To Do: Read Generation Kill

Read the book. 

Its a fun read. Kinda dark, but that's the content of war I guess.

It gives such a great insight into the war, the people and the troops. I think it is something that we all need to understand.

Best part is the new afterward, last page:

"Five years into this war, I am not always confident most Americans fully appreciate the caliber of the people fighting for them, the sacrifices they have made, and the sacrifices they continue to make. After the Vietnam War ended, the onus of shame largely fell on the veterans. This time around, if shame is to be had when the Iraq conflict ends- and all indications are there will be plenty of it- the veterans are the last people in America to deserve it. When it comes to apportioning shame my vote goes to the American people who sent them to war in a surge of emotion but quickly lost the will to either win it or end it. The tong troops I profiled in Generation Jill, as well as the other men and women in uniform I've encountered in combat zones throughout Iraq and Afghanistan, see among the finest people of their generation. We misuse them at our own peril."

Sorry that may offend some, but I love our country and I love our troops. I work with them a lot and I am always weary of their futures and that we will always be there to support them after they gave so much for us.


Please read the book. I loved it. Look how many pages I dog-earred. 

Please Pray!!

ny times

Please don't forget PFC Bowe R. Bergdahl in your prays!!

Bowe was captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan on June 30th and  has been held hostage for a month now. 

I can't imagine the fear that he must be in right now. I can't image the emotions that his family is going through. I think of them all often and continue to keep them in my thoughts and prayers. 

Check out this article in the NY Times. 

There is also a hostage video that surfaced of him. 

Please keep him in your thoughts. 

image

Please Remember: Maj. Gen. David Wherley and Mrs. Wherley

I didn't think that I would really be effected by the DC Metro crash until I heard about Gen. Wherley and his wife. 

I have a friend who is up at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and he is going through a long recovery. Gen. Wherley would come up to visit my friend all the time. He really got my friend involved in some programs for Wounded Warriors. 

From what I am learning about Gen. Wherley and his wife, it seems like they devoted their lives to helping others. Not only did they volunteer at Walter Reed all the time but they also started programs for DC Youth. 

To Do: PIZZA PARTY

Anyone who know me (or reads this blog) should know that I L-O-V-E our troops.

In fact, I am blogging while volunteering at the USO Airport Lounge in DC as we speak. 

Pizzas4Patriots is sending 28,000 pizzas to the troops for the Fourth of July. And the military LOVES pizza. I learned this by volunteering with them all the time. :)

Yeah, they are sending them now just to get them there in time!!

Read more here. Spotted here. 

My New Obsession: Navy SEALs

Not like I need to say anything else...

but I now officially love Navy SEALs. 

...beautiful creatures...

Here is my story:

This weekend I was helping with an event for Navy SEALs and their families and it is the one day out of the year that they can show people what they do. 

There were having a little boat ride so I thought that I would go on it since I love the water. First, you have to take this monster truck looking thing called a "Big Foot" to the beach where they have the boats. So, we arrive and as we are walking over the sand dune to the beach, it happens...

I see FEMALE HEAVEN... I mean a whole f-ing beach of hot, tan, toned, buff men splashing in the ocean wearing short black shorts and tan t-shirts. Seriously ladies. HEAVEN!!

So after wiping the drool from my face and coming back to reality. We decide to try and go on a boat ride but as we are walking over to one of the tiny little dingy boats a wave starts to approach and these hot men start yelling at us to hop on right now. 

So without thinking I jump on (I mean what else do you do but listen when hot Navy SEALs tell you to do something). 

Then I realize... I am wearing white shorts. The waves start splashing over onto me on this little dingy boat. 

my pants start to disappear. Just. Like. That. Gone. 

One of the SEALs makes a joke that it is hardly noticeable. Yeah, stinkin, right! Plus, these two guys on our boat are so flippin' hot that I can't even look at them. I felt that if I did my eyes may burn and I'd loose all eyesight. 

...

End of story, I spend the rest of the day wearing clear pants. Yay me!!

here

How I: Spend Some Of My Free Time

To Do: Support the Troops

I have to give props to Stephen Colbert, General Odierno, President Obama and the USO for the amazing Colbert Report show last night.

Although it was hysterical and I laughed throughout the entire show, I did get choked up a few times (okay... a lot!) because I know that they were able to give the troops a great laugh and take their minds off of everything else for just a moment. Proof...

Watch the end... it is amazing!! :)

I agree that Stephen Colbert should be Mr. USO!!

To Do: Remember D-Day

Today I spent the day with hundreds or WWII Veterans who were able to come to Washington, DC and see the WWII Memorial for the first time. 

The program is called Honor Flight and if you can donate they need your help! Our WWII veterans are old and many of them will have few opportunities to see the Memorial again. 

I am also watching the Pearl Harbor movie right now. I remember President Bush told explained that one of his most memorable meetings was the first time he met with the Japanese Prime Minister. He said that his father fought in WWII against the Japanese and it showed how democracies can truly change a country. 

