Baghdad and Beyond

Our Pics with the Stanley Cup

2011-07-23T12:19:00.000-04:00

Michaela and Lord Stanley

Mr. Old Time Hockey and Me with the Cup

I don't think it has still sunk in that the Bruins won the Stanley Cup. I am still hockey hungry. I keep clicking the Bruins tab on the Boston Globe website vainly seeking nuggets of information. The Cup odyssey stories are very nice - I love the way the Cup has its own personality - but I need the season to start again! Woo!

Stanley Cup Baby!

2011-07-20T20:21:00.001-04:00

I am still in shock about the Bruins winning the Stanley Cup. Not because I didn't think they could do it, but just because it is the most awesome thing ever!!! Ok, deep breaths Maureen! Check out this cool video, especially around minute 2:04 and you'll see Dave's sign amidst the mosh pit atmosphere of the post game celebration. Very orderly I might add. Oh was that a fun night!

Mr. CowDung Needs to go!

2011-05-19T10:43:00.002-04:00

I sent the following to the NHL - I hope you will consider doing the same:

I wanted to make you aware of a radio personality in the Tampa Bay Area called Mr. Cowhead. He uses the Lightning logo on the website for his show "The Cowhead Show." As you probably know, this person's feigned outrage at a lighthearted campaign by the Boston Bruins to acknowledge visiting fans caused the Bruins marketing team to remove the ads - not worth the aggravation apparently.

When I checked the website for his show, I saw some outrageously racist, misogynist and homophobic images and thoughts displayed. He's selling T-shirts with a logo reading "Cow Clux Clan" Tampa division. Not sure how to make the images of black men hanging from trees go away there. Also, he is just horrible attacking those who disagree with him on Twitter, calling them "I edited horrible names" ... I think you get the picture.

As a longtime fan of Boston sports, I am very aware of our less than stellar history in race relations which has always made me very sad. However, I am very proud of the fact that the first black NHL player, Willie O'Ree, wore a Spoked B sweater. I just cannot imagine that a team in my beloved NHL could support the ugliness represented by this cowhead individual.

I hope that you can contact the Lightning management and recommend they sever ties with this repugnant individual and the business he represents.

Thank you,

Maureen Heard

@reenie61b

Thoughts About My Beloved Bruins and an 8-Spoked Salute

2011-04-17T21:17:00.000-04:00

I have been a passionate Boston Bruins fan since I was 10 years old when my best friend's Dad took us to my first Bruins game AND I got to meet Bobby Orr. The year was 1971. Bobby Orr walked out of the stick room in a white bathrobe and said "Hello." I remember he asked me what school I went to and even at 10 years old, I was thinking how amazed I was that he seemed to care where I went to school. I have no idea what I said to him after that, my eyes must have been falling out of my head. He was so nice to me and is still known to be a very nice man. Even then I knew that he was a great hockey player, I just didn’t have the context to know that he was and is arguably the best player to ever lace up skates.

That was the year between Stanley Cups for the Bruins and the year that I learned to effen hate the effen Habs. But that is a story for another day.

What I really want to talk about is the magic moment that unfolded during an otherwise frustrating Bruins playoff game – the 8-Spoked Salute.

At every Bruins game, they salute a man or woman from the Armed Forces of the United States. They show them on the jumbotron and play their service’s song while everyone cheers and the players tap their sticks. Sometimes the Soldier or Marine is smiling and cheering, sometimes somber and seemingly uncomfortable with the attention.

Last night, it was the most special salute I have seen. It included two Soldiers, one who was an Iraq veteran, and the other, his father - a Vietnam War veteran. The Dad started out beaming with pride, but as the cheering grew louder, he seemed to become overwhelmed with emotion. I can’t imagine the emotions running through his mind during that moment. I hope that he files away the big hug he and his son got from the Bruins and the Habs fans who were there and takes it out when he needs it. I won’t forget it soon.

Happy Holidays from Toby Keith and the US Military!

2010-12-17T13:08:00.000-05:00

My Dad's Father

2010-12-05T17:11:00.001-05:00

scan0083, originally uploaded by rroepsch.

This is a picture of my Grandfather from Iowa at his First Communion. How cool is that?

Garden Repair

2010-11-13T13:44:00.000-05:00

I love the Boston Bruins Bear, but in this case he gets more love than usual. Did you hear about the stupid female Bruins "fan" who kicked a hole in a pillar in the women's restroom, then fell down. Here is the Bear's response. It's amazing how he can present a sense of disgust in how he repairs the damage.

Veterans Day 2010, Derry, NH

2010-11-11T13:07:00.002-05:00

Here is the text of the speech I gave as guest speaker at Derry's Veterans Day commemoration:

Good Morning and thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today. On this day of remembrance, this day of reflection, this day which is simply dedicated to those who protect and who have protected our nation and our liberty – our Veterans. This day was born in 1919 when President Woodrow Wilson declared November 11^th to be Armistice Day. That year, the American Legion, which I am a proud member, was also born. The Legion was created to help the 2 million Americans who served in Europe during World War I re-integrate back into their hometowns and to maintain the connection to those with whom they had served. That connection was and is critical for those returning from war so they can regain the life they left and incorporate their experiences into their communities. Our communities flourish because of the vast and varied experiences of our veterans. We’ve all learned to make the best of the hand we are dealt, and learned that “fair” is a four letter word, because life isn’t. But most importantly, we bring millions of human touchpoints from all over the world back to our towns to enrich them. Even through the pain and horror of war, there can be dignity, decency and purpose. And … if we found no such thing, we are resolute not to allow that which is surely evil to follow us home.

In 1980, I turned 19 in Air Force boot camp and learned more in those eight weeks than I had learned in my life. I learned to be tolerant of others – 50 young women living in one room will do that to you!

I learned at 19 that there is absolutely nothing that I cannot do when I wish to do it. That is a wonderful thing to know about yourself and I thank the many women who served in the military throughout our history for making it possible.

When I got out of boot camp, I found that many of those I served with were somewhat less tolerant of women in “their” military and were not shy to let me know how they felt. What surprised me was that my assertive and unyielding response often took them by surprise. I would ask “did you really think that I would not respond harshly when you told me I don’t belong? When you tell me that I am going to get you killed someday?” So I became very intolerant of people telling me I didn’t belong. But that chip I carried on my shoulder became worn down and polished as those people either learned that we do belong or to keep their mouths shut. But it took a long time … and it still rears its ugly head from time to time.

During my eight years in the Air Force, they taught me the Russian language and how to be an Intelligence Analyst. How cool is that?? That was my mission on a little US base in Iraklion, Crete and on another island base called Akrotiri, Cyprus. It was there that on a warm and hazy October morning in 1983 we were startled awake to banging on our doors. The Marines our detachment was supporting in Beirut were attacked and they were sending some of the most serious casualties to our little base. Since it was a British base, the responsibility for transferring the remains of a Marine who didn’t make it fell to us. With Old Glory’s field of blue carefully placed on the casket over his heart, we carried him from the hearse to the C-130 so he could go home. I can still feel the thin steel handle digging into my fingers as we walked up the ramp.

After finishing my GI-bill education at the University of Maryland I sought a commission and found the Coast Guard the most friendly to women. After 17 weeks of pushups and being yelled at in Officer Candidate School (which I would gladly repeat tomorrow if I had the opportunity!) I was tossed into the grinder of Coast Guard missions. I learned how to coordinate many boats, ships and aircraft during Search and Rescue missions, then be tossed in front of the TV cameras to talk about the lives we saved and how people can keep themselves from becoming casualties. I helped coordinate the search for the fishing vessel Andrea Gail of “Perfect Storm” fame and the Air National Guard rescue swimmer who was lost at sea during that storm. I escorted President Clinton during the End of WWII Commemoration in Hawai’I in 1995. I’ve policed up cigarette butts, cleaned latrines and shoveled dirt. I helped coordinate the media during the search for JFK Jr.’s plane. I’ve had to explain to mothers, fathers, wives and children why we were no longer going to search for their loved one. I learned that this was their significant event and my solemn duty. I must be calm and dignified.

