatality supporting the NATO effort in Afghanistan. A member of the King's Own Calgary Regiment, he was actually serving with C Squadron, Lord Strathcona's Horse. Captain H, himself a member of the Strathcona's told me about it. That giving Corporal Hornburg a Castle connection...
Therefore, now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam.
Over in Iraq, Specialist Joshua H. Reeves, of Watkinsville, Georgia, died in an IED attack. An infantryman of the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, of the 4th Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Infantry Divsion at Fort Riley, Specialist Reeves became the 134th casualty for Fort Riley.
Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam.
Last, but in the eyes of his fellow soldiers, not least, there is an Australian casualty. Razz. Three Australian soldiers were wounded and one killed in two separate attacks in Afghanistan last week.
Killed doing his duty of helping to find and disarm bombs, was a furry soldier, a black Lab named Razz. H/t, Tim Blair, via CAPT H.
Name Muffy, Sergeant Kiki, muster the Guard Force. It's time to dance for Razz..
Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance sing a soul to the Great Hunting Ground and Tennis Ball Chasing Facility.
When Governor Sebelius sets the day to fly the colors at half-staff for Specialist Reeves, the second staff at Castle Argghhhh! will fly the Maple Leaf.
The point of this post is simply this - we may not have all the help we'd like - but we are not alone in this fight. And we do well to remember that, now and again.
So, today, at the Castle, the colors of Canada and Australia will whip from the staffs.
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