Once Again: 'Til You're Back Here In Our Arms

[Kat]

To all those fathers out there who serve our nation from the hearts of those that miss you:

Happy Father's Day!

Original song and lyrics by Kat Henry. Little Girl: Stormy.

Please note, this is free to download or share with your loved ones wherever they are, what ever they do.

Lyrics below in flash traffic

Fair winds and a following sea, Sailor and Scouts.

AOC Eberhart passed away last Saturday. The note I got from the Goat Locker was:

"...a life well lived, but cut too short."

I don't know if Sailors go to Fiddler's Green, or somewhere else, but I'm sure they'll pull him up a stool at the bar.

There's a new tent at Fiddler's Green, as well. Last night's storms gave Prodigal Son and his SO a near-miss as a tornado went through Manhattan, Kansas, and then that line of storms smashed Chapman, Kansas, and went marching on through Nebraska and into Iowa, where it struck a Boy Scout camp, killing Josh Fennen, 13, Sam Thomsen, 13, and Ben Petrzilka, 14, and Aaron Eilerts, 13.

I was a Boy Scout, and a camp counselor, and we always played Taps at "Lights Out" in camp.

So, I'm assuming that Josh, Sam, Ben, and Aaron have all pitched a tent together in the woods around Fiddler's Green, and that Chief Eberhart was there to greet them.

So, now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam.

Someone else you should know. Jack Lucas.

While yet another posthumous award of the Medal of Honor occured this week, a living Holder slipped into the night.

Jack Lucas, the youngest Marine - who lied about his age to enlist for WWII at the advanced age of... 14.

6 days after his 17th birthday, while fighting on Iwo Jima, he jumped on two grenades, saving the lives of his fellow Marines.

LUCAS, JACKLYN HAROLD

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division. Place and date: Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 20 February 1945. Entered service at: Norfolk, Va. Born: 14 February 1928, Plymouth, N.C. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 20 February 1945. While creeping through a treacherous, twisting ravine which ran in close proximity to a fluid and uncertain frontline on D-plus-1 day, Pfc. Lucas and 3 other men were suddenly ambushed by a hostile patrol which savagely attacked with rifle fire and grenades. Quick to act when the lives of the small group were endangered by 2 grenades which landed directly in front of them, Pfc. Lucas unhesitatingly hurled himself over his comrades upon 1 grenade and pulled the other under him, absorbing the whole blasting forces of the explosions in his own body in order to shield his companions from the concussion and murderous flying fragments. By his inspiring action and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice, he not only protected his comrades from certain injury or possible death but also enabled them to rout the Japanese patrol and continue the advance. His exceptionally courageous initiative and loyalty reflect the highest credit upon Pfc. Lucas and the U.S. Naval Service

Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam.

Private First Class Ross McGinnis.

I got an email from a buddy in-theater about, oh, three hours after this even occurred. All I can say is - about time, bureaucrats.

John,

Just wanted to give you a heads up that PFC Ross McGinnis, 1-26 IN, was KIA on 04 DEC 2006 here in Baghdad. His parents will receive his Silver Star (hopefully interim) at the funeral. He is being submitted for the Medal of Honor. AIF got a grenade into his M1151 through the top hatch.

He yelled "Grenade" and shielded his comrades by throwing his body on the grenade. Everyone in that vehicle walked away; some were pretty hurt, but nonetheless, were alive.

I hope this award doesn't drag out for two-plus years.

C

And well done, Private McGinnis.

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT IN PRESENTATION OF THE MEDAL OF HONOR POSTHUMOUSLY TO PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ROSS ANDREW MCGINNIS

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Welcome to the White House.

A week ago on Memorial Day, the flag of the United States flew in half-staff in tribute to those who fell in service to our country. Today we pay special homage to one of those heroes: Private First Class Ross Andrew McGinnis of the U.S. Army. Private McGinnis died in a combat zone in Iraq on December the 4th, 2006 –- and for his heroism that day, he now receives the Medal of Honor.

In a few moments, the military aide will read the citation, and the Medal will be accepted by Ross's mom and dad, Romayne and Tom. It's a privilege to have with us as well Becky and Katie, Ross's sisters.

I also want to thank the other distinguished guests who have joined us: Mr. Vice President; Secretary Jim Peake of Veterans Affairs; Secretary Pete Geren of the Army; Secretary Michael Wynne of the Air Force; General Jim "Hoss" Cartwright, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. I appreciate other members of the administration for joining us.

I want to thank members of the United States Congress who have joined us today: Steve Buyer, John Peterson, Louie Gohmert. Thank you all for coming. I appreciate the Chaplain for the prayer. We welcome friends and family members of Ross, as well as members of the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, including Charlie Company, that's with us today.

We're also joined by Private McGinnis's vehicle crew

-– the very men who witnessed his incredible bravery. We welcome Sergeant First Class Cedric Thomas, Staff Sergeant Ian Newland, Sergeant Lyle Buehler, and Specialist Sean Lawson.

A special welcome to the prior recipients of the Medal of Honor, whose presence here is -- means a lot to the McGinnis family. Thank you for coming.