I retired in July 2001 – being a single mother was catching up to me and my ability to remain mobile. After 9/11 I really wanted to be able to contribute again so I was intrigued when I was offered a position in Baghdad

Iraq

as an Army contractor in late 2005. They hired our group to come up with a media marketing campaign designed to thwart the enemy’s ability to find safe havens to make and plant IEDs. It was a challenging task certainly, but in the seven months I was in

Iraq

, during the most deadly time of the conflict, we made a dent in the casualties. I believe the seeds we planted and the work which continued after I left saved the lives of Americans and our Allies and contributed to the hope of the Iraqis and the relative peace there today.

The men and women returning from these wars in Iraq and

Afghanistan

and the other places terror lives need us to be understanding. Many are invisible. Many are homeless and hurting already. Some women returning are having an awful time. Suffering from traumatic brain injuries, PTSD, and sexual trauma, they are returning to claim the children they left with relatives, then becoming homeless because they are suffering from symptoms of these injuries. It is gut wrenching to hear stories that some wish they had an obvious physical injury so they’d be taken seriously. That breaks my heart.

It took me over a year to “come home” from Iraq after I got back to the

. I was angry at people who seemed to be enjoying themselves a little too much over things I thought were frivolous. Didn’t they know that three Marines were killed today? Didn’t they realize that Soldiers are in a firefight that will orphan many of their children? I was very angry and it put a few more edges on that chip I carry around. It is a joy to me when I meet other veterans and can talk about my service. When you find out someone is a vet, there is so much you don’t have to explain. You can have nothing else in common, but that shared experience is just ….well it’s wonderful.

Many of the veterans returning home to New Hampshire are invisible to us too. As National Guard, they come home and then scatter back to jobs they hope they still have or businesses they hope haven’t been run into the ground in their absence. They are supposed to be so happy to be home that nothing can be bad. Before coming home they fantasize and maybe secretly dread the homecoming because they are changed and home has moved on without them. The veterans of World War I had veterans organizations like the Legion and the VFW to give them an opportunity to find the part of home that hadn’t moved on - The part they could relate to. I recommend that all returning veterans be given the first year of membership in the veteran’s organization of their choosing as a benefit of honorable service that is just as important as educational and health benefits. I’ll be writing our new members of Congress with this recommendation and I ask you to do so as well.

Then the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan can make these organizations their own and ensure the needs of this generation of combat veterans are properly considered.

The warrior ethos holds sacred the notion of leaving no one behind on the battlefield. We must be diligent to ensure it applies as deeply when we come home.

Thank you and God Bless America.

Veterans Day 2010, Derry, NH

2010-11-11T13:07:00.000-05:00

Here is the text of the speech I gave as guest speaker at Derry's Veterans Day commemoration:

Iraq

The men and women returning from these wars in Iraq and

Afghanistan

It took me over a year to “come home” from Iraq after I got back to the

Then the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan can make these organizations their own and ensure the needs of this generation of combat veterans are properly considered.

The warrior ethos holds sacred the notion of leaving no one behind on the battlefield. We must be diligent to ensure it applies as deeply when we come home.

Thank you and God Bless America.

Bruins Opening Night

2010-10-22T14:03:00.001-04:00

Bruins Opening Night, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

We had so much fun at the game last night. The Bruins looked fantastic in a 4-1 win over the Washington Capitols.

Lynn English 1979 Graduation

2010-07-11T20:07:00.001-04:00

Maureen Roepsch, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

I found this picture of me at my graduation.

To My Dad - Thought I'd Share This - from May 2001

2010-06-10T14:42:00.000-04:00

It should be no surprise to anyone here that my Dad loved to eat. So I suppose it is fitting that my first memory of him is waking up to the sounds and smells of him cooking corned beef hash and eggs before he went to work and us eating breakfast together, just the two of us. I was his little princess and he was and is my hero.

My Dad always made me believe that I could do anything in the world as long as I worked hard and never forgot the little guy. I knew every day of my life that he loved me no matter what and everything I ever did or accomplished was simply to make my parents proud of me. For I felt that if they who are such good human beings were proud of me then I must be doing okay.

My Dad taught me a great deal about being a good human being. My father also taught me that you must not compromise your principles for any reason whatsoever because if you do, you cease to control your destiny and you allow others to control you.

He taught me how to field strip an M-1 rifle and how to perform inspection arms without getting my thumb stuck in the bolt. He taught me that to disable an attacker you jam your thumbs into their eyes all the way to the elbow or jam your heel into the instep – that would take the wind out of their sails, by golly.

Dad always told me not to trust anyone, DTA he said, but I know he did trust. Instead I followed his example and trusted and loved unconditionally and was disappointed when that trust was broken, (however seldomly) and was not particularly eager to allow the same person another shot at me.

He was a walking treatise on the art of leadership and war. I found that much of the leadership style I evolved into as a military officer came from the years of relentless quotations from great military leaders I was often subject to. He taught me that life was often unfair but not to whine about it, just suck it up and carry on.

My Dad carried on by enjoying the real things in life – dedication to his family and as a master to a craft that too few appreciate. My father gained much joy from being a gunsmith and marksman, but I feel his greatest joy was the love he shared with his family, including not only his wife, children and grandchildren, but the uncles, aunts, in-laws and out-laws and dear, dear friends for whom he was simply “Tomus.”

My Dad could have taken on a lot of overtime to enrich us materially, but despite some gentle but unsuccessful prodding from my Mom, he usually passed on it in order to spend more time with those he loved. Don’t get me wrong – his penchant for adrenaline lives on in my brother and me – he loved being a cop. How many professions allow one to end stories with the words “Ram him” and the bad guy either caught or running down the street handcuffed to a six foot length of wrought iron railing. His storytelling capability was legendary and the ability to mine fresh stories may have been his favorite part of the job.

I always knew without a doubt how much my father loved me, but I never really knew the subtleties until the other day when I absentmindedly started looking through his wallet. I don’t know why I did. The picture case that came with the wallet was empty. But I looked in one of the pockets in the back and I pulled a tattered corner and out spilled a pile of pictures. My beautiful mother on their wedding day, pictures of me as a baby all worn from forty years of changing them from wallet to wallet, my sisters and brother, all four of his beloved grandchildren, my brother at Fenway Park and finally his mother’s obituary.

I didn’t know why the sight of those pictures struck me so until I realized that I was looking at pure love spilled out on the table, and my Daddy had, in that split second, given me a shot of bittersweet joy, enough to last a lifetime.

I am very confident that each time I say a prayer and remember to take the time to be patient enough to listen for the whisper of God’s answer, I will also hear the whisper of my earthly father guiding me as always to the right path. He never let me down and I will try mightily to live up to his great example.

Mary Genevieve Bowdren Ahern

2010-05-24T11:54:00.001-04:00

Mary Genevieve Bowdren Ahern, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

My Nana, Mary Genevieve Bowdren Ahern is second from the left. My Mom thinks this was 1929ish on Cape Cod

Doggles for military working dog

2010-05-24T10:32:00.001-04:00

Doggles for military working dog, originally uploaded by The U.S. Army.

Love this! Chillaxin puppy :)

Bobby Orr Arriving for the Statue Unveiling!

2010-05-10T13:09:00.003-04:00

Lynn Beach

2010-05-06T21:55:00.001-04:00

Lynn Beach, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

This picture was taken of me and my sister Kris in 1971. In case you missed the significance of the shirt I am wearing - it says "Unbelievable Bobby Orr" in black on the unmistakable gold of the Boston Bruins. Just in case anyone thought I was a late comer to hockey fandom!

Dave and the Beez!

2010-04-20T14:24:00.001-04:00

Dave and the Beez!, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

We had soooooo much fun at the Bruins game. They are up 2-1. Go B's!

