D. Maria

How powerful

2007-03-13T05:41:00.000-05:00

Make sure you don't get LEFT BEHIND.

GATHERING OF EAGLES RALLY - PERMIT UPDATE

2007-03-12T21:32:00.000-05:00

GATHERING OF EAGLES RALLY - PERMIT UPDATE
March 12th, 2007 | Category: Logistics

The National Park Service has issued a permit for the Gathering of Eagles demonstration and rally on March 17 in Washington, D.C. as illustrated on the Eagle web site “Maps” link under “Sections”.

BOTTOM LINE: AS UNACCEPTABLE AS THE PERMIT GRANTED IS, WE WILL BE ABLE TO PROTECT THE VIETNAM MEMORIAL WALL

We view the permit decision unacceptable and will be taking immediate steps to appeal what we believe is an unworkable decision. If the National Park Service is unfavorable to our appeal, our legal arm will pursue immediate court action to acquire an equitable, realistic solution.

The good news is the Park Service is granting the Eagles large amounts of territory adjacent to the Vietnam Memorial as well as along the march route of the antiwar protesters. We are being given the use of the western side of Constitution Gardens, which is contiguous to the Vietnam Memorial, thus giving us controlling ground. That permit is for an estimated 10,000 people. If things stand as they are, we will use that as a staging area for our people to cycle along the pathways, visiting statues and the Vietnam Memorial which comprise the Memorial area. (The maps are included below for convenience and are also available under “Sections” on the Eagle web site - click on the “Maps” tab and look at maps 1 and 2 for illustrations of areas permitted for each group)

Bad news is the Park Service decided to grant the other half of Constitution Gardens to the so-called antiwar group ANSWER, with a no man’s land in between. This is unacceptable and will be challenged in our appeal.

ANSWER is telling their supporters to gather at the park on Henry Bacon Dr. on Saturday morning for a ‘People’s Assembly’ before their march kicks off at 12:30 p.m. They have no announced plans to use Constitution Gardens anymore–in fact they have removed all mention of Constitution Gardens from their updated maps for March 17–yet they are refusing to relinquish their permit application for that area in an effort to inhibit the rights of the Eagles to assemble in a consolidated location. This will be part of our appeal.

The pathways through the Memorial are narrow and can accommodate about four abreast. We must keep in mind the Park Service is intent on keeping the Memorial open to the general public. Many have plans to stand watch all day in front of the Vietnam Wall, which the Park Service understands, and is working to make sure Memorials are protected while maintaining access by the general public.

The Park Service has granted us demonstration areas along the antiwar march route. Those areas include the sidewalk on the Lincoln Memorial Circle from Henry Bacon Dr. to Memorial Bridge as well as two large grass areas across the street from that sidewalk leading up to the bridge. (Again, review the Maps below)

Also, we have been granted a permit for half of Memorial Circle closest to Arlington National Cemetery on the Virginia side of Memorial Bridge. We intend to occupy this area and serve as a symbolic guard as the antiwar marchers pass on their way to the north parking lot of the Pentagon.

More bad news is that as of now, the Park Service is insisting that we not hold our morning rally/program at Constitution Gardens but that we hold it almost two blocks from the Vietnam Memorial on the other side of the antiwar rally vicinity Ohio Drive, SW. They are also insisting that we stage our First Aid, water station, portable toilets and operations center in the same far off location. This is also unacceptable and will be part of the appeal.

We are perplexed as to what the Park Service expects to happen by forcing Eagles to move through, near, or on the sidewalk along the antiwar rally in order to visit our two main gathering areas as currently permitted. This would create a near intolerable situation, particularly for disabled or others with limited mobility. We have asked for the entirety of Constitution Gardens for the day so that we can contain our main operations to one location, for obvious reasons.

It appears the anti-war ANSWER group want their population in a single area for ease to begin their march… Eagles want our population in a single area for ease of control and facility support….in short both groups want to be separated from one another. The Park Service solution fails to meet the common sense and public safety test by creating a potential conflict.
As mentioned above we will be appealing this permit decision on Monday 12 March, 2007.

We hope to have the issue favorably resolved in the coming days. In the meantime, please review the maps posted detailing where things stand at this time as permitted by the Park Service.

In any event, our gathering location vicinity the Vietnam Memorial wall as shown on map 1 is not expected to change..also note the metro stops on map 2.

We have a mission on March 17. We will accomplish that mission.

Eagles Up!

More Here:
http://www.gatheringofeagles.org/

America Supports you! DISARMING IED's!

2007-03-12T05:24:00.001-05:00

Muslim Hate Speech (Video)

2007-03-12T05:24:00.000-05:00

"Gathering of Eagles", Stand Beside Our American Heroes

2007-03-12T05:21:00.000-05:00

Forwarded from a friend:

(These words were written by many people, i just put the puzzle together)

On March 17th, expect a lot of police presence and preparation at the Vietnam Memorial Wall...the cops are being told that "biker gangs" and various other parties will attempt to stage a counter-demonstration and confrontation of the anti-war crowds at The Wall, word is the authorities will plan on diverting/dissolving the "Gathering of Eagles" before it gets into place at The Wall...they are seeking to prevent a confrontation.

I'm hearing that this Gathering of the Eagles is going to be one of the largest pro-war protest in history. I read a site the other day that says they expect crowds in the millions on the pro-war side. This is also literally a liberal/conservative standoff and it has built up extreme tension and passion on both sides. I honestly don't know if D.C. has a large enough police force to stop much from happening. And these troops and veterans aren't the average Joe when it comes to trying to keep them from the Wall.

This unprecedented Gathering is a historic event - significant in both scope and meaning. It is a pure grassroots movement like nothing I've ever seen. It's that miraculous! I can't possibly predict what the socialist anti-military demonstrators will do on March 17th - but I would not put anything past them. I expect the worst from them. But consider this: there will be no safer place on earth than among the warrior class of America. They are combat-tested and proven and they will not let anything happen to our children. I truly believe that. I know that there will be those among our opponents that will try and cause problems - that is their way.

The anti-American left, led by the usual cast of professional protesters, America-haters, communists and anarchists from Hanoi Jane Fonda, (and others from our moronic and hardly relevant pop culture), various rebels without a clue, to some of our own opportunistic political "leaders" (a term used with all due sarcasm), plans to hold a huge anti-war protest on the Mall in Washington, D.C., and they plan to use the Vietnam Memorial Wall as their main staging area, all to take place on March 17, 2007. Well, there are a few million honorable veterans of the United States of America's armed forces, and many more patriotic civilians who take a dim view of that plan. And many thousands of these patriotic Americans plan to gather in Washington to meet that protest head-on, not through violence, but through a very patriotic and pro-American presence as well as creating a human barrier to any attempt to desecrate our memorials or dishonor the memories of our fallen heroes. The Gathering of Eagles will not allow any desecration of our war memorials to take place.

The Gathering of Eagles is described as "an act of love by thousands of veterans (and friends) who choose to honor the sacrifice of the fallen by guarding the memorials from those who would desecrate them on March 17th in a so-called "peaceful" anti-war rally in Washington, D.C."

It is also a call to action for every American Patriot to stand and say "No More!" and "Never Again!" to those who would spit on our veterans and troops, and ridicule their service to our nation.

Decades ago, we expected total victory against the Germans and the Japanese. We demanded it, for we knew what anything less would bring to our homeland–and yes, it was our homeland, regardless of our place of birth. We were united, together in the absolute, unshakable belief that freedom was worth blood, even our own lives.

Many years later, the American Left called for the defeat and humiliation of our military, even going so far as to support the barbaric hordes of Islam in their quest to destroy America. The college-age hippies of 1969 were now parents and grandparents, with families who didn't have the faintest idea where Iwo Jima is and wouldn't dream of enlisting in the "imperialist army" of their nation. These past flower children, still apparently lost in the fog of free love and LSD, forgot their fathers' old "war injuries," received in places like Normandy, Bastogne, or Wake Island. Their children hated authority, hated America, and hated anything that stood in the way of the freedoms they abused. To them, freedom of speech meant they should be able to wear their "F*** You" shirt to school.

During the War on Terror, it seemed as though these families were the only Americans left here at home, as our best and brightest went to Iraq and Afghanistan. The families of our heroes stayed quiet, their support showing in the form of tangible things like batteries and treats shipped in boxes with "We Love You" written on the side, in marker as permanent as their worry. For those who changed their blue star to gold, the pain of their loss often made them shy away from the pure, vitriolic hatred of the ever contradictory motto of the Left: "Support the troops…bring them home."

Meanwhile, the antiwar crowd marched in Washington, San Francisco and New York.

And in the day-to-day grind of American weekday life, millions of patriotic Americans simply went to work and came home. We couldn't afford to miss work to stand on a street corner. We put our yellow ribbons on our cars and our flags in the window, hoping that the troops knew we cared. We yelled at the TV and the radio when appropriate and muttered to our friends about how infuriated we were at these people who thought liberty was a commodity. Our anger burned deeply, but slowly.

The antiwar crowd kept marching and declared themselves the majority. They had the funding, the celebrity backing, the media fascination. They were everywhere. They spray-painted the Capitol steps, sent money to the terrorists, and staged media feeding frenzies outside the President's home. They even held up their anti-American signs outside military hospitals, where soldiers and Marines who gave pieces of themselves in exchange for freedom tried to get used to life without their best friends, their limbs, and in some cases, their sanity.

The Cindy Sheehans and Jane Fondas of the nation got bolder, spurred on by the silence of those who kept their medals and memories locked away. It seemed as though there was no stopping the force of those who sought to bring the mightiest nation on earth to her knees.

But then, the antiwar groups announced plans to begin their next march at the Vietnam Wall. Fifty-eight thousand names cried out in protest, and America heard the call of her fallen.

We were finally angry enough.

It began like a quiet rumble, the hint of an impending storm. A small group of veterans slowly rose to their feet, their combat disabilities unable to hinder them this time. A gas station attendant, a lawyer, a doctor, a housewife. One by one, Americans stood, setting down their lives to answer the reveille, minutemen once again in the cause of freedom.

They came from New York City and Nowhere, Indiana. They drove in from the mountains of Idaho and flew in from Hawaii. They rose up from all walks of life, all financial situations. The wave rolled across the United States like a tsunami, determined to reach Washington, D.C. for one purpose: to deliver a message to the flower children that was forty years overdue.

The message was simple, and as thousands of Americans stood in stoic rows around the memorial, it reverberated off the ebony beauty of the Wall. The silence of their stand deafened the obnoxious antics of the defeatists and sent a clarion call like a beacon across the globe.

Half a world away, soldiers and Marines lifted their heads a bit higher and stood taller.

And at the Wall, as thousands of American faces reflected in the polished surface, the ghosts of more than 58,000 men smiled back in silent, grateful pride as their lips mouthed the message their countrymen had come so far to deliver: Freedom!

MGM
================
For More Info On The Gathering Of The Eagles......

If you would like to keep up to date on information regarding Gathering of Eagles on March 17th 2007, copy and paste the url below and click on go...There's information and things you can expect including reservation information and rallying point with tips...

God Bless Us All...Let's Roll!!!!!!
==================
Important New Detailed Info. About "Gathering of Eagles"

March 17th brief, the source is official--US Dept. of the Interior and US Park Police memorandum obtained through a colleague who has access. On March 17th, expect a lot of police presence and preparation at the Vietnam Memorial Wall...the cops are being told that "biker gangs" and various other parties will attempt to stage a counter-demonstration and confrontation of the anti-war crowds at The Wall, word is the authorities will plan on diverting/dissolving the "Gathering of Eagles" before it gets into place at The Wall...they are seeking to prevent a confrontation.

Anti-War Demonstration and March
The main sponsor of this First Amendment activity is ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism). ANSWER has a permit application for the Henry Bacon Ball Fields (across Henry Bacon Drive from the VVM), which has not yet been approved. This group plans to assemble (10,000 - 30,000) persons in this area and conduct speeches, music and ultimately march to the Pentagon, where more of the same activities will occur. This group is attracting high profile supporters such as Jane Fonda, Ed Asner, and Cindy Sheehan. Their stage will be erected on the south side of this area and their main rally will occur here. They plan to gather various groups of supporters prior to the march in Area 5 (the area just east of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial) in Constitution Gardens.

Several like-minded groups (The International Action Center, the DC Anti-War Network, and UFPJ) also plan on attending and joining ANSWER for the rally and march. Specifically, IAC plans on assembling approx. 100-300 persons on the Reflecting Pool steps of the Lincoln Memorial, approx. 200-500 persons at Sylvan Theatre, and approx. 500 persons on the Mall from 3rd to 4th Streets. The group on the Reflecting Pool steps and at the Sylvan Theatre plan to march over to Area 5 and join ANSWER for the rally and march. Another IAC group will also conduct a several day vigil in the National Mall from March 12th to March 17th; however, will not join the rally.

The USCP also anticipate some activity on the West Front of the Capitol and Upper Senate Park.

Several other NPS areas (Lafayette Park, WAMO, and other areas of the National Mall) were under application by these groups; however, the applications were not acted upon.

All venues will begin set up between 0500-0600 Hrs. The rally in Area 5 will begin at 0800 and conclude at approx. 1300, when the march will commence. The smaller rallies will conclude between 1230 and 1300 and will join the main rally.

The protesters plan to arrive either via mass transit or buses from outlying areas. The buses plan to drop passengers on 23rd Street @ Constitution Ave. then travel to the Pentagon for passenger pick up at the end of the rally at the Pentagon.

The current march route is w/b Constitution to Henry Bacon to LMC to w/b Memorial Bridge to s/b Washington Blvd to the Pentagon North Parking Area.

DC Free Republic - aka "Freepers" is currently the only counter-protest group that is in negotiations with the NPS for a permit. This group initially wanted the north curb of Constitution Ave. near the site; however, it now appears that they will be issued permits for the area west of 23rd St. and S/O Constitution Ave. They will also be issued a permit for a portion of Area #5 that is just east of the V.V.M.

Intelligence has revealed an impassioned movement among several groups [Vietnam Veterans groups, POW/MIA groups, GoldStar mothers/Goldstar families, Rolling Thunder, etc] intent on traveling to the VVM to protect it from the Anti-War demonstrators. The USPP has contacted the leaders of these groups to provide the accurate information concerning this event and assuring them that the USPP will ensure all monuments and memorials are protected during this event. This group is not looking for a permit to demonstrate; however, the reality is if they get large numbers we will need to find a location for them since they cannot demonstrate at the VVM. D.O.I. Solicitor, Randy Myers has been consulted and involved in the negotiation process.

