WhatAreWeFightingFor.com

We're looking for a few good men and women to build a strong association for all who have served or are serving in the Air Force Security career field; Air Police, Security Police, Security Forces, Active, Guard and Reserves.

We're a world-wide 2500 member AFSPA organization, founded in 1986 to preserve our heritage, support our active duty men and women, assist members for employment, and pledged to help our members in personal crises.

Membership is also open to all who have served honorably in the Army MP's, Navy Master of Arms, Marine MP's, and others with law enforcement background.

For more information about our growing fraternity, let's meet on our website

www.afspaonline.org, or call the AFSPA San Marcos, Texas headquarters at (512) 396-5444, or toll free 1-888-250-9876 for more information.

Honor the past, recognize the present and prepare for the future: These are our commitments.

Join us if you can. You'll be glad you did. Please help us pass the word about AFSPA!

Dear Member

SITREP

(Situation Report)

by Bob Anderson

Let me start by saying, things have definitely been busy. My math is improving - originally we had one goose at the new place. We are up to two geese and four ducks which our dogs thoroughly enjoy making take flight. Our little flotilla takes wings and lands in our small lake and quake at the dogs. Suffice it to say, we love it here - it ain't Texas but it is pretty darn good!

Soon you will notice major changes in our web site. This is primarily the result of realizing we need to make it easier for our members to access information and to support the thrust of the Red, White and Blue Speaker's Bureau. Col. Bond and I continue to make personal appearances both to live audiences and on radio interview shows.

However, you know what - it just is not having the effect we expected. There is not a day that goes by I don't shake my head in wonder at the sheer, incredible, unbelievable decisions being made in this country today. Each news cast now seems to be a stair step to the next incredible mis-step. The media can't seem to find a good story. The candidates can't seem to find their footing and the country can't find its common sense. Now, I'm not being negative - I'm just trying to be accurate.

I still think this is the greatest country in the world and I know there are many of us that share that thought. I just think that we have finally arrived at a point where some more folks are going to have to learn it is time to earn what they have been given. Remember the last few scenes in Saving Private Ryan when Captain Miller is dying and he tells Ryan, "Earn this!" I think that is the problem, too few folks today have bothered to "Earn This Great Country!"

History has a funny way of numbing folks that don't study it. Because something always has been, they believe it always will be! Dangerous way to think, dangerous way to live. The entitlement generations have been sucking on the government tit so long, the cow is just about dead. They've been sucking but no one has been taking care of the cow.

I spoke with a new friend from Idaho the other day; Mike earned the Silver Star in Nam. Mike has the same fear that I do. It is a fear that I am hearing from a lot of folks across the country. There appears to be a growing group of dissatisfied Americans whose frustration level is at critical mass. Could an armed conflict result from all of this? While I hope it won't, I know it can.

After a while people stop looking for external leadership and start finding it internally. I think that is where a lot of folks are right now. I think we are going to have to go through a difficult and unhappy time before we figure out how to restore common sense in America. We have to figure out how to remove the stain of this political correctness that has short circuited our economy, our business, our schools and our families.

This won't be fixed by the time of the election, nor will it be fixed by the election. This is a poor path that we will have to walk down for quite a while. We will have to get fed up, motivated and angry enough to win back what we are loosing each day. We have to change our politicians, we have to changes our power brokers - if we do it well, we can recover. If not, then we'll have to deal with it.

Someone once said, "People get the exact government they deserve!" I hope I live long enough to see us deserve the right kind of government again.

If you have any questions contact me directly. Bob@WhatAreWeFightingFor.com

Bob Anderson, PhD, CMSgt USAFR (Ret)
936.520.9696

Founding Members

What Are We Fighting For?™

Click here

to hear Bob on the OCPA 'Right Ideas' radio program

TRIBUTE SONG & VIDEO
TO HONOR OUR MILITARY

Below is a link to a new song and video to honor our military. Dave and I and other families we know contributed photos for this piece that will provide proceeds to an organization to help our wounded.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjnhHGxuK-o

I hope something wonderful comes your way today.

Deb Tainsh

NEED A KEYNOTE SPEAKER?

GO TO: www.RedWhiteAndBlueSpeakers.com

ABOUT BOB

BOB ANDERSON, PhD, CMSgt USAFR (Ret)

Bob Anderson is a decorated military veteran with over 32 years of service. His last military assignment was with the Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Balad Air Base, Iraq. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in Iraq. He retired as a Chief Master Sergeant with the US Air Force Reserves.