Allison, Aunt Claire and Eric Roepsch

2010-04-18T19:55:00.001-04:00

Allison, Aunt Claire and Eric Roepsch, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

Thomas and Carole Roepsch Wedding 1955

2010-04-17T15:33:00.001-04:00

Thomas and Carole Roepsch Wedding 1955, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

Thomas, Eric and Maureen Roepsch 1974

2010-04-16T22:31:00.001-04:00

Thomas, Eric and Maureen Roepsch 1974, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

"After the Christmas Party"

2010-04-14T15:24:00.001-04:00

"After the Christmas Party", originally uploaded by reenie61b.

I love this picture. It is from a slide that I never remember seeing until I scanned it. Buried treasure!

Carole and Kathryn Ahern

2010-04-02T21:21:00.001-04:00

Carole and Kathryn Ahern, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

This is my Mom on the left and my Auntie Kate on the right. They are so beautiful!!

Roepsch Family Easter May 1968

2010-03-28T13:11:00.001-04:00

Roepsch Family Easter May 1968, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

Tuukka Rask, Derek Repucci and me at Ziggy's in Montreal

2010-03-17T15:40:00.001-04:00

Tuukka Rask, Derek Repucci and me at Ziggy's in Montreal, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

Are They All In The Back Of That Truck?

2010-03-10T15:44:00.001-05:00

Are They All In The Back Of That Truck?, originally uploaded by Prince Of Slides.

This cracks me up about Vegas. You can get a girl in your room delivered faster than a pizza!

My First Flip Video - Hah!

2010-03-09T16:03:00.001-05:00

My First Flip Video - Hah!
Originally uploaded by reenie61b

Madame Tussauds

2010-03-04T09:40:00.001-05:00

Madame Tussauds, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

Here is Dave helping Tiger putt!

Curling!

2010-03-02T16:09:00.002-05:00

I fell in love with curling at these Olympics!

Dave at Nellis AFB Golf Course

2010-02-24T13:23:00.001-05:00

Dave at Nellis AFB Golf Course, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

18 Holes at Nellis AFB Golf Course - $25, New visor -$20, Golfing with my honey while the Air Force Thunderbirds practice formations overhead - Priceless!!

My New Kitchen

2010-02-12T09:58:00.001-05:00

My New Kitchen, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

Here is another view from the back door.

My New Kitchen

2010-02-11T12:54:00.001-05:00

My New Kitchen, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

Here is one view of it. I love it!!

Taking cover at Fort Hood

2009-11-09T16:06:00.001-05:00

Taking cover at Fort Hood, originally uploaded by The U.S. Army.

This photo is from the Army flickr feed. I hope we have the guts to convict this terrorist.

Air-assault mission in Paktika province

2009-10-23T09:45:00.001-04:00

Air-assault mission in Paktika province, originally uploaded by The U.S. Army.

Cool pic from army.mil

Maureen at Al Faw Palace

2009-04-07T15:55:00.001-04:00

Maureen at Al Faw Palace, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

This is one of my favorite pics when I was in Iraq.

Opening Day! Originally Published 3 April 2006

2009-04-01T15:43:00.002-04:00

I can't believe this snuck up on me this year!! My beloved Red Sox are playing today. If I were home, I would have Joe and Jerry on my radio and not getting much work done. Here's an article that sums up my thoughts.

I can't wait to get home so I can catch a Sox game in person. Last year Dave and I went to Camden Yards for two games to see the Sox because it was so hard to get tickets to Fenway. It must be because I have either been here long enough or am close enough to going home that the hard rain that fell the night before last isn't bothering me. I just throw on the boots and slog through the mud. We have some new girls (very young) in our tent and they are still learning about how to be in Iraq. They took brand new M-16s right out of the boxes and were trying to figure out how to attach the sling. I've never seen a brand spanking new M-16, all black and shiny. Every one I've ever shot has been all hacked up. It's such a riot, they treat me like Yoda, since I am (a lot) older than they are and have done, well, just about everything I've ever wanted to do. They pump me for information about how I did this or that. They are very impatient to be successful and they sound very much like what I must have sounded like when I did the very same thing to some other Yoda-like woman. What I think is the most interesting is that they have no idea that although I have done a lot and they must think I am wicked old and wise, I still feel like I have so much to learn and can't wait to get to it. Anyway, back to Coco Crisp our new lead off guy - you've got to wonder whether he succeeded in baseball because of, or in spite of his "breakfast of champions" name (as Shaughnessy puts it?)

GO RED SOX!!!

Stop the Foolishness

2009-03-05T23:35:00.000-05:00

Derry residents deserve better than the pathetic spectacle I witnessed during the last Council meeting. I will admit that I have learned a lot in the last few weeks. I found out that if you have the audacity to voice an opinion that gridlock and Parliamentary posturing are ineffective and embarrassing, then you get attacked by the perennial seat warmers who themselves call Council members "stupid" and "liars." I found that people who support me as a candidate for Council, who bravely have my signs in their yards, have been subject to such viciousness, that I am just plain disgusted. If I seemed unprepared to list my donors, it was because I could not find an elegant way to say that I refuse to subject them to the same viciousness that would certainly have rained down upon them had I left a verbal record in that venue. Apparently, the two seeking re-election will stop at nothing to ensure that Mr. Newell's "tipping point" scheme for controlling the Council is fulfilled (see pg. 18, March 5, 2009 edition of Nutfield News.) I'm confident that the residents of Derry are sick and tired of this foolishness, and will vote to make it stop.

Please Vote on March 10th - Derry, NH

2009-02-27T08:49:00.004-05:00

The blog post below was originally posted on 18 December 2005 when I was in Iraq. The reason I feel it is so important is because of what I saw the Iraqis go through to cast their vote in this election. People risking their lives and the lives of their families, making their way through streets that had been turned into the wild west, in order to hope for a better future by casting one vote. Those of us who have become cynics should take this lesson to heart. Anything is possible. My original entry follows:

UPDATE - I had to block out Pauline's face for her safety. I'm sorry Pauline.

This is a picture of me and my friend Pauline who works with me here. She was so excited about being able to vote in the election that I asked her to write a few words for my blog. Thanks, Pauline!

Casting my vote was the second dream that came true,
First being the ousting of Saddam.

We hoped it would have been done in 1991, but between 1991 and the liberation of Iraq, saddam was left to execute the worst of his evil on the society, the people, the land, the environment, not even the apple orchards in the north nor the palm trees, that counted in millions, and the natural marshes of the south survived his wrath.

I believed the end had come only when I witnessed the 3ID (3rd Infantry Division) crossing the Kuwaiti border into Iraq on CNN.

I was cheering them along, and thought it is finally happening, over 30 years in forced exile, I will have a chance to visit my homeland again. You see it is not just my birth place, it is the land of my ancestors, the Assyrians, who contributed so much to civilization (visit http://www.aina.org), both in ancient times and their second glory was spreading Christianity from Iraq all the way to China.

Watching the 3ID, I suddenly felt that an invisible prison door opened and my soul felt it was free at last. It was unusual because I was never conscious of it before, yet we, the Assyrians and all Iraqis in exile, over 4 million, lived the same way.

I thanked General Webster of the 3ID for all their contribution towards the liberation of Iraq, as I told him, they didn't just liberate the Iraqis inside Iraq, they liberated the Iraqis in exile, thousands like me, have finally been able to come back and visit their families after years of separation. And now, we all participated in shaping the future of Iraq by voting.

A heartfelt thanks to our troops and their families for all their effort and their sacrifice to spread freedom and democracy - freedom has a price, that is why I’m here now to be part of that effort.

Pauline

Camp Victory Sports Oasis - Originally Posted 16 December 2006

2009-02-22T19:34:00.003-05:00

This picture is of my co-worker Pat. He is an American but made a poor choice to snooze around me with a camera. He's been in Iraq in the summer before and told me they wear those headcoverings to keep their skin from blistering off in the 140 degree sun. Sounds like a good idea to me!! At least we'll get to ease into the summer.

