Light at the end of the tunnel.

For those of you who can read an objective, non-Bushbashing article about the war against Al Qeada in Iraq (yes dear readers, we are fighting, capturing and killing many non-Iraqi AQ soldiers in Iraq), please read this. I completely agree that mistakes were made in some areas of the initial post-invasion fight and occupation but on the other hand, it's also very easy to use the old crystal ball of hindsight and say 'We should or shouldn't have done this or that.' However, we seem to have put the right leadership in place and most of military units have been there at least once but most importantly, the soldiers and Marines on the front lines, the grunts, have multiple tours and invaluable experience fighting and killing AQI. They aren't the fierce, fleeting dedicated enemy ghosts they once were. The Iraqis realize that AQI is basically a criminal enterprise (blackmarket gas, murder and intimidation) and not some pure islamic group fighting for a better Iraq so they tell us info about who and where they are. AQI is on the run, fighting for their survival while we are doing what we do best.

What about our war heroes?

Below is an article about a reserve Marine who was recently awarded the Silver Star for his actions in combat against the enemy in Iraq. When I read it, I was humbled and completely in awe of what he did. Not surprised however because having been a Marine for 16 years, I know how easily Marines will do whatever necessary to take care of their brothers, especially in dangerous situations. Why is it that the mainstream media doesn't bother to provide this to their audience? Me thinks first, the MSM doesn't want us in Iraq, nor do they want us to win. Secondly, they are embarrassed that an American was rewarded for killing, despite the fact that he killed an enemy and he reacted to an attack on his unit and in defense of fallen comrades. Does America think we fight and win wars without killing the enemy? How far we have come from the alleged 'good and just' WWII where we killed hundreds of thousands of our enemies, and they us, and we glorified our heroes and award winners.

ALBUQUERQUE IRR MARINE RECEIVES SILVER STAR

BGen Darrell Moore, Commanding General, Marine Corps Mobilization Command, presented the Silver Star to Sergeant Jeff Hunter on 18 June at the Albuquerque City Hall.

Sergeant Hunter was awarded the Silver Star for his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy from May 25 to July 28, 2005 while serving as squad leader, 2d Platoon, Company L, 3d Battalion, 25th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 2, 2d Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force.

Sergeant Hunter, now a member of the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR), was serving in Iraq with the U. S. Marine in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III. During Operation New Market, Sergeant Hunter’s platoon was ambushed with small arms fire, seriously wounding a Marine.

In his initial attempt to breach the house containing the insurgent ambush, Sergeant Hunter’s squad leader was severely wounded. On his own initiative, and without regard for his safety, he immediately re-entered the house engaging four insurgents and pulled his squad leader to safety.

Then acting as squad leader, he reorganized his Marines and led them into the insurgent position for the third time, ultimately securing the house with close range small arms fire and hand grenades which resulted in one enemy neutralized and three captured. Sergeant Hunter’s actions enabled his company to regain its momentum.

On July 28, after an enemy small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire attack on an adjacent squad, Sergeant Hunter, on his own initiative, maneuvered his squad forward to assist. He shot two enemies and made two unsuccessful assaults in the face of enemy fire to retrieve a wounded Marine. Sergeant Hunter then ran across a fire-swept street to link up with a M1A1 tank, guided its fire, and directed it to breach the building. This action neutralized one insurgent and allowed the extraction of a mortally wounded Marine.

By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Sergeant Hunter reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Pictures of the Silver Star presentation can be found at: https://mobcom.mfr.usmc.mil/silverstar/

Mojito moschmito

This is my first blog entry and it's going to be angry. I just saw a commercial for Bacardi rum and it centered around a bartender making a stupido-mojito and of course all the bar sluts were dancing with short skirts and the thin-hipped loser dudes with their shirts open. I hate not because I am jealous but because it seems these peoples lives are so easily influenced by a stupid drink. What's next? Hi-ball parties? Suddenly everyone is ordering mojitos with a fake cuban accent and drinking as if they could afford to be sailing leisurely around Havana harbor. Why is good beer or scotch or a martini suddenly passe?