The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest military distinction. It's given for valor beyond anything that duty could require, or a superior could command. By long tradition, it's presented by the President. For any President, doing so is a high privilege.

Before he entered our country's history, Ross McGinnis came of age in the town of Knox, Pennsylvania. Back home they remember a slender boy with a big heart and a carefree spirit. He was a regular guy. He loved playing basketball. He loved working on cars. He wasn't too wild about schoolwork. (Laughter.) He had a lot of friends and a great sense of humor. In high school and in the Army, Ross became known for his ability to do impersonations. A buddy from boot camp said that Ross was the only man there who could make the drill sergeant laugh. (Laughter.)

Most of all, those who knew Ross McGinnis recall him as a dependable friend and a really good guy. If Ross was your buddy and you needed help or you got in trouble, he'd stick with you and be the one you could count on. One of his friends told a reporter that Ross was the type "who would do anything for anybody."

That element of his character was to make all the difference when Ross McGinnis became a soldier in the Army. One afternoon 18 months ago, Private McGinnis was part of a humvee patrol in a neighborhood of Baghdad. From his position in the gun turret, he noticed a grenade thrown directly at the vehicle. In an instant, the grenade dropped through the gunner's hatch. He shouted a warning to the four men inside. Confined in that tiny space, the soldiers had no chance of escaping the explosion. Private McGinnis could have easily jumped from the humvee and saved himself. Instead he dropped inside, put himself against the grenade, and absorbed the blast with his own body.

By that split-second decision, Private McGinnis lost his own life, and he saved his comrades. One of them was Platoon Sergeant Cedric Thomas, who said this: "He had time to jump out of the truck. He chose not to. He's a hero. He was just an awesome guy." For his actions, Private McGinnis received the Silver Star, a posthumous promotion in rank, and a swift nomination for the Medal of Honor. But it wasn't acclaim or credit that motivated him. Ross's dad has said, "I know medals never crossed his mind. He was always about friendships and relationships. He just took that to the ultimate this time."

When Ross McGinnis was in kindergarten, the teacher asked him to draw a picture of what he wanted to be when he grew up. He drew a soldier. Today our nation recognizing -- recognizes him as a soldier, and more than that –- because he did far more than his duty. In the words of one of our commanding generals, "Four men are alive because this soldier embodied our Army values and gave his life."

The day will come when the mission he served has been completed and the fighting is over, and freedom and security have prevailed. America will never forget those who came forward to bear the battle. America will always honor the name of this brave soldier who gave all for his country, and was taken to rest at age 19.

No one outside this man's family can know the true weight of their loss. But in words spoken long ago, we are told how to measure the kind of devotion that Ross McGinnis showed on his last day: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Gospel also gives this assurance: "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted." May the deep respect of our whole nation be a comfort to the family of this fallen soldier. May God always watch over the country he served, and keep us ever grateful for the life of Ross Andrew McGinnis.

And now I'd like to invite Mr. and Mrs. McGinnis to please come forward for the presentation, and the military aide will read the citation for the Medal of Honor.

The citation is read: The President of the United States of America, authorized by act of Congress, March 3rd, 1863, has awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to Private First Class Ross A. McGinnis, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Private First Class Ross A. McGinnis distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an M2 .50-caliber Machine Gunner, 1st Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy in Adhamiyah, Northeast Baghdad, Iraq, on 4 December 2006.

That afternoon his platoon was conducting combat control operations in an effort to reduce and control sectarian violence in the area. While Private McGinnis was manning the M2 .50-caliber Machine Gun, a fragmentation grenade thrown by an insurgent fell through the gunner's hatch into the vehicle. Reacting quickly, he yelled "grenade," allowing all four members of his crew to prepare for the grenade's blast. Then, rather than leaping from the gunner's hatch to safety, Private McGinnis made the courageous decision to protect his crew. In a selfless act of bravery, in which he was mortally wounded, Private McGinnis covered the live grenade, pinning it between his body and the vehicle and absorbing most of the explosion.

Private McGinnis' gallant action directly saved four men from certain serious injury or death. Private First Class McGinnis' extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam.

Another empty chair at the table.

Literally, in the case of my Rotary club. I'm at that point in my life where death overshadows life, in that I'm old enough that some of the people I hang out with, well, they wear out, and in my family, at least, the next generation has not yet entered their child-bearing-and-raising stage. Since none of them are yet married, though a couple are, um, "practicing," I'm not complaining. So funerals predominate. Such was the case this week, when fellow Rotarian (and the second of my two mentors-in-Rotary) slipped from "Senior Active" to "Career Completed."

The colors are at half-staff again, at Castle Argghhh!

Colonel Robert "the Baron" von Schlemmer, 83, of Leavenworth, passed away on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 2008. If you're a soldier, not a bad day to die, if the time has come to lay your tools aside.

The Baron (as he was called throughout his military career) was born in Long Beach, California in 1925. Baron attended Hollywood High School (how cool is that, eh?) and was drafted into World War II out of Los Angeles City College Art School. He served as a medic, earning a Combat Medical Badge fighting in the Pacific and CBI theaters.