Today President Obama met with our allied leaders to pay tribute to all those who lost their lives this day 65 years ago. 

Thank you for all who serve. 

Happy Memorial Day!

here

I spent Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery (again). 

There is no better way to celebrate and remember those who served. 

Again, I cried like a baby. 

To Do: Check This Out

Thank you Even Cleveland for bringing this New Yorker article to my attention.




I cried at my desk.


Juan Casiano at the grave of his fiancée, Captain Maria Ines Ortiz, in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery, where those killed in Iraq and Afghanistan are buried.





Jakob McKay, three, is the son of Sergeant John McKay, who is now back home after four tours of duty in Iraq.

Every picture is absolutely amazing.

I am headed up to Walter Reed tomorrow with my friend for a check in. I am really excited to see him again and share a VERY VERY special day with him.

Live Blogging: The VP Debate

Okay - I hate politics now. 

With that aside... I am watching the VP debate. I dont want to talk about that. 

I want to tell you how lame I am.

The moderator said, "You both have sons in Iraq..." 

And cue the tears. I choked up like a baby. 

I am just a goober. 

(***for the record, I think Palin looks foxy. I like the black suit! And I like Biden. He was my favorite Dem candidate.)

To Do: Find a Marine

Marine Silent Drill Platoon, originally uploaded by shaycam.

I went to the Marine Barracks again on Friday.

Yeah, so I am slightly obsessed.

I went to an event there with a co-worker. And I have decided that I would like a marine of my very own.

So what if I drove around the barracks a few times this weekend looking around. Scoping out the merchandise. Yes.

The Marine Ball in in November. And I am bound determined to be some one's date.

Thank. You. Very. Much!

To Do: Go To The Marine Barracks

The Marine Barracks is 8 blocks from my place. 

After a year leaving here, I finally made it there last night with Little Z. Needless to say, I cried all night. I loved the performances. 

I fell in love. I need to get myself a marine. Mmmm. mmm. mmmm. 

Please Remember: Keith "Matt" Maupin

There are so many men and women who we need to be thankful for this Memorial Day but we sometime forget their faces and their stories.

Here is one soldier who made an impact on my life today. At the ceremony at Arlington Cemetery today the President gave a Memorial Day speech... and after his speech he winked at one woman. The woman was the mother of Matt Maupin.

His family was sitting right in front of me at the ceremony and they were the President's special guests today. His parents are strong and they are true patriots.

Today I would like to highlight one soldier, Matt Maupin.

Matt was captured by Iraqi insurgents on April 9, 2004 and on June 28, 2004, Arabic-language television network Al Jazeera aired a low-quality video purportedly depicting Maupin's execution. 

His body was found in late March 2008, but confirmation was not made until March 30, 2008 in Iraq.

Please check out these photos of his funeral.

There are more photos here. The President mentions his family in a speech here. 

Please read his story and remember him and all of the other soldiers who are Prisoners of War, Missing in Action or lost their lives throughout the years.

More Memorial Day Photos

President George W. Bush delivers remarks during a Memorial Day commemoration ceremony Monday, May 26, 2008, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

President George W. Bush is accompanied by Major General Richard J. Rowe Jr., commander of the Military District of Washington, right, as he holds his hand over his heart during the playing of taps at the Tomb of the Unknowns during a Memorial Day ceremony Monday, May 26, 2008 at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

US President George W. Bush arrives in his motorcade for Memorial Day ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, May 26, 2008. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

US President George W. Bush (2nd R) arrives to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns during Memorial Day ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, May 26, 2008. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

President Bush delivers his remarks at Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Day commemoration, Monday, May 26, 2008, in Arlington, Va. Seated from left are Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Army Maj. Gen. Richard J. Rowe Jr., commander of the Military District of Washington, Arlington National Cemetery Superintendent John Metzler Jr., and Army Chaplain Col. Thomas Durham. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

President Bush waves as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates give their applause during the Memorial Day commemoration at Arlington National Cemetery, Monday, May 26, 2008, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

President George W. Bush delivers remarks during a Memorial Day commemoration ceremony Monday, May 26, 2008, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

Happy Memorial Day!

I was blessed today.

I spent Memorial Day at Arlington Cemetery with President Bush, Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen. 

There was nothing better or more beautiful than what I saw today. 

Needless to say... I cried like a baby!

There is the President from my seat. 

Mrs. Bush from where I was sitting

To Do: Be grateful for Petty Officer Michael A. Monsoor, U.S. Navy

This post is about Michael Monsoor. A US Navy SEAL who jumped on top of a live grenade to save the other men in his unit. President Bush presented his family Monsoor's Medal of Honor yesterday. This is the highest honor that a member of the military can receive.

Please watch this video of the ceremony. Its on the right side of the page.

Its amazing.Here is more about Michael Monsoor's story.

My Favorite Thing Today: Another Troop Video