Just as with the UFPJ event of Jan. 27th, we do anticipate anarchist groups to assemble and mingle with the main group. There MO is to incite the crowds, conduct civil disobedience, and damage/destroy property. The USPP has monitored isolated threats by individuals to vandalize the VVM wall. Additionally we have received information that biker gangs intend on coming to this event armed and seeking to confront the anti-war demonstrators. The lessons learned from UFPJ will be incorporated into this security plan to ensure the protection of life and property. These lessons will include magnetometer screening at the VVM and a significant police presence here and at the other memorials as well.

A substantial fence plan has been coordinated with the NPS. This plan will entail a double row of bike rack between Area 5 and the VVM, which will be connected with snowfence in the adjacent green areas.

None of the groups are anticipating any civil disobedience.
SFB anticipates approx. 200-250 USPP officers will work this detail and the hours are anticipated to be from 0600-1500. HMP squads, scooter and motor squads, reactionary teams, etc. will be utilized. Squads of officers will be assigned to each individual group as well. A Vending Squad will also be deployed. DHS-Protective Medicine will also be requested.

Constitution Ave. (17th to 23rd Streets), Henry Bacon Drive, Memorial Bridge, and Washington Blvd will be closed during these events.

The Media will arrive at 0700 and will be located on the s/s of Constitution ave. @ 20th St.

The ELO request for this event that will include personnel and commissary costs has been completed and submitted to WASO. Due to the increased security concerns and the resulting increased staffing needs, a formal request to increase this funding amount is forthcoming.

The USPP hosted a joint police meeting on February 27th. MPDC, Pentagon Police, Arlington County P.D., D.C. Fire Dept. and other agencies attended.

A supervisory briefing will be conducted on Friday, March 16th @ 1000 Hrs. at the USPP Anacostia Operations Facility.

The USPP received word that on Friday evening March 16th an anti-war group plans to march from the National Cathedral at approx. 2045 Hrs. to the White House. At this location they plan to engage in civil disobedience on the White House Sidewalk where as many as 600 persons intend to be arrested. The USPP is in negotiations with this group to reduce this number of arrests to a more manageable size.

No group (counter-demonstrators or anti-war) has been granted any permit to demonstrate at the Wall or any other war memorial...and the Wall will be cordoned off by police, in order to keep all demonstrators away.

http://www.gatheringofeagles.org/

Another Point of View on Coulters Joke... Michelle Malkin

2007-03-12T05:19:00.000-05:00

Hillary's Baggage (Video)

2007-03-11T05:16:00.000-05:00

Our Hero's (VIDEO)

2007-03-11T05:04:00.000-05:00

Why the French have not won a war except against themselves. (Video)

2007-03-10T05:50:00.000-05:00

Patriotism At Its Best! Priceless short film! REVEILLE (Video)

2007-03-10T05:47:00.000-05:00

Light Hearted Fun and very sad movie in Tribute to the US Military!

General Batiste Speech to Washington DC (Video)

2007-03-10T05:32:00.000-05:00

Forwarded by a friend:

Here is a must see speech by General Batiste that tells it like it is in Iraq on the battlefield and about the failures caused by Washington because they would not listen to our leaders on the battlefield. This speech is 10 minutes and 30 seconds long but General Batiste covers all the failures and shortcomings that the media will never tell you. This is from one Republican about the failures of another. Enjoy!!!

Hippocracy of Hillary! (Video)

2007-03-09T05:50:00.000-05:00

Seal Boat Team

2007-03-09T05:17:00.000-05:00

CAIR Denounces Peaceful Muslims, But Not Stoning Women

2007-03-08T06:19:00.000-05:00

(Hat Tip: Little Green Footballs)

Watch as CAIR's Executive Director Ahmed Bedier absolutely avoids denouncing the Sharia, which among other atrocities, demands the execution of Apostates and the beating and stoning of women.

Terrorism Awareness

2007-03-08T05:59:00.000-05:00

Here Kitty kitty

2007-03-08T05:45:00.000-05:00

Coulter Responds (Video)

2007-03-07T05:27:00.000-05:00

Why Are We In Iraq?

2007-03-06T06:12:00.000-05:00

Duty, honor and curveballs

2007-03-06T06:04:00.000-05:00

By Jeff Passan, Yahoo! Sports
March 5, 2007

PEORIA, Ariz. – They asked their parents to send baseball gloves. When time lurched for Cpl. Cooper Brannan and the 12-man squad he led into war, they retreated to their barracks, grabbed the gloves caked with dust like everything else in Fallujah, Iraq, and remembered, momentarily, what home was like, only for the impediment of a 60-pound flak jacket to snap them to attention.

"Talk about bad mechanics," Brannan said Sunday, chuckling, which he could do now because he was at San Diego Padres spring training, and he was here to play for a living, a right-handed pitching prospect among dozens. Two hours earlier he had walked into the Padres' clubhouse and seen a jersey with his name striped across the back.

He wanted to cry. He steeled himself.

Brannan had enlisted in the Marine Corps right after high school, learned honor and courage and commitment and Semper Fi, heard bullets whiz by his head, seen friends die, lost his left pinky to a flash-bang grenade. He had lived "in the Bible times," as he liked to say, so for a moment he allowed himself to appreciate the fortuity of this, him, here, sun and grass, in the uniform of a completely different kind.

"You still remember how to put that stuff on?" said Grady Fuson, the Padres' vice president of scouting.

Brannan nodded. He was weaning himself off "yes, sir" and "no, sir," learning to address his superiors by their first names and nicknames.

The last piece of the uniform was his hat. Brannan, 22, slipped it on nice and snug so it would cover his high-and-tight haircut. Officially, he is still a Marine until he receives his honorable discharge on May 31, so he'll stay clean-shaven and hang dog tags in his locker. The Corps is allowing him to complete his duty with the Padres as an ambassador of sorts, proof that there can be success after war.

"This is about the military," said San Diego CEO Sandy Alderson, a former first lieutenant in the Marines and the man responsible for Brannan being a Padre. "This is about all Iraq veterans. This is about people who are wounded. This is a story that makes everybody feel good. And it's predicated on the fact that he can actually throw the baseball.

"I hope the military sees this as a positive. Because if you look at this, here's an injured Marine in contrast to what's happening at Walter Reed and so forth. After today, he's a ballplayer."

Sixteen months ago, he was just another injured soldier among thousands. Brannan was 20 then and had ascended to squad leader of a dozen men as lance corporal. He was on his second tour of duty, this time in Fallujah, one of Iraq's most dangerous cities.

During a pre-combat inspection before an infantry patrol, one of his charges was short a flash-bang grenade, a device used to stun opposing forces, so Brannan reached into his flak jacket to lend him one.

The grenade exploded, and with it so did his left hand.

Doctors scurried to save what they could. They reattached his thumb and index finger. They could not salvage his pinky, and Brannan needed three major surgeries, three more minor ones and months of occupational therapy to regain use of his hand, which still swells and subsides so often he prefers to wear his wedding band on his right hand.

"I'm pity-partying about a pinky, about my little finger?" Brannan said. "It was then that my mindset changed. I would get better and make a difference.

"I always told my dad I'd make it in baseball. I didn't know how I would."

A mouthy friend, it turns out. On Nov. 10, the Marine Corps birthday, Brannan and Pfc. Jeff Huben were at a San Diego radio station for an event. Alderson showed up, too, as the Padres' military ties go far deeper than just the fatigue-colored uniforms they trot out once a year.

Huben told Alderson that Brannan could really pitch. Brannan begged him off. Huben kept pushing. Brannan had pitched for Highland High in Gilbert, Ariz., and traveled with the All-Marine Corps team, and, hey, there would be no harm in watching him for five minutes, right?

"It didn't take that much to push the right buttons with me," Alderson said. "It was right after they played the Marine Corps Hymn on the radio show. The timing was excellent."

Soon thereafter, Brannan worked out for area scout Brendan Hause. His fastball touched 93 mph. That was enough to convince the Padres to offer him a minor-league contract, and when Brannan went to Petco Park to sign the letter of intent – he is still property of the Corps, remember – he said, "They treated me like a first-round draft pick."

Now, they'll try to think of him as just another prospect. Brannan stands 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds. The Padres like his curveball. They sent him to a pitching coach in the San Diego area to learn how to pitch again. He'll probably stay here for extended spring training, then report to the Arizona Rookie League for his first organized season.

And yet the Padres know Brannan is different, that he slips his ring finger in the glove hole made for the pinky and adjusts the rest of his fingers accordingly, that sometimes he'll go to grip a water bottle and it'll slip out of his hand, that nightmares occasionally stun him awake.

He should be a firefighter. That's what Brannan thinks sometimes. That was the plan upon his discharge. He would serve the public like his father, Linwood, a police officer.

"Your job," said Lindsay Brannan, Cooper's wife, "is playing baseball."

So he left their rented apartment on Sunday morning to do just that. It was the Padres minor leaguers' first official workout, the start of Brannan's new career. He'll make $1,000 a month. He'll sweat through a desert summer. He'll try to distinguish himself again, a face among many in an unfamiliar place.

And he'll do it in another uniform he's proud to wear.

"It's not so much if I make it," Brannan said. "It's when I make it."

Cpl. Cooper Brannan, right, accepts
congratulations from Pvt. 1st Class Jeffrey
Huben, who was also wounded in Iraq Tuesday
at Marine Corps Recruitment Station in
San Diego.

Cpl. Cooper Brannan forces back the tears for a
moment as he remembers his comrades in arms
while accepting a contract with the Padres
Tuesday.

Cpl. Cooper Brannan shakes hands with Padres
Vice President for Scouting and Player
Development Grady Fuson just after handing
Brannan a Padres contract Tuesday at Marine
Corps Recruitment Depot in San Diego.

Marine corporal plans to pitch for Padres

By: BRIAN HIRO - Staff Writer

SAN DIEGO ---- Wearing his new Padres camouflage jersey over his military fatigues, Marine Cpl. Nels Cooper Brannan stood at a podium Tuesday morning, overwhelmed by emotion.

Before paying gratitude to the Padres executives responsible for the improbable news conference at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Brannan tried to salute his fallen comrades ---- soldiers, like him, who fought bravely for their country in the war in Iraq. He faltered. The words became lodged in his throat.

"They say Marines don't cry, right?" Brannan said, his soft tone belying his strapping 6-foot-4, 235-pound frame.

The dozen or so fellow Marines in the room were prepared to cut Brannan a break. After all, it's not every day that one of their own ---- in this case, an infantry squad leader who served two tours of duty in Iraq and nearly lost his left hand in a grenade explosion ---- gets a chance to play Major League Baseball.

"This is a great story," Brig. Gen. Angela Salinas said. "I want to keep the rights to the book and movie."

On March 2, the 22-year-old Brannan ---- who goes by Cooper ---- will report to the Padres' spring training camp in Peoria, Ariz., and try to stick with the organization as a right-handed pitcher. The gathering Tuesday was to announce that Brannan had agreed to terms on a minor-league contract, although he won't be able to sign it until his discharge paperwork is final in late May.

"It's kind of hard to explain," Brannan said. "When you're over there (in Iraq) living one day at a time, you can never imagine something like this. Knowing I was serving my country and now I have this opportunity, it's so overwhelming I can't put it into words."

The Padres pride themselves on being the team of the military. When they honor Marine units from Camp Pendleton during Sunday afternoon games at Petco Park, the crowd noise is as loud as after any home run or strikeout.

And the club's friendliness toward the armed forces is only bolstered by the presence of Chief Executive Officer Sandy Alderson, a former Marine officer who served in Vietnam.

Alderson beamed like a proud father throughout the news conference, and he admitted afterward that he was happy to give a Marine a shot to realize a dream. Yet Alderson insisted that the signing is no mere publicity stunt from the franchise that once invited country star Garth Brooks to spring training.

Rather, the Padres said, Brannan ---- a standout pitcher and football defensive end when he attended Highland High in Gilbert, Ariz. ---- earned his contract by his performance at a tryout early last month at Point Loma Nazarene. Supervising the session was Brendan Hause, a Carlsbad-based Padres scout who covers San Diego and Orange counties.

"Right away you saw the good physique," Hause said. "Right away you could see the drive. He definitely exceeded all my expectations. It's going to be exciting to see how quickly he makes up for lost time."

Brannan said he received interest from junior colleges out of high school, but that he decided to enlist in the Marines after graduation as a means of straightening himself out. He was deployed to Hitt, Iraq, in February 2004 and served for eight months before returning to Twentynine Palms.

Redeployed to Fallujah in September 2005, Brannan led a squad of 12 Marines. During a precombat inspection on Nov. 1, he reached to retrieve a flash-bang grenade from his belt, and it malfunctioned, blowing up in his hand.

Brannan underwent one surgery in Iraq and three more at Naval Medical Center San Diego. Doctors used a skin graft to sew his left thumb and ring finger back on, but his pinkie could not be saved.

"I'm very blessed to have what I have on my hand," said Brannan, who's doubly blessed by the birth of a daughter, Brooke Taylor, to he and his wife, Lindsay, last Friday.

His competitive itch returned during a rehabilitation that lasted more than a year, and last spring he pitched for the All-Marine Corps and USA Military All-Star teams. He actually dominated, although the modest Brannan would never advertise that.

Indeed, he might never have gotten his big break if not for a bit of salesmanship by a Marine buddy. Last November, Alderson was a guest on a sports radio segment promoting the annual Marine Birthday Ball, and Brannan and his friend, Pfc. Jeffrey Huben, were among the soldiers invited to join him.

After they were off the air, Huben approached Alderson and told him about Brannan's ability.

"This guy is way too shy," Huben said, pointing to Brannan. "I got the conversation going. That was all it took. It was just like dominoes falling into place."

Said Alderson: "It was easy for me to offer a tryout. Our scouts felt he had some real talent."

It's a talent that Brannan has been honing in regular workouts with Poway High pitching coach Dom Johnson, who has helped the raw pitcher iron out his mechanics and increase his velocity by about 5 to 7 mph, into the low 90s.

When he heads to spring training next month, however, Brannan will be the center of attention not for his arsenal of pitches but for his inspirational background. It's safe to say he'll be the only young prospect who will be able to tell literal war stories.

"He may never be a Trevor Hoffman," said Col. Matt Redfern, Brannan's commanding officer, referring to the Padres' longtime closer. "But Trevor Hoffman will never be a Marine corporal."

-- Contact staff writer Brian Hiro at b_hiro@hotmail.com.

Sgt. Smith Medal of Honor (Video)

2007-03-06T05:43:00.000-05:00

This is the true story of Sgt. Paul Smith, and his actions that earned him the Medal of Honor in Iraq.

Al Gores Carbon-Neutral Hippocracy!