He attended UCLA on the GI Bill and attained the rank of cadet colonel and was a Distinguished Military Graduate in the Army ROTC program there. After school and service in Korea, where he earned a Combat Infantryman's Badge to go with his CMB, he married Joanne Paul in 1951. The von Schlemmers had a pretty classic WWII-generation military career in the Infantry. They served overseas and around the nation a lot - Joanne gave birth to children in Okinawa, Japan; Fort Benning, Georgia; Frankfurt, Germany; and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

His career was split between schooling at Fort Benning and Fort Leavenworth, and infantry and intelligence jobs in the US, overseas, and he got stuck at the Pentagon, as most Colonels do. His career included commands in Korea and notably with the Old Guard in Washington, D.C., for President Kennedy. If you've seen the footage of President Kennedy's funeral - you've seen the Baron's work. After more than 30 years service to the nation, he retired from the Army to continue his service in a different vein - to his adopted home of Leavenworth and Fort Leavenworth.

He and Joanne spent years sponsoring officers from around the world who were attending the Command and General Staff College. Sponsorship means they picked up the officers and their families at the airport, helped them get settled and through the bureaucratic maze of getting an identity established in the US - housing, banks, cars, licenses, etc. They sponsored officers from all over the world, especially the Middle East and Northern Africa — a part of the world that Baron loved and whose cultures he greatly respected. Every summer, he taught "American" to the teenage sons and daughters of visiting officers.

Baron was a committed historian and a good teller of the story, serving as the preferred tour guide of the fort and the surrounding area for visiting dignitaries and performed in the “Living Museum” in downtown. He also served this community through work with the Kansas Governor's Board of Tourism and Leavenworth Convention and Visitors Bureau. He recently received the Tourism Ambassador award from the Leavenworth Convention and Visitor's Bureau. Robert was an active Mason with the Scottish Rite, Hancock Lodge. He was dedicated to the Rotary Club of Leavenworth, High 12 Club and the Acacia Fraternity, UCLA Chapter.

Not to worry, the Baron's legacy of service and care has been well-established. He is survived by his wife, Joanne; his daughter, Gretchen of Sonora, Calif.; and his sons, Paul of Ridgecrest, Calif., Kurt of Kansas City, Mo., and Mark of Lawrence, Kan., and their families. He had six grandchildren and recently one great-grandchild - and all those soldiers, US and foreign, who served with him or who were, in a sense, served by him - and he is well-remembered in the community, where he had a real, day-to-day impact, where he lived up to, no, exemplified, the motto of Rotary...

Service above Self.

Rotary meets Wednesdays for lunch at the Riverfront Community Center in Leavenworth. Baron's visitation is at the RCC today.

I'll see ya for lunch today at the Riverfront, one last time, Baron. To say goodbye.

Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam for Colonel Robert von Schlemmer.

Update: I'm back from the service, which was actually great fun, to see pictures of the Baron before I knew him. It brought back a lot of memories of "Growing Up Army." Some of you may read this and think to yourself, "Okay, got it - important to you, nice guy, etc - but other than that, so what?"

Well, leaving aside all the other answers, I'll provide this, as a direct answer, especially to those of you who live in the area, or are soldiers.

This. This is a direct impact.

There was a representative from former General and Secretary of State Colin Powell at the service. Bob von Schlemmer is mentioned more than once in General Powell's book - because while others took the public face of the project... Bob von Schlemmer is one of the key people behind why there is a Buffalo Soldier Monument at Fort Leavenworth - and it would be a far different looking monument if not for his "devil's advocacy" regarding the design. That alone is a lasting legacy worth noting.

Fare thee well, thou good and faithful servant.

Memorial Day from the bottom of the world

In May 1942 New Zealand was invaded.

It was of little strategic value to fight this far from the American mainland and it can be argued that it was in fact counter to the US war effort to expend resources when they were fighting a war they were not winning.

Two things saved New Zealand froma real invasion. A handful of Australian territorials on the Kakoda Trail and the US Navy getting into a fight in the Coral Sea they had little real expectation of winning. Although it uasually assumed that the Japanese had intended to invade Australia next their actual target was New Zealand from which they planned to isolate Australia. The currency for the ocupation had already been printed.

In stead of Japanese, we got Marines. A lot of them never got home again.

From here they left and fought in the Pacific War eventually driving the Japanese Empire back to its own islands;

Kwajalein Guadalcannal Saipan New Georgia Peleiu Bouganville Iwo Jima Tarawa Okinawa Cape Gloucester

We asked, they came.

Thankyou very much.

Memorial Day, 2008. At the Castle we remember...

First, we remember the cost to the families who lose a loved one. Especially the trauma of losing a warrior in combat:

Second Lieutenant Leonard Cowherd, Part 1, and Part 2.

They also pay a heavy price, those who wait for their warrior to return.

The Castle remembers those who touched the Castle's Denizens this year:

Private First Class Shawn Gajdos.

Sergeant First Class Greg Sutton.

Private First Class Cameron Payne, Private William C. Johnston, and Colonel Michael Butler.

Colonel Royal Brown.

Staff Sergeant Roy Lewsader and Private First Class Michael Pittman.

Captain Joshua E. Steele, Sergeant 1st Class Christopher D. Henderson and Sergeant 1st Class John M. Hennen.

