UNEXPLAINABLE, INEXCUSABLE --

I challenge you to read this and NOT have the will to pass it on.
No one has been able to explain to me why young men and women serve in the U.S. Military for 20 years, risking their lives protecting freedom, and only get 50% of their pay on retirement. While Politicians hold their political positions in the safe confines of the capital, protected by these same men and women, and receive full-pay retirement after serving one term. It just does not make any sense.
If each person who reading this will forward it on to 20 people, in three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one proposal that really should be passed around.

Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution: "Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and/or Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and/or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States."

The Thunder Run

For several years now, The Thunder Run has scanned military blogs for fresh, original and meaningful content written by those on the front lines of war, at home, as well as timely news. The Thunder Run is now on Facebook.

Please "Fan" The Thunder Run to get news written by those in the fight. David Marron has done a terrific job culling through the blogs.

A Little Pink in a World of Camo: I Will Always Be a Marine Wife

There are incredible posts written by military spouses everyday. Here is one by a 23 year old wife and mother, who just lost her husband this week. -Kanani

"I did not ever imagine I'd be watching an honor guard escort a metal box draped in an American flag off a jet. Never did I imagine that on Friday I would be heading to Florida to make funeral arrangements. This is not how it was supposed to happen."

Read the rest at: I Will Always Be a Marine Wife

Louisville to Los Angeles: Enough to make you cry

Well, I got weepy.
I mean, I was raised on the stories of John Muir, have often gazed at the photography of Ansel Adams. And when I see anyone hiking through the wilderness --especially with a deeper mission, it never fails to move me.

Read the whole story here at Drum Hike. Starting April 17, 2010, Troy Yocum, a former US Army Soldier will begin his walk of 7000 miles across the USA to bring attention to the plight of veterans, military families, and also to urge Congress to declare a "Day of the Deployed." He will be hiking with his dog Emmie, a Shiba-Inu, as well as his drum.

I'm hoping some volunteers from the southland will step in to help Troy, once he crosses the California border. I'll assume he's probably going to walk right up to the end of the Santa Monica Pier. Veterans, military supporters... let's all join in to help.

War and the Art of Waiting

"....war has left me with an ineffable wallop, as if I've been punched in the gut. It's like always having an odd taste in my mouth: no matter how many times I brush my teeth or gargle, no matter how many mints I pop, it's still there."
Read the rest at:
The Kitchen Dispatch

A Little Boy Burned: Winter Work at The FST

The Pressmen's direct link to boots-on-the-ground in Afghanistan
At The Kitchen Dispatch:

"the team has fallen in love with several of their pediatric patients. Sure, it crosses all sorts of professional lines, but this is war. War crosses all sorts of lines as well. And medical teams are only human."

Words May Hurt, But The Will Has To Be Stronger

The 442nd Regimental Combat Team

Discrimination, stupidity, bigotry. I've been at the receiving end of all three, but taking the path of a killer wasn't an option.

Japanese Americans faced all three, plus lost their livelihoods, homes, and dignity during World War II. They became much decorated war heroes, and later became some of the most successful professionals in a single generation. Asian Americans served in Korea and Vietnam --also with distinction, and no doubt they heard numerous slurs as well. They too went on to greater success after the wars. Americans of Middle Eastern descent have served in the armed forces through all of the wars, including these. They too have heard the insolent ignorant utterances of a few --but also didn't take the path of the killer at Fort Hood. They've served, doing good for the country they love.

Every person I know of has faced discrimination of some kind for one reason or another. Often, it's been the most pernicious --officially sanctioned by a system of antiquated rules. Many have been without resources to fight it.

The tragedy this past week wasn't a case of a person whose life or livelihood was ruined by systematic discrimination. Rather, he was someone who very much made a decision to play for the other team. The real question is why he was retained after a series of poor reviews during his internship. The Army should have called it a wash, stopped their losses and like any other medical internship and residency in the United States, let him go right then.

For the media --who keeps harping on discrimination, you besmirch generations of those who came before him, rose above it and served with honor and distinction. You tarnish the reputations of others who have worked hard to guard against it. There are times when my bullshit meter goes off, and this is one of them.

Condolences to all at Fort Hood.

From Soldier to Yogi: Former Army Infantryman Eric Walrabenstein Reaches Out To Veterans

"When I asked Walrabenstein if he saw any disparity between his life in the military and that of a yogi, his answer was an emphatic no. "I loved the military because it was service to something bigger than myself. It was selfless. Service to humanity through yoga is the same," he said.Read The Rest At:
The Kitchen Dispatch

Also, there's an opportunity for Phoenix AZ veterans and soldiers. Please read the post.