Bob is the president and founder of What Are We Fighting For?, Inc., an organization providing leadership and guidance across the nation in support of our troops and the re-Americanization of America. Additionally, he is president and founder of Back to Basics International, sits on the Board of Directors for the World Safety Organization, the WSO Accreditation Committee and chairs the Ethics Committee. He's a member of various veteran organizations, holds two PhD's and is a published author.

ABOUT DAVE

COLONEL DAVID A. BOND, U.S. AIR FORCE (RET)

Dave Bond is the Vice President for West Coast Operations for What Are We Fighting For?, Inc. During his 28 year military career he commanded eight Security and Anti-terrorism units and was Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Security Police, Headquarters Air Force in Europe overseeing the European Air Forces Anti-terrorism Program.

Heavily involved in the raid on Libya by the United States, he was responsible for the deployment of personnel securing B-52 Bombers conducting raids on the Iraq Republican Guard Forces and the coalition forces bases which launched aircraft during Desert Shield and Storm.

Dave Bond has been featured on radio talk shows and TV specials talking about Chemical and Biological Terrorism threats and how the U.S. and individuals can prepare and deal with these threats.

FIRE UPDATE: (10/26/07)

The Edwards family is still safe and healthy. Most of our evacuee friends have now returned to their homes, and our own neighborhood is about ten miles from the nearest danger area.

If you live in California, please do what you can to assist the firefighters, first-responders, volunteers, and the evacuees. If you don't live here, please visit the San Diego County Emergency website and contribute to one of the disaster relief organizations listed there.

-- Jeff Edwards

The View From the Deck Plate:

What Price Victory?

by: Jeff Edwards l January 18, 2005

I watched the news a few evenings ago. The top story was the spiraling death toll among U.S. troops in Iraq. A prominent broadcast journalist spoke in solemn tones about the number of deaths since the start of the war, which he estimated at 1,353. He continued at great length to point out the tremendous human cost of our efforts in Iraq, and ended with the rather heavy implication that America should have avoided Iraq entirely because our mission there is too difficult, and too dangerous.

As I watched the remainder of the news program, I realized that most reporters have made little (if any) effort to realistically assess the cost of the military conflict in Iraq. They latch onto the latest estimate of American fatalities (1,358 as of this writing) and brandish it as proof of how desperately awry the Iraqi situation has gone. After all, if more than thirteen hundred American Soldiers are dead, we must be taking a horrible beating. And, by extension of that logic, we must be losing the fight.

I hear the same ideas echoed by people on the street every day. If we've lost this many troops, we cannot possibly be winning the conflict in Iraq. Most of the time, I let it pass. I don't have time or the inclination to give a history lesson to everyone who accepts the media's assessment at face value. Instead, I ask a simple question. How do our losses in Iraq compare to our losses in past military actions? Almost invariably, I get a blank stare in response. People have no idea. They simply take it for granted that our losses are astronomically high because that's what the nice man on television said.

Despite the initial stun value of my question, it's really not very difficult to compare our losses in Iraq to those from our combat actions of the past. The Department of Veterans Affairs maintains records on wartime military losses. They're accessible via the Internet to anyone with a computer, and in print for people on the short side of the digital divide. Figures for the current conflict are available on the Department of Defenses public website. (By the way, the DOD site includes the numbers for non-combat deaths, personnel wounded in action, and many of the other figures that conspiracy theorists think the government is trying to conceal.)

The fact of the matter is, the number of U.S. deaths in Iraq have been incredibly low. People look at me funny when I say this, but our troop fatalities have been so low that they're almost statistically anomalous. Look it up. Do the math. The records are public.

In World War I, an average of 2,810 American Soldiers died in combat every month. That's not the total death toll for the war; that's the average number of U.S. combat deaths every month. We lost 53,402 men over the entire 19-month duration of America's involvement.

During World War II, we were engaged in combat operations for a little over 44 months. An average of 6,626 American service members lost their lives every month. Yes, I said every month. Total losses for the war are calculated at 291,557 - over a quarter of a million American lives.

By the Korean conflict, troop fatalities were down to about 910 a month. In Vietnam, the numbers were down even further: an average of 526 losses per month.

The first Gulf War lasted about a month. We lost 148 service members. That was by far the lowest combat fatality rate since we've been keeping records. Many military experts considered that number to be freakishly low, in view of the scale of combat operations and the nature and strength of the enemy forces arrayed against us. More than a few pundits offered the opinion that we'd never be able to pull off another major combat operation with losses as low as 148 deaths per month.

And yet, that weirdly low figure was more than twice as high as our current losses in Iraq. In the twenty months since U.S. forces rolled onto Iraqi soil, we have lost an average of 68 lives a month. I literally cannot find historical precedent for losses that low.

