My brother John says, "Read this obit, this fellow was true WW2 hero."

Robert Shields has passed away.

Mr. Shields was awarded numerous military decorations including: two Bronze Stars with "V" device for valor, the Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge and Senior Army Parachute wings with two combat stars.

There was some RUMINT and scuttlebutt around the hometown about how many of the enemy SSG Shields killed, but there's no point in throwing around a number. His actions speak loud enough; there's no reason to toss around a potentially bogus number.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to be made in Mr. Shields' memory to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org. The Wounded Warrior Project is an organization that is helping our wounded soldiers.

Because obituaries are often posted for a short time, I'll highlight some more in the extended entry...

Continue reading "R.I.P. Robert Shields"

For those who didn't come home, we will never forget.

Overheard at work today:

Airman number one: "Huckabee is such an inspiring figure. I mean, he lost like what, a thousand pounds?"

Airman number two: "Why don't you just have the finalists from Biggest Loser run for president, then?"

We're the USMC and we're here to help and/or kill you.

Col. Chase Nielen has passed away.

Former Spook has more and adds

...when you have a moment, pause and say a silent prayer of thanks for men like Chase Nielsen, and the nation that still produces them.

I concur.

Stumbled across this in my early morning reading: Anthony Pierro has passed away. I'd never heard of the guy, but I figure when a survivor of some of the bloodiest battles of the First World War passes away, I might as well take a moment to recognize him. Right now every other website in the world is discussing what's her name, who died in Flori-duh this week.

He was not only the oldest living veteran in the United States; he was the oldest living man in the country. He would have turned 111 next week. Born in Italy, passed through Ellis Island in 1914, and drafted into the Army in 1917. Served in the 320th Field Artillery Regiment of the 82d Division.

There's a few articles in the Boston Globe, but you'll probably need to register in order to read them. I'll link 'em anyway.

An article from his birthday last year. Another discussing his status as the oldest US veteran.

Rest in Peace.

Continue reading "R.I.P. Anthony Pierro"

My letter to the editor of the Arizona Republic in regards to this cartoon in the extended entry.

Update: The Insta-dude has been saying for a while that "[if] you don't like ideas, don't bother arguing with them. Just threaten to kill people. They'll back down. Or at least their booksellers, universities, and governments will."

Marines won't ever threaten to kill someone based on their speeches, statements, or cartoons. In fact, it is because of the Marines that individuals like Steve Benson may draw whatever they want. Funny that they never seem to draw anything that offends folks who will kill based on speeches, statements, and/or cartoons they disagree with.

Continue reading "Letter to the Editor"

I always knew he was a straight shooter...

Continue reading "I had no idea..."

I've been a shift-worker for almost all of my 11+ years on active duty, which means my schedule doesn't account for holidays and special events. So like any other blue collar shift-worker, I've had to head in on New Year's Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Christmas Eve for a midnight shift. And Memorial Day.

It doesn't bother me in the least. I've never crossed the icy Delaware River on Christmas Day. I've never geared up for the Forth of July by spending three days in the swealtering heat in southern Pennsylvania. I've worked on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, and even on my birthday. Never under these conditions. I've worked a few Labor Day weekends before. This man spent seven of them in a POW camp. I've had it easy, so you'll hear no whining.

So while I'll be donning the uniform in a few minutes, I'll be thinking of the men and women who have sacrificed everything over our 230-year history.

Some Memorial Day links in the extended entry.

Continue reading "Memorial Day, 2006"

I cannot add to what others have said. All you need to know is right here.

Continue reading "Contempt"

I've had my Alaskan fishing license for only 36 hours, and I've caught my limit of rainbow trout twice.

Continue reading "The trout are jumpin'"

Via Paw Paw I found this post at Snugg Harbor. Read the whole thing.

Continue reading "Kinder and gentler?"

I've been meaning to link to the Jake Silver Show for awhile. I've known maintainers and mechanics and other fix-what-others-break types in the military, and they all remove their wedding rings when they get to work. Jake now has a wedding ring that he can wear on the job. Cool story.

Way back when, during the reign of the radio-active midnight sun, I took this photo of one of the young Airmen from the shift. A group of us from work spent the night out on the Kenai Peninsula, partying until dawn it was time to head home. In the summertime in Alaska, there really isn't much of a "dawn"... not one that you'd recognize.

Continue reading "A highlight of 2005"

Via Nav Source Online, check out this photo of the USS Arizona. It was taken some time in 1916 as the ship moved along the East River.

When I was stationed in Hawai'i years ago, I bought a post card with this photo on it. I keep it with my ticket stubs from the observation deck of the World Trade Center.

Winds of Change has a collection of Pearl Harbor related posts.

Continue reading "Infamy"