“Ever a Submariner” by Jody Durham, MM2/SS (A Gang)

I am obviously a sucker for a great submarine story. I spend much of my free time researching stories about a rare breed of men who chose voluntarily to sail on ships designed by their creators to sail beneath the oceans surface. I was recently introduced to Jody Durham, a fellow Cold War sailor (and […]

What about the other 364 days?

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month saw the end to the largest scale war the world had seen up to that point. Armistice Day was declared and over the next year millions of men and women returned to parades and cheering crowds in every city. When the parades ended, people […]

Nothing Heroic?

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/mar/28/columnist-wants-end-military-funeral-honors-vets-w/ St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Bill McClellan published a column Wednesday, saying the U.S. military should do away with funeral honors, since “most veterans did nothing heroic” anyway. Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/mar/28/columnist-wants-end-military-funeral-honors-vets-w/#ixzz2Owdi2kKW Follow us: @washtimes on Twitter I don’t know what planet this idiot comes from but to suggest that veterans did nothing heroic is one […]

Thanks for your service… now hand in your guns

I rarely reblog someone else’s page but I know that I have a following of a number of veterans who have honorably served their country. I saw this one this morning and thought that is deserved a little more recognition. http://redflagnews.com/headlines/disarming-americas-heros-veterans-receiving-official-letters-prohibiting-them-from-purchasing-possessing-receiving-or-transporting-a-firearm-or-ammunition From the article written By Constitutional Attorney Michael Connelly, J.D. How would you feel […]

Man Battle Stations

All day long today I have enjoyed seeing the pictures of men and women in uniform being saluted by so many people. Their service is precious and appreciated by so many. That’s probably why I was so angry when I saw this letter tonight in the McKeesport Daily News. No, angry might be too calm […]

It Was a Real Honor

I ran into my younger brother’s recruiter last night as we were waiting to get into a local restaurant I haven’t seen George in many years but he recognized me right away. He hugged my wife and her sister and then turned to me and said “You look just like your old man”. I wasn’t […]

A Date to Really Remember in November (and Everyday)

With all the focus on the elections in early November please remember the sacrifices of the men and women who make that day possible. Congress made November 11th a day to remember Veterans then promptly forgot to hold the people responsible for their care accountable. The backlog of unresolved cases at the VA is higher […]

Our National Shame… oops sorry, I meant to say “Happy Veteran’s Day”

“Happy Veterans Day” the bright eyed young woman at the check out stand says. She sees my US Navy emblem on my hat. I am not sure why I wore the hat today except maybe out of a self indulgent need to show that I am a veteran. I am incredibly proud of my service […]