4/05/2008
Interesting Oddity
Came to me last night whilst watching the History Channel...
Congress, which is a collective body, is the final authority for awarding the Medal of Honor, which is our nation's highest award for individual gallantry in battle.
The President, an individual, as the Chief Executive and Commander in Chief, awards the Presidential Unit Citation, which is the highest award given to military units for collective gallantry and achievement in battle.
I just found the juxtaposition interesting.
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4/04/2008
Absolut Asshats
Title shamelessly stolen from Bruce
Note that the border of 'Fantasy Mexico' is set where it was not only before the Mexican-American War of 1848, but before the 1836 Texas War of Independence. So the Mexicans are not just sore losers of one war, but two.
And if they want to whine that the first treaty with Texas was invalid because Santa Anna signed it under duress, they obviously haven't studied military history. At all.
Finally, Bruce notes that Stolichnaya is not an acceptable substitute:
Stoli is distributed in the US by Pernod Ricard, the French company that recently acquired Absolut. Anyone thinking of boycotting Pernod Ricard over this ad (which might yet prove to be an April Fool's Day joke) had best check their liquor cabinet.
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3/31/2008
Torture, Defined
My wife graduated the MP transition course last week. In addition to being a soldier, she also sells Mary Kay. So tonight after dinner she was out generating contacts, which meant she was dressed like a Mary Kay Lady.
Keep in mind as I tell this story, that the last time I saw my wife was the day after Christmas, when I dropped her off to go to MEPPS.
So tonight, talking to her on the phone, and she decides to describe her outfit.
Skirt, black top, heels, stockings.
That. Is. Not. Fair.
That is torture.
For any of you who've forgotten, I Love My Wife
Thanks to ALa for fixing the red eye!
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3/30/2008
One Less MIA
Not the result that was hoped for, however.
Remains ID'd as missing Ohio soldier's
BATAVIA, Ohio - The father of a soldier listed as missing-captured in Iraq since 2004 said Sunday that the military had informed him that his son's remains were found in Iraq.
"My heart sinks, but I know they can't hurt him anymore," Maupin said, speaking in the soldier's hometown near suburban Cincinnati.
Keith Maupin said the Army didn't disclose where or how his son's remains were discovered, only that officials found a shirt similar to one his son was wearing at the time of his disappearance.
The Army was continuing its investigation, he said.
Lt. Lee Packnett, an Army public affairs officer in Washington, confirmed that the Maupins were notified Sunday that their son's remains had been identified. Packnett said an official statement about the identification would be released Monday.
Matt Maupin was a 20-year-old private first class when he was captured April 9, 2004, after his fuel convoy, part of the 724th Transportation Company, was ambushed west of Baghdad.
Sergeant of the Guard, Fire Salute!
Bugler, play Taps.
Present, ARMS!
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Defending My Service
Since I've seen this story linked at both BlackFive and Smallest Minority in which the tough old vet is incorrectly described as a Marine, I feel compelled to defend the honor of my service. Courtesy of SondraK
First, a pic:
I count 4 Screaming Eagles and a Tropic Lightning on Mr Clouston.
Now, the correct version:
SANTA ROSA (CBS 5 / BCN) ― A boy in his mid-teens learned Wednesday afternoon that it is not a good idea to try to rob a war veteran at knifepoint, even if he is an 81-year-old former Army paratrooper.
Santa Rosa police Sgt. Steve Bair said that's what happened around 2 p.m. in the 1600 block of Fourth Street. The elderly man, Donald Clouston, was walking with a grocery bag in each arm when the boy approached him with a large knife.
The boy said, "Old man, give me your wallet or I'll cut you," Bair said. The man told the boy he was a veteran who fought in two wars and had been threatened with knives and bayonets, Bair said.
Clouston then put his bags on the ground and told the boy that if he stepped closer he would be sorry. When the boy stepped closer, the man kicked him in the groin, knocking him to the sidewalk, Bair said. The Army paratrooper picked up his grocery bags and walked home, leaving the boy doubled over, Bair said.
Airborne!
Note that the URL text to the Channel 5 version also lists Marine. They must have corrected their story at some point.
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