2007-03-06T05:39:00.000-05:00

50 IRANIAN WOMEN ARRESTED AT PEACEFUL RALLY!

2007-03-06T05:26:00.000-05:00

Photos of some of the arrested women:

Campaign Activists Arrested in Tehran

Tehran, Iran, Sunday, March 04, 2007

50 of the women's rights movement activists were arrested in front of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran.

The security police forces attacked a peaceful gathering of women's rights activists that had taken place at 8:30 am in front of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran in objection to the recent governmental oppressions and the summoning of some of these activists. The police forces used violence to scatter the crowd.

Shadi Sadr. Asieh Amini, Jila Bani Yaghoub, Mahboubeb Abbasgholizadeh, Mahboubeh Hosseinzadeh, Sara Loghmani, Zara Amjadian, Mariam Hossein Khah, Jelveh Javaheri, Niloofar Golkar, Parastoo Dokoohaki, Zeinab Peyghambarzadeh, Maryam Mirza, Saghar Laghayee, Khadijeh Moghaddam, Saghie Laghayee, Nahid Keshavarz, Mahnaz Mohammadi, Nasrin Afzali, Tal'at Taghinia, Fakhri Shadfar, Maryam Shadfar, Elnaz Ansari, Fatemeh Govarayee, Azadeh Forghani, Sommayeh Farid, Minoo Mortezayee, Sara Imanian.

Nooshin Amhadi Khorasani, Parvin Ardalan, Shahla Entesari and Susan Tahmasebi—five prominent members of the women's rights movement—who had to attend their court hearing left the court session in support of their fellow activists. They, too, got arrested upon their departure from the court.

The police officers hit Nahid Jafari's head to the police van and as a result of such violent actions, her teeth broke and the officers are currently refusing to take her to the emergency room.

PLEASE URGE YOU TO SIGN THE PETITION CREATED IN IRAN , TO RELEASE THEM NOW.

http://www.meydaan.com/English/petition.aspx?cid=52&pid=11

Photo of Shadi Sadr (Nazanin's attorney) while giving speech at the gathering before the arrest. She was taken to the same prison (Evin) that Nazanin was kept:

Photos of peaceful gathering:

SOURCE:
BBC NEWS,
KHOSOOF.COM
ZANESTAN
IRAN-ERMOOZ

SIGN PETITION

Reagan - A Rendezvous With Destiny (Video)

2007-03-06T05:12:00.000-05:00

Reagan - A Rendezvous With Destiny

Ronald Reagan's wise words are just as relevant now as they were when he made them forty years ago.

So Called PEACE PROTESTORS (Video)

2007-03-06T05:09:00.000-05:00

DC Progressives Threaten Violence Against Wounded Vet

Apart from being spat on, Iraq War Veteran, Col. Joshua Sparling, was Jeered at by a protester...

"You're just mad because you can't walk, faggot!"

The protester and his friends rhen attempted to assault Sparling and those standing with him. They were prevented by police.

The incident is reminiscent of progressives' violence against counter-protesters at the same location two years prior.

Justified Jihad? (Video)

2007-03-06T05:03:00.000-05:00

Glenn Beck At His Best

Exposes The 'Yes, But...' Muslims

Honoring Officers Killed in the Year 2007

2007-03-05T20:29:00.000-05:00

Honoring Officers Killed in the Year 2007

Trooper Calvin W. Jenks
Tennessee Highway Patrol, TN
EOW: Saturday, January 6, 2007
Cause of Death: Gunfire

Deputy Sheriff Rahamy Mitchell
Fannin County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: Sunday, January 7, 2007
Cause of Death: Automobile accident

Police Officer Tyron Franklin
Paterson Police Department, NJ
EOW: Sunday, January 7, 2007
Cause of Death: Gunfire

Detective Troy Lamont Chesley Sr.
Baltimore City Police Department, MD
EOW: Tuesday, January 9, 2007
Cause of Death: Gunfire

Sergeant James H. (Heath) Hardin
Hope Mills Police Department, NC
EOW: Thursday, January 11, 2007
Cause of Death: Heart attack

Sergeant Nicholas G. Sottile
Florida Highway Patrol, FL
EOW: Friday, January 12, 2007
Cause of Death: Gunfire

Chief of Police Ernest V. Mendoza
Needville Independent School District Poli..., TX
EOW: Friday, January 19, 2007
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault

Trooper Jose A. Rosado
New York State Police, NY
EOW: Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Cause of Death: Automobile accident

Deputy Sheriff Alan Inzer
Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: Thursday, January 25, 2007
Cause of Death: Gunfire

Deputy Sheriff Harold Michael (Mike) Altman
Jackson County Sheriff's Department, FL
EOW: Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Cause of Death: Gunfire

Police Officer Shawn Joshua Dean (Josh) Williams
Old Fort Police Department, NC
EOW: Thursday, February 1, 2007
Cause of Death: Automobile accident

Deputy Sheriff Daniel Browne-Sanchez
Hawaii Department of Public Safety - Sheri..., HI
EOW: Saturday, February 10, 2007
Cause of Death: Gunfire

Police Officer Sean Wissink
Des Moines Police Department, IA
EOW: Sunday, February 11, 2007
Cause of Death: Automobile accident

Deputy Sheriff Michael Estes
Walla Walla County Sheriff's Office, WA
EOW: Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Cause of Death: Automobile accident

Lieutenant Dexter Holcomb
Oxford Police Department, AL
EOW: Friday, February 16, 2007
Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle

Police Officer Charles J. Callemyn
Durham Police Department, NC
EOW: Saturday, February 17, 2007
Cause of Death: Automobile accident

Police Officer Anthony Jon Holly
Glendale Police Department, AZ
EOW: Monday, February 19, 2007
Cause of Death: Gunfire

Patrolman First Class Brian Coleman
Alexandria Police Department, LA
EOW: Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Cause of Death: Automobile accident

Police Officer Stephen R. Jerabek
St. Louis Police Department, MO
EOW: Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Cause of Death: Heart attack

Detective Keith Dressel
Toledo Police Department, OH
EOW: Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Cause of Death: Gunfire

Sergeant Howard J. Plouff
Winston-Salem Police Department, NC
EOW: Friday, February 23, 2007
Cause of Death: Gunfire

Deputy Sheriff Kevin Carper
Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office, SC
EOW: Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Cause of Death: Gunfire

Sergeant Tommaso Popolizio
Newark Police Department, NJ
EOW: Saturday, March 3, 2007
Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit

Police Officer Shawn Newlin
Clayton County Police Department, GA
EOW: Sunday, March 4, 2007
Cause of Death: Motorcycle accident

Total Line of Duty Deaths: 24
Automobile accident: 7
Gunfire: 11
Heart attack: 2
Motorcycle accident: 1
Struck by vehicle: 1
Vehicle pursuit: 1
Vehicular assault: 1

By Month:
January: 10
February: 12
March: 2

By State:
Alabama: 1
Arizona: 1
Florida: 2
Georgia: 1
Hawaii: 1
Iowa: 1
Louisiana: 2
Maryland: 1
Missouri: 1
New Jersey: 2
New York: 1
North Carolina: 4
Ohio: 1
South Carolina: 1
Tennessee: 1
Texas: 2
Washington: 1

Average tour: 10 years, 8 months

Average age: 36

By Gender:
Female: 0
Male: 24

Music Videos

2007-03-05T13:50:00.000-05:00

Today in Baghdad

2007-03-05T05:05:00.001-05:00

Israel's new tank with the worlds most advance computer technology

2007-03-04T06:28:00.000-05:00

Introducing Israel's new tank with the worlds most advance computer technology. This tank actually beat America's M1-Abrams tanks. Tanks top speed is 45mph. Armour: Steel, titanium, NERA and it also has an anti-rader and anti-rpg build in. The tank can hide its heat signals. It can drive top speed for 400 miles without refueling. Has an 1,500 hp v8 engine.

This is a badda$$ tank!

(I suggest turning off your speakers before playing the video;
the "music" is very offensive, but the tank is awesome.)

A Message for Westboro Baptist Church (Video)

2007-03-04T06:21:00.000-05:00

The Muhammad Cartoons

2007-03-04T06:20:00.000-05:00

Neal Boortz on Muslim Outrage

2007-03-04T06:18:00.000-05:00

The Last Day

2007-03-04T05:51:00.000-05:00

Suicide Bomber (Video)

2007-03-04T05:35:00.000-05:00

Police officer shot (Video)

2007-03-04T05:19:00.000-05:00

A Friend

2007-03-04T05:16:00.000-05:00

A Friend ...

Accepts you as you are Believes in you
Calls you just to say ~Hi~
Doesn't give up on you
Envisions the whole of you (even the unfinished parts)
Forgives your mistakes Gives unconditionally
Helps you
Invites you over
Just because
Keeps you close at heart
Loves you for who you are
Makes a difference in your life
Never judges
0ffers support
Picks you up
Quiets your fears
Raises your spirits
Says nice things about you
Tells you the truth when you need to hear it
Understands you
Values you
Walks beside you
Xxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Yells (gently) when you won't listen and
Zaps you back to reality (OUCH!)

Make Dream Reality

2007-03-04T05:07:00.000-05:00

Gotta love the Pussycat Dolls; fellas takes notes! ;)

2007-03-03T14:28:00.000-05:00

Every time I think about this OnE man I get in a really silly mood. Well, I'm thinking of him right now so...

First Total Lunar Eclipse in Three Years Saturday

2007-03-03T07:08:00.000-05:00

First Total Lunar Eclipse in Three Years Saturday 3/3/07

LONDON -- The moon will turn shades of amber and crimson Saturday night as it passes behind the Earth's shadow in the first total lunar eclipse in three years.

The eclipse will be at least partly visible from Asia to the Americas, although those in Europe, Africa and the Middle East will have the best view.

Lunar eclipses occur when Earth passes between the sun and the moon, blocking the sun's light. The event is rare because the moon spends most of its time either above or below the plane of Earth's orbit.

Although it will pass completely under Earth's shadow, light from the sun will still reach the moon after being refracted through Earth's atmosphere, giving the moon an eerie dark reddish tinge.

"It's not an event that has any scientific value, but it's something everybody can enjoy,'' said Robert Massey of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Earth's shadow will begin moving across the moon at 3:18 p.m. EST Saturday, with the total eclipse occurring at 5:44 p.m. EST and lasting more than an hour.

Observers in eastern North America and South America will find the moon already partially or totally eclipsed by the time it rises over the horizon Saturday evening.

Alaska, eastern Australia and New Zealand will miss the show altogether.

The next total lunar eclipse will occur Aug. 28th.

Congressman Johnson (R-TX) Floor Speech (02.16.07)

2007-03-03T06:17:00.000-05:00

Watch and listen well.

We need more leaders like Congressman Johnson. What is notable is that the Democrats did not even bother to stay to listen to Congressman Johnson's floor statement... Truly sad.

Jesus is coming soon

2007-03-03T05:51:00.000-05:00

Proper way to arrest terrorists

2007-03-03T05:36:00.000-05:00

Kudos to Spain!

Air Force Extreme Sports

2007-03-03T05:34:00.000-05:00

The Gathering of Eagles: A public service announcement

2007-03-02T02:42:00.000-05:00

By Michelle Malkin · February 28, 2007 10:19 AM

How many times have you sat in front of the TV over the last four years, watching anti-war activists march on Washington, chase the ROTC off your local college campus, vandalize war memorials, insult the troops and wreak havoc under the surrender banner?

How many times have you thought to yourself: What can I do?

Here is the answer: Get off the sofa and join the Gathering of Eagles on March 17 in Washington, D.C.

On that day, well-funded, celebrity-studded anti-war groups plan to march to the Pentagon on a protest route that will take them past the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and climax in calls for immediate withdrawal of our troops from Iraq, destruction of America's "global military machine," shutdown of the enemy-detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay and impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney (plus an end to "colonial occupation" in "Palestine, Haiti and everywhere" for good measure).

Last time the left-wing, peace-loving fun bunch came to town, their minions gone wild threw rocks at a military recruitment office in D.C's Dupont Circle neighborhood and at a local Fox News van, broke through a Capitol Hill police security cordon, spray painted the Capitol Grounds with impunity, desecrated the Lone Sailor statue that stands watch at the U.S. Navy Memorial and reportedly spat at disabled Iraq war veteran Josh Sparling as he voiced his support for his fellow troops.

Tens of thousands of anti-war demonstrators were at that event last month. How many showed up with Sparling to counter the far Left? Forty.

Now, imagine our troops getting word of that count. They're walking the talk, committed to the long, hard mission of counterinsurgency in Iraq and abroad, risking life and limb - and only 40 of their fellow Americans bothered to represent them in the nation's capital?

Don't get mad. Get moving.

March 17, 2007
7 AM to 4 PM
The Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall, Washington D.C.

For West Coast readers, check out the Move America Forward caravan leaving March 8 for the gathering.

Rolling Thunder will be there. If you want to coordinate something in your state, go here. Hot Air will be there.

***
Participating Military Blogs

* "Doc" Riojas, HMC (Ret), US Navy SEAL
* 1964 Vietnam 1975
* A Soldier's Mind
* A Soldier's Perspective
* Agent Orange Quilt of Tears
* Americans Working Together
* Archangels and Witticism
* Bill's Bites
* Blue Collar Republican
* Bookworm Room
* Boot Murtha
* Cap Veterans
* Captain's America
* Crosshairs
* Democracy Project
* Dump Turban Durbin
* Ed Lemp's 1st Air Cav
* Euphoric Reality
* Ex-Liberal in Hollywood
* Facts and Substance
* Faes2000
* Flopping Aces
* Free Republic
* God Bless America and Our US Troops
* Grunt Forum
* Gunner's Blog at Armed Forces News Service
* Heart Verses of Faye Sizemore
* Jake's USS Hancock CV/CVA-19 Memorial Brow
* James Hooker
* Jim's Place
* Michael in MI
* Military Retiree Grass Roots Group
* Military Travels
* Mudville Gazette
* My Pet Jawa
* My Tours in Vietnam Class of Feb.67-Sept.68
* Nancy's Tribute to Our Veterans
* News Of The Force
* Noisy Room
* Old Blue Jacket
* Old War Dogs
* Oliver Jackson's USMC Homepage
* Patriot Files
* Psycmeistr's Ice Palace
* Remembrance
* Retired Military Advocate
* Rocket's Brain
* Simply Southeast Asia
* Soldiers of Today and Yesterday
* tgslTakoma
* The Gray Dog
* The Montagnard Photo Gallery
* The Patriot Files
* The Promise Kept
* The Vietnam Era (60s, 70s Music)
* U.S Veteran's Dispatch
* US Special Forces in SE Asia
* USMILNET
* Veteran-American Voices
* Veterans Tribute
* Veterans' Info
* Viper's Vietnam Veterans Pages
* Warchick
* Welcome To Our World
* Wildgun's 11th Cav C Troop

Veterans Groups

* 101st Airborne, 327th Infantry Regiment
* 169th Engineering Battalion, C Co.
* 2/502nd Strike Force Widow Makers
* 3rd Recon Bn/ Vietnam Harborsite
* 604th Transportation Co.
* American Legion MANNY BACON POST 1758
* Army Divers
* AX2USN
* Charlie Co, 2nd/28th INF
* Charlie Co, 6th/31st, 9th Infantry
* Delaware Valley Vietnam Veterans
* Docs of the 3/26 Marines
* Fox Co, 2nd BN, 9th Marines
* Gunners Net Old Comrades Association
* K Troop, 11th ACR Vietnam
* Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally, Washington DC
* Screaming Eagles 326 ~ 101st AIRBORNE
* Special Forces Association, Chapter 67
* Swift Boat Sailors Association
* The Virtual Wall Vietnam Memorial
* U.S. Veteran's Dispatch Eagle's Nest Message Board
* United American Patriots
* USAF Redhorse CES
* Veterans Wives and Families
* Vietnam Veteran's 9th Infantry Division, 6-31st
* Vietnam Veterans of America, Western Mass. Chapter One-Eleven
* Yankee Air Pirates

God's Little Seeds ! (Autism Awareness)

2007-03-01T08:45:00.000-05:00

Your first child is born, and it's amazing the love you feel.
This perfect little angel is here, and you can't believe it's real.
The hopes and dreams seem endless, they could go for miles and miles.
You look around and everything is great, all you see are smiles.