I'm not making light of the losses we've suffered. Each and every one of those deaths is an incalculable tragedy. Each and every one represents a father, a mother, a sister, a son, or a daughter who will never come home: a piece of the future lost for all time. These deaths are all important, and they are all tragic. But so is the loss of every firefighter who rushes into a burning building to save a child, and every police officer who steps into the path of death to protect the innocent.

Our ability to wage war has improved so drastically that it has created unrealistic expectations on the part of our media, and the American public. When casualty counts were through the roof, the American people seemed to understand that war is an incredibly dangerous business. They expected casualties. But the casualty has dropped so dramatically that many people are beginning to think that war can be fought without loss of life.

On December 7, 1941, during the attack on Pearl Harbor, nearly 1,200 American Sailors lost their lives aboard the battleship USS Arizona. The losses aboard that one ship in a single battle were nearly equal to the total number of U.S. casualties suffered thus far in Iraq.

The cost of bringing freedom to Iraq is high. I don't deny that for a second, and I don't pretend that mere numbers tell the complete tale. But the simple truth is - in terms of American casualties - this has been by far the least costly war we've ever fought. Any suggestion that we are paying some never-before-seen price is nothing short of ludicrous.

Despite everything I've said here, I'm confident that tomorrow evening I'll turn on my television and see a journalist or military expert offering our casualty count as evidence that we are losing the struggle in Iraq. On my way to work, I'll meet at least one person who buys into that argument, in blatant contradiction of established fact. I'll bite my tongue, if I can manage it. If not, I'll find myself educating yet another stranger on the history and scale of American warfare.

Reprinted with permission from Jeff Edwards

NOTE: We appreciate Jeff Edwards, who writes for Military.com, allowing us to re-print his articles.

Jeff Edwards is a retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer, and an Anti-Submarine Warfare Specialist. He is currently working as an expert civilian advisor to the Naval Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Command, and Naval Space Warfare Systems Command.

A combat veteran, Jeff is a recipient of the Combat Action Ribbon, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, campaign ribbons for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, the liberation of Kuwait, and numerous other medals and citations. His naval career spanned more than two decades and half the globe - from chasing Soviet nuclear attack submarines during the Cold War, to launching cruise missiles in the Persian Gulf.

Trained extensively in mainframe computers, weapons systems, and naval combat tactics, he brings an experience-based edge of authenticity to his writing. His novel, Torpedo was the winner of the 2005 Admiral Nimitz Award and the 2005 American Author Medal. Torpedo has recently been optioned by film producer Paul Sandberg (The Bourne Supremacy). Jeff is hard at work on his next novel, a naval thriller tentatively titled 'The Seventh Angel.'

Jeff is proud to be a member in good standing of the American Author's Association.

THANK YOU BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED TO PROTECT FREEDOM FOR AMERICA!

http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/

This is a link to a really great website that does HONOR ALL WHO SERVED.

DYI Deadlines For Holiday Military Mail

Stars and Stripes reports that the deadlines for military postal mail reaching all destinations by Christmas are:

1) Nov. 13 for surface mail (mail going by truck or ship),

2) Nov. 27 for space-available mail,

3) Dec. 4 for parcel airlift mail,

4) Dec. 11 for priority mail and first-class letter and cards, and

5) Dec. 18 for express mail.

"These deadlines apply to everyone," said Yvonne Radloff, command postal training manager for the 2nd Air Postal Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. No matter where mail is sent, either to the United States or downrange, Radloff said that it will usually get to its destination within 10 days.

TIME TO CHUCKLE

Teacher Applicant
by unknown author

After being interviewed by the school administration, the eager teaching prospect
said: "Let me see If I've got this right. You want me to go into that room with all those kids, and fill their every waking moment with a love for learning, and
I'm supposed to instill a sense of pride in their ethnicity, modify their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse and even censor their T-shirt messages and dress habits.

You want me to wage a war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, check their backpacks for weapons of mass destruction, and raise their self esteem.
You want me to teach them patriotism, good citizenship, sportsmanship, fair play, how to register to vote, how to balance a checkbook, and how to apply for a job.

I am to check their heads for lice, maintain a safe environment, recognize signs of anti-social behavior, make sure all students pass the state exams, even those who don't come to school regularly or complete any of their assignments. Plus,
I am to make sure that all of the students with handicaps get an equal education regardless Of the extent of their mental or physical handicap.

I am to communicate regularly with the parents by letter, telephone, newsletter and report card. All of this I am to do with just a piece of chalk, a computer, a few books, a bulletin board, a big smile AND on a starting salary that qualifies my family for food stamps!

You want me to do all of this and then you tell me...