General Robin Olds.

Corporal Stephen Bouzane, Private Joel Wiebe, Sergeant Christos Karigiannis

Specialist Carter Gamble Junior.

Corporal Eric Palmer and Private First Class Andre Craig Jr.

Captain Darrell C. Lewis

Sheldon Lyman Rutherford

Charles Lindberg and Specialist James Adair.

Captain Matthew Johnathan Dawe, Corporal Cole Bartsch, Private Lane Watkins, and Master Corporal Colin Bason

Colonel John Lockey.

Master Sergeant Randy Gillespie.

Sergeant Courtney Finch and Specialist Daniel Leckel.

Staff Sergeant Travis Bachman and Specialist Camy Florexil

Specialist Braden Long.

1st Lieutenant Benjamin Hall.

Corporal Cory Wiens and Cooper.

WO1 William H. Laurence, Jr., CPT Stephen Douglas Carr, SP5 Larry Bruce Jacobson, SP5 Benny Ray Halstead

Master Sergeant Scott M. Carney and Sergeant First Class Daniel E. Miller

Staff Sergeant Jason Butkus, Specialist Rodney Johnson, Sergeant Joel L. Murray, Specialist David J. Lane, and Private Randol S. Shelton

Master Sergeant Patrick Magnani and Staff Sergeant Courtney Hollinsworth.

Sergeant Edmund Jeffers

Corporal Nathan Hornburg and Specialist Joshua Reeves

Sergeant Elden Lehnherr

Lieutenant Mark Daily.

Miriam Lehnherr

CW4 Keith Yoakum and CWO Jason Defrenn

Corporal Nicholas Beauchamp and Private Michel Levesque

Yujiro Shidara

Triticale.

Major Andrew J. Olmsted and Captain Thomas J. Casey

Chief Warrant Officer Hugh Thompson

Staff Sergeant Eric Barker

Aunt Elaine.

Private First Class Ray Jacobs.

Flight Lieutenant Michael Shand and Flight Lieutenant William Fordyce

Charlie O'Connor

Frank Piasecki

Wiliam F. Buckley

Arthur C. Clarke

Staff Sergeant Keith Maupin

Carl Wiliam Martin

Commander "Mac" McWhorter

Carolyn Sue Johnston

Not that I expect you to click and read every link - but the "Surge" is represented in a sense. The list runs in order the posts were posted - and the time spread between them has lengthened, and more people who were not combat casualties, but rather the casualties of time and wear appear towards the end of the list. A trend that continues, hopefully, into the next year.

Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam for our fallen, and those of our Canadian brothers-in-arms.

.

He Breaks the Bow

[Kat - Sunday, May 25, 2008]

We go to the garden three times a year, sometimes more. In the garden, flowers bloom all year round. Over the hill, down into the valley, across the little wooden bridge that sits above a stone lined creek. Then, over the next hill, down by the tree. A little later, around the corner and up on the next hill, we walk to the places that we know well, the symmetrical paths guiding our feet.

It's hot now, the sun above us with a slight haze settled over the rolling hills. We hold a quiet conversation, pausing now and again before moving on. Sometimes we walk in silence, each contemplating their own thoughts or, maybe, as I am, holding a silent conversation with those we walk among.

[continued in flash traffic]

Flash Traffic (extended entry) Follows �

I noticed the couple walking towards us along the path. White haired, the man holding a small arrangement of flowers in one hand and his hat in the other, she with a paper in her hand; they walked as I did, head down, counting:

58.......57.......56......

"Are you lost?" I asked as we met on the path.

The lady looked at the paper, bewildered, and then to me, "Do you work here?"

"No, Ma'am. But I have been here many times," I replied. The older gentleman, in his jeans and checked shirt, was looking down at his hat, then out over the garden. I glanced back to the lady, helpfully.

"Oh. We have, too," she said. "Come every year, but it seems like it keeps changing." I know what she meant. We come every year and it seems like it just keeps growing. There's always a new addition in the garden.

"Are you looking for someone?" I prompted again as I felt a drop of sweat trickle down past my sun glasses.

The man never spoke. "Our dear friend. The lady said section 58. I thought it was on the end of a row, but..." She gestured half heartedly.

"What month and year?" I smiled helpfully and then glanced across the field to get my bearings. The year that section of the garden was added is plainly visible on stark white markers.

"Um...2005...May, I think."

"Oh. I know where that is. I'll show you the way." We had already been to all the places in the garden we needed to go. I knew them well and all the places in between.

I turned back along the path and down back towards the bowl of the valley. Earlier, the thunder had rolled across the hills, echoing like cannon, disturbing the quiet, before a few large drops had fallen. I picked my way carefully along the path, avoiding the bare areas where grass had not yet grown in the new additions. Head down, counting again:

56...57....58....

World War II. Vietnam. Vietnam. Vietnam. Vietnam. Korea. Vietnam. Vietnam. Persian Gulf. Vietnam. Vietnam. Vietnam.

GYSGT. USMC. MPH. LT COL. AIR FORCE. DFC. 2 OLC. 1SGT. ARMY. BSM. OLC. ARCOM. S1. USN. PFC. ARMY. MSM. AAM.