Well, Camp Victory Sports Oasis happens to be the name of the big DFAC or chow hall here. There is a smaller one called the Coalition Cafe over by our tent city, but we usually go to the big one because it is closer to our work trailers. Both chow halls are surrounded by blast barriers and are guarded by about ten armed (locked and loaded) soldiers with full kevlar and flak vests checking ID cards and patting down all the Iraqis and other folks that don't look like Americans. Once you get past the first set of guards, you head over to the door that is used for DOD contractors and other civilians. Guarding that door today was a young soldier who I look forward to seeing there. As you are walking up to him, he always has a huge smile and says with the cadence of an auctioneer, "Welcome to the Camp Victory Sports Oasis the finest dining facility in all of Iraq have a wonderful dining experience and a wonderful evening ma'am Hoooooah!" Well, what else can you say to that but Hoooah? Anyway, I'd love to get a picture of him but he'd probably yell at me to keep moving, so I'll have to find him outside of the chow hall setting.

It's funny seeing the mix of people here while eating. Some of the young soldiers look no older than my sons Tommy and Andy. I saw a group of them sitting in a booth, six in a booth for four. You could tell they were inseparable. It was cool and sad all at the same time. Then you see the old guys, some are National Guard (my favorite patch on one rifle butt was "One Weekend a Month, BullS#$%!) some are the older contractors that the guys at Fort Bliss called the CW Vets, meaning civil war! Anyway, lots of women soldiers and us contractors, but I'll save the being a woman here thing for another post. Goodnight!!

Brits - Originally Posted 16 February 2006

2009-02-22T17:30:00.001-05:00

I was very fortunate yesterday to have been deposited back at Camp Victory in the safe and secure hands of our coalition partners, the British Forces. One thing I have always been pretty good at is getting things done. I try really hard to know who the people are that I need to butter up, smile at and otherwise be nice to in order to get things done. So when Pauline and I got to the LZ to try to fly Space A home, I went right up to my buddy controlling the flights and told him we needed to get to Griffin (Victory) or BIAP (Baghdad International), he said, “let’s go” and we were on the British helo bound for BIAP. I don’t know where the other 40 people waiting were going, but we got out fast - key!

We found out quickly that the Brits must have must different protocol for flying than the Americans. I thought the Blackhawks flew low. We actually had to ascend to fly over the high power lines. We had both doors open with the gunner switching from side to side depending upon which door was facing down. I don’t think we spent too much time not flying sideways and doing wacky maneuvers. Did I ever tell you that I won’t go on roller coasters because they scare me? My helo ride was jolly good fun!

Brits will always hold a special place in my heart. Back in October 1983, when I was stationed at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus I got a first hand look at how wonderful and loyal allies the Brits are to us “Yanks.” As you might remember on Sunday morning, 23 October 1983, a terrorist drove a truck laden with explosives into the Marine Barracks at Beirut International Airport, killing 241 American servicemen. We were awoken that morning with pounding on our doors that a bunch of Americans had been killed and wounded in Beirut and they were sending many of the casualties to the British hospital on the base because we were so close to Beirut. We all jumped in our car to head up to the hospital to start giving blood and I saw something that still brings tears to my eyes to this day. The road to the hospital was clogged with cars full of British soldiers and airmen waiting to get in line for their turn to give blood for the “Yanks” who needed it. They knew we were Americans and started beeping their horns and telling us to go home and take care of what we needed to do – they were taking care of giving blood and our Marines that had to come there.

We never knew how many came through there because of all the usual confusion surrounding these events. I only knew that one of the Marines who came to Akrotiri that day didn’t make it. I never knew his name, I just knew that our detachment was responsible for ensuring that he made it from the hospital to the C-130 with the utmost honor and respect that we could possibly give. We had to take the flag from the Commander’s office flagpole to place over the casket, but we made sure we got everything right. If I remember correctly there were six of us – I was on the right in the middle – and I can still feel the steel handle digging into my fingers. It was only a short walk from the vehicle into the back of the C-130, but it seemed to last a lifetime.

Maureen P. Heard for Derry Town Council

2009-02-09T19:40:00.005-05:00

8 February 2009
To the Editor:

I am a candidate for Derry Town Council, District 1, and would like to take every opportunity for the citizens of Derry to get to know me, my passion for public service and my vision for the Town of Derry.

I have spent my entire adult life in service to my nation and my community. Twenty years of military service taught me how to focus on mission accomplishment and how to get the most out of diverse teams of people from all over the country and the world.

Although I retired before 9/11, I felt compelled to serve again as an Army contractor in Iraq from Nov 2005 – May 2006. I am the Service Officer for American Legion Post 9, Derry, NH and am always seeking to connect veterans with all available services. I look forward to talking to as many Derry residents as I can in the next few weeks.

Leaders are responsible for the tone they set in their organizations. As a citizen of Derry, I expect accountability, good judgment, professionalism, civility and decorum in my elected leaders and public servants. As your Town Councilor, I would demand no less from myself.

I would be honored by your vote on March 10th.

Sincerely,

//signed//
Maureen P. Heard
52 Windham Road
Derry, NH 03038
603-216-1886

Please click to the site below for more information:
Candidate, Derry Town Council, District 1

Saddam's Daughter's Palace - Originally Posted 14 December 2005

2009-01-30T22:33:00.003-05:00

This is the picture I was trying to post yesterday. It is a palace across the moat from us that Saddam reportedly built for his daughter. Tomorrow is election day here in Iraq. I know that many are very skeptical about how successful the election will be but we have to remember that democracy takes time. Remember that the US was born in 1776 but fought a civil war in the 1860's . I hope the Iraqis will be able to take care of their own country soon. The region filled the vacuum we allowed to be created after the fall of Saddam and the vacuum that would be created by us leaving precipitously would, I feel, destabilize the whole region even more than it already is. Anyway, I try to pray every day that nobody dies tomorrow. Sometimes it works.

Hot Water - Originally Posted 13 December 2005

2009-01-30T22:15:00.002-05:00

Here's the hot water issue - taking hot showers is a pretty important thing around here. So when I got to the tent/shower container (the container part is a little trailer thingy that has the shower stalls in it) this morning and it was full of women yelling that there was no hot water, I was certainly a bit concerned. Actually, I woke up feeling like crap with a sore throat and stormed out of the tent/shower container heading toward the generator to reset it since nobody else would. Well, what would by wondering eyes should appear but a soldier in full PT gear, M16 and a Santa hat chatting with a Filipino guy. Of course, all of the Filipino guys have to say "Good Morning, Ma'am" to you even though, or especially because, you are half dressed storming toward the generator. Next thing I know, Santa soldier whips his head around to see who it is just as I slide on a pile of loose dirt in my shower shoes and continue to storm, pinwheeling toward the evil generator. Finally I reset the generator and head back to the tent/shower container and wait for the hot water. I'm thinking it will take at least 10 minutes for some tepid water. God Bless the Army, because that generator boiled about 100 gallons in those 10 minutes and I had one of the best showers ever!

Mr. Authoritative - Originally Posted 11 December 2005

2009-01-14T20:36:00.002-05:00

This is a mural on one of the walls at Camp Stryker. It is supposedly of the Iran-Iraq war. We look at it when we are waiting for the bus to take us back to Camp Victory. I wonder if that would irritate Saddam? Hmmmm, anyway, back to Mr. Authoritative. Last night I was rudely interrupted while watching on my new laptop the first episode of South Park from a pirated "compleat set" that I bought in the "Haji Mart" for 20 bucks. I was just laughing at Cartman setting the cat on fire when I started hearing AK-47 fire. A LOT of AK-47 fire which has a pretty unmistakable sound to it. So Nancy, Kristy and I looked at each other over our laptop screens and decided we were going to go investigate this. Stepping out of our tent we see tracer rounds sort of in the distance, but flying all over the place. Then we hear some 50cal rounds going off and start thinking that this beginning to be irritating. Enter Mr. Authoritative - he comes sauntering over with his kevlar helmet and flak vest with no shirt underneath - yuck! For some reason, Mr. Authoritative sees three female military officers and thinks "Damsels in distress! I must save them!" So he and his barely shaving companion decide that they are going to tell us all about how they had heard that the insurgents were going to be attacking the compound in advance of the elections and that this was what was happening. I told him that I thought there would be a HELL of a lot more outgoing fire if that were true and Nancy said that it looks like they are shooting straight up. Just then the "Big Voice" comes over the loudspeaker and says "ATTENTION Camp Victory, we are NOT under attack. What you are hearing is celebratory gunfire because of the Iraqi national soccer team's victory. Stay indoors until further notice." Well, Mr. Authoritative vanished into thin air. It was amazing. We couldn't stop laughing. Now we think we know why the Iraqis are so angry. They don't get enough sleep! They stay up all night shooting into the air, then the Allah Akbar Guy wakes them up at 0500 to pray. Well, I'm off to bed. Hopefully no more soccer games.