I CAN'T PRAY?"

PEACE AND THE US VETERAN

REMEMBER NOVEMBER 11, 2007

by Van Harl, Major, USAF (Ret.) l Oct 30, 2007

"All we are saying is give peace a chance," a classic line from a John Lennon song. The problem with peace is that it just does not work unless you have the strength to defend your peace and the self control to not use that strength to abuse other's peace.

I believe that man will always want more and if he can get it through non-violent, non-destructive means he will in most cases be satisfied. Cut off his pleasure and his toys and he will be come agitated. Cut off his needs or more correctly his perceived needs and he will resort to violence on other men to get what he feels he must have.

You take away my cable TV and I am going to be mad. You take away my food and water and I will kill to get it back. I will kill even quicker if I think you are trying to hurt my family. And did you know that my feelings are not limited to white, northern European descended, Christian Americans? Mess with anyone and the basic fight or flight instinct will kick in.

I assume there will always be people out there in the world who will never like me and my kind and I assume that some of those people will always view aggression toward the US as an ongoing and unending process. Other than the 911 attack the US has not suffered a massive man made, deliberate destruction of American life since the Civil War. We live very well and very safe in this country because of our strength and desire for peace.

During my 52 years of close contact with the military I have met many a young troop who could not wait to get into combat. Very seldom have I ever had a conversation with a combat veteran who just could not wait to get back to the fight, a veteran who truly enjoyed the danger of close contact with death. Oh, I am sure there are a few strange ones in our society who have some deep seated reason for enjoying the destruction of war but they are not normal.

Normal veterans are those men and women who put on the uniform to defend this country in its time of need but cannot wait to get home and be a civilian again as soon as possible. Recently in the media I have heard the question being asked of different age groups, what they feel they owe their country. Sadly many do not feel they owe anything. Now these are the same people who will dial 911 and expect the entire safety net of our emergency responders to be on-call 24 hours a day and at their door in less that three minutes after a cry for help.

Why do these people believe they are entitled to so much expensive support from police, fire and EMT responders? Take it another step, why do these people feel they have a right to the defense of their Nations, hometown and personal home by volunteers who put on the uniform of the US military, volunteer soldiers who do give back to their country.

Literally as I was writing this column my mother phoned to tell me my uncle had died. He was a WW II combat veteran who fought in France and Germany. He served with very little fanfare, came home and got on with his civilian life. Most people do not even know he was in the Army. I know it though and on Veteran's Day he was one of the WW II veterans on an ever shrinking list that I always called.

There are people who hate us and will always hate us. There will never be a time when the United States does not need some type of military force to defend and protect our way of life. And sadly there will always be those in our society who just cannot see the need to support and give back to this great nation. I will be headed to Iowa from Colorado for a funeral, an American, combat veteran's funeral.

He was lucky he got to come home from his war. We, as a country, were lucky he was willing to "give" back to his nation. It is Veteran's Day, please thank a veteran for his or her service, for their sacrifice and be thankful there are still Americans who are willing to stand up and be counted to defend our peaceful way of life.

Van Harl, Major, USAF (Ret.)

Testsaments of Love and Courage

by Deborah Tainsh l February 1, 2007

"Having the Blue Star Moms reach out is a blessing, and a facility which gave so much to us for nothing in return is a testament to values and helps make things better. It's beneficial and helps to hear others. If we get another invitation, we'll look forward to returning."

These were the words of Gold Star Dad Jim Simpson when he and I spoke on Sunday morning, 14 January. He and his wife, Maria, were leaving the Marines' Memorial Club and Hotel in San Francisco after attending the second California Gold Star Parents Remembrance and Honor event.

Grief Workshop Jim and Maria are from Chino and parents of fallen hero, USMC LCpl Abraham Simpson, who gave his life in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, November 19, 2004. They were two among more than one hundred other Gold Star parents and siblings who attended the second California Gold Star Parents Remembrance and Honor.

The first such event was held September, 2005 thanks to The Marines' Memorial Association Club and Hotel and the Blue Star Moms East Bay Chapter #101. An event I was privileged to attend and one that proved the need to continue bringing together family members of California's fallen heroes.

Although my husband, USMC Sgt Maj (Ret) David Tainsh and I, parents of fallen hero, U.S. Army Sgt Patrick Tainsh, did not arrive until early Friday morning, family members, greeted by the Blue Star Moms, began meeting on Thursday evening, January 11. They placed photos, medals, other memorabilia, and names next to yellow roses on white clothed tables surrounding the Crystal Ballroom. A room of chandeliers and soft light where through Friday night one could feel the thickness of the spirits of our fallen loved ones and the thickness of the proud grieving as they "remembered the love, celebrated the life, and shared the journey" with each other.

Not only had my husband and I received an invitation as Gold Star Parents of a California fallen hero, but we were honored to be asked by the Blue Star Moms to moderate what I call "a family grief circle" and facilitate a "journaling through grief writing workshop." These are two activities that Dave and I have had training and experience with through TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors of military personnel headquartered in Washington, D.C. www.taps.org). TAPS is the only national organization to offer 24 hour grief hotlines and networking to anyone grieving the death of a loved one who dies while serving in the United States armed forces. Knowing the help that such workshops provide families at the TAPS National Military Survivors Seminar when we meet annually over Memorial Weekend in D.C, I knew our California families would benefit greatly.

At 10:00 a.m., Friday, my heart, although broken for every one who entered, was also overjoyed that over 70 Gold Star moms, dads, and siblings gathered to support each other through talking and listening. After introducing myself and my husband, I assured the group that I understood each and every individual was at a different place in their journey; and that this room where we sat was the most safe, loving place they could be, where they could speak, cry, wail, or laugh (as many of us have learned we have to do) with no judgment from anyone regarding how we each needed to express ourselves. First to speak and give tribute was Travis Hunt and Debra Hunt, brother and mom to LCpl Justin Hunt, USMC, who gave his life on July 6, 2004 at Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

Dr. Francie Lattimore and Counseling Therapist Jeffrey Jewell, from the Vet Center in Concord, CA., were also present with us and available to any family member who found the need for a professional counselor anytime during the day. Boxes of tissue and water glasses were distributed along the circle in strategic places, and they were used until noon.

At the request of family members we returned to the "family circle" at 1:30 p.m. instead of the scheduled 2:00 p.m. with intention to stay as long as it took for everyone to share. More than 70 soon arrived, many who had spoken in the first session and did not want to miss the stories they had not heard. Although chairs had been arranged for small groups to talk with one another, the consensus was for the full circle because no one wanted to miss hearing a single story and possibly benefit from another's journey.

Gold Star Dad David Jacobson of Vallejo, CA., spoke about his daughter, A1C Elizabeth Jacobson, USAF, who gave her life on September 28, 2005 in Safwan, Iraq. And there were those such as the mom who first said she wanted only to listen because she didn't feel she could speak. But with a voice of love next to her who quietly said, "But you are the only one who can tell me about your son. No one but you knows his story," this parent, too, found her voice and through tears, shared for twenty minutes. Then, 81 year old Ms. Kitty LaPolla, Vietnam Gold Star Mom of Cpl Frank Almeida, after sharing her journey, smiled, lifted her arms and proclaimed, "I did it, I finally did it! I was finally able to talk to others who understand." This was the first time that Miss Kitty had ever had the opportunity to share in such a manner with other military families who shared this common bond of "proud grief."

I wish I had enough space to name every fallen hero and the family member who spoke testaments of love and courage. And I wish I could tell you each story that came from 20 Gold Star family members who, after sharing in the "family circle," participated in the "journaling through grief writing workshop." Here, after I spoke about the importance of journaling, participants chose writing exercises that allowed them to spew their emotions onto paper, speak to their loved one, or draw a picture. We were all blessed when after writing, a sister read aloud a memory she recalled, a dad read his essay, and a mom shared her poem called Tomorrow.

Before the journaling workshop concluded, Mary Shea, Gold Star mom of CPL Timothy Shea, USA, who gave his life in Husaybah, Iraq, August 25, 2005, offered the opportunity to everyone to participate in her new writing project that will offer help to other families. "I want to create a book of sharing stories to help parents who have some of the same questions I had after my son's death," she told the workshop. "I want us to be voices for others." I am one among others who accepted Mary's questionnaire and will definitely contribute to her dream of providing helpful stories to those who walk this path behind us.

After this "emotionally draining" day, we all gathered in a room of candlelight for a five star dinner and slideshow tribute to our heroes. Keynote speaker author Bing West shared with our families, some he personally knows as their sons' courage is recorded in his book: No True Glory, The Battle for Fallujah. I appreciated his words to assure us that our loved ones will not be forgotten, that their military family and others in the foreign country where they gave their life would never forget them. Some parents spoke from the stage to thank the Blue Star Moms and Marines' Memorial Hotel for providing this wonderful day of remembrance. Stacey Holley, Gold Star mom of SPC Matthew Holley, USA, from San Diego who gave his life on November 15, 2005 in Taji, Iraq shared that the balm for her broken heart has come to be that of taking her eyes off herself and placing them on others. I second that and I know this is what we all did on this Thursday and Friday of remembrance and honoring.

To gauge their journey, I had given family members in the journaling workshop a small index card. I asked them to draw a line and write zero through 10. I then ask that they each circle the number that represents where they felt they were that day in their journey of grief and coping, and then had them place the card inside the envelope they were given. My prayer is that when they choose to open that envelope some months down the road they will find they can circle a number higher on the scale, indicating their movement to higher ground in this journey. A journey that none of us would wish upon anyone, a journey that is our "new norm", a journey that brought us together to share our experiences at the Marines' Memorial Club and Hotel on January 11, 12th, 2007.

And although our "journey gauges" will all be different day to day for the rest of our lives, the one thing I'm sure we will all agree on is this: Since we had no choice about being placed on this specific journey, thank God for Major General Mike Myatt and the Marines' Memorial Association, other sponsors, too numerous to name, and the Blue Star Mom East Bay Chapter #101 that had the courage to organize this event and hold our hands. Yes, they, too, are testaments of love and courage, because while they stand on the sidelines of our journey doing all they can, they too know that they could easily be "inside the wire" with us. But yet, they march on, holding our hands, crying with and helping us to: "remember the love, celebrate the life, and share the journey."

Copyritht 2007 Deborah Tainish

Reprinted with permission from USA Patriotism! (http://www.usa-patriotism.com)

About the Author

Deborah Tainsh, Gold Star Mother of Sgt. Patrick Tainsh KIA Baghdad, Iraq, 2/11/04, is the author of Heart of a Hawk: One family's sacrifice and journey toward healing, recipient of the Military Writers Society of America's Spirit of Freedom award.

A supporter of America's military and their families, Deborah is a national speaker, writer, and peer mentor for Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors of military personnel located in Washington, C.D. She and her husband, USMC Sgt. Major (Ret.) David Tainsh live in Harris County, Georgia, near Columbus and their son, Phillip.

Deborah Tainsh is an engaging, motivational speaker, volunteer national spokesperson, writer and peer mentor for TAPS www.taps.org. She has been interviewed and shared her family story on New York Public Radio, numerous national TV and radio broadcasts, the associated press, and most recently with German Public Television. She also writes for military.com and WhatAreWeFightingFor.com

Contact Deborah at heartofahawk@msn.com or through her publisher, Elva Resa.

Heart of a Hawk is published by Elva Resa Publishing. To find other books concerning the mission of the military and the familieswho support them, visit www.militaryfamilybooks.com. For more info go to: www.heartofahawk.com

For more information on Blue Star Moms go to: http://www.bluestarmoms.org/ and Gold Star Moms go to:

http://www.goldstarmoms.com/agsm/Home/index.htm

Gold Star Flag

All opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do reflect those of What Are We Fighting For?

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MAY HE REST IN PEACE.

A Tribute to Brig. Gen. Paul W. Tibbets, Jr. (USAF Ret.)

Born Feb. 23, 1915 in Quincy, Illinois. Retired Sep. 1, 1966. Died Nov. 1, 2007, at his home in Columbus, Ohio.

At the age of 30, already a Lieutenant-Colonel, with a wife and two children in Grand Island Nebraska, Paul Tibbets was asked to make a life changing decision. Indeed, what came about changed the coarse of history. In September 1944 he was summoned to the office of General Uzal Ent where he was briefed on the Manhattan Project, the code name for the development of the atom bomb. General Ent asked Paul if he could put an organization together that could drop an atomic weapon. Paul Tibbets said yes to doing his duty for his country and by December 1944 his organization was complete. Known at the 509^th Composite Group it included 15 B-29's and 1,800 men. The B-29 Paul flew was number 82 until he named it Enola Gay after his mother. His bombardier was Tom Ferebee, Sgt. George Caron was the tail gunner, Dutch Van Kirk the navigator, and Sgt. Wyatt Duzenberry the flight engineer. Bob Lewis flew as co-polit.

August 6, 1945, Paul Tibbets was the first pilot who dropped the first five-ton atomic bomb, know as "Little Boy" on Hiroshima, Japan. This is the first use of an atomic weapon in war time. Between 70,000 to 100,000 people lost their lives that day. Three days later, another bomber with a different crew dropped an atomic bomb on Nagaska, Japan, killing an estimated 40,000 people. On August 15, 1945, Japan surrendered, ending World War II.

Sources: www.acepilots.com/usaaf_tibbets.html , www.theenolagay.com , www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,3604,769634,00.html , www.newburyportnews.com

Honoring Our Veterans

by David Bancroft l November 1, 2003

Since my son's recent discharge from the active Marines (now individual ready reserve) brings him closer to being a veteran, which he will when then be able to officially join those other young and older men and women being honored in the United States on November 11th for serving their country proudly. (I still look at him as my son, but it is impossible to explain how I feel about him for his service as a Marine.)