When I first came to the garden I didn't know how to read the stories written in the stone. Now I know. I read them quietly to myself as we went along.

Two young men came up the path in a cart, "Are you finding everything alright?" These polite caretakers are the reason that the garden looks so beautiful all year long.

"Yes. Thank you." I gestured to the older couple who approached more slowly. "They're looking for their friend."

"What's his name? We can look him up for you." They stopped and one young man stepped out, pulling out a book.

I turned to the lady as she approached, the man still silent, standing behind. "What's his name?"

"David...David Leonard Buckles." She looked back to the silent man who stayed where he was.

"Just a minute." The young man flipped the book open. One page. Two pages. "Almost there." He ran his finger down the page, near the bottom he stopped. "Ah...David L. Buckles. Section 58, Row 9, 16." He closed the book and looked up. "In this section, go west...ah...back up the hill. The numbers are on the back of the stones." The stones always face east in the garden. Towards the sunrise so the sun will always be on their faces.

The lady must have still looked confused, "Here, I'll show you." He placed the book back in the cart and took the lady's arm. The other young man followed behind in the cart.

"Thank you," I said as they passed.

"Yes. Thank you." The lady echoed somewhat relieved. She turned back a little to me as they walked, "Thank you."

"You're welcome." I watched them go, a few yards back up the hill towards the silent man. He put his red hat back on, the one with the yellow writing: USMC. Still silent, he raised his hand. I raised mine in acknowledgement. In that moment, I knew him. Then he turned and walked on.

I looked out over the valley, watching the others who moved quietly through the garden of stone with their flowers and small gifts, pausing here and there to read the stories, bending down to place their offerings or straighten a flag. A young woman sat near a stone while a boy stood fidgeting near by.

I watched my mom walk back towards me through the stones, along the grassy path, "I found Fred. Somebody's already been to visit."

"Oh." I heard the chimes from the chapel on the hill start to chime the Armed Forces Medley. We knew so many here in the garden.

Every time I come to the garden, I learn something new. Why the stones faced east. How the sections were organized. How to read their stories. I had always admired the long rows of stone. I knew that the position of each stone was measured out to form precise lines like a military formation on the parade ground.

This time, I got "it". The "it" we're supposed to get when we honor all those who have fought for our nation and are now gone. Not sadness or grief, nor pride or gratitude nor even peace. Not even simply satisfaction for doing what should be done.

They rested here in military precision, the stones a measured distance apart, the last formation, but they had already been relieved from their posts. Their job was done.

What were the words? They were floating around on the edge of my memory. Oh. Yes...

He breaks the bow and shatters the spears...

An odd feeling struck me. Odd because I was standing in the garden of stone, a place where those who had lived through battle now rested and those who remained often still grieved.

It was...happiness.

"What time is it?"

"Hmmm?" I cocked my head and listened to the chimes fade away on the last notes of the Navy song, Anchors Aweigh. "A little after two, I think. Are you ready to go?" We had a birthday party to get to.

I took her arm and we left the garden. But, we'd be back soon to visit again, learning the additions, admiring the flowers and reading the stories as we walked to the places that we knew well. Next time, I'll remember all the words.

Leavenworth National Cemetery Psalm 46:9-10

9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields with fire.

10 "Be still, and know that I am God;

� Secure this line!

Reporting As Ordered, Sir! �

---

Lord,
take them and keep them.

I type this as I am crying...God, thank you for sparing my family from this, and thank you for making such men as will risk it, every generation.

by Foxfier on May 26, 2008 5:00 AM

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...Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Psalms 30:5

Thank you and rest well.

by Cricket on May 26, 2008 8:44 AM

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Kat,

The young men were being PC with their comment about facing east. The bodies are facing east to face the returning and Risen Christ.

by Azygos on May 26, 2008 1:40 PM

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It's often difficult to know what to say. We in Australia feel for your soldiers for our alliance has been long and many are the struggles we have shared. Remembering them is important to us too, though our official remembrance is on another day. Still any day can be good for remembering, can it not?

Kat you are such a good writer here, you show the compassion and quiet honour in a living setting like few can.

by Argent on May 26, 2008 2:11 PM

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Well done, Kat.

by John of Argghhh! on May 26, 2008 2:39 PM

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Agreed, John.
VERY well done.

A few years ago I bought a special t-shirt that I only wear once a year, on Memorial Day. It's black. The front has a picture of a flag and a few soldiers who appear to be ready for battle. The words on the back, however, are the reason I bought the shirt, and only wear it once a year:

"What else can you so to our Veterans on Memorial Day other than Thank You?"

Thank you.

by AFSister on May 27, 2008 8:23 AM

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� Dismissed, Soldier!

by Kat on May 26, 2008

An empty chair at the table.

[Armorer's note: this post will remain up top all day. New content comes in below]

Today, a flag that flew in Iraq was run up the halyard and then descended back, half-way. The colors fly at half-mast this day at Castle Argghhh!

Carolyn Sue Johnston, wife to my office-mate Keith, died last week after a tough-fought struggle with cancer, and is being laid to rest today in Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery.

