Day of Infamy

It's been 64 years since the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor catapulted the U.S. into World War II. Eyewitness accounts always have the power to captivate me completely. The men and women who lived through that day, especially those who were there as active members of the military, have living history to teach us. We would all be wise to listen and learn.

Listen to the voices that explain the rightness of recognizing evil and standing to fight against it. Learn not to be afraid to call evil by its name. Remember that we were once a nation that did all those things, united in a common mission to keep our home our own. Remember that we succeeded.

Remember Pearl Harbor. Remember, especially, how timely are its lessons for today.


Update: One Marine's View has a military perspective on Pearl Harbor Day well worth reading.

St. Nicholas Day

It's December 6, the feast day of St. Nicholas of Myra, better known as "Santa Claus." Kids in Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands get their gifts today.

Yet another reason to be grateful I'm living in the good old U.S.A., with 18 shopping days left on the calendar.

Christmas Angels

This photo was taken in early 2005. That's my son, Matt, on the left. I'm the short one. Daughter Kris is next to me, with Pete anchoring us on the right. We're all wearing our sporty Iraq tee-shirts we received from the Sarge; he was our first Soldiers' Angels assignment.

We're now supporting our third troop through Soldiers' Angels, and I enjoy recruiting new angels. So far I've notched a postal clerk who handled some of my care packages and a fellow pet owner from our neighborhood dog park. Also, when the Sarge got back to the U.S., he told me that he, too, had signed up to adopt a troop. The support from home had meant so much to him and his guys, he wanted to participate.

If you're wondering what you can do to help make the world a little bit brighter, a little less grim this Christmas season, I suggest that you link to Soldiers' Angels and see just how much opportunity awaits you. Opportunities not just to offer support and encouragement to our fighting men and women, but the gift of knowing you have contributed in a very real way to a good and noble cause.

I can't explain the feeling of contentment you receive when you send a care package off to one of our soldiers. Such a worthwhile sensation can only be experienced. So please give it some thought, and I hope you decide to treat yourself this Christmas season by "being an Angel."

Meanwhile, to the Sarge, Corporal Michael, and PFC Jimmy--Merry Christmas, and God bless you, one and all.

Remembering Why

Terrible days such as today, when our country suffers the loss of brave warriors, are times to pause and remember what these young heroes are fighting for.

The price of these precious lives lost is beyond calculation. The pain of their deaths is crushing. Let us never forget how blessed we are to have such men and women who willingly serve in foreign lands to safeguard Americans at home.

Let us always remember why they are there. Be they fighting or fallen, active or veteran, honor the service of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines.

For today, especially honor our Marines. Semper Fi.

'Tis the Season

Five days ago, Thanksgiving dinner graced my dining room table. Tonight, it was covered with Christmas wrapping paper, scissors, tape, and labels. It's that time of year again--disappearing calendar time.

How, exactly, does this happen every year? You barely get the cranberries into Tupperware before you're off to the mall for the early bird breadmaker sale. The ensuing days of the year's last month are packed ever more full of errands, chores, activities and events. Then suddenly, it's Christmas. Then, almost immediately, New Year. And then, you're a year older.

'Tis the season to stop and reflect for just a moment, before it's gone and we're into the January doldrums again. Think about how lucky we are in this country, how very fortunate. Remember to enjoy the season before it's over.

And remember, too, as House Speaker Dennis Hastert so wisely affirms: "If it's a spruce tree adorned with 10,000 lights and 5,000 ornaments displayed on the Capitol grounds in December, it's a Christmas tree and that's what it should be called."

Ho-ho-ho! You've got to love it.

Correction from Nov. 15

Since I'm not the New York Times or CBS network, I have no problem letting you know that I posted inaccurate information recently. As the MSM used to say before it became immune to wrongdoing, I regret the error. It was not intentional

Although the letter "This War is for Real" is an actual document, it was written by an attorney to his sons, not by Gen. Chong. At least, according to the urban legend busting website "Snopes," it was. Through the cyber minefields of multiple e-mail forwardings, it became attributed to the general.

It's a good reminder for bloggers to check all sources very thoroughly. Oh, and MSM might want to try that approach someday, too.

Freedom to Give Thanks

"I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving." ~ Psalm 69, v30

Norman Rockwell's famous painting is as timely today as it was when it first appeared over sixty years ago. The countless blessings that we and our families enjoy and benefit from in the U.S.A. are worth fighting for, then and now.

I'll be busy cooking tomorrow, so today I'm wishing a Happy Thanksgiving Day to all...most especially to our troops at home and abroad. Please know that most Americans understand and appreciate what you are fighting for.

To our active military and to all our veterans, thank you for your service to our country.

Blog Surfing

Hugh Hewitt has some terrific milblog links today. Some are required reading for anyone who cares to know the thoughts of a soldier who has walked the walk.

The Anchoress has very cogent and interesting points regarding the unheralded Arab protests against Al Qaeda.

From Victor Davis Hanson, a stark and unsettling historical depiction of the American Indians in the era of the first Thanksgiving.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, can Christmas be far behind? Not unless it's outlawed, as John Gibson is concerned it may soon be.

Who's Sorry?

You may remember that I was recently assigned my third troop as a Soldier's Angel. I should have mentioned that I received a letter from him early last week.

He opened with "I first want to start off by saying I'm sorry." Yes, you read that right. I struggled with that one for a few seconds, too. He was apologizing for not thanking me sooner for his first care package from me. "I have been busy, it's crazy," he explained.

Stop. Please. You're killing me, Private. You, who set your heroic self between my family and Al Qaeda, are not permitted to apologize to me. Ever. I'm the one who's sorry.

I'm sorry that you're away from your home and family.
I'm sorry that you can't be with your baby at Christmas.
I'm sorry that you're in danger every minute.
I'm sorry that Congress is a bunch of jackass-blowhards just making your days more difficult.
I'm sorry more people are not doing more to support you.
I'm the one who's sorry.

In response to my question about any special requests he might have, he couldn't think of what he wanted. He said my letters and package were more than enough. "It was good to get home from a mission to some goodies," he wrote.

A mission. I shivered. God only knows what that entailed, but it certainly wasn't complaining about the traffic backed up at the stoplight or the dinner not being defrosted. Nothing in my safe and ordinary day would approximate "a mission."

As he signed off, he did think of one item he might want. "Peanut M&Ms." Then he said he had "so much to do before bed," and God only knows what that entailed...and then he thanked me again.

No, no, no, Private. You've got it all wrong. All the thanks go to you. And so do several pounds of peanut M&Ms, coming right up in your Christmas package.

We Said, They Said

We said troops should stay and fight,
They said troops should leave tonight.

We said vote upon that measure,
They expressed extreme displeasure.

We asked them to back their word,
They said we are too absurd.

We were told we're a "disgrace;"
Their vote showed they have no case.

They said the vote was a "deception,"
We said they're gearing for election.

Meanwhile, troops are in Iraq,
Fighting and under attack.

Let "we" and "they" for once agree;
Troops keep us free to disagree.