Just When I Had No Hope - A Miracle! - Originally Posted 10 December 2005

2009-01-14T20:24:00.001-05:00

Since I left the wonderful US of A, I've had a few things more than I should have had to worry about and still do. Some of you know about it - I'll tell anyone who doesn't later. I try to get through the day the best I can knowing that my dear husband is holding down the fort and taking care of our kids. Soooo, here's the deal - I've been ordering things to be sent here, just little things, like rubber boots, shampoo, toothpaste - stuff like that - that make life go. Everyone else has been getting their packages just fine after a week or so. I ordered things before Thanksgiving and still nothing. Well I found out today that our mail room here has had all of my packages for the last two weeks and didn't deliver them. AND they just mailed them all back to where they came from. For some reason THIS has caused me to cry and blubber just like a baby. So I called LL Bean and told them my situation - they are Soooo wonderful - they are going to try to intercept them - LL Bean - at Christmastime!! They never do that, but are making a special arrangement for me because I am in Iraq. Then I called Estee Lauder online to track down my moisturizer, again, not a big deal. I got Leslie on the phone who was just beside herself that this had happened to me. She was asking me about which free sample I wanted and then we were chatting about that I had other packages sent back too with my shampoo that I'm not allergic to, etc. So she asked my what kind of shampoo I wanted - I thought Estee Lauder started making shampoo and she was going to send me a sample. NO - she made me run down a list and she is sending me a care package of all kinds of stuff. Leslie apparently sends a big care package every year and never knows who get it. This time she is sending it to me and I promised that everything she sent I would promise that all the things would be passed out to some very grateful women that live with me in tent city. We had another unit arrive last night - so the tents will be filling up again. Can you believe how nice that is? Just when I was ready to lose my mind - a miracle of nice people to make me feel better.

This flower is the one I mentioned from a few posts ago. And - I got my laptop today!!! Thanks to Dave and my brother in law Allen for my wonderful computer - you guys rock!! Life is good. :)

All the Comforts of Home - Originally Posted 5 December 2005

2009-01-11T17:40:00.002-05:00

Here's a picture of my Army issue rack in my oh-so spacious tent. Thank God Michaela made me the whale pillow you see. Otherwise I would have been pillow free for a long time. I have 550 cord (parachute line) and bungee cords strung up so I can hang up my stuff. I also bought a black plastic foot locker so I can get at my stuff without rummaging through my duffle bag. The tents are heated and air-conditioned but the dust still blows in the sides and gets on everything. It's not so bad here. The Dee-Fac (dining facility) is good and they have Baskin Robbins ice cream and diet coke. We even have a laundry service here that turns around in about 36 hours. I was sooo allergic to the soap they use though and have to provide my own. Because all of the laundry employees are TCNs (third country nationals) anything out of the ordinary causes a huge rift in the space-time continuum. It's funny turning your stuff in. You dump out all your dirty clothes on the table so the KBR (Kellogg, Brown and Root - a Halliburton company) employee can inventory everything. Two brown towels, two pairs pants ... etc. Of course everyone but me is carrying a weapon of some kind. I really have to get used to the people wearing these pistol harnesses that leaves the muzzle facing directly to the rear. On base they cannot have magazines in them, but after being taught gun safety by my extremely safe Dad, I can't get over having weapons nonchalantly pointed in my direction.

If you are not in the palace, you are relegated to using porta johns when you have to use the rest room. Luckily, they are cleaned once a day and new, blue goo added. The ones by our work trailers are sort of at an angle canted backward, so you don't feel especially secure. What's even better is that the humvees and other armored tactical vehicles come around the corner in the dark - oh yea, you're in the dark too! I would hate to be a casualty from being hit in the porta john by a humvee!! I have several little LED flashlights attached to my badge holder because there aren't too many lights around here and you have to walk everywhere. Civilians have to have their IDs, passports and orders on their person at all times - hence the badge holder.

Life here is pretty spartan, but it has a certain elegance to the simplicity. Last night I was awakened by what I thought was an alien spacecraft hovering over our tent. It sounded like a jet not the usual low-flying helo. But in retrospect I don't think it was alien. I'm still here anyway and haven't been abducted. I would consider letting myself be abducted by aliens if I could use a real bathroom. Till tomorrow ...

Evenings Are Beautiful In Iraq - Originally Posted 6 Dec 2005

2009-01-11T17:36:00.002-05:00

This is a picture of one of our beautiful sunsets here in Baghdad. It might be because of the light filtering through all the sand in the air that makes it so pretty, but it may be also because things are so bleak, vegetation-wise around here, God thought to give us pretty sunsets all the time. I saw some pretty pink flowers on a tree the other day. I have to go get a picture of them because they are out of the ordinary.

You can see Saturn and Jupiter pretty brightly here now. Saturn was so bright I thought it was Venus at first but it was too high in the sky. There is a lot of light pollution here, mostly because of us Americans, but you can still see a ton of constellations. For some reason, the Army insists on having a night flag football league. It's not that hot here during the day now, but whatever. They have generators running at about a million decibels powering lights bright enough to alert people that might live on Neptune that there is a football game on. The Iraqis have about three hours of electricity a day because of rationing. If I were Iraqi, I would mortar the football game, just on general principles. But apparently nobody is too concerned about that happening.

I am trying to learn about how Iraqis think about things. They are very indirect communicators, meaning, they beat around the bush and think those who just say what they mean are rude. Hence, they usually think all Americans are rude. But they try to adapt to us and we try to adapt to them. All of the Iraqis I've met are very nice and like to hear that we are passionate about helping them bring peace and democracy to their country. Enough for now! See ya!

Good Morning From the Allah Akbar Guy - Originally Posted 7 Dec 2005

2009-01-11T17:21:00.002-05:00

Actually, this is another beautiful sunset picture. I will try to get one tonight from another vantage point without military vehicles and buildings in the scene. But back to the Allah Akbar guy - As some of you may know, in the Muslim religion, one is required to pray five times a day. The first time of the day being at around 0500. Soooo, at 0500, there is a loudspeaker seemingly right outside my tent blaring the morning Muslim call to prayer. It is actually really a beautiful sounding call. How can someone singing God is Great (Allah Akbar in Arabic) be anything but beautiful? Well, I would prefer if they kept the volume down at 0500, but I really do sleep through it most of the time. I think it is very sad that the F$%^ing Insurgents or RBGs (Really Bad Guys) always say Allah Akbar right when they are blowing our guys up, or taking out Iraqi civilians, or GIs and the kids they are giving toys and candy to. I wish I knew what God thought about all this mess. He's probably sad.

DFAC Booty - Originally Posted 9 Dec 2005

2009-01-11T17:11:00.001-05:00

It's amazing the kinds of things that make you happy here in paradise. Just the fact that the dining facility (DFAC, pronounced DEE-fak) had Iced Oatmeal Raisin Power Bars today is enough to put a little extra skip in my step! The milk here is made from powder and then is irradiated to make it shelf stable. As you can see in the picture, they are kind enough to translate what you are drinking from the Arabic. It's nice to know before you stick the straw in that it's not camel pee! They just got those little Cremora pot of nice creamer last week. I thought I went to heaven!! Back to the irradiated milk - I really doesn't taste too bad as long as it is in cereal. I have a sneaking suspicion that this milk will still be around for the cockroaches to drink if there's ever a nuclear holocaust. Off to get another cup of Joe!! xoxo

Mini One on One Champs - My Niece Katie Burt :)

2008-12-25T19:53:00.000-05:00

This is my Niece - Katie Burt

2008-12-10T21:18:00.000-05:00

This Is Too Funny!