It's been a long, hard slog for the family, the echoes of which I heard every day in the phone calls, while Keith fought the docs to get her correctly diagnosed and treated, the fight with disease, and Keith's manful efforts throughout to keep his family on an even keel and Sue's spirits up - and his own spirit strong to be the rock that anchored it all.

One quick way to gauge a person's success in life is not how big the house, how fat the bank book - but rather, how many people show up for the funerary events. Last night I went to the wake at the funeral home. It was packed, with a continual flow for two hours. Sue's was a good life, well lived. Last night her father said to me "She was a stubborn girl, who knew what she wanted, and went for it. She taught me so much. And gave us so many chances to do things we would never have done otherwise. She was a good girl." Indeed.

You did well with all this, Keith. As best you could in trying times. I am so sorry for your loss. Dwell on the future, cherish the past. Your family enfolds you - and your friends have your back.

Carolyn Sue Johnston entered the loving arms of her Savior on 17 May 2008. Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on September 25, 1961, she attended McCollum Elementary School, Manzano High School, and Hoffmantown Baptist Church. After a brief attendance at the University of New Mexico, she enlisted in the U.S. Army, attending basic training at Fort McClellan, Alabama and advanced individual training at Fort Gordon, Georgia.

She served as a communications specialist for the U.S. Armys 26th Signal Battalion, 93rd Signal Brigade in the Federal Republic of Germany from 1981 to 1983. Upon returning from Germany, she served as a trainer at the U.S. Army Signal Center at Fort Gordon, Georgia. In 1985, she returned to civilian life, devoting herself to her family needs and numerous community volunteer activities. Eventually, her love of military service could not be contained, and she returned to duty as a radioman in the U.S. Naval Reserves. She was assigned to the U.S. Navys Western Pacific Fleet where she saw duty on Guam, Saipan, and surrounding waters.

Continuing to support her husbands military career, she arrived at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1993. Her children attended MacArthur and Bradley Elementary schools and Patton Junior High, where she tirelessly volunteered for many of her childrens school programs and activities. She worked as a library assistant and substitute teacher in the Leavenworth, Lansing, and Platte County school districts. Her teaching and mentoring continued, as she began coaching swimming for the Fort Leavenworth Lancers and several years later, as the assistant swim coach of the Platte County High School mens swim team, where she coached for six years.

She also had a love of photography, and she attended the University of Missouri in Kansas City to pursue that passion. She remained ever active in her faith, as a volunteer at Immaculate Conception Parish and as a Sunday school teacher at the Forts Main Post Chapel. Her zest for life, her sense of humor, and her desire to serve others, left their mark on many people.

She is survived by her husband Keith, son Christopher, daughter Angela, mother and father, Bob and Sharon Benton, and sisters Marsha, Jennifer, and Melodie who all miss her terribly but know she is with her Redeemer.

Memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, May 23, 2008 at the Main Post Chapel, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. She will be interred with military honors at the Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society on her behalf that others may live.

Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam, of Carolyn Sue Johnston, soldier, sailor, wife, mother.

-George Santayana

Since Sue ended her military career a sailor - I'll end this post with the Navy Hymn.

If you've spare change you don't know what to do with - make a donation to the American Cancer Society, in Sue's name, that maybe the scourge will be beaten back to a bad memory. That would be a fitting legacy beyond the wonderful family she helped build.

Too many honors and recognition come too late.

It's nice to see some that beat the curve.

Meet Chief Petty Officer David Eberhart.

My fellow Chiefs,

I wanted to share with you this picture as well as a short synopsis of how it came about.

AO1 David Eberhart (pictured) is terminally ill with cancer. I was his Chief for his first tour on the USS INDEPENDENCE and even then his goal in the Navy was to be a Chief Petty Officer. His career, though very successful, has been interrupted with cancer treatment, periods of remission and finally with the news of being terminal.

He is currently assigned to MALS-24 at Kbay. A few months ago he requested to see the MCPON [Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy - the Navy's senior enlisted sailor. -ed.]. MCPON Campa happened to be on the island visiting and went to the hospital to see AO1. It was explained to him [MCPON] how badly AO1 wanted to be a Chief and that he even took the Chief's exam from the hospital during a three day period -- he didn't have the strength for more than an hour at a time. On his good days he would put on his uniform and make his way to work though the time there took a severe toll on him physically.

He did not make board as he was six-points shy. It was requested by PACFLT Chiefs that AO1 be made an Honorary Chief Petty Officer. We talked about it in Newport and MCPON was in concurrence. The intent was for MCPON himself to make the presentation.

News came this week that AO1 Eberhart may not make it through the weekend as his health is rapidly declining. FLTCM Tom Howard along with a ton of Chiefs (including CMDCM Don Krampert from CPRW-2) from the area banded together to make this happen as quickly as possible. On Thursday, AO1 David Eberhart was designated an Honorary Chief Petty Officer.

I personally called and talked to Chief David Eberhart following his promotion Thursday and the excitement in his voice came with a strength and commitment that cannot be explained in words. He remembered well our time on the INDY but his short term memory is fading quickly.

Chief Eberhart's terminal prognosis remains listed in days. He is married with two children.

