I found this photo in my archives and wanted to share it here. Little that I have done in my career in aerospace has made me prouder than to have been on the team that produced this magnificent aircraft.
Military
USS Midway Naval Aviation Museum
During our visit to San Diego, I took this panoramic view of the USS Midway docked at Navy Pier. The Midway is now permanently moored as a floating museum. Continue reading too see the moving panorama.
San Diego
We’re still in San Diego, and spent quite a day here today and last evening; we’ve seen some interesting things since we blew into town: a concert, museums, art galleries and, of course, San Diego’s great military heritage.
Our first order of business last night was to attend Sean Hannity’s Freedom Festival concert – what a patriotic rush that was; we saw Sean, Ollie North, Fred Thompson, Lee Greenwood, Michael W. Smith, John Voight, Montgomery Gentry and many others. Lots of military was there including the ‘WOLFPACK” Helicopter Squadron fly-over and the “Leap Frogs” Navy SEALS Parachute Team.
Photo right: Sean Hannity giving opening remarks at the concert.
Today, we drove to Balboa Park and went through the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit at the Natural History Museum. After that, we visited other Balboa Park attractions, like the Arboretum and art galleries.
Next, we went to the Embarcadero where we saw the Star of India and a couple of other tall ships. We finished the waterfront by visiting the USS Midway, which is on permanent exhibition at San Diego Navy Pier. Below is a photo of a huge sculpture of a WWII sailor smooching a nurse from the famous photo taken after VJ-Day, which is across from where the ship is docked. In perspective, the people to the right are only a few meters away from the sculpture, which had to be nearly 30 feet (9 meters) in height. Photo credit – Damsel.
Clinton Shows Her Military Malice
Senator Clinton is at it again. This time she shot off her mouth to the Pentagon demanding they prepare to withdraw troops from Iraq. This malicious attack on our Military should convince Americans that Clinton, not unlike John Kerry, is “Unfit for Command.”
Eric Edelman, the Defense Department’s undersecretary for policy, offered a sharply-worded response (to Clinton’s demands), saying such discussions boost the enemy.
“Premature and public discussion of the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq reinforces enemy propaganda that the United States will abandon its allies in Iraq, much as we are perceived to have done in Vietnam, Lebanon and Somalia,” Edelman wrote.
More Democratic Party Cowardice
House Minority Leader, John Boehner on the Democrats’ bill to retreat from Iraq by April 2008: “This is not leadership. This is negligence.â€
A note about tonight’s vote on Iraq: Is this really a win for Democrats?
John Boehner photo credit RNC
Today, for the sixth time in as many months, Democrat leaders offered legislation that cheers for retreat in our war with radical jihadists in Iraq. It outlines no “new way forward†in Iraq at all – no plan for a safer Middle East or a safer America; no guarantees for the safety of the Iraqi people; no plan to prevent Iraq from becoming a breeding ground for terrorists; no consideration of the disastrous consequences of precipitous withdrawal; and completely disregards the safety of American troops.
In short, the Democrats’ bill does not constitute any “new direction†whatsoever – it just changes the subject on the Democrats’ failure to govern on every domestic policy issue under the sun.
In the meantime, House Republicans:
1. Remained unified today in supporting our troops and giving General Petraeus a chance to succeed – consistent with their firm belief that our generals on the ground should make military decisions, not politicians in Washington, DC.
2. Secured passage of the funding bill for our troops six weeks ago, enabled the General to receive the full complement of reinforcements three weeks ago, and refused to support the Democrats’ latest partisan charade to renege on those Congressional commitments.
3. Exposed the Democrats’ penchant to over-reach and pander to the Ultra-Liberal Left on Iraq. The “record of genuine bipartisanship†they promised last year has been non-existent this year; their blatant partisanship makes it that much easier for Republican members to stay united.
4. Repeatedly made it clear that Democrats have NO plan for Iraq should their plan to withdraw troops immediately pass, other than to leave Iraq in chaos.
5. Maintained a principled stand, never cowering to pressure from millions of dollars in political advertising by the outside groups that coordinate with Democrats. Republicans continue to do the right thing for the right reasons, regardless of the polls.
Democrats want to throw open the borders, disengage from fighting terrorism, protect criminals from justice and they want to take my guns away so I can’t defend myself against the havoc their insane policies will inevitably wreak.
Real Progress in Iraq – Michael Yon
Michael has a new article posted, Baqubah Update, in which some of the real truth about what’s happening in Baqubah is documented.
Today marks “D +16†of Operation “Arrowhead Ripper,†the Battle for Baqubah. Arrowhead Ripper kicked off on 19 June 07. I have several dispatches in the works about the major events since that time. Although the serious fighting seems to be over, there remains a possibility for some sharp fighting in the near future. The morning of 06 July began with the sounds of American cannons firing, shells whizzing through the air, while they checked systems and aiming for combat. Apache helicopters orbited Baqubah as the orange sun crested into view.
Photo: Girls in Baqubah – Michael Yon
Independence Day
Happy Independence Day!
As you enjoy the holiday today, take a moment to remember that many of our men and women in the military will be on duty, away from home and family. Without them and their sacrifices throughout the history of our nation, we might not be celebrating independence at all.
Please visit one or more of these charities and help to make someones day a little better.
- Any Military:
- Packages from Home
- Soldier’s Angels
- USO
- Wounded Warriors
This patriotic bouquet is dedicated to those who defend our independence.