2008-10-21T20:44:00.001-04:00

Who Knew?

2008-10-21T20:35:00.002-04:00

Florida April Vacation 2008 011, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

When we went to the Trop this past May, I knew that the Rays were better than they had been in the past, I couldn't believe all the Red Sox gear on people who were idiots and not paying attention to the game, and that I hated cowbells! I hope they smoke the Phillies whose fans treated Tito like crap. Who can't get behind Rocco Baldelli?

Go Rays!

Dear Mr. Obama

2008-10-17T13:46:00.002-04:00

This brave gentleman says it a lot better than I can.

Vets For Freedom Ad - Obama Doesn't Care About Me

2008-10-01T21:42:00.000-04:00

Informing the Subprime Mortgage Debacle

2008-09-27T19:46:00.002-04:00

Usually I don't pass on this type of information - but I've just really had it with all the lies and fabrications from the Democrats and the Obama campaign regarding this economic meltdown. When my husband became a realtor several years ago, I was shocked by all the exotic options the mortgage companies were offering. When I was a young enlisted person, I really needed my VA loan so I could get a house without a big down payment. That was one of my most important benefits at the time. It became irrelevant as one could get a mortgage with no income. Look at the video below and see what the genesis of this debacle is - it has the Democrats hands all over it. Destroying wealth and impoverishing "Main Street." Great job, Democrats!

Such a Sad Day

2008-09-08T01:38:00.001-04:00

Honolulu, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

I am so blessed to be in this beautiful place. As I was walking around Waikiki, I saw the front page of the Honolulu Star Bulletin reported the crash of a Coast Guard HH-65 helicopter late Thursday evening during routine small boat ops. One of the four dead is one of my OCS classmates, Andy Wischmeier. I hadn't seen him in many years, but you go through a lot together in OCS. It breaks my heart.

Hawai'i Again

2008-09-07T02:49:00.002-04:00

I just checked into my hotel - Hilton Hawaiian Village. I was stationed here for three years - 1994-1997 and enjoyed my time here very much. It's hard to believe that it has been over 10 years since I left. Tommy was in elementary school and Michaela was not yet four. Tom is a senior this year. How quickly time flies. It felt a bit melancholy flying in here. I have some very wonderful memories of my children here before I got divorced. We had so much fun going to the Hale Koa pools and beaches in Waikiki. Michaela doesn't remember much about Hawaii. I'd like to bring them here for a holiday. I think I'll try to make that happen. I'll have a lot of pictures to download - I plan to go exploring tomorrow. Till then ...

Prague 2008

2008-07-10T16:57:00.001-04:00

Prague 2008, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

I'm in Prague again for work. I am so fortunate that I am able to visit such beautiful places!

Going Back To Prague

2008-07-01T16:05:00.001-04:00

Prague 2008 Afternoon 032, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

Such a beautiful city!

I Was In Paris

2008-06-18T17:27:00.001-04:00

Paris Eurosatory Louvre 2008 059, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

Driving down the Champs-Ellysses in a cab speaking Russian with my cab driver because he didn't speak English and my French is admittedly tortured ... and I missed seeing the Celtics win their 17th NBA Championship. Dave recorded the game so I will watch it all when I come home this weekend. I was so happy when the Celtics drafted Lenny Bias - I graduated from the University of Maryland in 1987 and was really proud that they picked him. I know this may sound crazy, but I hope he can rest in peace. His death really hurt the Celtics all this time (of course it hurt him and his family more) and I hope that they can put him and Reggie Lewis behind them finally. Let's Go Celts!!

Tom's Junior Prom

2008-05-30T14:33:00.001-04:00

Spring 2008015, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

Here are Tom and Kelly before the limo took them to the Pinkerton Junior Prom.

Pink Hats

2008-05-04T12:20:00.001-04:00

Florida April Vacation 2008 023, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

We had a great time at the Red Sox - Rays game, although the Sox lost. What made me absolutely insane was the rudeness and obliviousness of the Red Sox "Pink Hats" sitting all around me. Okay, I listen to WEEI - Boston sports radio - most days. I was always slightly irritated by the Big Show host deriding the bandwagon Red Sox fans as "Pink Hats." For me the obvious slam was at the women fans who finally have a choice in apparel to support their team. To the Big Show guys, it is a timing issue of when the bandwagon started and the pink hats appeared. Anyway, after attending that game - I HATE THE PINK HATS! My seat was on the aisle. I was able to see about 40% of the game because every five minutes, regardless of what was happening on the field, some idiotic pink hat just HAD to make a break for an enormous turkey leg, or ice cream, etc. Of course because there is no consideration for others amongst them, they feel it is their right to stand in front of me and my family if they feel like it, especially if they might miss something - like the cotton candy man!!!!!!!! During the third inning, I started getting rude and saying "Get OUT OF THE WAY!" Much to the horror of my children, but it made me feel better.

Le Centre Bell

2008-04-18T13:45:00.001-04:00

CANSEC 018, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

We had so much fun at the Bruins game!!

Hockey Night in Canada

2008-04-12T23:36:00.004-04:00

Dave and I are in Montreal. We wore our Bruins sweaters to the Bruins vs. Canadiens game tonight. I once again came to the conclusion that we both suck. Together, separately, it doesn't matter. Every person in the city of Montreal said so and well, it must be true. Canadians are very passionate about hockey, that's for sure. I think that's why we like coming here so much. Boston fans are a bit spoiled. Everything is Red Sox. Looking at boston.com today, you would hardly know that the Bruins were playing a critical playoff game. But we certainly know everything about Jonathan Papelbon. Regardless, we enjoyed our time here and most people were good sports. The ones who were insulting us in French were a riot. I'd just smile and look at them. "I don't understand a freiking word you are saying." Whatever.

Cherry Blossoms

2008-04-05T19:45:00.001-04:00

Wash DC April 2008 016, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

Some things are so beautiful they take your breath away. This picture does not do justice to how lovely the National Mall is during the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Prague is Beautiful

2008-02-23T14:45:00.001-05:00

Prague 2008 Afternoon 007, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

I've spent the last few days in the lovely Czech Republic capital of Prague. I listened to a concert of selections from Czech composers in the church of Saint Salvator www.concertinprague.cz
Very beautiful!

Prague 2008

2008-02-21T11:06:00.001-05:00

Prague 2008, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

Except for losing my luggage today, this is a wonderful trip.

A Million Words Can't Express

2008-02-04T19:34:00.000-05:00

What this picture represents.

McCain Wins Florida!!!!

2008-01-29T21:54:00.000-05:00

My hero's website. On to Super Tuesday. Please vote for John McCain on 5 Feb 2008. Thank you!

What is Mitt Blabbering About???????

2008-01-29T21:36:00.001-05:00

I am listening to Mitt Romney lecture American voters about voting choices and he sounds as if he has drank waaaay too much coffee! REAL Economy? What is that? It's in his DNA?

McCain Wins Florida!!!

Mac Is Back!! McCain Wins South Carolina!!!!

2008-01-19T22:08:00.000-05:00

Here is the website of my hero - John McCain.

NH Chooses .... McCain!

2008-01-07T21:19:00.000-05:00

Here's Michaela and I after our afternoon volunteering at McCain HQ in Manchester, NH. Michaela was great making calls to surly and overwhelmed New Hampshire voters. I have been freezing waving signs at the debates, walking door to door. Tomorrow I'll be holding a sign all day at the polls in Derry. I think it is going to be a great day in NH for McCain!!!

John McCain For President

2007-12-10T21:29:00.000-05:00

This election will be the most important one of our generation. John McCain is an American hero who will always make decisions based on what is best for our great nation.

Red Sox 2007 Champs!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-10-29T12:58:00.000-04:00

Love my Sox!

Red Sox in the World Series!!!!

2007-10-22T00:14:00.000-04:00

Woo Hoo! This is wonderful! Wow - what a tough series. Gotta hand it to Cleveland. Bring on the Rockies!

Well Behaved Women Quote, Wyoming

2007-10-13T10:21:00.001-04:00

Well Behaved Women Quote, Wyoming, originally uploaded by Ecrivaine32.

