Military

The Role of the Shotgun

Shotguns are just better for some jobs, like blowing the lock out of a door in Baghdad to gain entry to a suspected terrorist hideout and weapons cache. This soldier stows his assault weapon and uses an XM26 12-Gauge Modular Accessory Shotgun System (MASS) to gain entry to a building; when the door is “unlocked,” this “locksmith” falls to the rear of the column of soldiers behind him, retrieves the assault gun, stows the MASS and falls in with the search and confront tactical formation.

Photo credit: army.mil.

Oh – and God bless these guys.

Giving Thanks to Our Troops

We often think about and pray for our troops across the globe. And our efforts go beyond just thoughts and prayers since we routinely support charities such as Wounded Warriors, Soldiers Angels and the USO. Please, if you are able, send our troops a little support as a way of saying thanks for what they do. Keep it going all of this holiday season if you are able.

You should also keep the families of these wonderful men and women in your thoughts and prayers, since they will be celebrating without their loved ones.

Neil Cavuto of the Fox News Channel offered this poignant and insightful thought about those serving in our defense:

Giving Thanks to Our Troops

By Neil Cavuto

I cannot imagine eating Thanksgiving dinner in a mess hall. In a foreign country. In a hostile foreign country. Away from family. Away from friends. Away from all I hold dear.

I cannot imagine wondering whether this meal might be my last. Or the buddy sitting next to me won’t always be with me.

I cannot imagine going through what our soldiers go through every day. But especially “this” day. When we should all give thanks. But they barely have the time to eat. Before they’re back on the line. Back protecting us.

We who debate their role. Some of us who even mock their cause. This isn’t about a war. This is about those who fight it. And endure it. And live through it. In a place we forget. On a day we should not.

I am very lucky to have this day with my family. My creature comforts are secure precisely because theirs are not. It’s not fair. It’s not right. It just is.

They are due our thanks every day. Our prayers all days. But they are due both, especially this day. It’s amazing to me that those paid so little, give so much. Never complaining. Always giving. So that we can sit down in peace. While they stand guard, in war.

May God bless and protect all of our men and women in the armed forces.

Veterans Day 2006

Thank you Veterans for your service, your sacrifices, and your spirit. May God bless you all.

The Lomita, California Veterans of Foreign Wars post flew these brilliant colors all over the property. A large American Flag and the POW flag were on the mast high over the post. We got a nice thrill out of their show of patriotism on this Veterans Day.

Semper Fi

From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli,
We fight our country’s battles in the air, on land and sea.
First to fight for right and freedom, and to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title of United States Marine.

Our Flag’s unfurled to every breeze from dawn to setting sun.
We have fought in every clime and place, where we could take a gun.
In the snow of far off northern lands and in sunny tropic scenes,
You will find us always on the job, the United States Marines.

Here’s health to you and to our Corps, which we are proud to serve.
In many a strife we’ve fought for life and never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy ever look on heaven’s scenes,
they will find the streets are guarded by United States Marines.

Happy 231st Birthday to the USMC. God bless all Marines, past present and future!

Aerial Simulated Explosion

As I watched the news today, I saw part of the dedication of the U.S. Air Force Memorial.The monument itself is a trio of sweeping towers that simulate the arcs of air vehicles in flight. Visit the link to get some perspective of the monument.

At the dedication, the Air Force Thunderbirds flew a “bomb burst” formation in tribute to the design of the monument.

Yesterday, we saw the Blue Angels fly a similar maneuver at MCAS Miramar: