Member of the Original 29 "Code Talkers" Dies

 Marine Lloyd Oliver, one of the original Code Talkers and an American hero, during WWII.  

I would imagine that many of you saw the movie starring Nicholas Cage.  It was a moving film but for Hollywood definitely a bit too "rah-rah USA!" so it moved fairly quickly from the large screen to the small screen and that was a shame.  I know I've ensured that my children watched it--with the exception of my 4-year old daughter, of course, but her time will come--because it does shed some light, albeit the screwed-up light of Hollywood, on a piece of American history that should not be lost.

Still proud of his service and especially of having been a Marine.  Semper Fi, Lloyd!

Make no mistake about it, though, Lloyd Oliver was a hero in every sense of the word and he undoubtedly saved the lives of many Marines during the Pacific War.  Now we have lost him and only one of the original Code Talkers remains.  He was, by reports, a very non-verbal man possibly because of the severe hearing loss he suffered as a result of combat but also because that was the way he was.  Some men are like that.  They prefer to do rather than talk.  Men like that do not become politicians but they do become great warriors and there is no doubt that the man from the Yavapai Apache Reservation was a great warrior.

Tonight at the usual hour raise your glass to him and bow your heads to honor this quiet hero.  He shall not be forgotten.  May God comfort bless his family and may this Marine rest in peace.

Follow the title link for more.

Last living US WWI vet dies in W. Va. at age 110

Frank W. Buckles:  WWI Doughboy, Civilian Internee in the Philippines during WWII.  Here was a man and a hero!  

With the passing of the last WWI Doughboy an era passes quietly into the night.  Men like Frank W. Buckles stepped up to the line and more than a few, like Buckles, lied about their age to serve.  To be sure it was a different time then.  Patriotism was still a most honorable virtue and ties to both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War were only a generation or two distant.  We are here today because of men like Frank W. Buckles.  He turned 110 last January 31, 2011.  He's now gone on to join those who went before.

Where ever you are this evening, take a moment at 11:00 PM and be silent while contemplating the passing of this man.  Then raise a glass to his memory.  May he never be forgotten.

And may he rest in peace.

Follow the link for more.  

And there is more, here:  http://howthehellshouldiknow-wallyworld.blogspot.com/2011/02/history-news-happy-birthday-to-last.html

OTL: Veteran's Golf

Sometimes we need to step back a little to realize just how blessed we are. Even if you don't play golf you'll like this short video about golf on one very special golf course played by some very special heroes. Jack Nicklaus is part of the story and shows the class that not only made him a great champion, but a great man as well.

May God bless and keep these men, heroes all.

Liberating the Pope

An 18-year old Joseph Ratzinger was liberated by the American Army in 1945.  He was ordained a priest in 1951.  He is now known to the world as Pope Benedict XVI.  

As I blogged below, we lost another of the Greatest Generation, Maj. Richard "Dick" Winters, on January 2, 2011.  While some of us studied the tactics he used in Military Science 101, others only became familiar with Maj. Winters when they watched the Band of Brothers on HBO.  But while doing some reading in support of the blog I ran across the linked article.  Being a Catholic convert, I found this most interesting and paused to think about the men involved and what they went through.  We sometimes don't take time to consider that what we accomplish as we go through life just might have far reaching consequences beyond what we can imagine.  And I can think of nothing more far reaching than being involved in the liberation of an 18 year-old boy in 1945 who was later to become the Vicar of Christ.  This is an extremely remarkable and in its own way, inspiring, story.

Follow the link to see how the 2nd Chemical Mortar Battalion of the 45th Infantry Division participated in an operation that was amazing in ways they could not imagine at the time.

‘Band Of Brothers’ Hero Maj. Richard ‘Dick’ Winters Dies At 92

I blogged earlier today on Major Richard Winters and you can see that below but the linked blog is the best obituary I've read in a long time.  It does a hero justice.

Follow the link for more.

Farewell to WWII hero Maj. Dick Winters, central character in 'Band of Brothers'

I remember the Band of Brothers very well and even studied the classic attack on the artillery position lead by Major (then Lieutenant) Richard Winters that was featured in the HBO series.  The ROTC instructor that lectured on the attack described it as one of the best examples of fire and maneuver ever seen.  I don't think that can be disputed.