No one has ever accused me of being well behaved! :) One of my friends posted this to Flickr. Love it!

Iwo Jima - Legos

2007-10-12T20:37:00.001-04:00

Sept 2007 039, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

This is in the gift shop of the Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, VA. Check out my flickr feed for more pics of the Marine Corps Museum!

Maastricht, Netherlands

2007-09-27T20:09:00.001-04:00

Maastricht, Netherlands, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

This is the beautiful city of Maastricht taken from my hotel window. Very lovely! And much fun too.

2007-09-13T16:03:00.000-04:00

My buddy Nancy is back in Iraq again. Here is her story about a close call on Camp Victory. For all those who think if we walk away from Iraq that everything will be all sunshine and roses - please think again and ... don't endanger my life with your stupidity.

The Revolt of the Generals

2007-09-12T12:16:00.000-04:00

San Diego Union-TribuneSeptember 12, 2007

The Revolt Of The Generals

By Georgie Anne Geyer
This is the week of the generals. “Oh,” you say, “you mean the generals who have been serving in Iraq and are now testifying before Congress about our troops staying there?” Nope, sorry, friend. I mean the growing “revolt of the generals,” as some are calling it, AGAINST the war and against the entire war policy.
They are, of course, almost all retired generals. Anthony Zinni, Barry McCaffrey, Wesley Clark, Paul Eaton, James Jones, John Batiste and others, in addition to some influential colonels such as Ralph Peters. One might stop to wonder why those generals and other officers still in service when the war began didn't speak out a little earlier (as some of these did), when it might have done some good and spared us what many knew even then was going to go down as the greatest military disaster in American history.
Those who did speak out and continue to do so are brave men, with more important messages for Americans today than any that were likely to go from Iraqi commanding Gen. David H. Petraeus to the Congress this week.
From retired Col. Ralph Peters, writing in USA Today: “The generals point out that they don't control the strategic decisions, that all they can do is to follow orders, that then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld wouldn't listen to anyone, that Congress undercut the military, that the media's behavior has been pernicious and that Iraq's political leaders have failed their country.”
“No matter the mitigating circumstances and political restrictions military leaders face, there is no 'gentleman's C' in warfare. The course is pass-fail.”
From retired Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey, testifying before the House Armed Services Committee on July 31: “The U.S. armed forces are in a position of strategic peril. Congress must act.”
“However, the purpose of my testimony is not to talk about the ongoing tactical operations ... but instead the disastrous state of America's ground combat forces. Congress has been missing-in-action during the past several years while undebated and misguided strategies were implemented by former Secretary Rumsfeld and his team of arrogant and inexperienced civilian associates in the Pentagon. The JCS (Joint Chiefs of Staff) failed to protect the armed forces from bad judgment and illegal orders.
“They have gotten us in a terrible strategic position of vulnerability. The Army is starting to crack under the strain of lack of resources, lack of political support and leadership from both the administration and this Congress, and isolation from the American people who have now walked away from the war.”
Finally, retired Marine Gen. Anthony Zinni, speaking on his recent book, “The Battle for Peace,” in a recent “Meet the Press” appearance, describes the administration's behavior in the war as ranging from “true dereliction, negligence and irresponsibility” to “lying, incompetence and corruption.”
In short: (1) Our military officer corps has become so bureaucratized, and thus is easily cowed by an obnoxiously dominating and humiliating figure like former Secretary Rumsfeld, that we can never expect independent thinking from them if it is going to cost them their pensions. (2) The mindset of American officers is so rigidly conventional that they are simply incapable of understanding the Third World mentalities that they blithely – and ignorantly – fight. (3) Our military officers can understand only conventional warfare – tank battles across the belly of Europe – even though that threat barely exists in today's world.
Think about it. Every war we have fought (and too many of them!) since World War II has involved an “irregular” or guerrilla opponent. Especially Vietnam. Yet our military discovered “counterinsurgency” only three years into the Iraq war. The rather obvious thing to learn from this is, if you cannot do something well or at least understand it, then don't do it! That lesson most definitely has not been learned at the Pentagon, at enormous cost to America.
Worse, the true military heroes who have emerged from Iraq – moral heroes for telling the truth – have not been respected by this military, and have largely been pushed aside. One need only think of Army Maj. Gen. Antonio M. Taguba, who was tapped from within the military to investigate the Abu Ghraib torture revelations. When he found that senior officers should be held responsible, he was ostracized – and no officers have received more than a slap on the wrist.
It is surely good that these retired generals (and a few others) have been speaking out, but where does it go? Even today, after Vietnam and Somalia and Bosnia and Lebanon and Central America, there is no one in the Pentagon who can analyze histories of foreign cultures well enough to predict what a society would do in response to an occupation. Our officers are treating counterinsurgency like something brand new when in fact it is millennia old.
We will have to watch carefully what happens to the officer corps after Iraq, whenever that might be. And we will have to thank these generals for the clarity that they are bringing to this clouded picture.

Check Out the Multiple Shell Casings

2007-08-03T11:45:00.001-04:00

iraq, originally uploaded by soldiersmediacenter.

afghanistan

2007-06-08T09:23:00.001-04:00

afghanistan, originally uploaded by soldiersmediacenter.

This is a really great shot!

Iraq

2007-06-04T20:33:00.001-04:00

Iraq, originally uploaded by soldiersmediacenter.

I Would Be Very Hard Pressed

2007-05-22T08:36:00.000-04:00

As a retired military officer to refuse a request from my Commander in Chief, regardless of my personal feelings, to use my skills in the defense of our great Nation. The behavior of some of our most senior, I find particularly vexing. We must win this fight. Iraq is only one battlefield.

Anna and Maureen After 39.2 Miles!!

2007-05-06T21:13:00.001-04:00

Anna and Maureen After 39.2 Miles!!, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

We made it! More later :)

Soldiers

2007-05-01T13:39:00.001-04:00

iraq, originally uploaded by soldiersmediacenter.

One Choice In Iraq

2007-05-01T08:11:00.000-04:00

Please read this opinion from Senator Joe Lieberman. It is one of the most well reasoned arguments for deciding against losing the war. So what if we pull out of Iraq? Unfortunately, Iraq is merely the current battlefield in the war against Islamic fascism. Do people really think that if we pulled out that the enemy would be thankful that they could go home to their lovely lives??? They hate us and our way of life and our freedom. They won't be happy until they make the whole world into a caliphate.

IRack

2007-04-24T09:59:00.000-04:00

Check out this

glumbert.com">video. It is a hoot!

On Being Home

2007-04-17T09:19:00.000-04:00

Please read this post by a Marine who recently returned from Iraq. It is unbelievably moving and sad. We'll be paying this debt to our brave servicemen and -women for years.

Americans Want to Help!

2007-04-07T10:05:00.000-04:00

When I first returned from Iraq I was often angry at the perception I had that Americans didn't care at all about the sacrifices that are being made on their behalf every day. These sacrifices are being made by troops stationed all around the world, of course most notably in Iraq and Afghanistan. I have since come to realize that there are a lot of American who do care, who would like to do something short of picking up a rifle, but a lot more than "going shopping" to defeat the terrorists. All of these good people and their potential efforts are largely going untapped and being ignored because there has been silence from our nation's leaders as to how the average American can help. I believe there are simple things that can be done and recommended that would change the public's perception and would galvanize our great nation to face the fight we have ahead of us. Let's start with the government selling War Bonds - they were wildly successful during WWII. Maybe we don't need Victory Gardens or Aluminum Drives, but however much they were needed during the war, they certainly galvanized the nation into a common sacrifice and made people feel patriotic in simple and discrete ways. People will continue to sit on their couches watching American Idol unless our leaders give them some ideas of how to really help.

The Pivotal Moment - 2004

2007-04-06T17:39:00.000-04:00

This was the pivotal steal - Dave Roberts will always be a Boston icon! This will be a fun season - Go Sox!