Several months and diapers later, life is getting hard.
You're trying harder than most, but you've been dealt a different card.
Nobody understands, and gives you heaps of parental hints.
It seems everywhere you go, someone has to put in their two cents.

You aren't doing such a good job, of teaching this little child.
Nothing seems to be working right, and he's getting really wild.
He isn't learning not to do it again, when something isn't right.
He's bouncing off walls, and climbing high, you chase him with all your might.

The sweetness he has is something special, that you can't deny.
But life is hard, and you know it, and you can't help but wonder why.
You finally decide to get answers, to the doctor you will go.
After tests and papers, and strange looks, they tell you that they know.

This sweet, and energetic boy has a disability that lasts forever.
There are some things, for this little child, that he won't do, not ever.
You're told to hand him over to the experts that know of his kind.
They seem to think they know better, and that somehow you are blind.

At first you think they're right, and that they know what's best to do.
But you realize quickly he's your child, and in that way nothings new.
You've been with him from the start, and learned his special ways.
You know you can't hand him over now, you'll be there all his days.

You learn to be so happy, with every little gain.
You learn to see the things he's taught you, were worth all the pain.
You take each day, one at a time, the way it's supposed to be.
The things that others ignore, you find that you will see.

You thank God for the journey, he's brought you with this boy.
You thank Him for the sadness, that's now turned into joy.
When this boy smiles and gives you a hug, it's so wonderful to feel.
He's gone much farther than they said, and you know that this is real.

This isn't the end of the story, we have many years to go.
But God will be there with us, and that is what we know.
We've been allowed to be part of a very special plan.
We get to watch this wonderful boy, turn into a wonderful man...

Raising a child with autism can be emotionally draining on a parent, particularly when there is a communication delay involved. My friend's son is 3 years old and almost never uses words practically. He has only used a handful of words in his lifetime and has never spoken in a complete sentence. He has never said "I love you" to me or his mother, never sings his favorite songs and never speaks of what he experiences in his own little world.

Despite the difficulty inherent in raising a child with autism I am convinced that any parent can find the Love in his or her Heart required to do such a task. Despite the language barriers a parent will also know that his or her Love is not being cast into a vacuum but, rather, that Love is returned and multiplied a hundred fold.Hopfully this poem is a testimony of this truth.

Our children are God's greatest gift to us. No matter how they are packaged, this truth does not change. Be grateful; Love, honor, and cherish them. If you child, is not perfect or what you hoped for, God has not punished, you for past deeds. He has given you an opportunity that you may not yet understand. Make the most of the situation, for you are in it for a purpose, and there are rewards, that you never imagined possible.God is faithful ! Keep the faith & trust in the Lord at all times...

" HEAVENS VERY SPECIAL CHILD " (A Short Poem)

A meeting was held, quite far from Earth!
It's time again, for another birth.
Said the Angels, to the Lord above,
This special child will need much Love.
His progress may be very slow,
Accomplishments he may not show.
And he'll require extra care
From the folks he meets down there.
He may not run or laugh or play,
His thoughts may seem, quite far away,
In many ways he won't adapt,
And he'll be known as handicapped.
So let's be careful where he's sent,
We want his life to be content.
Please Lord, find the parents who
Will do a special job for you.
They will not realize right away
The leading role they're asked to play,
But with this child sent from above
Comes stronger faith and richer Love.
And soon they'll know the privilege given
In caring for their gift from Heaven.
Their precious charge, so meek and mild,
Is HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL CHILD...

(FROM THE HEART)

Mom please don't cry
You may never know how much " I Love you ".
For those 3 words I may not speak from my lips
My Heart beats unconditionally for you.
For I am here, there, and everywhere;
But yet I am nowhere....
I do not exist with other people.
I do not exist with myself.
For I am only 3 years old this year.

No place is my home.I seek a safe place to hide.
I am out-of-place everywhere.
I walk down the street.But sometimes I run.
I climb on everything I see.Am I spider man.
I run like the wind as if someone is chasing me,
I sometimes go to church with my family too.
I love playing with my siblings every day.

But no matter where I go or where I am,
I feel so alone, distant from all others.
Do I act as if I'm okay and normal, Maybe not
I go through the proper motions, I play my part;
But in reality, people everywhere stop and stare.

Hardly anyone understands what my autistic life
Is actually like, and I am not sure that even I do.
I am: therefore I exist. But what does that mean?
I am constantly lost in a world that is not really there.
I am floating within a timeless fog of non-existence.
I have nowhere to go, and nowhere to be.

I wish sometimes that God would of let me die
Not born into a world where beauty is so envied, treasured.
I try to speak my mind but the words just don't come out,
God, I know deep from inside how much you Love me
I only want a chance to be loved and accepted by all.
I can only imagine one day where there will be a cure for me
I pray that this disease that affects so many will be no more
But for now I must have hope and much faith for a better future.
Mother please don't cry for me, just hold me close again tonight !

How do I spell A.U.T.I.S.M. ?

A

I have to say the first emotion I felt was Anger, I was angry that this
had happened to me, I had been so careful,
I made an appointment with my doctor, when I was barely a month along,
I took good care of myself, I ate well,
and didn't abuse my body with drugs or alcohol, or smoking.
I felt such rage at first, this was not fair,
some women neglected themselves, and didn't care for the child inside,
and their child was perfect. Why not mine?

U

Unbelief..... denial...........you name it, I felt it. This was not
happening to me, I would wake up in the night, and it would hit me, my
child has autism, and then I would plug my ears, trying to stop the
voices in my head, I would bury my head in the pillow, refusing to
believe this was happening to us. It took me a long time to let it sink
in, and to this day, I sometimes forget, and then the realization hits
me, and it knocks me to my knees again. It takes all my strength to get
up. But I do, because I have to, I have to be there for my child.

T

Of course the tears, tears of rage, panic, frustration. Gut wrenching
tears in the middle of the night, somehow it always seems worse in the
night. The house is quiet at last, and there is time to think, to
ponder, to pray. Tears though are such a relief, without their outlet, I
would have gone crazy. But, I have held them back so many times, in a
store when someone makes a cruel remark,
or a child who approaches mine, then backs off with that 'look' on his face.
I refuse to cry then, because I still have my pride, and it although it
is tattered, I cling to it like a security blanket.

I

Isolation, oh yes, the isolation. Friends seemed to disappear into thin
air, when they found out.
Sometimes I wanted to scream "It's not catching, " but they wouldn't hear
me, they were too busy keeping their child away from mine. The phone
stopped ringing too, and people would turn away at Church, avert their
eyes when my child had a tantrum. The isolation is the hardest
thing.......... being alone hurts. At the time in my life when I needed
friends and family the most, the pain of them looking the other way, was
indescribable. But I have found friends, people who know the path I
take, for it is their journey too. For this blessing I am so grateful.
These are the true friends, the ones who are there for me, when life is
unbearable.

S

Sadness and Solace, I have felt the sadness of knowing my child will not
be like other children, I have wept many tears for him. I have spent my
waking hours, and sleepless nights worrying about his future, who will
care for him, what kind of adult will he be? Will someone be there for
him, when I am gone? There is such pain in not knowing, there is nothing
so hard for a parent, than realizing that one day, you will not be there
to take care of your child. And knowing that this child will always need
your care. But there is Solace too, and I have felt this peace,
I have learned to accept this Autism, I cannot erase it,
nor will I embrace it. But I have come to a feeling of peace, and I go on.

M

Mercy and Magic, Have mercy on me, It's so hard to raise a child when
others look on, and instead of holding out a hand to help, they stand in
judgment. Don't judge me, when my child acts out, when he screams
because something has changed in his environment, he doesn't do it
purposefully, he is only reacting to his feelings. I am a good mother, I
love my child like you love yours, I want the best for him, yet I cannot
give in to him. He looks to me and I must teach him,
just as you teach your child. I may do it differently,
because my child is different. He learns in his own way,
and I have to teach him in a way that to others may seem odd, or unusual.

Magic? Oh yes, there is magic. I have seen my child blossom, I have
seen him learn, I have watched his wonder, and rejoiced in his small
steps. His smile is magic, and his heart is gold.
I did not choose this journey, but somehow it is mine, and I must see the
roses, as I walk upon the rocky pathway. I did not ask for this, but it
was given to me, and I must be strong enough to bear it. If I cannot,
then I am lost, if I give up, who will take my place?
There is enough joy, if I look for it....... it will find me.

"Beautiful Lesson"

(Something to think about)

This is a story from a book written in 1875 by a man named Robert Boyd. It's
called the "Trials and Triumphs of Faith." It's put me in tears, more than once.A minister tells us that he was spending several days in one of our western
cities. He put up at a hotel, and one morning he heard, while up in his
room, the most wonderful whistling he had ever listened to. It seemed like
the note of a bird, but he thought it could not be that, for there was a
perfectly regular tune kept up with much power. Though he was in the third
story, yet the music came gushing up in its sweet melody, and seemed to fill
the whole house. He ran downstairs to get a sight of the wonderful
performer, looking every man that he met in the face. At last, he asked the
clerk who it was that had such amazing power as a whistler. Laughing at his
simplicity he pointed him to a canary bird that had been trained to perform
in this way, and was valued at $150."How was that bird trained to sing this way?" the gentleman enquired. In
reply the clerk told him that during the training process the bird is nearly
starved and shut up in a room that is almost dark. While it is under this
severe discipline, and its attention undivided, a bird organ is made to play
this one tune over and over again, for days. Hearing nothing else, and
taught by his troubles, the poor little bird takes up the tune, which he
performs so perfectly.Thus it is that God permits his people to be afflicted that they may learn
the heavenly song. He shuts them up in the dark room of sorrow, away from
the tempting sights and sounds of the world, that they may, without
distraction, listen to his voice and learn to sing the higher melodies of
glory. Blessed are those who patiently wait the Lord's good time to work out
their deliverance. When the song of Grace is fully learned, he brings them
into a large place, sets their feet upon a rock, and others learn from them
the sweet song of redeeming Love...
May God give us Peace each day through our troubled World.

May God Give us Strength to endure the trials, and struggles from day to day.

May God give us Refuge, release our fears, our anxieties, when there's danger and distress.

May God give us Comfort where there's suffering and despair.

May God give us Joy to live each moment, to cherish the blessings He grants us around every corner.

May God give us Guidance to live each day productively and whole.

May God give us Faith to know He is always there day and night.

May God give us Hope to live a better tomorrow- opening up our hearts- to His Love.

May God give us Peace each day through our troubled World.
May God Give Us Peace !

Be Blessed & take care !

Peace & Love always,

Brother Anthony (Phil.4:13)

P.S. friends I hope this bulletin and these poems touched your Hearts today.Perhaps now you will be even more aware of autism in the world.There are many lives , especially children who are affected.An autistic child is someone who needs lots of Love, compassion, and guidance.They are God's beautiful children...Please pray for all those who have autism and their families too.If you would kindly repost this bulletin to support Autism Awareness that would be a blessing and greatly appreciated.Let's find a cure soon !!!

AMERICAN TROOPS ARE SCUM & OVERPAID...THIS IS DISGUSTING!!

2007-03-01T06:27:00.000-05:00

Undercover Mosque

2007-03-01T06:16:00.000-05:00

UK Channel 4, aired 15th January 2007.
Radicalization of UK mosques by Saudi Wahabbism

In case you don't know this ... about cruise control

2007-03-01T06:15:00.000-05:00

Worth knowing and passing on to anyone who drives a car equipped with cruise control.

I wonder how many people know about this? A 36 year old female had an accident several weeks ago and Totaled her car. A resident of Kilgore, Texas she was traveling between Gladewater & Kilgore. It was raining, though not excessively, when her car suddenly began to hydro-plane and literally flew through the air. She was not seriously injured but very stunned at the sudden occurrence!

When she explained to the highway patrolman what had happened he told her something that every driver should know - NEVER DRIVE IN THE RAIN WITH YOUR CRUISE CONTROL ON. She thought she was being cautious by setting the cruise control and maintaining a safe consistent speed in the rain.

But the highway patrolman told her that if the cruise control is on when your car begins to hydro-plane and your tires lose contact with the pavement, your car will accelerate to a higher rate of speed making you take off like an airplane. She told the patrolman that was exactly what had occurred.

The patrolman said this warning should be listed, on the driver's seat sun-visor - NEVER USE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE PAVEMENT IS WET OR ICY, along with the airbag warning. We tell our teenagers to set the cruise control and drive a safe speed - but we don't tell them to use the cruise control only when the pavement is dry.

The only person the accident victim found, who knew this (besides the patrolman), was a man who had had a similar accident, totaled his car and sustained severe injuries.

If you send this to 15 people and only one of them doesn't know about this, then it was all worth it. You might have saved a life.

NOTE: Some vehicles (like the Toyota Sienna Limited XLE) will not allow you to set the cruise control when the windshield wipers are on.

Military Tribute Video

2007-03-01T05:59:00.000-05:00

Gathering of Eagles: We Need You! Every One of You!

2007-03-01T05:48:00.000-05:00

Do you support the mission in the war against Islamic Totalitarianism? Do you support the men and women fighting in the war effort? Well, what are you DOING to SHOW that support?

