Who has two thumbs and is a NaNoWriMo 2010 Winner?

This guy!

Giving Thanks?

I know I am...

In the midst of war, I am home and in one piece.

In the midst of recession, I have a good job.

In the midst of so much ill-fortune, I have a healthy and whole family.

In a world full of despotism and authoritarianism, I live in a country that still maintains a high level of freedom.

I can understand why our forefathers felt they were especially blessed to be here. I feel so too.

Veteran's Day 2010

On the day I reflect most about my more than 25 years (and counting) in the service, I realized something... I'm in the club, so to speak.

Growing up I heard from those that had served before me.

Dad in 1945

Uncle Jack in 1943

and others like my Explorer Post leader, Chuck Reed. I had grown up hearing of service, and even jumped in myself.

Me, in 1985

But I since I was "in", I never saw myself the way I had seen those before me - the ones who had gone and done something and were now the veterans that myself and others could talk to about "how it had been".

Even after I went to war, twice

Me, Afghanistan, 2004

Me, in Iraq, 2008

But now I am going to a middle school assembly today - and I am the one telling the kids "how it was". It feels like I have joined a group I have always looked up to... it is humbling.

Free Speech Suspension - outrage!

Please sound off here. This suspension is a manifest outrage. I mean, if everyone got rung up for those violations, half the blogosphere would be under the interdict...

Free Iowahawk! Tell Dave Burge to unsuspend himself!1!1!11!

Help with Project VALOUR-IT

I am late getting this blog into the VALOUR-IT effort.

Only you can help me make up for this by donating, on behalf of Team Army, heh heh, here.

Want to know what this is all about? Look here.

The Future is so bright, I have to wear (ballistic) shades

Camp Lincoln was quite crowded this weekend. When I showed up for my National Guard training assembly, there was no place to stay or park... Why?

We had all of Soldiers that our next class of Officer Candidates will be drawn from on the base. Well over a 100 were coming to find out about going through the State Officer Candidate School (OCS) and becoming commissioned officers.

So why does this make the future bright?

These were all enlisted Soldiers (and junior NCOs) that had already joined in time of war. Think about that self-selected group - they volunteered to join a group of people who were constantly being sent to combat (from our little blog alone, I was in OEF 2004-2005 and OIF 2007-2008, CSM Bones was in OEF 2004-2005 and 2008-2009 and the Inner Prop was in OEF 2004-2005). Now, they want more responsibility and a longer committment, while we are still at war. Some of them had already been to war themselves, as enlisted or junior NCOs.

Those are the people you want leading your Soldiers, ladies and gentlemen. Our officer ranks look like they will be filled by some pretty impressive folks, for the foreseeable future. I'm going to go find my ballistic shades...

NaNoWriMo 2010 Begins

Well, I've gone and done it again.  I've thrown in with those crazy National Novel Writing Month people.  I tried to stay out, I really did.  In fact I ran on a No-NaNo platform, but circumstances just forced me.  Now that I'm in it I'm in it to win, so wish me luck, 'cuz I won't be back 'til it's over over there (o'er by dere at Illini6).