Florida 2007 Michaela and Me

2007-04-02T14:18:00.001-04:00

Florida 2007 Michaela and Me, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

I think this is my favorite picture of me and my daughter. We had so much fun on vacation. I can't wait until our next one!

Love this Soldier Pic

2007-03-31T17:21:00.001-04:00

iraq, originally uploaded by soldiersmediacenter.

Thanks Doonesbury!

2007-03-27T13:48:00.000-04:00

Great Soldier Pic

2007-03-23T00:06:00.001-04:00

iraq, originally uploaded by soldiersmediacenter.

Big Papi Gets It!! Thanks!

2007-03-20T09:22:00.000-04:00

Check out this story that started in the NH Union Leader and made it to the Washington Post! I love you Big Papi!

Fun at Winter AUSA

2007-03-12T21:37:00.001-04:00

Florida 2007 Feb 177, originally uploaded by reenie61b.

Everyone worked so hard at this year's AUSA. It was nice to have a little fun at the end! :) Thanks!

The Battle Scars Of A Private War

2007-02-12T09:31:00.000-05:00

Los Angeles Times
February 12, 2007
Pg. 1

The Battle Scars Of A Private War

Contractors wounded or killed in Iraq are the anonymous casualties. Ceremonies are secret, and benefits are scarce.

By T. Christian Miller, Times Staff Writer

HOUSTON — On a cold, overcast day here Friday, nine families came together in a hushed hotel ballroom to receive one of the nation's most prestigious civilian honors.

Executives in dark blue suits shifted uncomfortably as an Army major general in battle fatigues awarded posthumous Defense of Freedom medals to the families' loved ones, all contractors killed while working in Iraq.

But this was no public recognition of sacrifice. The event was held in secret, with guards to keep out the media. The Army even refused to release the names of those it was honoring. The nation's gratitude was delivered behind closed doors.

A thousand miles to the north, a day later, a group of contractors got together on their own dime in a gritty cinder-block VFW hall beside a freeway in Knoxville, Tenn.

This time, there were neither medals nor executives. Instead, there were sudsy beers, loud music and the camaraderie of men and women who swapped war stories of public indifference, bureaucratic ineptitude and corporate incompetence.

"This is what we've got. This is our party," said Jana Crowder, the wife of a contractor. She organized the conference, which drew a few dozen people, from as far as South Dakota and Maine.

The contrasting events signal the issues that surround a new and largely invisible kind of pseudo-veteran: the thousands of contractors who have been injured, some fatally, working in Iraq for the U.S. government.

Nearly 125,000 contractors are now at work in Iraq supporting roughly 135,000 troops, according to the most recent military figures. The ratio is far higher than for any previous U.S. conflict, military analysts say.

More than 750 contractors have been killed in Iraq, according to Department of Labor statistics, and almost 8,000 injured. The figures include Americans, Iraqis and other nationalities employed under U.S. government contracts.

Contractors' surviving relatives and wounded contractors have many of the same problems as military members and their families, including searing grief, difficult recoveries and unanswered questions.

But the contractors' status as private employees on a public mission has created an uncertain future, where surviving a bullet in the head does not mean a lifetime of care and where a local bar becomes the closest thing to a veteran's hospital.

All contractors working overseas are supposed to be covered by federal workers' compensation. Under the system, contracting companies purchase insurance to cover workers' injuries, lost wages and, in the case of death, benefits to survivors.

Though the system has worked smoothly in some cases, many contractors have found themselves fighting for medical care and psychological counseling in a civilian healthcare system. Contractors with head wounds and fist-sized holes in their sides have had to fly back to the U.S. on commercial jets for medical care.

For support, they have only a homemade system of sympathy, patched together through websites and e-mail.

Many of the injured are blue-collar Americans, cops and truckers and oil rig hands who saw Iraq as a way to make some money and support the war. They are scattered across the U.S., isolated from those who suffered similar experiences.

Few contractors expect to be treated like returning soldiers. They are quick to acknowledge that they were paid better and could quit when they wanted.

But many served side by side with American troops, lived in the same harsh conditions, and braved mortar fire and roadside bombs without the protection of armored vehicles or weapons. They are frustrated at the difficulty they have encountered in getting help for their troubles.

Some contractors have seen their efforts in Iraq dismissed by friends and neighbors as the product of greed.

"There's no support," said Art Faust, 56, a former trucker for KBR, a Halliburton subsidiary now being spun off into a separate company. Faust, of Porter, Texas, has been trying to get psychological treatment after being caught in an ambush in which three other truckers and a soldier were killed. "It's just like someone hit the delete button."

The Houston medal ceremony, jointly sponsored by KBR and the Department of Defense, underscored the meshing of the American military with contractors. KBR holds the single largest contract in Iraq, with 50,000 workers supplying food, fuel and mail to the military. The contractors work alongside soldiers, helping rebuild the country and providing private security guards to diplomats and senior U.S. officials.

All told, the Pentagon has awarded 119 contractors the Defense of Freedom medal, which is considered the civilian equivalent of a Purple Heart. Of those, 95 have gone to KBR employees, according to KBR officials.

The officials declined to provide names or access to the event, citing privacy concerns. The Times was given access by family members who received the award.

Bruce A. Stanski, a KBR executive vice president, told the families that the KBR workers were "true heroes." "We at KBR will never forget those who lost their lives carrying out their critical work. They work side by side with our soldiers, providing them with the bare necessities and the comforts of home."

Maj. Gen. Jerome Johnson, head of the Army's Sustainment Command, which oversees the KBR contract, spoke for nearly half an hour before presenting the families with the medal, created after the Sept. 11 attacks to honor civilians working for the Defense Department.

Johnson, who strode across a low riser decorated with U.S. and KBR flags, compared the KBR workers to soldiers and said their work was vital to the U.S. cause in Iraq. Meanwhile, Ray Charles' "America the Beautiful" played.

"Some of your loved ones may not have been wearing a uniform, at least not now, but they were American soldiers," he said, alluding to the many contractors in Iraq who are military veterans.

Afterward, several families said they appreciated the effort by KBR and the military to recognize their loved ones. But they expressed dismay at the lack of communication over the circumstances of the deaths. For many families, the only explanations came from news accounts and recollections of fellow drivers.

Lloyd Dagit's son Keven was killed in the ambush that trapped Faust in September 2005. "KBR has never come and said, 'Here's what happened,' " Dagit said. He continued: "They may say he was part of their family. That means we're part of their family."

Most of the people who gathered the following day in Knoxville were also truckers who had worked for KBR. In the dim light of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1733, they commiserated around low, round tables. Faded red, white and blue streamers hung from the ceiling. Gray-haired Vietnam veterans drank at the bar. A local band blasted Stevie Wonder's "Superstition."

Unable to access local veterans' hospitals, some of the men took a class in post-traumatic stress in a small room beside the bar. Several had been diagnosed with the disorder but had been unable to get steady treatment.

Driver Robert Rowe, 46, of Ohio, was shot in the knee in August 2004 while hauling ice for KBR in a convoy near Baghdad. Army medics treated him, and he flew home with his knee oozing blood under thick bandages.

He is still battling KBR's insurer, American International Group Inc., to get workers' compensation. He lives out of his truck and friends' homes, unable to afford his old apartment.

AIG did not respond to a request for comment Sunday, but it has maintained that 90% of claims by Iraq contractors have been paid without dispute.

"I look at that flag now, and I say, 'What the hell does that represent anymore?' " said Rowe, who served in the military before going to Iraq for KBR.

Sadness!

2007-01-23T12:13:00.000-05:00

I am very sad about My Beloved Patriots losing to the Colts. I am not thrilled with Payton Manning and his ever present mug all over every commercial, but I discovered something when I was watching them play the Ravens - I like the Colts better than I like the Ravens. I can stand watching Mr. Clean Cut Manning MUCH better than looking at Mr. Murderer Ray Lewis. So - Okay - Go Colts!

My Beloved Patriots

2007-01-15T09:34:00.000-05:00

I am still hoarse from yelling and jumping and yelling and biting my nails and ... I am so energized about the Patriots moving on in the playoffs! In Tom We Trust! How about this commercial from Troy Brown?