A great way to show the men and women fighting the war effort, as well as the U.S. Government, the treasonous "mainstream" media AND the entire world who will report and broadcast the event, is to go stand with fellow Patriots at the GATHERING OF EAGLES on March 17th in Washington, D.C.

Save the money. Take that vacation time from work. Make the trip. Your country needs you. Your military needs you. Your enemies need to know you are standing up against them and WILL NOT SUBMIT to terrorism.

If that did not convince you, here is Vietnam Veteran Vernon E. Brewer II.

Via Gathering of Eagles: A Paratrooper's Opinion On The Gathering of Eagles

Dear America:

I have seen Vietnam Veterans and their family's gather at Rolling Thunder by the hundreds of thousands… at Melbourne, Florida for the kickoff of the year's Vietnam Veteran reunions... at a thousand small towns in between both coasts for a day of festivities and unabashed patriotism ... at Kokomo Indiana for the last, all Veteran's reunion of the year.

I have ridden coast to coast and found literally thousands of Vet groups all working independently of each other, but all working towards a common goal; the betterment of the Veteran's lot and the betterment of The USA. There were almost 500,000 bikes at last years Rolling Thunder, and easily and over a hundred thousand vets at many other, separate reunions.

This GATHERING OF EAGLES transcends all those reunions in importance; as we are not only going to protect the Memorials and to honor our dead as we gather; but to boost the morale of our troops engaged in battle with an enemy who has attacked our shores, who has been attacking us since any of us can remember by blowing up our embassies, knocking our planes from the skies, killing our Marines in their sleep, murdering our sailors at chow while their ship sat at anchor.

We are at a point in our history where the danger to our democracy has NEVER been greater or more visible.

Our troops hear the protesters because the left leaning Mass Media WANTS them to hear only that side of America. And they do hear it.

And they are aware of this coming "GATHERING OF EAGLES". Very aware.

They, our Marines, Army, Air Force and Navy engaging the enemy in both Afghanistan and Iraq will be watching to see ... "How many?" How many Americans support them? They will be watching ... and they must not be disappointed.

This is one of the most important gatherings in America's history. Every bit as important as how many of those Revolutionary War Soldiers braved the winter to win this country its Freedom. Every bit as important as those millions of citizens who rationed everything they had; lived without butter, tires, worked 12 hour shifts, gave up their pots and pans so America might have a better chance to win WWII.

This sacrifice of ours is only of time. We will not be huddled freezing around tiny camp fires with rags for shoes, no one has to go without so our troops might have the equipment they need to carry the battle.

We need you! Every one of you!

We need you to spread the word, and to come to Washington, DC. To be there at the Wall on March 17th; not only to make certain the hard core anarchists among the protesters do not deface any memorial, but to send a message to our troops in harm's way.

A message they will be listening and watching for.

It is up to each of us to look inside ourselves and ask ... "Is this worth it?"

The only possible answer you can arrive at is that is not only very much worth it; it is IMPERATIVE that you go.

The sound of a hundred thousand flags being held aloft in dignity and HONOR will be deafening in its wonderful silence ... a silence heard all around this world. This Gathering of Eagles will come to be known as the "Woodstock" of Patriotism.

Those of you on the fence as if you can go or not, I say to you now; Please, you must go! There will most likely never be a more important event in our lifetime. We need you to stand together with us on the 17th of March or the Jane Fondas, the CODE PINKS and Stalinist Worker's Party of this country will claim victory.

And our troops today will feel that day what we felt in the Jungles of Vietnam, even as we fought the biggest battle of the Cold War.

Back to Back
Vernon E Brewer II
A/4th Bat/503d Abn Inf
173d Airborne Brigade(SEP)
Vietnam 68/69

Maxine with a twist

2007-03-01T05:38:00.000-05:00

Tom Tancredo, Duncan Hunter & Newt Gingrich

2007-03-01T05:35:00.000-05:00

Duncan Hunter

Tom Tancredo

Newt Gingrich

Zell Miller - Liberators and Defenders

2007-03-01T05:32:00.000-05:00

The Big Fraudulent Lie Behind The Clintons

2007-03-01T05:12:00.000-05:00

Shiite militia (Video)

2007-03-01T05:10:00.001-05:00

The following video features a member of a Shiite militia enthusiastically spraying automatic weapon fire down an alley. His enthusiasm evaporates abruptly when he is nailed by one or more of his own ricocheting bullets.

Let's Be Diplomatic With The Terrorist..

2007-03-01T05:10:00.000-05:00

Brigitte Gabriel author BECAUSE THEY HATE {MUST SEE VIDEOS}

2007-02-28T05:42:00.000-05:00

YOU MUST WATCH and spread the word !

Brigitte Gabriel Part 1

Brigitte Gabriel Part 2

Brigitte Gabriel Part 3

Brigitte Gabriel Part 4

Brigitte Gabriel Part 5

Brigitte Gabriel Part 6

Brigitte Gabriel Part 7 (FINAL)

**Originally posted under: " Bridget Gabriel author BECAUSE THEY HATE, MUST SEE VIDEO " I updated this blog by correcting the spelling of her name and adding the 6 missing videos. PLEASE, we really need to spread the word before it's too late.**

You Ain't Gonna Touch This Wall

2007-02-28T05:40:00.000-05:00

Look, boy, you're free to demonstrate,
March up and down this Mall;
But, son, I'm gonna set you straight,
You ain't gonna touch this Wall.

You shout and scream all you want,
On all that we'll give a pass;
But you try some Wall-defacing stunt,
And, son, I'm gonna kick your ass.

(Chorus)
Let us make it clear, we've all come here
To defend our long-dead brothers;
And understand you ain't layin' a hand
On our Wall you leftie mothers.

Drag out that traitor, Hanoi Jane,
To screech at you pinks and commies,
And Cindy Sheehan to exploit her pain,
The Barnum of Gold Star Mommies.

And, son, you hear this loud and clear,
Don't you even think about spittin'
Less you want that smart mouth busted here,
And believe me, we're not sh*ttin'.

(Chorus)
Let us make it clear, we've all come here
To defend our long-dead brothers;
And understand you ain't layin' a hand
On our Wall you leftie mothers.

Because of you losers we lose our wars,
Our warriors are left to bleed,
Cause of Jane and Cindy, these media whores
With their camera-craving creed.

So follow these traitors, these loser b*tches,
Let them lead you to your fall;
But I promise you, son, you're gonna need stitches,
You even get close to this Wall.

(Chorus)
Let us make it clear, we've all come here
To defend our long-dead brothers;
And understand you ain't layin' a hand
On our Wall you leftie mothers.

Russ Vaughn
2d Bn, 327th Parachute Infantry Regiment
101st Airborne Division
Vietnam 65-66

AMW: Expose Political Persecution of Border Patrol Agents

2007-02-28T05:36:00.000-05:00

Democrat Hypocrisy on Iraq

2007-02-28T05:21:00.000-05:00

Hillary Clinton's Opposing Statements on Iraq War

Democrat Hypocrisy on Iraq

Hillary's Vote for the Iraq War and Her "Roadmap" Scam

Westboro Thinks Police should be their Private SECURITY!

2007-02-27T06:38:00.000-05:00

The westboro baptist church brigade check mated by Sheriff.
This is them below too.

Torture At Guantanamo

2007-02-26T06:30:00.000-05:00

United States Navy Recruiting Ad

2007-02-26T05:43:00.000-05:00

Directed by: John Kerry
Produced by: The Democratic National Committee
Special thanks to: Nancy Pelosi & Michael Moore
Catering by: Rosie O'Donnell
Best grip: William J. Clinton

Do You Remember Judge Roy Moore from Alabama?

2007-02-26T05:31:00.000-05:00

A friend sent me this and I thought it was worth sharing.

Some of you may be wondering what Judge Roy Moore has been doing since he was removed from the bench for refusing to remove the Ten Commandments from his courtroom wall. Please read the poem he wrote. It's below his picture.

The following is a poem written by Judge Roy Moore . Judge Moore was sued by the ACLU for displaying the Ten Commandments in his courtroom foyer. He has been stripped of his judgeship and now they are trying to strip his right to practice law in Alabama ! . The judge's poem sums it up quite well.

America the Beautiful,
or so you used to be.
Land of the Pilgrims' pride;
I'm glad they'll never see.

Babies piled in dumpster's,
Abortion on demand,
Oh, sweet land of liberty;
your house is on the sand.

Our children wander aimlessly
poisoned by cocaine
choosing to indulge their lusts,
when God has said abstain

>From sea to shining sea,
our Nation turns away
>From the teaching of God's love
and a need to always pray.

We've kept God in our temples,
how callous we have grown.
When earth is but His footstool,
and Heaven is His throne.

We've voted in a government
that's rotting at the core,
Appointing Godless Judges;
who throw reason out the door,

You think that God's not angry,
that our land's a moral slum?
How much longer will He wait
before His judgment comes?

How are we to face our God,
from Whom we cannot hide?
What then is left for us to do,
but stem this evil tide?

If we who are His children,
will humbly turn and pray;
Seek His holy face
and mend our evil way:

Then God will hear from Heaven;
and forgive us of our sins,
He'll heal our sickly land
and those who live within.

But, America the Beautiful,
if you don't - then you will see,
A sad but Holy God
withdraw His hand from Thee.

~~Judge Roy Moore~~

This says it all. May we all forward this message and offer our prayers for Judge Moore to be blessed and for America to wake up and realize what we need to do to keep OUR America the Beautiful.

Pass this on and let's lift Judge Moore up in prayer.
He has stood firm and needs our support.

IN GOD WE TRUST!!!

The Ultimate Smoothie Selector

2007-02-25T12:49:00.000-05:00

Boost your brain, build muscle, and help your heart -- with a blender

Depending on what you toss in them, smoothies offer a wide range of immediate heart-saving, muscle-building, brain-juicing, mood-boosting benefits. We provide the building blocks and the blueprints -- all you need to do is liquefy.

BRAIN BOOSTER

The berries here aren't just super food for your brain; they offer an important cancer-fighting bonus.

1/2 c fresh or frozen blueberries
1/2 c fresh or frozen raspberries
1 c pineapple OJ
1/2 c low-fat vanilla yogurt
1 c ice

BERRY BERRY

Using all unsweetened fruit, this recipe delivers an antioxidant whallop without the sugar.

1/2 cup frozen unsweetened raspberries

1/2 cup frozen unsweetened strawberries

3/4 cup unsweetened pineapple juice

1 cup soy milk or 1% milk

MEMORY AID

This low-calorie smoothie is a good source of fiber, phytochemicals, and antioxidants. Blueberries in particular contain compounds that can help prevent cataracts, cancer, constipation, and memory loss.

1/2 c orange juice

1 pint nonfat vanilla or peach frozen yogurt

2 1/2 c sliced peaches

3/4 fresh or frozen blueberries

MUSCLE BUILDER

This mix features the brawn-building power of protein from both peanut butter and whey.

2 Tbsp peanut butter
1 banana
1/3 c whey protein
1/2 c fat-free chocolate frozen yogurt
1 c fat-free milk

BETA BLAST

This smoothie is a muscle-rejuvenating, beta-carotene-filled, orange-colored wonder.

3 small ice cubes

2 apricots (sliced and pitted)

1/2 papaya (frozen in chunks)

1/2 mango (frozen in chunks)

1/2 cup carrots

1 tablespoon honey

HEART HELPER

The fiber from the fruit teams with the artery-protecting antioxidants and healthy monounsaturated fats of the peanut butter to keep your ticker tickin'.

1 banana
1/2 c raspberries
1 Tbsp peanut butter
1/2 c nonfat chocolate frozen yogurt
1 c fat-free milk

KICKSTARTER SHAKE

This recipe helps produce wake-up chemicals in the brain.

1 c skim milk

2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate

1 c strawberries

1 kiwifruit

SMOOTH OPERATOR

The yogurt aids digestion, while the mango and juice boost immune response.

1/2 c pitted cherries
1/2 c mango
1/2 c low-fat vanilla yogurt
1 c pineapple OJ
1 c ice

MOOD MAKER

An all-fruit smoothie, packed with carbs to boost your serotonin levels. Add a handful of flaxseeds for an extra dose of mood-boosting omega-3 fatty acids.

1/2 c fresh or frozen blueberries
1/2 c fresh or frozen mango
1 c pineapple OJ
1 c ice

BETTER BREAKFAST

Less than a minute and you're drinking a better breakfast.

1 banana

1 peach (cut up)

1/4 c orange juice

1 c ice

Why use these ingredients?

Peanut butter

Packed with protein, manganese, and niacin, peanuts can help stave off heart disease and, when eaten in moderation, promote weight loss.

Fat-free milk

All the calcium and protein, none of the fat.

Blueberries

The huge amounts of antioxidants, such as anthocyanins, in blueberries have been shown to slow brain decline and reverse memory loss.

Low-fat vanilla yogurt

A cache of calcium and digestion-aiding probiotics in every scoop.

Raspberries

An antioxidant powerhouse bursting with fiber, manganese, and vitamin C, these berries will keep your heart and brain in top shape.

Fat-free chocolate frozen yogurt

Calcium, phosphorus, and none of the guilt.

Pineapple-orange juice

OJ has vitamin C, and pineapples contain bromelain, a cancer-inhibiting, inflammation-reducing enzyme.

Cherries

In addition to their vitamin C and fiber content, cherries have been linked to reducing arthritis pain.

Bananas

Heavy on potassium, fiber, and vitamin B6, bananas do wonders for your heart and provide good carbs to keep you full and energized.

Whey protein

Its essential amino acids help pack on the muscle -- making whey the best friend of athletes and gym rats.

Frozen mangoes

To their stock of vitamins A and C, mangoes add a healthy dose of beta-carotene, which helps prevent cancer and promotes healthy skin.

Ice

A little H2O never hurt anyone.

WE NEED GOD IN AMERICA AGAIN

2007-02-24T07:09:00.000-05:00

Shift Happens

2007-02-24T06:48:00.000-05:00

Bill O'Reilly vs Donahue

2007-02-24T06:35:00.000-05:00

She's An American Soldier

2007-02-24T06:06:00.000-05:00

Ex-porn star on you-tube...powerful words

2007-02-24T05:48:00.000-05:00

Terrorist Fake Propaganda Photo Wins Award

2007-02-24T05:44:00.000-05:00

Absolutely pathetic. Awarding staged photos used for terrorist propaganda.

(Hat Tip Gateway Pundit)

Remember this faked photo?:

It just won first place in Picture of the Year International's photo contest. Apparently staged photographs qualify.