I just heard that on January 2, 2011, Maj. Richard Winters returned to Easy Company.  He was a true hero.  He was 92 years old.  May he rest in peace.

Follow the link for the story and more.

Chief: Woburn cop slay like ‘wild west’

Officer down.  

Another brother officer is down in the line of duty.  Another family looses a husband and father.  When the sound of gunfire erupted he ran towards it, not away, because it was his duty.  He didn't think twice about it.  He just did it knowing that St. Michael was there beside him.  Now he will age no more and he stands beside St. Michael ready again to battle evil.

Now that I'm retired I often think of those brothers-in-the-profession of mine who died in the line of duty.  I will never forget them.

Follow the link for the story.

Hamilton Police shooting video

Police Dash-Cam Video

Sometimes our Guardian Angel has to work overtime. In this case the now-deceased "I-wanna-be-a-cop-killer" traffic violator had obviously fired his gun once before then opened the cylinder and closed it in such a way that the next round would be the already fired chamber. That "mistake" saved the life of this officer.

We can Monday Morning Quarterback with the officer's actions all we want but all in all he did his job very well. After having a weapon thrust into his face with a simultaneous pulling of the trigger accompanied by that ominous CLICK! of the hammer falling--enough to get anybody's fascinated attention--the officer recovered quickly, moved to make the subject's next shot harder and drew his own weapon in response. While I'm not saying that there are no lessons to be learned, I find no fault with what the officer did as he accomplished the most important mission of his shift that night: He went home safely to his family.

Follow the link to watch it for yourself and caution if there are kids in the room. There is an understandable and very clear expletive uttered during the encounter.

The Award of the Medal of Honor to Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta...and the Dishonor Accorded his Parents and the Parents of Those Who Died

Oh! Would that those who posture as our rulers in Washington have one-tenth the Patriotism, Courage and Humility of this man!  

The inability of Obama and the Democratic Party to give the proper respect to Americans is well documented but if you've got 5 minutes listen to this story.  It is sad that the occasion was politicized by the Democrats.  But then again, what can you expect?

Follow the link for more.

"This is no drill"

Pearl Harbor...the name itself evokes emotions even among us who weren't yet born that December 7th, 1941.  I went there many years ago and a friend from the Secret Service, Tom Collins (may he rest in peace), arranged for a tour.  It was sobering to look down into the water and see the Arizona laying just a few feet below the surface.  But it took until 9/11/01 for me to fully understand the feelings that my parents had when Pearl Harbor was mentioned.  Until the day she died my mother could remember exactly what she was doing that day and any mention of Pearl Harbor led to her talking about friends and acquaintances who were working for MK (Morrison-Knudson) on Wake Island when the war started and never left that island.

9/11 was my generation's Pearl Harbor moment.  Like my parents I can remember the small details of that day.  Unlike my parents, I look at a now feckless Federal Government response to terrorists who that day we finally realized had declared war on us.  Our military has done all it has been asked to do and more but the idea that we can wage war in a piecemeal manner against an enemy that purposely hides behind the skirts of its women and children offers no easy solution.  Today, however, it is proper that we put aside our current tribulations and consider the world that our parents and grandparents--and for some their great-grandparents--faced when they woke-up that morning, December 7th, 1941:  "...a date that will live in infamy."

Here are some photos from that day.

The USS Arizona today.  

Runner Crawls to Finish to Win Title for Her Ailing Coach

Holland Reynolds has probably heard little about Amelia Earhart; but she has clearly learned that courage is merely the result of an unbending determination to finish the fight.  

This should have been titled "The Heart of a Champion" for this young lady is truly a champion and an inspiration.

The New York Times posted this as I was watching it on Fox.  The NY Times is best known for its slime but in this case, they printed gold.

Follow the link for more.  

Sunday Reflection: After his own loss, a general salutes two brave Marines | Washington Examiner

My Uncle, Lt. Ole Woods, served with Puller at Chosin.  It's good to know the Marines still produce leaders of this caliber.

Sunday Reflection: After his own loss, a general salutes two brave Marines | Washington Examiner

I was in the Army but I've always had the utmost respect for the United States Marine Corps. Like the Texas Rangers, the Marines have a reputation for being the bane of those who are the enemy. The Army, as good as it is, has strived to ensure continuity of leadership by developing leaders that appear to have come from the same bland mold. They are effective leaders, to be sure, but they lack the aura of leadership that fighting men, and women, crave. That unique, oft-times flamboyant style of individual leadership was purposely bred out of Army Generals after the death of George Patton. The Army clearly decided that it should only have Generals as adept in the art of Political Correctness as they were in the Art of War.