Thank you for all you do.

V/r Aaron

Aaron A. Shipley
Sailor and Command Master Chief
Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance GROUP

As of this writing, Chief Eberhart is still with us. Which is why I wanted to get this up.

H/t to a Senior Chief for letting me know, and High Five to the Chief community Goat Locker for getting it done. If a bunch of senior NCOs think it's the right thing to do - it usually is wise to go along with them.

Calling for Prayers and Positive Thoughts

Sarah is the kind of wife a good warfighter dreams of having waiting for him back home--strong, loyal, responsible, flexible, loving and unspeakably proud of her husband and the profession he has chosen... A warrior wife.

Less than a year ago, far later than what they had planned for, she was finally pregnant. She lost the baby at about six weeks, though she didn't know until later.

Just over a week ago, her husband deployed to Iraq. Last weekend, she found out she was pregnant again. It wasn't part of their plan, but they rejoiced across the miles.

The other day, she got some very bad news [three separate links].

Yesterday, it got worse.

Love, prayers, good thoughts... whatever you've got, please send it out on her behalf. Even strong and independent warrior wives need help at times.

Mother's Day, 2008

Hey, it's probably apocryphal. So what?

BEING A MOTHER...

After 17 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, 'I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you.'
* * *
The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been alone for 20 years, but the demands of my work and my two boys had made it possible to visit her only occasionally.
* * *
That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie.
* * *
'What's wrong, aren't you well,' she asked?
* * *
My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.
* * *
'I thought it would be pleasant to spend some time with you,' I responded. 'Just the two of us.'
She thought about it for a moment, and then said, 'I would like that very much.'
* * *
That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her
house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last
birthday on November 19th.
* * *
She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angels. 'I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed,' she said, as she got into that new white van. 'They can't wait to hear about our date'.
* * *
We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. 'It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small,' she said. 'Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor,' I responded.
* * *
During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation- -nothing extraordinary but catching up
on recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie.
* * *
As we arrived at her house later, she said, 'I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite
you.' I agreed.
* * *
'How was your dinner date ?' asked my wife when I got home. 'Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,' I answered.
* * *
A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her.
* * *
Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place
mother and I had dined. An attached note said: 'I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I
could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife.
You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son.'
* * *
At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: 'I LOVE YOU' and to give our loved ones the time that t hey deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till 'some other time.'
* * *
Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby.... somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, 'normal' is history.
* * *
Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct... somebody never took a three-year-old shopping. [Heh. Remember that mysterious 'lolo' I wanted?]
* * *
Somebody said being a mother is boring.... somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit. [Mom's response, as I missed taking paint off her door by microns - "I assumed you'd already *been* driving!"]
* * *
Somebody said if you're a' good' mother, your child will 'turn out good'.... somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee. [Um, no comment.]
* * *
Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother.... somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math.
* * *
Somebody said you can't love the second child as much as you love the first.... somebody doesn't have two children. [As if love is a finite, non-renewable resource.]
* * *
Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery.... somebody never watched her 'baby' get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten ... or on a plane headed for military 'boot camp.' [Or her husband and son going off to dangerous places...]
* * *
Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married....somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings.
* * *
Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home....somebody never had
grandchildren .
* * *
Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her.... somebody isn't a mother.
* * *
Pass this along to all the 'mothers' in your life. And to everyone who ever had a mother. This isn't just about being a mother; it's about appreciating The people in your life while you have them....no matter who that person is.

********************************

And the grounds of the Castle are liberally sprinkled with daffodils - since the Castle is your equivalent of that pre-paid dinner.

I miss you.

Love,

John

God Speed, CDR McWhorter

Hamilton “Mac” McWhorter; former Navy commander had an early love of flying

Hamilton “Mac” McWhorter was 7 years old when a barnstorming pilot visited his hometown and he took his first ride in an airplane.
From that moment, he knew he never wanted to do anything else.
The future Navy commander was a naval aviation cadet undergoing training when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Within a couple of years he had become the first American pilot to achieve “Ace” status flying a new airplane, the Hellcat.

CDR McWhorter passed away April 12 at his home in El Cajon. He was 81. A memorial service was held Sunday the 4th at First United Methodist Church of El Cajon. His ashes were interred yesterday, May 5 at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.

You can view a History Channel snippet with CDR McWhorter on YouTube.

Thank you for your service, sir.
Hotal Tango to the AO Shack on Yahoo Groups.....they let me peek........Maggie

Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam.

Someone You Should Know

Staff Sergeant Carletta Davis, Combat Medic.

Davis was worried about returning to Iraq and made sure to spend more time with her family, including her husband and three sons before her most recent deployment.

“I think she was concerned particularly for her children,” [her mother] said. “She knew the danger of going back a third time.”

Yet she went. She died in Tal Al-Dahab, a few miles from here, on 5 November, 2007, along with four other soldiers when an IED detonated near their Humvee. They were enroute to set up a combat aid station.
.
AFSister has a post you should read -- about the Band of Sisters serving their country. Performing their duty, often at hazard, often unrecognized.

There is another Band of Sisters who performed their duties, faced the hazard and, in our sorrow, we search for ways to recognize their sacrifice and honor their memories.