Email POYi here: info@poyi.org
Email POYi Director here: ShawRF@missouri.edu

This famous photograph wasn't even considered:

A U.S. Soldier comforts a dying child after insurgent "freedom fighters" detonated a suicide car bomb.

So You Want To Be A Marine?

2007-02-24T05:05:00.000-05:00

Tribute to American Troops (VIDEO)

2007-02-22T05:37:00.000-05:00

Iranian Student Activist Takes a Turn For the Worse

2007-02-22T05:20:00.000-05:00

From Gateway Pundit:

Iranian student activist Ahmad Batebi suffers a second stroke...

It was known back in December that Ahmad Batebi, the imprisoned student leader in the infamous Ward 209 of Evin Prison, was being detained in the most unspeakable condition; his family, after visiting him in prison, described the status of his health to be extremely worrisome.

Following the sad news from Sunday, Iranian bloggers today are reporting that Ahmad Batebi has suffered a second stroke at Evin Prison...

Live by FAITH !

2007-02-21T06:42:00.000-05:00

What is unseen becomes seen
What has been lost shall be found,
The past ends for a new life, a new future beginsTrials may come our way but victory will prevail.
For Faith is the bringing from the darkness to light.

For the burning fire within us shall be calmed
The storms of life once unforgiving shall be stopped,
The fresh ocean breeze fills the air around
And the winds of Hope shall fill our lungs.
For Faith in God helps us face overwhelming odds.
So as we age year by year and move on
We'll sow seeds of Love to those unloved,
A wall seemingly impossible shall be climbed.
A broken Heart once lifeless now beats with joy
The blessings from above pours down upon our souls,
And a mountain once thought unmovable is moved
For Faith is the bringing from the darkness to light.

Faith is the word of God.
Faith is believing in the fullness of God's grace.
Faith works through the unfailing love of God.
Faith lights the way giving us direction when we're lost.
Faith gives us much hope, peace, and strength for tomorrow...For Faith is the bringing from darkness into the light !Faith is the sunshine we remember through our darkest hour.
Faith gives us strength to our hearts when we need it the most.Faith is the song in our Hearts that helps us through our storms all year long...

Faith...

When you come to the edge of all the light you have,
and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown,
faith is knowing one of two things will happen:
There will be something solid to stand on,
or you will be taught how to fly.
(~ Patrick Overton ~)

" What you see is evidence of what you believe.
Believe it and you'll see it."

" For those who believe, No proof is necessary.
For those who don't believe, No proof is possible."

" Faith is a bird that feels dawn breaking
and sings while it is still dark."

" Faith works miracles. At least it allows time for them."

" A little faith will bring your soul to heaven; A great faith will bring heaven to your soul." (Charles Spurgeon.)

" Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light." (Helen Keller.)

" Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)

" Faith is an oasis in the heart which will never be reached by the caravan of thinking." (Kahlil Gibran.)

" Without faith, nothing is possible. With it, nothing is impossible." (Mary McLeod Bethune.)

" Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith." (Henry Ward Beecher)

" Faith is putting all your eggs in God's basket, then counting your blessings before they hatch." (Ramona C. Carroll)

" Trust the Lord your God with all your Heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)

" Be joyful because you have hope. Be patient when trouble comes, and pray at all times." (Romans 12:12)

" Let God's promises shine on your problems."

The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you." (Psalm 32:8 NLT)

" Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." (Colossians 3:15 NIV)

" The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever." (Psalm 121:8 NLT)

" For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39 KJV)

" Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us." (Romans 8:35,37 KJV)

" For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation." (Psalm 100:5 NLT)

" The unfailing love of the Lord never ends!" (Lamentations 3:22 NLT)

" As does the sun shine, so too does the rain fall...and yet, the sun still shines behind the clouds. "
" The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him." (Nahum 1:7 NASB)
" If I ride the morning winds to the farthest oceans, even there Your hand will guide me." (Psalm 139:9)

" Lord Jesus, when I look at Your cross I know that You care for me as you wept endlessly, died so that I may live, and showed me what true Love is all about."

(About seeing what is not there…)

(Colossians 1:16) For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (NIV)

When we look into a microscope built with a glass lens, we can see worlds and kingdoms we cannot see with our naked eye. When we use an electron microscope we can see worlds and kingdoms we cannot see even with a lens microscope. Every day we move about in unseen microscopic natural worlds and natural kingdoms we cannot see. Every day we move about in supernatural worlds and supernatural kingdoms we cannot see. Every day we move about in a supernatural world filled with great angels who look over us. Every day we move about in a supernatural world held in the palm of God’s hand. Every day we move about in a supernatural world where streams of healing love pour down over us. To see the supernatural world we must use faith. To see the supernatural world we cannot see with our physical eyes, we must first see Jesus. When we first see Jesus, He is good and kind to us and He gives us the supernatural sight to see His supernatural worlds, kingdoms, and realms that make up our invisible reality. When we are troubled, we need to see more than just the trouble. When we are troubled, we need to see Jesus standing next to us placing His hands upon our troubles. When we are worried or anxious, we need to see more than what causes us to feel worry or anxiety. When we are worried or anxious, we need to see Jesus standing next to us placing His hands upon what worries us.

" Act in Faith "

(DEVOTIONAL)

Trusting God doesn't alter our circumstances. Perfect trust in Him changes us. It doesn't make life all rosy and beautiful and neat and lovely and financially secure and comfortable. But trust that is rooted in an abiding faith in God makes all that real in us-secure, relaxed, and calm against all odds.
You know one of the most encouraging things about faith? It pleases God infact,

" Without faith it is impossible to please Him." (Hebrew 11:6)

That's why I want to encourage you: Walk by faith ! Not by sight. Stop this plagued biting of nails and weariness of worry that you encourage within the tests come. Relax ! Learn to say, "Lord, this is Your battle.Everything is in Your hands. This is Your need that You've allowed me to trust You for. And I'm waiting patiently for You to do it. I'm willing to wait as long as necessary for You to do the impossible."

When God sees this kind of faith He smiles in return and responds, "I'm, ready to support you. Give Me that need! Cast it on Me!" He stands ready to "support those whose Heart is completely His." (2 Chronicles 16:9). These are the kind of people God is searching for: People who act in faith. People whose lives are being turned right side up through perfect trust.

" In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." (Isaiah 30:15 NKJV)

" How God works through suffering."

(Something to think about)

In 2 Corinthians chapter one, three reasons are given for suffering. Admittedly, there may be dozens of other reasons, but here are three specific reasons God allows suffering/trials:

* that we might have the capacity to enter into others' sorrow and affliction;

* that we might learn what it means to depend on Him;

* that we might learn to give thanks in everything.

Specific pain enables us to comfort others specifically. If you lose your child, God uses you in the life of a mother as she endures the loss of her child. If you've struggled through the dark tunnel of divorce, no one understands as you do when a friend tells you a spouse has just walked out the door. If you suffer from a a mental or physical disability. God will use your life to be an inspiration to others who are in the same situation. Infact so God's glory may shine through. In the midst of every hardship or trial we as His beloved children may endure in this life. Our pain, tears, and struggles will not go in vain.For God knows our needs and our Hearts.In His perfect timing God's grace, mercy, and His faithfulness will prevail.I've gone through many storms in my life.With depression, drugs, addictions, loneliness, health problems, and temptations of the world.Leading to lost hope, suicidal tendencies, and my faith in God was pretty much non-existent.But through prayer, friends, studying His word in the bible, letting go of my will for His will, and embracing the truth in my Heart.God's unfailing Love, peace, strength, wisdom, and His guidance renewed my burdened Heart and soul.Every day my faith and trust in Him grew.As I thank Him , worshipped Him, and praised Him even in my darkest days and nights.I rejoiced with Joy and did not let Satan overcome my thoughts with His lies.For the Lord is my shepherd, redeemer, and my Savior...Every tear that feel from my eyes God counted them all and wiped my tears away ! I will never be perfect or sin free.But my Hope for tomorrow is in the Lord.My strength comes from Him.Forgiven and washed in the blood of Christ Jesus.I now live a new life in Christ, sharing His Love to others, helping the needy, and being a light of hope to a lost world.Learning to be more like Jesus in character and in my Heart !!!

(A Little Wisdom) 4 Life ...

Remember some of these simple rules :

1.Free your Heart from hatred.
2.Free your mind from worries.
3.Live simply.Be thankful.
4.Give more.Expect less.
5.Have faith.Have Hope.
6.Trust God.Love God
7.Follow your Heart.
8.Believe in yourself.
9.Love others like yourself.
10.Be honest.Live with integrity.
11.Spend time with God.Pray alot.

No one can go back and make a brand new start. Anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way...

" God's Promise "

God never promised
A life without pain,
Laughter without tears
Or sun without rain.
But He did promise
Strength for the day,
Comfort for the tears
And light for the way,
And for all who believe
In His Heaven above
He rewards their faith
In His everlasting love...

May you my friend always feel the sunshine
And take a little time to taste the rain.
May your Heart towards others be true & caring
And may you always be the same.
May your soul be filled with kindness
And the seeds of Love you planted will soon grow.
May you seek God's truth,grace, and beauty
And when faith is in Him, His blessings will overflow...

P.S. I hope the the message of this bulletin touched your Heart today.May God's peace, wisdom, comfort, and guidance abide in your Hearts..God is Love and Love never fails.Keep your faith & trust in God always.He is faithful and in control of our lives.I Love Y'all friends so very much.My prayers are with you and your families.I don't have much to give but my Heart !!!

Be Blessed & take care !

Peace, Love and Sunshine

US Special Forces Hoo-Yahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...

2007-02-21T05:46:00.000-05:00

222 Reasons to love the Marines Corps

2007-02-21T05:37:00.000-05:00

222 REASONS TO LOVE YOUR CORPS

* United States Marine Corps Birthday: 10 NOVEMBER 1775 *

1) Best haircut. Hands down. You can't have a bad hair day with a high and tight. And you spend less on shampoo.

2) Dress blues. They're the coolest uniforms in any military worldwide.

3) Bloused trousers. Another distinctive Marine look that sets the proudest service members apart.

4) The rest of the Marine sea bag. From the Alphas to the camouflage utilities, uniforms just look better on a Marine than any other service member.

5) Marines don't wear dungarees.

6) Most respect I. When the Marines pulled out of Haiti and Somalia, the media reported the U.S. military was pulling out -- as if tens of thousands of Army troops weren't still in the country. Now that's respect.

7) Most respect II. When the Corps came back to Haiti after 60 years, an old man on the Cap-Haitien beach said ``Welcome back!''

8) Toughest mascot. The Marine Corps' is a bulldog. The Navy's: a goat.

9) Esprit de Corps. Even if you can't spell it or pronounce it, the Marine Corps has it in spades. One example: When sailors get tattoos, they do it to express their individuality, and their choices range from Betty Boop and Mickey Mouse to raging sea serpents. When Marines get tattoos, they do it to express their solidarity, and choose bull dogs, ``death before dishonor, '' and ``USMC.''

10) Best war monument: Iwo Jima

11) The Marines invade, then go home. The Army has to do the occupying.

12) The silent drill team. Just watching them ply their trade makes you want to wear dress blues.

13) Status. Sailors live and work on ships. Marines go for cruises -- then hit the shore.

14) Best fast attack vehicles: LAVs.

15) Best fighting knife: Ka-Bar.

16) Best duty assignments: Okinawa, Kaneohe Bay, Camp Pendleton, Diego Garcia, Moscow, North Carolina. Plus any ship at sea.

17) Worst duty assignments: Okinawa, Kaneohe Bay, Camp Pendleton, Diego Garcia, Moscow, North Carolina. Plus any ship at sea.

18) Most exotic duty assignments: Kuala Lumpur, The White House.

19) Best phone number. Call 1-800-MARINES and you've got the Corps. And if you're a civilian with the character to be a Marine, a recruiter there will be happy to sign you up.

20) Toughest DI's. (Drill Instructors). They're so tough that when the Navy wants to train its officers, who do they call? 1-800-MARINES.

21) Toughest boot camp. When San Diego was still training Navy recruits, legend has it that recruits occasionally would jump the fence and accidentally land in Marine boot camp. The Marines would keep them a couple of days, and when the recruits were sent back, they were ready to be sailors!

22) Best motivational cries: Ooh-rah! - Attack! - Kill!

23) Best emblem: Eagle, Globe and Anchor. (Air, Land and Sea)

24) Best campaign covers: The Smokey Bear hat.

25) Separate heads for enlisted and officers. Everywhere else, officers and enlisted use the same pot.

26) The only official, congressionally sanctioned hymn for any of the services: ``The Marines' Hymn.''

From the Halls of Montezuma
To the Shores of Tripoli;
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title of
United States Marine.
Our flag's unfurled to every breeze
From dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in every clime and place
Where we could take a gun;
In the snow of far off northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes;
You will find us always on the job --
United States Marines.
Here's health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life
And never lost our nerve;
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded by
United States Marines!!! OOOHrah.''

27) Best slogan I: ``Once a Marine, always a Marine''

28) Best slogan II: ``Tell that to the Marines''

29) Best slogan III: ``Send in the Marines.''

30) Best slogan IV: "First to Go, Last To Know."

31) Best slogan V: "Marines can do lot with a little and everything with nothing."

32) Best nicknames I: Jarhead

33) Best nicknames II: Leatherneck

34) Best nicknames III: Devil Dog. Trivia question: Where did this term come from? Answer: The German Army in World War I, whose soldiers' greatest fear was running up against the toughest American fighting men, the Marines. They called them "teufelhunden, " or Devil Dog.

35) Most remarkable airplane: The Harrier. No other service's jets can take off and land on a dime.

36) Most dangerous airplane: The Harrier. Not a simple science, but luckily more of a danger to the enemy than to Marine aviators.

37) You're a Marine. Not a soldier or a troop.

38) That's Marines, with a capital M.

39) Tradition! The Corps is older than the U.S. Republic itself! (Birthday - 10 November 1775).

40) Marines symbolize: Discipline, courage, honor, commitment, valor, patriotism, military virtue.

41) Best recruiting gimmick I: Those darn Knights-in-Shining-Armor commercials.

42) Best recruiting gimmick II: ``We're looking for a few good men.'' OK, they left out women. The Corps is looking for a few good women, too.

43) Best recruiting gimmick III: ``If you have the mettle to be a Marine.''

44) The Commandant's House. It's the oldest occupied residence in Washington, D.C.

45) Chesty Puller. You gotta love a service that has heroes with names like that.

46) Former Commandant and Mud Marine Al Gray (Anecdote I): His official portrait, in cammies.

47) Former Commandant and Mud Marine Al Gray (Anecdote II): He drank from a four-star canteen cup.