The Marines have not traveled that same path and they still produce leaders that would bring a smile to Chesty Puller's face. Lt. Gen. John F. Kelly is one such leader and he is clearly a warrior that understands war and how best to prosecute it. This is the type of leader that has made the Marines the organization that they are. May his hero son and the two heroic Marines he speaks of rest in peace and may God Bless them. Semper Fi!

Follow the link for an excellent read.

Patriotic Tribute to our Military-Song-"Liberty"-Ronnie Kimball-FREE DOW...

To all my fellow veterans and those who are now serving, thank you. Thank you for your service. Thank you for your sacrifice.

And today at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month let us all take a moment in silence to remember those who gave their all in battle as well as those who served and are no longer with us. It is fitting that they never be forgotten.

Medal of Honor: Robert D. Maxwell - HUMAN EVENTS

T/5 Robert D. Maxwell

A hero from the Greatest Generation.

Medal of Honor: Robert D. Maxwell - HUMAN EVENTS

It is humbling to read the exploits of T/5 Robert D. Maxwell who willingly covered a German hand grenade with his own body to save the lives of his fellow soldiers. The Bible says that "...greater love hath no man than he lay down his life for his friends..." which he was clearly willing to do. Yet today he still lives and is celebrating his 90th birthday! Born in Boise, Idaho, on October 26, 1920, he now lives in Bend, Oregon. May God bless him this day and every day. He is a true hero.

Follow the link for more.

MoH Recipient David McNerney Dies at 79

Another hero laid to rest.  I cannot add to the write up.  Please follow the link and read for yourself.

May he rest in peace.  He shall not be forgotten.

A forgotten day of infamy: 10-year anniversary of the Cole bombing — and still no justice; Update: White House finally releases statement

Michelle Malkin is again on point.  Today is the 10th anniversary of the attack on the USS Cole, something the Obama Regime would sooner we forget.  But those brave souls won't be forgotten.  We shall remember their sacrifice.

Follow the link for more.

A Salute: Take a Few Minutes Please

A Salute: Take a Few Minutes Please

I can add nothing to this. The man is a hero, pure and simple.

Follow the link to read more.

Video: OLD " 666"

Video: OLD " 666"

We often talk of the "Greatest Generation" with few really knowing what they actually went through to accomplish their mission in WWII. This short video of the exploits of one air crew's fight on a single mission to take pictures of invasion beaches in the South Pacific is an eye-opener even for those who study history. Two of the members of the crew were given the Medal of Honor and the rest were given the Distinguished Service Medals. All for a single mission.

Follow the link and watch. It's worth it.

Bill Millin, bagpiper who accompanied British troops on D-Day, dies at 88

PFC Bill Millin playing for the troops.

Once in a while the Washington Post prints something worthy of its reputation.  The linked article is, however, a sad report.  Bill Millin, the man who piped the British ashore on D-Day in 1944, has passed on to his reward.  

An artist's rendition of a piper leading troops into battle in WWI.

We are most accustomed to hearing bagpipes at ceremonies that honor our dead especially if they were serving in the military or law enforcement when they died; but bagpipes have a tradition of leading troops into battle.  So it was that PFC Bill Millin went ashore on D-Day playing for the troops going ashore to fight the Germans.  For many the sound of the pipes was the last thing they heard on this earth.  PFC Millin carried on a tradition that spans many of the wars of history up to the present day.  He is a hero now gone to his reward.  I am sure that the pipers played well as he was carried to rest.

Carrying on the tradition in Iraq.

  

A piper leading another hero to rest.  May he rest in peace.

May PFC Millin rest in peace.

Follow the link for the story.

A Hero is Gone

Medal of Honor recipient Vernon Baker

Another hero will be laid to rest in Arlington this coming September 24.  This one from Idaho.

2nd Lt. Vernon Baker, 90, died from brain cancer.  He reportedly faced his impending death with jokes and died after telling his wife that he loved her.

Recognition of his heroism came late in his life and long after the guns of his war were silenced.  But the late recognition does not diminish the personal courage of this man who lived a quiet life in his later years.

May he rest in peace.

Follow the link for more.