SSG Carletta Davis will be remembered.

Our hospital, staffed and run by the 506th Expeditionary Medical Squadron, is undergoing renovations. Part of that was to be an upgrade to the combat clinic, the ER for casualties coming in by medevac.

Instead of upgrading the existing clinic, they built a new one.

The paint was still wet when I took that picture...

An American Journey

"There are only two important things in life: the people who you love and who love you, and your country."

Take a close look at that group of pictures above. They're all of the same person.

He grew up in an abusive household, one in which his drunk of a father shot his mother after they had divorced when he was eight... and before they remarried when he was ten. As an adult, he was a baseball player--Rookie of the Year, World Series MVP, a member of the great New York Yankees post-WWII teams. He's famous today for broadcasting baseball games on CBS and San Diego Padres radio. In fact, he's in the broadcasters' wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame. And...

He's a highly-decorated dive-bomber and fighter pilot, veteran of WWII and Korea. A Marine Corps colonel.

But according to his colleagues and friends, you wouldn't know any of that from entering his home. They report it contains no displays of baseball awards or artifacts from his famous teammates, no medals or "I love me" wall as some veterans have, no pictures or plaques from his ongoing broadcasting days. When he is spoken of by those who know him, instead of talking about his achievements, they use the word "gentleman" a lot. "Not a nicer guy around," is often heard, too--both from colleagues and fans. And in his life of 32 years as a San Diego celebrity, the worst thing anyone has ever said about him is that he has a habit of being married to younger women. But hey, when you're 83 years old, most of the women out there are younger!

Getting him to talk about himself is a challenge to those who have interviewed him. He jokes about being a terrible baseball player, and prefers instead to talk about how lucky he was to know the other people on his team. He doesn't talk about being a Marine, and he acts as if he's amazed to find himself in the Baseball Hall of Fame. But after years of "nagging" from his wife, he has finally put it all on paper for the rest of us.

Meet Jerry Coleman, beloved broadcaster of the San Diego Padres (from listening to him call games for 20 years, I assure you that interview is vintage Jerry--in his humility, gentlemanly behavior, and humor). His long-time broadcast partner Ted Leitner gets away with calling him "Colonel," but I suspect Ted has a special dispensation. To the rest of us he's just our favorite Padres broadcaster, our guide to the game, Mr. Malapropism, and another amazing example of that "Greatest Generation."

A tough childhood amid the Great Depression, baseball in the heyday of Maris and Mantle, service in WWII and Korea, and life in the paradise of Southern California... enough for at least three quintessentially American lives... and still going strong. As soon as I can scrape together the shekels, I'm buying this.

[Update: cross-posted at Fuzzilicious Thinking]

Carl William Martin, 1926-2008

Since today is the anniversary of the landings on Okinawa, this is apt.

They paid for this: Red Beach 2, Tarawa, 20 november, 1943...

John,

Your blog name is how I feel today. Here’s why.

Carl William Martin was born in March 1926 in Cumberland, Maryland. When we entered World War II, his father was given a choice: join the service or relocate to Pittsburgh (alone) to continue his work in the steel mills as an essential war industry; he relocated to stay close to his family of small children.

Carl, the oldest child, waited until his 17th birthday and then took his father’s place. He joined the Navy but was sent to boot camp at Parris Island and assigned to the Marine Corps' Second Assault Amphibian Battalion. The "Second Amphibian Tractor Battalion" was an organic unit of the 2nd Marine Division, composed of a Headquarters and Service Company and three letter companies, all equipped with the Landing Vehicle Tracked-1 (LVT-1). In 1942, the Battalion set sail from San Diego, CA with the First Marine Division and participated in assaults on Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa. Carl was seriously wounded, but stayed with it until the Battalion was deactivated in November 1945 and he was discharged.

Carl came home, married his sweetheart, Margaret, and started a heating oil business. He was a bright guy and invented some controls for heating units that were patented and sold worldwide. He and his skills remained in high demand from businesses and residence owners for the rest of his life.

In 2001, Margaret contracted Alzheimer’s and quickly became totally uncommunicative. Carl moved her to a nursing home. For the next five years, until Margaret passed away, Carl went to the nursing home every single day, seven days a week and 52 weeks out of the year, to have lunch with Margaret and talk to her. He left her voice on the answering machine for his heating oil business, so whenever we called we heard her first. He would let her entire greeting play before he would pick up the phone.

Two years almost to the day after Margaret died, Carl passed away last Friday in Cumberland. He paid his dues to the nation and to his wife and family. Now he is back with Margaret in heaven – and probably wishing that he had gone to hell so that he could handle the heating controls down there. But in spite of his experience in the Pacific, he didn’t qualify for deployment to that hot spot.

Rest in Peace, Carl. I have lost a really great pal.

Jack

The sheepdogs walk among us all our lives, and we never notice them, until we need them. A whole generation of them are slipping by us now, even as you read this.

...so we could have this - Red Beach 2, Tarawa, today.

Fair winds and a following sea, sailor.

Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam, for Carl Martin, US Navy, WWII, a friend of a friend of the Castle.