48) Former Commandant and Mud Marine Al Gray (Anecdote III): Business leaders are so impressed with his ethic and style, they're using his Fleet Marine Force Manual 1, ``Warfighting, '' to hone their skills for boardroom battles.

49) Unity. Every Marine is a Rifleman.

50) The Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Marines Attack by Land, by Air and from Sea -- simultaneously.

51) The ``Docs, '' -- Marines' corpsmen-in-arms. They're sailors, but they're as tough as Marines.

52) Mud. You wanna see pure joy? Look at a group of Marines after a mud fight.

53) Starch. Clean 'em up, put 'em in starched cammies, and they look sharp.

54) Poetry in motion. They're weapons, not g-u-n-s. And if you don't know the pithy verse that explains that, don't ask us. We blush to tell.

55) Point of the spear, out in front, kicking down the door. What the Marines do best.

56) Marine spouses. God love 'em. They have it then worst of any of the service spouses. They endure six-month deployments and one- and two-year unaccompanied tours. The ones who survive a career are as tough as the Marines they married.

57) Marine kids. God loves them more. They know the meaning of duty, honor and country at too young an age.

58) The Air Force. Aren't you glad you're not an airman? They're pampered, yet they still find time to whine.

59) The Army. They get all the best equipment first and Marines still do it better.

60) The Navy. Give them credit. They have it almost as tough as Marines. But who wants to be a limo service?

61) The Coast Guard. Tell the truth: If you couldn't be a Marine, would you be a Coastie? In those powder blue uniforms? Not on your life!

62) CH-46. Say a Hail Mary and climb aboard. Nobody makes 'em anymore, but Marine ingenuity keeps 'em flying. And with a safety record that's nothing short of a miracle.

63) The Close Combat Manual.

64) Leadership I. In the Corps, E-3s and E-4s get to do more than most E-6s in other branches.

65) Leadership II. Every Marine above the rank of corporal can tell you what it takes to be a leader. It's spelled out clearly and drilled in relentlessly. And it pays off under fire.

66) Leadership III. Corporate America could -- and does -- learn from the Corps' leadership curriculum. All Marines who enter the private sector take those lessons with them.

67) Combat correspondents. They're journalists in the Navy, but in the Corps, the job is combat correspondent, thank you very much.

68) Marines do more with less, and they like it that way.

69) Amphibians one and all. Like the Army, Marines have tanks and armored vehicles. But theirs not only fight . . . they swim.

70) Air power. When the grunts look to the sky for support, they see Marine pilots, not zoomies.

71) Style. Nothing beats the canopy of sabres during a full dress Marine wedding.

72) Wetting-down parties. No one celebrates promotions with more flair and admiration.

73) Mess etiquette. Enter covered and drinks are on you.

74) Mess night I. Those who make the most pay the most.

75) Mess night II. ``1775 Rum Punch'' -- four parts dark rum, two parts lime juice, one part pure maple syrup. Grenadine to taste.

76) Non-Comms (Non-Commissioned Officers) rate their own ceremonial sword!

77) Fighting style I. When the U.S. went into Haiti, Army soldiers sought cover behind their rucksacks. Marines DUG IN!

78) Fighting style II. When the Air Force deploys, they carry their Samsonite bags on luggage carriers and stay in hotels. When Marines deploy, it's two seabags and your weapons. And a tent in the bush.

79) Fighting style III. Marines know how to use their bayonets. Army bayonets may as well be paper weights.

80) No smiling in official portraits. All business.

81) Terminology. In the Corps it's a ``fighting'' hole not a ``fox'' hole. Fox holes are for people who want to hide. Fighting holes are for people who want to fight.

82) The "people's own" Marine Corps Marathon.

83) When asked by the press, an overseas Marine doesn't say ``I don't know what my mission is, '' ``I don't know why I'm here'' and ``I don't like it here.'' He knows. It's his calling.

84) The ``Stumps.'' The combat center at Twentynine Palms, Calif., is a huge sandbox in California's desert. It's where Marines go to play warrior any time of the year.

85) Best environmental motto: ``We're looking out for a few good species.'' They may be charging the beach, but Marines are taking care not to step on endangered critters.

86) Image. Marines get real network coverage, not the kind you need a gridiron and an academy to get.

87) AH-1W Super Cobra gunships. They are lean, mean fighting machines.

88) The ONLY combined arms force. You want joint-ness? The Marine Corps has been joint for decades, with its own air force, ground-pounders and Navy in one.

89) When the President cares enough to order in the very best, who's he gonna call? The Marines.

90) First in, first out. Marines bust in first so the Army can do its job.

91) When it absolutely, positively has to be destroyed overnight, the number may as well be 9-1-1. Send in the Marines!

92) Boss' night. Every so often, the NCOs or staff NCOs buy the drinks for their charges at their club. Can't beat that!

93) Physical fitness. You've seen portly chiefs, but there are no fat Marines.

94) Everyone's a Marine -- officer and non-commissioned.

95) Actor who should have been a Marine: John Wayne.

96) Former Marine who shouldn't be an actor: John Wayne Bobbitt.

97) .50 caliber sniper rifles! OOOHRAH.

98) Most stickers spotted on America's highways on car bumpers and windows.

99) The Summer Evening Parade.

100) ``The President's Own, '' the Marine Corps Band. John Philip Sousa, the world famous band master, was the first leader of the band.

101) Value for your tax dollar. The Corps does it all for less -- just 6 cents of every dollar spent on defense goes to the Marines.

102) Best motto, Semper Fidelis, always faithful. That's Latin, by the way.

103) Best twist on the best motto. Semper Gumby, always flexible. Yeah, he was green, too.

104) Best slogan I. ``Nobody ever drowned in sweat.''

105) Best slogan II. ``Marines go where others fear to tread.''

106) Best self description. Gungy

107) First in orbit. No, that's not another gunny losing his temper. John Glenn, that clean Marine, was the first human to orbit Earth. He was also a former U.S. Senator.

108) Marines are first on foot and right of the line. Marines form at the place of honor in any naval formation. The Secretary of the Navy bestowed that honor in 1876.

109) When the President climbs into a helicopter, he flies Marine One.

110) Most prestigious helo squadron. HMX-1, the president's fleet.

111) When the Navy needed someone to guard its ships, sailors and nuclear devices, they called on Marines.

112) Best personalized license plate I: ``1775.'' It's on the commandant's car.

113) Best personalized license plate II: ``SM OF MC, '' Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Harold Overstreet's four-wheel drive Chevy Blazer truck.

114) The Chief of Naval Operations rides in a Lincoln Town Car. Commandant Gen. Carl E. Mundy Jr. rode in a sporty Chrysler LHS sedan.

115) When the nation goes to war, the press covers the Marine Corps. During the Gulf War, there were more than 90, 000 Marines in the region of a total force of 650, 000. But the Corps outpaced the Army, 293 to 271, in articles about the ground war in four major newspapers. As journalist and author John Fialka put it: ``If the PR rivalry between the two services . . . had been a basketball game, the score would have been Marines 149, Army 10.''

116) Best Heroes I: Smedley D. Butler. With a name like Smedley, he had to be tough, in self-defense. The Army rejected him, but by lying about his age, he got a commission from the Marine Corps in 1898, at age 16. From the Philippines to Haiti, he was an expert in suppressing revolution. His blunt style was pure Marine, and probably cost him a job as Philadelphia's public safety director after his first retirement and a bid for the Senate after his second.

117) Best Heroes II: Chesty Puller. It's more than the name. He started in the Corps with a reserve commission and was released in the drawdown after World War I. He then enlisted as a corporal, served in Haiti and received his second commission in 1924. He retired in 1955 a lieutenant general, the most decorated Marine in history, and probably the most colorful as well.

118) Best Heroes III: Lewis Puller Jr., Chesty's son. He joined to follow in his father's footsteps, lost both legs in battle, and went on to become a Pulitzer Prizewinning author. He ended his own life, and he's sorely missed.

119) Best Heroes IV: ``Manila John'' Basilone. A true gunfighter from the word go. The first enlisted Marine in World War II to be awarded the Medal of Honor. Won it for his heroic efforts on Guadal Canal. Later killed on Iwo Jima, and posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.

120) All the Marines who won the Congressional Medals of Honor. There are 293 in all.

121) Best greeting. Semper Fi, Mac!

122) Best show of pride. After the 1982 Beirut Bombing, Marine Corps Commandant P.X. Kelly visited a wounded Marine in the hospital to present his Purple Heart. Covered by tubes and unable to speak, the Marine simply asked for pad and pen. On it he wrote: ``Semper Fi.''

123) Best recruiting station: Tun Tavern, Philadelphia, 1775. It's a bar, no less.

124) Only armed force with a beer named in its honor: Tun Tavern Beer.

125) Best description: Soldiers of the Sea.

126) Best slang for a Navy ship: LHA -- Luxury Hotel Afloat.

127) Best Marine quote from the Gulf War: ``I sure hope the Iraqis are good lovers, because they sure can't fight.''

128) Best acronyms I: The MEU (SOC). Say it out loud and it says what it means. Sock it to 'em.

129) Best acronyms II: SPIE rigging. It stands for Special Insertion, Extraction. It's what they do when they're saving the day.

130) Hollywood loves Marines. A few examples:

131) ``Sands of Iwo Jima.''

132) ``The Wind and the Lion.''

133) ``Heartbreak Ridge.''

134) ``The Flying Leathernecks.''

135) ``The D.I.''

136) ``Death Before Dishonor''

137) "Siege of Fire Base Gloria"

138) "What Price Glory"

139) "The Boys in Company C"

140) And television loves Marines:

141) ``Baa Baa Black Sheep''

142) ``Major Dad''

143) Scarlet stripe on NCO and officer trousers. They're not just sharp, they serve a point: The stripes represent blood shed in battle.

144) The Book of Remembrance. Stored at the post chapel at Quantico, it lists the name, rank and date of death of all Marines and sailors who served with Marines and who gave their life in Vietnam.

145) Famous proverb. A young recruit asked the D.I., ``Sergeant, who carries the flag in battle?'' The reply: ``Son, every Marine carries the flag in battle.''

146) The highest-ranking active-duty woman in the services wears THREE STARS!! She's LtGen. Carol A. Mutter, USMC.

147) Notable quotable I. ``A ship without Marines is like a coat without buttons.'' -- Adm. David G. Farragut.

148) Notable quotable II. When the Marines found themselves surrounded by Chinese troops near the ``Frozen Chosin'' during the Korean War, a Marine officer summed it up for his men. ``Good. Now I can shoot in all directions.''

149) Notable quotable III. ``Uncommon valor was a common virtue.'' -- Adm. Chester Nimitz, leader of Pacific forces in World War II.

150) Notable quotable IV. ``Retreat . . . Hell! We just got here.'' -- Col. Wendell ``Whispering Buck'' Neville, fighting in France during World War I.

151) Notable quotable V. ``Come on, you sons of bitches! Do you want to live forever?'' -- Sgt. Dan Daly, World War I.

152) Notable quotable VI. ``The raising of the flag on Mount Surabachi means a Marine Corps for the next 500 years.'' -- James Forrestal, who was then secretary of the Navy.

153) Fleet submission I. ``My 10-year-old is proud when he's teased about his mother wearing combat boots'' - anonymous Marine mother.

154) Fleet submission II. ``Marine Corps spirit and purpose define American resolve and intent.'' -- Carrol Childers, a civilian employee at Quantico's Amphibious Warfare School.

155) Leadership. The Corps trains its leaders young and expects a lot out of them. And, gosh darn it, they get what they ask for.

156) Fleet submission III. ``Those hard-charging NCOs that have done so much with so little for so long.'' -- Capt. James Lopez, Quantico, Va.

157) Fleet submission IV. ``The smell of gunpowder in the morning on the rifle range.'' -- Cpl. Bradley Cameron, Quantico.

158) Fleet submission V. ``It's my life.'' -- GS-8 Diane Pierce.

159) Fleet submission VI. ``The feeling of belonging. Whenever you go, there will always be someone you know, someone with something in common and someone willing to lend a hand'' -- anonymous Marine.

160) Fleet submission VII. ``The Corps is the world's biggest fraternity. All our present and past members are, and always be, members of the Semper Fi fraternity. And unlike other fraternities, ours is open to women.'' -- CWO Mark Roulette.

161) Fleet submission VIII. ``Knowing when you're in need, a Marine will be there.'' -- SSgt. Cheryl Oban, Quantico.

162) Hollywood loves Marines. (Part II: Marines who went to Hollywood).

163) Don Adams.

164) Charlton Heston.

165) Bob Keeshan (Capt. Kangaroo).

166) Lee Marvin.

167) Steve McQueen.

168) Burt Reynolds.

169) George C. Scott.

170) Gene Hackman.

171) Tax advantages I. VHA & BAQ -- your housing allowances -- are tax-free.

172) Tax advantages II. You don't pay tax at the exchange either.

173) Fleet submission IX. ``It is a family.'' -- anonymous Marine.

174) Fleet submission X. ``It teaches us to be strong people both mentally and physically.'' -- Cpl. Maria Retan, Quantico, Va.

175) Fleet submission XI. ``I love the Marine Corps for those intangible possessions that cannot be issued: Pride, honor, integrity and being able to carry on the traditions for generations of warriors past. After I have done what I can for the Corps, I can say that I was a Marine'' -- Cpl. Jeff Sornij.

176) Fleet submission XII. ``The pride of going home on leave, putting on the dress blues and everyone knowing you're a member of the world's finest fighting force.'' -- Sgt. Chase Gilbert, Laurel Bay, S.C.

177) Up-to-date fashions at overseas Exchanges.

178) Global presence, global reach. As the Hymn notes, so spread out are Marines around the globe that some can watch the sun set while others are watching it rise.

179) Respect. The State Department chose Marines, not soldiers, to protect our embassies.

180) Good taste in gifts. Wanna know how much a Marine missed his family during a deployment? Check out the china and toys in his seabag on the return trip, and then look at his credit card bill.

181) Marines are winners. Consider, for example:

182) Tarawa.

183) Saipan.

184) Guadal Canal.

185) Tripoli.

186) Belleau Wood.

187) Chosin Reservoir.

188) Hue City.

189) Peleliu.

190) Leyte Gulf.

191) Guam.

192) Tinian.

193) Iwo Jima.

194) Okinawa.

195) Khe Sahn.

196) Wake Island.

197) Haiti.

198) Somalia.

199) Dominican Republic.

200) Bosnia-Herzegovina.

201) Kosovo.

202) East Timor.

203) Kuwait

204) Chapultipec

205) Guantanamo Bay

206) Vera Cruz

207) New Orleans (1815)

208) Nicaragua

209) Fort Fisher

210) Bahamas

211) The Officer's Sam Browne Belt.