And oddly, I now find myself reflecting back to when my mother woke me up one day many years ago, telling me that my draft number was in the first 50. My first thoughts were to look into joining the National Guard as a backup to possibly being called while still in college. (I know of another former Marine, who had that experience during the Vietnam War.)

I would have even joined the Air Force, which my father and father-in-law served in, if college deferment wasn't an option and my mom hadn't misunderstood the draft lottery process. Yes, my birthday was to be selected within the first 50 numbers, but the actual draft number was around 250 . . . meaning no chance of being drafted.

Then there is the. . . what if I had joined the Air Force. I know this contemplation is more about my youngest son having served his country proudly, which fosters more thought about others I know who served, our troops still in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the ongoing war against terrorism. Of course, I know that doesn't even come close to the real thing, but it doesn't diminish my love and pride of country.

In fact, it is why I am adamant about appreciating what our veterans have already given to our country and what currently active troops are doing now for the USA. One can also hope that veterans in other countries are admired similarly, knowing that each country's respective political environment can impact how citizens think.

Another thing for those of us who haven't served, is that veterans are just like us too . . . Citizens. They just happen to have resumes that include being "on call" for their country. I am also sure that there are veterans reading this commentary besides just my son.

Oh yeah, a few good politicians are veterans, as well... Former Senator Bob Dole and former President Bush are the first two that come to mind, which is primarily due to them being from the great generation of my dad and father-in-law. Senators John McCain and John Kerry, Secretary of State Colin Powell, and former Senator Max Cleland are a few politicians who served in Vietnam and represent veterans of my generation.

So, please take the time to honor the veterans of your country with special attention on the official date. I intend to do so on November 11th . . . and was even motivated by this date to write the poems, Citizens Like Us and One Nation, Under God, which should hopefully make all citizens aware of what might not have been without the veterans through out the USA's storied history.

Reprinted with permission from USA Patriotism! (http://www.usa-patriotism.com)

About the Author

David Bancroft is the founder and owner of USA Patriotism! (http://www.usa-patriotism.com), a non-political, patriotic showcase with a mission to foster better awareness, reinforcement, and display of love and pride of America by her citizens with the hope of developing a better understanding and friendlier attitude about the USA from citizens of other countries. Patriots will find over 3,000 pages of poems, articles, stories, quotes, photos, songs / music, flash / video presentations, thoughts, images, and references . . . all in tribute to country, troops and veterans, heroes, Presidents, other great Americans, memorable events, and more.

Old Glory

by ITC Lee Crowson, USN

During my recent induction into the Navy Chief's Mess I was asked to facilitate a flag retirement ceremony. I had to do a bit of research as there is no official ceremony either in the U.S. Flag Code or in Navy regulations and as I was doing this it really got me to thinking about the flag and what it really means. To most men and women in the military it is far more than just a piece of fabric or a symbol. It is much more than just something we run up a flag pole and salute in the morning and bring down and salute in the evening.

Red, White and Blue, what does it really mean?

The white is for purity, purity of purpose and intention that is in our hearts and souls as well as the honor we hold dear.
The red is for the blood that has been shed and continues to be shed to win and to defend our freedom.
The blue is for valor and courage that binds our country together.
The blue field covered with stars also represents God's Heaven under which it flies.

Is there anything more fitting for our military to carry into battle or for our heroes to rest under? That flag and its predecessors have flown over every battle fought by the United States since it was born on 14 June 1777. The flag has been used to bind many wounds and has covered many caskets. Have you ever seen a flag pole with the ball on top? Do you know what was originally in it? When the ball was originally put on the top of the flag pole it contained a razor, a match and a bullet. The razor and the match were to prevent the flag from falling into enemy hands and the bullet was to prevent the live capture of the last soldier standing. Pretty deep isn't it.

How powerful a symbol is the flag that we would destroy it rather than have it fall into enemy hands. I can only imagine the feelings that ran through Francis Scott Key when he wrote the Star Spangled Banner but I have no doubt that he has not been the only person who has felt that way upon seeing our flag, especially after battle. One of the most awe inspiring things to witness is a funeral with full military honors. To see the flag draped casket, to watch an honor guard fold the flag with reverence and then to present it to the family of the departed service member that tangible symbol of their sacrifice and our nation's debt and respect. Wow! That's all I can say. When our fallen service members are returned from Iraq or Afghanistan they travel home under the flag they fought under. It is called an angel flight. I had the opportunity to see one while I was in Kuwait. I can't describe the feeling of driving around the curve and seeing the open ramp on the C-17 with the honor guard lining the sides with the flag draped casket sitting in the center of the cargo bay. I brought the convoy to a halt out of respect as the fallen angel was brought off the plane to be sent on the next leg of his or her journey home. There was nothing else on that plane. The entire plane was devoted to bringing a hero home. That is the very least we can do for them is to bring them home with respect and to cover them with the flag that represents what they died to defend. Most of us can ask for no more than to take our final rest under Old Glory.