212) Top Guns: Marine Snipers. One shot, one kill, one thousand yards.

213) Top Guns II: Marine Corps wrestlers and boxers. They don't use weapons, and they don't need them, they are regular medallists at the Olympic Games.

214) The Marines take care of their own. On the battlefield, nobody's left behind -- dead or alive -- and the home front is always secure.

215) Commitment and devotion. ``You gotta love it, '' says Col. Richard D. Stearns, commanding officer, Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort, S.C. ``Just liking it won't get you through the day.''

216) Image. ``I'm inspired by the integrity of Marines: uplifted by the pride, focus, discipline, flexibility and motivation to do the right thing in the best way. I'm honored that, by service to the country, they are serving citizens like me. All this, and they are fun colleagues and co-workers.'' -- Jean Forrest, civilian instructional systems specialist, Marine Corps Institute.

217) The Birthday Ball I: The cake.

218) The Birthday Ball II: Remembering all those Marines who gave their life for their service and their country.

219) The Birthday Ball III: Seeing who's the oldest and youngest Marine in your unit.

220) The Birthday Ball IV: The Beer, Steaks and Lobster served at the Chow Hall every 10 November - Worldwide.

221) The MARINES are the only branch of the United States Military that can be DEPLOYED to a "HOT ZONE" * Without * Congressional approval. Short and sweet, the President has 90 days to use the MARINES without approval from Congress. Hence the famous slogan; "First to Go, Last To Know."

222) The Ultimate solution when Diplomacy Fails: The United States Marine Corps

My Vietnam

2007-02-19T05:59:00.000-05:00

Vietnam Flashback

2007-02-19T05:53:00.000-05:00

Dedicated To Our Soldiers

2007-02-19T05:52:00.000-05:00

Dedication to our soldiers.

Global Warming a hoax?

2007-02-19T05:46:00.000-05:00

Fight for Womens' Rights

2007-02-19T05:35:00.001-05:00

Who Are Cops?

2007-02-19T05:16:00.000-05:00

We're the people that you may see every day and night. We're the people that you depend on one way or another. We're working for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

When you and your children pass us in the store and you can't control them, you make them afraid of us. You tell them if they don't behave, you'll tell us to "get them". My friend we are not monsters. We don't want them to be afraid of us. We want them to know that we're their friends, and they can trust us.

Do you know who we are?

Sometimes, we have to play the role of lawyers, judges, psychiatrists, reporters, medics, marriage counselors, investigators, firefighters, and many times, just be a good listener. Those are just a few of the skills that we must be able to utilize at any moment in the performance of our job. We're constantly scrutinized by the media and you, the public. We're bashed by you. If one of us makes a mistake it sometimes makes the local news, and possibly even the national and world news.

Many of you are more interested in what a few of us do wrong, than what most of us do right. You forget that we are not perfect. We're human and we do make mistakes.

Have you ever made a mistake?

We have the same emotions that you do. If something is funny, we laugh. If something is sad, we cry. When repeat offenders are released from prison and placed back into society to rape, rob and murder again, we get angry just like you. We wonder why they are put back out also. We suffer from the same problems that some of you do. Some of us at this very moment are thinking about committing suicide. Some of us already have. Some of us, if not most, have marital problems. Some are alcoholics, and yes, some of us even have problems with drugs. Again, we are just like you.

We're of every race, sex, religion, nationality and even sexual preference known to mankind, yet, if we strike back to defend ourselves, we're called racist and prejudiced.

Do you know who we are?

Most of you have no idea what we go through every day and night. You have no idea what kind of decisions we must make in a split second. Decisions that may forever change someone's life, family or future. Decisions that a jury will have hours or days to decide whether we were correct or not.

Many people would love to cause us pain, injury or even death. Some wish we didn't exist at all. We're cursed, ridiculed, shot at, cut, beaten, ambushed and murdered in cold blood by some. Would you ever imagine that we're here for those people also? Would you believe that we are the only thing that stands between you and them?

We see things that would horrify most of you. Things that you may think only exist in large cities. That's a common misconception. We see death, broken bones, dismembered bodies, and cut throats. The list is too long to really go on. These things are everywhere. A lot of the things that you see only on TV or at the movies are all too real to us.

We see innocent little children that have no choice but to live in dirty, smelly, roach infested homes because their parents would rather sit on their butts and live on welfare in a government funded housing complex, or a house that is not fit for human habitat, than to get out and get a job. Parents that would rather spend more, if not all of their money getting high on drugs, than
taking care of their children, and raising them in a clean environment. Some of the parents are only children themselves.

As I said before, we're human and have feelings. It hurts knowing that these children may never get to see and do things that other children with loving, caring, hardworking parents are doing. I wonder if any of them will ever get to see that magical wonderland called Disney World.

Yet our job is one that looks appealing to some of you. Especially when you see us stopped for lunch. We've heard some of you say things like "I wish I had a job that would pay me to sit around and eat." Of course you don't think that the very next minute we may be fighting for our lives, or yours.

When you see us riding down the road, and you, not knowing where we're going, or what we're about to face say "I wish I could get paid to ride around all day and write tickets". My friend, I wish that was all we had to do.

Do you know who we are? I think you do.

You don't see us ride through your neighborhoods late at night trying to protect you, your family and property from the thieves who could care less about how long and hard you worked for everything you own. You may not know this, but they are roaming your neighborhood at night too while you are fast asleep. They're looking for anything of value that is easy to get. Things that you carelessly leave unsecured or laying in your yard. No neighborhood is completely safe.

When something is taken from you, you call us. Some of you will complain and wonder where we were when your property was taken. The sad, but true story is that we are extremely out numbered by the bad guys. We can't be everywhere at once and they know that. I wish there were more of us.

You should know who we are by now.

If you don't you will soon.

Now the types of crime and people that I have mentioned aren't the only ones that we come in contact with. We also come into contact with you, the citizen that never does anything wrong. We're all to familiar with you and the remarks that you make when our paths meet for whatever reason. Whether it is running a stop sign, a red light, speeding, or DUI.

If we had a dime for every time we heard you say "I pay taxes! Why don't you leave me alone and go get the drug dealer standing on the corner"? "There are people out there doing worse than me!" Or the famous "I pay your salary!" We would be rich!

We know that those of you that make an honest living do pay taxes. So do we!

If we concentrated only on the drug dealers, how many innocent people would be injured or killed if we were to ignore the people that travel extremely too fast, or the people who get behind the wheel while intoxicated? That number now is too high and is still climbing. I can't help but wonder how many lives we have saved by stopping the speeders and the drunks. Could one life have been yours or one of your family members?

We know that there are people doing much worse than you, but the bottom line is, there are many laws that must be enforced, from minor traffic violations all the way to hard-core crimes such as rape and murder.

To the remark "I pay your salary". All I can say is, "Well, we're doing our job".

If for some reason you still don't know who we are, we are the Police Officers, Sheriff's Deputies, State Troopers, State Police, FBI and everything in between.

We are many but we are still too few!

As I said in the beginning, we are ALWAYS here for you. If you need us, call. Even if you don't, you don't have to be afraid of us. Remember that we are on your side. You can talk to us anytime you see us sitting on the side of the road, or in a parking lot, or walking in a store. If some of you would just get to know us, I think you would find out what I've tried to explain. That we are just like you. We just have a different job.

Mexicans Didn't Build America

2007-02-19T05:04:00.000-05:00

Osama Obama

2007-02-18T11:18:00.001-05:00

TRIBUTE TO THE AMERICAN SOLDIER

2007-02-18T05:43:00.000-05:00

Love's Own Language

2007-02-14T06:34:00.000-05:00

By Dorothy Snyder

It had been a long, tiring day caring for my husband who suffered from Alzheimer's disease, and when he spit the pill out, I was upset and said in an unkind voice, "Why did you do that?"

I got down on the floor to look for the pill and heard him softly say, "But that's what you told me to do, isn't it?"

I began to cry. How could I have been so cross with him when he had done exactly what he understood me to say? The doctor had told me that he might begin processing language in reverse; that his "yes" could be "no" and a "no" could be "yes." Obviously, when I asked him to swallow the pill he had understood me to say just the opposite.

When he saw me crying, he reached out to me. "Don't cry. Come here," which caused me to cry even harder. Moving over by his wheelchair, I put my head on his knee and he patted my shoulder.

Although he didn't understand my asking him to swallow the pill, he did understand my distress and pain and in spite of all the confusion and damage the disease had done to his mind, his love caused him to reach out to comfort me.

Eventually the disease left him unable to speak except for an occasional word here and there. And even when he could not express in words what he was thinking, in his own way he still communicated. When I did something to make him more comfortable, he would look at me with a soft expression in his eyes, acknowledging what I had done. When I straightened the bedclothes or changed his gown, he would take hold of my hand and caress it.

These gestures spoke to me as eloquently as if he had spoken out loud, proving where there is love, there will never be an insurmountable language barrier.

Salute (VIDEO)

2007-02-14T05:03:00.000-05:00

LOVE IS IN THE AIR: VALENTINE DAY!

2007-02-14T04:48:00.000-05:00

St. Valentine

Patron of Love, Young People, Happy Marriages

Valentine was a holy priest in Rome, who, with St. Marius and his family, assisted the martyrs in the persecution under Claudius II. He was apprehended, and sent by the emperor to the prefect of Rome, who, on finding all his promises to make him renounce his faith in effectual, commended him to be beaten with clubs, and afterwards, to be beheaded, which was executed on February 14, about the year 270. Pope Julius I is said to have built a church near Ponte Mole to he memory, which for a long time gave name to the gate now called Porta del Popolo, formerly, Porta Valetini. The greatest part of his relics are now in the church of St. Praxedes. His name is celebrated as that of an illustrious martyr in the sacramentary of St. Gregory, the Roman Missal of Thomasius, in the calendar of F. Fronto and that of Allatius, in Bede, Usuard, Ado, Notker and all other martyrologies on this day. To abolish the heathens lewd superstitious custom of boys drawing the names of girls, in honor of their goddess Februata Juno, on the fifteenth of this month, several zealous pastors substituted the names of saints in billets given on this day.

The Origin of St. Valentine

The origin of St. Valentine, and how many St. Valentines there were, remains a mystery. One opinion is that he was a Roman martyred for refusing to give up his Christian faith. Other historians hold that St. Valentine was a temple priest jailed for defiance during the reign of Claudius. Whoever he was, Valentine really existed because archaeologists have unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to Saint Valentine. In 496 AD Pope Gelasius marked February 14th as a celebration in honor of his martyrdom.

The first representation of Saint Valentine appeared in a The Nuremberg Chronicle, a great illustrated book printed in 1493. [Additional evidence that Valentine was a real person: archaeologists have unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to Saint Valentine.] Alongside a woodcut portrait of him, text states that Valentinus was a Roman priest martyred during the reign of Claudius the Goth [Claudius II]. Since he was caught marrying Christian couples and aiding any Christians who were being persecuted under Emperor Claudius in Rome [when helping them was considered a crime], Valentinus was arrested and imprisoned. Claudius took a liking to this prisoner -- until Valentinus made a strategic error: he tried to convert the Emperor -- whereupon this priest was condemned to death. He was beaten with clubs and stoned; when that didn't do it, he was beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate [circa 269].

Saints are not supposed to rest in peace; they're expected to keep busy: to perform miracles, to intercede. Being in jail or dead is no excuse for non-performance of the supernatural. One legend says, while awaiting his execution, Valentinus restored the sight of his jailer's blind daughter. Another legend says, on the eve of his death, he penned a farewell note to the jailer's daughter, signing it, "From your Valentine."

St. Valentine was a Priest, martyred in 269 at Rome and was buried on the Flaminian Way. He is the Patron Saint of affianced couples, bee keepers, engaged couples, epilepsy, fainting, greetings, happy marriages, love, lovers, plague, travellers, young people. He is represented in pictures with birds and roses.

I'm A Marine Now

2007-02-14T04:38:00.000-05:00

If I ever go to war Mom, Please don't be afraid.
There are some things I must do, To keep the promise that I made.
I'm sure there will be some heartache, And I know that you'll cry tears,
But your son is a Marine now, Mom, There is nothing you should fear.

If I ever go to war Dad, I know that you'll be strong.
But you won't have to worry, Cause you taught me right from wrong.
You kept me firmly on the ground, yet still taught me how to fly.
Your son is a Marine now Dad, I love you OORAAH, Even if I die.

If I ever go to war Bro, There are some things I want to say.
You've always had my back, and I know it's my time to repay.
You'll always be my daybreak, through all of life's dark clouds,
Your brother is a Marine now, Bro, I promise I'll make you proud.

If I ever go to war Sis, don't you worry bout me,
I always looked out for you, but I can't do that anymore,
Cause I'm a big bro to all in America.
I love you so much and you know that, Your brother is a Marine now Sis,
So wipe your eyes, I'll be fine even if I die.

If I ever go to war my Friends, We'll never be apart,
Though we may not meet again, I'll hold you in my heart.
Remember all the times we had, Don't let your memories cease,
Your friend is a Marine now, Dear Friend, And I'll die to bring you peace.

And when I go to heaven, And see that pearly gate,
I'll gladly decline entrance, Then stand my post and wait.
I'm sorry Sir I can't come in, I'm sort of in a bind,
You see I'm still a Marine Sir, So I can't leave them behind.

New Music Video From The Dixie Chicks

2007-02-13T06:42:00.000-05:00

All My Children's 20th Anniversary (1990)

2007-02-13T06:10:00.000-05:00

Terrorism Justified?

2007-02-13T05:45:00.000-05:00

After 6 Years of President George W. Bush (VIDEO)

2007-02-13T05:35:00.000-05:00

This video speaks for itself (found via US Marine Corps Veteran Curt at Flopping Aces):

Stop Hillary

As the Violence Rises in Iraq ~ Let Us All Pray

2007-02-12T22:15:00.000-05:00

Forever Charmed

2007-02-12T18:40:00.000-05:00

Laura Bush's Carrot Muffins

2007-02-12T09:53:00.000-05:00

ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup canola or sunflower oil

preparation
Preheat oven to 350°F.

Line 12 muffin molds with paper cup liners. Combine flour, baking soda and cinnamon in a medium bowl. In a mixing bowl, place the eggs, oil, vanilla and sugar together and whisk. Stir in flour mixture until combined then stir in carrots and pecans. Fill cups three-quarters full. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, about 18-20 minutes. Cool muffins in the pan for about 5 minutes, then invert them into a rack.
Yields 12 muffins

Iraq War & abortion

2007-02-12T05:10:00.000-05:00

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An ECard To My Friends

2007-02-11T06:06:00.000-05:00

Bad Ass Army Video

2007-02-11T05:43:00.000-05:00