It gives me a feeling of pride as I drive the streets of America and see the flag waving from homes and businesses. It makes me sad to see a tattered flag flying though. The feelings of pride and patriotism led to the hoisting of the flag but what led to the disrespect of flying her till she's falling apart? Do you fly a flag? Have you inspected it lately? If it is faded or torn then you should retire her out of respect. Please don't throw her away, your local VFW or Boy Scout troop will be happy to accept your flag for retirement and will handle it with respect. Also if you don't raise and lower your flag daily please place a light on it so that she doesn't fly in the dark. You can get a spotlight that plugs into a wall outlet and has a stake to place it in the ground and you can get a switch that will turn it on at dawn and off at dusk (especially around Christmas for outdoor light strings).

Flags were everywhere in the days following 9-11. There aren't so many now. Why is that? Have we forgotten? Has our patriotism died? Has our pride of just being American faded away or are we just concerned that we will offend someone. How ludicrous is that, that we should be concerned about offending someone by flying our nation's flag IN OUR OWN COUNTRY?! Yet another example of PC run amok.

Want to know what the flag means? Watch the disabled WWII veteran stand up from his wheel chair when the colors are paraded past during your town's Christmas parade. Present one in a shadow box to your grandfather and watch his reaction. Watch everyone outside on a military base stop what they are doing and salute the flag during morning and evening colors. Look up "I am Old Glory" by Howard Schnauber online and read it.

Look down your street. How many houses fly a flag? How many used to after 9-11? I leave you with this question, if you don't fly a flag why not?

May God bless you and your families.

Sincerely,

ITC Lee Crowson, USN

About the Author

Chief Crowson is an Information Systems Technician for the Navy Reserve who is currently serving on active duty at Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command in New Orleans, LA. During his career in addition to his role as a communications operator he has functioned as an instructor for personnel entering the Navy Reserve with no prior military experience. His other duties included serving with Navy Coastal Warfare, a part of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, and with Navy Expeditionary Logistics Group deploying both to the Middle East and to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Generations

by Jim Singleton

As I submit this article, I am looking at a picture of my father, myself and my Son. This is a picture that I have seen many times over the years from other families across the United States. The story usually begins before the picture is ever taken and will go on beyond the people in the picture.

The pictures have grandfathers, grandmothers, fathers, mothers, sons and daughters, and in many cases extend to all other branches of the family tree. The people in these pictures come from all walks of life to be in these pictures. This is one of the proudest pictures they will ever take and it shows in their faces. Their faces tell the story if you look close enough. They tell of the family members that are not able to be in the picture, but are there just the same, constantly embracing and holding up the ones that are.

This is a proud moment for the missing, too and it shows in their descendents faces. If there are other family members in the picture you can see the respect and pride that they have for their sons and daughters for "making it" into this picture.

You will see the story of America in these faces and all that have come before the ones in the picture. If you look closely you will observe the best our country has to offer, the oldest tradition we hold dear to our hearts and hopes for our country's future.

There are many of our countrymen and women that will never take this photo, but it does not matter to the ones in the picture and it shows in their faces. There are many of their countrymen and women that will despise them for being in the picture, but it does not matter to the ones in the picture and it shows in their faces. The ones in the picture know that these countrymen and women are representative of the few, not the many who will thank them and hold them in high regard for being in the picture and it shows in their faces. All of the people in the pictures have one very important thing in common.

Sometime, somewhere in their lives they heard someone say, "be responsible", "do your part", "protect your neighbor", "freedom isn't free" and they understood that the highest values that Americans have are Duty, Honor and Country! Whether the people in the picture are police officers, firemen or military service members, they have answered the call for generations and we can rest well at night because they will continue to do so for generations to come and it shows in their faces.

In the picture my father is wearing his service pin that denotes his 28 years of service in the United States Air force. He is a retired Senior Master Sergeant and it shows in his face. My son is wearing his United States Navy uniform and is proud to have graduated Basic Training and it shows in his face. I am wearing my United States Air Force Uniform and I can not put into words how proud I am of my Father and my Son and it shows in my Face!

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